Debra Kasowski

EPISODE 129 – Give More and Receive More with Teresa Spinelli

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Meet Our Guest:

Teresa Spinelli wasn’t destined to lead her family’s grocery business. But life takes
many turns and the leader is what she became.

Born in Edmonton in 1961 Teresa grew up at the Italian Centre Shop, taking her first
steps in the pasta isle. By age 13 she was working in the store regularly as a cashier,
never dreaming she would one day ascend to the Presidency of the company. In 1983
after successfully graduating from the University of Alberta with a psychology degree
her plan was to pursue social work, though admittedly realized social work wasn’t for
her after completing a work term. “I realized I’d be a horrible social worker because I
wanted to take everybody home with me.”

Family misfortune changed the course of Teresa’s life with the loss of her brother,
followed by the passing of her father, Frank Spinelli three years later. “We were a
traditional Italian family, and I had a brother, so automatically, because he was the boy,
he was going to take the business.” In 2000 Teresa stepped in as the president of the
company temporarily; the company having 30 employees and a net worth of 9 million.
Teresa believed the Italian Centre had the potential to be bigger and better.
With her vision of changing the business from a local grocery store to a major importer
and distributor, within a year, she grew the business to 12 million in sales. Today, the
Company has grown 8 times with 4 stores (located in Edmonton and Calgary), 509
employees and sales of 64 million.

Married to Mike Newberry in 1999, and blessed with son Massimo in 2007 Teresa’s
business philosophy comes from her dad, “The more you give, the more you get.” Her
passion is revitalizing the McCauley community around Little Italy in Edmonton’s
downtown and volunteering with such organizations as the Italian Chamber of
Commerce; Mayor’s Task Force on Sustainable Communities, and Edmonton City
Manager’s Advisory Committee. For Teresa, it’s all about people and showing them you
love them with a hearty, bountiful meal.

“For me, it’s not about selling salami. For me, it’s about people. The reason I get up in
the morning is because I want to grow people.” – Teresa Spinelli

Among her notable awards for 10-years running, Teresa has been one of Canada’s Top
100 Women Entrepreneurs as ranked by Profit Magazine; the People’s Choice
Businesswoman of the Year; and has received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in
recognition of contributions to Canada.

EPISODE 128 – Turning Your Results Around

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“. . . it’s worth recognizing that there is no such thing as an overnight success. You will do well to cultivate the resources in yourself that bring you happiness outside of success or failure. The truth is, most of us discover where we are headed when we arrive. At that time, we turn around and say, yes, this is obviously where I was going all along. It’s a good idea to try to enjoy the scenery on the detours, because you’ll probably take a few.” – Bill Watterson, Author of Comic Strip, Calvin & Hobbes

 

Results tell stories. We often see the result and not the whole journey. Sometimes you may see someone else’s success and wonder if you will ever achieve yours. You may have gotten stuck in comparing and seeing others competition. When you are focused on how to beat out someone, you lose focus on why you started in the beginning. First of all, there is enough for everyone. You can not serve everyone and neither can the person you are comparing yourself too. You can get further ahead by championing others and raving about their successes.

To start turning your results around, you need to realize a change has to be made. These changes may have been brought to your attention before and you ignored them or did not take them seriously. The world brings it to your attention through your results and suddenly you hear about a spouse leaving with the kids because the workaholic partner never had time for them, debts continue to rise, or you get high blood pressure because you are not taking care of yourself. Things tend to break down around you if you do not give them your time and attention.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

What results am I now aware of?

Where did my results go off track?

How did I contribute to this?

What lessons have I gained from this?

What do I want my results to look like?

What do I need to continue doing?

What do I need to stop doing?

What can be done differently?

Who can I ask for support?

What resources do I need?

Some common issues in leadership, business, personal situations are:

  • Avoiding confrontation and difficult conversations.
  • Neglecting to pay attention to the numbers (finances).
  • Having more fun than working on what matters most.
  • Mixing business money with personal money.
  • Working in a hobby thinking it is a business.
  • Spending time with people who matter the most.
  • Focus on greatest return on investment.
  • Discovering health problems.

Communication. If there are issues in interpersonal relationships, they need to be tended to in a timely manner. Otherwise, it can lead to deep hurts or blow up in your face. Ultimately, it impacts results.

  • Think about your contribution to the matter.
  • Take time to address conflict by focusing on the facts and removing emotion. When emotions are high, you will not be able to think rationally and may say something you later regret.
  • Gain an understanding of the other persons perception and share yours. Was there some miscommunication that can be clarified?
  • Clarify misunderstanding and set expectations should a similar event happen in the future.
  • Show appreciation with a handshake, hug, kind word, or written note, if appropriate.

