Debra Kasowski

Falling on Tough Times Means You Need to Adjust Your Focus

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We don’t have to go too far to get drawn in to negativity. You can go to any social media page and see someone ranting about the political climate or their frustrations with the economy and the impact on their lives.

Tough times don’t last forever. They don’t impact everyone at the same time. There are industries that are growing and thriving by choice. They have learned to think creatively and to be innovative with what they have. They recognize that they are the creator of their own outcomes and experiences. Personal accountability and determination are what make the best rise to the top.

Change means different things to different people but for the most part change means progress and moving forward. Change may provoke feelings of anxiety, fear, and nervousness. It is the uncertainty and the feeling of loss of control that can get a person worked up. When you are driven by your fears, you become caged in your belief that things cannot get better and your actions and behavior with match that belief. You may even start settling for less than you deserve because you’ve adopted a small picture thinking or “victim mentality”. You view the world as things happening “to you” rather than “for you” and because of this small minded thinking you could be missing out on a grand opportunity.

“Whether you think you can or you can’t – you’re right.” – Henry Ford

Small picture thinkers are reactive rather than responsive. They focus on the small things versus the impact on the bigger picture. They fail to see that all circumstances are temporary and anything that is temporary can change. They do not ask questions about how thinks can be different. Small picture thinkers focus on counting their losses versus the gains that they have. They focus on the negativity of a situation and get lost in the blur activities that take up their day and exhaust them.

Worrying and complaining changes nothing. If we want greatness and abundance, we must be looking at what already is going well and celebrate those successes and build upon them. In my training in Appreciative Inquiry, a positive approach to creating meaningful and sustainable change, we guide people through a process of discovery by asking questions and focusing on existing strengths.

“The world as we have created is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking. – Albert Einstein

Appreciative Inquiry is not about getting short-term results although many people would like immediate change (perhaps you they think it will hurt less or be more satisfied due to immediate gratification). People and organizations are living things that learn, grow, and evolve over time. Change takes time and commitment by each individual. You can start with focusing on what’s working and ask ourselves, “What do we/I need to be doing to be our best?”

What lens are you looking through? Are you looking at the upside or the downside? What strengths do you have that you can contribute to make a difference? It will be the big picture thinkers will who will keep the economy going. They know that now is not the time to stop learning, building relationships, or marketing because when the market changes (and it eventually will), they will be top of mind.

Think a little bit differently about the world around you. Ask yourself the following appreciative questions:

  1. Let’s capture your best experience. Recall a time when you felt on top of your game and most alive in your business, organization, or life. Who was involved? What made it such an exciting experience? Write down details.
  2. What do you bring to the table? Without being humble, what do you value about yourself as a person and what you contribute to your business or organization?
  3. The Magic Lamp. What three wishes would you make that would make the biggest difference in your business or organization right now?

Can you feel the shift in focus and energy? When you focus on the best of what is, you can think of ways to enjoy more of the best. Use your best experience, your strengths, and your three wishes to build and grow your business or organization to where you want to be. The same practices can be used in your personal life. Focus on what’s working right now. Celebrate and rave about it – shift the venting and gossip on social media to a positive and meaningful experience. Change starts with YOU!

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”Dr. Wayne Dyer

What is the one thing you are willing to commit to in moving toward making a positive change?

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. She is a contributing writer for Diversity Magazine and Fabulous at 50 Magazine. Debra Kasowski International helps executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations boost their productivity, performance, and profits. It all starts with people and passion. www.debrakasowski.com

5 Reasons You Want to Create a Productive Office Space by Design

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A potential client agrees to meet with you 3 Tuesdays away but you are scrambling to look through your calendar and realize you have not looked that far in advance. You think you may have a doctor’s appointment on that day but can not for the life of you remember what time. You tell your client you need to get back to them. All you can think of is – I wish I had more time or perhaps you starting thinking about all the others areas of your life where time has escaped you.

Whether you are an entrepreneur or executive, your physical environment plays a role in how you perform and the results you get. Imagine one of your most productive days, the phone was ringing and you were able to connect with clients and find everything you needed to deliver on your products and services. Take a look at your space now – what can be improved?

You want to create a space that you feel empowered in. When you create an organized and inviting space, you will allow your best ideas to come forth. This environment with be a place where you get creative and start innovating new ideas. Sometimes, all you need is a punch of color on the walls, a picture or motivational quote in front of you, a filing cabinet for all of your papers covering your desk, or a calendar to keep you on track.2014-04-17 23.14.49 2014-04-17 23.14.21

By creating a productive office space you are able to:

Track Your Progress. You may have heard the saying, “What gets measured, gets done.” By tracking your progress with calendars, checklists, or charts, you create a visual. The visual representation of your work can help you with setting goals, targets, and stretch you a bit out of your comfort zone. You can also assess what is working, what is not working, and what you need to kick into high gear and start doing.

Brainstorm New Ideas. You cannot brainstorm ideas in a cluttered space. For many people, clutter zaps their creativity and energy. They get drained and avoid the space entirely. Organizing your time, money, and paper can help clean your desk and mind for a productive day.

Know Where Everything Is. How many times in the past 30 days have you looked for something that you could not find and a few hours or days later you found it. How much time and energy was wasted? Create a system for filing that will help you grab that key document at a moments notice or even help you keep track of your keys.

Delegate the Extras. By creating systems and processes for the ways you like to get things done, you will be able to delegate a number of items on your never ending to-do list so you can concentrate on what you do best. Not only will you be able to create more space for what you want to do, you can get more done and feel great about it. Focus on where you get your greatest return on invesment using your gifts and talents. What activities give you the greatest return on your investment of time, energy, and resources?

Boost Your Concentration. You can boost your concentration by creating a environment that makes you feel empowered. At the same time, you need to put that environment into action by setting time blocks or office hours so that you create consistent time to do what you need to do. You may need to set some boundaries with others who think that if you have flexible schedule that you can run errands for them or drop by for those unexpected visits.

Creating a office space that you feel amazing in makes you not only feel like a high performer but perform like a high performer. You will increase your productivity and boost your concentration and laser your focus while saving valuable time, money, and energy so that you can deliver your best. What would creating a office space like this do for you? What would happen to your workload or business if you focused on creating this space?

I would love to hear what your office space does for you. Why have you designed it the way you have?

Please share this post with others so they can be save time and produce the results they want – just like YOU!

 

 

#1 Mistake Business Owners Make in Trying to Get Results

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Courtesy of Ambro/freedigitalphotos.net
Courtesy of Ambro/freedigitalphotos.net

Do you feel like you are putting in your efforts and not getting a return on your investment?

I see this time and time again. Several business owners tell me, “but we have always done it this way.” Are you getting the same results?

“Well, yes!”

That’s the problem.

Many individuals fear – CHANGE.

However, change is progress and how our world evolves.

Look at technology for example, Apple did not just develop the iPod and iPhone and stop. They made modifications and came out with several generations. Each generation was led by new ideas and innovations. New applications were born.

The same is true for the rebranding process of companies. New missions and visions are defined by fresh snappy taglines. Yes, new stationery to follow as well. Some people would see this as a waste of money whereas others see rebranding an investment.

I view rebranding as an investment. If your branding is focused on your target audience and their wants and needs, you are right on track. There is nothing worse than trying to share your message and your target audience wants something else.

Times change.

You must embrace change and understand that change does not have to mean big leaps of faith or drastic shifts. But small shifts in perspective, actions, and habits that make a huge impact in getting out your product and service.

Instead of resisting, go with the flow or rather with what your target audience is asking you for. Get creative and innovate! Get the results your want versus what you have always received.

It is time to get BIG results!

How do embrace change? What business ideas, products or services have been born during a period of change or transition?  Do you know someone who is making this mistake? Share this blog post with others who need to embrace change.

 

 

5 Top Entrepreneur Summer Reads

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In the heat of summer, you do not want to lose the sizzle of your business! This is a great time to catch up reading, take a few notes, and think about how you can implement what you learn into business. When do you get the time to catch up on some of your reading?

Books that will make your summer sizzle include:

POP!: Create the Perfect Pitch, Tagline, and Title for Anything by Sam Horn

I love this book! It is an easy read chalked full of tips and brainstorming ideas to create ideas that literally POP! and grab people’s attention and leaving wanting to find out MORE!

The Success Principles by Jack Canfield

I highly recommend this book as I was a graduate of The Success Principles Coaching program. Simply sectioned reads that can get you onto the road to success in no time flat. This is literally the self-help bible of books!

Start with Why by Simon Sinek

 

Sinek’s thought provoking style really help you self reflect on where you are going and whether or not you are doing what you doing intentionally. Great reminder to align with your values and beliefs and ultimately your – WHY!

The 4 Hour Work Week by  Timothy Ferriss

 

Imagine if you could have more play time in your life – what would that be like? Tim Ferriss has a unique approach to streamline the clutter of life and getting down to the heart of the matter so you can live more and LOVE it!

 

Okay …maybe I am just a little bias…. The Entrepreneurial Mom’s Guide to Growing a Business, Raising a Family, and Creating a Life You Love by Debra Kasowski 

 

Life can get crazy as mom! I get it. Many mom’s wonder how the can achieve their dreams without compromising the dream or vision they have for their family. Society send us so many messages but you must ultimately decide who’s life are you living! I share tons of tips and techniques that have worked for me in growing my business and raising my family. But just waiting I am just in the beginning of the teens years so their can be a sequel!

Let us know what your favorite reads are! Boost business and innovation everywhere!

3 Reasons You Should Be Outsourcing

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 Outsourcing is one of the keys to success that is often overlooked. All too often we look at projects and think,”Well I can do it faster or better.” The trouble starts when it is an area that you’re not passionate or gifted in, so why not delegate to or hire someone who is passionate and gifted in this area. Here are three reasons why you should be outsourcing:

  • Save Time. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, 168 hours in a week, and 8736 hours in a year, yet we are needing more time to get all the things we want done. How much time could you free up if you would delegate or hire someone to do your bookkeeping, housekeeping, or website maintenance? Time saved equals increased productivity and increase in your return on investment provided you target the extra time to where you need it to go. Think about what your time is worth. You could be spending extra time with your family or friends doing what you love or on revenue generating activities.
  • Increased productivity. By having others work on different projects for you, you are better able to implement many ideas or concepts at the same time because you’re not doing it all by yourself. You are better able to put your energy where you are passionate and gifted in. Outsourcing allows for innovation and focus on core strengths.
  • Save money. When you realize how much your time is worth, does the time it takes you to finish a certain project equal the time that you could be focused on revenue generating activities? Chances are you would make more money by delegating projects or formatting of documents to someone who has this expertise and can get it done in a timely manner. I know you may be thinking how am I saving money by spending money, but there are many resources that are not as costly as you might think.

Some outsourcing freelance sites that I have personally used include: www.guru.com, www.odesk.com, and www.fiverr.com.

 Outsourcing can help you grow your business and expand your markets that you otherwise might not have the time to get to.  When you grow and expand your markets , you can get more clients and make more money . outsourcing enables you to serve people on a much bigger level.  The question is, “Are you ready to play bigger?”