Business Victories Podcast: Recent Episodes
Cheri Ruskus
In this podcast Cheri provides ideas and tools to help listeners develop the courage to push past roadblocks and achieve their greatest victories. Cheri Ruskus is a Business Coach and Author, best known for her “Victory Letter” she sends out each Monday morning. Through working with thousands of small business owners over the course of 30+ years, she is able to effectively help others develop a strong business mindset for the modern world.
In the realm of business, sales are the lifeblood that keeps things flowing. However, many individuals fall into the trap of viewing sales through a negative lens. According to sales coach Liz Wendling, if you despise the very thing that sustains your business, you're headed for trouble. But fear not! In today's enlightening episode, Liz shares invaluable insights on how to become a successful salesperson by embracing your unique process and approaching sales with a fresh perspective.
To start your transformation, it's crucial to shift your mindset around what sales truly means to you. Rather than conforming to the stereotype of a pushy, aggressive salesperson, seek out the skills and techniques that work best for your personal style. You don't have to sacrifice authenticity for success. Instead, reframe your mindset to see yourself as confident and self-assured. Remember, clients are not drawn to individuals who are overly pushy, but neither are they attracted to those who come across as weak. Find the balance that allows you to confidently present your authentic self, undeterred by the fear of rejection.
Selling is undeniably a pivotal skill for achieving overall business success. Embrace the challenge, overcome the fear of rejection, and unlock your full potential as the salesperson you aspire to be.
Quotes
- “If you hate the only thing that keeps you in business, you're in trouble.” (2:03-2:06 | Liz)
- “Take your mind off of all the things you think selling is and start to declare what it is.” (4:29-4:34 | Liz)
- “If you're putting yourself out there with a product and service, and someone says no, you just move on.” (6:48-6:55 | Liz)
- “When you have a process that fits you because it's made for you, and you use it every day, that's the way that you can find success.” (14:13-14:21 | Liz)
- “Stop making selling so challenging and difficult. It's not. It is a skill that can be learned, like any skill.” (45:12-45:23 | Liz)
Links
Connect with Liz Wendling:
Website: www.lizwendling.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lizwendling-sellingwithaut6011
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizwendling/
Website: www.businessvictories.com
Subscribe to the Victory Letter under Business Victories at www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny: www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@cheriruskus
Contact: www.businessvictories.com/contact
Thinking about starting a podcast? Use my code “shiny” for 50% off your first month with HiveCast.fm
“Creativity, as an entrepreneur, is the greatest tool that we have,” shares host and business coach Cheri Ruskus. When you think about imagination and the role it plays in your life, what comes to mind? For Cheri, imagination is the cornerstone of her creativity and the key to her vision and passion for her business, as well as in all other areas of her life. Use of the imagination is a skill that everyone has within themselves. Even if you do not think of yourself as a creative person, there are countless ways to tap into your creativity and boost your imagination. Today, Cheri discusses how to go about honoring your creative spirit and growing your imagination.
As a child, you likely used your imagination constantly without really having to think about it. This is why Cheri recommends thinking about your inner child when looking for creative inspiration. Think about what you used to enjoy doing as a child. What people, stories, and games fueled your imagination? The more you honor the inner child that still lives within you, the happier you will be. It takes courage to step into your creativity and leave behind fears of failure and judgment. By staying curious and trusting in your inner genius, your imagination will be free to flourish and lead you in new creative directions.
Imagination is a critical component of creativity, innovation, and inspiration. Without it, you risk losing sight of your vision and passion for your business. Let go of restrictive beliefs about creativity, because there is no one right way to be creative. Instead of worrying about making mistakes, trust yourself and let your imagination guide you.
Quotes
- “The very first thing that you need when looking at your imagination is courage.” (5:47-5:53 | Cheri)
- “The more we honor that child in us, the happier I believe that we will be.” (13:14-13:20 | Cheri)
- “Let go of preconceived beliefs that you have about creativity.” (13:21-13:25 | Cheri)
- “Curiosity is what keeps my creativity going, not only in my business, but in my garden and in so many areas of my life.” (21:47-21:54 | Cheri)
- “Create for you and forget about those who might judge you.” (30:32-30:37 | Cheri)
- “Creativity, as an entrepreneur, is the greatest tool that we have.” (32:06-32:12 | Cheri)
Links
Website: www.businessvictories.com
Subscribe to the Victory Letter under Business Victories at www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny: www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@cheriruskus
Contact: www.businessvictories.com/contact
Thinking about starting a podcast? Use my code “shiny” for 50% off your first month with HiveCast.fm
“Emotional intelligence is an important way to understand yourself, understand others, and really open yourself up to other people's perspectives and what will lead to a happier, healthier, better you,” explains Dr. Gloria Miele, executive coach, leadership trainer, facilitator and professional speaker. In addition to her work in leadership coaching, Dr. Miele was the troop leader for her daughter’s Girl Scouts troop all the way from 2nd grade through their senior year of high school. All of this experience combined has proven to Dr. Miele the true value of emotional intelligence and empathy in leadership. Today, Dr. Miele speaks with host Cheri Ruskus about how leaders can begin to work on their own emotional intelligence and set an example that others will follow.
Self-awareness is critical for emotional intelligence. When you are aware of who you are and what is important to you, then you can better decide how to manage your time and where to put your energy and focus. The more you understand yourself, the more you can begin understanding others, which is the foundation of empathy. To be an effective leader, it is important to be able to view things from other peoples’ perspectives. This empathy for others will help to cut through any implicit biases you may have that could have otherwise influenced your actions as a leader.
In a world that is so divided, empathy and emotional intelligence are skill sets that all effective leaders need to have. When you truly understand yourself, then you can begin to better understand other people and lead from a non-judgemental place that centers everyone’s best interests.
Quotes
- “The more you're aware of yourself and how you can manage all of the many things that are on the table, then you can understand where you want to be putting your energies and your focus.” (16:55-17:07 | Dr. Miele)
- “One thing that we're really missing in leadership in some areas, is another piece of emotional intelligence, which is empathy.” (18:04-18:14 | Dr. Miele)
- “Studies show that it really is taking another person's perspective, taking that pause to understand what's going on outside of you, that can short circuit bias, short circuit those implicit automatic thoughts that we have.” (20:23-20:41 | Dr. Miele
- “We are all leaders. We need to remind ourselves of that, that wherever you are on your journey, whether it's professional, whether it's in your family, whatever it is, you are a leader.” (31:16-31:30 | Dr. Miele)
- “Emotional intelligence is an important way to understand yourself, understand others, and really open yourself up to other people's perspectives and what will lead to a happier, healthier, better you.” (32:01-32:17 | Dr. Miele)
Links
Connect with Dr. Gloria Miele:
Website: www.strongerleader.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriamiele/
Watch Gloria's TED talk, "What I've Learned from Being a Girl Scout."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_rra9AHRCk
Website: www.businessvictories.com
Subscribe to the Victory Letter under Business Victories at www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny: www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@cheriruskus
Contact: www.businessvictories.com/contact
Thinking about starting a podcast? Use my code “shiny” for 50% off your first month with HiveCast.fm
“It's the leadership that allows for all to be heard that makes the greatest positive impact,” explains host and business coach Cheri Ruskus. Everyone has a different idea of what it means to be a leader and the most effective leaders are the ones who create an environment where everyone has the freedom to speak their truth and show up as their authentic selves. Today, Cheri shares responses from readers of her weekly Victory Letter to the question, “What does freedom mean to you?” Afterward, she guides listeners through a leadership meditation to encourage people to begin thinking more mindfully about their own personal interpretations of leadership and how to be a leader in a way that enables others to experience freedom.
When leaders are mindful of what freedom means for them and their team, they can create a work environment that aligns with everyone’s values. Everyone wants to feel that they are valued and appreciated at work, especially by those in leadership positions. One way to ensure that people feel heard is to learn what freedom means to them and then lead with those things in mind. Although ideas on freedom vary, the overarching response from readers showed that for the majority, freedom means the ability to speak and live your truth without fear of repercussions.
As a leader, you set the tone for your work culture. When you lead mindfully from a place of respect for everyone’s personal values and ideas of freedom, you create a healthy, more productive and positive work environment for all.
Quotes
- “It's the leadership that allows for all to be heard that makes the greatest positive impact.” (0:06-0:12 | Cheri)
- “Breathing is a beautiful thing. And anytime you get tense or uptight, there's just something about taking an intentional breath.” (15:09-15:16 | Cheri)
- “When we can connect our mind and our heart, it's a powerful thing.” (27:01-27:06 | Cheri)
Links
Website: www.businessvictories.com
Subscribe to the Victory Letter under Business Victories at www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny: www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@cheriruskus
Contact: www.businessvictories.com/contact
Thinking about starting a podcast? Use my code “shiny” for 50% off your first month with HiveCast.fm
“The number one thing I want readers to walk away with is not getting stuck in doubts,” explains Joseph Bennett, life coach and author of a variety of books including, Rest – the Art of Doing Less and his brand new release When in Doubt. In this episode, Joseph joins host Cheri Ruskus to talk about how a person’s money story influences them, the ways capitalism systemically encourages debt accumulation, and his own experiences as an expat living in a creative artist colony in Mexico City.
Every culture approaches money differently. Here in the United States there is a big emphasis on keeping up with the Joneses and a lot of pressure around what people do for work. Joseph explains that he has experienced quite the opposite during his time in Mexico City. His neighbors do not seem to be as caught up in the comparison game, and the first question asked at gatherings is about family rather than work. If you have doubts around managing your money, look to those who have already been successful. Give yourself permission to learn and to ask for help.
Coaching can be a really great means of learning how to manage your personal finances. It is okay to have debts or to not know very much about investing or how to get yourself out of debt. That is why professionals exist who have already been through it and who can help guide you. Don’t let your doubts and the taboo around talking about money keep you from seeking guidance.
Quotes
- “Debt is the big dream killer.” (2:13-2:16 | Joseph)
- “We are not broken if we have debt. We are not broken if we don't know about investments, or about compound interest, or about how to get out of debt.” (2:47-2:59 | Joseph)
- “I follow the philosophy, change your story, change your life. And that has absolutely 180 degrees changed for me what's possible.” (5:17-5:31 | Joseph)
- “Even something that we do mindfully and not getting distracted with bright, shiny objects, that too can be a meditation.” (21:17-21:25 | J
- “The number one thing I want readers to walk away with is not getting stuck in doubts.” (25:50-25:53 | Joseph)
Links
Connect with Joseph Bennett:
https://www.josephbennett.org/
https://www.sanmiguelretreats.com/
Website: www.businessvictories.com
Subscribe to the Victory Letter under Business Victories at www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny: www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@cheriruskus
Contact: www.businessvictories.com/contact
Thinking about starting a podcast? Use my code “shiny” for 50% off your first month with HiveCast.fm
“Acknowledging your money mindset at the ABCs is saying, I am ready to create a new money belief system. Because you can't make the change until you're ready for it,” explains host Cheri Ruskus, founder of Business Victories, an organization dedicated to the success of small business owners. In this episode, Cheri talks about money energy and does a deep dive into the ABCs of money leaks.
As entrepreneurs, having a healthy and positive money mindset is vital for the success of a business. Sometimes when entrepreneurs get down about money, they think just getting a regular job will solve everything. In truth, this solves the cash flow challenges, but not the underlying issue of getting to live the life they desire. Even after experiencing bankruptcy, Cheri realized that she came out of it okay overall. Money was surely important, but it was not everything. And that understanding helped to foster an abundance mindset around money. In order to get a handle on your money mindset, it is important to acknowledge where you currently stand with money and ask yourself what is your current financial system for your business? Cheri dives deep into the ABCs of money leaks, explaining how to determine and acknowledge your money mindset, how to bring strength into your money system, and competitively planning for future money growth.
Money energy can be the difference between being a successful entrepreneur and giving up entirely. If worries about money are keeping you from doing what you love or are causing a lot of stress for your business, you may need to adjust your money mindset.
Quotes
- “Money is the energy that fuels business and subsequently our lives. Without money, business simply doesn't happen.” (2:43-2:52 | Cheri)
- “The thing they loved to do, they no longer love to do because money just sucked the joy right out of it.” (17:11-17:17 | Cheri)
- “What are your top two money strengths that you are good at? Because we all might not be good at all of it, but we're good at certain pieces of it.” (18:25-18:34 | Cheri)
- “Acknowledging your money mindset at the ABCs is saying, I am ready to create a new money belief system. Because you can't make the change until you're ready for it.” (19:02-19:16 | Cheri)
Links
Website: www.businessvictories.com
Subscribe to the Victory Letter under Business Victories at www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny: www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@cheriruskus
Contact: www.businessvictories.com/contact
Thinking about starting a podcast? Use my code “shiny” for 50% off your first month with HiveCast.fm
“It's important to show people not just the pretty Instagram pictures, or the pretty pictures for the book. I try to show people the sausage making along the way because there is a lot of grit and ugliness to the process as you try to conjure something into existence,” explains Linda Vater, self-taught garden designer and stylist with an impressive YouTube following. In this episode, Linda joins host Cheri to talk about how embracing change can enable you to live a more full life.
When Linda started out her side hustle, she never expected it to become as successful as it has. As a busy entrepreneur, Linda was anxious at first about the idea of uprooting her life and family from their home of 30 years. She knew that her followers were equally attached to her garden, but felt in her gut that it had reached its full potential. Leading up to the move, Linda prepared her followers and shared her journey, even the uncomfortable parts. She strongly believes that by sharing ugly, grittier side of building something new, she will inspire others to embrace their own mistakes and challenges. Change may have been intimidating at first, but for Linda it opened a new world of possibilities.
