Debra Kasowski

Build Your Expertise Through Education on a Shoestring Budget

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Are you on a shaky financial ground? Have you been stretching your marketing budget or spending money from your business in your personal life and going through tough times? Do you need more education or knowledge to build your credibility as an expert? Many women in business have been in your position at one time or another.

“If knowledge is power, where do you get some. ” –  Debra Kasowski

There are several ways you can build your credibility as an expert. Develop a presence of being a go-to or knowledge expert. People are looking for people who deliver results. You must be confident in your abilities and be able to demonstrate this to others both on-line and off-line.

Educate yourself to be the best:

  • You Tube Videos or TED talks

    • – Watch videos about the expertise you are trying to develop or hone. There are many tips and techniques out there.

  • iTunes – Podcasts also have valuable information. Listen and take notes. Remember knowledge is only good if it has been applied and works for you.
  • Books, Articles, Magazine, & Newspapers – Learn from the experts already out there. Find out what you need to learn and work toward honing that skill with one action step each day. 
  • Google – The best resource out there. How many times have you heard, “Just Google it!” For example, you might want to learn about blogging. Think of the questions you might have about starting a blog. What? Where? When? How often? How can I do it? Why blog? Who is your audience? Type in what you want to learn, there are literally hundreds of websites and blogs like this sharing information.
  • Networking Events and Conferences – There are often speakers at networking events and other experts like yourself. Go for coffee or lunch with one of them and learn about their business.
  • Study the experts. Success leaves clues. What are they doing that you could be doing to build your business? Go to their websites they often have a free newsletter or other resources that you can use.
  • As you are growing, you will need to invest in yourself in other ways by attending conferences and seminars. My greatest growth came from working with a coach who has been where you want to go and done what you want to do. You want to be able to have the knowledge so you can leverage opportunities and give the people you serve the results they want.

What Can I Change to Get the Results I Want?

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Are you asking yourself, “What can I change to get the results I want?” If not, you should be! Yes, I know not everyone embraces change well. Change can create the most amazing results if you are willing to take action. There are three areas you should be reviewing on a daily, weekly, and at least a monthly basis. What is working well in your business? DO MORE OF! What is not working well? Either stop doing it or revise your plan. Finally, what do I know I should stop doing? If you know it, DO IT! The questions seem pretty simple! It takes practice to shift your mindset, gather the information you need to make your decision, and push through any fears you may have to taking action.

Here are 5 simple strategies you can use to start getting the results you want:

  1. Identify what is working in your life and business right now. Write them down and be specific. What have you done consistently or differently to get this result? What has worked before but you stopped doing and why?
  2. Decide what you must change. What 2 actions steps – either change in thought, behavior, or action – would have the greatest impact in your life and business right now? Write them down. Is there anything you can be doing right now to achieve it? Remember all it takes is small steps to have great impact.
  3. Determine what is holding you back from taking action. Is it your mindset? Is it your pocketbook? What are you afraid of? Success is closer than you think. Feel your fear and take a small action step. Do you know your fear is ultimate true?
  4. Start taking action. What action steps are you willing to take TODAY to get the results you desire?
  5. Create momentum by doing another action step and another action step and share your mission of helping others with others so they can support you.

These simple strategies are best if used consistently. These strategies will help you get the results that you want and will also help you anticipate some of the obstacles that come up on your path to success. Shift your mindset to create lasting change and  develop an unlimited profit potential.

Are You All Tied Up with Other People’s Agendas?

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The results you get in your business are a direct result of your productivity and your focus. Are you wishing you were not pulled so many directions? Do you wish you had more time doing what you love? Would you like to have more “me time” ? Would you like to make more money in your business? You can!

Take a look at your to- do list and what are “Other People’s Agenda” items, or OPA, (sorry – not the thrilling of excitement you may hear at a Greek restaurant).  These items can be very time consuming and even drain some of your energy because you are not working on what you really want to complete for you. Enough is enough – it is time to take charge of your time and energy in a whole new way by setting some boundaries by valuing your time.

I have implemented strategies in my business that I know can really help you too. You can become more productive and focused and start seeing better results in your business. Some of these tips may seem simple but when used consistently have great impact by increasing your productivity.

5 Ways to Increase Your Productivity Today:

  1. Email – Set aside specific times of day in which your check your email. If you check your email first thing in the morning, you are setting yourself up for a lengthy to do list of all the other things people need or want you to do. Remember you are in control – this is your business and your life. Do not check your email until you have had some physical activity, a good breakfast, and planned your day based on your priorities. For heaven’s sakes, turn off the email notifications, they are like bright shiny objects that distract you from what you are working on.
  2. Telephone Calls – Keep an eye on the time you spend talking on the phone, you can easily get off on a side track conversation. Save non-profit generating phone calls for after business hours or allot them into your calendar in advance. When you are working and focused on a certain project, let your phone go to voicemail and check it when you take a break.
  3. Meetings – Decide whether or not you need to meet someone in person for a meeting or is the meeting that you can discuss over the phone. A fifteen to twenty minute  phone call can save a lot of time in travel and meeting time.
  4. On the Drive University – Do you have trouble finding time to learn and grow to further develop your business strategies? Listen to audio program in your vehicle so that you can learn and develop new ideas to implement into your business. A stale mind will produce the same results. Innovation and creativity are required for sustainability and growth in your business.
  5. Track Your Time. Track your time for 30 minute increments for one week. You will be able to see where you are spending your time. Hopefully, it will be on revenue generating activities. A business without revenue is just a hobby.

BONUS TIP – Start your day with at least 30-60 minutes of physical activity. Not only is it good for your health, but you will get those creative juices flowing and pump up your energy for the day.

The time is now for you to focus and plan your day for you. At first you may even find this challenging as you will suddenly have much more time on your hands than you may know what to do with. Time you never thought you had. Use use your time wisely. Start thinking bigger about how much more you can accomplish and the results you can get when you have this extra time. Don’t get tied up with OPA!

Take charge of what is most pressing for you. Imagine yourself being more productive, enjoying greater happiness, and achieving bigger results. What are your priorities right now?

 

Lessons from a Mother: Isn’t Time to Shake What Your Momma Gave You?

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Not only do I want to dedicate this blog post to the mothers out there internet land but I especially want to acknowledge those mothers who are business owners, the mompreneurs for balancing the needs of their families and their prospering business. Our mothers have taught – oh so many lessons ( & had many sleepless nights)  throughout our lives that apply to our businesses today. I am sure you have some incredible stories about your mother or someone who has mothered you at some point in your life.

Time and time again, I have heard entrepreneurs say, “I am stuck in rut. I do not know what to do.” My first response is, “Stop doing what you are doing if you want things to change, otherwise you will continue to get what you are getting.” For heaven’s sake, “God does not make junk.” You need to shake off the dust and show off what your Momma gave you. Remember the lessons she taught you while bandaging your knee, refereeing sibling love, or encouraging you to get back up on your bike to try again. 

Running a home is very much like running a business and it needs care and attention just like you did. Your business is your baby and you will nurture and care for it just the same. I am grateful for the lessons I have learned from my mother that  have helped me be the business owner I am today.  I decided to write this blog and share it with you. Perhaps some of the lessons are the same. Happy Mother’s Day!

Dear Mom,

Thank you for all the lessons you have taught me about being a business owner from a very young age. I bet you were not sure if some of the lessons would stick as you probably repeated some of them at least 13 times. I know there were times when I was probably a little bit headstrong but you told me that that quality would serve me well someday.

You also remind me that my true wealth would be determined by the number of lives I have touched – each day I arise wondering, “Whose life can I touch today?” Each person whose life you touch becomes part of your family.

You have always taught me to stay true to my faith and what I value. Do make assumptions because you do not know what is happening beyond closed doors. Always be of service and try to leave things better that you left them. I may not have all the answers to all the questions but if take a moment I may realize I know someone or someone who knows someone who knows the answer. See things through to completion and even though I see something as being hard I always get through. Perseverance will help me see the end result.

Please, thank you, and your welcome are words to live by. Listen to what is being said. Offer an encouraging word. Education is never a waste. Clean up your messes. Be the best you can be at whatever it is you attempt to do.

Remember where you came from but remember to keep looking  forward or you will miss an opportunity. Be grateful for what you have as there will always be someone with less than you. Give back to your community. Love & give to others unconditionally for you will be rewarded.

Your family is precious. Make your choices wisely. Life is short. Create memories whenever you get the chance.

The greatest lesson I have learned is to always BELIEVE. Miracles happen – you just need to look for them. I thank God everyday for your living donor Alice and your kidney transplant over 12 1/2 years ago.

Thank you for showing me what it takes to be a successful business owner so I could share it with others.

Your loving daughter,

Debra