Blog - Page 3 of 8 - Yes I Can With A Plan

Things Are Not As They Appear! Look Again, With Fresh Eyes

Posted on July 24, 2013 by lisalongJuly 24, 2013

Last time I shared a lesson titled “Why Are Some Rich and Some Poor?”. Today’s lesson ties in with this.

Today’s lesson entices you to look deeper and look at your life and opportunities in a completely different way.

Buckminster Fuller stated: “Never change things by fighting the existing reality… to change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” Can you see how this is the only way inventions such as the airplane, computer, smart phone etc. are created?

When I’m helping a client identify their niche, create packages, solve problems such as clients cancelling or blast their income into the six-figure range, they are always stuck because they are looking at their business from one point. I love to take the situation and dissect it, turning every piece around and around until it no longer makes sense. Then I take each piece, forgetting everything I know about it and look at it with fresh eyes… what could this be, how could this be?

Geodes Take a look at these rocks. It’s just a box of rocks – dusty and dirty. You may not even want to handle them because you would get that dirt all over you.

Now, look at this beautiful amethyst. It’s an absolutely beautiful stone. You can make jewelry, key chain charms… all kinds of things from it, or display it as it is and enjoy its natural beauty.

It’s the same rock! It needed to be busted open to reveal is beauty and be appreciated for something other than a dusty rock lying in the dirt.

Now, let’s take a look at your life and your business with fresh eyes to reveal new opportunities for you.

Action Steps –

Answer the following questions. Be honest. This is for your eyes only and it will help you succeed.

1. Whatever it is that you do – are you doing it with passion? If you’re not passionate about it, how could you be?

Could you change your inner dialogue about your job or situation?
What do you say to yourself now?

What could you say that would help you see this from a new perspective?

Is there something, anything that could be different about the job or situation that would increase your level of passion? (Even a very small, incremental change can make a big difference).

Did you immediately think of something and stop yourself by saying “Ya, but I can’t do that… it will never work…. they won’t allow that…?”

It’s imperative that you let go of the “Ya buts” and ONLY focus on what you want. Don’t worry about the how!

2. What actions can you take immediately to help this happen?
Remember, you have to take action and break the rock open to see the beautiful sparkling jewels inside.

Only focus on the one, next step. Don’t even think about anything beyond this. It just muddies the mind and you talk yourself out of taking action.

Take the first step, then you will become aware of the next step. This will not happen (with complete clarity) until you have completed the first step.

Is this helpful? Let me know in the comments below.

If you like this and would like more, I encourage you to join me on my NEW free success training webinars (details will be posted on the website soon).

Have fun with this and create a life YOU LOVE!

We would love to hear from you! Please write your comments below – What is your favorite nugget you got from this, today? What are you most excited about implementing from this “Yes I Can With A Plan! Bright Ideas” edition?

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

Lisa Long is an author, speaker and success coach helping businesses and individuals overcome sabotaging obstacles so get the results they want and live the life they truly desire. She is available for workshops, keynote, team and one-on-one coaching. Contact Lisa at: 928-284-9285, lisa@yesicanwithaplan.com, www.YesICanWithAPlan.com

Why Are Some Rich and Some Poor?

Posted on July 10, 2013 by lisalongJuly 10, 2013

Do you ever seriously wonder why some people are begging for food on the street corner while others are flying around the world in their private jet?

If we are all born with the same potential (and we are), then why is there this huge gap in living conditions?

It doesn’t seem fair does it?

Part of the reason is those who are struggling are imprisoned by their paradigms. A paradigm is the collection of habits (unconscious behaviors) that run every aspect our lives every day. Most of these habits are handed down to us from generation to generation. If you haven’t taken the time to become aware of your paradigm and clean out what’s holding you back, your living someone else’s paradigm – on autopilot!

Let’s dive deeper with this and your ability to make money. Why focus on money? Because money is a tool and exchange of energy that gives you the means to live the life you really want. Money is your servant, not your master.

There are 3 ways to earn money:

M1 – Trading your time for money. This is how 96% of the population is taught to earn a living. Take a look at the word “living”. You can have one foot in the grave and still be living.

M2 – Investing money to earn more money. Three percent of the population is involved in this. However only a very few actually know how to do this effectively. Most lose their shirt. Sadly, it’s often the people from M1 who scrimp and save enough to invest and then lose it.

M3 – Only 1% of the population does this. Do you know that 96% of the money is earned by only 1% of the population? This segment of the population understands about having multiple streams of income. Here, money is your servant, and you are the master of your finances and your time.

