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Browse published articles attributed to Pat Mussieux, with full-archive search.
As many of you know by now, I am a strong believe in the power of words. “Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” – Frank Outlaw
I facilitated a workshop last week and I can conclude that this was the theme of the day – being financially and emotionally stuck, as an entrepreneur!” It never fails that when you get a group of solopreneurs into one room, everyone has the same thing on their mind – how do I find new clients and make more money? I have the simple answer to that – get out of your own way! Whether it is because of your poor work habits, your conditioning and beliefs about what is possible or the fact that you are hanging around the wrong people – nothing changes until something changes.
Do you remember a time when life included elements of play? For many of us, that is a very faint memory – you’re going to have to travel back to a time when you were younger to look for clues about how to resume this life-saving past-time. My brother often asks his little 4-year old, at the end of the day, “so, what did you do today?” And her charming reply is always the same – ‘PLAY ALL DAY!” While her answer is certainly charming, there is also some meat to that statement. Sometimes, grown-ups need to be reminded not only how to play, but also of the sacredness of play.
Have you ever said to yourself, "Someday, I'm going to..."? Three years ago, I moved to London, Ontario from Edmonton, Alberta. If you check the map, you will see that I am now living in the southern part of the country, compared to Edmonton. It is so gorgeous here, that it feels a bit like Paradise to me. There are so many fabulous lakes and beaches, compelling fruit/vegetable markets, incredible bike trails, etc. etc.
There is no passion to be found... in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. ~ Nelson Mandela I was just on a phone call with a very close friend and we were discussing the content of my articles over the past few months. The title of this article is actually one of the statements she made in the course of our conversation.
My friend Kate and I were discussing milestones in life and, in particular, some of the questions we ask ourselves when we hit a certain age. Do you remember the movie, "The Wizard of Oz"? Remember the tin man, the lion and the scarecrow and their journey down the yellow brick road, with Dorothy?
This is an interesting time of year – a time of Thanksgiving and celebration and early preparations for Christmas, too. For many entrepreneurs, this can be a time of frustration and panic if, in fact, you have not reached your goals for the year. What to do? In my conversations with many solopreneurs, in particular, I have learned that time management skills are an area for improvement. Time management and self-discipline are essential when growing and developing your business. Lack of focus can be the culprit too if/when you have not reached your goals.
Who are you? What do you do? These are common questions as we go about our daily lives. These are very difficult questions for many people who are currently unemployed, newly retired, 'stay at home' Moms, and so on. In today's society, we place so much value on what we do - our label, if you will. As women, we typically grow up as 'people pleasers'. We lose sight of who we are, really; if, in fact, we ever figured it out! As women, also, we tend to compare the inside of us to the outside of everyone else. That needs to stop.
"DO you want to live an authentic life?" What would it take? What changes do you need to make? It all begins with the way we think. "If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting." You've got to change something for something to change. If you sincerely feel that it's time to remove the mask(s), then you must ask yourself some serious questions: 1. What mask have I been wearing when at work? 2. What mask have I been wearing when with different family members? 3. What mask have I been wearing when with friends? 4.
I had a meeting with a client last week and the discussion centered around how busy we all are. We had a lengthy chat about some strategies for taking control of each day. Here's a note I got from her over the weekend: "Just thinking of you! Detoxing my office!!!! Big Time. Amazing how in front of my desk (where you access the closet & filing cabinet) was completely blocked with STUFF for over 6 months now. Almost like my road ahead was blocked! Now all my filing is done and I will start to implement my work week.
As I was 'out and about' these past few weeks, visiting different networking groups in the local area, the first question that is typically asked is "Who are you and what do you do?" Now, that question can evoke a ton of emotion within us.
I am so very proud to call myself a Canadian this week as we host the Olympic Games in Vancouver. I was spell-bound as I watched the Opening Ceremonies and jumped out of my chair with great joy when Alexandre Bilodeau won the first Gold medal for Canada! "If you only care enough for a result, you will almost certainly attain it." – William James We know that the Canadian athletes are feeling tremendous pressure to perform. They have already put in the time and effort, and have goal-set to 'get to' the Olympics – now it's all about the mindset to 'win at' the Olympic games.
This winter has seen a tremendous amount of snow fall in our area. I, personally, love it. That is why I choose to live in this part of Canada. I am in the snow belt. The interesting piece in this ‘equation’ is that I have my ‘outside/winter friends’ and my ‘outside/summer friends’ – the same holds true in business – I spend time with different people for different reasons. In business, when you examine your marketing pie, you are probably spending time with different people for different reasons. (You do have a marketing pie, don’t you?)
I watch so many women entrepreneurs pinching pennies, day in and day out – month in and month out – as they struggle to grow their business. I also see them spending money on things and events that do not contribute to the growth of their business. Typically, it is because they don’t have a strategy (let alone a real business plan).
Are you feeling lost these days? Were you ever a Brownie or Girl Guide? I recall that one of the badges I got was for camping – and learning your way around the woods. We learned to use a compass. Steven Covey often speaks about the difference between the clock and the compass. Have you identified the priorities in your life and do you have a life plan……….? Just as important is having a plan for your business – a strategy, if you will. Are you lost or do you have a plan?
Here in Canada, we just celebrated our Thanksgiving holiday. Thanksgiving is a special time for me, personally. It's a time of reflection and, often, for me, a time of change. I love the change of seasons, the magical colors of the trees, the crisp Mac apples (my favorite!), walking through the leaves - and just taking the time to think about my life. What about you? When did you last take any time to think about your life? Your work? Your business? Your family? Your dreams? I will tell you when this will actually happen, for most people.
How many times, lately, have you told yourself, "I’m just having TOO much fun!"??? I don’t hear this often enough from women – in fact, many of us don’t even make the time for fun in our lives. We are much too serious! Our schedules are full. Business has taken over our lives.
My Gratitude journal, for the past week, is overflowing. I am so blessed, and grateful, to be doing the work that I truly love. As an entrepreneur, however, there are those moments and those times when I sit back and wonder......am I really making a difference?
There’s an expression that I’ve heard over and over again – “If you didn’t know how old you were, then how old do you think you’d be?” More and more baby boomers are leaving the corporate world and starting their own businesses – only to come up against the mindset that perhaps they are too old to start up a business. This mindset not only exists in the ‘outside world’ but is even stronger inside our own heads!
This week, we celebrated International Woman's Day – not something I take lightly. I honor, respect and celebrate the women who have 'walked before me' – without whom I would not be living this life of freedom and opportunity. This past weekend, I spoke at the Amazing Woman's Day event in Toronto – the Canadian launch of this international initiative. Wow! Words cannot describe the experience.
Do you remember your mother telling you "birds of a feather, flock together!"? She was right! "Research confirms - and quantifies - it. Your chances of becoming happy increase by at least 15 percent if someone in your immediate social circle is happy." - Dr. Mehmet Oz You know that you are responsible for your own happiness. You also know that you must surround yourself with positive, up-lifting, happy people in order to reach your goals and/or to make a difference in life. Yet, the world is filled with people who are going around feeling mean, tired and ugly.
Here we are, at the end of November 2009 already! Time flies! It seems like only yesterday that there was so much 'to do' about the new millennium and here we are, facing 2010 already! I used to set goals for the year but now, as I age (gracefully), I find that I am setting goals for the next decade. One year just isn't good enough for me anymore! I've had some interesting conversations with some of my coaching clients over the past month. In Canada, we celebrated Thanksgiving in October and, after the holiday, my clients were sharing their holiday experiences with me.
I have been on the 'speaking circuit' a fair bit over the past few weeks and have met hundreds of really special people. I am grateful for the invitations to share my information as I know that it really does make a difference in the lives of these people. However, sometimes I hear comments such as: 1. I know 'this stuff'. 2. This is all common sense. 3. That's nothing new. 4. So what? Who Cares? (Those comments, along with all the positive feedback that I get - of course!) Those are the statements that really speak to my heart.
I have been doing a lot of networking and public speaking these past months! It seems that, wherever I go, I am constantly asked about my daily and weekly habits – “What do you do on a regular basis to succeed?” For many years, I just assumed that what I did – everyone did! Well, you know what ‘they say’ about making assumptions. And ‘they’ are right! I want to talk about habits today – and what it takes to succeed. But, first, let’s examine what a habit is. Research shows that there are four major barriers to using all of our potential: Habits, Attitudes, Beliefs and Expectations.r
In the last article, I referenced the 4 major barriers to living a happy life. The first major barrier is Habits (you can get a copy of that issue by visiting my website at www.steps2happiness.com). In this issue, we will examine the second major barrier – attitudes! Now, we all know that everyone else has an attitude. But what is your attitude like these days? We only discover our attitudes about certain things once we set a goal. Attitudes are simply 'the direction in which we lean', once we have set a goal.
