THE POSITIVE SIDE OF FAILURE

Failed recently? Or felt like a failure? You know, failing isn't the "bad guy". Sure, at the time it might not feel so wonderful, but there are benefits to be gained from failing that you can't get from success! Failing gets such bad press and I think it's time we reviewed that. Let's start by looking on the bright side:

• Failure strengthens us, making us more resilient and much harder to knock down next time.


• We really know what we're made of when the going gets tough or the chips are down. Failure gives us a chance to prove that to ourselves and the world!


• Our failures actually teach us what we need to do to succeed, because in failing, at the very least we know what DOESN'T work!


• It keeps us humble - nobody likes a big-head!


• Failure eventually leads to success... if you don't give up! It's a motivating challenge! Think of failure as a stepping stone. It is NOT permanent.


• We appreciate our successes all that much more after a failure or two and don't take the process for granted!

Next time you experience a failure, think of it as a right of passage and congratulate yourself on your progress! If you're failing, it just means you haven't quite got "it" right yet, but at least you're giving it a go and sooner or later you're going to land the big one!

Terri Levine
http://www.coachinstitute.com
http://www.terrilevine.com

Singing the "I ain't got no respect, so I can’t give you any either..." blues

This comes back to taking pride in yourself and in the job that you do. One of the biggest complaints from customers these days is the lack of customer service. You can get noticed (for all the right reasons) by providing excellent customer service. But don't just think customers are those external people who buy your company's products or services... your customers are also your fellow workers within the company to whom you provide services and information. In this context, your own manager is one of your customers. The people in the sales department are your customers. The people in the Accounts department are your customers. Treat all your customers with respect and give them excellent service.

If you're singing the "my boss doesn't care, the sales department doesn't follow up on leads and the accounts people are lax with the paperwork" blues... rise above them. Be the better person. Stand out in the crowd of blues singers and provide them all with excellent customer service. Sooner or later, people will start talking about you - in positive, bright tones! Your new attitude may even start to rub off on them! You will enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done... and of course, your fellow blues-singing workmates may still be singing the blues because there is no satisfaction in doing mediocre work... there is no sense of pride in a job poorly done.

Terri Levine
http://www.coachinstitute.com
http://www.terrilevine.com

STILL SINGIN' THE BLUES...

This week it's the "I can't get no satisfaction..." blues.

Whilst we'd all like to believe Companies have become places of enlightenment, who finally realize their greatest asset is their employees, and providing them with fulfilling and satisfying career opportunities is on top of their agenda, sadly, this is not the case.

If you are in a situation where perhaps you cannot easily find a new job and temporarily, for financial reasons or whatever, must stay put, realize that every job has the possibility of providing you with the satisfaction you seek, and as it is YOUR life and YOUR job, it is YOUR responsibility to put "oomph" into it!

First, take pride in what you do. All jobs are important, otherwise they would not exist... therefore, what you do IS important.

Be very clear about what you expect from your job. List what you do like and what you don't like about your current job. Put on your thinking cap... can you do anything about the tasks you don't like to make them more acceptable to you?

Consider discussing your role with your manager. How can he or she help you brighten up your position so you get more enjoyment from it. If your manager doesn't know you are unhappy, he won't know you need help. It may be possible to incorporate a new and more interesting task to your job, something you'll look forward to doing. Or maybe you can re-work an existing task schedule to make it more interesting. Now, we're not saying every Company will embrace this, but you won't know, if you don’t give it a go!

You do have to take responsibility for your own job satisfaction.

Articles abound in various publications which indicate a rise in the numbers of people who are dissatisfied with their work or their career. Of course, many of these dissatisfied blues singers are going back to school to learn new careers, or jumping onto the self-employed, entrepreneurial bandwagon. Companies are becoming more aware of the need to provide satisfying employment and are willing to find ways to provide this... but sometimes you have to be the instigator and perseverance pays off.

Terri Levine
http://www.coachinstitute.com
http://www.terrilevine.com

Singing the "My job ain't goin' nowhere and I'm goin' with it..." blues

This comes back to your vision for your work. What do you want from your job? Do you WANT to climb a ladder with that company? Is your job something just to provide a pay packet? Do you have any aspirations? Are you prepared to re-train, even going back to night school, if necessary, to gain the appropriate qualifications to enable career advancement?

What are you prepared to do? Do you know what options exist for advancement? Have you discussed this with your Manager or with an appropriate H.R. member? Maybe you want to "advance" sideways into a different department?