Money. Money. Money. It needs your attention. Best case scenario is having more money coming in than going out. The more money you keep, the more you have to work with and have in your bank account. If you have a started a business, it is important to keep your business money and personal money separated. Once they start mixing it is too hard to unravel. Start with a simple spreadsheet and track you’re your cash flow of money. You will be able to make better decisions. Treat your business like a business. If you are working on something solely for personal satisfaction, you are spending money. If you are in business, your intent should be to make a profit. You are in business if your revenue exceeds your expenses.

Time after time…work hard play hard. I don’t know about you. I was taught that I needed to get my work done before I could have fun. Many people start their day surfing the internet or checking out everyone’s life on social media (because theirs seems so much more glamorous). You need block your time to reflect your productivity and performance. You need to get your work done and focus on your greatest returns on investment before giving away your time. Make time in your calendar for your spouse, partner, girlfriend, boyfriend, parents, children, and friends and colleagues in your calendar. There is nothing more important than your relationship with the people around you. They are the reason you are a leader. They are the reason you are in business. They are the reason you achieve your results. Manage your time wisely and keep your relationships a priority.

Self-care is a priority. If you get nothing else from this podcast. I want you to realize how important it is to create a sense of harmony or flow in your life. I would like to refer to this as a “fluid balance”. There are times when you are working full out and you know it is not sustainable for long periods of time. You need to build in ways to manage stress and cope with the different scenarios that enter your life or business. The more resilient you are the better able you are to deal with the situations that arise. Morning meditation/prayer, journaling, exercise, walking in nature, or listening to music are a a few suggestions for you to start taking care of yourself. You have heard the airline message before, “put your own oxygen mask on first.” You cannot help others if you do not look after yourself first.

Don’t let your current results get you down. Focus on what you want to achieve. Who do you need to show up as? What skills do you need to develop? What can you do to get ahead? Remember to go through the questions I mentioned again. You can turn things around. It is often the small shifts that make the biggest difference.

What are you going to start doing to turn your results around?

We would love to have you subscribe to the Success Secrets newsletter on my website at www.debrakasowski.com where you’re going to get my just release FREE e-book about the 21 Habits High Achievers Kick to Achieve Success. I would love to hear about this podcast has impacted your life. E-mail me at Debra@DebraKasowski.com. Thank you for listening to The Millionaire Woman Show where we talk about leadership, business, and human potential to help you live rich from the inside out. Subscribe to The Millionaire Woman Show. Share it with Your Friends. Give us a 5-star rating!

DEBRA KASOWSKI, BScN CEC is an award-winning best-selling author, transformational speaker, blogger, and Certified Executive Coach. She has a heart of a teacher and is certified in Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence. Her writing has been published in a variety of print and online magazines. Debra Kasowski International helps executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations boost their productivity, performance, and profits. It all starts with people and passion. Sign up the Success Secrets Newsletter and get your free e-book download today! www.debrakasowski.com

EPISODE 127 – Keep Your Goals Front and Centre

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“I don’t do too much outside of football during football season, because this is my job and I take it seriously. I don’t do too much, don’t really go out at all that much, don’t eat out or anything, try to stay focused and stay to myself.”

Robert Griffin III

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVDYOdJ9m34[/embedyt]

 

Out of sight…out of mind – goals need to be in your face!

There are many distractions and bright shiny ideas that can grab your attention. Squirrel! Told you!

You lose sight of your goals when they are not front and centre. Maybe you equate goals with resolutions. Resolutions tend to die off in January or February. You may become frustrated and give up all together. It is never too late to hope back on the goal setting wagon and get yourself on track to smashing your goals and giving your best!

Trouble comes from wanting instant gratification. When results do not come instantly, people lose motivation and worse even give up. Most of the goals people want to achieve require perseverance and discipline to be sustainable. Disappointment comes from setting unrealistic goals and setting them and leaving them. Experts say it takes 21 days to change a habit, I say let’s go for 30 days to make it sustainable. What’s a few more days!

Face it…if your goals are NOT S.M.A.R.T. (Specific. Measurable. Achievable. Realistic, Timely), you are wishing and a hoping. If you are not inking them, you are not thinking about them. Write out your goals on 3 X 5 index cards, Post-It Notes, or print them out using 72-100 point font. Post them around your home and workplace. Share your goals with others. Don’t worry there will be people who shoot down your goals or say not very nice things. Avoid or limit the time you spend with people who do not support your goals. Build in accountability partners into your plan so you can achieve your goals. You want to surround yourself with people who hold you accountable, encourage, and support you.

