Dawn Barclay

Helping you align all that you do with your core values

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When Your Plans Don’t Go To Plan

When Plans Don't Work OutYou’ve planned, and planned.

You’ve taken all steps in the right order.

You’ve covered all bases and at the very last hurdle you fall.

Hard.

What went wrong?

What went right?

Can you pinpoint the step that you perhaps didn’t implement as well as you should have? Are you able to clearly state the answer to ‘the next time I will…’? Was it you, or was it something outwith your control? Perhaps 50% you and 50% external circumstances?

But that doesn’t help how you feel at the moment of the fall does it?

That painful moment when you realise all the work, all the hard work isn’t going to pay off the way you had thought it would. There will be a moment of grief, then anger, then you may play over and over in your head the mistakes, the errors, the answers to ‘if only I had…’

Play it over to learn the lessons, don’t play it over to hate yourself for failing even more.

You know this, but I’m going to say it anyway, one failed attempt does not mean that everything before that failed attempt was a failure, and that one event is not a blueprint for future plans and ideas.

Everyone screws up and fails from time to time. Everyone.

It makes you human.

Sometimes disappointment in the present moment will be exactly what you need for success later on in life <– Remember only that.

What About You?

Have you ever experienced a massive piece of learning from a past ‘failed’ attempt?

Scared to Promote Your Business … You’re Not Alone


Here’s how I know…

There will be times when you feel totally confident in sharing, then there will be moments when you step into an imaginary closet because you’re terrified to show you’re art to the rest of the world.

From the closet you will make assumptions that nobody else feels the same way as you.

In these moments you may start to question your commitment to creating your great work.

And that makes it painful, as well as lonely.

Whilst you remain in the closest shaking at the prospect of being yourself (promotion), throwing up at the thought of telling people about your message/art (marketing) and shirk away at asking people to buy the results you can help them achieve in their life, if they take action with you (selling), you’ll observe your world and wonder how others are finding their courage.

Peeking out from the doors you stand behind: you’ll ask, ‘How do they do that? What have they got that I haven’t got?’ And I have no doubt you will begin to question you’re ability, gifts and talents.

On the really dark days you’ll convince yourself that you’re the only person that is totally overwhelmed, fearing your own passion and battling with the ‘am I good enough’ question.  

These you may find are the darkest of days, only to be made worse by never answering the questions yourself with ‘yes, I’m good enough for what I choose to create today’.

You may start to believe that others have a ‘secret’ that you haven’t been told.

You may think that someone else has the key to the push open the door, and when you learn that everything will be easy. You may get so distracted by those convincing you there is a ‘secret, technique or unknown tool’ that you won’t be able to see that in your hands you already possess that what you seek.

Somebody one day, maybe even today, will say to you that the key you already have may not be easy but it’s the easiest route to your success (whatever that means to you). 

They may say to you that one of the keys is to give yourself permission to be you and be remarkable when everything and everyone else says ‘play safe’. See, some things are so simplistic we refuse to believe that the easy answer is the obvious.

Some days you’ll get so lost you’ll wander off in different directions: down avenues you know don’t feel right. Instead of focusing on focus, you go searching for validation that you’re ‘good enough’ maybe one day someone will hear your thoughts.

You’re good enough.

You may think that the dreams you’re creating are stuck on the ground, and begin to ask, ‘When is this ever going to take off for me?’ forgetting that the day you stepped into creating your great work, you turned the ignition and began down the runway.

That’s the day you took off.

You are already piloting.

Up there with the millions of others steering their own course.

Wave to me when you pass.

I want to look you in the eye, wink and say ‘told you weren’t alone’.

That’s how I know.

Monday Morning Pep Talk: Dare to Be You

Dare:

An act of daring, to have courage, a challenge. 

What challenge are you accepting for yourself this week?

Mine was creating some content that isn’t a 1600 word essay! Hope you like it.

Dawn

xx

“It doesn’t matter who you are, where you are, if your past was good or bad. It doesn’t matter your her-story or his-story, your life success and quality is created with what you did do, not by what you could’ve done.

Where do you dare yourself this week?

Sign up for the Dare to Be You Ebook below.

 

110 ‘Quick’ Little Biz Tips for New-ish Solo Business Owners

Woa! Before you scan down the page.

This little list is my list. These are my thoughts based on my experiences.

I hope you have a very different list, you do don’t you? Go ahead and share them in the comments,when you get there.

Or if you’re just starting out, ask a question, please.  Anything on the list that makes you go ‘huh?’

Remember to subscribe the comments, so you get an answer.

‘Nuff said.

Onwards.

110 ‘Quick’ Little Biz Tips for New-ish Solo Business Owners

0.5 (Just thought of this after hitting publish.) Don’t sign up for anything unless you’re prepared to do the work.

1. Love your customers and clients.

2. Marketing is not a dirty word. It’s just (or can be if you let it) as creative as the fun stuff. Don’t let anyone fear you into thinking it is. ALL it is is telling people over, and over, and over, and over what you do, how you do it, how they can get it – in a language that they understand. 

3. Never get paid on outcome based work. Always get paid for the work you deliver.

4. Never, ever, ever take your business to bed with untrustworthy peeps. If it doesn’t feel right, you’re probably spot on.

5. Get a contract signed if you’re in a partnership.

6. Stand for something much bigger than you.

7. Be remarkable or go home.

8. Work with your ideal client, you’ll have a heck of a lot more fun.

9. Write your business materials as you talk, not corporate woowoo trite.

10. It’s quicker, easier and less hassle to pay someone to teach you what you want to know.

11. You don’t need to know any HTML is a complete lie. You do.

12. Never put off showing who you really are.

13. Your family and friends will never really understand you’re business baby, seek support from those who do.

14. Never, ever, ever, work for free, ever. Trade if you have to.

15. Run your business as a business, have fun but get serious.

16. You cannot copy another business, be unique and you will find your place.

17. You will get tired and emotional. Take more breaks.

18. It’s hard work, get used to it. 18 hour days aren’t for everyone.

19. Ask for help. Ask. Ask. Ask. Reach out to people.

20. Get in there, get dirty, make plenty mistakes as quickly as possible.

21. Step out your own area of expertise to learn what you need.

22. Smell BS before you’re covered in it.

23. You cannot do it ALL alone. Ever.

24. When success happens. Be ready for it.

25. Don’t ever stop marketing, even if you’re delivering.

26. Be authentic from Day 1.

27. Say no if you don’t have the time.

28. Always remain true to your core values. Always. Can’t decide? Go back to them.

29. Learn to take feedback.

30. If you aren’t excited about what you, sure bet you’re customers are bored too.

31. Don’t appeal to everyone. It doesn’t work.

32. Decide who the buck stops with.

33. Nothing is perfect 1st time round. Get  it out there.

34. Be vulnerable. Don’t seek approval from others.

35. Plan as much as can be planned. Then let your clients decide.

36. Deal with your money crap (if you have any) sooner rather than later.

37. Don’t ignore the problems, they aren’t going away.

38. You are a business owner from Day 1. Act it.

39. Focus. Don’t get distracted by the next shiny new thing.

40. Give 100x more than a client expects.

41. Don’t argue in public (even online.)

42. If cash flow is an issue, take the shortest route to paying your mortgage. Create after the rush.

43. Never build your property on someone else’s land. (i.e. Facebook is not yours, neither are free websites.)

44. Commit yourself to your ideas.

45. Prepare to make sacrifices. Does that washing really need done?

46. Always be willing to help others.

47. Never forget to thank.

48. Resources is not all about money, what else do you have?

49. Speak well of your business. Always.

50. No one is born a business owner, everyone begins at the same place (usually from scratch!)

51. Inspire. Inform. Ignite. Before you do anything else.

52. Never spam, it’s just wrong.

53. Turn up on time, everytime and be willing to learn also.

54. Treat customers with the same respect you give your loved ones.

55. There are no instant overnight success secrets. None. You may be duped into buying it one day. Shut down the noise.

56. Only buy what you need at start up, not what looks shiny.

57. Speak to people who have been there, done that, got the T-shirt and can prove their achievements.

58. Find out if people need and want your product first before you create it.

59. Start marketing/networking/building meaningful relationships before your service/product is ready.

60. Get out the work that’s wanted, not what you think is needed, make amendments later.

61. Create the culture you want from Day 1.

62. The business you start, won’t look the same in 2 years, it won’t. Get over analysis paralysis.

63. Would you buy what you offer? Don’t sell it if you wouldn’t.

64. You need a strategy, not necessarily a business plan.

65. Always add to your own learning.

66. What works for that other little business, may work in yours.

67. Focus your business, not the failure statistics.

68. If you want to change routes, do it, don’t flog a dead horse (horrible expression!)

69. Some stuff (even the boring work) needs to be done by you. Get over it. Get it done.

70. Don’t expect complete freedom, not at first. That is a massive myth.

71. Tell people you’re busy and shut the door.

72. You can take risks, but you aren’t a stunt person (unless you are!)

73. Fall in love with your customers (have I said that already?)

74. Working harder is not working smarter. Think about what you’re working on.

75. Work hard, but never on the work that’s wrong.

76. It’s up to you to tell people the value of working with you. They can’t guess.

77. Build it (website) and they will come is complete hoohaa.

78. Build a website that works. Minus comic bloody sans.

79. Don’t dare ignore your clients until you want something.

80. You are your boss. Would you hire you? Get serious if the answer is no.

81. Celebrate your achievements, even if you have to go to a pub on your own.

82. If it’s not out there, expect no return.

83. Follow a handful of people who are doing what they say, watch what they do.

84. Never try and replicate another, but if you like a strategy someone else has, use it. If it works for you, thank them.

85. Do your research. Find out what people want.

86. Keep your credit card at home at free seminars and courses.

87. Unless your Amazon, don’t act like Amazon.

88. Show up as you, always. Not a fake version of you.

89. You have full accountability, ownership and control. Accept it, it’s awesome!

90. Love your customers and clients (oh, again!)

91. You will fail. Lots. Mistooks will be made. Own up, move forward, don’t dwell.

92. The small things do matter, make them happen and create a red carpet experience for your clients.

93. Your customers aren’t in your home office, get out the house.

94. If it’s not fun, what are you doing it for?

95. Somethings take longer than others to implement.

96. Don’t let someone else’s ‘rags to riches’ story become yours.

97. Speak to someone about your fears.

98. Information should never have you in overwhelm, not if it’s good information.

99. Be honest about your finances.

100. Take one full day off a week. No excuses. Yes, you can.

101. Step out your business and see what’s happening in the business next door.

102. Don’t ever be shy to accept a kind gesture. Never falter in giving them away.

103. The people who have requested to hear from you (your sign up list) are more important than Social Media.

104. Never got to a networking event to see what ‘you can get‘.

105. Never turn up online asking ‘what can I take’. Give first.

106. Be there for your customers and clients, not Google.

107. Take care of your health. If you aren’t there, your business stops.

108. Know your ideal client. Write her/him a letter. Talk about their fears.

109. Share what can be shared. Expect nothing in return.

110. To be continued…

Invitation: Thursday 12th July 8pm (GMT) Marketing Is Not a Dirty Word. How To Market Your Little Biz Without Selling Your Values + Your Soul

This event is over.

If You Haven’t Done it Yet, Are You Ever Going To?

 

This baffled me for a long time.

Let’s say two people wish to make massive changes in their life.

Both talented, both passionate, both exceptional. Both have all the resources they need. Both have the acquired the learning, got the information, both have the ability, the experience and skills. Both are on equal footing.

One goes for it.

The other hasn’t. They say.

‘I haven’t done it yet?’

