Hitting your financial goals

So last time we spoke I talked about the fact that less than 1% of the population set financial goals. It's hardly surprising then that so many people are in such financial dilema. But there's a difference between writing SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timed) and writing goals that have got real emotion behind them. What would achieving your financial goal mean to you? How would your life be different? What choices would it give you? What sort of things would you stop doing and what great things would you start doing? And who else would benefit?

Start writing your goal, first by making the goal in the present, as if it were now. For example it is .............. (put in the date that the goal will have been achieved), then continue by completing I am ..............(this could be something you are doing, or being) and then add in the last bit which is I have ............(something you now own, or have achieved etc).

Once you've done that keep reading it again and again and repeat it tomorrow, the day after and the day after that until the goal is done.

More goal stuff coming shortly.

Ann

Going for Goals

Research shows that less than 1% of the population set and achieve goals on a regular basis. But those that do earn more than 95% of the world's wealth. So if you aren't attracting the sort of income you would like, ask yourself when was the last time you set a financial goal?
And how much belief, commitment and conviction was behind that goal? Without goals we stand still, or worse, fall behind.

So, stop for a moment. Write down a figure and a date you'd like to achieve it and then tune in again tomorrow. I'll be back soon. In fact, why not email me both and I'll send you my 5 top tips to achieving your goals, every time.

Ann

Loving what you do and doing what you love

It took me a while to realise that not only is it important in life to do something that you love but, if you want to be successful in business you need to fall in love with what you are offering. Then what you are selling is your enthusiasm. The benefits, of course, is what people are buying and when you are truly passionate about something and you believe in it totally, then your conviction shines through and people listen, really listen. And they take action.

But loving what you do is not enough. To be successful in business you've got to love the vehicles that will help you get your message out in the first place, otherwise nobody will know about you. therefore - no business! Whilst I've always been passionate about personal growth and helping people transform their businesses and their lives, I've never been passionate about the marketing vehicles such as web, emarketing, twitter or blogging. Just the very mention of any of these used to send shivers down my spine.

I'm proud to say that finally I'm getting rather hooked. So much so that I've invited Web Strategist Kirsty Farrelly to speak at my next Women's Alternative Network event on 30 April in Nottingham. First I'll be applying my NLP and coaching skills by helping everyone overcome their 'wobbly' thoughts about the web and then Kirsty will help to take away some of the confusion and open up the door to some fabulous tools they can apply immediately. So watch this space, details will be coming soon.
Ann

New Horizons

I've just got back from Rosjke Hasseldine's one year celebration of her Women's Power Circles http://www.womenspowercircles.com and had some really interesting conversations with women who are itching to leave their employed positions and 'do something different'. I've had the same conversations with many others recently and the one thing in common has been ..."but I haven't a clue what to do". All have wanted to start their own business and the most frustrating part of it, they say, is just not being able to come up with a business idea.

So if you are in the same position, then why not STOP trying so hard to think of what you could DO and think more about who you can BE. What does that mean? Well, ask yourself, who are you when you are being YOU, when you are being the authentic YOU, the happiest you, when you are in your flow, laughing, singing, joking, comfortable with yourself and others? Who are you when you feel passion, energy, when you really lose yourself in what you are doing. There could be a clue here for your new business idea.

Let me know if this resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you.

Ann

Women and Recession - GMTV Survey

GMTV's exclusive online survey has revealed that nearly half of women are now breadwinners in UK homes. With the economic crisis changing the dynamics in many people's relationships, couples and families are having to adjust to their new roles. http://www.gmtv.co.uk/
GMTV's online survey revealed that...
Half of the female viewers were the main breadwinner in the household
50% were forced to go to work, work more hours, or work full time, to earn more money for the family
38% said their partner's redundancy had an adverse affect on their relationship

Reading this article made me realise what incredible opportunities we women have to really influence the success of our businesses, careers and income.... yes, even during a recession, in fact more so. The time is ripe for us to get up and get out there and make a difference to the economy and our own lives. We have such natural skills that equip us to handle pressure, lead, delegate, innovate and collaborate and form great relationships with people that can help us and whom we can help. Is it just me or are you finding you are attracting just the right people and opportunities right now?

I know this recession is causing millions of people real challenges, but there are seriously some hidden gems lying there in the people around you, at this very moment. Just take a look, give them a call, get together for a coffee, attend lots of networking events. And ... be open to opportunities that are staring you right in the face. What you 'put out' is what you get back and this recession is only going to go away if we focus on what we want and take responsibility for the way we think about today, next week, next year. We need to focus on what we want, not what we don't want.

Back tomorrow.

Ann

Finding your flow

So there I was last night, torch under the bed clothes reading Rachel Elnaugh's (ex Red Letter Days and Dragon's Den) latest book, Business Nightmare's - a fantastic read. She spoke at the KC Jones Women's Conference at Pride Park yesterday, a very inspiring event with other speakers Kavita Oberoi (secret millionnaire), Maggie Philbin (ex Saturday morning swap shop and Tomorrow's world presenter) and Karen Darke, explorer and motivational speaker.

Don't you just love being around positive, uplifting people? It gives me such a buzz and takes away the 'small thinking' that is so easy to slip into in the office in front of the computer! I certainly know that I'm in my flow when I hear inspirational messages and motivational talk. We really do need more successful women standing up there on stage. I told Rachel that one of my intentions was to inspire 10,000 people .... she said "why just 10,000, add some more 000s" so I did. And why not?

And just as I was thinking of changing my network branding I was almost accosted by a group of women who said leave it just as it is, it works, we love it and we'll be at your next event. OK, so I've got some more thinking to do. Thanks to Louise Third of Integra Communications for some friendly advice and the offer of a coffee and a chat about moving forward with expanding the network. This is what networking is about isn't it? Great friendships, great contacts, great advice and lots of support.

I'm off to buy some more batteries, I've got another 5 chapters to go yet!
Have a great weekend, Ann

What a difference a name makes!

Don’t you just love looking at where you’ve come from and how you’ve progressed, in business, in life? I do. In fact I've got into the habit of focussing on what I can learn, even when I’ve made some real bloopers. But I’m chuffed to say, that the last 12 months has been quite spectacular for me. It started with a decision I made when I heard a few murmurs about a credit crunch being on the horizon. Could I defy it and grow my business anyway? The answer I’m delighted to say is yes. And I have. My coaching, training and network bookings are up on last year and after having been challenged countless times by men who also want to be in on the fun I’ve made another decision .... Yes, I’m opening my http://www.womensalternativenetwork.co.uk/
to men too, but will be ditching the old name and renaming it The-Alternative-Network.co.uk.

But more about that later. So watch this space!

I've been making some fantastic plans with Website Trouble Shooter, Kirsty Farrelly, http://www.openbookagency.co.uk/ to run a series of ‘Fit For Business’ sessions through the new network. Can't spoil the surprise yet, but I guess you could say it will be a 'no-nonsense' approach for those that really want to leap ahead with their websites, their marketing, their goals and their vision in 2009 - credit crunch or no credit crunch.

I'll be back with more news tomorrow.
Ann