1) On the really dark days remember that you’re still alive, you still can make a difference in your life, your community, and the world at large. This round may be over, but the game ain’t over yet. Something great could happen tomorrow. 2) At the risk of ticking off everyone ever held ransom by a telemarketer, consider that every “no” actually means “maybe”—either you need to pitch in a more compelling way (explain their return on investment, success statistics, how you’ll help them crush their competitors) or you don’t have what the prospective customer needs yet. 3) Take 100 percent responsibility for your life—you are no one’s victim. This means no blaming, no complaining, no trying to change others! 4) When you’re stuck or psyched out after a failure, help others. Do some volunteer work. It’ll help you stop dwelling on negativity and will foster hope. 5) Make and post a list of your awesome qualities. I still do this today. It’s crucial to learn to boost your confidence and self-esteem.
Finally, visualize the things you want coming into your life. I like to imagine that all my goals have already been achieved on the nonphysical level. It’s my job to welcome them down to the physical realm. You can host many rejection parties, you can desensitize yourself to criticism, and still, every now and then you’ll fail. This is yet another reason why it’s great to have a mastermind group or an accountability partner or and fabulous friends. We all need to vent or brainstorm when we fail, and having a prefab failure or rejection recovery group works wonders. With practice you’ll learn to fail forward more often than not. You’ll learn to rock rejection and finesse failure.
Christine Comaford, Business Accelerator
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author
PS: If you’re ready to take your leadership and ROCK YOUR future AND YOUR PRESENT to the next level, I’m holding a special sale where you can participate in my entire Business Foundation Blueprint system. http://www.mvlinks.net/june-special *Although this offer really ended on June 30, I’ve put together a HUGE savings to give you a head start on your NEW, amazing, prosperous life.
Rejection, unlike failure, comes in only one flavor: the external kind. Quite simply, this is when others just don’t want to play with you. I’ve been rejected by potential hires (“I don’t want this stinkin’ job”), staff members who quit or weren’t right for their role, sales prospects (zillions of these) who wouldn’t buy what I was selling, men who didn’t want to date me, friends who decided I wasn’t cool enough, you name it. When they say “No,” I say “Next!” Remember the Rock Rejection Mantra: Some will, some won’t, so what, SOMEONE’S WAITING.
Believe it or not, somebody out there always wants what you have. Keep looking, keep asking, keep the faith, and focus on finding this person. I repeated the Rock Rejection Mantra many times when my agent was pitching my first book—which was rejected unanimously by 22 publishers. So I reshaped it into a different book, what became the final version of Rules for Renegades. (You can get your own FREE copy of my book by clicking on the title – it’s my personal recession-buster for the entrepreneurial crowd.) After SEVENTEEN more rejections I sold the book—with several editors interested. It sold once I decided, deep inside myself, that regardless of 39 rejections, this book was going to happen—even if I had to print it myself. I dropped the fear of rejection and focused on attracting a kick-ass editor, someone who really “got” what my book was about.
Like me, you’re going to experience adversity in life, and a lot of it if you take risks. (And let’s face it, successful entrepreneurs take risks.) Here’s my Top 5 to stay on track (I’ll post 5 more tomorrow!): 1) Remember, it’s all an illusion. Failure has rewards; success has dangers. Learn from both, and move on. 2) Recall the vision that got you going. Spend a day working on your dream board. Don’t do anything else, just let that dream get back on its feet. 3) Practice the Law of Attraction: think about the things that will get you back on your feet, the people who will help you get up and running, the places you can go that will take you forward. Watch the movie “The Secret” again. 4) If people tell you, “You can’t” or “That’s a lousy idea,” congratulations; that usually means you’re on to something. 5) Sometimes you have to look the part, so do it and don’t complain about it. If necessary, change your look to get the respect you deserve, as I did to build a customer base of the Fortune 1000.
Christine Comaford, Business Accelerator
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author
PS: If you’re ready to take your leadership and ROCK YOUR future AND YOUR PRESENT to the next level, I’m holding a special sale where you can participate in my entire Business Foundation Blueprint system. http://www.mvlinks.net/june-special *Although this offer really ended on June 30, I’ve put together a HUGE savings to give you a head start on your NEW, amazing, prosperous life.
