We all have heard the saying "you'll get plenty of sleep later when you're dead", right? Means you're not working or you're just lazy and doesn't leave you with the warm fuzzies if you just want to get a good night's sleep...
The lack of sleep is taking a toll on our bodies' health and ability to perform at peak levels so we might want to forget that old maxim and catch up on a few zzzz's to make our lives better!
It costs more than just short-changing ourselves on rest: it increases the cost of health care, the ability to make money, quality of life with our families, just to name a few big things.
If you're a chronic sufferer from indigestion, colds, fatigue, stress, you may not be getting enough sleep and not resting while you do sleep.
I came across this article in the Wall Street Journal that I believe gives us great insight into the topic and truly worth the read: "When Sleep Leaves You Tired" (June 9, 2009).
You might want to alter some of your activities to just simply allow yourself some snooze time and enjoy the time you have now!
TTFN~Jax
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Forgotten Art of Networking
Ever attend a networking event?
Ever walk away with a bunch of business cards and nothing ever transpires from your collection?
Ever hand out your business cards but you never get a call?
If you're able to answer "yes" to any of those questions, then you're in the "Land of the Lost Networker".
There is a difference in handing out a business card and making a connection. In my own experience, the "art" of networking has been sacrificed for being able to amass the largest collection of business cards. And all those cards become useless since there is no face or connection to provide a motivating reason for the receiver of the card to connect with the giver.
Of course, we all want to have people call us who are interested in our business and who truly want to do business with us. So, what could the challenge be?
The point of networking is to meet people with whom we can share our stories and our services so we can continue to reach our personal goals. Handing out your business card only shares a name and, occasionally, it scares some people from actually calling you even if they have the greatest need for what you do because of the impersonal feel.
What we need to remember is we are all doing the same thing and the networking party has now become a "me" event. That is, the only reason you have the card is for you to call them and benefit from their service and not the other way around!
The "art" of networking should be about what we all bring to the table, for what we can do for someone and also for what they may be able to do for you. When I network, my goal is to build goodwill; I want to know about your business, your ideal customer, how I may help you. My expectation is to build a solid relationship to help you reach your audience, and, let you get to know me so you feel comfortable referring me to people you know.
By the way, "goodwill" is an asset on your balance sheet which improves your net worth especially in the marketplace. If large organizations can use good will to increase their value, why shouldn't small businesses?
Granted, it isn't the fastest way of making money but it gives you more credibility. Our reputation is more more valuable than our business card collection! The next time you attend a networking event, spend time speaking with a few people and getting to know about them rather than trying to be the one to collect the most cards.
For more information, there is an awesome resource of material from Bob Burg, a renowned author and speaker on the subject of networking.
Let's bring more success to the Art of Networking for all us!
TTFN~Jax
Ever walk away with a bunch of business cards and nothing ever transpires from your collection?
Ever hand out your business cards but you never get a call?
If you're able to answer "yes" to any of those questions, then you're in the "Land of the Lost Networker".
There is a difference in handing out a business card and making a connection. In my own experience, the "art" of networking has been sacrificed for being able to amass the largest collection of business cards. And all those cards become useless since there is no face or connection to provide a motivating reason for the receiver of the card to connect with the giver.
Of course, we all want to have people call us who are interested in our business and who truly want to do business with us. So, what could the challenge be?
The point of networking is to meet people with whom we can share our stories and our services so we can continue to reach our personal goals. Handing out your business card only shares a name and, occasionally, it scares some people from actually calling you even if they have the greatest need for what you do because of the impersonal feel.
What we need to remember is we are all doing the same thing and the networking party has now become a "me" event. That is, the only reason you have the card is for you to call them and benefit from their service and not the other way around!
The "art" of networking should be about what we all bring to the table, for what we can do for someone and also for what they may be able to do for you. When I network, my goal is to build goodwill; I want to know about your business, your ideal customer, how I may help you. My expectation is to build a solid relationship to help you reach your audience, and, let you get to know me so you feel comfortable referring me to people you know.
