Luci and I are brainstorming over Skype about best practices to offer unique customer service options over a new platform.
Barbara is gathering notes about selling her products on the internet.
Anne is open to presenting to different types of local social groups other than the ones she's already comfortable with.
We brainstorm. We eat. We take notes in the Active Network Cafe.
Success is a Mindset
What sets this group apart is an openness to self-discovery and a willingness to change the direction of current marketing efforts, and in some cases, the way overall business is conducted. We're reinventing ourselves, and that's what makes us Business Savvy.
Entrepreneurs, even those working within their industry "teams", can easily feel isolated as they think they have to learn and do everything themselves, but time is money isn't it? How many workshops have you attended where you get a spark here, a nugget there, but don't really have the time to apply them. Hey, you still have to work toward your bottom line.
What if we simply shared our ideas and become open to learning different approaches from others (entrepreneurs or not) within our community? Sharing and brainstorming in informal settings helps to develop a mindset that is open to possibilities, creativity, and change. How many times have we heard, "oh, I can't do that", "I'm not good at that", "I can never...". Well, why not? I'm sure that's not the mindset of a successful person.
Community is Key
Have you thought about bartering those tasks that deplete your valuable time? What about hiring a college intern? What about giving free or discounted presentations, or samples of your products? Have you thought about offering a more affordable and accessible product or service as an adjunct to your current business model?
Looking into your own community for support with your business is invaluable. Even if you're solely an online business, your success will directly impact your contribution to your community. So why not involve your community in the process?
Mind-Body-Business
Isolation is dangerous in any economy, but extremely detrimental in this current downturn, not just for your business, but for your psyche too. Using this time to get to know the people in your community and fellow entrepreneurs is a healthy mind-body-business approach... a mindful approach.
It's much too easy to continue doing what you've always done because it's comfortable, but if your efforts are not taking you to the next level, it's time to make some changes. Creativity and mindfulness are not "comfortable" mindsets. They're energizing, invigorating, enterprising and attractive!
Meet different people, participate in offline social events, and if that's just not happening for you, find simple tools to help you see the bigger picture so that you are more aware of the environment outside of your comfort zone. Also, study the mindset of already successful people. Then, apply what you can and experience the power of attraction as your business takes a positive upturn.
Don't be afraid to drop what's not working. Discover what will work right now.
Oh, and competition is not an issue in the Active Network Cafe because whether you're selling a product or a service, you're selling yourself first... your style is unique and no one can take that from you.
Now, how serious are you about your goals, and what are you going to do next to strengthen your business savviness?
3/27/09
That's Not What I Meant
Recent findings in neuroscience have discovered our brain's capacity to record the actions of others by merely witnessing those actions. Dr. Pier Ferrari, an Entologist and Neuroscientist, presented to our group of hypnotherapists, dance therapists, and body psychotherapists, a fascinating workshop on his studies of Mirror Neurons. We discussed the communal process of understanding and empathy and the possibility that this may come from a much deeper place within us than previously imagined. Because Dr. Ferrari's studies were done on newborn monkeys, we assume that the variability of intensity of mirror neurons have something to do with development in the womb. I think this phenomenon occurs way beyond that... perhaps at conception? Past life maybe? That's a different topic altogether, and I doubt science will take that on in my lifetime, but I digress.
Copycats
When you're in a group setting, focus your attention on someone nearby, anyone... and just wait. Within a few minutes notice yourself "mirroring" them (or vice versa)by way of positioning your body like them, or showing a certain mannerism (talking w/hands; a look). We can intellectually understand the importance of body language in communication, but when tested, we immediately get the sense that we may have more influence on others' behaviour than previously imagined.
Are you aware of just how powerful you truly are? Most of us are not, and that can cause big problems. This is where Mindfulness comes in.
Communication is a Physical Act
Ever notice when someone's mannerism looks just like those of members of their family, like parents and siblings, or even a very close friend? Notice it in your own family? In my observation (and because I study movement), I've noticed that we clearly inherit our posture and body language from close family members and/or friends. We do this on a deeper, more primal level in an effort to understand each other (like macaque monkeys). However, I don't believe it stops there. The emotions we feel (and try to hide) also come through our bodies in movement and all forms of communication. Now if the people close to you are recording your information, will they behave and move like you or in response to a certain part of you? In a word, yes, and they'll respond to emotions that are perhaps not yet obvious to you, but certainly expressed by you.