Find out what your options are and if the company is prepared to assist you and train you to meet your goals. You won't know if you don't ask. By asking, you make them aware of your presence. When something which might be suitable for you comes up within the Company, you will then have the opportunity of trying out for it - but if you say nothing, and nobody knows of your aspirations, well, you'll just stay where you are, singing the burn out blues...

You don't have to settle for anything, but something better is not just going to be handed to you on a plate... that's like sitting near the phone just in case you get a call. You may never get a call and sitting there isn't going to make that phone ring by itself!

If you're that miserable, do something about it. Look for a new position in your company, or look for a new job. If you can afford it, hire a Career Coach! Alternatively, if your options really are limited, for whatever reason, get yourself a hobby. Create a terrific life outside of work. Life is too short to waste it being miserable!

Terri Levine
http://www.coachinstitute.com
http://www.terrilevine.com

Singing The "My Job Sucks and so do you..." Blues

If you or somebody you know at work hates their job and everyone they work with, realize that it is up to the individual to make a difference.

Make an effort to create respectful and friendly relationships with those you work with. Share smiles and be helpful. Share lunch. Creating meaningful relationships and enjoying the people you work with can sometimes make up for a less than satisfying job. Think about it... you go to an office every day to mingle with friends... what's not to like about that scenario?

In some organizations people don't care about creating meaningful work relationships, are unfriendly, and lack compassion. Some are outright arrogant and rude. The thing is, does this arrogance and rudeness give them job satisfaction and a zest for their work?

Why do you suppose they are such miserable blues singers? You don't have to join their ranks. If they are miserable, don't take it personally - that is their problem. Continue to be friendly to everyone. Even if you work with 100 miserable, unfriendly blues singers, the law of averages will ensure that at least one of them will recognize your shining light and want to be your friend. One friend is better than no friends at all. If you continue to be a bright and happy soul, your cheeriness will rub off eventually...

Keep the lines of communication open, smile, share kind and positive words, and give compliments, and even the grumpiest blues singer will look forward to your company!

Terri Levine
http://www.coachinstitute.com
http://www.terrilevine.com

DON'T BE RUDE WHEN YOU'RE ASKING FOR FAVORS!

I've been too nice lately... think it's time I got on my soap box and stirred things up a little. Are you listening to me?

I don't know about you, but seems to me people are becoming ruder and forgetting their manners in business. I think the internet may have a lot to do with it. In the "old days", before email, we wouldn't dream of "speaking" the way some people do today in their email correspondence.

Gone are the Dear... salutations, and some people don't even remember to say thank you! Whatever happened to "please"? Sentences have become clipped, tones sound almost hostile... when we write old-fashioned letters we don't write that way. What makes people think it is okay to do it in an email, I wonder...?

If you are after favors from somebody, remember your manners. If you want to get anywhere in life you do have to be courteous.

Recently, I have been approached asking if I'd offer a free bonus for somebody's upcoming book promotion. That's fine. I don't mind doing that. What I do mind is the asker telling me that it must be an expensive bonus valued at $X or more! Hang on... they're asking me to give them a freebie - and they're telling me how valuable it must be?

And if you think that's "interesting", you'll enjoy this... another promotion for yet another author, yes I gave a bonus and yes I even annoyed my newsletter list by sending it to them mid-week... obviously nobody was interested because nobody bought... the author emailed demanding to know when we'd sent it, what it looked like, how many were on our list and why didn't anybody buy it! This person was cross with us! Hello?

I don't know what to say! Just remember this - if you want something from me or anybody else - please, remember your manners!

Terri Levine
http://www.coachinstitute.com
http://www.terrilevine.com

What NOT to do at a Network Function...

When I say a Network Function, this can be a meeting of your local Chamber of Commerce, a Church meeting group, or any situation where you have an opportunity to meet people and drum up business. Of course, it also includes those events that are business oriented and you are expected to "network" professionally. Naturally, you want to give the very best impression of yourself and your business and you want to be prepared to succinctly and eloquently introduce yourself. You'll want to have your professional business cards handy to exchange. If you've read previous articles of mine about networking you already have a good idea of what you should do... so here's what you shouldn't do.

1. Don't join a mother's knitting circle and expect to drum up business. If you are a hobbyist and a member of sporting/hobby type groups, keep these as your "hobby" fun-time activity. When you are in "business" networking mode, you should look for organizations whose members include potential clients or associates with whom you can do joint ventures or develop strategic alliances. The right group can make all the difference to your networking success, so don't just join any group for the sake of joining a group and think you are "networking".


