Embrace Your Destiny Archives - Canadian Small Business Women

Apr 15 2017

The Best Laid Plans

The best laid plans…

How many times have you scheduled your day and had nothing go according to plan? It’s something I have experienced more times than I’d like to admit. We hear so much about the importance of having a plan, but what do we do when the plan falls apart?

In the past, there have been times where I simply gave up on the plan when things didn’t work out. I used to be one of those people who viewed the first sign of trouble as a red flag letting me know that the goal I was working towards wasn’t meant to be. Instead of being faced with more defeat, I would just quit.

What I realize now is that those goals that I have given up on in the past were simply things I was never truly committed to achieving. When I have been determined to make something happen, I find a way. The plan may be reworked and revised a million times along the way, but when I want something bad enough, quitting isn’t an option.

This realization has been a major “a-ha” moment for me. Even when it comes to daily my daily plan, I’ve realized that I stay committed to the plan when I’m clear on my priorities. Yes, the unexpected happens. There are always going to be things that you can’t plan for. There are going to be times, however, where you’re presented with an opportunity that takes you off track. When you’re clear on your priorities and are committed to your goals, sticking with the plan is much easier.

Instead of giving up on the plan when it doesn’t work, take time to review it and see why it didn’t work. I’m a firm believer that the challenges and obstacles we experience along the way to realizing our goals is simply a test of how bad we want it. Think about the times that you have experienced difficulties when working towards a goal. Remember how impossible things felt at times. You survived though, didn’t you? Even if the goal didn’t manifest the way that you expected to, I’m willing to bet you learned a lot from the experience. If you did achieve the goal you were working towards, then you know that it was all worth it!

Plans are simply guidelines. They aren’t the only way to achieve your goal. Successful plans are organic. They evolve constantly because we are always learning new things and connecting with new people that show us things we never even knew existed! Don’t give up on your plan just because things aren’t working out. Stay committed to goal, be flexible with the plan.

Sandra Dawes is a certified life coach specializing in helping women who feel unfulfilled with their 9-5 follow their dreams and pursue their passions. She holds an Honours BA, an MBA as well as a certificate in Dispute Resolution. She has completed her first book,Embrace Your Destiny: 12 Steps to Living the Life You Deserve!

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Mar 15 2017

What are you focusing on?

Do you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed with your business? There’s so much information out there. Facebook Live, webinars, blogging, newsletters, networking – where do you start? This can be particularly challenging if you’re just starting out or if you’re on your own.

I think the best place to start is doing things that bring you joy. You started your business for a reason, you have a product or service that you want to share. If you start by doing things that feel awkward to you, it will be easy to give up. Not only will it be easy to quit, but your potential clients will sense it too!

Here’s the thing to remember: you don’t have to do it all! You have to do what works for you, what allows you to be at your best. The other stuff will come. You can get training, hire a coach, read books; but the best way to start is with your strengths. Don’t get caught up in the comparison game. It will drive you crazy and take you off track from doing the things necessary to grow your business and have fun along the way.

Paying too much attention to what everyone else is doing can be maddening. If it works to inspire and motivate you, go for it! If you find yourself feeling less-than because of what others are doing, stop it. At the end of the day, unless you know them personally, we don’t know what their struggles are. Most of us aren’t sharing the defeats and let downs on social media, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t happening.

It’s important to focus on you and what you want to accomplish. You don’t need to try and implement every tool out there at the same time. You don’t need to be on every social media platform. Do what feels right to you and be where your people are. Reflect on your growth and the progress you’ve made in your business and don’t worry about how everyone else is doing. As long as you are making headway in your business, that’s all that matters.

Being an entrepreneur can be a stressful endeavor. When we focus on our own growth, focus on our strengths and work on improving our weaknesses we begin to see the fruits of our labour. You don’t have to be like anyone else or do what everyone else is doing. It’s all about being the best version of yourself so you can do your best and create the business of your dreams!

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Feb 15 2017

Hardship leads to progress

We’ve all had that moment where we wonder if our hard work will ever pay off. You know what I’m talking about; those moments when you wonder what else you can do and how much longer you’ll have to wait before you start to feel like you’re reaping the fruits of your labour. You wonder if it really has to be this hard.

Denzel Washington did his acceptance speech at the NAACP Awards and he said a line that has stuck with me since I heard it for the first time. Near the end of his speech he said: “ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship.” I think that this is an important reminder for anyone working towards a goal.