‘I want to but I’m not ready for that, yet.‘

‘I want to start that but I’m not sure how, yet.’

‘I’ve not got round to doing that yet.’

Are they?

  • Waiting for perfection
  • Scared and won’t admit it.
  • Information gathers and not appliers.
  • Getting bogged down in the detail.
  • Full of the talk, but no action.
  • Stuck in analysis paralysis.
  • Waiting for permission.
  • Waiting to until conditions are perfect.
  • Using yet to cover up something else.
  • And millions of other excuses.

The other person is:

  • Making mistakes and amending as they go.
  • Scared but asking for help.
  • Making decisions
  • Taking action
  • Seeking others.
  • Embracing risks.
  • Exposing their vulnerabilties.
  • Making the best choice at the time.
  • Seeing the big picture and the end result.
  • Not waiting for anyone else.
  • Accepting they are unique and showing it.
  • See ‘not yet’ as an excuse.

What are you not doing yet?

What’s really going on with you?

What would your life be like if you choose ‘it’s done’ over ‘not yet’?

 

10 Lessons Dogs Can Teach Us About Life and Living

The biggest teacher I have had ever had the pleasure of learning from had four feet, a wet nose, teeny ears, were covered in fur and had really sharp bloody claws. She’s left now, but she taught well.

Ready?

Oh, and if you have a brilliant lesson from your four legged one, please be my guest, share it in the comments at the end.

Lesson 1# Don’t hold grudges

A dog can eat your best bra, wee the floor, scratch the sofa, eat and spread about Cat Litter Tray Biscuits but all that is forgotten about in 30 minutes as you cuddle up watching telly. With humans, we like to have a teeny cross word and go to bed not speaking, then avoiding each other for weeks.

Lesson 2# Live in the moment

Ball. Ball. Ball. Car. Car. Car. Food. Food. Food. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. Repeat.

Dogs are present, living each moment to the fullest.

The only games they play are games that they love.

With humans, we appear to always live in the future, and can be spend too long playing games we’ve learned from the past.

Lesson 3# Learn to trust

Sadly, we humans can do the cruelest, unspeakable acts to a dog, and yet with time, care, love and in the right hands their trust can be won again.

We say, ‘I’ll never trust’ again, and push away real love to protect ourselves. That makes no sense.

Lesson 4# Love the shite you’re in

Dogs love the celebratory roll in fox poo during a walk, and don’t let it affect the rest of the journey.

We on the other hand, can have a few rolls in it and think it affects the rest of our life.

Amber

Lesson 5# Embrace your wild moments

Let go. You don’t have to chase your back end, or run around in circles in the garden, but every now and then, let the wild you out to play. Dogs don’t worry about other dogs are thinking of them.

Lesson 6# Live today as if you’re experiencing it for the first time

For my doggy teacher every walk was a new adventure, even though she had been there hundreds of time before.

Every smell, every human, every greet with a new person, the seasons, the river she dived in, every day all of it new.

We repeat the same behaviour and habits over and over, live each day as if it’s your last, is great saying we click ‘Like’ to on Facebook, and hardly ever carry out the intent behind the words.

Lesson 7# Love deeply

The horrible fact is that our pets leave too soon.

The lesson needs no explanation, even if they eat your socks.

Carry on.

Inca

Lesson 8# Love unconditionally

Maya and I never argued, not once. She did her thing, I did mine.

Why can’t it be that simple with human beings?

It’s not love if you want to change someone. That’s fear.

Lesson 9# Play

For dogs this is natural. The learn by playing. They don’t ever get to a point when they think ‘oh, I’m 8 now, no more playing!’

You have it too. It’s not left you, you’re still curious, you haven’t lost it.

Lesson 10# It’s okay to growl every now and then

Feel what you feel. Growling is a dogs way (generally) to say back off, back down, I’m scared, I’m not the happiest of canines.

Own your feelings, but try not to draw blood, k?

Your Turn

Lesson from your dog?