My 2012 Roadmap for a Better ‘Me’ . . . .

1. Take a 10 – 30 min. walk (or stationary bike ride) at a minimum of 5-days a week (& in chunks if I have too). And while I walk, I will smile . . . this is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10-min. each day. Talk to God about what is going on in my life and I’ll buy a lock if I have to.

3. When I wake up in the morning I will complete the following statement, “My purpose is to ____________ today and I am thankful for _______________.”

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees & plants and eat less processed food.

5. Drink LOTS of water!

6. Make a minimum of 3-people smile each day.

7. Not waste precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things I cannot control. Instead, I will invest my time, effort & energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out credit card.

9. Life isn’t always fair but it’s still good!

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone!

11. Not take myself so seriously . . . no one else does.

12. I am not so important that I have to win every argument . . . I will agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with the past so it won’t spoil the present.

14. I will not compare my life to others because I have no idea what their journey is truly about.

15. No one is in charge of my happiness but me.

16. I will frame every so-called disaster with these words; “In five years, will this matter?”

17. I forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of me is none of my business.

19. GOD heals everything . . . but I have to ask Him.

20. However good or bad a situation is . . . it will change!

21. My job won’t take care of me when I am sick . . . friends will . . . stay in touch!!!

22. Envy is a waste of time . . . I already have ALL I need!

23. Each night before I go to bed I will complete the following statements: I am thankful for _________________. Today I accomplished __________________.

24. I will remember that I am too blessed to be stressed!

25. When I am feeling down, I will start listing my many Blessings and I will be smiling before I know it!

Your Partner and Coach for YOUR Success!

4 Strategies You Can Use to Build Momentum for Home Business Right Away

Be honest with yourself. Are you one of those people that believe that you just don’t have the time to get your home business up and running? You’re not alone. Many people I talk to claim they have too much to do and not enough time to do it. They wind up defeating themselves and their business looses momentum and suffers.

Full time jobs, family obligations, maintaining health and too many other distractions are the main reasons for not building momentum for their business. You can wind up feeling that your life is spent catering to every one else’s obligations.

However, I have some good news! You can find and maximize time to build momentum for your home business. All you need is to find time and commit to use that time for your home business only. Try the following strategies to make your home based business flourish.

Document Your Daily Routine

The first thing you will need to do find a quiet place and write down your schedule. Document the start and end time on events like getting ready for work, driving your kids to school, your commute to your day job, gym time and any other weekly commitments you have. Don’t forget to include weekends and family time (this is most important). 

After completing this exercise you should have a good visual of what your work week looks like. You should see openings in your week. Make your goal easy: try to find two hours you can commit to spend on your business. You should be able to re-prioritize some time. 

Stay with the Schedule You Created and Re-Evaluate

The next thing you need to do is stick with your schedule. This can be tough because you are creating a new habit.  Once you get the hang of your new routine, you should always re-evaluate your schedule. You may be able to find more time to spend on your home business.

Sticking with your schedule means you need to discipline yourself to work. This means that you have to find a way after work, after little league games, after dinner and after putting the kids to bed. 

Don’t Forget Your Family.

Spending time with my family is always a top priority for me. I have young children so I try to focus on the business when my kids are in bed. I find that using the evening hours is best for me to spend on my home business. It seems to be the most quite part of the day. 

If you have to use your family time to spend on your business, make sure you communicate with your family so they have an expectation of what you are doing. However, I would recommend that you set a time limit so you can spend that time you want with your family. This will provide balance for you.

Embrace Distractions

As we all know life also throws us off schedule. Try your best to embrace that fact instead of fighting it. If your child stays up late, focus on helping your child quiet down and go to sleep. Try not to focus on what you could be doing. Don’t worry. The work will still be there when you are ready.

If you have to stay late at your day job, then choose to work late. Usually, you’ll find that it is better just to focus on one thing at a time. You’ll be more efficient and effective. Having a clear and guilt free mind while working on your business is most productive.

To handle new ideas that can distract you while you are working, keep an MP3 Recorder handy so if an idea comes up you can record it or write down the idea in a notebook. You can always prioritize those thoughts at a later time. You will also find that you are using less energy dealing with distractions instead of fighting them.