You’ve heard the phrase “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”. Why would you have all your income come from one place? If something happens to your one source of income, you’re in trouble. We see this every day. Protect yourself financially by having your income coming to you from multiple sources.

Action Steps:

1. One of my favorite coaches, Bob Proctor, is giving a free public webinar on how you can protect yourself financially and be in the M3 segment. It’s today at 12:00 pacific (3:00 eastern.) I will definitely be there and I would love for you to join in too. Check it out here and hold your spot.

2. I want to help you become the master of your time and money. So, after the webinar with Bob on Thursday, I want to invite you to a free Mastermind group. We will discuss what Bob talked about on the webinar and how you can apply it to your own life and get the results you want.

It’s simple and free to participate: After the webinar with Bob. We’ll take a five minute break to get a drink of water, etc. then call 805-399-1000 code: 878831. The lines will be open for discussion and Q&A about increasing YOUR financial well being.

Is this helpful for you? What actions are you taking? Let me know in the comments

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

Are You Doing This?

Posted on June 20, 2013 by lisalongJune 13, 2013

I want to start with a quote:

“When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream.” ~ Paulo Coelho

helpingupmountain I was recently at a networking meeting. It was fabulous with a wonderful selection of services being offered. It was held in a beautiful Sedona home with a close up of the redrock views. The living room was full of intelligent, outgoing women ready to help each other grow their businesses. Many had samples and flyers ready to share.

These women took the time to get dressed up, prepare samples and flyers and drive across town to spend a few hours networking in hopes of gaining a new client.

I watched and listened carefully. What I noticed left me feeling sad. I noticed that as women, we are really great at talking and helping each other. We can easily promote someone else’s products and services. However, when it comes to sharing our own gifts (goods and services) we don’t want to come across as pushy, sales-y or inauthentic. So, we dance all around and seldom (often never) get to the point of sale. In other words, we muddy the message so badly that others have no idea what it is we are really offering. And, heaven forbid, we actually ask them to buy.

If you’re out there networking and promoting your business, and not getting the clients you want, you’re probably feeling really frustrated and thinking nobody wants what you’re offering. You’ve, perhaps, even thought of throwing in the towel a time or two and moving on to something that will actually work for you.

Before you quit, I want to share with you to something that will change everything for you.

Write down your answers to the following questions:

What if you could easily talk about what you offer, have fun and attract wonderful loyal clients to you?

What if you could make an abundant living doing what you love?

If you could get the clients you want and make the money you want, how would this change your life?

The key is knowing how to present what you offer in the right way.

Here are your action steps to help you ~

1. Write down what you offer.

2. Write down what you currently say when asked what you do.

3. Now go back through your statement and make it about the other person.

4. Because I know this can be difficult to do on your own, I want you to join me in a very small, intimate tele-class “How to Clearly and Confidently Say What You Do So People Say YES To Working With YOU” LIMITED TO ONLY 12 so you get lots of attention and walk away with a new magnetic message that has people WANTING TO WORK WITH YOU AND HAPPILY PAY YOU! And, it’s completely affordable at only $24.95.

Without a effective statement that tells the other person “I’m here to help you”, all of the dressing up, making flyers, providing samples and driving all over to attend various networking opportunities is a waste of time and leaves you feeling frustrated.

Now, imagine what your life would be like if you talked to people and they say to you “Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you. I want to work with you now”. (Yes, this really happens!)

How does this new life feel to you?

If you’re serious and want more abundance and fun in your life, join us. Climb on board because we’re making this happen.

(Men are absolutely welcome to attend)

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

How Big Is Your Gap?

Posted on June 10, 2013 by lisalongJune 10, 2013

rocket launching Have you ever noticed there are two sides to everything?

Look at your hand. It has a front and a backside. Your body has a right and a left side. The room you are in has an inside and an outside. You couldn’t possibly have one without the other.

This is an orderly universe, of which you are a part. Laws govern the entire universe.

The late Dr. Warner Von Braun said the natural laws of the universe are so precise that we do not have any difficulty building a space ship, sending a person to the moon and timing the landing with the precision of a fraction of a second.

The law I am referring to is the Law of Polarity or the Law of Opposites. If it is a long way up to the top of a building, it must be a long way down. If it is a mile from point A to point B, it must be a mile from point B to point A. They are not only opposite, they are equal and opposite.

Everything that happens in your life today will either appear negative or positive. Keep in mind whatever happens must have a positive side to it.

A large majority of the population seems to be mentally programmed to pay attention to the negative side of life and unfortunately, ignore the positive.