While it would be nice if our goals were easy to realize, it’s simply not the reality. If it was easy to make our hopes and dreams a reality, everyone would be doing it, and they aren’t. Life’s challenges force us to make a decision – maintain the status quo or do things differently.

Doing things differently means stepping outside your comfort zone. If you want to get different results, you have to do things in ways you never have before. The result is progress. It might be slow, but it will be worth it.

There’s a reason why Napoleon Hill dedicates an entire chapter to persistence in his timeless classic, Think and Grow Rich. The ability to persist even when it would be easier to quit, is one of the traits that successful people have. They refuse to give up because they believe that what they’re working towards is possible, regardless of what the present situation is.

I know that it may seem impossible at times, but you have to believe that the goal you’re working towards possible. It’s not about having a “Plan B”. It’s about putting your all into making your “Plan A” a reality.

Don’t let hardships discourage you. Like Denzel said, ease is the greater threat. Challenges provide the opportunity for progress. Stay focused on the end goal. Have faith that it is possible and believe that you are capable of enduring the rough patches. If you’re able to persist, there’ll be a time when you’ll look back at the struggles and laugh at how impossible it all once seemed!

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Jan 15 2017

Got Discipline?

I’ve decided that my word for 2017 is Discipline. It’s funny that once I chose the word, I kept hearing people talking about what an important role discipline plays in successfully achieving our goals in videos and blog posts. I decided to view this as a reinforcement of the need to be more disciplined in 2017.

A couple of months ago I read the book The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod and it reminded me of the importance of starting our day off on the right foot. The book reminds us of one of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Start with the end in mind. If we want to have a successful day, we need to start with focus, intention setting and a clear mind!

I know that as entrepreneurs, we often think we don’t have the time for morning rituals beyond getting up, taking care of hygiene and starting our day. I’ve heard it said the less time you think you have for meditation, the more of it you need. I think it’s the same for all of the routines mentioned in The Miracle Morning.

Having a morning routine doesn’t require 3 hours of your time. You get to choose how much or how little time you give to each part of the routine. When it comes to establishing new habits, it’s about consistency more than anything else. It’s not about whether you do 3 minutes of meditation or 30 minutes, the key is to start doing it! It’s the same for journaling, exercise, visualization and the other habits you know will help you start your day off on the right foot.

Most of us know what we need to do more of and less of in order to truly focus on our goals and make them happen. Unfortunately a lot of us are also equipped with a long list of excuses for why we haven’t started to do the things we need to do and stop doing the things that are holding us back. If this is part of your struggle, then you need to remind yourself of why achieving your goals is important to you. Is what your life will be like when you accomplish your goals worth enough to you to make the changes necessary?

Try not to think of discipline as restrictive or a chore. Think of it as one of the magical elements that helps us reach our goals with less drama and more ease! Where in your life or business will you be exercising more discipline?

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Dec 15 2016

Planning for success in 2017

We’re just a couple weeks shy of the end of 2016. Even if the year wasn’t everything you imagined it would be; the New Year brings with it the opportunity for a fresh start. The question is: what are you going to do with yours?

If you didn’t accomplish everything you wanted to this year, it may be about more than just poor planning. Just like a house built on an unstable foundation won’t stay standing, we need to make sure that we have a solid mindset before pursuing our goals. If you pursue 2017 goals with 2016’s mindset, don’t be surprised when you get similar results!

Consider the beliefs or thoughts that held you back from doing things you knew were going to help your business. What would you need to do to shift them so that you can take those leaps of faith in the upcoming year? Whether it’s hiring a coach, attending a workshop or reading a book, there are many ways to work on your limiting beliefs.

Sometimes we’re not conscious of the beliefs that are holding us back because we’ve believed them for a very long time. Many of the limiting beliefs that we have were passed on to us by well-meaning family and friends. They too are unconscious of the fact that what they’ve shared with us causes limitations. It’s only when we start to question whether or not our beliefs truly serve us that we can identify the ones that need shifting.

If we don’t work on our mindset, we will struggle with the plan. If you are limited in your belief about what’s possible, it will undoubtedly affect the plans you put in place. Maybe you’re playing small when it comes to your goals because you don’t think you’re capable of achieving the amazing things you really want for your life. Whatever’s holding you back, know that it doesn’t have to be your reality. I truly believe that where there’s a will, there is always a way!