You want those goals to be right where you can see them. Read them aloud several times a day. Review them daily, monthly, quarterly, and yearly. Form that emotional connection to your goal by imagining your goal achieved. If you have no emotional attachment to your goal, you will not put in the work to get what you want. Put pictures up of your goals. Maybe you are saving for a dream home – put up a picture of a floor plan. Dreaming of buying a boat or getting a promotion. Put up a picture that has you achieving those things – keep your goals front and centre! Monitor your progress regularly!

There will be sacrifices along the way and you will have to be disciplined. You may question yourself at times and ask yourself, “Is it really worth it?” This is your challenge line! Connect with the emotion and push forward. Yes, you may have to skip the fancy dinners, the random drives around town, or the latest trend or electronic but your goal achieved is worth waiting and striving for.

When you are faced with a setback or a bad day, regroup but continue to take small actions to keep motivated. Some people say you need to be motivated to take necessary actions. When you act and start seeing results, you will be motivated to achieve more! Celebrate the milestones and everyday wins! Set tangible rewards for yourself along the way.

Keep those goals front and centre! Soon enough they will be yours!

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.”

-Tony Robbins

 

How have you been keeping your goals front and centre?

 

We would love to have you subscribe to the Success Secrets newsletter on my website at www.debrakasowski.com where you’re going to get us free MP3 download 10 Surefire Strategies to Power Up Your Productivity and Performance. Book your complimentary Discovery Session by going to the Coach with Debra page on my website and send me your interest and we will set up a time and date to learn about how coaching can benefit you. Thank you for listening to The Millionaire Woman Show where we talk about leadership, business, and human potential to help you live rich from the inside out. Subscribe to The Millionaire Woman Show. Share it with Your Friends. Give us a 5-star rating!

DEBRA KASOWSKI, BScN CEC is an award-winning best-selling author, transformational speaker, blogger, and Certified Executive Coach. She has a heart of a teacher and is certified in Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence. Her writing has been published in a variety of print and online magazines. Debra Kasowski International helps executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations boost their productivity, performance, and profits. It all starts with people and passion. Sign up the Success Secrets Newsletter and get your free mp3 download today! www.debrakasowski.com

Episode 126 – Selling in a Skirt with Judy Hoberman

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Meet Our Guest

Judy Hoberman, President of Selling In A Skirt- International Speaker, Trainer, Coach and Mentor. Her 30 years in sales has given her both the knowledge and sense of humor about how men and women sell, work and live differently will enlighten you in learning how both genders can support each other’s successes in a more productive way.

Her audiences, from 10 to 10,000 are engaged with details wrapped in memorable     stories that are easily implemented that same day. In 2016 she was a TEDx speaker talking about pre-judging people, something we all do without even thinking. She is the author of “Selling In A Skirt”, “Famous Isn’t Enough”, “Pure Wealth” and her latest book on Women Who Lead will be released shortly.

Judy’s mission…to help her clients live the S.K.I.R.T. philosophy-Standing Out, Keys to Success, Inspiring Others, Results Oriented and Time Management…while having fun. www.sellinginaskirt.com

EPISODE 125 – Silence the Voice of Mediocrity

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“Every day, people settle for less than they deserve. They are only partially living or at best living a partial life. Every human being has the potential for greatness.” Bo Bennett

The other day I was watching the movie, Concussion, with Will Smith playing the lead role. He plays a physician named Bennett (who works in the coroner’s office) who is determined to make a difference and become the American he dreamed of being from childhood. He faced his biggest obstacle – the NFL organization. They want to silence him and cover up his findings about concussions in football. He does not understand why they cannot work together toward a solution. His director, Cyril, informs him that not everyone is as committed to their work as he is and not everyone wants to change the world. This statement struck a cord with me. Why are people settling for less that their potential? Imagine what the world would be like if everyone was committed to making positive change in the world. What would that look like to you?

Settling for less or mediocrity means you are accepting less than you believe you deserve or what is possible. You may be settling to work at a job you dislike because of the pay you receive. You may be in a relationship where you are not valued or get the attention that you want or need – you are settling. You avoid making phone calls to prospects for the fear of rejection even though they mentioned they need your services. You prepare a celebration or go to the gym and put in half the effort you normally do – that is settling. The voice of mediocrity whispers “that’s good enough, no extra effort required.” When you have a cut that needs suturing, do you want them to suture up the whole cut or part of it and say, “that’s good enough.” You may have someone painting your house and they only do one coat instead of two – “that’s good enough.” Is it?