Friends, don’t neglect the obvious. Full-time employees are expensive. Several roles can be filled by either part-timers or hourly contractors. For sales and marketing needs, several companies I know have hired unemployed actors on an hourly basis. Actors are great at reading scripts and infusing their voice with enthusiasm, and if managed properly, they can generate and qualify sales leads over the phone. Take the ones with the strongest selling skills, the ones who are comfortable asking for sales orders, and have them do telephone- or Web-based sales. Give them a quota. In my previous companies, we even used contract sales people and paid them commission only—20 to 25 percent on their sales. (Yes, that’s the amazing win-win of pay-for-performance!) Contractors may not be as committed as employees, but you can offer incentives to increase their loyalty and commitment. Pay them bonuses based on results, refer other clients to them, and keep your company at the top of your contractors’ minds by knowing what your contractors care about and helping them achieve their goals. If you are a key source of business for them, they’ll have a lot at stake in maintaining the relationship.
Customer support is another area where you can hire contractors or outsource the function entirely. Have experienced project leaders evaluate and manage lower-rate contractors. As long as you have someone you trust running a given department (see “Leaders Build a Rockin’ Team” in Chapter 7 of Rules for Renegades), encourage the hiring of contractors—and convey a sense of accountability for cost-cutting measures across the company.
You can also check out www.elance.com and www.teamdoubleclick.com to find contractors with all varieties of skill sets. Ask around, too. Through friends we found a guy based in India for graphic design, marketing materials, and Web site design work. He does terrific work at a reasonable price. The bottom line is this: To have a BOTTOM LINE, you need to build your biz, kick a** with sales, marketing and your team of advisors, and you must control expenses and headcount.
Christine Comaford, Business Accelerator
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author
PS: If you’re ready to take your leadership to the next level and GROW your business, I’m holding a special sale where you can participate in my entire Business Foundation Blueprint system (for HALF OFF). http://www.mvlinks.net/june-special
Hi Renegades! My good friend, Alex Mandossian, has invited me to share his “Virtual Book Tour Secrets” program with all of you. Are YOU ready to learn to promote yourself in BIG ways from the best in the business? http://bit.ly/56Flx
Every day we’re sending unspoken “press releases” telling people where we’re at, who we are, how we feel about them, and how we feel about life. Ever stop to think about your “press release”? If not, now would be a GREAT time.
I came upon this idea recently when a man said to me, “You’re really cool and I’d like to date you, but wow–are you busy!” I thought to myself “Huh? I’m holding 3 nights open per week—how do I come across as soooooo busy?” Then I started to think about it, and to think about the feedback I get from my team members, friends, family and lo and behold: I’d been sending out a “press release” about how busy I was for years. Yes, YEARS.
What happens when you send out a message repeatedly? People start to believe it. People might avoid contacting you or offering opportunities because they don’t want to be rejected, shunned, or simply ignored – or to impose on you. Here are some of the “press releases” I’ve recently received from people:
“I’m totally overwhelmed! I can’t handle my [business, life, kids, etc]!”, “I’m hot and you’re not worthy”, “I care—really—sort of”
Here’s a fun adventure for the week: Listen to the unspoken messages people are broadcasting to you. This will raise your awareness of the unspoken messages you are broadcasting to others. It’s fascinating. As the Tibetans say, “Recognition is liberation.” Once you recognize your “press release,” you can choose to change it… then the fun REALLY begins!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Christine Comaford
Business Accelerator
Mighty Ventures
Make Your Venture Mighty!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/comaford
Join our Facebook group: www.BusinessRenegades.com
My Facebook page: www.facebook.com/comaford
My LinkedIn profile: www.linkedin.com/in/comaford
Read my blog: www.Christine.com
Free Business-Building Resources: www.MightyVentures.com
Plenty of leadership opportunities come up every day of our lives, many at our jobs. For instance, imagine that you’re in charge of convincing your boss you deserve that promotion, or to manage a project or team, how about finding the right job or dealing professionally with difficult situations with colleagues. Most of all, you have to be 100% a leader and in charge of finding out who you are and rocking your career and life. Rocking your career and life requires gaining emotional equity with others. This is how I see it:
-
Energy = Equity
-
Equity = Access
-
Access = Influence
Putting energy into your relationships with people helps to build emotional equity (a personal bond), which results in people caring about one another and wanting to contribute to one another’s welfare. This degree of equity then increases access to a person’s time, information and contacts. Increased access enables one to boost their level of influence on situations and outcomes. Influence enables you to get things done. Every person that gets things done successfully understands the connection between energy, equity, access and influence.
