3 Secrets to Getting Over a Client Break-up

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Do you remember your first love? The guy or gal who you thought would never leave your side. The one you thought would love you forever. The one you…you remember!

Whatever happened to them? Well, if you’re like most of us, they ripped your heart out and left you for dead. Okay, maybe I exaggerate. But it did feel that way at the time, didn’t it?

Unfortunately, this break up process never goes away. Your loved one breaks up with you. Your dog runs away. Your client leaves. Hey, it happens to the best of us. Though it’s not fun, it’s a natural part of life and a part we all have to get used to.

The key, however, is to learn how to handle your break ups better. For our purpose, let’s look at a client break-up and figure out how to get over it faster and with less pain. Here are 3 secrets to help you:

1.    Find someone new – I remember my first break-up and what my dad told me. “You’ll find someone new.” As my mom comforted me, these were not the words I wanted to hear. However, years later and after many broken hearts, the old man may have been right. You will find someone new. And in our case, the sooner the better.

When you find another client, you tend to forget about the one that got away. Your focus and energy can now move forward without much, if any, thought of the past and what could’ve or should’ve happened.

So, to get over a client break-up I’m afraid I have to use my dad’s advice here: find someone new…fast!

2.    Focus on the good, not the bad – what happened after your first (or even fifth) break-up? You thought about it and what went wrong didn’t you? Of course you have…we all have.

The trick, though, is to NOT think about that kind of stuff. Easier said than done, I know. However, after you heartache was gone, what did you think about?  All the good stuff love brings and how you’re going to share your love with someone, right? And, I bet you felt better.

The reason is simple. What we think about and focus on, we feel. Our emotions are strong; and the more we think and focus on the bad, the worse we feel. On the other hand, the more good we think about and focus on, the better we feel. Focus on the good.

3.    Position yourself – after a break-up, did you look for love or did you just let it happen? More often than not, just letting love find you is faster than you actively searching.

The only explanation I can conjure up is this: when you search, you look desperate…and no one wants a desperate man (or woman). When you position yourself in the right way, love finds you. Same goes with clients. When you position yourself as cool and confident (not desperate), your next client(s) will find you.

There you have it – the 3 secrets to handling a client break-up fast and with less pain. Focus on the good, position yourself as cool, calm, and confident, and find someone new.

The Secret to Getting More Clients to Love You

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In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I want to talk to you about getting more clients to love you. After all, the more clients that love you and your work, the more people you’re able to help and the more money you’re able to make. Both very important.

So, in my opinion, here’s the secret to getting more clients to love you:
Care about them!

I know this sounds simple, but are you showing your clients that you care? Are you showing them your appreciation? For them? For the business they give you? For anything?

People need appreciation, recognition, and love. Without it they’ll die. In our case, they’ll leave. They’ll go find another entrepreneur who can offer something similar, but who shows them love.

So, if you want more clients to love you, you have to love them first. Now, I’m not saying you have to send them roses and give them hugs – though that may be cool to some clients. You just have to show your appreciation for them. Here are 5 ways to help you do just that:

1.    Acknowledge their time and attention – everyone is busy, so when your clients give you their time (no matter what for), you should acknowledge that fact. Simply tell them you know they’re busy and you appreciate their time. Simple, I know. But it goes a long way with busy people. There is nothing a truly busy person hates more than wasting time.

2. Thank them – thank your client before they leave your office. Thank them before they get off the phone. Thank them via mail after they leave your office. Thank them via email after they get off your phone session. Thank them anytime you want to just for the hell of it. One caveat: your appreciation must be sincere in emotion and tone.

3.    Learn to say, “You’re Welcome” – I know this sounds contrary to above two ways, but this is crucial. Your client has hired you for a reason. They want to show their appreciation, too. Let them. Learn to say, “You’re welcome.” This simple exchange makes them feel good inside. It reinforces that they made a good decision by hiring you.

4. Send them a gift – of course you have to know the laws around your industry, but if possible, send your clients some kind of gift. Be creative. Be thoughtful. It doesn’t have to cost you much. It just has to show you care.