What are you going to do differently in 2017? What beliefs do you need to shift in order to make those changes happen? Who or where can you go to for the help you need so that you don’t sabotage your success and you can really make the New Year your best year yet? Whatever it is you need to do, write it down, give yourself a deadline and take action to make it happen!

If you’d like help with identifying your limiting beliefs so that you can pursue your 2017 goals with a mindset for success, book a complimentary, no-obligation 30 minute Clarity Session with me today!

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Want to plan your 2017? Enhance your planning with a Leonie Dawson Workbook

Nov 15 2016

5 Ways to Prepare for 2017

It’s hard to believe that there’s only about six weeks left in 2016! While many use this time heading into the holidays to wind things down in their business, I find it one of the busiest times of the year. For me, it’s the time to start working on the plan for the New Year as well as work with clients developing their own plans. Here are 5 ways to prepare for 2017:

Celebrate your accomplishments

Taking the time to review the current year’s accomplishments is a great way to start the New Year. We often focus on the things that didn’t go according to plan or the mistakes made along the way. If we direct our energy on the negative we set ourselves up for more of the same. No matter how much went wrong this year, there are always things that went right. Find time to reflect on what those things are.

Review what’s working and what isn’t

You know the saying that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. The interesting thing is that many of us keep doing things the way we’ve always done them expecting that if we do more of it that the results will be different. When we don’t get the expected results, we find ourselves frustrated and disillusioned. Of course there are things that we’re doing that do work for us. We need to identify them and see how we can leverage them moving into the New Year.

Identify required resources

We all need help of some sort to make our goals a reality. If things didn’t go according to plan, then it’s time to think about who or what you need in your business to get you where you want to be. What help our resources would have made life easier for you in 2016? Make a list of what you need and make a plan to obtain it.

Set 1 or 2 primary goals

We often don’t achieve the things we wanted to in a year because we overestimate what can be done. We end up feeling overwhelmed with all the things we want to do and the result is that we do even less than we planned. Instead of having 10 goals that you want to achieve in 2017, pick one or two major goals that you want to focus on. Consider what goals if met, will make it easier to achieve other smaller goals. It’s all about finding that goose who lays the golden eggs!

Schedule time off

All work and no play doesn’t just make us dull, it sets up fertile ground for burnout! Make sure that you schedule time away from your business or work so that you can relax and recharge. Achieving work/life balance doesn’t have to be mission impossible. Remember, you didn’t start your business to spend all your time working; you did it because you wanted freedom. Hard work does pay off, but we all need to take a step back so we can come back with fresh eyes and rested brains!

It’s never too late or too early to start planning your year. It’s important to give yourself the time to reflect on the year that has passed and consider what you want to achieve in the one coming. It’s about preparing a foundation to plant seeds that have no choice but to flourish. What are your plans for 2017?

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Oct 15 2016

Planning for success

We’re already at the half-way mark of the month of October! The last quarter of the year always seems to go much faster than the first three for some reason. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just me because I always feel the need to end the year with a bang 😉

One of the things on my current to-do list is to complete my plan for 2017. In the last 5 years or so, I have dedicated time in the fall to reflecting on the present year as well as putting together the plan for the upcoming year. I’m sure we’ve all heard it said that a goal without a plan is just a dream. I know that I personally haven’t been able to accomplish anything of real significance without a plan to make it happen.

Whether everything went according to that plan is a completely different story! If there’s anything I’ve learned in planning my goals and helping clients with their own, it’s that things rarely go exactly as planned. The reason for this is that we make the plan with a limited understanding of what’s possible, no matter how open minded we are. As we take action on our goals, receive guidance from others and test the waters, we learn new things that often alter the course, but never the final destination.

An important part of the plan for me is taking the time to celebrate our accomplishments to-date. We can sometimes downplay the progress we’ve made because we’ve set such high expectations of ourselves. I know from personal experience that it’s when we take the time to acknowledge the small wins that we can focus our energy on attracting even bigger ones.

Planning before the start of the year helps us set the tone for 2017. With an established plan now, we know exactly what to do when the New Year starts! It also gives us the opportunity to share our plan with people we know will support you and hold you accountable. It’s about really setting ourselves up for success, not only with the creation of the plan, but making sure that we have everything and everyone we need in place to support us in achieving our goals.