So there is good news when it comes to finding time to work on your own business. Don’t despair and don’t get frustrated. Just remember that you have total control of your time and you alone can change your habits to build your businesses momentum.

Your Partner & Coach for YOUR Success!

You’ve read the ads or seen the infomercials. “Build a six or seven figure income while lounging in your pajamas in your work at home business.” For many people who hear this, their scam detector goes up and they become defensive.  Why? Because they have heard countless horror stories of people who have lost their shirt trying to create a business from home.

However, the truth is there are thousands of home-based entrepreneurs around the country who have cracked the code, created their place in the world and taking it to the bank.  So how did they do it? Why do some people struggle and never ever break even while others create outrageously successful home-based careers?

There are certain habits which I believe are consistent with all of these enterprises. Here are seven habits or traits when implemented work to insure an outrageously profitable venture:

1. Find a hungry target market and look for a product or service to meet their needs!I am surprised how many frustrated entrepreneurs miss this. What often happens is someone gets excited, hit by an entrepreneurial seizure and tries to start a business with a product or service and feels it will sell simply because of their emotional attachment. Keep your mind open when looking at home-based business income opportunities.
   
   However, make sure someone wants to buy whatever you have to sell before you jump in.Don’t get me wrong you want to have a passion for what you do. However, if you love 8 track tapes it might be a problem.  And depending on your age you might be thinking, “What’s an 8 track tape?” Get my point? However, if you find a group of people who are hungry for what you have is like shooting fish in a bucket. When you find a group that has a problem they want solved they will pay you to do it.
   
2. Understand nothing happens until a sale is made!  I am amazed at how many budding entrepreneurs say they hate sales. This is unfortunate because everything else in a business is an expense. If you don’t have sales coming in the door eventually the doors will close.
   
   Sales and marketing if done correctly is the engine to a company’s success. The key is to add value to the customer at every opportunity. One of the vital things to remember is the first time you obtain a client is the most expensive.  But the real wealth is built when you have the opportunity to sell to a customer over and over again. Some companies even take a loss to get the customer in the pipeline because they realize the real money is on the back end and the true profit is in the lifetime value of the customer.
   
3. Develop a strong team!One of the traits that will accelerate the success of any business is the leverage generated by the help of others.
   
   Robert Kiyosaki Author of Rich Dad Poor Dad says, “Business and investing are team sports.” The average investor or small-business person loses financially because they do not have a team.  Instead of a team they act as individuals who are trampled by very smart teams.”
   While you are building a home-based business you don’t want to do it alone. There are only 24-hours a day and you can’t do everything. You want to look for opportunities to outsource all non-revenue generating activities.  Successful proprietors don’t waste a lot of time on filing and organizing.
   
4. Focus on the business not just working in the business!  What separates you from being able to create a company that provides you with great income and lifestyle versus one that you are chained to the doors is a matter of focus. Successful entrepreneurs focus on the big picture.
   
   I’m saddened when people say, “No one can do what I do.”This might be true; however, it presents a great challenge. You are now a slave to your business. The business no longer serves you. The goal must be to take “you” out of as much of your business as possible.
   
   Look for ways to remove you, automate and systemize the process! One of the ways to do this is to use the leverage of technology. You might want to use a website that allows people to order your product or service 24/7. Or you might write a book which can be sold while you are sleeping. Get the picture?
   
5. A highly successful home-based business has a central theme or mission!  Many home-based businesses never reach success because they are trying to do too many things at the same time. You might be saying, “But I want to create multiple streams of income.”
   The problem with multiple streams of income can be a nightmare if approached incorrectly. New entrepreneurs often make the mistake of trying to create several profit centers from non-aligned businesses. For example, you will find people who try to start real estate, network marketing and internet marketing all at the same time.
   
   The reason you will almost never have success with this strategy is you can not build momentum. Each business has a totally different business model and you can’t leverage the energy of one to another.
   However, the successful home based entrepreneur understands the law of momentum. For example, if you were an author one of your products would be the book. 
   
   However, you could spin that product into an empire by leveraging it into an e-book, tape set, work-book, seminar, boot camp and coaching program.
   