Do you remember this little chant from our earlier days? I can remember, so very well, a lot of the teasing that I took as a young child. I had reddish hair, a ton of freckles – I was shorter than most people, everywhere (it seemed). I can also remember how the teasing hurt. How we feel about ourselves - our self-esteem - our sense of self-worth – our self-image - this is all formed at a very young age. I know, from the many workshops that I have facilitated over the past 25 years, that we, as adults, carry these 'tapes' in our head right to this very day.
According to Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company, "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps learning stays young." At a recent event that I spoke at, sitting up front and center, was Florence - a lady who introduced herself to me, telling me that she has been married for 65 years and when she heard about my topic, she really wanted to be there to 'learn a little something that I might take home to share with my husband!' She was an absolute delight. She took notes, participated in all the activities and wanted to have a picture taken too.
Did you ever think it would be a ‘cake-walk’ to have your own business? I ask the question because many people think this way! “I’ll just start my own business, enjoy what I do, make money and…………retire rich and happy”. Well, back up the truck! While, on the surface, it may seem easy and fun to have your own business (and there ARE many times when it IS easy and fun), it is a lot of hard work – it takes certain qualities and characteristics to pull it off in the long run. “The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.” Oprah Winfrey
When I was growing up, we weren’t really taught how to manage money – let alone how to think about money. I knew that my parents were not ‘rich’ by any means, as my father was in the military and my Mom was a stay-at-home mother with 7 children under foot. I did know, and learn from them, that cash was king – and that was pretty much the practice in those days. I had no exposure, however, to the world of business or entrepreneurship. Much like Robert Kiyosaki talks about in “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” – there were certain beliefs about money to which I was exposed at a very young age.
"I really admire those Olympic athletes, but I could never do anything like that!" These are some of the comments I've heard over the past few weeks from people with whom I have been discussing the Olympic games. Typically, you would not find me in front of a TV for hours, let alone watching sports. No way! However, it was with a great sense of pride, and interest, that I did watch a lot of the games on TV.
I heard Fitness Guru, Bob Greene, ask Oprah that question one day (a few years ago). I stopped to think about how I would answer the question. At the time, I didn't have an answer! That made me feel very sad and I vowed, in that moment, that I would make some changes and begin to add, and feel, more joy. Last art, we spoke about the value, and benefits, in writing down your goals. I know, for a fact, that many people resist that habit, for whatever reason. Well, there are other ways of 'writing down your goals'; one of which is to create a Vision Board.
To get things back on track, ask yourself the question: "What's one thing I want to have happen in my life right now that's not happening?" What spoke (on the Balance Wheel) does it apply to? Use that particular spoke, and begin by identifying 3 goals that you can accomplish to help bring some balance back into your life. You see, one of the reasons our lives get so out of balance is that we have too much on our plates; we are feeling overwhelmed. The way to take back control is to take baby steps. Set some small goals and, once accomplished, celebrate!
I was in San Francisco for a week of meetings with my business coach and master mind group. We were all given an assignment - and were told to come prepared to present to the whole group. I had a different task in that I am working on a new strategy/presentation style when it comes to public speaking and sales.
Are you going through life feeling stressed and pressured for time? Are you really happy with the choices you have been making with respect to how you spend your time, where you spend your time and with whom? There really are only 2 "have-to's" in life: You have to die and you have to take up space while you're on this earth. Everything else is a 'want-to, choose-to' option. Everything is a choice; however, you must be prepared to accept the consequences of your choices.
As women entrepreneurs, I know that we give our 'all' to our business! I do that – and I know I'm not alone. When I was going through my separation and divorce (and the many other 'life challenges' that happened at the same time), I was so fortunate to have one of the best doctors ever. Her advice to me, at the time, was very simple: eat properly, exercise – even just a little bit, and get some sleep.
As a coach and speaker, there is one question that I hear all the time – “how do YOU close the sale?” There appears to be some mystery around the actual sales language that ‘brings it all to a close’. For those of you who know me and my style, you know I like to keep things simple. In this article, I will address my 2 secret strategies for closing the sale.
I have a few questions for you to consider. Do you have the potential to be a nicer person? Do you have the potential to have more fun in your life? Do you have the potential to make more money? Do you have the potential to grow your business? Do you have the potential to have more time off this summer to enjoy all that life has to offer? Do you have the potential to get out of the rut you're in? The answer, for each of us, is Yes! If that's the case, then what's holding you back?