Making a big change can feel scary and uncomfortable at times. However, if you are willing to embrace change, that discomfort can lead to incredible opportunities and a chance to live your life to the fullest.
Quotes
- “I was insecure about my ability to do it again, because that one was done over a 30 year period. As you understand, a garden doesn't happen overnight. And all of a sudden, I was changing my paradigm to moving to this new place where I don't have that luxury of 30 years.” (5:54-6:13 | Linda)
- “I knew that not only did I love that place, but that a lot of other people loved it vicariously through me, just as I have loved some other famous gardens and I didn't want to be disrespectful of that.” (13:27-13:40 | Linda)
- “It's important to show people not just the pretty Instagram pictures, or the pretty pictures for the book. I try to show people the sausage making along the way, because there is a lot of grit and ugliness to the process and discomfort to the process and angst as you try to conjure something into existence.” (16:53-17:22 | Linda)
- “I am happy to share the mistakes I make along the way because that's how it happens. And sometimes those mistakes are fortuitous and give you an even more magical canvas to work on than you thought originally.” (27:37-27:56 | Linda)
Links
Connect with Linda Vater:
Listen to Linda’s Story in Episode 39 entitled How to Make a Profitable Hobby:
https://soundcloud.com/search?q=how%20to%20make%20a%20profitable%20hobby%20with%20linda%20vater
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaVater
Website: https://www.lindavater.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/potagerblog/
Subscribe to the Victory Letter under Business Victories at www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
Website: www.businessvictories.com
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny: www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@cheriruskus
Thinking about starting a podcast? Use my code “shiny” for 50% off your first month with HiveCast.fm
“Looking back, I'm really glad I bet on myself. That was the best thing I could have done,” shares Wendy Conklin, founder of Chair Whimsy. Wendy is an artisan, designer, and educator who uses her chairs to teach others how to bring creativity into their lives. In this episode, Wendy joins host Cheri to talk about the importance of making time for creativity as an adult.
Entrepreneurs often struggle with knowing how to involve creativity in their work. No matter what kind of job you have, even if it is not in a particularly creative field, you can still incorporate play. When you get really hands-on, that activity links with your brain and allows for creativity to happen. Allowing yourself to play requires you to allow yourself to mess up. There is great freedom in being able to make mistakes without getting hung up on them. This way you can get into a playful headspace and brainstorm creative solutions in a way that is playful and largely stress-free.
Kids are not the only ones who need to play. Play and creativity are very beneficial for adults as well. When you learn how to play and incorporate that creativity into your professional space, you are setting yourself up for a more enjoyable life.
Quotes
- “Looking back, I'm really glad I bet on myself. That was the best thing I could have done. And I just think that more people should just bet on themselves. It gets me up in the morning.” (9:01-9:14 | Wendy)
- “You know your business better than any expert out there.” (9:41-9:44 | Wendy)
- “Research has shown us that tactile doing, touching with your hands, connects to your brain and allows creativity to happen.” (15:44-15:54 | Wendy)
- “We all need more play. All of us adults do, and many of us just don't know how to do it.” (18:56-19:01 | Wendy)
- “When you go ahead and set your price really high, you are setting yourself up for that perceived value.” (22:50-22:57 | Wendy)
- “Life is not about working 24/7. It is about doing your work, but also enjoying life too.” (23:39-23:46 | Wendy)
Links
Connect with Wendy Conklin:
Website: https://chairwhimsy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chairwhimsy/
Wendy’s Book: https://chairwhimsy.com/book/
Website: www.businessvictories.com
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny: www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@cheriruskus
“Pay attention to how you're actually spending your time,” encourages host Cheri Ruskus. Time feels like it goes by so quickly and there is never enough of it to complete all of the tasks you want to do in a day. In this episode, Cheri shares 10 time management tips for honoring and making the most of your time every single day.
Stop and really think about how you typically spend your time. Do you get hung up procrastinating tasks, getting distracted while trying to multitask, or saying yes to taking on more work indiscriminately? So many things throughout the day are time suckers that are not benefiting you or your business. But with some planning, Cheri explains that you can tweak your business strategy so that your time is better managed. Always begin your day with morning momentum, listen to your body, become more comfortable with saying ‘no’, and learn to ask for help when you need it.
The average human attention span is just 8 seconds, so it is very easy to get distracted and lose precious time throughout the day. Time is a very valuable and finite resource, so it is important to honor it and use it to the best of your ability.
Quotes
- “The average attention span of a human today is eight seconds.” (10:15-10:20 | Cheri)
- “Pay attention to how you're actually spending your time.” (19:19-19:22 | Cheri)
- “Remember that ‘no’ is a complete sentence and it's okay to say it on a regular basis.” (20:16-20:24 | Cheri)
- “Do what needs to be done. Don't let procrastination take over and waste time thinking about something over and over and over again and again.” (23:55-24:04 | Cheri)
Links
www.businessvictories.com/freestrategy
https://businessvictories.com/kajabi-resources
Website: www.businessvictories.com
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny: www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@cheriruskus
“It’s not just the clothes, it's how they make you feel,” shares Robyn Balsley, founder of Graceful Impression. Through her work, Robyn empowers women to be more confident and open their minds to the incredible mindset shift that fashion can bring. In this episode, Robyn shares her tips for improving your clothing confidence.
Clothing is a big part of determining your mindset for the day. Your fashion and style are ways to express yourself and are the first thing someone sees when they meet you. When you wear sweatpants to work, you won’t feel as productive or as confident about yourself. Even if you are working remotely, get dressed for the day. You may be surprised how much better you feel when you are confident in how you are presenting yourself to the world.
It only takes seven seconds to make a first impression, so what you are wearing really does matter. You don’t have to always dress up and wear a suit, but you should still dress appropriately and wear something that makes you feel good about yourself.
Quotes
- “It takes seven seconds to make a first impression.” (2:26-2:28 | Robyn)
- “Before we even look at the clothes, we have to clear the mental clutter.” (5:06-5:09 | Robyn)
- “The best, quickest way to get your closet organized is to turn all your hangers backwards, and then when you wear something, put it forward. And then within six months, you can look at your closet and see what you've worn and what you haven't worn. And if you're not wearing it, get rid of it.” (5:53-6:10 | Robyn)
- “We need to dress for the lives we have right now, and that will empower us.”(7:09-7:13 | Robyn)
- “It’s not just the clothes, it's how they make you feel.” (8:54-8:56 | Robyn)
Links
Connect with Robyn Balsley:
Website: https://www.gracefulimpression.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracefulimpression/
Website: www.businessvictories.com
https://businessvictories.com/kajabi-resources
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@cheriruskus
“If someone would have told me back then that I would be the person I am today, that I would have spent so many years of my life in sales and become a coach and do all that I have done, I would have said, ‘What are you crazy? That's never going to happen’,” shares host Cheri Ruskus. In all of her experience, Cheri had to learn that self-love and confidence are not things that others can provide for you. In this episode, Cheri discusses her own mental health struggles and tips for building self-confidence through consistency, the law of attraction, and the 12 riches outlined in Napoleon Hill’s book The Master Key to Riches.
Typically whatever you spend the most time doing, those are the activities where you feel most confident. Consistency breeds confidence, but requires a lot of self-discipline. Cheri shares Napoleon Hill’s 12 riches and encourages you to consider what each category looks like in your own life right now. Some of these include mental health, physical health, harmonious relationships, and the hope for achievement.
Being consistently confident takes practice and dedication. Everyone has bad days, but if you learn to be more confident and embrace self-love, you will be able to navigate the bad days more easily.
Quotes
- “If someone would have told me back then that I would be the person I am today, that I would have spent so many years of my life in sales and become a coach and do all that I have done, I would have said, ‘What are you crazy? That's never gonna happen’.” (5:24-5:42 | Cheri)
- “Nobody can give you self confidence. You have to do it.” (9:09-9:13 | Cheri)
- “Whatever we do consistently is usually what we are confident in.” (9:21-9:25 | Cheri)
- “Consistency and self discipline go hand in hand with each other.” (24:46-24:51 | Cheri)
Links
Website: www.businessvictories.com
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny: www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@cheriruskus
“Remember when social media first started and a lot of people thought it was a fad? This is kind of where we are with live video,” shares Jackson Hole Rose. Jackson Hole Rose spent the majority of her career as a radio show host, but recently decided to shift to the live video space. She helps entrepreneurs incorporate being on camera into their social media business strategies.
People prefer to do business with people they know and that they can verify as being real. By showing yourself to your audience on camera, you come off as more authentic. Jackson Hole Rose spent a lot of time studying influencer behaviors and getting an understanding of how they speak and act on camera. She recommends that business owners try out the live video space in addition to pre-recorded video, because live video provides opportunities for building relationships with your audience.
Adding video to your business growth strategy will help you to connect more with your audience. There is so much AI generated content nowadays, fake profiles, and scams, and people tend to be wary of what they see on the internet. By going on camera, you remove that layer of skepticism.
Quotes
- “Remember when social media first started and a lot of people thought it was a fad? This is kind of where we are with live video.” (7:14-7:20 | Jackson)
- “We have a lot of things happening with AI. We have a lot of things happening with fake accounts, fake news. These types of things affect people's perception on just the internet in general or what's online.” (9:21-9:36 | Jackson)
- “I don't believe in that cookie cutter stuff. Everyone is different. Every business is different.” (15:25-15:31 | Jackson)
Links
Connect with Jackson Hole Rose:
Website: www.socialmediasecretsclub.com
Instagram and YouTube @JacksonHoleRose
Website: www.businessvictories.com
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny: www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
“A morning is a beautiful thing. Don't waste it by just getting through it and getting to the other side of it. Be in it. Enjoy it. Let it take you to new heights,” shares host Cheri Ruskus. As entrepreneurs, it is often difficult to quiet our brains and focus. Cheri struggled with this herself and did not think she could ever be good at meditation until she discovered morning momentum.
You would be surprised how much a morning practice can really change your day when you commit to it. Mornings can be very chaotic and challenging for people, especially if you are not a morning person. However, you can change how you feel about mornings by creating a ritual that gives you dedicated time just for yourself. Pick out the coziest spot in your home and commit to spending time with yourself each morning. You can meditate, read a page of a book, watch something insightful, or even listen to music. Anything that helps to wake up your senses and put you into a good mindset for your day is welcome in your morning practice.
Mornings are a really magical time of the day, because they tend to be the quietest. The way you start your day has a large impact on how you feel the rest of the day. Shape your morning by creating a ritual that makes you feel happy to start your day.
Quotes
- “A morning practice is really about creating a ritual that you do every day, a morning ritual that combines all the elements that are most important to you.” (3:42-3:55 | Cheri)
- “A morning is a beautiful thing. Don't waste it by just getting through it and getting to the other side of it. Be in it. Enjoy it. Let it take you to new heights.” (5:34-5:45 | Cheri)
- “What if you took an eraser to those thoughts and ideas about how you have to start your day and started to begin to create a time that was all your own? A time that was special. The beauty of the early morning hours is that they are the quietest of the day. They're fresh, they're new, they're brand new. Because of that you really can shape them to be what you want them to be.” (7:04-7:34 | Cheri)
- “When we look at something with our eyes wide open and our hearts wide open, it is amazing what we can see.” (21:56-22:03 | Cheri)
Links
www.businessvictories.com/goodmorning
Book reference: The Power of Ritual by Casper Ter Kuile
Website: www.businessvictories.com
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny: www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
“I'm an expert. I was already an expert. But now I have the book,” explains Tina Larsson, Author and CEO of The Folson Group. As entrepreneurs, we are often encouraged to leave our day jobs to focus on our businesses. Familiar with this dilemma herself, Tina shares how different coaches, from speaking coaches to business coaches, gave her the confidence to control her input and achieve incredible, almost impossible-seeming results.
Throughout her entrepreneurial journey, coaching has been Tina’s key to success. When she first left her company after ten years, the CEO encouraged her to start a new business at their office while she got started. This experience led to her leaving and creating the Folson Group, which consults co-op and condo board members on managing projects and reducing expenses. From there, she found coaches who gave her Linkedin advice, encouraged her to speak at networking events, and eventually encouraged her to write a book, which she did in record time. Without leaving her job, she wouldn’t have had the push to take on these opportunities and add achievement after achievement to her name.
Sometimes the advice to quit our day jobs is the exact advice we need. Whether through networking, mentors, or coaches, it can be helpful when someone else gives us the go-ahead to be bold. If we have a positive mindset and let ourselves receive guidance, we can gain the motivation to try new things and turn our bright shiny objects into profitable ventures.
Quotes
- “We had raised $50 million, so we had a sustainable business. It was kind of easy.” (6:04-6:11 | Tina)
- “We're two partners, and we outsource a lot. But we are the idea generators behind this entire business. And it's a word-of-mouth referral business. We're out networking a lot, and we network more than anybody I know.” (13:49-14:04 | Tina)
- “Look at all these sports athletes. They would never make the team if they didn't have a coach. So, I have no idea why I thought that I could do this without a coach.” (16:27-16:35 | Tina)
- “You can't control how much revenue you're going to make or how many clients are actually going to sign up. What you can control is your input.” (23:51-24:00 | Tina)
- “I'm an expert. I was already an expert. But now I have the book.” (28:13-28:18 | Tina)
- “We could not have done this if it wasn't because of the coaches. We know. I don't see how it could have been done. But now we have all the tools, we have all the spreadsheets and all this is how you do it. So all the automation or whatever we need it. We have it all set up, so I don't see how we wouldn't be able to reach our goals for this year.” (29:37-30:04 | Tina)
Links
Connect with Tina Larsson:
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinalarssonli/
Website https://www.thefolsongroup.com/
Insta: folsongrp
Email: tina@thefolsongroup.com
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi4ASnnA09tGMKQObmk_NbQ
Website: www.businessvictories.com
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny: www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
“A good coach will ask you to do things or think about things that you may have never been asked before,” explains host Cheri Ruskus. Hiring a coach is invaluable as you examine your business goals. As a coach to entrepreneurs herself, Cheri explores valuable business advice and how it can lead to further success.
