Loosen the Reins! Is he Crazy?
Published August 31, 2009 | 
“Loosen the reins up, don’t hold her so tight!” yells my instructor across the arena. “You are absolutely nuts, ” the frustrated voice in my head yells back.
It takes more than a leap of faith to loosen the grip on the fantastically energetic quarter horse as I am watching the fence posts clip by at such a pace that they seem to become a solid wall of white. “She’ll only take off faster if I let go!” but I do as instructed and … bingo: she speeds up.
“Isn’t this nice? Will I regain control of her speed, or will I have to just stop?” my inner voice sounds like an angry teenager.
Again, I follow the shouted instructions to reconnect with her using a gentler, more consistent feel. Hey, it took a bit of practice, but I got it! Now this beautiful mare and I can have a much more enjoyable, and speed appropriate ride usually! Every so often, I have to remind myself to let go, and be gentle, have faith and things will go smoothly.
Funny thing is, I discovered that I often behave in a similar way with my business, or anything new that I am trying to master for that matter. I frustrate myself, because I need to have complete control over what-ever-it-is and I keep holding on until I exhaust myself! Sometimes, like when I am striving to accomplish as much as I can for my businessI have had to be stopped by exhaustion, or illness at the worst circumstance, because I would not loosen the reins on my need to control it all.
I know I am not the only one who does this! I have clients that I have told to go home and rest, because I can see that they were driving themselves to the breaking point trying to do it all, and I sure did not want to see them fall ill, and lose the momentum that we were working with.
Whatever it might be that you are learning to master, be it business, marketing, or mountain-biking; loosen the reins every once in a while. Take a break. Enjoy the heck out of that break and then gently head back to the task at hand. Have faith that the path to mastery will continue to unfold, and the ride can be quite enjoyable if you allow it!
Carry-on Only! (Only carry the necessities in your story)
Published August 17, 2009 | Have you taken a trip in a small plane? I mean truly small… the type that requires a limit of one carry-on bag only? Aside from the apprehension that I personally feel about bouncing around in a small airplane, I feel a slight anxiety about the packing of this all-important bag.
“Carry on only,” the travel documents read; which means that one seemingly diminutive piece of gear has to contain absolutely everything that could be needed for the travel time and the destination. What do you do? It’s what we all do: lay out what you think you need and then…you pare it down.
- You eliminate the excess: you do away with every bit of clothing that doesn’t make you feel absolutely fantastic (ok, maybe that’s mostly how girls think, but I bet a few guys do, too).
- You eliminate anything that is too similar to anything else (for example: one pair of neutral flip flops, not 5 in every color).
- You limit the toiletries and makeup to only what is really needed to allow you to make a good impression, and stay healthy.
There is something almost cathartic about packing this way, isn’t there? There is a sense of accomplishment when you can look at that small, efficiently pared-down bag of stuff, and know you’ll be just fine.
“Paring down” your message, or your story is a requirement for media opportunities, and is often just as tough a thing to initially comprehend. Experts are usually passionate about their field of work, and eliminating anything about our story may not seem possible at first. There is an attachment that develops to the intricacies of what makes us tick and the experiences that drive us. However, making the most of a television opportunity means relaying that passion in short 15 to 30 seconds sound bites.
It may sound cold, or as though you are manipulating your message but actually, the audience attention will stay with you when your expressions are shorter in length.
Bonus #2: Shorter sound bites can be lifted and re-used. Examples:
- A concise answer to an interview question may be re-broadcast during a similar news period where they need an expert “quote”… there you are again. Doubling your exposure.
- A short version of your message will be a perfect video clip for your website, (or an affiliates website!) quickly building rapport with site visitors and increasing your conversion rate up to 300 percent!
- Eliminating specifics of your story allows room for future questions and more in-depth interviews later. If you don’t lay it all out first time, you can be asked back to the interview show, if at all possible. That’s how experts are “recognized.”
I hope this makes sense as you are contemplating what “stuff” to pack in your virtual “carry-on bag” on the way to an interview. Keep only the good stuff that makes the best impression by letting go of negative words and phrases. Then, eliminate any elements that are too similar in order to eliminate redundancy, and be sure to include what is at the heart of your passion for what you do; What drives you is something that you can relate every time that you appear as an expert.
One last essential to include is as important as toothpaste… be sure to always make yourself available by including your website address, or some way people can find you after the show is off the air; there may be a producer of an even bigger show needing you ASAP, and they need that info!
Your journey can be as great as your destination.
Sound Bites from Sandra
Published August 17, 2009 | Hats off to all those professional party planners out there. I have full appreciation for the art that is your field of expertise!
My husband has a significant birthday this weekend, and the celebration plans I gladly took as my responsibility; Of course, initially there were grandiose plans of splendor and excitement with live bands and catering and a guest list a mile long. Reality hit when I realized that some resources (particularly the resource of time) are limited, and I need to adjust! Thank goodness for friends who have been great with party suggestions and shortcuts. I even have one beautiful friend who is doing 90% of the cooking! (I am in awe of her lack of concern about the extensive menu… I’d be worried if it was all up to my culinary skills! So would my guests!)
I may not be able to have everything the way I thought I wanted it but, ultimately, the day will be rich with memories, good fun and the warmth of friendship. So what if my Ipod playlist replaces the band? It’s easier to manage the volume!
I often see parallels in different parts of life, and just as I have had to pare down my plans for this birthday celebration I have been working with clients who have a challenge paring down their message for usage in their interviews. That’s where the inspiration for this issue’s article came from. It may hit home for some of you struggling with the same thing.
Gotta go put together the slide show and order the cake! I’ll need a day off after this production!
We've been skunked!
Published August 7, 2009 | It was bound to happen. Around 1 am my husband and I were awakened by our young German Shepherd barking in the backyard, within seconds, it was all too obvious just what had peaked her curiosity: the smell of fresh skunk filled the house! If you haven’t experienced the unique power of these little creatures, let me tell you…up close and personal is NOT where you want to be! A quick internet search, and a 4 vinegar baths, 2 baths with dish detergent and a creme rinse later… we were snuggled back in bed, laughing at the situation. Happy with our teamwork!
You never know what situations will arise in every day (or night!) Sometimes the “situation” may stink (literally), but sometimes that situation may be an opportunity that you have been waiting for. It’s not always possible to be prepared for things like a surprise wildlife visit, but being prepared for success… now THAT we can do.
This issue talks about what we can leave behind for the world after we are gone. Our legacy is built by what we stand for, who we help, and the better prepared we are to spread our message, the stronger our influence can be. Envision what you can build that will last!
Hiring a business coach? STOP!
Published August 7, 2009 | Business coaches are hot right now. They are everywhere. However, I do not recommend business coaches for the sake of having one… but I do recommend working with someone that I think is absolutely outstanding at what they do. To explain: If you are thinking of hiring a coach for your business you are ready to not only invest financially in your business, but you will be heavily investing your energy and emotion as well. The coach you choose should have a proven record, a great mind set, positive attitude, and absolutely kick your butt in the way it needs to be kicked. ( Sorry, but true!)
When I first met Amy Applebaum, I knew two things:
- I need more people in my life like this genuinely caring yet amazingly driven and smart woman.
- I need to find a way to be coached by her!
Truly, I’ve seen what she can do… and now, I am thrilled to share her with my friends and clients. I know my clients are driven, and want the best advice and guidance they can get. Here’s the opportunity to work with Amy for many weeks, and at a cost that is what I have spent on a one-day seminar! It’s her Release Your Inner Millionair-ess program.
She has a free preview call on the 10th of August… click here to sign up and check her out
For more about her Release Your Inner Millionair-ess Program click here
What do I have to gain here, you ask? If you’re my client, I want to work with Amy because I it makes me look good when you are successful. So I admit, there IS a big benefit for me! My favorite clients are the ones that stay focused, and know what they can achieve and how. You have everything to gain, and too much to lose if you don’t have a coach, but only get the best!
What is Your Legacy?
Published August 7, 2009 | “Built to last” is not just a marketing idea for cars and houses. What are you doing to leave something significant that will last beyond your lifetime?
You started your business or wrote your book, because you have a message that the world needs to know. Your message will change people’s lives.
Building something significant can be as simple as your message shared with as many in the world as possible, and your ideas then put into action in a large scale. Do you see it? Doesn’t that look great?
It’s no secret that the best tool for making this happen is television, and other visual media (internet). One good “hit” on TV can expose you to millions. It can happen to you. Imagine how that will feel! Get ready. Your legacy is waiting to be built!
3 “Drive-time ponderances” for the week:
- What would you like your autobiography to be called?
- How many people do you want to hear your message? What would the result be if this happened?
- How prepared are you to relay your message if the big opportunity for TV exposure were to arise today?
It’s your legacy to build. No one can do it for you! The world is waiting.
Confidence will conquer what weakens you
Published July 23, 2009 | Ever notice how the last day of even a short vacation can send your mind into a tizzy about all the work you have to do once you get home? I admit I let that happen to me a bit this past week, when my hubby and were “adventuring” on the motorcycle through beautiful Utah and Nevada (and, yessss… the Nevada portion of the trip was toasty! 110 degrees in Zion! Whew!).
As a solo-preneur, times of change (even if it’s great for the growth of your business) can be stressful, and those demons of self-doubt seem to show up out of nowhere! Why do we do that?
I forced myself to sit and have a chat with God, and I realized that my fears were not rational, and that where there is fear, there cannot be faith. Being responsible for your own business means acting in faith, and moving forward with confidence. That same confidence is what builds charisma both on camera, and off. My friend, and fab casting director of Days of Our Lives, Marni Saitta even said something about this in her quote that she gave me about “Charisma” in this issue! Funny how that happens, too; Feel comfortable moving forward with your business, and validation seems to come from out of nowhere! I like that experience!
