Build Your Own Small Business

Reminder:

Have you hit an accidental goal?

I did—just this week!

After 3 years of learning how to be a better presenter through Toastmasters, I have found myself an incoming 2021-22 President of our local Toastmasters club. Woo-hoo!

One example of being credible in our community is leadership. The one thing I've learned over the years is that leadership is consistent. Consistent in truth, fairness, and inspiration.

Some people are born leaders, while others have to learn the skill. Joining Toastmasters was the smart step to take. Because I didn't have many role models growing up and I wasn't exposed to the skill-building influence of being a leader, this is a worthwhile alternative.

I regret not doing it sooner.

I knew I had to get over my white-knuckle fear of oration along the public speaking path. It's not enough to 'know your material' as many professionals quip. As an introvert, I needed to learn how to structure persuasive presentations. That was half the battle. Becoming eloquent and fluid was the second half.

Participating in several roles throughout the months of being a Toastmasters club member allowed me to improve my leadership skills.

To grow and stretch as a person, one needs impartial feedback. Once I embraced Toastmasters, I realized I could evolve quickly with both oration and leadership.

After a few years of consistently showing up and participating, my Toastmasters club has elected me to become their new president for 2021-22.

And I'm over-the-moon to serve.

If you're not feeling valued or acknowledged in your entrepreneurial path, consider joining your local Toastmasters club.

You might just find yourself achieving an accidental goal.

Are you Clocking Out on a regular basis?

"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." Abe Lincoln

Sharpening the axe includes rest and rejuvenation.

Now is a good time to take stock of how much axe-sharpening you're blending into your business. This balances the effort and energy you're putting into your business.

Without balance, too much effort grinds on the soul. And depletes energy.

As an introvert, I strive to manage my energy as effectively as possible.

One of the first things I recommend to my clients is to pull the calendar down from the wall and mark time off.

You've got to have downtime. Your business won't sharpen itself.

Even if you're not leaving the city.

Yes, you read that right.

Remember to take your birthday and week off.

Publish this calendar to set customer expectations.

Set up reminders to prompt your clients.

Meanwhile, you just might find me clocking out on my bike along the PNW coastline.

Where do you enjoy clocking out?

If you use the platform Hootsuite to schedule your tweets, be aware that their pricing is going up. DRASTICALLY.

Today I pay $6.60/mo. It will be going up in a few weeks to $75/mo.

Celebrating National Introverts Week!

Introverts are the best. I know because I am one! Ha!

All joking aside.

Specifically, I’m a social introvert. I can manage about 2 hours public face time and then I turn into a pumpkin. 🤪🎃

I enjoy my alone time. I prefer it to be as private as possible because I like to be alone with my thoughts, ideas, and strategies. Fortunately, my husband is an introvert, too.

What’s funny is that the founder of BNI -the Business Networking Group is an introvert. That makes total sense. When we’re alone with our thoughts, toiling in our workspace, we forget to check in with others. Days and weeks can go by with nary a word.

But we still need to network.

And that doesn’t work well with social media, does it?

Ha again! That’s why this post is late.

I’ve been so busy in my workspace filming videos and preparing for my upcoming 5-day challenge, that I kinda forgot to check in with the rest of the world last week. Er, last few weeks.

How about you? Where do you fall on the spectrum?

We’re in good company. Introverted leaders include Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr., Barack Obama, Eleanor Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln — and more — as well as many of our greatest U.S. presidents.

Introverts are known to be problem solvers and idea generators.

✅Check!

Introverts are also known for making better team players (than extroverts) because we are dedicated to the project until the end.

✅Check!

We bring incredible depth and intimacy to our relationships. We feel the pain of our friends and help them celebrate their wins.

✅Check!

Introverts are low-maintenance in that we can entertain ourselves.

✅Check!

We’re also the calm in the center of the storm. While people are freaking out around us, we dig down and make plans to help and aid others. Introverts are methodical in their way of dealing with chaos so that others feel at ease. I happen to love creating systems out of chaos.

✅Check!

Introverts create worlds in their heads and help to craft the world we all live in. Although I can’t speak for the 1% - I just wish the 1% would help fund the perfect world we have devised. Wouldn’t you agree?

Need to know more introverts? How about Shonda Rhimes, David Letterman, Harrison Ford, Elton John, Emma Watson, Meryl Streep, Bill Gates, and Tom Hanks?

You can find us eating lunch alone with our book or the first one to sneak out the door foregoing the long goodbyes.

✅Check!

And if you want to hang with us, the best thing you can do is set up a play-date. We love making so creating something together is the best time of friend time we can imagine.

✅Check!

Just make sure you text first-because we won’t answer the phone.

✅Check!
✅Check!
✅Check!

What’s your favorite way to spend your energy?

PS. If you want to conduct business on your terms -without the drama of feeling like you’re wasting time- join me next week for the FREE 5-day online challenge to create an irresistible lead magnet to attract and accelerate your ideal audience. Link in Bio 💥

I am deeply saddened by the hate crimes targeting the Asian American and Pacific Islander community occurring with growing frequency across our country.

I will never tolerate hatred, xenophobia, racism, discrimination, or violence of any kind towards anyone.

I join others in condemning acts of violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

I'm committed to protecting the AAPI audience without hesitation, including standing with them in the wake of racial violence and harassment.

Racism is a virus.

Racism has no place in our communities or business. I will continue to advocate for safety and inclusion for all people in all spaces, including the online business space.

Please join me by participating in, giving to, or advocating for any of the following organizations that support the AAPI community: