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An attitude of abundance

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“When people are genuinely happy at the successes of others, the pie gets larger.”  Stephen Covey in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

 

When you wake up tomorrow morning, tell yourself: “I am enough, I have enough, there is enough for everyone.”

 

It’s true.

 

You can refer customers to competitors who are a better fit, because there are enough customers out there for everyone.

You can focus intently on what that customer is trying to say to you, because you have plenty of time.

You can be ready to walk away from the table when you’re negotiating, because you have a lot of confidence.

You can sit in silence and allow creativity in, because there’s ample time for inspiration.

You can share your resources with a colleague, because then you both have double the resources.

You spread your best ideas freely, because there will always be more coming from your idea factory.

You can attract more customers, because generosity and confidence are magnetic.

 

Sometimes it’s difficult to stay in that state of mental abundance, especially if you’ve been through a traumatic experience. If you’ve previously had to shutter a business, or make it through a financially rocky time, or lost a key customer at the wrong moment, you know that strong urge to gather your marbles close and hide somewhere.

The irony is, you have to do the opposite.

I’m not usually a fan of “fake it till you make it,” but in this case it’s crucial. By acting as though you are in abundance, you will make it become real.

And it’s not an attitude of “I don’t care, because there’s plenty.” It’s “I’m focused on what’s truly important, because there’s enough for everyone.”

Running a business is a daily renewed commitment to yourself, to your family, and to your customers. If you go in daily with an attitude of abundance and joy, you’ll create wins all around.

 

Featured image via Flickr CC: FolsomNatural

Author’s Bio: Rosemary O’Neill is an insightful spirit who works for Social Strata — makers of the Hoop.la community platform. Check out the Social Strata blog. You can find Rosemary on Google+ and on Twitter as @rhogroupee

Define success, then you can find it

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I recently watched the movie Everest, a harrowing account of the 1996 disaster that claimed eight lives.
The movie was well done, but it’s the story that has me still thinking about it days later.

Consider the internal fortitude it takes to put yourself so far outside your comfort zone that you are willing to die. The climbers on that expedition decided they were going to touch the top of that mountain, period.

Once they decided, a whole machinery fell into place around them. The guides, the equipment, the climbing permits, the base camps, and the training.

At the end of the day, it was the climber who reached the summit and then died on the way down who really affected me. Was he successful?

Is success even a thing that can be “done?”

It’s not over until the fat lady sings, people. And we’re all going to have small and big successes along the way, but not unless we decide what we want. Define success. We need the sherpas and guides to gather around us.

Small success. Send out an email campaign that results in some potential client meetings.
Big success. Hit the New York Times bestseller list.

What do you want?

What do you want?

And what are you willing to do to reach it?

Author’s Bio: Rosemary O’Neill is an insightful spirit who works for Social Strata — makers of the Hoop.la community platform. Check out the Social Strata blog. You can find Rosemary on Google+ and on Twitter as @rhogroupee

Did You Hire the Right Financial Advisor?

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Risk Reward GraphGiven the importance of your financial investments (whether you are a business owner or just a normal consumer), it should come as no surprise that having the right person oversee them is something you should never take for granted.

That said you might be surprised how many consumers leave their financial well-being up in the air.

As a result, they leave themselves vulnerable to financial calamity sooner rather than later. Even if they stave off financial problems for the foreseeable future, their idea of a perfect retirement can very easily be put in jeopardy.

So, with the idea that investing in your financial future should always be taken seriously; take stock in your current financial picture and also where you would like to be down the road.

Research and Never Settle

If you haven’t already, start by research financial experts to see who and which investment company is best suited to handle your money needs.

With many still expressing concerns about an ability to retire one day, keep in mind that you are not alone with your fears.

You want a financial pro that has the following:

  • Experience – Although it sounds like a no-brainier, be sure that you hire someone who has some real meat on their financial resume. How long have they been in this line of work? Have they stayed with the same firm over time or jump around from place to place? What do their colleagues think of them? Have they and/or their company been involved in any concerning business matters over the years, notably complaints or even lawsuits from consumers? These are all areas that you should research;
  • Customer service – Nothing is more irritating as a consumer than having to chase down the person who is supposed to be working for you, not the other way around. While that individual obviously has countless other clients, be sure they can make time for you when needed. Whether it is a simple financial investment question or you have a financial matter of urgent concern, they need to be as accessible as possible to you.