2. Don't just show up with your fingers crossed that it will be okay. Do your homework. What is this event about? Who will be attending? How many business cards will you need to take? How should you dress for this particular occasion? What can you find out about the other business people you will meet? What type of business are they in? How can you help them? Can you envision ways you could do joint ventures? What are some interesting questions you can ask them.


3. Find out the group's protocols and what is and isn't permitted and expected. Some groups are fussy about how members behave and you don't want to put your foot in it by not knowing what you can and can't do or say. Knowing this beforehand will prevent you spouting off at the mouth about how wonderful your business is and be met with stony stares of disapproval. Maybe there is a time and place for these self-promotional discussions - you need to know!


4. "Can I borrow your pen... and uh, have you got anything I can write on?" Hello! Does this sound professional to you? Go prepared! Make sure you have sufficient business cards, some brochures, and a pen that works! Oh, and don't take one of those cheap spiral bound notebooks in your top pocket! Use a professional portfolio. It doesn't HAVE to be pure leather, but it needs to look professional. You can also use an electronic organizer if you prefer.


5. Picture this... you hand over your business card and the recipient absent-mindedly shoves it in their trouser pocket. How does this make you feel? I hope YOU don't do that sort of thing! Use a business card wallet so when you receive a card you can present yourself more professionally by placing it inside the wallet and NOT in your trouser or jacket pocket like some kind of candy wrapper! How you treat a person's business card will demonstrate not only YOUR professionalism but also display courtesy.


6. Don't be an "in-person" spammer. You might be desperate for new clients but handing your card or brochure to every Tom, Dick or Harry is hardly the way to go about it! Not everyone will WANT your card and some will be offended by your attempts to push yourself on them. Offer your card sensibly!


7. Don't make them yawn and look for an escape! Don't bore people with long, irrelevant stories and don't use humor until you know who you're talking to. No two people have the same sense of humor and what you might think is funny may be downright rude to another. And I don't care how long you've practiced your "elevator speech" - don't use it as your "introduction" each time you meet somebody at the event. Relax and be friendly first. Get to know them. Ask them about themselves. Establish a "relationship" and wait for the right time to deliver your "elevator speech" - a good time is when you are asked, "And what do you do?" or "What line of business are you in?"


8. Sure, the person walking around serving the savories might look cute, and the door person might look bored, or you might feel sorry for the wallflower sitting behind the aspidistra trying not to be seen... that doesn'tt mean YOU have to go and keep them company! If you are there to network, make sure you meet and mingle with the right people. If you are new and don't know ANYBODY at the function, when the time is right you can go up to somebody you suspect is someone you should meet and break the ice with a simple, "Hello, my name is Joe. This is my first time here. Do they meet here often?" Or an opener of your choice.


9. Don't make promises you can't or won't keep! Write down anything you need to remember later, like if you have promised a new acquaintance that you'd fax them some information. Always follow up and follow through with anything you have said you would do for someone. Make the most of your opportunities with new people you meet. If you find an interesting news clipping about something you believe would interest someone you've met, send it to them. They will appreciate your thoughtfulness and the fact that you remembered this detail about them and you'll have taken the first step in establishing what could be a rewarding relationship. Not everyone you meet may need your services, but everyone you meet can refer others to you!


10. Well, I've been to that group once, don't have to bother with them anymore. Pardon me? Oh yes you do! Especially if you've met people with whom you can do business or who can refer business to you. How are you going to establish worthwhile relationships if you don't get to know them? Of course you will go again...unless of course you went to a mother's knitting circle, in which case, as I said earlier, you're not likely to drum up business there unless you sell knitting needles!

Terri Levine
http://www.coachinstitute.com
http://www.terrilevine.com

Questions That Make You Squirm - What To Say

You're just starting out in your new business and somebody asks you "How long you been in business?" or "How many staff do you have?" You know - the types of questions that make you squirm. You don't want to lie, but how can you be honest without actually having to answer? Sometimes, it is not in your best interests to say, "Oh, I just started last week!" or "I don't have any staff - there's only me."

I cover this in my marketing program, and because it is a much asked question, I thought I'd share some tips on handling these awkward questions...

First, think of all the embarrassing questions you're likely to be asked and prepare your answers now. Make a list. That way, if and when you ever face one of these questions, you will be able to answer smoothly and honestly without skipping a beat. Whatever you do, never lie! Honesty really IS the best policy at all times!