I can’t tell you how often people tell me that they avoid the colleagues that they’ve labeled as difficult. Then they complain that they can’t get these people to help them get things done. Of course not! They have no emotional equity with them. Instead of avoiding difficult people or scenarios, try taking a bold leadership role instead. Presenting clear objectives, expectations and roles is a sure way to create the outcomes that you will need down the road.
Christine Comaford, Business Accelerator
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author
PS: If you’re ready to take your leadership to the next level and GROW your business, I’m holding a special sale where you can participate in my entire Business Foundation Blueprint system (for HALF OFF). http://www.mvlinks.net/june-special
If you own your own business, you’re probably a natural-born leader. Now that doesn’t mean that you show up every day in a new Tahari suit or Jimmy Choo shoes. Leadership can be messy, can lack glamour, and can get down and dirty at times. (So no matter what you’re wearing, keep a pair of beat up jeans in your desk for those roll-up-your-sleeves and dive in days.)
A leader is someone whom people choose to follow, and although leadership is an ability all of us are born with, many of us have to cultivate the ability in order to make it effective. Not everyone in charge is a leader, that’s just the reality of life. Sometimes entrepreneurs are amazing leaders; sometimes they aren’t. The inherent tension of leadership is the challenge of just doing things your way or soliciting and incorporating the suggestions of your top lieutenants. The price of leadership is high. You have to make the big decisions, take the big risks, put your neck on the chopping block, and guide people who may be difficult or uncooperative. Leaders also struggle with the inherent tension between their innate desire to lead and their fantasy of letting the reins go now and then. Heck, let’s admit it—some days it’s nice to just follow. However, the follower pays an equally high price, though it can be hard to see. Followers don’t have the benefit of seeing the big picture, they don’t see the business with the 360-degree view that leaders strive for. And that’s the most fascinating view in business.
Wherever you fit in your organization, think like a chief executive officer, because let’s face it: you are the leader of your life. Who are you going to lead in your own life? YOU. When you’re discouraged, you will “lead” that feeling in a more positive direction. When you’re feeling insecure, you will “lead” that emotion by listing all the things you’re secure about. Yes, leaders need followers. And that includes your ability to rise above and guide your negative emotions and thoughts into a more positive place. This is the only way to truly take 100 percent responsibility for your life.
Christine Comaford, Business Accelerator
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author
PS: If you’re ready to take your leadership to the next level and GROW your business, I’m holding a special sale where you can participate in my entire Business Foundation Blueprint system (for HALF OFF). http://www.mvlinks.net/june-special
You can best leverage your time, meaning get more done in less time, by helping your team members know what you need and expect. This means you MUST spend time with them. I often STILL think my team members will receive my Vulcan Mind Meld and magically understand what I want… it doesn’t work that way. The most sensitive ones will definitely anticipate your needs/desires over time, tho many will need you to tell them exactly what you want when why and how it should be delivered. SOPs help a LOT here. As you document standard operating procedures you’ll get more leverage, higher quality work, and less stress!
Christine Comaford, Business Accelerator
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author
http://www.StrategySessionNow.com
Creating financial freedom and strategies for success is POSSIBLE! The world is one imperfect place. That’s the good news. Every day new messes are created that require someone to come in and clean them up. Opportunities are all around you: pay attention! Learn to listen to someone who’s in “business pain.” Make sure that you diagnose that pain first: perhaps the competition is crushing them, or markets haven’t materialized, or their inefficient systems are stifling innovation. Then be confident that the pain is perceived as a problem that needs a solution. Problems + pain = profit. The second step is key! Only then will they open their wallets to get that pain removed.
What are the vital steps to make this process work for you?
1. Pay attention. Be on the lookout for opportunities. Make it a goal to be focused on seeing opportunities all around you. Then when one shows up, act on it.
2. Stuff your feelings of fear or inadequacy. Use whatever mind games you need to make yourself confident. Build a mental suit of armor against criticism or against old messages about you worth. Whatever you have to do, just decide that roadblocks and detours are NOT an option right now.
3. Go for it. When an opportunity pops into your lap, grab it. It doesn’t matter if you’re ready or not; you’ll figure it out in time. You may get rejected; you may be wildly successful. You won’t know unless you risk it.
Christine Comaford, Business Accelerator
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author
PS: If you want to find out where your business building blocks are strong and solid – or missing — head over to http://www.StrategySessionNow.com and take the self assessment. You will absolutely learn REAL strategies for success and wealth building, and if you’re really lucky, you might win a free strategy session with either myself or one of my Mighty Team.
