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Inspiring video for the weekend: tips to help you become a “reverse-paranoid” and stay positive.

Reading time: 2 – 3 minutes

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?

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I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what my goals are both for my business and my life and working to write them out and plan how to reach them. Big goals that can seem overwhelming look so much easier to reach when that plan is in place.

When you’ve got goals they pull you forward — you’ve got something that you’re working towards and motivated to reach!

Here’s a great video from Brian Tracey about why it’s important to know our goals and to keep thinking about them and focusing on them:

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Are you making one of these mistakes in your new home based business venture?  For a successful home based business watch out for these common problems.

Mindset: Hobby vs. Business

Are you running your business like a “business” or like a “hobby”?  You’ve got to change your mindset to look at your business like a business.  Get your business license and get setup right.

Take time to organize yourself and set clear goals.  Setup an accounting system.  Write a business plan (even a short one) and include your goals.  Block out time daily to work both “on” and “in” your business.

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Reading time: 1 – 2 minutes

Life can get so hectic and crazy, especially if you’re juggling family and work.  It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of day to day living and forget to really live life.

So here’s our reminder for this week to slow down and focus on what matters.

Don’t miss the most important moments.  Don’t let things get so busy that you don’t make time for family and for yourself.  Slow down.  Enjoy the little things.  Take time to make memories.  Think about what will matter 10 or 20 years from now.

“You don’t get to choose how you’re going to die. Or when.
But you can decide how you’re going to live now.” ~Joan Baez

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Reading time: 4 – 6 minutes

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. Read my review of this book at http://ezinearticles.com/?See-Jane-Succeed-by-Michele-DeKinder-Smith&id=4823259

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. Read my review of this book at http://ezinearticles.com/?Book-Review—Makeover-Your-Business-in-6-Weeks-Or-Less&id=4819903

The Career-at-Home Mom: Secrets for Earning a Six-Figure Income While Having Time for Your Family by Debbie LaChusa

Reading time: 2 – 2 minutes

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.

RULE 1

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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.

Article by Laura Howard West of the Center for Joyful Business.

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.

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I wanted to share a video today that’s a very interesting look at what motivates us.

Keep in mind as you watch that you’re your own boss, and it’s your job to motivate yourself!

Understanding the way our own minds and emotions work can help us keep ourselves inspired and motivated to work towards our goals.
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