"How long have you been in business?" Or variations of this question. If you just started last week, you don't have to be specific and answer "last week". Whatever business you are in, chances are you've had years of experience prior branching out on your own. So you'd answer something like, "Oh, I have been doing ...X... for about 5 years now and prior that I did ...X..." You haven't lied - okay, you haven't exactly answered the question but you HAVE told them how many years experience you have and that is REALLY what they want to know.

"How many people do you have working for you?" Or variations of this question. Another tricky one, and how you answer depends on what line of business you are in. You might be a small business consultancy, a Virtual Assistant, or a Mobile Hairdresser! Here is one example of how you can answer this question without actually answering it. "I'm able to keep my costs and overheads down by keeping it small and hiring out when I need to, which is how I'm able to keep my prices low for you. I have a team of experts I can call on for specific projects and can fit the right person to the right job all the time rather than just some of the time." Or you could say something like "I can reassure that I have enough people in order to provide 7 day a week service and meet all our deadlines."

If you're asked for specific contacts like your Accounts Department, for example, just say you are the project leader and if they have any problems they go through you to sort it out. There is nothing to stop you having a few different email addresses which all divert to your own personal address. So if your one-person business is called XYZ Consultants, set up an Accts@XYZ.com and Operations@XYZ.com. This gives the impression that you are larger. It also helps you keep your emails in order for the various facets of your business.

"Do you work for many other companies?" Or similar questions about your number of clients. They're fishing for your experience here. Again, if you have worked in your line of business before, you are not lying by using those experiences. Mention you have established confidentiality agreements with your clients and are unable to give details, suffice to say that you have experience in this line of work and can assure them of professional experienced service at all times.

Terri Levine
http://www.coachinstitute.com
http://www.terrilevine.com

AVOID THESE "BEGINNER'S MISTAKES"

Thinking about setting up a small business - a one man show - you might be going to sell widgets via the internet, become a coach or a VA - working from home... whatever you are planning, make sure you don't make these common mistakes:

• Don't put all your eggs into one basket. Having a brilliant idea is great, but don't think you only need the one idea to be successful. Even if your customers get tired of your one product or service, soon you will, too. Play with lots of ideas, have some fun finding out which ones create success!


• If you are something of an entrepreneur, you are different to the rest of society's sheep. Embrace your differences - don't try to be like everybody else. It is your very "difference" that makes you the type of person who CAN be successful. Be you and have fun!


• Don't pay too much attention to your own publicity. It's one thing to be optimistic and share your greatness with others - in fact, for marketing purposes, you do need to "sell yourself"... but don't get sucked-in by your own publicity! Keep your feet on the ground! Don't confuse what "might happen" with reality.


• Watch your money! Don't sink everything into having the most modern, most expensive office in the world. You really do need to keep something aside for a rainy day, because if you are in any kind of business, trust me, you WILL have rainy days and you will be grateful for your savings account!


• In case you haven't heard, "selling" is OUT. If you're trying too hard to sell your product, pull back and find out WHY they're not buying. You may be trying to sell something nobody wants, or maybe it needs a little tweaking before it's ready.


• No person is an island. Recognize when it is time to get help - the greatest business successes in the world had the common sense to have a great support team, so what makes you think you can do it all on your own?


• Learn to Delegate smartly. Use your support team, your staff to do the things you don't have time to do. This will allow you time to work ON your business and not just in it. By the same token, don't go overboard. Don't get into the habit of "dumping" your workload onto others. Remember, it is YOUR business and your responsibility.


• Never Give Up. I don't know of any "famous" business people who had success handed to them on a plate - many faced bankruptcies and extreme difficulties before success was theirs. Realize you may fail along the way but how you respond will determine whether or not one day you taste the sweetness of success or not. Learn from your mistakes, and carry on... by the same token, don't go flogging a dead horse or continue if you are miserable. Misery is a sign that something isn't quite right...

Terri Levine
http://www.coachinstitute.com
http://www.terrilevine.com

FULFILLMENT AT WORK

This might be a silly question - but it's pretty relevant today. Are you fulfilled in your life? How about in your work? Many clients we work with tell us they have a wonderful lifestyle but as we start to dig deeper, we see that they are missing a great life. What is the difference?

Simple. A lifestyle is the external things which you gather, but a life is something fulfilling and sustaining. Let's look at some of the ways to be more fulfilled.

1. Stop focusing on earning more and buying more. Stop funding a lifestyle and start creating a better life for you and those around you.
   
2. Stop looking for more gratification and start being very grateful for all you do have.
   
3. Stop measuring your success in money and start measuring emotional costs. If you work day and night to keep up with your lifestyle, you are giving up your life. Start enjoying your life and making it simple.
   