   Do you see the power of having one central product or theme and how you can leap frog to success? You want to be focused and committed to a central theme. Once you have success you can add another stream of income. This trait is one of hidden keys to success.
   
6. Resilient and quick to adapt to change! This is one of the distinct advantage solo-entrepreneurs have over large companies. Often time’s large corporations invest thousands of dollars in a project and even when they know it’s not working they are slow to change. In Corporate America this may not kill a business because one mistake is just a cog in the wheel.
   
   However, in small business your ability to change on a dime allows you test things and when things work you do it with massive all out action. And when something is not what working you simply let it go, test something else and move forward.
   
7. Commit to continual education! Now, I am not talking about another degree or certificate. There are plenty of people with plaques on their walls that aren’t able to create the income and lifestyle they want. However, I love the quote by one of the leading experts in self-development. Jim Rohn says, “Formal education will make you a living; self education will make you a fortune.”
   
   Personal development and specialized knowledge often is the difference between a fledgling operation and one that has an outrageously bottom line. Why? Because successful people know that the best investment they can make is in self.
   
   Make sure that you are always staying ahead of the curve and immerse yourself in your area of expertise. You can do this by attending seminars, tele-classes, boot camps or participating in coaching programs.

So, how bad do you want to build wealth from home? Cut your learning curve by modeling one or all of these traits from successful home based businesses. You will find when you model those who have had success you will too if you embody the same traits. Start today and you will be on your way to outrageous success!

Your Partner & Coach for Your Success!
Paula B. Bausworth
St. Louis
www.PaulaB.com

Dare to Be Different . . . Do You Want to Play?

Those of you that know me personally (and even those of you that simply follow me regularly) know that I am very structured and disciplined when I set my mind to it. Key words . . . when I set my mind to it!

When I’m on a mission, I like to work in chunks of time . . . typically, 30 / 60 / 90 days at a time. When I'm in this mode, my family, friends and even most business colleagues know to stay clear and let me do what I have to do to achieve my goal(s).

Recently, I reflected on a conversation that I had with a good friend and mentor who said, Watch what others are doing and YOU do the opposite!  What the heck does that mean . . . most people are gearing up for their New Year's Resolutions (challenges) to begin AFTER the first of the year. So, I have opted to be different and do the opposite. I have set End Year Resolutions (challenges) focusing on mental, physical and financial goals.

I have elected to go public and journal my 90-day challenge (the good, the bad AND the indifferent). I will be creating a tab on my www.PaulaB.com site for each of my categories (Mental / Physical / Financial) and commit to document status updates there at a minimum of once a week.

If enough interest is generated, I am willing to create a FB Closed Group Page where we can all collectively share our journey! It’s been proven that there is power in numbers and I would LOVE to have you join me. My personal challenge is from 10/17/2011 through 01/14/2012.

I am not going to wait until 2012 to take action and see results! Who dares to be different and play . . . who wants to get a jump-start on their mental well-being through positive reinforcement, physical improvement through good nutrition & exercise (probably the toughest for me) and gained financial stability through beefing up your marketing efforts (I’ll be letting the cat out-of-the-bag on some of my tools)!

Warning! Warning! . . .

I am going to go out on a limb here and date myself! Anybody remember this guy from the old TV series Lost in Space? If so, this is the world I have recently lived in.

Many of you know that I have experienced many technology challenges over recent weeks (actually since March). Though VERY time consuming, frustrating and challenging to say the least, I always chalk events such as these up to a learning experience AND learning experiences I have had.

I've had 3 MAJOR virus attacks (and I like to think I practice safe computing), my iPhone crashed, burned & died (fortunately had insurance … another topic for another blog), and within the last couple of weeks COMPLETELY lost and had to rebuild my hard drive. So when I say, I've been there done that . . . I truly have!

My goal is to always give back and spare others any frustrations that I may have encountered. Before I proceed, I'd like to ask you a couple of questions . . .

• Have you ever run into a problem with a product or service and wanted to contact the company via the good ole fashion phone rather than email or live chat?
• Did you have difficulty finding their contact phone number on their Contact Us page?
• If you couldn't find their phone number what did you do?

My guess is . . . You GOOGLED it!!!!  If that is indeed the case, then you SERIOUSLY need to keep reading . . .