Today, Cheri breaks down 101 reasons to hire a coach. A decent coach will help you gain referrals, provide marketing tips, and offer networking ideas. Although you may think you can do it all yourself, having a knowledgeable person available will give you the freedom and the confidence to do more. Whether you’re looking to change your mindset or brush up on a new skill, there are many reasons to make a coach part of your team.
With this new year ahead, make coaching part of your business plan. Learn more about what to avoid when hiring a coach, speaking benefits, not product features, and cutting out distractions.
Quotes
- “We can all do better with a coach by our side, whether you have one in your back pocket or you hire one. The good coaches are out there, and many change people's lives.” (3:38-3:52 | Cheri)
- “Conduct business in an office that inspires you to do your best work.” (11:38-11:42 | Cheri)
- “A good coach will ask you to do things or think about things that you may have never been asked before.” (26:53-27:02 | Cheri)
- “Align your goals with your values so that you can own them.” (37:55-38:00 | Cheri)
- “Any coach worth their weight will want to do an introductory strategy session to see if you're a good fit for each other.” (45:07-45:18 | Cheri)
Links
Website: www.businessvictories.com
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny: www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
For a full list of the 101 Reasons to Hire a Coach email: cheri@businessvictories.com
“To put yourself out there, it's confronting, challenging, and there was a lot of fear,” explains Jena Bedson, Ceramic Artist, and Art Therapist. No one should let fear stop them from going after their bright shiny objects. Having her own experience with insecurity and fear, Jena shares how she moved past her imposter syndrome to help other artists unleash their creativity to the world.
During the pandemic, Jena took the time to ponder what she wanted to do next. She then became in touch with a fellow creative named Tessa, who helped her put on online ceramic workshops: her bright shiny object. Although being public in this way was initially outside of Jena's comfort zone, she committed to seeing it through and has met wonderful people as a result.
Imposter syndrome is common, but we can’t let it stop us from chasing our dreams. Learn more about Jena’s inspiration for her online programs, the encouraging nature of her ceramic workshops, and how she pushed past her introverted tendencies to help make her work more available for all.
Quotes
- “The whole venturing into this new world of technology and online workshops is just completely out of my comfort zone.” (10:08-10:16 | Jena)
- “I'm not afraid of giving anything away. I share everything I know, and I share what I do.” (14:57-15:06 | Jena)
- “I feel like I've got this ready-made audience, but they have actually encouraged me and pushed me in this direction, which has been great.” (21:29-21:44 | Jena)
- “To put yourself out there, it's confronting, challenging, and there was a lot of fear.” (24:25-24:37 | Jena)
- “I couldn't do what I do without the audience. And it's been beautiful to form.” (34:00-34:08)
- “I love that online work has changed the landscape of my life, looking into the future, and I don't know how all that's going to land. But I can't be worried about that. I tend to just be in the moment with it.” (40:17-40:37 | Jena)
Links
Connect with Jena Bedson:
Website: https://www.jenabedsonceramics.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jena_bedson_ceramics/
Website: www.businessvictories.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
“Goals are what end up bringing us back to what we truly want when a bright, shiny new idea gets a hold of us,” explains host Cheri Ruskus. As an entrepreneur, Cheri understands that new strategies can be exciting but often distract us from the big picture. Today, she shares her insights on differentiating what we genuinely want and what is fleeting to formulate a plan that works.
It’s essential to shed the idea of the person you thought you should be and embrace who you are. When you commit to being yourself, you can evaluate your goals to determine what is serving you and what is not. When your goals align with your greater vision for your life, they are the bright shiny objects that can keep you on the right path. Even if things don’t go as planned, doing what brings you joy will make it all worthwhile.
Follow the goals that match what matters most to you. Learn more about strengthening your creative spirit, tracking your progress with a planner system, and finding your purpose in business and life.
Quotes
- “Goals are what end up bringing us back to what we truly want when a bright, shiny new idea gets a hold of us.” (1:03-1:11 | Cheri)
- “Keep your creative spirit in mind as you create goals that matter to you.” (5:54-5:59 | Cheri)
- “So much of a business plan is subjective to market conditions and more.” (24:39-24:45 | Cheri)
- “There needs to be a plan. But I like to think of it as the bright shiny goal plan. And you better believe it needs to be written down. It must be written down to see it come to life.” (26:48-27:01 | Cheri)
- “Your story has many chapters, many highs mixed with some lows. Keep your head held high wherever the plot goes.” (36:06-36:18 | Cheri)
Links
www.businessvictories.com
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny: www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
“Private cheffing is a big, bright, shiny object for me because I realized that I could really do it on my own terms,” explains guest Bailey Ruskus aka Chef Bai. On today’s podcast, host Cheri Ruskus interviews someone very near and dear to her heart, her daughter. A vegan chef who successfully navigated a male-dominated field, Bailey shares her entrepreneurial journey and the bright shiny objects she found along the way.
When Bailey first went to culinary school, she quickly realized that being a restaurant chef was not for her. Not interested in dealing with a culture of sexism and grinding, Bailey switched her focus to becoming a private chef. Now, Bailey uses her love of food to promote wellness and health to her followers while calling out the corporations who force us to live in a toxic environment.
Every entrepreneur is driven by making passion a way of life. Learn more about Bailey’s reflection on youth, her client experiences, and the process of writing a book.
Quotes
- “The more eyes on you, the more you realize that being well known actually holds a lot of responsibility.” (5:12-5:20 | Bailey)
- “Private cheffing is a big, bright, shiny object for me because I realized that I could really do it on my own terms.” (13:10-13:18 | Bailey)
- “Sometimes you have to follow the “wrong” things to find what's right for you.” (20:22-20:28 | Bailey)
- “When it comes to entrepreneurship and having a business, everybody's different. Everyone's on a different path.” (35:37-35:43 | Bailey)
- “The more people you hire to do things, the better you can be at the genius you are.” (50:46-50:50 | Bailey)
Links
Connect with Bailey Ruskus:
www.chefbai.kitchen
www.businessvictories.com
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny: www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
“We must be actively aware and mindful of the ideas that are bright, shiny objects taking us places we actually want to go,” explains host Cheri Ruskus, CEO, Author, and Business Coach. Formerly the Business Victories Podcast, Cheri welcomes you to The Bright Shiny Object Podcast. While the show will still focus on all things entrepreneur, she’s ready to deep-dive into the new ideas that either bring innovation to our business or distract us from our goals.
If you’re a true entrepreneur, you see shiny objects that others do not. You may stay up all night with new ideas you’re dying to try, but it’s essential to understand you may either be led to success or the wrong rabbit hole entirely. However, it’s normal for some ideas to die and some to thrive as you navigate your entrepreneurial journey and enjoy the magic of chasing your dreams.
The road of a small business owner isn’t easy, but it’s extremely rewarding. Learn more about Cheri’s goal to motivate like-minded individuals, the common traits of an entrepreneur, and the truth of faking it until you make it.
Quotes
- “We must be actively aware and mindful of the ideas that are bright, shiny objects taking us places we actually want to go.” (2:47-2:58 | Cheri)
- “A failure is not a failure if you gather up the valuable lesson that the perceived failure taught you along the way.” (4:55-5:05 | Cheri)
- “There are still characteristics you must have to pull off being an entrepreneur. It's not an easy road. I will tell you from my own experience it's one I wouldn't change for a minute.” (15:00-15:20 | Cheri)
- “The key is to ensure that you're the one who stays in charge of your bright shiny objects because you're the one in charge. That's why you're an entrepreneur.” (22:01-22:10 | Cheri)
- “As the keeper of our ideas, which each and every one of us has our ideas, dreams, and goals, it's up to us to keep the magic of that light alive as we move into each day.” (30:06-30:10 | Cheri)
Links
www.businessvictories.com
For a limited time get a 20% discount using the coupon code: brightshiny www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
In today's episode host Cheri Ruskus talks about the importance of asking the right questions. The questions that get you thinking differently at how you look at your business and life. The questions that have you exploring what matters most to you in your life.
Learn more on today's topic at www.businessvictories.com/VictoryLetter
This week's episode does some exploration in finding your Inner child. That part of you that keeps you smiling and in the process can be your greatest source for confidence.
In follow-up to Ep 138 Unwrapping Your Goals. During this episode host Cheri Ruskus shares some ideas on how to ask the right questions. By asking the right questions you can better insure taking the action to make your goals a reality.
In this episode host Cheri Ruskus walks you through opening the gifts that you will find in your goals for 2022. She will take you through the gifts of money, love, adventure, play and more.
This episode is sponsored by www.businessvictories.com
Sometimes we need to take a pause to fully evaluate where we are and where we want to go. After an almost 6 month hiatus the Business Victories Podcast is back to share with you where we have been and where we are going.
To talk about how in a world that can seem gloomy at times we are the ones that can make the changes that will bring better outcomes. Excited to be back!
Our relationships begin directly from the relationship we have with our very own self. Coming to grips with our own good and not so good personality traits can come to be quite handy in improving our relationships with others.
Author and Relationship Renovator Sheila Unique shares her antidotes to curing our relationship issues from the inside out.
https://relatefully.com/
www.businessvictories.com
In this episode Cheri Ruskus walks you through why this month's Victory Book Club has chosen this New York Times Bestseller as it's five star review.
As a leader in your business how would you rate your habits from bad to great? Included in this podcast is a PDF download that you can get at www.businessvictories.com/blog/transformational-habits.
What is the transformation you want to see happen in your business and your life? Tune in to learn more.
In this episode Linda Moore founder of WildCycler shares how she took her skill sets from interior design, using them to create a line of cycling shorts that go beyond black. Her new products are made in the USA with an interesting twist how the manufacturer she uses plays a key role in insuring her success.
To learn more about Linda's company go to:
www.wildcycler.com
To schedule your free strategy session go to:
www.businessvictories.com
In this week's podcast host Cheri Ruskus shares her story dealing with the grief and shock of last week's weeks senseless shooting in Boulder, Colorado. 10 beautiful souls from this community were taken away.
It is at times like this when we don't know what to say or do. How we must stop and do the unthinkable by moving forward. But first we must stop and hit the pause button.
www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
Timing can be everything as Madison Moorhead founder of Apocalypse shares with us her 10 year-long dream of starting a retail clothing store. We learn the passion that drives her - from the fashion trends, to the ecological good of giving clothing a second chance at life. What really stood out in this podcast is how Madison humbly has built a team around her that she empowers as their skill sets further empower her.
https://discoapocalypse.co/
@disco.apocalypse
www.businessvictories.com
In this episode we are talking to Jon Shimer one of the Founders of the Fatty Vegan. A new restaurant in Ventura, California.
Learn how this start-up took an idea that wouldn't go away, based in passion for delicious vegan food and had the courage to open a new restaurant in the middle of the pandemic. As Jon shares, "Never give up on something you want to do."
We hope this episode inspires you to take that idea you have been wanting to bring to life and do it!
Instagram: @fattyvegan805
www.businessvictories.com
In this week's episode we take a deep dive review into Ryan Serhant's newest book, Big Money Energy - How To Rule At Work, Dominate at Life, and Make Millions. Host, Cheri Ruskus shares her top ten take away's that will serve you well in looking how you are currently valuing your time. The ones with the productive and energy filled days are the ones that win.
We are each given the same 24 hours in each day. How we decide to use them is totally up to us. Host Cheri Ruskus shares the idea of Time Tapping and how to get the most happiness out of each of your 24 hours. Because isn't happiness really around making our days all good days?
Get more info at www.businessvictories.com
In this episode we wrap up our 3 part series of building self confidence in nature. And as you may have guessed in the title we do that with flowers. Dr. Carol Bennington founder of Enliven Your Essence shares how flower essences can build confidence by deepening your intuition and so much more.
https://enliven-your-essence.com/
https://businessvictories.com/
In this episode Kate Neligan, Equine Partnered Life Coach, Author and Speaker shares her formula for success that took her from the movie studios of Los Angeles to the wide open spaces of Colorado to further her work with horses. To do so she listened to her intuition, followed her heart, and always put horses as her priority.
This is part 2 of a 3 part series on how the amazing elements of nature build our self confidence.
Learn more about Kate Neligan at: https://www.consciousrockstar.com
Subcribe to the Victory Letter at:
https://businessvictories.com/victoryletter
This episode is the beginning of a 3 part series in how we can utilize nature to build our own self confidence. We begin it with Deb Matlock founder of Wild Rhythms as she shares, "Nature is everywhere, inside and outside of us."
Ready to build your business. Start with your confidence.
Find out more about Deb at www.wild-rhythms.com
Strategy session mentioned in this episode with Cheri Ruskus at www.businessvictories.com/freestrategy
In these next four podcasts we are going to be diving into the topic of Confidence and the crucial role it plays in our lives and most especially our businesses.
In this episode host Cheri Ruskus will be sharing, The 10 Absolutes to Achieve Self Confidence. She will be having you examine the role that confidence (or the lack thereof) plays out for you.
PDF Worksheet Download for this podcast at www.businessvictories.com/confidence-is-crucial
In this week's podcast host Cheri Ruskus takes a deep dive into the book that will change the way you look at giving yourself some essential boundaries in your life. To give you the time to do the things you love with the people you want to do them with.
Take the time out to listen to the four elements of the book that include finding your essence, explore as you let your inner child come out to play, eliminate the waste, and then execute!
Other podcasts that will be of value mentioned in this podcast are Episodes 108, 114 and 120 all talking with experts on removing clutter from your life.
Subscribe www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
In this week's episode host Cheri Ruskus shares the idea of how we can either be leaders or followers as we live through our lives. Asking some pertinent questions about what you see or don't see as the legacy you are living each day. She talks through the recent poor displays of leadership that caused the storming of our capital. How potentially good people were living out someone else's legacy.
Legacy questions from todays podcast can be found at www.businessvictories.com/blog/living-a-legacy
For this first episode of 2021 we are talking with Dina Griffin of the Nutrition Mechanic about getting our bodies nourished. Not waiting for something to go wrong before we put the right ingredients that our unique bodies require.
Start the year eating right and feeling better because you do.
Learn more about Dina's Nourish Circle:
www.growcirclescoaching.com
In this week's Episode, Guest Alison Rothman founder of Embody Life shares what it means to fully accept what is in your life and what isn't. We talk about the difference between acceptance and forgiveness. Plus lots more juicy stuff to take you into the year of 2021.
Learn more about Allison at:
www.embodyyourlife.com
Learn more about the Acceptance Circle at:
www.growcirclescoaching.com
Liz Byrne founder of the Gentle Minimalist joins us for today's podcast to talk about the stuff that finds its way into our life. She explains more about what minimalism is and isn't. How to understand what is significant to you and what really doesn't matter. If you are wanting to find some control of the stuff that fills your home and office these days come join us for this great conversation.
www.thegentleminimalist.com
www.growcirclescoaching.com
In this week's episode host Cheri Ruskus shares some thoughts and ideas to get your arms around the year that was like no other. How you can gain clarity once again as to what your purpose is really moving forward. Has it changed? What values are you living by now versus this time last year.
All this to help you head into 2021 with a new sense of clarity and focus.
www.businessvictories.com/Victoryletter
www.growcirclescoaching.com
In this weeks episode host Cheri Ruskus takes you through a soothing 10 minute gratitude filled meditation to help get you past any overwhelm you might be feeling. With a different kind of Thanksgiving this year this meditation will allow you create the Thanksgiving of your dreams in your minds eye. As you also contemplate the peace filled conversations you want to have this week.
A new coaching program is also being announced and released at www.growcirclescoaching.com
In this episode host Cheri Ruskus shares some antidotes for looking at our stress levels in some new ways and how we may just need to make time to chill out. She learned it the hard way after an unexpected trip to the Emergency Room.
Jumping in is great and there is also a need within our wins to jump out. She share with you the Virtue Trap Quiz as she looks at week 5 moving into week 6 of the Artists Way Challenge 2020
www.businessvictories.com/victory-letter
For this interview, Chris Thomson shares how he began his exploration into leadership many years ago as a student himself with the company Student Works. Today as CEO of the same company Chris as some wonderful insights on how we can all make such a difference in the our own leadership in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
It's time for better leadership or as Chris shared, “Get clear on making your cause bigger than yourself.”
Learn more about Chris Thomson at www.studentworks.com
Discover the light that comes from your deepest creative ambitions. Creativity is a muscle and the more we exercise it the more our imagination comes to life.
In this podcast we kick off the 12 week Artist's Way Challenge. From now through December 2020 we are going to find the power and strength that is available to us through the brilliant work of Julia Cameron's book and program. Simply get the book and join us. There is a collective energy in doing this together.
You can learn more on Instagram @victorygirl as well as through the hashtag #artistswaychallenge2020
This week's podcast is an excerpt from our Wisdom Webinar Series. Our guest is Liz Byrne founder of The Gentle Minimalist. Liz shares with us a number of easy to access tips for getting in and clearing the clutter one step at a time. She shares what minimalism is and what it isn't from her viewpoint as a Mom and business women living in a 3 generation home. More on Liz's work at www.thegentleminimalist.com More on the Wisdom Webinar series at www.businessvictories.com/wisdom
In this week's podcast host and Cheri Ruskus shares her insights as a Business Coach on how we can tend to hold ourselves back through our fear of caring too much about what other people think.
Working through a 7 step process to visibility whether you are looking to gain more business or perhaps even that dream job. You must get visible.
Subscribe to the Victory Letter @ www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
Get your free 20 minute strategy session @ www.businessvictories.com/free-strategy
In today's episode Host Cheri Ruskus has as her guests her family including daughter Bailey Ruskus and new son-in-law Steve Ruskus (yes he took the Ruskus family name) along with her husband Ed. They are sharing the lessons learned and the joy experienced having a safe and extremely joyful wedding celebration on the beach in the middle of this pandemic.
www.chefbai.kitchen
www.businessvictories.com
Join as Cheri Ruskus interviews Dina Griffin, Sports Dietician and Founder of the Nutrition Mechanic. During this pandemic time it is more important than ever to strengthen our bodies and build our immunity. Just like an athlete can get better performance so can every one else.
“When we honor health as our foundation for longevity, nutrition is a key contributor to the successes we reap in our life journey."
www.nutritionmechanic.com
www.businessvictories.com
Do you remember jumping in puddles when you were a child? Jumping to make the biggest splash with all the energy you could muster?
In this podcast Cheri Ruskus interviews Nicole Irlbeck of Restoration Fitness to talk about the movement our bodies need in order to achieve our best energy possible.
Suggested links:
www.restorationfitness.net/posturefixmovement
ibreathe app in the app store
www.businessvictories.com
In this episode Cheri Ruskus shares some thoughts to ponder on how to find purpose and joy in ways that might surprise you.
Starting off with the ability to relax and be present. Once you have relaxed then you can really begin to explore more about who you have become and where you want to go.
One of the tools shared can be found at www.businessvictories.com/wisdom
In this episode Cheri Ruskus interviews Kelly Robinson and discusses the 28 day journey Cheri went on with Kelly in her Spirit Meets Space program.
"Our home should hold who we are becoming and not who we were in the past." - Kelly Robinson Now that we are spending so much more time in our homes, Kelly shares how to be kind to ourselves in clearing our space while we let go of things that are now longer serving us and holding us back. More about Kelly and her new guide Where Spirit Meets Space www.kellyarobinson.com To get heads up on this podcast and weekly inspiration subscribe here or at www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
On this podcast host Cheri Ruskus shares a conversation with Kathey Pear, Founder and CEO of Pear Project Services. Kathey shares the love she has for leading with her most recent company started in 2015 as a “social enterprise” even before she knew that the term social enterprise was a thing.
As Kathey shares in the podcast,
"We win because we all get to play our favorite game which is taking from the have's and giving to the have not's."
More on Pear Project Services at www.pearprojectservices.com
Get announcements of this podcast and each weeks Victory Letter at www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
In today's podcast Host Cheri Ruskus shares information from one of her popular workshops - How to Create Engaging Content. She shares the 5 key components in getting your message out into the world consistently including: 1. Generating New ideas 2. Becoming a Content Hero 3. Content Vehicles 4. Content Structures 5. Attention to Results www.businessvictories.com
On today’s podcast host Cheri Ruskus shares an in-depth tips from the book How To Think Like a CEO by Debra Benton. A classic leadership book with traits and characteristics that may just surprise you. Take your business through good times and bad with these attainable skill sets. Especially important to remember as we "open for business" in ways we didn't think were at all possible before the Covid-19 pandemic.
To download PDF: www.businessvictories.com/clearing-space
Access to Grow Session: www.businessvictories.com/programs
In this episode Chef Bai shares the importance of plants in our world and most importantly in our diets. We talk about ways to make the most delicious of foods that give you good energy in the process.
Learn more and get her recipes at www.chefbai.kitchen
As we continue through this time of the lost revenue and unsure future earnings our relationship with money comes into play big time.
As our guest in this podcast Deborah Price, founder of the Money Coaching Institute and Author of Money Magic and The Heart of Money shares, "Understanding your own internal response system really can help."
- Offer for further assistance during this podcast is available at https://moneycoachinginstitute.com/
We are living the human experiment like at no other point in our lifetime. The question becomes are you spending this time at home wisely preparing to emerge from restrictions of the coronavirus happier and more confident of your purpose and life’s direction?
In this week's podcast host Cheri Ruskus discusses some antidotes to make this a time of growing and learning more about ourselves. And a time to reconnect with the people that matter to us un our lives.
More at www.businessvictories.com
As we move collectively forward in a global direction that may not be making sense, look towards what will inspire you most in your own personal journey. How can you build the mountain ahead of you one rock at a time? Stop and take that deep breath prior to looking for the new opportunities that are waiting for you. Please listen to the simple formula Travis Ruskus shares in the podcast to look deeper within yourself for the answers you are seeking. Find the opportunities that are waiting for you. Learn more about Travis at www.rockbalanceguide.com
Celebrating our 100th Episode! Special Guest Mike Michalowicz shares his insights from his upcoming book Fix This Next and how they apply to move forwarding with the impact of the Coronavirus on our business lives.
"Business as usual ... in unusual times."
www.fixthisnext.com
Through scary times we need to think outside the box as we find our new normals with the coronavirus keeping us at home. A huge lesson for us in what we need to do as self-employed and small business people during challenging situations to protect our livelihoods. Tips and tactics in this podcast to get us through.
www.businessvictories.com
“It always seems impossible until it is done.” - Nelson Mandela In this week's podcast what at times seems to be an impossible mission of balancing our responsibilities at home and at work. Whether you are a parent or caretaker this episode is designed to give you strength and hope to keep the needed balance while enjoying the special moments that are such a gift. This episode is short and sweet for those who need it most! www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
In this world it can seem uncomfortable, if not downright painful at times to find the right way to invite people to do business with you. This is why it’s imperative to find the time and space to create ongoing invitations that feel not only good to you, but to those you are extending the invitation to.
Who are you ready to invite?
Discover more at www.businessvictories.com /victoryletter
How often do you simply unplug in order to find your super power or perhaps to let your super power find you?
In this episode Business Coach Cheri Ruskus talks about the vital importance in unplugging from the demands of business in order to get our super powers back or even maybe to find them in the first place.
https://businessvictories.com/free-strategy
“Value is in the eyes of the beholder” – Liz Wendling
In part two of the this two part series Liz further shares the keys for follow-up and taking effective action (yes you must take action) to create win/win sales opportunities for both you and your potential customers.
Learn more about Liz at www.lizwendling.com
Subscribe to the Victory Letter and get podcast notifications:
www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
In this first part of a two part series Cheri Ruskus interviews the author of The Heart of Authentic Selling, Sales Coach Liz Wendling. Join in a robust conversation that will have you learning to appreciate the opportunity to get your product and services out into the marketplace.
As Liz shares, “If there is a sticking point, or a hatred or an avoidance to the only thing that keeps a business in business, which is sales, if there is anything there I challenge you to look at it, try to dismantle it and chip away at it.”
Learn more at www.lizwendling.com
Subscript to the Victory Letter at www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
“If you take the analogy of a garden you can draw so much from it and apply it to your own mind and your business – you sow what you grow.” – Judy Seaborn
Join us as Judy shares how she and her partner Curtis grew their seed company, Botanical Interests out of their living room into a state of the art facility for the past 25 years. Now with 50 employees and 600 hundred seed varieties their seeds are enjoyed by gardeners all over the world.
www.botanicalinterests.com
www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
“What you can measure you can grow.”
In this episode Laszlo Nadler founder of Tools 4 Wisdom shares how he grew his organizational skills into a $2 million business before hiring his first employee.
Laszlo shares how his hard work and attention to the data made all the difference for his organizational planner that was the amazing start to his first entrepreneurial venture.
Learn more about Tools 4 Wisdom at www.tools4wisdom.com
take advantage of the offer of 30% off a planner using the coupon code NEWYEAR30
More on our organization at www.businessvictories.com
How often do you slow down and listen to what you really need. The who of you that runs your small business. It can come down to being your own best friend.
B – Believes in You
E – Energizes You
S – Sees You.
T – Trusts and Respects You
I – Inspires You
E – Evolves with You
For more information from todays show go to www.businessvictories.com
Entrepreneurs don’t fail from a lack of ideas. We can get off our game when we try to go after too many ideas and then get lost in the confusion of how to actually implement them all.
In this podcast you will get walked through how to shift from the cycle of having too many ideas to actually using an Idea Cycle and a formula for success utilizing your definite chief aim in the decade ahead.
Dedication
Exploration
Caution
Ambition
Definite
Engagement
Get the worksheet for this podcast www.businessvictories.com/grow-ideas
Growth comes in so many shapes and size and doesn’t have to always mean financial growth. In this podcast I am sharing an idea and story of how to Let it Grow.
G – Gain momentum
R – Recharge your Batteries
O – Orchestrate and Motivate
W – Welcome Change
Learn more at www.businessvictories.com
Some days it’s easier to do good more than it is on other days. Yet when we do good according to our own code of ethics life enriches not only ourselves but the world around us as well.
The Law of Reciprocity can be utilized in so many ways in our business as discussed in this podcast.
Link mentioned in the podcast: https://businessvictories.com/mastermind
On today’s podcast Interior Designer Katrina Stumbos shares her life of countless decisions and how she makes them matter to herself and her long list of happy clients. These range from her dramatic design choices to balancing all the other elements of running a small business along with also being a new mom.
As Katrina shares the important element to remember is that “your vibe attracts your tribe.”
Guest Katrina Stumbos
https://katrinastumbos.com/
Instagram - @katrina_stumbos
Host Cheri Ruskus
https://businessvictories.com/
Instagram - @victorygirl
On today’s podcast Interior Designer Katrina Stumbos shares her life of countless decisions and how she makes them matter to herself and her long list of happy clients. These range from her dramatic design choices to balancing all the other elements of running a small business along with also being a new mom.
As Katrina shares the important element to remember is that “your vibe attracts your tribe.”
Guest Katrina Stumbos
https://katrinastumbos.com/
Instagram - @katrina_stumbos
Host Cheri Ruskus
https://businessvictories.com/
Instagram - @victorygirl
In this episode our guest is Justine Calderwood, founder of the Healing Spot. Justine shares how she took her desire to have her own business and made it a reality. As she shares, "When I started my business, my greatest desire was that I wanted to treat from my heart. I wanted to treat people in a way that they weren’t receiving from our current health care system."
Learn how she achieved this along with the power of giving and receiving when it comes to being at the helm of your own business.
For more about our host: https://businessvictories.com/
For more about our guest: https://healingspotpt.com/
Compassion can be an extremely nurturing way to move past situations and circumstances that can seem overwhelming at times.
The holiday season each year for the joy it can bring also can bring stress if we only approach it with all there is to be done.
In this week's podcast we will explore the elements and healing properties of compassion as we move towards the season ahead.
C – Caring for another human being no matter who they are.
O – Opening your heart to others without expecting anything in return.
M – Mend old wounds that are causing you strife.
P – Play in new ways that bring laughter and joy.
A – Answer inquisitive questions even the tough ones.
S – Sing out loud.
S – Say what is in your heart.
I – Ignore the negative reactions.
O – Organize ways to try new things together.
N – Negotiate peaceful ways for everyone to eat and speak together.
Discover more and get the Victory Letter in your inbox each Monday morning at www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
How often do you share the story of your business?
We all love stories and the greatest sales people are the ones with a story to tell. This podcast shares how it's our darkest moments as well as the successes we have along the way that make a story compelling.
For our monthly Victory Book Club choice we have picked a great book to review that will help you along your journey:
Stories that Stick with Kindra Hall.
Join Entrepreneur and Business Coach Cheri Ruskus as she has you look at some key points in telling a compelling story.
more info that is shared at: www.businessvictories.com/victoryprogram
Have you ever uttered the words “I Can’t write!” Well if you have or blamed your inability to write on that age-old excuse of Writers Block then this week’s podcast is for you!
In this podcast we will look at writing a whole lot differently and share with you how I went from struggling to write a couple of paragraphs at a time to writing two books and a whole lot of content including my Victory Letter which I have sent out every Monday for the past 18+ years.
We will dive into 6 compelling reasons to write.
If you are feeling stuck with your writing listen to today's podcast and then go to my website for more clarity at businessvictories.com/clarity
Preparing for the curves up ahead can be daunting, to say the least. The alternative though can be that you find yourself stuck right where you are and traveling nowhere fast. Hi, I am Cheri Ruskus and welcome to Business Victories the podcast that looks beyond just dollar signs and into the heart and soul of your business.
In today’s podcast, we are going to look at our perceived failures that represent the curve in the road as we travel through the journey of our business as it grows and coincides with all the other things happening in our lives.
I titled this podcast Boo Who? To represent the fear that comes when either we are anticipating failure or that we are full fledge In the middle of a failure – along with that need we can tend to have to blame someone or thing for it happening – that’s the who. I can tell you in my journey I have wasted so much time in pity parties either by myself or trying to pull others into it. Guess what? The pity parties never served me nor did blame especially if I was blaming myself – for what trying?
So let’s look at these failures or curves better said.
Think about the curves that you have had in your road along the way. What if you kept going straight because the curve scared you and headed right over a cliff of a whole other disaster. Or you slammed on the brakes and didn’t let yourself fully experience the full adventure of what was before you because you were so afraid.
Sometimes curves can be barely noticeable and sometimes they can be nasty s curves like we have on Flagstaff mountain here in Boulder, Colorado that require all of your attention and skill sets to keep yourself on the road.
Think about the curves that sent you sailing in another direction altogether in your life.
Napoleon Hill called them turning points in his book Law of Success.
The principle we share this month is profiting from failure and how our perceived failures really do shape us. Stop and think about your failures along the way and how they were, in fact, turning points. What is a failure after all then a curve in the road that slowed you down a bit?
Now I have had people say to me, “I have had no turning points in my life” and I have to either call out a bull shit on that or have them take a look at what they possibly missed they didn’t take any risks or that they were extremely brilliant and lucky for perfectly orchestrating their life – which lets face it is extremely rare!
I have had plenty of curve along my journey let me tell you. I shared in this week’s Victory Letter that last week I celebrated as I do each year my 38th anniversary of moving here to Boulder Colorado. I was scared shitless when I moved here. I barely knew one person who had agreed to give me a place to live for a month. I left my family and friends behind in California because I knew something was waiting here for me. I didn’t have a job.
In the course of my first three years I had three jobs all proving to be with businesses run by very ineffective people and after a series of getting fired and layoffs (one job I begged them to lay me off before asking me as a supervisor to lay off any more people) I decided to take the scariest steps of my life and start my own business.
So let's look at the word curve as an acronym.
C Cue up to what is about to change.
Many curves come with a warning sign if we are paying full attention. This can come in a variety of forms from a map to a hard sign in the road letting us know what is up ahead. This is when focus and preparation is our best friend.
U Uncover what is really scaring you about this curve. What is good about the bumps along the way that have prepared you for this curve? What is on the other side of this curve that will serve you well. Create the vision in your mind’s eye of you easily conquering the curve with belief.
R Rely on your strengths and best traction skills.
You have been on this journey for a while. Yes, that’s right this isn’t your first curve, you have conquered many before. Think about what strengths you already possess that served you before and will serve you again knowing you have got this.
V Veer to the inside of the curve.
Aerodynamically it is always best to lean into a curve versus fighting it. You save time and effort by heading towards the inside with confidence and just the right speed. Be one with the curve.
E Energize with the synergy that comes from outside support.
Any good athlete knows that you can’t do it alone. Neither can you go it alone in business? You need the synergy of awesome customers, great vendors, a coach who helps you towards your vision, and people around you who are all about you making the curves.
And if you would like to get updates about this podcast in your inbox simply go to our website at www.businessvictories.com and subscribe to our Victory Letter that announces these podcasts every Monday morning along with additional juicy inspiration to get your week started out in a positive way so that you can start your week thinking about how you are going to take on any curves that come your way.
Now as you head into this week ahead plan for those curves. Share this podcast with someone you may know or see avoiding the curves. Leave us a comment on what stood out for you on today's’ show and rate what you have heard.
Here is to your successes along the way and of course, your victories as you embrace the curves that we know life will throwing our way.
Having courage in our conversations allows opening communication to win/win opportunities. Host Cheri Ruskus interviews Rebecca Rose of Catalyst Veterinary Coaching Professionals who shares the "5 steps to having those conversations that matter the most." First step: Avoidance doesn’t Work Step two: Empathy vs Sympathy
Step three: Address the Top 6 Tips to Managing Team Conflict including pick your battles, anticipate conflict, use neutral language, preventative maintenance, active listening and leveraging yourself by letting it go.
Step four: Framework for a Calmer Conversation
Step Five: If you Apologize, Do It Right
Rebecca Rose's Catalyst Vet PC Website For Podcast Notification visit the Business Victories website
We have dusted off the classic book 7 Habits for Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. Cheri shares with you some great takeaways from each of these success defining habits.
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Be Proactive – Personal vision in being proactive instead of reactive.
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Begin with the end in mind – Personal leadership in creating your unique mission statement.
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Put first things first – Personal management in how you manage your time.
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Think win/win – Interpersonal management to make sure outcomes serving all.
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Seek first to understand, then be understood – Empathic Communication to first actually listen.
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Synergize – Creative Cooperation and the heightened energy it brings to life.
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Sharpen the Saw – Balanced self-renewal in the realms of your physical, social/emotional, spiritual and mental well being.
Get the podcast notifications along with other inspiring words every Monday morning at www.businessvictories.com.
In this podcast look into how you deal with change that makes your business and life stronger. Avoiding change can be detrimental in the end because we can't always hang out in our comfort zone. Three areas of change to be discussed:
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Change of attitude that can raise your altitude.
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Change due the heartbreaking loss of a loved one.
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Change that must happen for your business success.
Learn more about Business Victories and sign up for the Victory Letter at www.businessvictories.com
Reach out to Cheri Ruskus on Instagram @victorygirl
Is the use of the word "maybe" cluttering your mind to the point of distraction? Imagine being able to make the clear cut decision on a regular basis to either say yes or no. No maybe's. In this episode Cheri Ruskus shares some real world antidotes in how to move towards change. How to us business growth by cooperating with yourself first so you can engage the cooperation and support of others. www.businessvictories.com/mastermind
In this podcast we interview Alison Rothman founder of Embody Life as we look towards the effects of our inner noise and chatter that can lead to a disconnect between our mind and body.
Issues from life experiences, disappointments, grief, and trauma's. Learn more about Alison at Embody Life at www.embodymylife.com
Get the free session offer in this podcast by going to www.businessvictories.com
to get a Free Strategy Session button.
In this episode we are going to look at the to do's that are making a difference (or not) in your business. When to suck it up and do the tasks at hand and when to not.
In this episode my guest is Chef Bai gives insights into her journey as a classically trained French chef who has embraced veganism in carnivorous world. Food is a habit that can either serve us or deplete us when it becomes a bad habit. The foods we eat decide our energy levels and among many other elements our ability to fully concentrate. Chef Bai shares how you can join in on her 14 day Plant Based Food Challenge for no cost.
Discover tools to help you increase your levels of concentration. Including good habits versus bad habits. The power of the mastermind. Releasing the worry you carry. How to be proactive vs. reactive.
Finding calm as you look past the daily to do's
C – Clarity, have complete clarity on what must be done and what would just be nice to get done if time availed itself.
A – Attitude, to really watch my own self talk and be the encourager of calm when I found myself starting to wonk out over wanting things to be perfect.
L – Love, yes love seems to fit in everywhere doesn’t it. Letting go of what can't get done can allow love to flow much more easily.
M – Meditation, make calm and the process of taking deep breaths and meditation in the morning and mini meditations all day the medicine for not getting stressed.
Check it out on this week’s podcast! It’s short and sweet I promise. Calm as you go!
Join this week’s podcast as we “climb” higher into this topic of dealing with tough times in your business when your business fully becomes a business.
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Preparation of a a game plan.
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Remove all other distractions.
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Belief in the vision in getting to the top.
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Feeling the pain and doing it anyway.
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Trust including the team around you.
Some of what is shared may just surprise you! Jump on in and let’s do this climb together.
www.businessvictories.com
Each of us are the same in that we are human, yet different in so many ways. Different in our good qualities and then again different in what some might consider not so great qualities. Our uniqueness lies somewhere between the two.
We delve into the focus of the mastermind principle of our Unique Personality as Dr. Gloria Miele joins me on this podcast. She shares her experience as a clinical psychologist along with the words of her dear Grandmother Josephine Leanza who said, “You eat with your own mouth.”
Using your imagination leads to innovation and innovation is important to long term business success. What is your latest innovation?
Creativity used on a regular basis within your business gives you a competitive advantage making you and your brand unique and interesting. When do you create?
Being in creative flow is fun and studies show that when you and the team around you are having fun… you will be more profitable.
This week’s podcast breaks a strong creative process because creativity is an inside job.
This podcast marks the 18th Anniversary of the weekly mailing of The Victory Letter an email publication I have sent out every Monday morning.
So many businesses have a hard time staying consistent with their marketing efforts that lead to wasted time and dollars. Join this conversation on ways to look at your marketing consistency differently.
www.businessvictories.com
“Thank you for showing up, bringing curiosity, and letting silence answer the questions words never could.” - Melissa Reid The words from today’s quote really jumped off the Instagram post I read them from. This woman, Melissa Reid, who I don’t know, led a trek of people including Mandy Moore (who I do follow) to the Everest Base Camp. This quote were her words of thanks to her travel companions. They were wise enough not to try to go for the Summit with so many others, some of whom lost their lives. Her words got me to thinking about what a wonderful tool silence can be. Silence allows listening and listening allows you to discover so much more about yourself, about others, and your surroundings. With that said, it also made me stop and once again ponder about the current leadership crisis the United States is experiencing. How much better would it be if leaders on “both sides of the aisle” let go of the endless name calling, blaming, and ongoing power trip tug of war. Just imagine if they took the time to truly listen to what we (the people they are supposed to be leading) really want and need. It’s hard to believe that there is anyone out there that isn’t feeling unheard because leaders seem to stop listening when it’s all about the need to “win.” The result, too many people are talking, and not enough people are listening. As I put in another week watching my grandpuppy while my daughter is off seeing the world I indeed felt the importance in the silence around me. Through the silence I could actually hear myself so much more clearly. Getting past the noise of life when we can’t even hear our own minds true thoughts after a while. So here come 4 burning questions for you to ponder this week… 1. Who or what are you are actually leading? 2. Do you stop and take the time to fully listen to yourself and others? 3. When working alongside a customer, staff member or anyone in the course of your business can you find a nice silence together? A time when you are in flow with what you are achieving - together? 4. Do you feel the need to fill in so much of the silence that you find yourself stressed out and not getting the things you need done, done? I have been lucky to watch some amazing sunsets since I have been here in San Diego and taken so many pictures of them. The one I chose for today’s Victory Letter was truly an amazing experience. I kept thinking about the phrase 1,000 points of light, along with the quote from the late George H.W. Bush, "a brilliant diversity spread like stars, like a thousand points of light in a broad and peaceful sky." As I watched the sun streaming through the clouds and fading sunbeams hitting the water in so many different places it filled me with such peace inside. No words were spoken yet I was filled up so much inside. As if the universe was talking directly to me and reminding me that at the end of the day (literally and figuratively) we live on such a beautiful and amazing planet. Are you in with me to focus on breaking the silence by listening more, caring more and giving an extra gleam of light to someone who could use it in the week ahead? I love the thought of focusing on lifting each other up. Remember in the process, in a world that can sometimes get way too noisy some silence can really make all the difference in making us as opposed to breaking us. Join me in today's podcast where I share this and a little bit more...