Make a decision right now that, regardless of what happens today, you are going to look for the positive aspect of what’s happening. Remember … every cloud has a silver lining. Do this again tomorrow and the next day until it becomes a habit to see the positive in everything. You will feel better. You will be more productive. You will have more friends.

As the population has become inundated with negative outcomes in the news, fear, doubt and worry have readily taken over.

As a whole, people already know what to do to be more successful, however there is a gap between what they know and what they actually do. This gap gets larger and larger as the perception of negative fear, doubt and worry take over.

The good news is that with the proper tools , you can actually close this knowing – doing gap. Then you are more productive (with less effort), healthier and happier.

If you are not where you want to be in any area of your life, I encourage you to join me as I take a select few through the Knowing – Doing Gap. We’re going to identify and close the gap. This means more success in all areas of your life, with less work! Check it out here and join us! Live a life YOU LOVE!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

Does Your Business Need A Haircut?

Posted on May 15, 2013 by lisalongMay 15, 2013

This may sound like a pretty silly heading. However, when you see the video, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

We have so many demands in our lives. And if you’re in business for yourself, quadruple that. It’s easy to get behind and let things go. The number one tasks get pushed back and the number two and three tasks… well, forget it.

If you’ve ever been in this boat (and I’m sure you have), things start to fall apart. You end up with dead-ends and split ends; let me explain…

Remember back to the last time you got a haircut. Remember how good it felt to be free of that extra weight. Your hair was light and fluffy again – full of life again. You could feel the refreshing movement all through your body. Your walk even seemed to have more body and bounce.

If a haircut can do that for you, imagine what trimming off the dead ends and split ends will do for your business!

In the video above, I give you examples of what may cause dead ends and split ends in business.

Your actions steps are to identify the split and dead ends in your own business and start trimming them away.

Places where my business needs a “Haircut” –

1.
2.
3.

Actions I will take to cut the dead-ends and split ends out of my business –

1.
2.
3.

>> Leave a comment because I would really love to hear what you identified and your actions. Then come back and share your new results. <<

The Three Types of Goals (and the only one you should pursue)

Posted on April 24, 2013 by lisalongMay 15, 2013

Big Goals Do you know that only 3% of the population actually sets goals? And of those only a small percent actually achieve their goals. Why is this?

Most go after the wrong goals. Let me explain.

There are three types of goals:

1. Goals we know we can achieve.
For example, I was talking with a client the other day and she said she wanted to set a goal of earning $30,000 in real estate this year. I asked why this was significant and she told me she had done this in her previous real estate career. I helped her discover why this is not a good goal for her (I’ll explain why later) and we amped it up to $150,000.

2. Goals we think we can achieve.
Some like to set goals they think they can achieve so they won’t be let down or discouraged if they don’t make it. Can you see how this is doomed to begin with? These people are already focusing on failure.

3. Big, exciting goals.
These are the goals that scare us and excite us at the same time. We have no idea how to reach these goals. This is good because it helps us grow. Growth is the purpose of a goal, not just a measuring of incremental steps, but exciting growth.

Most people don’t set the right goals because they get caught up in the “how will I do this” syndrome. Don’t worry about the “how”, it will come to you. First, you must make the commitment to achieve this goal.

In going after goals we know we can do or we think we can do it’s easy to become despondent toward the tasks. The goal isn’t stimulating and exciting enough to pull us through the difficult times. Thus, we give in and go back to our ordinary life. Our pre-goal life may feel safe but I often hear how unfulfilling it is. Can you see why the $30,000 goal was the wrong goal for the client above?

Action Steps –

Set a goal for yourself that is exciting and scary at the same time. This is not a goal you know you can do or even think you can do. This is a big, exciting goal that you have no idea how to do. Use your imagination and have a lot of fun here.

Let me know what goal you set for yourself. I’d love to hear from you.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

Are You Treating Yourself Like A VIP or a PURNOP?

Posted on April 3, 2013 by lisalongApril 3, 2013

You’re probably doing what you’re doing because you enjoy serving and helping others. And, I bet you’re really good at it.

If you’re like me, you’ve been taught that if you want anything you’ve got to work hard. And if what you’re doing isn’t working, try harder.

As with all things, there is a point of diminishing return. You know you’ve reached this point when your career and your life feels more like a chore than a joyous adventure.

I don’t know exactly where we lost it, but we have forgotten to treat ourselves as the Very Important Persons that we truly are. Many have bought into taking care of everyone else first… then, if there’s anything left… you get the crumbs.

Now, you’re wanting to help others, right? (and get paid handsomely) How are you able to be your best and really help others if you’re operating on left over crumbs?

I see this so often with entrepreneurs, healers and especially women. You’re treating yourself like a PURNOP instead of a VIP. Let’s take a look at the difference.

VIP
Very
Important
Person

Say this out loud: “I am a Very Important Person”
How does this feel?
On a scale of 1%-100% how much do you believe this statement?
If you’re like most, it doesn’t feel true. It feels silly and selfish to say such a thing… let alone actually believe it!

Now imagine someone you admire, who is at the level of happiness you desire. Where do you think this person is on the VIP scale (how does this person think about him/her self)?
How would you feel if you thought about yourself at this level?

A VIP –
Has a good sense of self and boundaries
Knows that what they do is important / making a difference
Enjoys life and takes care of oneself
Has energy – helps others from the place of feeling whole and abundant. Gives from the overflow.
Let’s go of the past and moves on
Is willing to make a mistake, knowing this is part of succeeding

PURNOP

Putting yourself and your needs last
Unimportant – what you do doesn’t matter
Running at an emotional / spiritual deficit
No/weak boundaries
Only here to serve others
Person

A PURNOP –

Gives in to please others despite you’re needs and wants
Often feels tired
Puts own needs and wants last or off forever
Often feels resentment
Gives from a place of deficit instead of overflow
Is just getting through life versus enjoying life as an adventure
Holds on to “stuff” from the past
Terrified to make a mistake, often puts off making a decision in fear it will be the “wrong” decision. Afraid of being judged for mistakes made.

Action steps –

Go through each list and circle the ones that you personally identify with (no judgment). Add other statements too (and share on this blog).
Notice how you feel about this.

Your body holds these feelings. Your body is your vessel.

Draw a picture of a glass on a piece of paper.
Ask yourself: “On a scale of 1% – 100% how full of life am I?”
Draw your fullness line in the glass? How full are you? Completely full would be 100% – just like a glass of refreshing water.
Many will not be far below 100%.
This is an awareness exercise – no judgment.

You do want to be aware that if you continue to give without being at 100%, you are disintegrating your life force. You are running the risk of becoming emotionally and spiritually bankrupt. You only want to give from your overflow – beyond the 100% mark.

What will it take for you to be whole? Focus on this. Become whole. THEN, share your overflow with others.

Would you like help with this? Contact me. I have some amazing tools and lessons (from my own growth, I’m happy to share with you)

To your health, happiness and success!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

Waking Up Your Business and Your Life

Posted on March 21, 2013 by lisalongMarch 21, 2013

Is your business awake? I mean really awake – alert and thriving?

As spring is in the air, we get motivated to do lots of new activities around the house and yard. We get rid of all the old, dead stuff and anything that is not what we want.

How about your business? When is the last time you did a spring-cleaning for your business? What about the rest of your life?

We tend to follow patterns and habits (no big news there). However, often times, these patterns and habits lead us into a comfort zone. Here, it’s easy for us to get really comfortable and actually become complacent.

Signs that you’ve become a little too comfortable, and maybe even complacent include a feeling of restlessness, low energy, low enthusiasm, feeling bored, not feeling inspired, not working toward your goal, clientele dropping off, being easily distracted, feelings of sadness or even depression.

What do you notice about yourself when it’s time for you to shift gears and get into inspired action? Take note of these, make a plan of action and follow the plan.

We’re rounding the curve of the first quarter (Q1) and heading into the second quarter( Q2) for 2013. You should have been checking your progress toward your Q1 goals periodically. Are you on track to meet them? If not, sit down and take a look at what got you off track. Do you need to re-evaluate your goals? How can you stay on target to meet your Q2 goals? Write everything down here that you can think of and be totally honest with yourself.

Spring-clean your business and your life. Get rid of everything that isn’t working and taking you closer to your desired goal. Would you put up with stink weed strangling your precious roses? Of course not! Where is the stink weed in your business? Where is the stink weed in your life? Answer these questions and get rid of any and all stink weed in your life – personally and professionally.

Write down what you would like to have instead of the stink weed. Now, focus on that and create it as the new outcome for yourself, your business, your family, your clients.

Share what you do to shift gears, spring clean and stay on track on meeting your goals. I would love to hear from you! (click on the little talk icon at the top of the page, right of the heading, to leave a comment). Thanks!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

How To Deal With Difficult People

Posted on February 28, 2013 by lisalongFebruary 28, 2013

I’ve had a couple of clients recently rant about how these *^%&! people in their lives are consuming their thoughts. “He just makes me so angry” and “I want to throw my cousin out of the house. I can’t deal with her any more” are just a few comments I’m hearing. Does the term “makes my blood boil,” sound familiar?

How can others make us feel so unglued? Sometimes just seeing “that person” in the same room can send us into an emotional frenzy.

Not all of the people in our lives are wonderful and supportive. Sometimes, we have the lovely opportunity to deal with some real stinkers (input your own word of choice).

If you could have your way, you would enjoy sending them on the next shuttle to the moon. Since that really is not an option, how do you deal with difficult people in a manner that is healthy for you?

Stuffing your emotions is not the answer to dealing with difficult people. Doing this will only result in harm to yourself. If you are a stuffer of your emotions I strongly encourage you to let them out. Stuffing your emotions can result in serious health problems – physical and emotional.

You must deal with these people in a manner that is healthy for you. If your emotions get a hold of you they can send you in a tailspin for days, weeks, months, even years.

Here are some great tools to help you stay in control of your life when you’re dealing with difficult people:

Stop and breathe. This helps you get centered, grounded and focused.

If the anger is intense, count backwards from 10 to 1. This is a great mind re-orienting tool.

Say out loud, or silently if others are around, “I forgive myself and I forgive others who have hurt me in the past so I can move into the future with a clean slate”.

Focus on one thing you like about that person. This may seem difficult at first. I had one client who liked her opponent’s teeth. So she focused on liking that.

Send this person love every day. At first it may feel like you’re sending them daggers but stay with it and keep focusing on something you like about him/her. Send love and forgiveness.

Each morning, start your day connecting with the Source of all-good. Breathe this connection in all through your body.

Be quiet for 5 minutes each morning and ask for guidance for the day.

Smile. You cannot be angry and smile at the same time.

If you really want to make someone wonder what’s up, laugh and keep laughing. If you stick with it long enough, the other person(s) will start laughing too. (This is great to do when your kids are fighting.)

Keep a gratitude journal. Each day write 10 things you are grateful for.

Write a letter to this person expressing everything you think and feel. Use any language you want. YOU NEVER GIVE THIS LETTER TO HIM/HER.
Read the letter out loud to yourself then burn it. This is very helpful in getting the anger out of your body. I had a client who said she wasn’t angry with her ex-husband. I said okay and asked her to do the exercise anyway and just see what happens. She wrote fifteen pages and told me she felt so much better afterwards. Today she has no problems with her ex-husband.

In raising your vibration, these problematic personalities will no longer be attracted to you. You’ll find they just go away. You’ll have relief and calmness restored in your life.

___

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

Are You Loving Your Clients?

Posted on February 12, 2013 by lisalongFebruary 12, 2013

I feel very fortunate to say I do love my clients and I love what I do.

It wasn’t always this way. Although I was grateful for my clients, there were times when I felt so busy that stopping to take care of a client felt like just more to do. This is not something I’m proud of but I want to bring it to your attention because you may be in this place.

Life does get busy. Our careers keep us very busy. Our family and friends keep us busy. How do we project love and appreciation to our clients and prospects instead of busyness?

Being busy is not the same as being productive.

Why are we talking about this anyway? Because, know it or not, you’re clients feel if you appreciate them. And, if they don’t feel appreciated, they’ll leave first chance they get. Not only that, but if you’re not loving how you’re spending your time each day, you’re in resistance. You’re pushing your way through your day and this takes way too much energy.

Are you tired at the end of your day? How about mid-way through your day? Stop and check if you’re really loving and appreciating your clients, and others in your life, or are you just getting things done so you can get on to the next thing?

Most don’t know this, but busyness is a habit; being crazy-busy is also a habit. It’s unconscious. The good news is habits can be changed!

Action Steps –

Reminder: being busy is not the same as being productive.

Take a piece of paper and divide it into two sides horizontally.
On the left side write down your daily activities – what you do throughout your day.

After you’ve completed step one, go to the right side of the page.
Here, write down your goal.

Now, cross out all the activities on the left side of the page that do not support you in getting closer to your goal.

Highlight the activities that do take you closer to your goal.

Do more of what is supporting you reaching your goal and let go of all the activities that are not leading you toward your goal.

Keep your eye on your goal!

Practice this all week.
Let me know how you do. It takes a little training and I know you can do it.

This is a simple yet powerful exercise. Do not discount it because of its simplicity.

Want to know more about letting go of unhealthy habits and replacing them with healthy, productive habits? Join me here.

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, or worn. It is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.” ~ Denis Waitley

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

Name
Email
Invited By: