Debra Kasowski

The Power of Your Focus Can Make All the Difference

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For those who know me well, know that I am the “facilitator of thought”, I like to know what motivates people and gets them out of the bed in the morning to live their mission. I am also famous for brainstorming solutions and ideas for obstacles and new concepts. However, when there is a break in my routine, I can even start to get off course. I was sharing all these ideas I have for my business with my husband and all he said back was, “So what are you going to do about?” He said that I have been dishing that line out to him for awhile and he thought it was a about time he could say it to me. Alright – I guess he was listening all those times I thought he wasn’t. Good reminder! 

When projects start to turn into the Bright Shiny Object Syndrome, I am very quick to regroup and get on track with FOCUS. You may have heard the adage – “Focus on one course until completed.” Great concept but sometimes we need a little more of a push or way to get tunnel visioned or in what athletes refer to as the zone.

Here are some quick tips to help you get focused and get your mind working on your terms:

  • Eat well balanced meals.
  • Ensure you are getting enough sleep. Some people feel rejuvenate after 5 hours whereas others need 8 hours of sleep. Learn what is best for you.
  • Make sure you are well hydrated. Keep some water with you.
  • Get physically active before you start your day. Go for walk or jog.
  • Plan your day either the night before or morning of. Focus on your most important subject matter first thing.
  • Work in an area without distractions. 
  • Remove an clutter in your way and have only what you need to work on in front of you.
  • Set a timer for 20 minute increments so you can focus for short periods of time. This is especially helpful when you have trouble getting started on a project.
  • Brainstorm ideas before you get started if you are needing to write an article, tweets, or blog posts. This will help you organize your thoughts.
  • Close the internet browser and shut off email notifications on the computer and your cellphone.

Not only will your focus and concentration improve, you will become more productive, energized, and even discover some free time just for you.

Do you know anyone who has trouble getting focused? Do you know others who may chase bright shiny objects? Is there anyone in your circle of family, friends or colleagues who wishes they were more productive? Please share this blog! 

Great Books: Shift Your Mind And Business To A Whole New Level

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Just as people come into your life and have an impact so are there books that have shifted your thinking with the power of an author’s pen( or keyboard) and message. I commit to reading 15-20 minutes every night to relax my mind and even stimulate ideas. When you take what you learn and apply to your business and life, your perspective on things will change. You may have heard people say, “but we have always done it this way.” Yes, and this is why they are getting the same results. If the results are great not to worry, it is when the results are not what you want them to be then there is a problem.

Here are just a few of the books that have influenced my life:

  • The Success Principles – Jack Canfield
  • Rich Dad, Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki
  • The Go-Giver – Bob Burg and John David Mann
  • Start with Why – Simon Sinek
  • Go-Givers Sell More – Bob Burg and John David Mann
  • The Magic of Thinking Big – David J. Schwartz
  • Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
  • The Four Agreements- Miguel Ruiz
  • Make Today Count – John C. Maxwell
  • Delivering Happiness – Tony Hsieh
  • Smart Women Finish Rich – David Bach
  • The Energy Bus – Jon Gordon
  • The Millionaire Messenger – Brendon Burchard
  • The Compound Effect – Darren Hardy
  • The Slight Edge – Jeff Olson
  • Click – George Fraser
  • Who Moved the Cheese? – Spencer Johnson
  • The Likeability Factor – Tim Saunders

 If you want circumstance, events, or any outcome to change, you must take a look at what is working in your life right now. What do you know you are doing that is not a value add and that you need to stop doing. What is moving along but not your skillset thus not making an impact in your life or business – delegate it or drop it off the to-do list. You want to  focus on what is your greatest return on investment. Remember your investment is not only about the money you put into things but where you put your time and energy is also an investment. If you are going to be pouring your time and energy in places, don’t you want to have the feeling of satisfaction that you are shifting the way people think or do business, or even spend time with their families?

Reading is one of the most amazing things you can do to boost your creativity, stimulate new ideas, and share with others. Leverage what you learn by doing book reviews, writing an article about what you learned, emailing or sending a thank you note to the author for sharing his or her gifts, or writing a blog. Word of mouth influence has an amazing impact of how books get read. 

Are you looking to make a change? Maybe you would like to shift your thinking? Are you looking for new strategies to increase your ROI? Grab a couple of these books on the way to the lake so that you continue to create momentum in your business and life.

I would love to here what books you have read that have made the difference in your life.

 

Taste the Benefits of Writing a Blog – What’s A Blog Got To Do With It?

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A couple years ago when I started blogging one of my colleagues had mentioned that she would not start a blog because she had heard from a marketing person at a seminar that blogging had no benefit to a person’s business. Over the time that I have been blogging, I would have to say it has been further from the truth. Blogging does benefit a person’s business if done right. Guess What? She is blogging too and now recommends it to others. 