May all your self-doubt phases ( we all have them) be short and may they even verify how good you can be!
“Sound bites?” Why do I need to know this?
Published July 9, 2009 | You may already be familiar with the term, “sound bite:”
A sound bite is a phrase that can be pulled intact from an original broadcast and re-used in another venue. So what is the value of a good sound bite? Let’s assume that a good sound bite is about 30 seconds long. We know that 30 seconds can still give you time to get your message across, or at least peak curiosity; think of the best “elevator speech” or mini commercial that you may use in a networking atmosphere. Learning to speak with attention to sound bites in an interview can provide many more opportunities to spread your words to other that the original audience. Sound bites can be used on your own website, on websites of others, in news broadcasts, in trailers for your upcoming event… you get the picture. It is understandable then, that an interview with an abundance of clean sound bites can be a wonderful source of promotion for yourself, or your business. Get your “moneys worth” out of your next interview by preparing with sound bites in mind!
Here’s an idea. Think of what you do, why you do it, and who you help. Come up with a variety of 30 second “commercials.” I am sure you have at least one already, but add on as many as possible. Suppose you are a family lawyer; Then one “commercial” could be: “I find it so rewarding to help financially challenged single mothers get their lives back in order by aiding in the collection of past-due child support.” That’s only one aspect of the practice, so then go through every aspect you can think of, and write a “commercial” for each. It’s great to look at what you do from all angles like this, and the 30-second commercials should flow. Sometimes it seems possible to come up with one for nearly every week of the year! Each of those “commercial” can be a sound bite! Familiarize yourself with about 20 of your favorites (and I mean really get to know them by heart) and before you know it, you’ll be in an interview, and there is the perfect opportunity for that sound bite. Don’t let anyone overlap your words, and you will be able to pull that little gem for usage elsewhere.
Another big bonus, knowing about twenty 30-second commercials for your business builds confidence before hitting the interview circuit. You will always have something valuable to say.
Out of left field… literally!
Published July 9, 2009 | Stepping out of the comfort zone. It’s what all entrepreneurs do. One of my business coaches says that if we learn to live outside of the comfort zone all the time, then we become comfortable with the discomfort, and our life expands in richness of all kinds. We’ll, I hope that true, because I am preparing to head to Tucson, Arizona for a charity baseball game, and I am uncomfortable; I’ve been booked as a celebrity player… that label alone can make me slightly uneasy, but the real discomfort stems from the fact that I don’t, and have never, played baseball. Say it with me, “Yikes.” Are baseball uniforms cute on girls? I sure hope so… because, although I am athletic, I am not a ball player, and this will not be pretty.
It’s for a great cause, though: Tu Nidita (www.tunidita.org) a Tucson area non-profit organization that provides support through emotional, educational, social and spiritual support to children and their families as they deal with serious illness or death. We’ll be playing with the Tucson Toros, at Hi Corbett Field.
There are some great people with great hearts associated with this event. I guess my discomfort is no big deal when I look at the big picture of helping these kids.
So, my lesson to learn from this might be to accept that discomfort that my coach talked about, and focus on the big picture… on the riches. In business there might be the literal riches, or financial abundance, but the bigger driving force are the spiritual and emotional riches that stem from sharing your message with those who need it.
That’s why I love what I do; I help my clients get their message out there and better the world. Corny maybe, but it’s true. The discomfort often associated with appearing on camera is what I guide my clients through, so that the riches can flow ASAP when that message is delivered with excellence! How fun is that?
I’ve got to just have fun with this game… I am sure there will be video to be used as comic relief after the event! Have a fun weekend, and if you are in Tucson… come root us on!
“I think I blink too much, help!”
Published June 26, 2009 | This has been a real topic of conversation lately, so I’m thinking, why not address it in this issue? I find a client may worry about excessive blinking for one of two reasons:
1. While I must acknowledge the possibility of a physical root cause for excessive blinking, when someone does not blink excessively in daily conversations, and increases this movement while on camera, it is most likely an outward display of nerves, much like the tapping of a foot, or shaking of a knee. More grounding work has to be done, and eventually, the preoccupation of the mind with the eyelid movement will be eliminated when the energy is focused completely in the moment and the purpose of the moment (the client’s motivation).
2. The most common cause of worry over blinking is no real cause at all; Quite often, when we are inexperienced at watching ourselves on camera, we tend to focus on what we might fretfully see as physical oddities. For instance: When I first watched myself speaking, I was horrified at the way I moved my lips… really! I thought that I held my jaw in an awkward way, and there was no way that everyone didn’t see that! In reality, absolutely no one saw anything out of the ordinary. I was attempting to manifest a reason to avoid the process of learning (this was a pattern particular to me). With me, and in almost all cases, a few more sessions in front of the camera, and a helpful unbiased eye to guide your focus to bettering your on-camera skills, and your “blinking” or head bobbing, or funny lip movement will most likely become a non-issue. After all, it really didn’t exist in the first place!