You Have a Job Too

While locating the right financial pro is necessary in advising you of the best moves with your money, you also have an important role to play.

Unlike younger investors who have some “recovery time” on their hands when they either get a late start and/or make a few financial investment mistakes here and there, older investors do not have such luxuries.

If you are an older investor, it is important that you make sure all your financial eggs are in order, including playing catch-up if you are over the age of 50. Investors over that age are allowed to invest more money (up to a limit depending on if it is an IRA, 401K etc.) than younger investors.

Another key area of importance is whether you have a family or not.

If you are on your own, you have a little more flexibility. For those with a spouse and perhaps a child or two, financial decisions become all the more important.

Individuals in these situations should also make sure that they have a sound life insurance plan in place.

With a good life insurance plan, the breadwinner of the house can rest a little easier, knowing that his loved one or ones are covered should he or she become disabled and unable to work or even pass away.

While insurance agents are typically the go-to people for life insurance and other such needs, your financial pro can help lay out the basics for you, giving you some guidance on how having such a policy can impact your financial situation now and down the road.

Finally, with April 15 (tax day) creeping closer and closer, be sure to understand how your financial decisions can and will impact your tax burdens.

If you are contributing to personal IRA’s for example, you can note those contributions as deductions for the previous calendar year, lessening your taxable income.

With all there is to know about your financial situation today, tomorrow and ultimately down the road, make sure you’ve gone about hiring the right financial advisor for all your monetary needs.

When you do, you could find yourself being one happy camper.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business and financial topics on the web.

Beach Notes: There’s an artist in each of us

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By Suzie Cheel & Des Walsh

Wandering around this year’s Sculpture by the Sea at Bondi (Sydney) Australia we were delighted to see a work displaying the unmistakeable talent of our friend, glass artist Sallie Portnoy.  Its title is nascentia blades of grass.

Sally Portnoy sculpture
We reminisced about the time years ago when Sallie hosted a dinner at her place.

Before we ate we were all shepherded into Sallie’s studio where each of us was given a partly baked clay plate and told to decorate it prior to it being put in the kiln. Des held back – “I’m not an artist” –  and said he’d just watch, but we persuaded him to have a go. He did, with a result that impressed the gathering and surprised Des.

Sadly, we don’t have the plate, because it broke on the way to the kiln.

But Des has the memory of being artistically creative. He likes that – #notjustanobserver.

There’s an artist in each of us. How have you explored your creativity lately?

Authors’ Bios: Suzie Cheel is the Heart Whisperer at Suzie Cheel You can find Suzie on Facebook and on Twitter as @suziecheel

Des Walsh is a Digital Disruption Navigator at Des Walsh Dot Com You can find Des at LinkedIn and on Twitter as @deswalsh

Beach Notes: Change Your Perspective, Change How Life Looks

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By Suzie Cheel & Des Walsh

beach with cockatoos

From a distance Des assumed these were the usual flock of seagulls. When we got closer he saw they were cockatoos. We’d never seen them at the beach before.

Sometimes our assumptions can be wrong.

Keeping an open mind – and our eyes peeled – helps enrich our experience of life in all its diversity.

Authors’ Bios: Suzie Cheel is the Heart Whisperer at Suzie Cheel You can find Suzie on Facebook and on Twitter as @suziecheel

Des Walsh is a Digital Disruption Navigator at Des Walsh Dot Com You can find Des at LinkedIn and on Twitter as @deswalsh

Beach Notes: Lost Shoes

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By Suzie Cheel & Des Walsh

beach notes - lost shoes

Would these shoes have been left behind if they were really valued?

In a throwaway society it’s easy to be relaxed about losing items people in other societies or circumstances would treasure and care for.

One of the most memorable experiences of Des’s childhood was seeing the sign in the local shoe store: ​ ​

I had no shoes and complained, until I met a man who had no feet

How grateful are we today for what we have?

Authors’ Bios: Suzie Cheel is the Heart Whisperer at Suzie Cheel You can find Suzie on Facebook and on Twitter as @suziecheel

Des Walsh is a Digital Disruption Navigator at Des Walsh Dot Com You can find Des at LinkedIn and on Twitter as @deswalsh