Thursday, May 29, 2008

Don't Volunteer Your Business Away

Last week I had the honor of being a panelist at a seminar titled "Getting Paid What You're Worth". The seminar was sponsored by the Pittsburgh Professional Women organization.

Women, much more than men, appear to have greater difficultly limiting their "freebies", volunteering and other give-aways. By default we are nurturers, givers and the ones to sacrifice when necessary. But, once we put on a business hat we have to redefine ourselves.

Saying no to others is a great start to saying yes to you and your business. Say that out loud. Saying no to others is a great start to saying yes to you and your business.

Here are three tips:
  • Limit your volunteering. (I only volunteer for one effort at a time. If its a year commitment- then I don't volunteer for anything else during that year.)
  • Limit your freebies to those that are likely to REALLY lead to future work and GREAT connections. (Identify what a freebie is and keep them tightly managed.)
  • Make sure you are spending the majority of your time doing what you are good at, loving it and GETTING PAID FOR IT. If not, its time for a critical analysis of your business and your strategies.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Can you have multiple coaches?

A prospective client asked me "Can you have multiple coaches?" What a great question.

I must admit I had to ponder this one for a minute. My answer was "yes" but what was the foundation for that answer?

I began by thinking about myself. I have a racquetball coach. He helps me work on my game and specific court tactics. I have mentors (who are coaches) who help me in various facets of my life and business. So, the more I thought about it, I realized that I and others have "teams" of people who help us succeed in multiple areas of our lives. Whether or not they are called "coach" is somewhat irrelevant. They are coaches in practice. They guide us, mentor us, advise us....

Let's look at it as if it were shopping - you have different stores that you go to for different things. I go to Caesar's in Shadyside for jewelry. I go to TJ Maxx (I'm outing myself here) for almost all clothing. And, I go to DSW for shoes. We know where to go for certain things.

Where do you go for mental stimulation? Where do you go to learn about growing your business? Or, working on yourself (relationships, communication, intelligence)?

Who's on your team?

I highly encourage you to take stock in your team. Add who you need to for further development in all facets of your life. And, thank them for being on your team. You may think its all roses but its likely not. Being a good mentor, coach, advisor can be taxing. Sometimes we have to tell you things you don't want to hear.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Cleaning Up After the Death of a Loved One

Organizing has become a huge industry. In this high-stress hectic world of a 50+ hour workweek, demand for family and personal time, and the need to make the most of our time- people have turned to places like Ikea, the Container Store and others to manage their household goods.

This trend is evident in many American homes and magazines. The one place that it is often absent is the homes of our parents and grandparents. The challenge will come at one of the worst times of our lives.

What will your life be like when your parent/s or grandparent/s pass away? Outside of the emotional distress of the situation you are likely to face a home or multiple homes full of things. Things that may make their way to your home for temporary storage - until YOU manage to sort and distribute them. This will be another area ripe for stress between you and your siblings, spouse and/or children. The process could take months- perhaps even years.

What can you do?
One, encourage everyone you know to have a will. In my will I note where I want "things" to go- even clothing. I share my legal documents and wishes with all of the people involved with such- before they really need to act on that information. I allow them to ask questions. I make it an issue more of preparation and easing their burden than a grim talk of the inevitable.

Two, have a plan in place if YOU find yourself in this situation. Know the local resources that will liquidate "things" in an estate sale and the charity shops and organizations that will pick things up at your door.

Three, identify the treasures in someones life that you would cherish- that necklace that Aunt Grace wore all of the time, that wrap that Mother always had available, Father's favorite book.... Everything else should become a treasure in someone else's family/home. Get rid of the things that won't be cherished by your forever. Don't allow 2-3 households of stuff to live under your roof. Give a gift to each child/relative but find peace with getting rid of the rest. If you sell the items, give the money to the deceased favorite charity.

This is an inevitable yet tough situation to think about- but you'll do yourself so much good if you do. Families benefit from planning. Do your part today.