How do we make our dreams become reality? What do I do next? In my many conversations on this topic lately, I have been reminded that I 'assume' people know this information. I have been working with these techniques and processes for over 20 years and it has all become second nature to me. I need to be reminded to share the baby steps in helping people to move forward. So, what's next? Now that you have an 'image' in your mind of what you want your life to look like, it's essential to take action.
"There's Support in Numbers!" I'm serious about my living my best life and I am serious about being successful in business. What about you? I am in Florida for a whole week of meetings with my business coach and master mind group.
It all has to match if you want to live a happy life! In my experience as a workshop facilitator, speaker and coach, over the past 25 years, this is the question that gets me the most blank stares from people! Geez, most of us don't even know what we want for supper tonight, let alone what we want for our lives! Are you just reactively going through life, from day to day, hour by hour, taking whatever comes your way? Is that good enough for you? What lessons are you teaching your children? Have you 'settled' because it's easy, safe and not as scary as living the life you really want?
I’m sure you’ve heard the commercial: “What’s in your wallet?” My question to you, today, is what’s on your bookshelf? I love to read and I have many, many books. In fact, my promise to myself this year was to actually read each of the books I do have before buying any new ones. “Reading strengthens our sense of what it means to be human.” – Oprah
Ladies, stop comparing the inside of you to the outside of someone else! Seriously! This was one of the best pieces of advice I ever received from my mentor and coach, Lou Tice, many years ago. Stop it! I am convinced that there would be many more millionaire women business owners if they would all stop and recognize some of the stupid mistakes they are making. And how do I know this? Because I’ve made them all myself!
Did you think it would be ‘easy’ having your own business? I was driving through a small business area of town last week and commenting to my friend that many people just have absolutely NO idea what it takes to have a business and to succeed in business. There are so many misconceptions about what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur. Anyone who knows me knows that I like to keep things simple. So, taking this simple approach, I want to speak to a number of different situations in business that we all face and give you some of the simple steps I take to handle them.
I know that, for many people, the number one fear in life is supposedly public speaking! In my opinion, right 'up there’ on the list, is the fear of failure! I hear this all the time and it drives me crazy. "Don’t be afraid to fail. Don’t waste energy trying to cover up failure. Learn from your failures and go on to the next challenge. IT’S OK TO FAIL! If you’re not failing, you’re not growing." – H. Stanley Judd
Do you have ANY idea how much money is sitting right in front of you – right under your nose?" What I am talking about is communicating and connecting with your current clients. "The big shots are only the little shots who keep shooting". - Christopher Morley There are a few basic, and consistent, things I recommend when working with my new clients who want to build their business. One of the very first things I have them do is to review their current client list. Then, put the clients into 3 different categories:
How many of you just love to read books? I know I do. They open up the world to me and I can get lost in the pages of a book for hours and hours. Business books and autobiographies are my favorite. “People who say they don’t have time to read simply don’t want to.” – Julie Rugg, A Book Addict‘s Treasury I was quite shocked when I read the statistics in this graphic below! I have always loved books and I have always loved to read.
The #1 fear in life is public speaking – even before death! We are more afraid of public speaking than dying – can you believe that? I believe it is all about perspective. We all know how to talk and most of us are passionate about something. For those of us in business, ideally we are living our purpose and really believe that we can make a difference.
Why in the world do so many brilliant, capable, educated women allow fear to hold them back? I totally understand the whole concept of fear – what I don’t understand is why we let it get in the way of living our dream life. I speak to a lot of women solopreneurs over the course of each and every week. And I have learned that there are many areas in which we allow fear to dominate – fear of success, fear of money, fear of travel, fear of public speaking, fear of networking, fear of conflict – the list goes on and on.
We're never too young, or too old, to learn. In this day and age of technology, we have so many choices and access to so much information. The questio I often ask myself is: "Are you really living your life?" "Somehow we learn who we really are and then live with that decision." - Eleanore Roosevelt
It is heart-breaking to me when I see so many entrepreneurs with all the elements for success – yet, they allow some people around them to hold them back. "It's a lot easier to move forward, and succeed, when you don't have someone hanging on to your shirt-tail!" – Lou Tice Think about what your business would be like if, in fact, you were only surrounded by positive, caring, loving, supportive people! It takes a lot of energy and stamina to run your own business – to live a happy, productive life. So why are YOU holding YOU back? Let's examine.