Debra Kasowski

Are You Missing the “Blog” of Opportunity? 5 Reasons Why You Should Be Blogging

by 1 Comment

Wow! I have had great feedback about what the cost of “not knowing” something has impacted many people’s businesses and lives. I have learned that it is up to me to gain new knowledge, search for information, find the right team members, and get involved in knowing where my money is going. Yes, I have made mistakes and learned quickly to get up to speed so it never happens again. Let’s make sure you are not missing the boat, pardon me, the “blog” of opportunity.

Are you blogging right now? May I ask why not? Some of the reasons I have heard all range from:”I do not having enough time”, “I am not even on Facebook yet how can I blog?” , or “What should I blog about? First of all, a blog is short for “weblog”. According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, the definition is “a blog is a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, and comments”. Some people refer to it as a online diary.

What Does a Blog DO?

In business, as an entrepreneur, writer, or an author, a blog is a powerful tool for connecting with people, building relationships, sharing great content that people can learn from or relate to, and a way for people to get to know you. A blog can help build that know, like, and trust factor. It is not a sales venue to “Say here buy my product!”  However, it can be a way to review a product or service. I have been to event where people have come up to me and said I am your Facebook friend and I read your blog – “Thanks for the great tips and inspiration. Your messages  always seem to come at the right time.” 

What Can I Blog About?

People all have their own preference as to what they would talk about in person. Remember this is the internet age, you want to post information that you are willing to have out in cyberspace forever and you would even show or say to your mother – otherwise it does not belong out there. Blogs do not have to be long but it can vary in length depending on the depth of information. People want to learn, relate to, and be entertained. Think about what you look up on the internet – you may be looking for ways to build your business and get more clients all the way to stay productive while working at home or parenting the terrible twos. Information is everywhere.

Topics You Can Blog About:

  1. Tips and Techniques that can improve our lives or business=- related to your business. They are the “how to” articles with instructions and words of wisdom. Each tip or technique can be its own blog post.
  2. Lessons learned and reflected on “what not to do” and “what you should be doing”
  3. Introduce a new product or service – without saying BUY THIS! Tell us more about the product or services and what it can do for us
  4. Share content from an event.  Blog about a seminar or conference you went to. Share a picture. 2-3 messages you may have learned. 
  5. Write a book or article review. I know you are committed to life long learning – share what you liked about your latest read and how it has impacted your perspective.
  6. Promote a colleague, a coach, or a member of your team and share what you have learned from them.
  7. The best of the best…create a listing of your top articles, books, or resources.

These topics are just of few to get you started but there are many! WordPress and Blogger are great places to start blogging. Do your research and learn more about blogging and how it can work for you. You can get started in no time with little to no expense!!!

Did you know your the content from your blog posts can be used to create an e-books, books, future articles, or even a product?

Start thinking big to achieve big ladies!

 

What is it Costing You “Not to Know”?

by 2 Comments

Does money make your world go ’round? Do you sit upright in bed at 3 in the morning thinking about how you are going to make ends meet? Do you get tense when your kids ask you for something in the store? Money is a great vehicle and tool to get the things you need and those extras that you want. Many women I talk to, think money is one of the biggest things holding them back from moving ahead. Sorry to say – it is actually their mindset and their willingness to take action.

Your mindset is one of most powerful tools of your success. The money mindset is the mindset of believing in your worth and what you deserve as an individual. When you do not believe in yourself, you do not believe you have what it takes to attract money or lifestyle you deserve. Listen to the way you talk to yourself when you think about taking a risk of any kind. Some phrases you may hear might sound a little like this:

  • “Do you remember the last time you tried something like this? You screwed up.”
  • “I don’t know if you can do this. You do not know enough to make this successful.”
  • “What will people say, if what you say you want to do doesn’t work out.”

Do any of these resonate with you? If so, it is time to over-ride these messages with positive ones. Let’s reframe them right now :

  • “You may not have did as well last time but you sure learned a few things you can apply this time.”
  • “I can do some research on the internet to see what other people have done in my situation.”
  • “I have been told before – What other people think about me is none of my business!” (unknown)

There is a cost to you not knowing your worth. It has been said many times, “If you only knew your potential, you would astound yourself.” Not knowing is stopping you from living a life of passion and abundance driven by purpose. You may  be reluctant to take risks because of what you do not know or take a risk based on peer pressure and emotion rather than following your intuition and regret it later.

