My Favorite Lesson of 2009 is “Go Pro!” What’s Yours?

December 31, 2009 By Gina Bell 25 Comments

Earth DropletMy favorite lesson of 2009 is “Go Pro”. The underlying premise is the concept of living in the moment or as Eckhart Tolle brought to the world in a big way – The Power of Now.

Now is reality. The past is over and can’t be re-done and the future hasn’t happened yet.

The only real power we have is right here and now.

Moment by moment we create the reality that unfolds. It sounds deep but it really isn’t. The decisions I make and actions I take NOW impact the future I experience.

The idea of “Go Pro” simply means that in each moment, whatever it is that I’m doing, I’m going to do it with my full attention and to the best of my abilities.

If I’m writing an article, all my energy and focus and effort will go into writing the best article I’m capable of in that moment. If I’m making a sandwich, same thing. If I’m talking with my daughter, I’ll listen with all my energy and focus (I say listen because she does 99% of the talking – she’s 17 he he).

Think about this for a moment… what reality would you experience if moment by moment you invested fully, no holds barred, completely engaged and present?

You’d be surprised how often the mind wanders away on us and I don’t know about you but I’d rather be living in the present to the very best of my abilities than stuck in my head replaying the past or worrying about the future.

Each time my mind tries to wander (and it always does) I’ll notice it and bring my attention back to fully engage in what I’m doing.

I’m taking this one with me into 2010 and beyond too because it’s really more of a way to be and do rather than a single lesson to be learned. Big thanks goes to @marieforleo and her Rich Happy Hot Virtual Mastery program.
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“Most people treat the present moment as if it were an obstacle that they need to overcome. Since the present moment is Life itself, it is an insane way to live.” ~ Eckhart Tolle
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So, what’s YOUR top lesson from 2009 that you’re taking with you into 2010? I’d love to know. Post your comments below.

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Filed Under Desk of Gina Bell, FREE Articles, Quotes to ponder Tagged With Gina Bell, go pro, live in the moment, Online Success, power of now, top lesson of 2009, women in business online

Women in Business Online: Create a Success Catalyst with this Strategic Planning Tool

December 31, 2009 By Gina Bell 7 Comments

planning conceptWhen it comes to being the multi-passionate, creative and conscious entrepreneur that I am, my knee-jerk reaction is to resist and even under-value “traditional” business tools. I’m convinced it’s a bit of rebellion left from escaping the corporate world. Can you relate?

When I became an entrepreneur I used to believe that “corporate” planning tools didn’t apply to me somehow but with the help of my coaches and mentors I’ve learned how to leverage many “traditional” tools as a catalyst to greater success.

Two of my favorite tools beyond a traditional business plan are:

1) the Operations Manual

2) the SWOT Analysis

Today we’ll look at the SWOT analysis (sometimes referred to as a risk analysis). In early 2010 I’ll be hosting a tele-class on how to create an operations manual for an online business as well as how it fits into an equity-rich business philosophy that fuels a true freedom-based business.

SWOT is an acronym for:

S = Strengths

W = Weaknesses

O = Opportunities

T = Threats

Business SWOT AnalysisThe graphic shows a traditional graph version of SWOT but you could easily use mind-mapping techniques. The traditional chart provides a simple visual for today’s article but stay tuned to the blog for a continuation of this topic from a mind-mapping perspective.

The key to this exercise is to look at your business and your goals through each lens. The end result is a snapshot of the current status of your business and a reference point that allows you to shift into immediate action.

One of my best recommendations to my clients is to “start where you are” and that is only possible when you have an honest and accurate assessment.
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So, what are YOUR honest answers to these questions:

• What are your business strengths?

• What are the gaps or weaknesses that exist?

• What opportunities exist for you right now?

• Are there any potential threats or barriers?

Knowing the answer to these questions empowers the planning process.

For example, identifying opportunities that exist for you right now provides clarity of what needs immediate attention. Knowing the gaps and weaknesses that exist places a spotlight on specific areas that may need to be eliminated, delegated or automated.

Your SWOT analysis becomes a launching pad to taking focused action to improve your business.

Or perhaps you need to get serious about improving your skills in a specific area because the lack of has become a threat to the success of your business.

Trying to create success with blinders on is right up there with adopting hope as a strategy. It just doesn’t work.

Based on your SWOT, what are your next steps? Write them down. Schedule time in your calendar.

Keep an open mind. Even the most traditional corporate business tools can be leveraged by creative and conscious entrepreneurs.

Give the SWOT analysis a try. I guarantee that it will provide new and powerful insights that will support your planning and goals for the coming year.

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Filed Under Desk of Gina Bell, FREE Articles, Marketing Wisdom Tagged With Gina Bell, Internet Marketing Tools, Online Entrepreneurs, Online Success, Online Success Planning, Strategic Planning, SWOT, SWOT Analysis, women in business online

You Don’t Need a “Blueprint” to be a Successful Woman in Business Online…

December 29, 2009 By Gina Bell 8 Comments

What You Need is a Personal Tour Guide.

Modern BusinesswomanSeriously, spend a few minutes on google and you will find hundreds (probably thousands!) of “online success blueprints”… from how to create a website, to publishing an ezine; to creating your opt-in freebie, using autoresponders, publishing info products, writing articles, hosting teleseminars, being a guest on radio shows, writing sales copy and more…

They come in all shapes and sizes too… ebooks, toolkits, software, audio products, membership programs, etc.  I sell them myself and they’re great but, they’re not the only thing you need to be successful.

If blueprints were enough we’d all be making millions online.

A blueprint simply points you in one specific direction where personal coaching is like having your own personal tour guide to show you the way, highlighting important things along the way as they relate to YOU.

Think of it this way… A blueprint can teach you how to publish an online newsletter but it can’t tell you if you’ve actually created a good newsletter. It doesn’t know if you’ve put together a kick butt newsletter or the worst one ever and it can’t provide feedback on how to IMPROVE it.

Don’t get me wrong, a blueprint is a great starting place but, personal coaching provides specific and precise feedback that builds a bridge between where you are now and the goals you have for your business.

And this is where I can help you…

{Click here now to read the rest of the post}

Filed Under Desk of Gina Bell, Marketing Wisdom Tagged With eBusiness, Gina Bell, IAWBO, Internet-Based Women Entrepreneurs, Online Entrepreneurs, Online Success, Start a Business Online, Start an Online Business, women in business online

Originality in Business… the Kiss of Death? What do YOU think?

December 21, 2009 By Gina Bell 7 Comments

I’m so glad you’re here! I’d love to know you better so please post your comments on the blog and subscribe to my RSS Feed so we can stay in touch. ~ Gina xo

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not sure.
I was listening to a teleseminar hosted by a favorite mentor of mine who declared that “originality” in business is like a kiss of death.

And you know what, he’s right.

But, (yes, there’s a but) his “rightness” is based on HIS definition of what being original in business means.

Are you sensing that I don’t resonate with his definition?

To me being original in business doesn’t mean re-inventing the wheel which is very much the context he was using. Often (almost always really) innovation is totally unnecessary and on THIS point, my mentor and I definitely agree.

My definition of being original in entrepreneurship means that I’m confident in being able to put my authentic spin on things… to leverage ideas, strategies and concepts just not in a copy-cat, follow-the-leader or cookie-cutter kind of way. Originality in business to me – does not mean to re-invent the wheel.

A great example… Telesummits and tele-series.

If you’ve been following me for a while you’ll know I love to host them and I love to help my clients leverage the strategy too. Telesummits and series is not a new idea. But, every “virtual event” that I host is original ;) See what I mean?

Being original doesn’t mean you have to re-invent the wheel.

My mentor calls this “creative innovation”. I call it putting an original spin on a proven idea ;)

Grab a thesaurus. Another word for innovation is… originality. Go figure.

See what I mean?!

Words…

Point? Don’t get stuck on the specific words that a mentor uses to deliver their message. Look at the context. Consider YOUR own definitions and determine the underlying message.

If I wasn’t clear about my own definitions, hearing this from someone I respect and trust could have challenged my love of being “original in business”.

Does this mean I no longer respect and trust my mentor? Heck no… he’s brilliant! He rocks! What it means is that I considered the context and use my own definitions as a filter for what is authentic for me.

siness does not mean re-invent the wheel… at least not in my books.

I was listening to a favourite mentor of mine who declared that “originality” in business is like a kiss of death. And he’s right but only based on his own definition of what being original in business means.

To me… being original in business doesn’t mean re-inventing the wheel. Often (almost always really) innovation is totally unnecessary (and on THIS point we definitely agree).

So… if we’re talking about originality as inventing something completely new. He’s absolutely right. It’s unnecessary.

My definition of being original in entrepreneurship means developing the confidence to put my authentic spin on things… to leverage ideas, strategies and concepts just not in a copy-cat, follow-the-leader or cookie-cutter kind of way.

A good example… Telesummits and tele-series. If you’ve been following me for a while you’ll know I love to host them and I love to help my clients leverage the strategy too. Telesummits and series is not a new idea. But, every “virtual event” that I host is original ;) See what I mean?

Being original doesn’t mean you have to re-invent the wheel. Often, almost always really, innovation is unnecessary.

My mentor calls this “creative innovation” I call it putting an original spin on a proven idea ;)

Words… J

Point? Don’t let the specific words that a mentor shares throw you off course. Consider YOUR definitions first. (Grab a thesaurus. Another word for innovation is originality. See what I mean?!)

Filed Under Desk of Gina Bell, Marketing Wisdom

Authenticity Boosts Your Marketing Fun-Factor & More!

December 18, 2009 By Gina Bell 2 Comments

I love this quote by CJ Hayden author of Get Clients Now!

mask1“The more you become honest, direct, and authentic in all of your marketing, the more appealing selling will be to you, the more effortless it will become, and the more success you will ultimately achieve. …most business results from building relationships, and how can you develop a relationship with someone when you never reveal who you really are?”

Action Step:

Think about the elements of your business. Look at the structure, your programs, the words and copy, who your target audience is. Look at it and ask yourself… is this “me”?

One of the biggest traps entrepreneurs fall into is the comparison trap where they’ve compared and copied because they think it’s the right thing to do versus their own way or, they’ve become start-struck by the business and lifestyle of a celebrity guru.

When this happens authenticity gets thrown out the window and we start to create from comparison mode or we try to “model” the success of others which may not be authentic to us.

Again, think about your business, really place it under a microscope and write down 3 ways that you can start to breath honesty, conviction and authenticity back into it now. You’ll be amazed how this magnetizes your marketing and fuels your passion.

And… if you REALLY want to give your marketing a motivating kick-in-the-pants join me for the next Get Clients Now! Marketing Action Group starting January 19th.

Filed Under FREE Articles, Marketing Wisdom, Quotes to ponder Tagged With authenticity, Get Clients Now! Marketing Wisdom, Gina Bell, Online Marketing, Originality, women in business online

Marketing Confidence: Get from Shame to Fame with these
5 Winning Traits of Successful Women in Business Online.

December 17, 2009 By Gina Bell 3 Comments

Sad businesswomanOver the years I’ve met a lot of success-driven multi-passionate women in business online who are frustrated.

They desperately want to master their marketing. They want to take action and do the things they know they need to do to grow their business but they are stuck. And the prime saboteur much of the time is SHAME.

• about the look of their website (or not having one);
• because of their growing to-do list;
• because of incomplete projects (launchitis);
• because they’re scared and procrastinate;
• because they don’t know what to do first or next;
• because they can’t figure it out on their own;
• because they feel like a fraud;
• and so on… shame, shame, shame!

Shame in any of its forms sabotages confidence and forward momentum.

How do you successfully market yourself online if you secretly don’t want people to see your website?

How do you solidify your expertise when info products are incomplete or you have “launchitis” and are scared to go public with it?

How do you share YOUR passion in an authentic way when you’ve been “modeling success” after celebrity gurus sacrificing the life and business YOU really want to have?

How do you get new clients when you feel like a fraud?

And so on…

So the REAL shame is how these limiting beliefs and barriers create a less than desirable reality and results. And until the shame goes away it will continue to be a barrier to success.

The good news is the transition from shame to fame can happen fast!

Here are five common traits successful women in business online share in common. They are essential to winning the shame game and are easily adoptable. If shame is holding you back it’s time to try these on for size!

1. Clarity: What is YOUR definition of success? What do YOU want your life and business to be like? What is the difference you make for your clients? What are your specific goals – short term and long term? If you could wave a magic wand what would you change about your business? Do you have a clearly defined description of your ideal client? Do you know how to find them? What is your revenue goal? How do you plan to achieve this? And so on… I could ask you questions all day to help you gain clarity. When is the last time you thought about these questions? When is the last time you actually wrote this down? Do it now. Get clear in an as many areas as you can.

2. Believability: Belief is the bridge between our dreams and our dreams come true. Do you believe you can be successful? Do you believe in the difference you can make for others? What does your inner voice tell you? Is it keeping you stuck? Recognize that your “inner critic” that voice within you is trying to keep you playing small and safe. Statistics show that more than 80% of our self talk is negative. Begin to realize what is truth and what is self-preservation. Just this one step alone will increase your believability which will allow you to stretch your comfort zone which is where our goals and dreams live.

3. Originality: How do you stand out? How do you do things faster, better, easier than others? Do you allow your personality to shine through your business or are you “buttoned-down” and “reserved”? What is your fresh approach to solving the biggest problems your ideal clients are facing? Are you taking a cookie-cutter approach when you create or are you being innovative and unique? One of the biggest personal revelations I’ve had in my business was the day I woke up and realized that the companies, products and programs I had created didn’t come from originality they came from comparing myself to others. Originality fuels passion. Comparing and copying sabotages authenticity and confidence. Be Original. Be You.

4. Conviction: What do you do that no-one else does? What is your claim to fame? What is your expertise? What is the promise that only you can deliver? Successful women in business online define it and claim it. They declare it and share it with passion and certainty.

5. Tenacity: Successful women in business online are tenacious and driven. They have a level of persistence that borders stubborn. They do whatever it takes and they don’t give up easily. They go the extra mile. They constantly explore how they can do things bigger and better and faster than others. The next time you feel overwhelmed or want to put something off, remember this quality of tenacity and do it anyway!

ACTION STEPS:

Take out a pen and some paper. Note: Self-honesty is essential.

1. Spend time on each trait questioning and brainstorming how you can incorporate them into your business.

2. What specific actions do you need to take to infuse them into your business?

3. Is there a specific area that you need to work on most? What is it? Who can help you with that?

Want to take it up a notch? You can give your marketing and mindset a motivating kick in the pants in my next Get Clients Now! Marketing Action Group for Women in Business Online.

You’ll gain the advantage of a proven marketing system that relies on your authentic input. This is the key to marketing that is easy and even fun!

We will focus together for 6 weeks. I’ll keep you on track and motivated, inspire you and guide you. Together, we’ll tackle your biggest marketing barriers – helping you to get past them once and for all!

Seats fill quickly… register now or learn more at http://www.ginabellinc.com/gcn (One-to-One programs also available.)

Filed Under Desk of Gina Bell, FREE Articles, Marketing Wisdom

Get the FREE eBook What Matters Now? By Seth Godin

December 14, 2009 By Gina Bell 11 Comments

I had the pleasure of waking up to this gem in my inbox.

What Matters Now eBookWhat Matters Now?
By Seth Godin

The ebook features more than seventy big thinkers, each sharing an idea for you to think about as we head into the new year.

From bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert to brilliant tech thinker Kevin Kelly, from publisher Tim O’Reilly to radio host Dave Ramsey, there are some important people riffing about important ideas here.

My own important idea, theme for 2010 and riff today is “Originality”

You saw me get on my soap box earlier this year with the How Does She Do It? Tele-Series. We explored the comparison trap as it relates to business and how our tendency to seek external validation along with a follow the leader approach to model the success of celebrity gurus can be a slippery slope that sabotages confidence and authenticity.

(Think Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty… but, for business.)

A woman in business online who embraces originality rarely falls into the comparison trap. This is because being original requires creativity, innovation, honesty, self-acceptance and caring enough about what you really want (and knowing what you really want) to stake your claim, to stand out, to be remarkable and to take action!

Download the eBook now and enjoy! It’s totally free and if you love it… share it! (Sharing can be as simple as clicking the tweet me button at the top of this post)

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So, what important idea do you want to share going into the New Year? I’d love for you to post them below :)

P.S. You can read Seth’s original blog post here.


Filed Under Desk of Gina Bell, Quotes to ponder Tagged With Comparison Trap, Gina Bell, IAWBO, Originality, Seth Godin, What Matters Now, women in business online