5. Give them FREE stuff – whenever possible (and this can and should be planned), send your clients free stuff; like articles, upcoming events, and ideas for them. This unexpected treat will go a long way in their eyes.

There you have it. THE secret to getting more clients to love you and 5 simple ways to show them you care. Remember, the more clients that love you, the more you’re able to help, the more people they tell, and the more you’re able to earn.

3 Secrets to Increase Your Productivity & Effectiveness in 2010

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Increasing productivity and effectiveness is always a goal at the beginning of every year for an entrepreneur like yourself. This year, though, it’s crucial to not only have this as a goal, but to keep it all year long.

Why? Because I believe this year is the year the world of business all changes. Business will move faster than ever before. Technology will blast light years ahead of today. And you, my friend, can either latch on and have the ride of your life…or just watch it all go by.

The choice is yours. But if you decide to latch on and go on this amazing journey…becoming more productive and increasing your effectiveness isn’t a maybe thing…it’s a MUST thing!

So, here are 3 secrets for you to use in 2010 to increase your productivity and improve your effectiveness:

Secret #1: Clarity is King

You have to be crystal clear on what you want. Being a generalist may be good in some instances but NOT when it comes to achieving more in less time.

You have to know exactly what you want. Clarity is KING. Here’s a simple exercise to get you started:

a. Brainstorm what you want 2010 to look like. Don’t judge your ideas at this point. Just write everything that comes to mind.

b. Now, from your brain blast, create a list of the top 10 results you want to see happen this year. You don’t have to worry about order of importance yet…you’ll do that in a moment.

c. Take each outcome and write out a detailed description of what that looks like. For example, don’t just say, “I want to make more money.” Instead, write out something like this: “I want to make $100,000 this year. $20,000 from book sales. $40,000 from coaching. And $40,000 from speaking fees.”

d. Finally, decide when each result can, realistically, be achieved. Is it a month from now? Is it 3 months? Is it 6 months? You get the point. Just be clear and specific!

Secret #2: Money-Producing Activities FIRST

You have a list of your top 10 outcomes for 2010; a detailed description of how you want each result to look; and a deadline of when each outcome can, realistically, be attained.

Now, it’s time to prioritize your list:

a. Take a good look at your top 10 list. Which results on your list will bring you the most money and/or impact this year? Circle 3 of them. These are the ones you want to focus on the most. They should command the majority of your attention this year. As my friend and mentor, James Malinchak, always says, “What’s the fastest way to the cash?” These are the fastest ways…follow them!

b. Now, take the rest of the outcomes on your list and decide which ones will bring you the most peace of mind. Circle 2 of them. These should also command some attention this year…the less stress you have, the more you can get done and the more money you can make.

c. Finally, re-write your top 10 list. Place your money-making results FIRST. Place your peace of mind outcomes next. Now, draw a line across the paper and place the rest of your top 10 list below the line. These outcomes are now secondary to your top 5 list.

Secret #3: Daily Laser Focus

Now, it’s time to focus; but NOT on your outcomes. Instead, we want to create an action plan and focus on the daily action steps that will move you closer to achieving your outcomes. This is how increased productivity is really achieved.

Here’s how to create your plan:

a. Take your top 5 list and write each outcome on the top of a separate sheet of paper.

b. Now, for each outcome, brainstorm how you can achieve the result you desire. Again, don’t judge your ideas. Just write them down.

Newsflash: Great answers require great questions. So, instead of asking yourself, “How can I write a book this year;” ask yourself, “How can I write a fantastic book in the next 3 months without stressing myself out?” A better question ALWAYS produces a better answer.

c. Next, decide which action steps make the most sense for the result you desire. Make 2 lists. On the first list, put the action steps you’ll be responsible for. On the second list, put all the action steps that can be delegated to someone else.

Important: You’re not good at everything. Keep the action steps that are worthy of your time and skills, and outsource the action steps you don’t want to do, can’t do, or feel someone can do better. Remember, effectiveness isn’t all about YOU…it’s about getting what you want done no matter what…and help is essential!

d. Finally, make copies of your action plans and leave them in places you spend time in…your bedroom, desk, car, bathroom:)

Read these desired results and action plans DAILY. The more you focus on them, the greater results you’ll achieve!