There are many reasons why people listen to the voice of mediocrity:

  • Everyone does not wake up to change the world.
  • You believe your past circumstance dictates your future.
  • You do not believe in yourself.
  • You forget you have a choice to create a different life – one you love!
  • You have not discovered your purpose. You do not have a vision to drive you.
  • You do not hold yourself accountable to take the actions necessary to get the results you want.
  • You are afraid of how your life will change when you become successful.
  • You avoid doing new things unless you are guaranteed to be successful.

Mediocrity, literally, suffocates the soul. You have the power to change and others have the power to change and they do. Do not accept mediocrity. Raise the bar and set expectations for the life, career, and business that you want.

Think of soap suds or bubbles in your bath or sink – S.U.D.S. Washing up your regular routine to become a better version of yourself. One of higher expectation! Mediocrity begone!

Surround yourself with people who you admire. You are the average of the five people you associate with the most. You become like those you surround yourself with. Do they lift you and encourage you to become a better version of yourself? Hire a coach to hold you accountable. Find a mentor who is willing to have you learn from them.

Use you free time to accomplish great things and produce results. Limit your television viewing time, social media scrolling time, or escapism reading. Decrease the amount of time you spend partying or shopping without intention. Be productive with your time and do things will help you in the future such as taking a course, keeping up-to-date on your industry, or intentional networking. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Get out of your comfort zone.

Do what others are not willing to do. This key will open the door to success. Not everyone will go above and beyond to serve their clients. Not everyone will work long hours. Not everyone is as committed as they say they are – they are interested in the idea of success but they are not willing to put in the effort to get it. You must do what you need to do to get ahead. There may be times you need to take risks and take a leap of faith. Of course, you can educate yourself, plan and prepare for it but you must trust yourself to come out successful on the other side. Believe in who you are and what you have to offer the world.

Sacrifice short term for long term gain. There are times when you may need to sacrifice your time, money, or resources to get ahead. You may need to work late the odd evening, you may need to skip the coffee stop and make coffee from home, or you may need to put off purchasing clothes and shoes so you can put your money elsewhere. They are small sacrifices in the big picture although at the time it may seem difficult. It only seems difficult because you are stepping out of your comfort zone. You had been accustomed to doing things a certain way or buying things because you want them. Make a list of some of the sacrifices you need to make to get closer to achieving your vision. How long do you need to do this – 3 months. 6 months, or 9 months?

People often settle for mediocrity when they people believe they cannot achieve their goals or they do not what to put in the effort required to get what they want. They tell themselves, “Why desire more? I should be happy with what I have and who I am. I am not capable of being more than I am. This is it.” Years pass and a seed of regret and wonder begins to grow. What might have been possible if I did not settle for second best? What might have been possible if I only put in more effort or did not skip practices? What might have been possible if I stayed home and studied for my exam instead of procrastinating? What might have been…is now your opportunity to…

“If you don’t know what you want, you’ll never find it.
If you don’t know what you deserve, you’ll always settle for less.
You will wander aimlessly, uncomfortably numb in your comfort zone, wondering how life has ended up here.

Life starts now, live, love, laugh and let your light shine!”
― Rob Liano

Are you settling? What do you need to do to raise your bar and silence the voice of mediocrity?

We would love to have you subscribe to the Success Secrets newsletter on my website at www.debrakasowski.com where you’re going to get us free MP3 download 10 Surefire Strategies to Power Up Your Productivity and Performance. Book your complimentary Discovery Session by going to the Coach with Debra page on my website and send me your interest and we will set up a time and date to learn about how coaching can benefit you. Thank you for listening to The Millionaire Woman Show where we talk about leadership, business, and human potential to help you live rich from the inside out. Subscribe to The Millionaire Woman Show. Share it with Your Friends. Give us a 5-star rating!

DEBRA KASOWSKI, BScN CEC is an award-winning best-selling author, transformational speaker, blogger, and Certified Executive Coach. She has a heart of a teacher and is certified in Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence. Her writing has been published in a variety of print and online magazines. Debra Kasowski International helps executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations boost their productivity, performance, and profits. It all starts with people and passion. Sign up the Success Secrets Newsletter and get your free mp3 download today! www.debrakasowski.com