“Risk is not knowing what you are doing” – Warren Buffet

People who are afraid to take risks usually lack knowledge or experience. Although money may play a factor, it is not what holds them back. It is the fear! Think about the first time you  rode a bike. Did you just start pedaling and away you went? If so, good on you! For most of us, it took a few times of trial and error to balance and coordinate ourselves to get moving. Did you notice if you stopped pedaling you might fall off your bike? What happens when you stop moving and doing what you need to do to look after you business and your life? There is no movement, momentum, or mission. You come to a dead stop.

Your time to shine is now. What is it costing you to “Not to Know”?

  • How much fun you could have with your family and friends?
  • How much you could accomplish?
  • How much money you could accumulate?
  • How much money you could share with others?
  • How larger could you expand your product line or service delivery?
  • How many more people you could serve?
  • What legacy you could leave behind?
  • How much richer you would feel know that you can do it?
  • What type of vacations could you go on?

I am sure you could add to the list but I think you know what I am getting at. I am not going to leave you without giving you some how to’s!

  • Be an engaged learner. Ask questions and talk to people who have done what you want to do. People do want to help people succeed. Why not you? 
  • Learn what you need to learn to make things happen. Spend at least 15-20 minutes a day reading and learning about an area you wish to gain more knowledge or comfort in. Have you ever noticed the more you know the less the risk it feels like?
  • Invest in yourself. Yes, this not refers to targeted books or magazines but seminars or conference, too. Here’s the thing – you must apply what you learn. It is a tragedy to learn a concept that would improve an area of your life and not to take action.
  • Trust your instincts. Even though you do not know as much as you could, if you take time to listen to yourself – you already know what a good choice is and a bad choice is. Become aware of how you feel or your body reacts when you sense something is off track.
  • Take action. I know this is not the first time you have heard me say this – 

“Do not let your biggest regret in life be that you never took action” – Debra Kasowski

Let’s face it! You are in business to serve others and make money in the process.

Start moving in the direction of your dreams, build momentum, and live your mission!

Be Rich from the Inside OUT!

Become the Leader of the Life You Are Truly Meant to Live

by Leave a Comment

The journey of your life begins with choosing to become a leader of your own life. A leader who embraces their values and makes decisions that aligned with those very same values. There is more to life than going through the motions. Create a life that matters by being the leader you know you are meant to be.

Here are my 3 tips for being a leader in your own life:

Start taking responsibility for your life.When I say responsibility, I mean OWN your life. Ditch the excuses, complaints, and blaming others for why you feel hard done by. You can make decisions and choices based on what you control. You can either do something about it or do nothing – either way you have made a choice. For every excuse, complaint, or blaming statement, take note of what it is you can do to change the way it makes you feel. Can you ask for clarification, help, or even express your concerns or feelings to a person who you feel has wronged you? Remember people can only give what they know to be true based on where they are on their own life’s journey.

“When you blame others, you give up your power to change.”  ~Author Unknown

Build people up. We often see the strengths of others better than they see their strengths in themselves. Let people know their strengths when you see them. Think of ways you can help them develop their strengths or hone their skills even more. Perhaps you have come across a great book or article they need to read – share it with them. The more you help others the more they will want to help and champion you.

Do the things that great leaders do– stretch out and grow their comfort zones. Challenge yourself daily to do your very best each day. Set daily goals and reflect on your achievement at the end of the day. Many people will take the road that was well traveled but those who wish to grow and become better with try new things, learn from the mistakes, and persist even when the going gets tough. Each action taken creates a momentum to bigger and greater things.

Your success depends on consistent action. Each action creates a spark of momentum. Momentum is unstoppable unless you quit. Quitting is one of the greatest failures when you are pursuing something you truly want. Keep taking action and choose to LEAD and live rich from the inside out!

Great Book Review: Are You Leading with No Title?

by 1 Comment

Every spare moment I have I am usually making notes, writing, or devouring great books that inspire, entertain, or help me grow as a leader in my life’s journey. My most recent book was Robin Sharma‘s “A Leader Who Had No Title” and I must say that this brilliant well written parable grabbed my attention from the very start. 

It completely blows me away to hear that so many people feel that they have no control in what happen’s in their lives and how they become prey to their own decisions and choose to become a victim in their own lives. Sharma creatively demonstrates how leaders who are truly leaders do not rely on their titles to make a difference in the lives of others. In fact, each person has an impact in making a difference in the lives of others by living up to their greatness. The character Blake Davis is befriended by Tommy Flinn and spends one day visiting four mentors who completely transform his life from one of despair and disillusion to a life of promise and hope. These four powerful conversations are not with people parading their successes and wealth but people who live each day to become better people and teach others to do the same by being leaders in their own lives. People who truly reap what they sow! If you want to live victoriously, you need to get this book. You are important and every thing you do matters!