4. Ask yourself if you are working for a living or doing the work you love for life? (I do what I love and love what I do...shouldn't you?)
   
5. Focus on your energy, feeling joy, love and having the time to enjoy the special people in your life - this is how to be fulfilled.
   
6. If your work drains you or doesn't fulfill your intellectual, social and emotional needs, make a change.

Can't seem to make a change and blaming everyone else? Stop whining... don't be a wimp... take back the power of your life... go for fulfillment... and get back in control!

Don't know how or where to begin? That's why Coaches were invented! You can hire me - or you can hire one of our Coaches - check them out here: http://www.coachinstitute.com/findacoach.htm

Terri Levine
http://www.coachinstitute.com
http://www.terrilevine.com

THE MOST COMMON TOLERATIONS AT WORK

What is this thing we commonly refer to in the coaching world called "tolerations"? Simply put, it is anything or anyone that you are putting up with that isn't to your liking. We often begin a coaching session with our clients by helping them recognize and eliminate tolerations - stop putting up with them and begin preventing them. This gives our clients the chance to enjoy people, places and things more and to stop their energy from being drained by tolerations.

We thought you might be interested in the top tolerations our clients have shared with us in their work environment:

1. Career Path
   
2. Compensation
   
3. Co-Workers
   
4. Boss
   
5. Job
   
6. Daily Routine
   
7. Commute
   
8. Office Space
   
9. Role
   
10. Intellectual Challenge
    
11. Paperwork
    
12. Computer/Telephone Systems
    
13. Office Set-up
    
14. Office Efficiency
    
15. Office Comfort

What are you tolerating? List your tolerations at home, at work, in your relationships and in your environment.

If you don't know how to handle your list of tolerations, consider hiring a coach...you can hire one of ours! Go to: http://www.coachinstitute.com/findacoach.htm and check them out!

Terri Levine
http://www.coachinstitute.com
http://www.terrilevine.com

CHATTERBOXES - HOW TO DEAL WITH THEM

You might be able to identify with this. You're busy or running late and somebody phones. The Chatterbox! These are people who never stop talking. You can put the handset down and go off and make yourself a cup of tea, bake some scones, and return after you've had a shower and washed your hair as well and they're STILL talking and didn't even notice you'd gone!

Or your chatterbox might be a client who rambles on, gets sidetracked and seems to be more interested in chatting like old friends than achieving anything worthwhile in their session.

Subtle hints fall on deaf ears. Not-so-subtle hints are misunderstood or ignored. You're exasperated... How DO you get rid of these people, or get them back on track, if clients, tactfully?! I've thought about this a great deal and tried several successful strategies which have worked for me, and you might like to try them next time you're caught.

To begin with, once you answer the phone and identify the caller as a known chatterbox, before you even so much as say "hi", you MUST make it clear they've caught you at an inopportune moment and you can only spare a few seconds. You must get in first for this to be effective - otherwise they won't hear you! On the other hand, if it is a client calling for an appointed session, this reply won't be appropriate, but if you guide the call right from the start then you can control the amount of time wasted on trivialities.

If it is a client who "forgets" they only have x number of minutes for their call, you MUST remind them if they go off topic, and politely bring them back to the topic you were discussing. By asking them the right questions, you will soon get them back on track, talking about what they're supposed to be talking about, and not their Great Aunt Millie's carbuncles!

If your caller is easily sidetracked or interrupts with trivialities which have no bearing on their session, or rambles on over old ground you've already covered, ask them if it is relevant. It isn't rude to question relevancy or to remind people how much time is left for their call so they can make the most of their minutes with you. If the clock is ticking, as it will be on a coaching session, you have every right to ask your client to get to the point. Ask nicely and you won't offend them. After all, it's their money!

When subtlety and polite directness fail to produce the desired results, you are left with just one option. Be blunt. This doesn't mean be offensive - it just means you tell it like it is a little more strongly. You tell them that under any other circumstances, you'd love a good chinwag with them, they're very interesting and fun to talk with, but with so much ground to cover in so little time, it's best they don't waste their money and time on side issues that are irrelevant. That's not what they hire you for, etc. etc. etc. If you let them prattle on every session, wasting time and achieving nothing, what kind of coaching is that? Remind them that it's a very expensive phone call just for a chat if that's how they plan to spend their time with you!

Terri Levine
http://www.coachinstitute.com
http://www.terrilevine.com