Take the time to start planning your New Year. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did! This doesn’t have to be a chore; you can have fun with it. Plan a girls’ night in and make vision boards. Do a family exercise where everyone shares one thing they want to achieve for the year and everyone brainstorms (in a positive supportive way) different options to make those goals a reality! Planning for 2017 is about creating your future, what can be more exciting than that?

If you want some support in creating your plan for the New Year, join me the weekend of November 11-13 for the Jump Start Your Year Retreat in Blue Mountain! Visit http://bit.ly/jumpstartyouryear for more information.

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Jul 15 2016

3 Ways Establishing Priorities Makes Life Easier

We all have moments when everything seems like it needs to be done right away. ASAP seems to be the deadline for everything these days. In order to avoid overwhelm and frustration, it’s important to establish priorities in all areas of our lives, and here’s why:

Priorities help us create boundaries

When you have identified what’s important to you, it makes it easier to say yes to the right opportunities and no to others. When we aren’t sure what a priority is for us, it can be easy to get caught up in other people’s priorities. We find ourselves unable to say no to things that we don’t want to do because we aren’t clear on where we want to be focusing our time and energy. If you don’t want to feel like you’re constantly being pulled in every direction, you need to establish your priorities and share them with the people in your life!

It helps us to manage our time

When we know what our priorities are, we know where to focus our time. We aren’t easily distracted by shiny objects, and we don’t wake up in the morning wondering what we should tackle today. Priorities help us focus on our goals, on what’s important to us. Too many of us are busy giving big time to small tasks. When we are clear on our priorities we give our time to things that matter. Consider the goose that laid the golden eggs. What completed tasks will bring you closer to achieving other things on your to-do list? Figuring this out can help you establish priorities that will help get you closer to accomplishing your goals.

Priorities help us maintain momentum

When we know what’s important to us, we give it constant attention. You know what I’m talking about. You’re working on a project and when you look at the time you wonder where the last 5 hours went. When we’re passionate about something we eat, sleep and drink it. Establishing priorities fuels our purpose. It gives us permission to focus on the things that matter to us. You can’t make something a priority without committing to it. Commitment means doing it even when we don’t feel like it. It gives us power to push through even the most difficult challenges.

Without priorities we can feel like we’re spinning our wheel s in mud. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and frustrated by everything there is to do when you have no idea where to start. Taking the time to sit with your tasks and prioritize them will save you a lifetime of future hassle and aggravation. Have you set your priorities for the next 30 days?

If you need help identifying your priorities, check out these free tools designed to help you prioritize your life.

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May 15 2016

5 signs success is on the way

Clients often come to me struggling to stay focused on their goals. They don’t feel like their making real progress on their goals and often feel like they’re spinning their wheels in mud. It’s easy to beat ourselves up about things – we can be our own worst critic at times. You might not be exactly where you want to be. That doesn’t mean that you aren’t making progress, or that the goal isn’t possible. Here are 5 signs you are making progress towards your goals:

You’re taking daily action towards specific targets

This is really the only way you’re going to make any progress on your goals. If you have goals, but you’re not actually doing anything to make them happen, what are you waiting for? You can visualize and affirm all you want, but you actually have to get out there and do things if your goal is going to become a reality.

You’re meeting the right people and connecting with the right resources

When you make the commitment to your goals, the universe conspires with you to make them a reality. I know this to be a fact. When you stop talking about what you want to do and actually start doing it, the right resources and connections will be made to take you to the next phase. The key with this is to keep an open mind and stay focused on the end goal rather than worrying about how it will all come together.

You’ve encountered obstacles, and overcome them

When you can remain committed to your goal regardless of the challenges, you’re well on your way! Persistence pays off. When you want something bad enough, nothing can discourage you or make you believe that it isn’t possible. You’ve got the mental tenacity to make it to the finish line. This is one of the most important ingredients to anyone’s success!

You’re constantly adjusting the plan

This one ties in with #2 and #3. When you have an open mind and the right people and resources are finding their way to you, you have more information that allows you to fine tune the plan. When you encounter obstacles in your plan, instead of giving up, you look for alternate paths to make your goal happen. When you’re monitoring your progress on a regular basis, adjustments happen naturally.

