Debra Kasowski

Start Thinking About All the Possibilities

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ID-10089370Let’s face it when obstacles or roadblocks show up in life, many people will look at the situation as a problem. There are others who shift their thinking and look for the possibilities. Hence, this is where many businesses are born and peace and harmony may even come to be.

I see abundance.

There was a time when I looked at what others where doing and thought “What a grand life they have!” They never have any problems. Why does life seem so perfect for them and not for me?” What a pity party! Thank goodness I have learned to shift out of the VICTIM mentality and seize the opportunities that come my way. Now I look at others and say, “Good for them. Maybe I can learn from what they are doing.”

Here is the real deal on problems that will shift you to thinking about all the possibilities:

All problems are time-limited. The world is constantly changing and growing and nothing stays completely the same. Even success and accomplishments are celebrated for a certain period of time. Everything exists in a temporary state. It all depends on where you want the energy to last!

All people experience problems or challenges. Every person must face an obstacle or challenge if they are to grow. The people around you have problems too. Don’t be fooled. They may not share them openly with you but they too do have problems.It is all a matter of perspective as to whether or not they believe it is a problem or not.

Every problem holds a possibility. Look for the lesson. What solutions or desired outcomes can be shared from this situation?

Each problem offers an opportunity to respond or react. Suppose you are having trouble with your finances or an employee. If you avoid learning about the situation and managing the expected outcome, you could be without money and have an employee creating poor products or providing poor customer service.

Problems build your character. Once you manage a situation or let a situation manage you, you are never the same. In most instances, when people challenge their problems head on versus avoiding them, they develop more courage and confidence to take on the next challenge that may come their way. Now only that you develop resilience!

You can achieve great things and step into your potential when you shift how you are thinking about your problems. Get fired up about all the possibilities and opportunities coming your way!

I would love to hear about how you face obstacles and problems that come your way! Comment and share – let’s help others tackle their problems.

 

7 Ways Women Sabotage Their Success

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Courtesy of David Castillo Dominici/freedigitalphotos.net

The whispers of women are getting louder as they start to speak their truth . Yet many women entrepreneurs are holding themselves back by sabotaging their journey to success. More and more women need to start speaking up and speaking their truth about what they want to achieve in their lives instead of hiding behind some of the excuses we tell ourselves as to why we cannot have the success we want.

In order to become what you say you want, you need to stop sabotaging your success and staking your claim for what you believe in and why.

Are you truly living up to the potential and life you see for yourself?

Do you want to know if you may be sabotaging the very thing you say you want the most? SUCCESS!!!

Take into consideration the following, are you:

1.  Thinking small. Do you stretch out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself to try new things? Do you dream of what is possible or do you think everything is good just the way it is and avoid change? Thinking small is narrow focused and limits the endless opportunities and possibilities that exist when you try new things. The world has many opportunities for us to seize! Shift your thinking and start dreaming of what would be possible if you had no limitations – no lack of money, time, or resources. Imagine an abundant world. What is possible for you?

2.  Constantly seek approval from others. Do you hold yourself back by trying to gain approval from other people? Do you prevent yourself from moving forward until you achieve a consensus? Waiting for others to side with your choice and opinion can sometimes be difficult. Other people will have their own opinions and that is alright. What matters is what your expectations are and will you be satisfied with the outcome.

3.  Take things too personally. This one area many women fall into – we do not want to hurt someone’s feelings even if they are not doing the work they have been assigned to do. Women make decisions emotionally but we need to be smart about it. You are running your business and life. You are in business to make money and provide a value rich experience. You need to start charging what you are worth. Why compromise yourself – you are a commodity.

4. Not asking for help or delegating. I always thought it would be cool to be Linda Carter from Wonder Woman but  now I know I cannot do everything myself and neither can you. You need to ask for help or delegate your tasks. Do not overcommit or overwhelm yourself with tasks that others who are better suited to do the task and are proficient at it. Perfectionism needs to take a step back so you can be more productive at your desk.

