Debra Kasowski

Episode 73 – Something Is Better Around the Corner

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It can be disheartening when you put in so much effort in only to not get the results that you were hoping for. Country singer, Garth Brooks has a song called Unanswered Prayers. This song reminds me that there are reasons why things do not sometimes turn out the way we want them to. He talks about how some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers. You can substitute the Universe or whatever you believe in. Sometimes we do not always understand them – we have to trust that there is something better around the corner. Just because something you were hoping for like the big deal or the promotion did not become a reality does not mean you will not get a big deal or get a promotion or get to the next level. It means that this door or this opportunity was not meant for you. You cannot force things to happen.

When disappointments or obstacles occur, you have a choice to react or to respond. Instead of staying in the space of negativity, reframe and shift your thinking. Think about a time when no matter what your efforts were, you did not get the results you wanted. Did you think of something? How long did you dwell on the thought? Are you still holding onto it…I hope not?  You need to realize by taking action you are demonstrating a quality that few people are willing to do – take action. It takes courage to take action towards your goal or dream. The actions you take are getting you set up for success.

It is easy to be devastated and stay in the space of negativity rather than STOPPING your thoughts and saying. “Hey there, I need to ask questions so I can learn from this so I can improve or take different actions.” You can spend your time wallowing or you can make a renewed commitment to taking a new action to get a different result. Do you need to take a course, interview someone, or experiment with the instructions?

Start taking action! Actions create momentum, which carry you forward to the next action. Even if you fail 2-3 times, it can take one breakthrough to propel you further than you would have got should you have stopped putting in the effort. People often give up when they are so close to achievement because they get caught up in self-doubt or worry about it never working out. They think about the embarrassment. What will other people think? Again, I want to stress you are further ahead than most people, as most people are not willing to take the risk need to get the results they need to.

There may also be times that you may not have taken action because of your need for approval or acceptance. Someone may have said something to you to discourage you based on their own beliefs and willingness to take risks. You didn’t do anything because you wanted everyone to like you. You need to have trust and faith in your capability and ability to make things become a reality. Give yourself credit for how far you have come so far. You are not the same person you were a year ago. There are more good things in your future they are not reserved for the affluent.

Don’t get side-tracked by the “comparison trap” and discounting the knowledge, skills, and abilities you have. Instead of being jealous, appreciate and recognize the person you are comparing yourself to. Jealousy is an unproductive emotion. What can you learn about this person’s success that you may be able to emulate in your own way? Take a moment or two to acknowledge and accept yourself for what you offer. Don’t fall into a negative spiral of emotion for everything in life is in a temporary state whether it is positive or negative. You always have a choice of what you will choose and if it doesn’t work out as planned…learn and grow from it and put it into perspective – something is better around the corner. Something better suited, at the right time, and at the right place is coming my way! Stay positive and focused with intention – you can achieve great things.

We would love to have you subscribed 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. 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 mp3 download today! www.debrakasowski.com

Time: 10:57 min

Keywords: this or better, uncertainty, worry, anxiety, self-acceptance, confidence, building confidence, comparison trap, something is better around the corner, this or something better

 

Episode 71 – Leveraging Your Social Media Presence

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What was once believed that social media was only a trend that the “kids” were using is now considered a valuable business tool. People are making more of their buying decisions based on what they learn and see through digital media. Social media is not going away so instead of resisting and why not learn more about leveraging it for your business, organization, or brand. We are human and we have the need to be social.

In today’s podcast, I want to talk about some of the fears that people get caught up with when it comes to social media. I understand why people are fearful yet I also understand there is a way to leverage social media for your business to position yourself in the marketplace effectively.

Let’s talk about some of the fears people have:

  1. I am NOT _________enough! Social media is changing on a daily basis and I think sometimes people get overwhelmed with trying to keep up with all of the changes. For the most part, the practice of using social media stays the same. It is too easy to say you do not know enough to use social media and use that as an excuse not to engage. If you feel you don’t know enough about how social media works, consider doing some of your own research and take a look at what other people are posting and how you may be able to leverage this opportunity. You may decide to go to a networking event where you know that there’ll be some social media marketers. They can share information to alleviate your fears. Take some time to experiment and start small. You have all the resources you need now all you have to do is tap into them – get social!
  1. I am going to FAIL! Fear of failure is one of the biggest things holding people back from achieving success. You may be afraid to share your ideas for fear of being criticized or ridiculed if something goes wrong. Failure and mistakes are nothing more than learning experiences giving you feedback and letting you know what worked and what didn’t work. That’s it! Learn the lesson and move on. You need to have confidence in your ideas and what you stand for. When you don’t your own and believe in your ideas, how do you expect others to believe in you?

Create a strategy for yourself. Many businesses are reluctant to get into the social media game as they are not sure what to post and what times of day to post. Why not test to see if something works for a short period of time and if it doesn’t work you can change it. You can always check out what times are best by Googling it or checking out iconographic on Pinterest. When creating your strategy you want to be very clear about your intention, your why-what is the outcome that you’re hoping to achieve? What is the message that you want to share? Who is your audience? What do they do? What platforms are they spending their time on? You need to be positioned where they are. Social media is a great way to build brand loyalty and it is a cost-effective marketing tool to promote your business.

You can share some personal posts here and there so that your persona shines through but you do not have to post pictures of your dog regularly unless the dog is part of your brand or is the mascot or ambassador for your company. Think about what you post and post with intention. Random pictures should be saved for a personal profile. Give Facebook Live or Instagram Stories a try by giving life to your brand and sharing a little glimpse into your day and what you do. Video, by far, is one of the most captivating and engaging marketing tools you could be using.

  1. I am going to be ________! Criticized, judged, or ridiculed – you fill in the blank- if I post the wrong thing or say something silly. Worse yet, I may look foolish on video. People are always going to be entitled to their opinions whether we like them or not. They see the world through their eyes. What they believe is truly none of your business; it is their opinion. You are not going to please everyone. Those people who are critical or judgmental often lack information. They may make assumptions because they may not be willing to do it themselves or see if the strategy actually works. Their thoughts and actions come out of their own fears and beliefs. If you are holding yourself back based on what others believe, you may not take the leap necessary to achieve your goals. What others believe is more about them than it is about you. If you get one negative response from someone, do not let it steal your joy from all the great things people say about you and your business.

What if you shifted your thinking to, “I am going to be positioned as an expert in my field.” “I am going to share valuable content that will boost my credibility.” See the difference! When you are using social media with the intention to captivate and add value to your customers, how can you go wrong?

Each blog post or social media post that you post leaves a digital footprint. Think about the message or the legacy you want to leave. Keep your posts positive and intentional. By leveraging social media, you are opening up the opportunity to expand your exposure activities at a low cost and reaching more people in a different way. Quit leaving money on the table – people need to know what you are doing.

We would love to have you subscribed 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. 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 mp3 download today! www.debrakasowski.com

Time: 09:41 min

Keywords: brand, branding, leveraging social media, fear of failure, fear of social media, cost-effective marketing, comparison trap, target your audience, lack of confidence, confidence, strategy

What Are You Projecting to the World?

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As a leader in life and business, you are on stage all the time. How you show up in the world is a reflection of your self-worth. Even though you say you take people at face value, first impressions are made within the first 30 seconds of interacting with someone.

I am not saying that you need to pull out the plastic and go on a spending spree and buy things which you cannot afford. I am saying that there are several things that you can do to project self-worth and confidence.

Maintain a Good Posture (and Watch the Nonverbals). Poor posture can make you appear weak, fatigued or even in pain. Stand tall and walk with your head up and shoulders back. Confidence is attractive and people are attracted to confidence. The way you carry yourself is a nonverbal communicator that tells people a great deal about you. When speaking with others (unless culturally offensive), maintain eye contact and pay attention to the tone of your voice and the rate you are speaking. Engage others with thoughtful questions.Face of beautiful woman on the background of business people

Make Your Health a Priority. Eat healthy foods – choose foods that fuel your body. Watch your portion sizes – skip the upsize deals. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day. You do not have to go to a gym to get your exercise quota. Go for a walk, jog, swim, bike ride, or run.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep. When you do not get a good night’s sleep, you move slower throughout the day. You may even get bags under your eyes. You do not think as clearly when you are tired and you may have errors of judgment. You want to be sharp and awake so you make astute decisions.

Keep Hydrated. Keep a glass or bottle of water by your side as you work or exercise. Lack of hydration can lead to dry skin which is more prone to wrinkles. Maintain that youthful glow by drinking enough water to keep yourself hydrated.

Speak Highly of Yourself. Speaking highly of yourself does not mean that you are “above” or “better” than others nor is it bragging about yourself. It means that you are proud of who you are. You are not afraid to introduce yourself and offer a firm handshake. You speak positively about yourself and your strengths and how you serve others.

Dress the Part. What you wear says a great deal about you. Ensure your clothing is clean and well pressed. You do not want to look like you just rolled out of bed. Keep your hair well-kept and your shoes shined. Check yourself out in a mirror before you head out for the day and periodically throughout the day.

Get Organized. Nothing wastes more time than looking for your keys or report as you run out the door for an appointment. Lay the items you need out before you go to bed at night to ensure you have what you need and you know where to find everything.

Be Prepared. Going into things blindly can seem like a night at the improv, but it won’t take long before someone calls you on your bluff. Review your materials before presenting or going into an important meeting. You may not get that second chance to make a first impression.

Read to Learn and Be Entertained. Stay on top of current events, industry trends, and the latest books. By being in the know, you can contribute to stimulating conversations, share resources, and make meaningful connections.

What impression do you want to make? Are you showing up as the person you want to be seen as? What do you need to do to make that everlasting impression? Don’t dismay! You can do it; you just need to get started. Start projecting who you are and where you are going. Why not start today. If not now, when?

Building Confidence

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Are there times that you wish you felt more confident when you walk a room? If you look around that room, do you think everyone is 100% all the time? Tell you what, everybody lacks confidence in one area in their life or another, especially when they are trying out new things. Instead of worrying about that someone is so much better than you and comparing yourself. Look at the areas in your life that you are confident in, you feel completely in control in. You already ARE and HAVE confidence in many areas of your life…maybe just not in the area you are hoping to right now.

Do you want to know the biggest secret?

“You increase your confidence every time you take action toward your goal that you are trying to reach. ” – Debra Kasowski

As you get practice, you might make mistakes, fall down, you get up, and you keep perserving – you reflect, and learn whatever lessons that that brought you. I guarantee you soon enough, you will also have confidence in those areas too. Then you will have a new area you will have to practice.

Get up and know that you have confidence in other areas of your life right now. You might just need to learn more lessons right now to make you more confident where you are right now and where you are heading.