You didn’t come this far only to come this far. This week I found myself not in my regular flow and now here I am – the day before publication looking for the light I am supposed shine out into the world. Ever have that happen to you? This past week took me on a journey that was filled with many question marks of what to expect once I reached my destination. My daughter Bailey had asked me if I would come to California to help take care of my 6-month old grandpuppy, Coco, while Bailey and Steve traveled half way around the world on a journey of their own. I agreed, feeling blessed that my coaching work allows me to work with clients for the most part anywhere. What I found though was that I had packed my days pretty full of clients and puppy obligations giving me very little me time to just to hang and be – something I have found myself longing to do. Now don’t get me wrong, there were moments filled with enjoying the garden nursery right next door (today’s pic) that had me digging in the dirt and filling up pots on Bailey’s balconies. There have been morning walks on the beach, evening walks back to the beach to watch amazing sunsets in between the rain storms scattered throughout the week. What has been so interesting is just what it has taken to get used to a new normal and settling down to a new daily routine. With needing to get Coco out the door first thing and on a walk to take care of her morning “business” I found myself getting easily distracted and missing my usual meditation practice for a good part of the week. Earlier today, as I washed the breakfast dishes, from somewhere out in the ether came a podcast with Tara Brach over my phone. Her interview gave me words I needed to hear to get me to re-focus on connecting with myself as she used the word RAIN as an acronym to do a little self-reflection exercise. Recognize what is happening… Allow the experience to be there, just as it is… Investigate with interest and care… Nurture with self-compassion… Now as you read this remember our minds are pretty complicated tools that can work either for us, against us, or somewhere in between. Now come along with me as I sit with each rain statement from above and how I put it into perspective in helping me to reconnect with myself. Recognize what is happening… I am out of my routine, not sure what I should or shouldn’t do – work vs. not working so much – why am I feeling I am not doing enough. Especially after just giving a client the advice to give herself a break and take the weekend off. Allow the experience to be there, just as it is I have been here a week with about 10 days left to go. It is beautiful here and I have a sweet puppy to spend time with. I am here to connect and enjoy myself more. Investigate with interest and care. What is it that I want in this time that that I am perceiving isn’t happening. What can I shift and change? Each day seems to be going by so quickly, could it be because I am really enjoying myself? Nurture with self-compassion. Bottom line for me is that I have been messing with my morning routine and it’s really throwing me off. I really need more meditation time and less doing time. That is the nurturing the body is craving right now. And for the days ahead – less work, much more play. Meditate in the morning and throughout the day. Keep my fingers crossed for some beach days as well if we can get more sunshine! ;) That’s me … how about you. Give this exercise a try – it really can help! Hope you are finding yourself in a play mode as we officially welcome the summer season with the coming of Memorial Day Weekend. Here’s to a summer full of discovery. What if you really honored your “me time” and along with it discovered your true inner best friend.
Well, let me tell you about this cracked screen situation. Recently I had the first time ever experience of cracking my cell phone screen. Some might say I have been lucky to have gone this long without cracking one – especially as much as I use this ever-present device in all aspects of my life. The funny thing was that I had a protective shield on the screen and for about a week because I didn’t want to know whether it was the shield or actual screen that was broken, I tried to ignore the situation. Finally, one day I found myself working with a client sharing some Instagram tips and tools and of course needed to use my phone to effectively do so. In that moment I realized how silly it was that I was not facing my cracked screen. As soon as she left I pulled the shield off and sure enough it was the shield that was cracked not the phone. Cost to replace? $5.99. The irritation it took away from having to look constantly at a cracked screen – priceless. I share this with you today because it is a reflection of how we can put up with so many things in fear of what “might happen” if we try and fix the problem. Putting up with things in our life, or world, that we could have been made so much better by making the extra effort. Of course, adding to the effort, is the courage to face the problem or situation by taking the lead to fix the problem. Embracing our own overall leadership skill sets can be like that as we look at what we like and don’t like in other people’s leadership styles. We can fear fully taking the leadership reins in our business or community in fear that we will uncover something that we can’t handle or control. While there are many ways to look at leadership. Yesterday in an Instagram story I heard the simple words, “Do no harm - take no sh*t”, as shared in today’s quote by Yoga Girl aka Rachel Brathen on the topic of you being you. This got my attention as I thought wow, that’s leadership in a nutshell. Because after all leadership actually starts from deep within each of us as we look at doing good in the world. From within our cracked beings sits the jewel, the flower of our greatest selves and the gifts we can give to others in the process. Add in a few other essential leadership ingredients and you are heading towards being the leader that you would want at the helm of your business, community, country or even your own inner family. On today’s podcast I share some of the gems from this past weeks Growth Mastermind on the Authentic Leader that I facilitated. This includes the 5 Leadership Essentials of Communicator, Peacekeeper, Motivator, Visionary, and Caregiver. What have you been putting up with for too long that a little tenacity and leadership skills could take care of for you and the world around you? Break free from the chains that bind you and make it a great week ahead!
One thing we do really well as women, especially as moms is how we cry. My emotional being changed so much once I became a mother. Tears of joy when I first laid eyes on Travis and Bailey, then so many more tears along the way for their joys and sorrows. In fact, as I write this just thinking about it makes me cry. But don’t get me wrong or think this is a downer letter because crying means we are feeling something deeply and feeling something is better than feeling nothing. Have you ever gone from tears to laughter in a flash because you were so filled with emotions? It’s a beautiful thing. On today’s podcast I share something that recently gave me an extra big cry! If you haven’t had a good cry in a while ask yourself what you are bottling up inside. In addition to today’s quote above from Khalil Gibran, I love the words of the great author Paulo Coelho that also come to mind as a reminder that gals and guys can cry. Paulo said, “I cry very easily, it can be a movie, a phone conversation, a sunset – tears are words waiting to be written.” What are you waiting to write about? Remember crying doesn’t mean you are a wimp. When a mom (human or animal) has someone messing with her babies she can be the fiercest of all! In fact, as I was just now finishing up this podcast I watched a Mama Robin bird actually pin down a squirrel on the ground who was messing with her nest. Go Moms!
It’s that time of year when here in Colorado we can go from 80 degrees to 30 degrees sometimes in just a few hours. As a gardener here in this climate I have learned that having patience in the spring can be such an important gift to give myself and my garden. In fact, gardening has taught me so much about patience and the reality that perfect timing can really equate to enjoying what is right now … in the moment. To keep planning for tomorrow to be sure while I am changing my mindset right now today if things aren’t going so well. Last week as the snow began falling on my beautiful flowers I had two choices … to freak out (which never serves me) or to bring in what I could indoors and just pray for the rest. That is exactly what I did. And you know what? Yes, the world carried on and my spring flowers were pretty dang tough. Marketing is a lot like gardening because you plant and sometimes watch new growth and sometimes… nothing grows at all. Or, you watch what has grown get dismantled in what seems like no time at all. I believe and have watched throughout my career that perfect timing has less to do with being perfect and more to do with having plenty of patience and tenacity topped off with a positive mindset. Think about some of the days of your life when everything seemed to be clicking beautifully and you couldn’t ask for a better day. The universe was in harmony and seemed to be existing just as you had hoped. The way you came into the day guided you towards all that needed to happen for you in both your business and all the other juicy elements of your life. Think about the marketing or persuasion efforts you have engaged in that brought not only great things into your business but to those whose lives you touched in the process. So much of what we do has to do with our mindset. Let’s break it down with a little acronym (why not!). ;) M – Mental capacity fully engaged. I – Intuition implemented. N – Negativity thrown out the window. D – Discovery fully open and ready S – Stress free zone is all around you. E – Excitement is engaged. T – Time belongs to you. As you set into the week ahead stop and ask yourself what do you need to create perfect timing in your week? Do a mindset check in. What are your beliefs and disbeliefs? Believe and you can achieve. What you seek will come in its own beautiful timing. The key is to not give up prematurely, have patience, and enjoy the ride. You got this!
In a given week, day, month and year how much of your time do you spend worrying about what might happen in a not so great way? You know those late-night “staring at the ceiling” stress filled moments when you are envisioning everything that could go wrong, going wrong. The acronym that came to me when a client was having the daytime version of worrying was this… W Wasted O Overwhelm R Ruining R Radiant Y You The thing is she wasn’t alone. I get a number of clients that I have to talk off the ledge as the saying goes because of too much worry leading to hopelessness. What is the story you tell yourself when you allow worry to squeeze out the picture of your dreams and hopes for today, heading right into tomorrow? How much of your time, energy and efforts do you spend worrying about something that never comes to fruition? Or how often do things just not happen at all because you are worrying so much. Leaving you worse off because of the worry not so much because of what you are worrying about. Feelings of rejection, fear, shame, stress, depression and loneliness are just a few of the emotions that worrying can lead us towards. Not a pretty picture. Especially, if we do it on a regular basis. The worst part, if we allow worry to fully take over our mindset we can end up either taking no action because we get ourselves into such a state of overwhelm, or we come towards the problem or situation with such hesitation that we never gain full momentum in the action we want to achieve. Here is an exercise to help you start to get the upper hand of your worries by taking action… Write down everything and I mean everything you are worried about right now or have been worried about in the last 30 days. The key here is to be specific. For example, don’t just write the word money (a top worrier topic), write something to the tune of – Creating enough money to pay the mortgage. Then ask yourself the reason for that worry, how long you have you been having this worry, and then what action steps can you take to keep the issue you are worried about from happening. In other words, the more we can really hone in on what the source of where the worry is coming from, the more we can actually find the solutions through action steps to eliminate the worry. I have created a Worry Less Worksheet that you can download here. Keep it handy and the next time you are in that place start taking matters into your own hands. Worry less, smile more. In fact, try it right now – smile – yes I mean really smile. It’s funny how this simple action can make our troubles dissipate as well. Sing those words to the song … Don’t Worry – Be happy! Looking to increase your profitability with less stress? Join my Business Coaching Program: http://businessvictories.com/program
One man gathers what another man spills. – Grateful Dead Last week I took our 2018 tax info out to the barn to put it away in the boxes of other long term stored paperwork. As I stepped into the barn – well we call it a barn and others might call it a large shed – the amount of stuff we were “long term” storing took my breath away. It’s not that I hadn’t seen the barrage of stuff building up in this barn for years, but suddenly in that moment, I realized that what was a quick task to put away paperwork was about to become a quest I knew I had to conquer! What sat there in the barn before me was generations of “stuff” that had all found its way here. Things left behind from my parents, grandparents and even great grandparents. My kids precious items from their childhood and stuff that they had brought back home when they returned after their first trip out into the world to find themselves. Now my grown children are gone again exploring their lives in other places and have left all that stuff here as well. Between inheriting things that were hard to let go of for sentimental reasons, holding on to things of my own past, and my children leaving things behind for us to “hold on to” my stuff cup was way over flowing. What really hit me was how things that once held meaning to me and my family someone else could benefit from the “stuff” that had been sitting here for years that was still in good shape. There of course were things that were in not such good shape and I had to make the choice of what to do with it. I started sorting, recycling, tossing and getting ready to give a whole bunch of stuff to charity. Sure, I could have taken the time to sell it on e-bay or somewhere else but I just needed to quickly let it go while I was in the right mindset and the charity of my choosing could use the donation. In the days that followed as I discarded many of the items, I found myself finding a part of myself that I had been missing. Who I am today was having a hard time letting go of the past because there was so much of it keeping me stuck there. We can find ourselves buried in memories of other people’s lives. Or a life that we once had that will never be again. There can be so much sadness in the loss that we cling on to items as if they will bring that part of our life back. Of course, it won’t and only stops us from fully being who we are today and what lies ahead of us. What I realize as I write these words in this letter to you is that all the stuff keeps us from the joy that today has to offer. As you read this, ask yourself if there something you may find missing in your life that could be covered up with lots of stuff from the past. Stuff that, as celebrity organizer Marie Kondo says, can begin to “bring the joy” to other people that once brought joy to you or one of your loved ones. When we can’t find the forest through the trees the time comes to clear it away in a way that is respectful to your memories and also respectful to the earth. Tomorrow is Earth day and a great time to be mindful of the stuff we accumulate because bottom-line we are not taking it with us when we leave this planet. Do we want to leave it for others to have to be burdened with all of it? Do we want to have it end up in a land fill somewhere? And truth be told the “stuff” can keep us from fully be who we are meant to be while we are here. While this story is to be continued as I still have a many, many hours left of my clearing work to be done in the barn I am emerging with a new perspective. This perspective will keep me moving forward to get my important life work done. Would love to hear from you and your experience with your own “stuff.” Wishing you lots of great clearing as well in the week ahead and Happy Earth Day! NEW Join the Business Growth Mastermind: businessvictories.com/mastermind
This week’s Victory Letter message has been coming to me from so many directions. Starting with the podcast I had the honor to record a few weeks back that I am sharing with you today. The podcast is with Erin Bagwell the creator behind the documentary Dream, Girl. I will share more about that podcast here in a second, but first want to have you think about this burning question for this week. Are you fully asking for what you want on a regular basis especially around the money you need to run your business and your life? And I mean full out asking, not implying or hoping that it will happen - being bold enough to point blank ask for what you want. The truth is most people are not – especially women. There are a variety of reasons for this with the biggest one being that we are not asking for our fair share. In fact, a Google search brought me these staggering statistics of overall earnings in the US as of 2018: · 70,075,212 people earned under $25,000 – 42.85% · 44,496,340 people earned between $20,000 and 50,000 – 27.21% · 34,098,312 people earned between $50,000 and $100,000 – 20.85% · 11,528,382 people earned between $100,000 and $200,000 -7.05% · 3,322,360 people earned over $200,000 – 2.03% I don’t share this to depress you – after all this is the Victory Letter – I share it to inspire you to start asking for what your talents warrant instead of someone else telling you your value. To look honestly at your current income and what you can do to make the needed changes to increase your revenue. Sometimes we can be buried in debt because we aren’t earning enough and the financial hole can seem to just get bigger and bigger. In my podcast interview Erin shares her great success in raising $100,000 to make the Dream, Girl film such a big success including a screening of the documentary at the White House during the Obama Administration and being a part of Oprah’s top 100 list. Erin also then told me how after the film started to wane down she suddenly found herself $20,000 in new business debt. She shared 4 elements in how she quickly got herself on a new path. Face it – Stop blaming anyone else and looking the debt straight on. Get out a whiteboard and make a plan. Start paying yourself first! (Interesting how as business owners we tend to pay ourselves last.) Write out your Financial Manifesto including asking for what you want. With these ideas from Erin (be sure and listen to much more in the podcast), and looking at your own annual income magic number, empower yourself to ask for what you want. While it may not happen instantaneously, consistency makes a great asking companion. NEW Join the Business Growth Mastermind: businessvictories.com/mastermind