Blogging can really boost your business and create many opportunities for you. Blogging can be personal – like a travel journal or used professionally to boost a business. “Julie and Julia“, the book and the movie, is a prime example how a blog lead to an opportunity. It helped her tap into her creativity while working an office job, do something she loved – writing, and even experimented and stretched her out of her comfort zone trying out new recipes. And yes – even more people other than her mother started to follow her blog. 

Let me just share some of the benefits of writing a blog:

  • Increase your visibility – Your blog can be posted on your social media networks and to great way to get your brand known.
  • Increase your credibility – People can get to know more about what you do and your expertise.
  • People get to know you – Blogging is great way for people to get to know you and your business and what you stand for.
  • Increase traffic to your website – Use keywords that people would use to search your topic. Ensure that others have a way to share your blog.
  • Hone your writing skills – The more you write and develop your voice online, the more readers you will gain as well.
  • Develop products and services by compiling blog posts into ebooks, teleseminars, books, and workshop guides.
  • Monetize your blog – Blog about books (do a book review) and promote them through Amazon.
  • Support other colleagues or business owners – Perform a product review and promote products your believe in.
  • Share your knowledge, voice, and creativity with a greater audience than you currently do – GO GLOBAL!
Should you blog? I say “Yes”. Be mindful of your audience, blog purposefully, and have fun! You will be able to connect with other bloggers like I do during the Ultimate Blog Challenge! Are your ready to BLOG about it? 
I would love to hear why you blog!!!!

 

Laura Gisborne

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Sustainable Success Expert
www.LauraGisborne.com

Laura Gisborne is the consummate expert on how to discover, create and design a life that inspires you and others. She has unlocked the secrets of how to do it all with a sense of passion and sincere drive. From structuring and selling small boutique businesses to owning a multi-million dollar wine and real estate empire, Laura has owned nine businesses, her first when she was only 23 years old. Laura boldly took the risk to innovate each of her business ventures and then took them into the market place and sold them. Because of this real-world experience, she’s well-equipped to show other business owners exactly how to build and grow their business.

Laura has more than 20 years of business experience and has served as a business consultant for business owners and entrepreneurs in multiple industries including real estate professionals, speakers, authors, doctors, personal trainers, psychologists, restaurateurs, and even printers.

Laura is the founder of Powered With Passion—a unique Value System for pro-active prosperity that empowers entrepreneurs with realistic tools to actualize their dreams. Laura helps entrepreneurs to “stop the spinning” by designing business models based on her innovative sustainable success training that match their core values and strengths. Laura’s timely message of business development and abundant living makes her a much sought after speaker. As a successful educator, Laura’s training seminars and her personal mentorship programs have taken the seeds of her clients’ business ideas and created and launched multiple successful businesses.

Are You Having Trouble Connecting with Your Passion and Purpose?

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What an incredible time to be alive ladies! We live in a world with an abundance opportunities and ways to make a difference. I was at a Canada Day Celebration yesterday and I met a very inspirational young 85 year old woman. She was a cabinet maker who built 3 houses from scratch. You should have seen her beautiful work in which she developed from raw lumber. Each china cabinet, dining room table, and chess table was a masterpiece. She admitted to never using a blueprint as she envisioned everything in her head. She already could see what she needed to create. As she described what she has done and showed me some of the pieces she created, you could see the sparkle in her eyes and her face light up. She was humble and kind. When someone asked her if it felt like work, she said, “No, when you love what you are doing and have a great satisfaction in what you produce. It is not work.” A true labour of love! Her passion and purpose radiated from every room. What an inspiration!

There are 3 ways you can connect with your passion and purpose:

  1. Discover What You Love to Do and Could Make Money At. Let the truth be told, you have been dabbling in your gifts and blessing all your life. Reflect on the things that give you great pleasure, that does not feel like work and comes naturally to you. What skillset, talent, or knowledge do you have that needs to be shared with others? 
  2. Acknowledge How You Feel When You Talk About Your Subject Matter. You can tell when someone is passionate about a subject. Their eyes light up, they are smiling, and you may even notice that they are simply glowing. They love what they do or want to do. They know that they have a mission even though they might not call it that. Pay attention to how you feel when you are passionate about something. You probably feel elated, energized, and empowered. What you do does not feel like work.
  3. Reflect on Your Life Circumstance, Events, and Where You Are Today. No matter what has happened in your life, you are not your story. You can rise above and create a new story for yourself and share the journey with others. Not every person’s story is the same but there are people out in the world in a similar circumstance that can resonate with your story. You could give them hope of a better tomorrow and even help them see that they have a purpose. 

I often refer a person’s purpose and passion as the burning in your heart or that feeling in your gut (your instinct) that you are here on this Earth for a much greater purpose than you had anticipated for yourself. You must fulfill this quest or mission. For some people they may be speaking to thousands of people from the stage, whereas, others may work in small groups and one-on-one scenarios. Never doubt the impact you have in the world. Where you are today is no accident, where you are tomorrow is for you to create.

Please share this with others you know who are still looking for their purpose in life – you could be the one who helps them. Be Rich from the Inside Out!