You’re even more excited about the goal than when you started

As the light at the end of the tunnel begins to shine brighter, you’re bound to get even more excited about your goal. It’s moving from a simple idea to an actual reality! I don’t know about you, but it really doesn’t get any better than that! You know that the blood, sweat and tears were all worth it, and you’re not afraid if you have to give a little bit more to make it all happen. Ride that momentum to the finish line!

Any goal worth achieving takes time to unfold into reality. Little steps, daily action and a focused mindset are just a few of the tools that are going to bring you that much closer to realizing your dreams. Celebrate your accomplishments, keep an open mind, stay focused on the goal and watch the magic happen!

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Apr 15 2016

Taking care of you is good for business

As entrepreneurs it can be easy to get so caught up in what we’re doing that we forget to take care of ourselves. When you’re passionate about what you do, it’s easy to lose track of time as you get lost in a project. Of course, none of us can survive on passion alone for long. We need to make sure that we have fuel in the tank because running out of gas is detrimental to our health as well as our businesses.

We need to keep our tanks full in all areas of our personal life; mind, body and soul in order to give our best to our businesses. Not only do we need to keep our bodies nourished, hydrated and in good physical shape, we also need to keep our minds sharp and focused. We also need the emotional strength to deal with the inevitable setbacks that will present themselves at some point or another. Easier said than done, right?

The ability to function at optimum levels in all these areas takes discipline. Daily routines that make sure your constantly replenishing your internal resources are a must! When we don’t make the time to take care of ourselves in order to do more for the business, we do ourselves a disservice. Unless you’re one of the few who can sustain full power on no sleep, food or mental rest, there is no way you’re giving your all when you’re not at optimal health.

You want your business to run smoothly. You want foolproof systems in place. If you have a team, you want them to be responsive to client needs. You expect everything to function at its highest capacity so that you can offer the best service to your customers. You know that if the systems aren’t maintained, they won’t run efficiently. You know that if you don’t maintain good communications with your team, the vision and mission will be lost. It’s the exact same thing with you!

If you don’t listen to your body when it tells you it needs rest, you’re going to get sick. If you don’t get enough sleep, you’ll eventually lose focus and stamina. If you don’t quiet the mind, how will it ever be able to be open to new and exciting opportunities? We also have to remember not to ignore our relationships either. It’s important to have clarity on what your priorities are at all times. Yes, there are going to be times when balancing your personal and business life will be a challenge, but we have to make sure we aren’t neglecting the things that are important to us. If you’re not clear on what those priorities are, you’ll be pulled in way too many directions and overwhelm is inevitable.

We all want to be successful in our entrepreneurial endeavors. Our passion for what we do can consume us if we allow it to. It’s important to find a way to coexist with passions, so that we can serve them, and feel fulfilled in doing so. This means making sure that we take care of ourselves in order to give our best in all that we do. Are you ready to make yourself a priority?

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Feb 16 2016

5 Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read

It’s been said that successful entrepreneurs are readers. It makes sense, of course. There isn’t enough time to make all the mistakes possible and learn from them. Reading provides us with an opportunity to learn from the experiences of others and tap into their wisdom as well. There are so many awesome books out there, I’m sure I could do a whole series on great books! Here’s my top 5, feel free to share yours in the comments!

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Even though this book was originally published in 1937, the information contained in it is timeless. This is a book that you can read several times and get something different out of it each and every time! If you struggle with negative thinking and staying committed to your goals, this book will definitely help! Running a mastermind group based on this book in 2013 provided me with the tools to take the leap into full-time entrepreneurship.

Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill

Another book by Napoleon Hill, this one talks about to work through the fears that hold us back from living the life we want. Written in 1938, it wasn’t published until 2012 due to its controversial nature. It’s a cleverly written book, with Mr. Hill actually interviewing the Devil. The insights shared about institutionalized fear provide great food for thought.

The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwarz

If you need some prompting to achieve those big goals, this is the book for you! Another timeless classic, this book is all about what happens when you stop letting your fears control you and you take massive decisive action towards your goals. This book is easy to read with a lot of great insights and advice.

The Power of Intention by Dr. Wayne Dyer

Wayne Dyer’s books aren’t targeted towards entrepreneurs, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a worthy read! This book talks about the importance of focusing on the things that are going to get you closer to where you want to be. To be successful in anything you do, you have to get your mind right, and this book provides you with some great tools to do just that.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

I couldn’t leave this classic off the list! This book is another good one that helps you to get to a level of operating at maximum efficiency. The habits are logical; it’s just a matter of putting them into practice in our own lives. The great thing is that the book provides techniques to incorporate the habits into our routine. This is another book that deserves a revisit every once and awhile.

There are so many books that provide great business wisdom! Special mention goes to Arlene Dickinson’s book Persuasion and Michael Hyatt’s Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World. While it can be easy to think that there’s no time for reading, even 15 minutes a day can provide great insight. Thanks to technology, you don’t even have to read the book; you can take them on the road with you with audio books! If we’re not growing, we’re stagnant. Books are a great way to continue our personal evolution and help in the growth of our businesses as well!

Sandra Dawes is a certified life coach specializing in helping women who feel unfulfilled with their 9-5 follow their dreams and pursue their passions. She holds an Honours BA, an MBA as well as a certificate in Dispute Resolution.She has completed her first book,Embrace Your Destiny: 12 Steps to Living the Life You Deserve!

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Dec 16 2015

3 Indicators You’re Focusing on the “Right Stuff”

I’m constantly being reminded of how powerful our focus is. Whatever we focus on expands. Good, bad or otherwise, we get what we spend the most of our energy on. While it can be a scary notion, the good news is that the choice of where we focus on minds remains in our complete control. Here are 3 ways to know your focusing your energy in a productive way.

Despite any challenges you’ve encountered, your still passionate about your goal

Passion is the fire that fuels us in the pursuit of our goals. If our goals aren’t big enough, or meaningful enough, it’s easy to lose heart. When we focus on why we chose the goal, what achieving the goal is going to mean for us, those around us and maybe even the world at large, the bumps and bruises along the way are worth it. Challenges don’t discourage us from the things that are important to us. Instead, they show us what we’re made of, and empower us with the strength to make the once seemingly impossible, possible.

People are starting to notice your efforts

Persistence pays off. When you persist in the achievement of your goals, things start to happen and people begin to take notice. Maybe you’ve started things in the past and left them incomplete because you lacked the necessary passion. This time is different, and the people around you can see that. What’s exciting about this is that when you commit to your goals and remain focused no matter what, people around you want to contribute to your success. Big goals are impossible to achieve on your own. We all need support to make our goals a reality. With the support of others, you’re unstoppable!

Even in moments of darkness, opportunities present themselves to restore your faith

Have you ever had moments when you actually begin to question if you really know what you’re doing? Maybe you’ve even considered looking for a job, thinking that it might be time to think about a “Plan B”. All of a sudden, it happens – it seems like the heavens open and opportunities start showing up. They may not all pan out, but you know have a renewed faith and excitement about the possibilities when it comes to the goal you’re working towards. You see enough of a glimmer to believe in the existence of the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. I believe that these moments occur to encourage us not to give up. They are a reminder of the idea I talk about at the beginning of #2 – persistence and commitment pay off. Keep your eye on the prize and you will reap the rewards!

Remaining positive in the pursuit of our goals can be challenging, but it is necessary. Negative experiences are a part of life. We all experience failures and disappointments in our personal and business goals. How we choose to deal with them, and what we choose to focus on always remains in our control. What will you choose to focus on today?

Sandra Dawes is a certified life coach specializing in helping women who feel unfulfilled with their 9-5 follow their dreams and pursue their passions. She holds an Honours BA, an MBA as well as a certificate in Dispute Resolution.She has completed her first book,Embrace Your Destiny: 12 Steps to Living the Life You Deserve!

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Nov 18 2015

3 Reasons Why Passion is Vital to Business Success

There are so many factors that contribute to our success in business or in any part of our lives really. The Internet is full of articles about the success factors for entrepreneurs, so why not add one more to the list? I believe that we have to love what we do. While there are always things we don’t like to do in our day-to-day tasks, there has to be a burning passion that drives us. Here are three reasons why I think that being passionate about your business is vital to its success:

It fuels you through challenges. We hear so much about “knowing your why” and there’s a reason. You have to be aware of what drives you, what you’re working towards and why it’s important to you. When you don’t have clarity on these things, challenges and obstacles can really become a major distraction and take you off course. When you’re really passionate about what you do, quitting isn’t an option. The saying that “where there’s a will, there’s a way” is the truth. When you’re committed to your goals, the universe conspires with you to make them a reality.