There you have it. You have everything you need to increase your productivity and effectiveness this year. The only thing left to do is…TAKE ACTION!

New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work

Honestly, how many times have you said, “My New Year’s Resolution is to BLANK!” only to have it fall on its face a few weeks (maybe a couple months) later?

Why is that? Why don’t these resolutions work? After all, “resolution” means to resolve or to make up your mind. Resolution also means to make a decision and cut off all other possibilities!

So, if you cut off all other possibilities, how on earth could you not succeed with your New Year’s Resolution? I’ll tell you why…

Because NY Resolutions are cliché. They used to mean something…but don’t anymore. In other words, they’ve lost their meaning.

Therefore, people flippantly create NY Resolutions. They don’t actually believe they are going to make it happen. They just think it’s a nice idea.

Now, that’s not to say YOU can’t achieve yours. You just have to understand that if you’re going to create a NY Resolution you have to CHANGE who you are.

NY Resolutions don’t work unless you change your inner game…
Writing them down doesn’t do it. Telling someone else doesn’t do it. Only changing yourself is how you’ll achieve and succeed!

So, how can you change your inner game? Here’s a simple 3 step process to change your inner game:

Step 1 – Write down your NY Resolution and describe WHY you want to make it happen. Doing so will get you emotionally involved…very important.

Step 2 – Write down who you have to become to accomplish your resolution. In other words, write down the traits you have to have in order to achieve the resolution you desire.

Step 3 – BE that person. Take action and become the person you need to be.

For example: if you want to make 6-figures, you have to act like you already make it. I’m not saying you lie about it…instead, watch how 6-figure entrepreneurs operate (think, move, act) and operate how they do.

Listen, New Year’s Resolutions don’t work. But YOU can. You can make anything you want a reality as long as you change your inner game and BE the person you need to be to achieve what you want to achieve!

Weston Lyon

Finding Your Passion Doesn’t Guarantee Success

You’ve probably heard the phrase before, “Find your passion and make a business out of it.”
Well, I’m here to tell you that won’t guarantee you success – however, it does help!

You see, nothing or no one can guarantee your success. Success is a recipe made of very specific ingredients (and some not so specific). Success for each of us is different, yet the same. We all want different things (our own success), but how we get there is pretty much on the same (or similar) path.

And on this path, no matter what you do or want to do, you’re going to have to WORK for it. All success takes work. That’s why when starting a business it helps to have that business based on your passions.

It’s not a requirement. It won’t guarantee success (like I mentioned). But it will help ‘the work’ go faster – with more joy. Think of it this way: if you had a ton of work to do, would you rather do something you hated or something you found interesting, intriguing, and fun?

Duh? I think you’ll choose the latter.

So, with that said, let’s look at a simple step by step plan to choosing (or maybe evening reinventing) your business:

1. Create a list of what you love to do

Start by writing everything you love down on a sheet of paper. No judging whether this is a viable business opportunity or not. We’ll do that in step 3. For now, just start writing down what you love to do. This is the FUN part…enjoy it!

2. Choose the top 3 passions you’d love to create a biz around

Now, choose the top 3 off your list to do research on. These three should be the most intriguing and fun to you. If they don’t work out in the next step you can always come back and pick others…in other words, you’re not locked in.

3. Research these 3 markets

Go on Google and spy on your potential competition. See what they are doing. What words and phrases are they using? What markets are they appealing to?

If you enter this field, your competition can be a very important partner in your business success. Just keep that in mind…these aren’t the bad guys.

4. Pick the one that fits your needs and interests the most

Of course, the market you pick must be a viable option for both you personally and the market itself. You believe you have something of value to this market and the market is willing to look at you and buy.

Now, this list is certainly not complete in terms of finishing what you’ve started…but it’s not meant to be. This plan is meant to help you break your inertia. This plan is meant to get you started and thinking about creating a business, or maybe evening reinventing your business, based around your passion.

Remember, your business based on your passion will not guarantee success – but it will help make your business more fun and enjoyable for you and your customers; as well as less aggravating while you work.

Weston Lyon