I didn't mean that!
Misunderstandings create frustration and stress. I see people all the time who do not express their true intentions (from the heart), not because they don't feel like it, but because they just don't know how. They are simply not yet aware of their own power to create the life they want.
How do we match our intention with our actions? Hypnosis, imagery, and meditation work very well as tools to help develop mindfulness... not to change the person, just the way the person communicates. Actually, those practices bring out the true person by helping them speak from their hearts.
Once you become aware that your intentions are matching your actions, you'll realize your own influence in any given situation. Oh, and please use your power for good.
REPOST from 6/22/08 www.notaboutfood.com
Copycats
When you're in a group setting, focus your attention on someone nearby, anyone... and just wait. Within a few minutes notice yourself "mirroring" them (or vice versa)by way of positioning your body like them, or showing a certain mannerism (talking w/hands; a look). We can intellectually understand the importance of body language in communication, but when tested, we immediately get the sense that we may have more influence on others' behaviour than previously imagined.
Are you aware of just how powerful you truly are? Most of us are not, and that can cause big problems. This is where Mindfulness comes in.
Communication is a Physical Act
Ever notice when someone's mannerism looks just like those of members of their family, like parents and siblings, or even a very close friend? Notice it in your own family? In my observation (and because I study movement), I've noticed that we clearly inherit our posture and body language from close family members and/or friends. We do this on a deeper, more primal level in an effort to understand each other (like macaque monkeys). However, I don't believe it stops there. The emotions we feel (and try to hide) also come through our bodies in movement and all forms of communication. Now if the people close to you are recording your information, will they behave and move like you or in response to a certain part of you? In a word, yes, and they'll respond to emotions that are perhaps not yet obvious to you, but certainly expressed by you.
I didn't mean that!
Misunderstandings create frustration and stress. I see people all the time who do not express their true intentions (from the heart), not because they don't feel like it, but because they just don't know how. They are simply not yet aware of their own power to create the life they want.
How do we match our intention with our actions? Hypnosis, imagery, and meditation work very well as tools to help develop mindfulness... not to change the person, just the way the person communicates. Actually, those practices bring out the true person by helping them speak from their hearts.
Once you become aware that your intentions are matching your actions, you'll realize your own influence in any given situation. Oh, and please use your power for good.
REPOST from 6/22/08 www.notaboutfood.com
3/18/09
Hypnosis for Emotional and Physical Problems
SOURCE: Altmedicinezone
Clinical Hypnotherapy is proving to be particularly helpful to many types of nervous and emotional disorders and may considerably improve performance and accomplishment both in students and professionals.
After many years hypnosis has found its way into the medical field and is now recognized as an effective way to cure both emotional and physical troubles.
Soon hypnosis will be as acknowledged as most of the traditional medical practices and more people will turn towards this form of treatment to heal from any troubles they may have.
Often people do not feel well, but cannot pinpoint where the problem lies, hypnosis can help detect the problem by using relaxation methods to determine the core of the trouble.
Finding what is causing the problem will help find a solution by removing the cause at the root.
Once the origin is found, hypnosis is then used for therapy by unconsciously offering simple and specific solutions to your subconscious mind, which will then be guided into making these solutions part of your lifestyle and cure your troubles.
If your problem is smoking, hypnosis will attempt to remove all association of smoking from your mind, by the end of the therapy you will no longer consider yourself as a smoker, for you have been induced to think you do not smoke at all.
Clinical Hypnotherapy is proving to be particularly helpful to many types of nervous and emotional disorders and may considerably improve performance and accomplishment both in students and professionals.
After many years hypnosis has found its way into the medical field and is now recognized as an effective way to cure both emotional and physical troubles.
Soon hypnosis will be as acknowledged as most of the traditional medical practices and more people will turn towards this form of treatment to heal from any troubles they may have.