It takes selling out the sales process. Cold-calling does not excite me. I’m sure that there are lots of people who have no problem picking up the phone and making those calls, I’m not one of them. The exception to this is when I’m working on a project that I’m excited about where making calls to complete strangers is the only way it’s going to succeed. When we’re passionate about what we do, the people on the other end of the phone can hear it and they’ll want to be a part of it (some of them anyway). If you’re selling something that you don’t believe in, you’re going to have a difficult time.
Life is good when you’re doing what you love! When you’re living on purpose and doing what you love, things start to flow much easier. Things that once seemed like the end of the world are no longer a big deal. Challenges and obstacles are seen as tests to our commitment rather than cruel punishment from universe. You know why you do what you do and it makes your hear sing. There are so many people out there that are living unfulfilled lives. They have dreams that they think can never be a reality. The fact that you have the opportunity to do what you love is a blessing, and you know it.

Passion is what keeps us going as entrepreneurs. It’s the fuel that drives us and our business. If you’re not passionate about what you do, you need to ask yourself why you’re doing it. If passion was what started it, then it’s just a matter of reconnecting with it. If you were never passionate about what you do, it’s time to figure out how to add passion to what you do or do something that you are really fired up about. If we want meaningful success in life, passion is a must-have.

Sandra Dawes is a certified life coach specializing in helping women who feel unfulfilled with their 9-5 follow their dreams and pursue their passions. She holds an Honours BA, an MBA as well as a certificate in Dispute Resolution.She has completed her first book,Embrace Your Destiny: 12 Steps to Living the Life You Deserve!

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Sep 15 2015

5 Things I Wish I Knew When I was Younger

I’m organizing a job fair in the fall and one of my goals is to help high school students explore their career options beyond the traditional professions. Since this idea has been kicking around in my head, I’ve been thinking about what I wished I’d known a few years ago (ahem), when I was in high school 🙂

Entrepreneurship is an option

Maybe times have changed, but I don’t remember much conversation about entrepreneurship as an option when I was in high school. It’s possible that I was just talking to the wrong people. Career day never had someone who owned their own business. I know that the Richard Branson’s and Bill Gates’ of the world aren’t the norm, but wouldn’t it be great to light the fire of entrepreneurship at an early age?

A degree doesn’t guarantee a job, never mind a high paying one

While I was in high school, I had a standing summer job at my mom’s warehouse. I started there making $8 an hour, working 40 hours a week. Not bad for a 15 year old! By the time I left there I was making about $16 an hour. Imagine my horror and dismay when my first job after graduation paid me $10 an hour! Sure, I wasn’t lifting heavy boxes and wearing steel toed boots, but it was still a letdown. Even my parents couldn’t believe that my education didn’t command higher pay.

You don’t have to figure it all out now

I don’t know about you, but what I wanted to be when I grew up isn’t what I want to be now! Before becoming an entrepreneur, I averaged three years at any job. How can you possibly know what you want to do when there’s no way you’re aware of all the options, especially at the age of 17 or 18? I used to roll my eyes at people who needed to take a year off to “find themselves”, but now I totally get it!

Follow your passion and the money will come

I used to think that there was no way that you could do something you love and get paid well for it. My father was a truck mechanic and loved his job. I believed that he was the exception to the rule. When you so many people working jobs that brings them no joy, you begin to believe that’s just the way things are. When you love what you do, you’ll spend the hours needed to master your craft, whatever it is. It’s not easy to commit to something that you’re not passionate about.

The concept of “work smarter not harder”

There was a time when I was working a full time job and a part time job. I remember being on a flight to Las Vegas for work and chatting with the couple I was sitting next to. I was talking about my lack of time for fun when the wife told me that I had to learn how to work smarter, not harder. It was the first time I had heard that, and I thought she was crazy. I totally get it now and no longer believe I have to exchange my time for money, as an employee or a business owner. There are only so many hours in a day and I don’t know about you, but working 24/7 doesn’t sound appealing to me!

What advice would you give students graduating from high school? What words of wisdom would you share with your younger self if you could? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Sandra Dawes is a certified life coach specializing in helping women who feel unfulfilled with their 9-5 follow their dreams and pursue their passions. She holds an Honours BA, an MBA as well as a certificate in Dispute Resolution.She has completed her first book,Embrace Your Destiny: 12 Steps to Living the Life You Deserve!

Connect: