Is there more to our success than just gritting our teeth and pushing hard?
By the end of 2016, I found myself in a bind. I was working hard in my business, managing the end of year family stress and looking to plan my 2017 all at the same time.
As an entrepreneur, I wear many hats and sometimes these hats feel like they are made of steel, not soft cashmere wool.
As I wrapped up the year I realized 3 things:
While there was a lot of work that needed to be done «in my business» to keep growing, it was ok to take a step back and take in the big picture.
Nothing comes from nothing. I had reached a point of burnt out where I was unproductive and unable to create, it was hard for me to even write one short article or blog post. I had a responsibility to my clients and my work to take care of myself AND take a break. Put me in time out 😉
Pushing hard does not make my business grow. As I let go and regain the connection to myself and what I stand for, I realize that the more I stop «pushing» my business and begin «allowing» my business to flow the more productivity and growth I experience.
So as we begin to wrap up the month of January, I’m happy to report that I’ve spent the month of January allowing my business to flow, grateful for my old and new clients. Grateful for the opportunities that are knocking on my door to contribute to large media and print channels as a writer, to speak to large audiences and lead workshops around the world.
2017 is the year of allowing my business to flow with CLEAR intention, CLEAR direction, and a CLEAR roadmap.
So, are you CLEAR on your intention, direction, and roadmap for success in 2017?
If the answer is NO, then you are not alone. 90% of startups fail in the first few years mostly for lack of CLARITY of direction. Many prioritize working IN their business over working ON their business and they lack the capacity to build the strategy and the planning needed for growth.
So here’s the good news! you don’t have to do this alone. As a subscriber to my community, I want you, to be the first to know about CLARITY CIRCLES. Clarity Circles is a community for entrepreneurs, coaches, authors, thought leaders and speakers where we come together as a tribe to:
CLARIFY your unique message and positioning in the market (and why not, access TEDx and other stages)
DESIGN the strategy that will lead your business growth
TAKE ACTION have a step by step map of your road to success
If this sounds like what you’ve been looking for then let’s see if this program is right for you. Simply email me back with the answer to these questions and then SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW
– How long have you been in business?
– What type of business are you in? Provide a website or online page for us to learn more about your work
– Is speaking part of your growth strategy? Have you ever thought about being a TEDx speaker?
– Where do you want your business to be in 12 months?
– How much did you invest in your business in 2016?
I look forward to supporting YOU in your path to CLARITY.
Dolores Signature in green
WELCOME TO DECEMBER! Can you believe it? Another year is almost gone!
As you read this post, I am getting into full active mode to finish the year strong.
You see, when I launched my coaching business, three years ago, I was determined to grow my business so that it could provide for my family and more important, provide for my children’s college education, that has been one of my main drivers.
I’m happy to report that my business has doubled EVERY YEAR for the last three years and while my oldest child, my son, still has one more year at home, I’m confident I will be able to support his college decision when the time comes. This didn’t just happen… I MADE IT HAPPEN, and you can too!
So that brings me to DECEMBER.
Yes, December is the month of celebration, parties and joyful times. It’s also the time when we look back, BEFORE DECEMBER 31st and we ask ourselves:
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What did I set out to do this year?
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How far along did I go?
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What can I accomplish in the last four weeks to finish the year strong?
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How do I get my ducks in a row for the new year?
So let’s not get our party hats on JUST YET. Let’s HUSTLE and let’s finish the year strong.
Use the worksheet below to map our the next four weeks and let’s get some sh*t done before the year is over 😉
Monthly Planning & Clarity Sessions .pdf
Not sure what 2017 will bring? Then let’s stop the guessing game and plan it out:
Spend a WHOLE day with me, getting CLEAR on your message, your strategy and planning a roadmap for business growth in 2017.
Are you ready to have a PLAN? To start your 2017 knowing where you are going to spend your energy, your focus? Ready to realize YOUR business growth?
Then join me:
WHEN: FRIDAY DECEMBER 16th 9-5PM
WHERE: GROUNDWORK! – 1213 Purchase Street New Bedford | MA | 02740
WHAT TO EXPECT? 8 HOURS WORKING WITh ME ON:
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Reviewing your accomplishments in the last 12 months
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Clarifying your goals and objectives for the new year
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Creating a road map for realizing your goals in the next 12 months
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Networking
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Brainstorming
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Masterminding
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Finding CLARITY
Lunch will be provided.
REGISTER NOW SPACE IS LIMITED!
Let’s roll up our sleeves and HUSTLE before we party.
Have a great weekend,
I am grateful for you!
Last Saturday I was at a local event and a woman came up to me and said how she loved my Thursday emails. How they are the «gentle» push she needs to move forward, look at life from a different perspective or simply implement a new tip or trick that I offer.
This Thursday I want to say THANK YOU to you– for allowing me to come to your inbox on Thursdays and share what is in my heart.
As I sit around the table this Thanksgiving, I feel my heart full with gratitude for:
Food to share
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Health for me and my family to keep showing up in the world and growing into our best selves
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Opportunities for my children to learn
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Opportunities for me and my business to keep growing and serving– one IDEAPRENEUR & IMPACTPRENEUR at a time
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Opportunities to redesign our lives
2016 has been a year of growth, wins and incredible challenges. As we move into a new year, our family is being tested in resilience, love and support for each other. While I know in my heart and my mind that great growth will come from challenging times, I also have to confess that it’s scary and humbling at the same time.
A few weeks ago, I was sharing part of what my family is going through with a client. With tears in her eyes she hugged me and said: «I’m so glad you are sharing that with me.»