Because of the rebuild & restore of my laptop, I am proceeding very cautiously and yes, I am more than a little gun shy.

Yesterday, my anti-virus software was acting very strangely. I was getting pop-ups telling me my anti-virus had been deactivated. The first few times, I elected to ignore the warning because there was no way I could be having problems again. After all, everything was clean, fresh, new and basically out-of-the-box so there was no way that I could be attacked again! Oh no not again! Please tell me it ain't so!!!!

Well, I was attacked again but a little bit different type of attack called FRAUD and I hope EVERYONE learns from my experience. I did a Google search for a phone number for the company of my Anti-Virus. The company name was identified in the description, incorporated in the Domain name AND it was first on the Google page . . . Valuable lesson learned.

The conversation from the beginning never felt right (I think that is called 'gut feeling). After giving them access remotely to my computer, I was told that my computer had been hacked, all my passwords and private data had been stolen and the fact that my computer had just been rebuilt didn't matter.

Well, they certainly had my attention and many emotions were running rapid (they played on these emotions). They stated that once I provided them with my credit card information to authorize $XXX.XX, I would become a lifetime member with MANY perks. After an hour into the conversation, they pretty much had me sucked in. After all, I can't operate my business without the tools of my trade! So, I pulled out my company card, entered my card information (remember they have remote access to my computer at this time) BUT I did all the eyeball checks to ensure it was a secured site and all appearances indicated I was safe.

After entering my credit card information twice and it being rejected twice (knowing funds were there) my gut feeling was becoming more of a reality. My credit card was rejected because it was an international transaction. They suggested that I call my credit card company to release authorization and the pressure was on. I took this opportunity to act on my gut feeling and started to end the conversation, close out the remote session and start my investigative work.

In an attempt to just create an awareness and to make an even longer story short . . . please, please, please be cautious when using the internet for contact information. It was not until the middle of the night (my best time of the day to think when I realized what "I" had done. Sure enough I back tracked to the number I had called so no one to blame but me!

At the end of the day, I have notified all the proper authorities, my computer seems to be in full operation and I am starting to once again regain my sanity. By the way, the problem with the anti-virus software was a simple activation requirement due to the reinstall. Had I not panicked initially which these crooks are banking on (no pun intended) none of this would have even existed!

Another valuable lesson learned . . . Breath in breath out!

Empowering You to Become Your Best Self!

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Do You Practice Safe Computing . . .

Whether you answered YES or answered NO to Practicing Safe Computing then you need to read on . . . Being in the field of technology, I know & understand the importance of ‘buttoning down the hatches’ when it comes to safe computing. Do I always practice what I preach? Evidently not . . . unfortunately, I have been attacked and crippled 3-times in less than 4-weeks and it’s time to take action and precaution.

Nothing can keep your computer, your data OR your smartphone 100% safe unless you never use it but following these suggestions will certainly help decrease your risk.

Run Anti-Virus Software

Make certain you have up-to-date, industry standard anti-virus software running on any computer you use. Check for anti-virus updates regularly AND schedule scans to run frequently.

Keep Your Computer Up-to-Date

Those pesky little popups for installation updates do popup for a reason. Don't be caught in last month's versions—someone's exploiting them!  Set your computer to automatically check for updates for your operating system, your anti-virus software, your web browser, and any plug-ins or other applications (such as MS Office, Adobe Reader, Flash, and Java). 

Once a week is not too often . . . more frequent is better than less frequent!

"Oh no . . . I have a virus!"
If you have an anti-virus program installed (and I don’t want to know about it if you don’t), immediately run a deep full scan of all files and folders.  (Note: This could take some time!)  Hopefully, it will find and quarantine any problems you might have BUT don’t rely on it!

If you don't have an anti-virus program, immediately download one BUT be warned!  Some viruses will prevent you from going to common anti-virus websites. If that is happening to you, or if your anti-virus program can't get rid of it, you may need to contact your computer's manufacturer (if it's under warranty) or get an outside consultant to help you.

If this is the case, then I hope you have your manufacturer’s restore CD close by. If not, either create one OR contact your manufacturer and have them ship you one asap. Unfortunately, most manufactures do not include upon purchase BUT instead upon request.