By the way, "goodwill" is an asset on your balance sheet which improves your net worth especially in the marketplace. If large organizations can use good will to increase their value, why shouldn't small businesses?
Granted, it isn't the fastest way of making money but it gives you more credibility. Our reputation is more more valuable than our business card collection! The next time you attend a networking event, spend time speaking with a few people and getting to know about them rather than trying to be the one to collect the most cards.
For more information, there is an awesome resource of material from Bob Burg, a renowned author and speaker on the subject of networking.
Let's bring more success to the Art of Networking for all us!
TTFN~Jax
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
So You Don't Think You Can Save?
I had a very interesting conversation with a friend last week about saving money. We were discussing ways in which I might be able to help her save some cash and what she actually thought I said was to take extra money out of her pocket and save it for her.
This seems to be a common leap for most people when asked "what if you could save more money?" Communication is funny that way...what you say and what people hear are two different things but I'll save that conversation for another day.
So, the real question is this, "what if you were able to save money on something you already spend money on, part of your monthly budget, and put that savings to a better use?"
The reason I was asking her is a program I have available (in certain states) that may be able to help people get a better monthly cost for their auto & home insurance.
If you could, for instance save hundreds of dollars per year (let's say the equivalent of half a cell phone bill) and put it towards other necessary items in your budget, do you think it would be worth making a quick, free phone call?
In any case, I think most people are tapped in their budgets and it is difficult to find a way to save money out of pocket to fund your emergency savings account, retirement, or put college tuition plans in place.
This is just one idea, of a few, I know about to truly help others and would love to share with you on a personal basis depending upon your state of residence.
TTFN ~ Jax
This seems to be a common leap for most people when asked "what if you could save more money?" Communication is funny that way...what you say and what people hear are two different things but I'll save that conversation for another day.
So, the real question is this, "what if you were able to save money on something you already spend money on, part of your monthly budget, and put that savings to a better use?"
The reason I was asking her is a program I have available (in certain states) that may be able to help people get a better monthly cost for their auto & home insurance.
If you could, for instance save hundreds of dollars per year (let's say the equivalent of half a cell phone bill) and put it towards other necessary items in your budget, do you think it would be worth making a quick, free phone call?
In any case, I think most people are tapped in their budgets and it is difficult to find a way to save money out of pocket to fund your emergency savings account, retirement, or put college tuition plans in place.
This is just one idea, of a few, I know about to truly help others and would love to share with you on a personal basis depending upon your state of residence.
TTFN ~ Jax
How Prepared Are You?
Have you seriously checked your preparedness to weather financial challenges for you and your family?
It's truly easier than you think and I know many people put off taking a good hard look at that part of their life because it's scary. Who really wants to think about the negative things that can occur in your life?
Here are some really easy tips you can use as a guide to test your family's financial fitness in this article, "8 Things To Do Before You Invest Your Money". Many of these tips are truly common sense like developing your emergency fund once you know what your budget limits are monthly.
I don't agree with several points in the article such as dropping your broker once you think you're up on the financial news. Unless you have lots of time to devote to scouring the sources of financial information, you should always have a professional adviser to help you make the best decision for you.
Take a few moments to give it your attention and give yourself a chance to have peace of mind, personal control over your future and the path to hit those goals you have for your family.
If you have any questions or comments, please let me know your thoughts. I'd love to hear them.
TTFN ~ Jax
It's truly easier than you think and I know many people put off taking a good hard look at that part of their life because it's scary. Who really wants to think about the negative things that can occur in your life?
Here are some really easy tips you can use as a guide to test your family's financial fitness in this article, "8 Things To Do Before You Invest Your Money". Many of these tips are truly common sense like developing your emergency fund once you know what your budget limits are monthly.
I don't agree with several points in the article such as dropping your broker once you think you're up on the financial news. Unless you have lots of time to devote to scouring the sources of financial information, you should always have a professional adviser to help you make the best decision for you.
Take a few moments to give it your attention and give yourself a chance to have peace of mind, personal control over your future and the path to hit those goals you have for your family.
If you have any questions or comments, please let me know your thoughts. I'd love to hear them.
TTFN ~ Jax
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