5. Lack Self-Awareness One of the greatest self awareness tools is journaling. Self-reflection allows us to see where we can do better, collect our thoughts and ideas, and set goals and strategic action plans. Self awareness is self improvement. You must accept where you are so that you can get clear on where it is you wish to go.

6. Shameless Self Promotion This one area where women often struggle with sharing their gifts, talents, and abilities for the fear of being ridiculed. Women must start taking big leaps and start getting involved more in their businesses and communities. Women also need to speak up for each other and our rights more. You need to be proud of your accomplishments.

7. Do not set boundaries. Sometimes women get caught lying through their teeth as they say  “yes” to things they really wish they had the courage to say “no” to. Remember this phrase – “you teach others how to treat you.” If you do not set boundaries, people can manipulate your time without you even realizing it. People will ask to drop by or they will just show up and expect that you will drop your task at hand to tend to their needs. Set clear expectations and people often respect your wishes. As women, we should be standing up for these concepts readily and be proud.

Live up to your potential. Speak your truth. Give yourself the gift of YOU!!! Recharge daily!

 

 

Decisive Action will Catapult You to Success

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Grab your FREE complimentary mp3 download of the 7 Resolutionary Breakthroughs to Profit and Prosper and stay in touch with our biweekly Success Secrets. Debra Kasowski discusses how indecisiveness can kill your business by missing opportunities, losing time, money, and resources. Move forward through inspired decisive action!

To Agree or Disagree with Sheryl Sandberg – Facebook COO?

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There are many women in our lives who have influenced and shaped who we have become. For many of us, these people were our mothers, grandmothers, and women leaders. Leaders come in all shapes and forms. Some we know directly and others informally through books, magazines, and interviews.

The other night I watched Oprah’s Life Class interview with Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO, and author of Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead. I received the book at a birthday present but I have not yet cracked it open. The interview was very revealing of character and position. Sandberg was recently featured in Time Magazine with a title, “Don’t Hate Her Because She is Successful“.

Do you “hate” women because they are successful? Do you aspire to be like them or shy away in envy?

I believe women should be admired for their skills and talents. I do not think Sandberg’s positioning is about burning bras and creating a movement against men. Her position and my position as a business coach are about building women leaders and the right to achieve our own successes.

As women, we compromise ourselves by not allowing our voices to be heard. Your opinion and perspective can shift a culture and create a movement. In the interview, Sandberg talked about women “not sitting at the table” and getting involved in the discussion or planning. The women who grow their businesses or climb the corporate ladder are not the women who hide behind the computer no pun intended to Facebook. The women who are leaders support others through asking the right questions and challenging ideas and thoughts that do not align with a vision.

Secondly, it is okay to be yourself and know your priorities. Sandberg shared that she left the office at 5:30 p.m. so show could be home with her family and in bed by 9:30 p.m. because her children would be getting up in the morning. We can have it all but not always at the same time. I totally agree with this philosophy but many people use to tell me I could not have it all – at any time. I think that view has fuelled me in writing my books and juggling the kids activities. I do recognize when people state, “I do not know how you get so much done.”

I will share part of the secret – I choose to.

In my home, we talk about expectations, goal-setting, and shared household responsibilities. I do not need to seek martyrdom but do strive to maintain sanity.

We must “LEAN IN“. What would you do if you were not afraid? So many times we may hold ourselves back from achieving what we want due to our “mommy guilt” but who ever said that you were not doing well by your children for being an example of strong work ethic, voice of equality, and achievement. Who said that women were not allowed to be leaders or achieve their dreams?

I am more involved with my children than previous generations because I choose to. I am grateful for the opportunities that come my way because of the efforts of the previous generations and my own. I believe women can climb the corporate ladder, grow businesses, and raise the next generation of leaders in our community. We are leaders by example. We have a vision for our future and collaborate with others to get things done.

Yes, there are trade-offs and sacrifices for a greater and bigger life. There is nothing sweeter than creating a life you love – your way!

Congratulations Sheryl Sandberg on reaching out and creating a platform for women leaders!

Who is a woman leader you admire or who has influenced who you are? Please share and comment on this post!