Can I grow? Is this a question you ever ask yourself? After all what does it mean to grow? For each of us it looks a bit different – however, many of the components are the same. Growth is one of those key elements in life. Whether we are growing intellectually, growing our varied relationships or growing our bank accounts. Each effort of growth requires some key elements that allow the growing to happen. As I begin the task this month of nurturing my garden back to life I can’t help but consider the important elements that allow my garden to grow. For many years I have shared the analogy between my garden and growing a business because quite frankly they hold so many similarities of work, joy, and sorrow. Growth after all is chocked full of all kinds of surprises. Most of us have had a love that we lost along the way that as time went on actually helped us to grow as a person. It uncovered some raw feelings in us that we didn’t even know existed. This opens us up to be more authentic when the “right” person comes along. Perhaps we have some money triggers that keep us stuck with our money growth. Whether they stem from some financial misstep along the way or not fully learning to deal with money, acknowledging our current attitude with money is the first step. Growth all starts with a desire and a dream for what you want to become. Is it happier, wealthier or maybe even wiser? As I plant the seeds in my garden in the weeks ahead I am not sure what will happen. Some seeds will grow and some will not. What I do know to be true is that when I pay full attention to nurturing the soil and giving the seeds ample water, what is meant to grow will grow! It’s interesting when you grow seedlings indoors too far away from the light source. They get pale and grow week. However, move those same plants closer to the light and they are able to become stronger than ever before. Surround yourself with the people, thoughts and experiences that inspire you to grow. Happy planting! NEW Join the Business Growth Mastermind: businessvictories.com/mastermind
Learn more about the Business Growth Mastermind: www.businessvictories.com/mastermind As a young entrepreneur I quickly began to dread the coming of April each year. The closer this month got in my early years I knew that I would have to have my annual “awakening” of the financial status of my business for the previous year. Not only did I have all the other responsibilities of the business to handle but by April 1st I had to deal with the dreaded “brown box.” My “brown box” held my receipts and what I perceived was the secrets as to whether I had actually made a profit in the year gone by. Cash flowed to be sure, however it was the question of was I spending it wisely or not, and was I actually creating a profitable business? Learning by the seat of my pants in those early years I just thought I should innately know how to deal with the numbers. As I moved forward in my journey I discovered that it didn’t have to be so painful and systems began to get rooted as I learned it was okay (and actually quite necessary) to get help from financial professionals. Now it hasn’t always been easy, some years have been financially better than others. The juggle for the best use of my time as I approach my 34th year of being an entrepreneur always comes back to the most important element in the business - paying attention to the numbers. Ironically, I started my first business on April 1, 1985. Yes, April Fool’s Day! Without a doubt surprises and the unexpected have come and gone like the tide over the years. Some long forgotten and some have left financial scars or better said, a permanent reminder. Here is what I know to be true when it comes to self control with money… If you are not a “money person” you need to learn to be one. Some years will be better than others and doing your financials on a monthly basis is key to getting to greater profitability. Expenses have a way of creeping up on you. Making sense of them can come too late if you are only looking at numbers on a quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Look monthly. Charging the right price for your goods and services isn’t just about what others are charging – they have to make economic sense for the value that your business provides. Do not, I repeat do not, continue to beat yourself up as you waste time in regret for past financial mistakes made. Learn from your mistakes, moving on smarter and money wiser. Knowing your numbers helps you to make educated decisions in your business. Included in this is financial projections – you can’t hit a target when you don’t know what it is. Finally repeat to yourself on a regular basis “Show me the money!” as the Jerry McGuire movie so infamously shouted it out. Say it loud and say it clear. Make April a time to fully enjoy the gifts of spring and watch all the growth around you. And if that is not inspirational enough, how about these words from Benjamin Franklin (you know the guy on the $100 bill), “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” Have a month full of growth ahead!
Join our business mastermind program and grow your business: www.businessvictories.com Have you noticed how life doesn’t always go according to plan? No matter how carefully the plan is orchestrated, sometimes the wind doesn’t align with our sails and we have to opt for plan B (or sometimes even plans C-Z). There has always been the part of writing a business plan that never seemed to connect to the overall success of my businesses along the way. In between the beautifully crafted words, thoughts, and strategies of the business plan is really what matters most. On paper it all sounds so realistic before the realities of life get in the way. What happens when real world 101 takes over the plan? Our mind started thinking about other business ventures or lost the courage to fully implement the original plan. Maybe the original plan had some fatal flaws that need to be readjusted first. Planning and having goals is super important to make sure you know where you are headed. The key is being open to other ways to get you there once you are on the road, as the curves and bumps in the road can knock us off course. Sometimes this happens by coincidence and sometimes overlooked circumstances get in the way. What I see brings most entrepreneurs to their knees (and I have had a few prayer sessions myself) is when things don’t go as hoped, planned, or dreamed. Many business owners just give up or go hide under a blanket waiting for a miracle to change the timing of things. It’s at the point of hopelessness that we find a way to adapt, fix what didn’t go as planned, and create a new plan of action that will move things forward. Take these 5 steps to avoid giving up too early: 1. Stop and take a breath to see where you currently stand. 2. Honestly assess from all angles to see how hopeful or hopeless the situation is. 3. Decide whether to abandon ship, adjust the sails, or find a new destination. 4. Surround yourself with others who support your vision. 5. Never stop believing in yourself and your team when seas get stormy. As we finish up our conversations this month on honoring time, here’s to keeping the dream alive, dedicating the time to make it happen, and never giving up what matters most!
When I can stop and enjoy the moment, I like to call this “BE time.” I have come to think of BE time as a time for Better Energy. It’s those snippets of time that let us truly feel content as we prepare for other things to come. This past week I have talked to a number of people in cold winter climates who are experiencing cabin fever with the long-anticipated wait for warmer days ahead. What I have come to discover over the years is to look at ways to embrace the comfort that can be found in the solitude of cabin fever. I like to find an extra minute, hour, or even whole day to give my mind some extra attention. Setting aside time to just be is an act of self-respect and helps me discover creative solutions to roadblocks. Here are a few awesome benefits that come from setting aside time to just be: BE Inspired BE Confident BE You BE Courageous BE Happy BE Creative BE Effective BE Valued BE Grateful When you stop to actually enjoy life instead of constantly rushing through it, there are endless ways to enjoy all the little delicious elements that life has to offer. Perhaps it’s just time smelling a flower or spending extra time with eyes closed letting the sun warm your face. During those occasional negative moments of life, such as Jury Duty or having a difficult conversation with a loved one, just be. Try not to react in anger or frustration, just be and notice what these difficult moments are trying to show us in order to grow into the future. As we head forward in time, let’s harness the beauty of whatever season you are in. Find time to just be and you will create a business and personal life that you love. Looking to grow your business? Browse our on demand online courses or get the maximum results by joining our business-building private coaching program. Learn more at: https://www.businessvictories.com
One of the most effective ways we have to manage our life and our business is by giving closer attention to our time. My iPhone now gives me a summary every Sunday how I spent my time on my phone. Quite an eye opener to be sure! I wish I could use that tracking on everything I do outside of the phone, giving me the ability to accurately know where all my time goes each week. I have started looking differently again at my time as I do during this month every year. This year I have decided to go back to a habit I drifted away from and that is giving every work day a regular theme and focus. The idea behind this is that you are grouping your activities and energies around a common theme versus being all over the board running from here to there every single day. More intention, less reaction. With my clients this month I am working through a process based on a worksheet called Time for Income. The goal is to have them start to look at what is taking their time (like the iPhone) that they could be better spend elsewhere enhancing their business. And once that is accomplished, find quality chunks of time on a given day to put your focus where it gives you the best results. The 5 ways to protect and leverage your time during the days of the typical M-F, 8am-5pm work week is to give each day the dedication to a task or process that matters most to the success you wish to achieve. I learned this technique many years ago during a coach training by the late Jennifer White, and Jack Dorsey (CEO of Square and Twitter) also follows this method. You may only need an hour or two each day to accomplish the tasks required once you do it on a regular basis allowing you to dig deeper into that element instead of always playing catchup and cleanup. For myself here is how I have decided to let it shake out for now, allowing it to shift as required as this is a very fluid process. Keep in mind while I have emails, client calls, etc. throughout each day just like you this is where I want to focus my intention on during each specific day of the week. Monday Money and Business Management Work on the core elements of my business, especially around the financial element. Tuesday Coach and Inspire One of the two days a week I dedicate fully to coaching and enhancing my coaching tool kits in between client coaching appointments. Wednesday Partnership Building and Booking Speaking Engagements Partnerships come in all shapes and sizes and it’s important to nurture those relationships as well as seeking out future speaking and teaching opportunities. Want to partner with me? Send me an email. Thursday Coach and Inspire Second day of my week dedicated to my clients, because some days you simply need to rinse and repeat to finish up the work that needs to be done. Friday Marketing and Growth From creating new content materials (like this letter) to finding ways to educate and inspire myself in order to inspire others, on Fridays I like to stretch my ideas and find new ways to grow. What would your perfect week of intention look like? Download the Time for Income Chart and begin to take a stronger hold on what you allow to have happen with your time each day: http://www.businessvictories.com/blog/more-intention-and-less-reaction Whether you work for yourself or someone else it’s your mindset and what you do with your precious time that really matters!
More and more I continue to hear people say the words … “I don’t have time.” And if I don’t watch myself very carefully, I can find myself saying those words as well. Truth of course is that we all have “time” as long as we are breathing. I have come to find it’s how we start the very first waking hour of our day that makes all the difference. Every single morning, work day or play day, at home or traveling, I take the opportunity to slowly and carefully start my day on my terms. One of my favorite things to do is be up before the sun so I can watch it rise each morning. Some mornings when I think it can’t get more beautiful with the pinks and reds of the clouds catching the sun rays, it does! There is something about the beauty and quiet in those early morning hours that feels so peaceful and beautiful. It inspires me and helps to overcome any obstacles waiting in the day ahead. This month we are going to be diving into the Mastermind Principle of Honoring Time. I can think of no better way to honor time then to come into each day respecting and honoring the gift of a new day. Five benefits I have seen from what I have come to call my Morning Momentum time are: More joy and happiness. Less feeling of overwhelm. Gratitude for the simple things in life. Greater productivity. A deeper connection within myself. If you have tried meditation or any form of creating a better morning routine in the past that hasn’t worked, check out my 21-Day Morning Momentum Challenge. In this course I share in detail all the elements it takes to get the most out of the first hour of your day. Quick little audio sessions each day will help you find your own perfect routine to use for many years to come. Life will give us many options every morning when we open our eyes. The choice is in selecting the options that serve us best. Here’s to the peace of mind that comes from honoring our precious time! Learn more about the Morning Momentum Course: http://businessvictories.com/goodmorning
Have you noticed that especially over the last few years it seems to be getting harder and harder for people to speak their truth in a way that creates strong relationships? Here’s a simple test to see if you have been withholding your truth: Have you recently held a belief or thought about another person but never told them your feelings directly? These feelings could be good, bad or indifferent. As we wrap up the discussions this month on the Mastermind Principle of Self Confidence I have seen a common need of finding confidence through speaking and honoring your truth. I had a recent conversation with a brilliant coaching colleague, Beth Buelow. Initially I had reached out to Beth to have a conversation around her innovative work that led to her book, The Introvert Entrepreneur. I then discovered as we set up a date for the upcoming podcast that she has moved her coaching focus into the area of communications and conflict management. She made this transition after 10 years of exploring the ins and outs of what it takes to be successful as an introverted entrepreneur, which so many of us are… myself included! Learning to live with introverts is important. What is also so important is learning how to speak your truth. Not honoring and speaking your truth may be affecting your self-confidence – along with adding a whole lot of stress to your life – I was excited about the possibilities that lie in the 5 ways that unfolded in our conversation together: 1. Truth needs trust Trusting yourself, your expertise on a given topic along with the should and should not’s that have been expected of you. 2. Center your truth Making your truth a central conviction not needing validation on what you “should” be saying. 3. Honor your story Being vulnerable as you own and share it. Not worrying about other people’s assumptions or opinions. 4. Come from love, not fear or scarcity Being engaged in a healthy versus unhealthy conversation. Being sincere in the process. 5. Separate truth from ego Perhaps the hardest piece in using this tool. Our righteousness can eliminate the willingness to be wrong and admit it as you put yourself in someone else’s shoes. I highly encourage you to listen to our entire conversation and all the juicy tidbits we unwrapped. Then pass it on. Just imagine how we might all change the world around us if we could talk to each other with these five steps in place. Imagine how this could change not only your personal world but the world you work in as well. Wishing you a week full of powerful communications ahead.
If we don’t use our creativity muscles in the brain, we will lose them. The good news is that we can regain this muscle and the more we use creativity throughout our lives the more this super power benefits us! The coolest part is that the more you build that muscle and get good at whatever creative muscle you are building, from fly fishing to making bread, it builds your confidence right along with building that muscle. My daughter, who is known by many as Chef Bai, is quite an amazing creative with food being her favorite thing to create. She has always had a love of cooking, but recently she has taken her creativity even farther to provide her with the confidence to create a very profitable business. Creativity comes in so many shapes and sizes. It’s not necessarily just drawing a picture, writing the next great novel, or writing a poem to someone you love. Creativity appears when you give yourself the time and space to share your unique voice with the world. A great benefit is that if your creative work really resonates, it can make you money due to the ability to connect with others. And that’s when your work really does become your play. Here is what Bailey shared with me as the 5 things that spark her creativity with the food she creates: 1. Farmers Market Seeing food in its whole form straight from the source allows her to imagine what it might become once she gets her hands on it. 2. Yoga and Body Movement Moving opens her up and she actually thinks alot about food during yoga and the process motivates her to cook more. 3. Consistency The more she cooks the more ideas she gets to create new things she hasn’t tried before. 4. Inspiration from others Blogs, Vlogs and cookbooks from amateurs and professionals. 5. Music Playing music while she cooks always helps in the creativity process. Just like I shared about learning and confidence last week creativity takes our confidence soaring to whole new levels when we use it on a regular basis. Mixing learning and creativity is really the most excellent part. I feel that way when I write, brainstorm with a client and even when I am in my garden. As you head into this week I would love to know where you are going to let your inner creative shine. What kind of creativity dates can you have with yourself or with someone who shares the same creative passion as you do? Tomorrow, February 18th is Bailey’s birthday! Happy Birthday Chef Bai and thank you for inspiring so many with your creative passion when it comes to making health based food. Be sure to leave a comment on her Instagram and tell her I sent you: http://www.instagram.com/chef_bai Let’s celebrate each of us as well for allowing our creative spirit to shine! After all, that’s what creativity is… letting our inner child come out to play. Learn more about chef bai: http://www.chefbai.com Want to grow your business? Schedule a clarity session: www.businessvictories.com/marketingclarity Subscribe to this podcast for weekly episodes delivered to your inbox: www.businessvictories.com/subscribe
Learning builds confidence. There is the great saying that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. Isn’t that why you are reading this? Somewhere along the way you decided that you wanted to learn how to grow your business and make elements better in your life. As we continue the journey into our mastermind principle of self-confidence, I want to share with you the importance of being a life-long learner. Education doesn’t stop after formal school. Life itself has so much to teach us every single day and each moment is waiting to teach us something if we let go of being a “know-it-all.” Recently I heard the idea of always having at least 5 learning experiences happening in your life at one time. The more I try to learn new things, the more I discover that learning makes me see so many more possibilities for my business. Here are 5 topics I am currently learning: 1. French I have always wanted to visit Paris. This year I will be following through on this dream and in preparation for my trip every day I dedicate time to an app that helps me learn this language. Bonjour to French! 2. Public Speaking I belong to a group that supports speakers and it’s amazing that even though I have spoken on 100+ stages, I still continue to learn key tips from my peers and every time I get on the stage. 3. Psychology of Money I frequently listen to some great audiobooks that dive into this topic and help me strengthen my relationship with money. I have watched a feeling on “lack” inhibit many business owners, clients, and myself. Money is the transfer of energy and our relationship to money is equal to our energy levels. 4. Yoga I am on day number 34 of a 40-day yoga program at a local studio. This is a challenge where I am being asked to incorporate my mind and spirit into my physical transformation. This practice was a bit challenging at first, but by getting through it I am learning so much about what I am capable of. 5. Instagram I dedicate time daily to learn more about the popular Instagram social media platform in order to grow my audience and share my message with the world. I decided a year ago to add Instagram for Business into my teaching offerings and it has reinstalled the belief in me that if you want to learn something more deeply, teach it! What are the 5 things you are focusing on learning? These can be topics you are either developing or want to develop in your life right now. Write this list down and put it somewhere you can see often. Then start diving into those topics! Experience is the best teacher. Keep yourself accountable by replying to this letter to let me know what they are – I would love to cheer you on! --- Want to grow your business? Schedule a clarity session: www.businessvictories.com/marketingclarity Listen to the latest episode and subscribe to this podcast: www.businessvictories.com/subscribe
- Love How much do you love what have to share with the world? When you can share that love and passion in an authentic way you lose the salesy, canned unauthentic piece and just share the core of what you have to give. Think of the confidence you feel when you think about the people and things you love the most in this world. That should carry through in all you do. 2. Composure Meet life where it meets you, and do this calmly without drama or fuss. Be kind to yourself when someone doesn’t buy your products or when things just don’t go your way. No more shutting down and stopping. Replace this with a smile and a step forward, knowing that failure and friction are a necessary a stepping stone to evolve. Have the confidence to remain calm and understanding in stressful situations. 3. Listening The power of kindness begins with listening what another person actually needs. The answer to not getting the results from your efforts in sharing your message lies in listening to what the person needs right now. Sometimes we can be so nervous about sharing that we spew our idea all over someone before listening to what their needs are right now. Asking questions is key to building confidence in listening. 4. Belief To achieve in anything in life you have to believe in what you are doing. Think of all the things that you truly believe in and those things you try to believe in. The moment belief disappears all kinds of negative stuff can seem to appear. Surround yourself with a well-rounded group of people who help support you. Our inner circles feed our confidence. 5. Courage Fear busting better known as courage is probably one of the greatest forms of inner kindness to yourself you can give. While it might feel terribly uncomfortable at the get go, stop and think of every time you have pushed through a fear you have held close and how much better you feel when you get to the other side. Confidence and pride of your efforts for stepping up to fully play in the game is what builds even more courage for the next time around. - - - Want to grow your business? Schedule a clarity session: www.businessvictories.com/marketingclarity Listen to the latest episode and subscribe to this podcast: www.businessvictories.com/subscribe
Download the PDF worksheet to follow along: https://businessvictories.com/blog/thriving-business Powerful insights take time. I have decided to share with you a variety of secret tips that I have found from not only those materials, but also from the many other experts I have had the honor to learn and mentor with over the years. My hope is that you will find this list beneficial in helping you along your journey. One thing I find for sure with us business folks is that sometimes we run out of ideas on how to enhance our businesses. Fresh ideas are essential to enhancing our business and personal lives. If you need that creative spark, this list will help to get you on the right track! Here’s to cleaning out our closets - which also happens to be #18 on the list! ;) - Want to grow your business? Schedule a clarity session: www.businessvictories.com/marketingclarity - Subscribe to this podcast: www.businessvictories.com/subscribe
What if goals were presents you could open, finding your hearts desires inside of 6 beautifully wrapped packages? Take this journey with me through a mind-felt meditation to get you into the spirit of planning for the year ahead. - Download the goals worksheet here: http://businessvictories.com/blog/unwrap-your-goals - Want to grow your business? Schedule a clarity session: www.businessvictories.com/marketingclarity - Subscribe to this podcast: www.businessvictories.com/subscribe
Learn how to grow your nonprofit with tips by Eric Hozempa of the Longmont Community Foundation (www.longmontfoundation.org). Eric shares the similarities between non-profit and for-profit organizations. One of my favorite of the many great things that transpired within this conversation was in what Eric called, “Bless and Release.” The idea of sometimes letting people and situations go for the health of the organization. - Want to grow your business? Schedule a clarity session: www.businessvictories.com/marketingclarity - Subscribe to this podcast: www.businessvictories.com/subscribe
Has fear been holding you back? Did you know that fear is the #1 reason most people don’t achieve their dreams? Fear of failing can stop you from even getting into the game. In this podcast I share with you some antidotes to take the leap that will help you to feel the energy that will fuel you to move through your fear(s). - Want to grow your business? Schedule a clarity session with Cheri Ruskus: www.businessvictories.com/marketingclarity - Get inspired every Monday morning: www.businessvictories.com/subscribe
Ready for a natural energy boost to start your day? Walk through a lovely morning meditation with me as we discover some new things about increasing the energy centers that are located in the seven energy centers (chakras) of our bodies. - Want to grow your business? Schedule a clarity session with Cheri Ruskus: www.businessvictories.com/marketingclarity - Get inspired every Monday morning: www.businessvictories.com/subscribe
Enjoy today’s podcast where I interview the triple team from Kaiut Yoga Boulder. These three talented individuals from very different career paths came together to form a successful partnership. As you listen to this imagine yourself Cooperating with others to take all that’s good in you and combining it with all that’s good in them. Learn more about Kaiut Yoga Boulder: www.kaiutyogaboulder.com -- Want to grow your business? Schedule a clarity session with Cheri Ruskus: www.businessvictories.com/marketingclarity --- Get inspired every Monday morning: www.businessvictories.com/subscribe
This week’s podcast is with Helen Williams, Founder and Flavor Master of Best One Yet: Vegan Ice Cream. Helen is a woman who had the courage to step past her comfort zone and fully start a new business, in a new state, doing something she had never done before. We talk in length about the element of fear and what it takes sometimes to just go ahead and do it anyway. Helen shares her scary moments that have led her to “the magic of making ice cream.” A perfect way to start wrapping up summer in a most delicious way. -- Learn more about Helen and her Vegan Ice Cream: www.bestoneyetvegan.com -- Want to grow your business? Schedule a Marketing Clarity with Cheri Ruskus: www.businessvictories.com/marketingclarity --- Get inspired every Monday morning: www.businessvictories.com/subscribe --- If you enjoyed this episode please rate and review on Apple Podcasts! www.businessvictories.com/itunes
If you are needing some extra motivation about the art of story you really want to hear Andrew’s story of creating stories for others. You will be inspired – I promise. He is a man who took a love for helping humans connect and brought the unedited idea to life! -- Learn more about Andrew and Conscious Stories: www.consciousstories.com/ -- Want to grow your business? Schedule a Marketing Clarity with Cheri Ruskus: www.businessvictories.com/marketingclarity --- Get inspired every Monday morning: www.businessvictories.com/subscribe --- If you enjoyed this episode please rate and review on Apple Podcasts! www.businessvictories.com/itunes
CEO traits checklist mentioned in this podcast: www.businessvictories.com/ceo -- The role of a CEO may seem daunting and out of reach – practically speaking it is not. Like any other skill set you simply need to look at what is required and dive in. A CEO puts their shoes on one foot at a time just like you and me. When you get to the office every morning you must take the birds eye view of everything that is required, dedicate yourself to making everything happen through effective communication, and develop methods for implementation. --- Looking for greater results? Schedule a Marketing Clarity Strategy Session with Cheri: www.businessvictories.com/marketingclarity --- Get inspired every Monday morning: www.businessvictories.com/subscribe --- If you enjoyed this episode please rate and review on Apple Podcasts! www.businessvictories.com/itunes
The boys are back after their hiatus with a discussion on their ultimate project - houses! Thanks to Alex McConnell for the idea for this episode.
Credit to Joey Brunner for intro and outro music - Funky Spliffs - and for the audio engineering.
Episode Mentions: - Alone in the Wilderness documentary (not the whole thing): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYJKd0rkKss - Anne Hathaway's cottage (look at slideshow for pictures): https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit/anne-hathaways-cottage/# - Phillip's Easy Pizza Crust Recipe: Part 1: http://imgur.com/COySJnD Part 2: http://imgur.com/bZtoEm7
Davis and Corey go through the most recent emails and iTunes reviews in this listener-feedback-based episode. There is specifically some good discussion on types of drill bits.
Credit to Joey Brunner for intro and outro music - Funky Spliffs - and for the audio engineering.
Episode Mentions: - Spade bit: http://s3.amazonaws.com/bvsystem_tmp/pages/1516/original/spadebit.jpg?1368554581 - Forstner bit: http://assets.rockler.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/720x720/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/2/1/21200-01-1000.jpg - Hole saw bit: http://www.dark-circuit.com/HOLD/Mod%20Guide/HOLESAW.JPG
Podcasts we listen to: - Making It: http://makingitpodcast.com/ - If I Were You: http://ifiwereyoushow.com/ - Twinnovations: http://twinnovation.biz/ - 8 Bit Book Club: https://www.spreaker.com/show/8-bit-book-club - Jeff Rubin Jeff Rubin Show: http://jeffrubinjeffrubinshow.com/ - High and Mighty: https://www.spreaker.com/user/highandmighty - Welding Tips and Tricks: http://wttpodcast.libsyn.com/
Kevin Hamilton, home cook extraordinaire, joins us in the Skype Studio for a discussion on all things cooking. We also ended up going over chicken a lot.
Credit to Joey Brunner for intro and outro music - Funky Spliffs - and for the audio engineering.
Episode Mentions: - Dream Dinners: https://dreamdinners.com/ - Rob Riches on Youtube, recipe playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40E41A8B92A916EF - Cooking-based Subreddits: https://www.reddit.com/r/slowcooking/ : https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodPorn/ - Game of Thrones Cookbook: http://www.innatthecrossroads.com/home/game-thrones-recipes/a-feast-of-ice-and-fire/ - Chicken Cacciatore: https://www.google.com/search?q=chicken+cacciatori&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&channel=fs&trackid=sp-006&gws_rd=ssl#q=chicken+cacciatore