Backup, Backup, AND Backup Some More

These days, more and more people are using computers to run their business, to store memories, important documents, and various other pieces of information that may need to be kept for long periods of time. Backing up a computer is essential for keeping long term (or even short term) documents around.

Decide on the proper backup media for your needs. CD-R, DVD+-R, tape, hard drives (internal and external), online, and flash drives are all great choices, but the right tool for the job is always best. Do some research on the advantages of each, and choose the one which will best suit your needs.

IMPORTANT … if using an external source make certain you run your anti-virus on that device. Usually, it’s as simple as right-clicking on your device on your laptop or PC.

Take Care Where You Stick Your Drives

A relatively recent development in malicious software is the USB virus, which is spread by copying itself from an infected computer onto a USB flash drive plugged into it, and then is automatically run on the next computer the drive is plugged into.  Again (can't say this to much), make certain any computer you use a portable drive with is running up-to-date anti-virus software.

Sync Your Smartphone (iPhone, Blackberry, etc.)

Syncing your Smartphone to your laptop/PC is an added level of security. For example, if you were not diligent in backing up your Outlook (.pst) but you synced with your smartphone, if data was lost in one or the other device (just happened to me) then you have a simple recovery plan.

You know there is something to be said about having to do a complete system restore. Not easy, not fun BUT the end result is clean, faster running system and back-to-the-day you took your toy fresh out-of-the-box.

Empowering You to Become Your Best Self!

I am a Planner/Organizer Junkie!?!?!?

Did You Know . . . Some women collect shoes & purses and I collect time management systems & tools. How sick is that!  I am always trying to find that ‘perfect fit’ but bottom line it boils down to me and my discipline to manage my time and how/where/who do I want to spend/invest what should be my most valued asset called time.

This year, I have made great strides for one simple reason; I went back-to-the-basics! When I was shackled and handcuffed in Corporate America it was mandatory to develop a business plan. That business plan was then handed-up (and up & up) for painting a picture of the direction of the company for the following year.

When I first started my business (1991), I used to spend every December planning for the next year and for the most part, I would follow my plan to a ‘T” but somewhere along the line as I became more lax and confident in my business. I got derailed and I stopped planning for my future.

The last couple of years have been volatile to say the least, so last year I hired a Business Coach and the first thing he asked of me was “may I see your business plan.” I gulped and wide-eyed, I stated: “I don’t have one!” Valuable lesson learned!

At that time, my Business Coach told me that it was imperative for my growth to have a completed plan for the new year by December. Well, those of you that know me know I like to push the envelope whenever I can. I did and I managed to scoot by until the 2nd deadline date of January 15, which I am proud to say I complied. What a great feeling of empowerment that day was.

That submission was a life changing moment for me! That new-found business plan has propelled me personally, professionally, physically, and spiritually!

So what do a business plan and a daily planner have to do with each other . . . EVERYTHING! That’s why it’s important you find a planner that fits YOU. Just like a pair of shoes, if the planner is uncomfortable you won’t use it. A daily planner is called ‘a daily planner’ because you should refer to it at a minimum of twice a day; first thing in the morning before you start your day so you can effectively plan your work and work your plan; and again, at the end of the day to see your accomplishments and/or distractions.

You don’t have to rely on a physical or automated planner/organizer (but in my case it’s mandatory)! Pencil & paper will work just fine. Just do whatever it takes to get on track AND stay on track.

Find a system that defines you and your style. Your day-to-day living is not cookie cutter. It is ever evolving. With your personal perfect system you will:

• Get & stay focused
• Have all your notes & lists in one place
• Set appointments & be on time & appropriately prepared
• Improve your ability to delegate to others
• Learn to keep first things first & gain victory over urgencies
• See your week & priorities at a glance & knowing you are in control

As you begin to visualize your life and put your priorities into their proper order, your life’s journey will become more exciting, meaningful, fruitful and just plain more fun.

The key to your success is self discipline and action but first you must have a commitment. If you apply these principles to your life and manage your time appropriately you will become the person God designed you to be.

Are you an organizer/planner junkie? If so, please share with me your system of choice and I will do the same.