This book is one of the must-reads that you will want to share with your colleagues, business partners, customers, and friends. Give a hand up to those who need to realize their potential and step into their greatness. Start being a leader!

Are You Ready to Celebrate Your Business and Life?

by 4 Comments

This is my milestone birthday month and I have to tell you it has been an incredible journey. For those who know me, I like to do things differently – I like to create experiences and I love to celebrate both big and small wins!

For my birthday, I planned a Hollywood Birthday Gala Fundraiser for the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer. We had a red carpet, paparazzi and photo booth (BMP – Trevor Boller Photography) , Marilyn Munroe, and Oscar Cut-Outs. There was a fashion show by CapriceWest Consignment Store and Princess Florence Handbags & More display. Derks Formal Wear sponsored the men in my life with tuxedos! Incredible sponsorship and support! 

Everyone was a celebrity as they walked the red carpet.

I are extremely grateful for all the donations, support, and all of those who came to celebrate that  night – WE SOLD OUT! 

There was a brief moment in time I second guess whether or not I should even host the party. Maybe there was too little time!

When I started planning the event, I had people telling me the following:

  • Do you think people will come?
  • Do you think people will pay to come to your birthday?
  • Do you really think you can do it?

As I heard the chatter, my head began to spin. I had this idea in my head since I had a Hollywood 10th Birthday Party for my daughter a few years ago. We had so much fun; I thought I want a celebration just like that. Thankfully, I spoke to my web designer, Roger MacRae . In a short conversation, he reminded me of why I do things differently and how long it usually takes me to put together an event. In my mind, I could not understand why people would not want to come. Mindset plays a huge part of success – you need to believe!!! They did – not only to celebrate my birthday but to celebrate a cause in a positive atmosphere that created an unforgettable experience. So it got me thinking – brainstorming!

Lessons I had learned over the years that affect your business and even your life that relate to :

  1. Relationships are the cornerstone of your life. What happens when you do not water or prune a garden of weeds? It withers and becomes lifeless and dies- so too, do you relationships if you do not nurture them.  You must tend to them and watch them grow regularly. 

TIP #1: You must have a regular presence online and offline and provide value (articles, quotes, or special reports) to the people in your network. Ezine, e-newsletters, direct mail, Facebook, Twitter, and phone calls are a few ways in which you can provide value and be the PRESENT to others.

     2.  Celebrate and help others live to their highest potential. You probably have met people that have so much going for them that they are totally oblivious to some of the skills and talents they possess. They are usually the people who say, “Oh, it’s nothing – I was just playing around.” We often see in others more than what they see in themselves. Remember when you support others in their dreams, they will also champion yours.

TIP #2: Provide testimonials or recommendations for others to use on their website or LinkedIn. Not only are you helping another people “stretch” into who they are meant to be but you are also being noted as the one providing it. If you know, like, and trust their work – let others know. Commenting on blog posts, Facebook messages, Tweets also helps build a rapport and increases your visibility. Would you want that?

    3.  Surround yourself with people who build you up and not the ones who break you down. 

TIP #3: Choose to surround yourself with like-minded people who help you stretch and grow, support you, and encourage you to go after your dreams. You need to focus on what you truly want and learn to stay away from those bright shiny objects that take you off course.

  4. Share your dreams with others. 

TIP #4: Let people you trust know about what your latest projects are and some of your goals or dreams. People cannot support you if they do not know what you need. People will be excited to support your dreams. Watch you dream explode into something bigger than you ever thought.

5. Try new things! Plan an event, host a blog talk radio show, start a membership and create a community, or create a vlog (Video Blog)!

TIP #5: Video is one of the most powerful tools in sharing your message with the world. Helps with your Google search rankings too. I was excited to watch video birthday messages on my Facebook Timeline. They mademy day even more memorable because people did some thing different – they stood out from the crowd! It  was inexpensive, timely, and had impact! By the way, I love reading every message. Make sure you wish your Facebook friends a Happy Birthday on their big day!

Stay focussed on what you want and be true to yourself. You already possess what you need to succeed! 

My motto is “Do not let your greatest regret be that you never took action.” Seize the day! You only have one life to love!