I was puzzled until she explained how my struggles gave her hope and the courage to trust. How my capacity to still do my work, support her as my client while going through my own tough times allows her to dream of a time where her own struggles would not consume her 100% of the time.
She realized her «coach» was a real human being, with real challenges– that there was nothing wrong in being vulnerable and sharing what was in my heart. It made me human and it made her care.
So this year, as you get ready to celebrate with your family, make sure you add everything that is NOT working in your life right now to your list of things you are thankful for. It’s these things that FORCE us to grow and expand and we should be grateful–even if it’s not comfortable. These are the moments when we can choose to embrace the pain and transform it into a BETTER version of ourselves. I INVITE you to do this as I add these challenging times to my list as well.
Ready for 2017?
Are you ready to have a PLAN? To start 2017 knowing where YOU are going to spend YOUR energy and focus? Ready to realize YOUR business growth?
Then join me on Friday December 16 for an ALL-DAY workshop at Groundwork! in New Bedford, MA.
WHEN: FRIDAY DECEMBER 16, 2016 9:00AM-5:00PM
WHERE: GROUNDWORK! – 1213 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
WHAT TO EXPECT? 8 HOURS WORKING WITH ME ON:
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Reviewing your accomplishments in the last 12 months
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Clarifying your goals and objectives for the new year
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Creating a road map for realizing your goals in the next 12 months
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Networking
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Brainstorming
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Masterminding
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Finding CLARITY
Lunch will be provided.
Was this helpful? Send me an email or leave a comment on social media. Want to have a private conversation? Schedule time to connect.
Happy Thanksgiving!
As I begin my year-end review– (I know it’s early; but it doesn’t hurt to begin thinking about it…) I make a list of what I’ve learned and what was really good about this year. Then after I’ve done that, I’ll begin to create space for my growth–i.e. what I need to work on to move forward.
In this process, I found this email I wrote last year and I thought it was something I wanted to share with you, again this year because it is SO RELEVANT.
So here it goes:
EMAIL FROM NOVEMBER 2015:
I want to share one thing that really “landed” for me this year–more than ever before: The impact of BREVITY.
“You mean talking less?” Yes, TALKING LESS!
If you pay attention to speakers– either when presenting to a group or talking with another person–once the they get the “microphone” or their turn to speak, they are very reluctant to be concise and to the point. There’s almost a need to be heard or “occupy” the space within their own voice. And that is the complete opposite of effective communication!
Interviewing and coaching speakers for TEDxNewBedford made me realize this– more than ever– how people will ADD words when there is a lack of CLARITY in their message.
Yes, it sounds absolutely ridiculous– but that is what I experienced.
I knew this in my head, but it was out there as we interviewed over fifty people this year. We began ALL interviews with one simple question: “What is the idea YOU want to share with the audience?” Every single time we asked that question there was silence on the other side.
“One idea?” they would ask.
“Yes.” we would answer.
“Well, let me tell you my story first,” they would volunteer.
Here’s the thing– Our thoughts and ideas are wrapped in stories, and that is a good thing, as long as we can use these stories to serve the idea or thought we want to share–not the other way around!
This sounds so obvious and simplistic.
Try it for yourself.
Here’s the test:
Can you summarize what you want to share in your next conversation, group meeting or presentation in one or two short sentences? If you can’t, then you are not CLEAR on what you you want to say. This is the way I now begin every message–whether I’m writing a script for a speaking engagement, an email or blog post.
Getting really CLEAR on what you want to communicate is imperative to driving the message home!
Why is this important?
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Because if you are standing in front of an audience, you want to connect with them and have them walk away with something of value
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Because, unfortunately, as human beings, we are so bombarded with content everywhere that we have lost the capacity of figuring out what the speaker is really trying to say. (It is sad–as this is something we need to keep alive in ourselves through creative writing, poetry etc.) But it is the truth about most audiences right now.
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Because, at all costs, you want to avoid the glassy-eyed expression you get from either your teenagers, students or the millennials on your team.
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Because your boss only gives you two minutes to make your point.
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Because when you are clear in what you are saying, you can infuse your emotion around it. Your passion and stories build resonance!
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Because if YOU are not CLEAR you can not PLAN, IMPLEMENT or ACHIEVE!!!! This part I added this year 😉
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So this year I’m offering an opportunity to spend a WHOLE day with me, getting CLEAR on your message, your strategy and planning a roadmap for business growth in 2017.
Are you ready to have a PLAN? To start your 2017 knowing where you are going to spend your energy, your focus? Ready to realize YOUR business growth?
Then join me on Friday December 16th for an ALL DAY workshop, 9-5PM at Groundwork in New Bedford, MA.
WHEN: FRIDAY DECEMBER 16th 9-5PM
WHERE: GROUNDWORK! – 1213 Purchase Street New Bedford | MA | 02740
WHAT TO EXPECT? 8 HOURS WORKING WITh ME ON:
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Reviewing your accomplishments in the last 12 months
-
-
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Clarifying your goals and objectives for the new year
-
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Creating a road map for realizing your goals in the next 12 months
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Networking
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Brainstorming
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Masterminding
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Finding CLARITY
Lunch will be provided.
XMAS Party at my home following our meeting!
2016 CLIENTS PLEASE USE CODE 5FOT6EX3FLT to receive a $250.00 discount (Pay only for food/etc)
Was this helpful? Send me an email or leave a comment on social media. Want to have a private conversation? Schedule time to connect.
Have a great weekend.