Okay, I’ve got in 29 posts this month and that leaves 2 more to finish the Ultimate Blog Challenge. Close but no banana yet, as they say. I’ll admit I didn’t feel much like writing after a crazy day, and that’s what’s inspired this post about monkeys and bananas!
Monkeys do like bananas, because they’ve got a sweet tooth. I had to look that up because I wasn’t sure if it was just one of those things we think or if it was really true. It’s true and they’re smart enough to figure out how to get bananas that are locked in a chest or suspended out of their reach (check it out here).
Back to the point. Bananas are a reward for monkeys. Their goal is to get to the bananas and satisfy that sweet tooth. To do that, they’re willing to plan a strategy and then follow it through to achieve their goal. I have no idea how difficult that is for a monkey since I’m no zoologist but let’s assume it’s takes some effort.
Now I’m the monkey. (I’m using myself as an example, since I don’t want to call you, my reader, a monkey and insult you so you don’t come back to my blog.) So I’m the monkey. My goal is the banana. For me the banana could represent several things but let’s go with the banana as being achieving a specific amount of traffic to my blog. I want X visitors a day.
What am I willing to do to get that banana? If I sit on my bottom and refuse to do anything I don’t like or step out of my comfort bubble, do you think I’ll get that banana?
I meant to share this yesterday and forgot. If the 31 day blog challenges just feel like more than you’re ready for, then the 10 day mini blog challenge is perfect for you!
Here’s the scoop from Michele:
The Mini 10 Blog Challenge begins on Sunday August 22nd. We have had so many people express the desire to join our blog challenge, because they know how beneficial it can be, but felt like it was too late for them to get started so we decided to run a shorter mini challenge at the end of the month. You register for free and commit to blog 10 times in the last 10 days of the month. Be sure to join us on Twitter by using the hashtag #mini10 for the 10 day challenge and #blogboost for the Ultimate Blog Challenge. For best results you might want to use both hashtags! Good Luck and Happy Blogging!
Do you get discouraged feeling like no matter how much time you invest in learning you aren’t moving forward and seeing results in your business? You might be caught in one of these two very common entrepreneurial traps!
The first trap is called “non-implementation-itis” and happens when we keep learning, seeking out new information, amassing vast amounts of knowledge… and not applying it to our businesses.
Do you have “non-implementation-itis”? You might if… Continue Reading
Looking for your next great business book to read? Here are four of my favorite books for women in business from those I’ve recently read. Click the image on the first three to grab a copy at Amazon (affiliate links). The fourth isn’t an affiliate link, and it’s only $4.95 S&H.
See Jane Succeed: Five Types of Female Entrepreneurs Reveal What it Takes to Win in Business and Life by Michele DeKinder-Smith
This inspiring and validating book stays on my desk (not the bookshelf) and it’s full of highlighted passages and dog-eared pages. It offers a unique look at the different types of women in business and the challenges they face. Each “Jane” type of woman entrepreneur is explained, analyzed and an action plan presented that includes step by step help to turn their difficulties into strengths so they can break through to the next level of success in their business and live their ideal success.
I Love My Life! A Mom’s Guide to Working From Home by Kristie Tamsevicius
This is a resource-filled book that takes you from the dreaming phase all the way through a successful business. It begins by offering ideas and identifying opportunities for business you can run from your home, and in helping you identify a good match for what you enjoy doing. You’ll find help for creating a business plan, setting up your home office, building a business website and creating your marketing strategy. Kristie T. also shares tips from experience on how to balance work and life as your business grows.
Makeover Your Business in 6 Weeks or Less: Proven Techniques for the Entrepreneurial Woman by Michele Scism
Has your business growth got you feeling unsure of what your next steps should be? As your business grows your plans and mindset need to grow with it and this book lays out 6 areas of your business to review and improve from your marketing and follow up to your systems and mindsets. It’s written in a friendly, conversational style that makes it easy to read.
If you’re considering leaving a corporate or professional job position to launch your own business this is a fantastic guide to help you choose a business by starting with what you know, plan for success and learn how to create and manage a super-profitable business while still having time for your family and your life. It’s also helpful if you’ve got an existing small business and you’re looking for ways to leverage your time and leave behind the overwhelm as you transform your business into a more flexible model that allows you to make more and do less.
Recently my Facebook page started popping up with notices that I’d been tagged in photos. Turns out one of the kids I went to elementary school with had scanned in something like 500 photos. Very cool. And sure got me thinking back to childhood.
Here’s one of me in a play in 1st or 2nd grade. I was a pilgrim, in case you aren’t sure from the… interesting… costume. I also played the scared little rabbit in a play around the same time and remember being absolutely petrified even though it was only in front of my classroom of about 25 kids.
My strongest memory of early elementary school is the color of the carpet because I spent so much time looking at the floor, afraid to engage with the other kids or speak up. My only memories from preschool are of hiding under a table and of reading while hiding under a table.
Who can you reach out and help this week? Send a card or email to let someone know you’re thinking of them. Support a friend or colleague. Cheer on someone who’s going through a tough time in their business or personal life. One word or action can make a big difference.
Do you need motivation to help you blog consistently? If so, a blog challenge might be just the thing for you!
A Blog Challenge is when a group of bloggers get together and set a goal to post to their blogs daily for a set number of days (for example, one month). During the challenge they support each other by visiting the blogs of the other participants and leaving comments, tweeting and sharing their posts, and interacting.
Participating in a blog challenge can help you stay motivated and connect with others who share your goal. It can also help you make connections and get to know other bloggers.
One of the most obvious benefits of a blog challenge is the big boost in traffic that can happen when you have others visiting your blog who want to support you and help you promote your blog.
Note from Michelle: Today I’m sharing an article from Heather Meglasson. I met Heather last year in California and what struck me most about her was that she just radiates a confident, happy, relaxed energy. She’s one of those people that makes you feel good just standing near her. Her relaxation audio (below the article, get your free copy by visiting her site) is fantastic and one of my not-so-secret weapons for fighting migraines and insomnia.
I am not a very good chess player and when it comes to rules and survival I have to work especially hard to stay a few extra steps ahead of my oldest daughter. She really needs to become a lawyer because she can point out every possible loophole to any rule that I come up with just to prove that I can not keep her entirely under my control. You know someone exactly like that don’t you. Well it’s not always a bad thing to have rules, especially if you can get them to work in your favor.
For a good starting point in becoming proactively happy, let’s look at rules of the mind that can get us on the right “path” (pun intended) and see how we can make them apply to creating more happiness in your life.
Note from Michelle: This article was in one of my favorite newsletters today. If you aren’t subscribed yet, stop by her site and sign up. She really “gets” what women in business are going through and is great at targeting exactly what’s in the way and how to get past it in an authentic, honest with yourself kind of way. She’s one of those coaches who I’m almost certain can read minds.
As a business mentor coach to solo-entrepreneur women, I work with women in all types of services businesses. You get excited talking about new marketing ideas, income opportunities and creative ways to package your programs and create products.
Then something happens.
The excitement stalls out. The inspiration drains from your body, and you can’t remember what you were so pumped up about. What happened?
Here are 5 Habits that can sneak up on you and pull you into the Cycle of Doubt.
It starts out as a small quiet voice, and suddenly it grabs you by the ankles and pulls you in – leaving you feeling small, stuck and very frustrated.
Want to see different results in your business? You’ve got to notice your everyday pesky habits and change the ones that are not supporting your success, and then shift to something different.
Note from Michelle: Today I’m sharing an article from Heather Meglasson. I met Heather last year in California and what struck me most about her was that she just radiates a confident, happy, relaxed energy. She’s one of those people that makes you feel good just standing near her. Her relaxation audio (below the article, get your free copy by visiting her site) is fantastic and one of my not-so-secret weapons for fighting migraines and insomnia.
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