Often people do not feel well, but cannot pinpoint where the problem lies, hypnosis can help detect the problem by using relaxation methods to determine the core of the trouble.
Finding what is causing the problem will help find a solution by removing the cause at the root.
Once the origin is found, hypnosis is then used for therapy by unconsciously offering simple and specific solutions to your subconscious mind, which will then be guided into making these solutions part of your lifestyle and cure your troubles.
If your problem is smoking, hypnosis will attempt to remove all association of smoking from your mind, by the end of the therapy you will no longer consider yourself as a smoker, for you have been induced to think you do not smoke at all.
3/15/09
Prescriptions Drugs for Better Mileage
There is not one day that goes by without talk about poor health and diet and the role of prescription drugs. People are generally afraid to take drugs, but more afraid not to take them because of their doctor's insistence that they might "help them feel better".
I would never suggest not taking prescription drugs... not my place. However, as a holistic practitioner with knowledge of the body, I teach people how to make that decision themselves by listening to their body's needs through Body Centered Hypnotherapy.
The mind-body connection is not a mysterious, new-age concept reserved for the mystic or wannabe "healer". It's an art and science that takes practice and can be learned by anyone who really wants to learn. By that, I mean if you really want to tune in to your body to find out what it needs, you'd be surprised at how easy it is with the right tools.
Just Nutrients
Our bodies are designed to be healthy and vibrant if we simply allow it. Through my practice, I teach people how to listen to their body's need for nutrients. In all cases, they're cravings turn to healthful, wholesome foods, not drugs or supplements (surprisingly). They become energetic, focused and motivated to take care of themselves through little outside intervention. Of course, there may be a need for supplementation depending on age and lifestyle, and for that, I recommend naturally derived ingredients for cell nutrition... supplementation that's easy to assimilate and nourishes down to the cells of the body.
Up Your Mileage
What if you put something in your car's gas tank because it claims to give you better mileage? However, you notice it makes your engine sluggish. You then put something in your engine to "optimize it". Now wait, that knocked out parts of the electrical system. Would you then pay thousands of dollars for rewiring?
It amazes me how many people go through a similar scenario with their body (and car, actually). There's a tendency to want to "fix" ourselves by adding, applying, or taking more in. If we can learn to step back and think about the situation as a whole and map out different scenarios, we can usually find a much simpler solution that may involve doing less, or at least different. Isn't your body and health worth the time for that kind of study?
What if you simply drove less and changed the way you handle your car? Wouldn't that have saved you time, money and hassle? What if you found a way to reduce your stress levels, change your diet, and move your body more to say, lower cholesterol, reduce hypertension, control diabetes, depression, etc.?
One Thing
All you need to use mind-body tools effectively, is a real desire to change parts of your lifestyle, rather than bandaid one thing after another that may be going "wrong" in your body. The result is a strategic mindset with better focus and the ability to place your health and well being at the top of your priorities. No prescription drugs, otc supplementation or electrical rewiring necessary.
I would never suggest not taking prescription drugs... not my place. However, as a holistic practitioner with knowledge of the body, I teach people how to make that decision themselves by listening to their body's needs through Body Centered Hypnotherapy.
The mind-body connection is not a mysterious, new-age concept reserved for the mystic or wannabe "healer". It's an art and science that takes practice and can be learned by anyone who really wants to learn. By that, I mean if you really want to tune in to your body to find out what it needs, you'd be surprised at how easy it is with the right tools.
Just Nutrients
Our bodies are designed to be healthy and vibrant if we simply allow it. Through my practice, I teach people how to listen to their body's need for nutrients. In all cases, they're cravings turn to healthful, wholesome foods, not drugs or supplements (surprisingly). They become energetic, focused and motivated to take care of themselves through little outside intervention. Of course, there may be a need for supplementation depending on age and lifestyle, and for that, I recommend naturally derived ingredients for cell nutrition... supplementation that's easy to assimilate and nourishes down to the cells of the body.
Up Your Mileage
What if you put something in your car's gas tank because it claims to give you better mileage? However, you notice it makes your engine sluggish. You then put something in your engine to "optimize it". Now wait, that knocked out parts of the electrical system. Would you then pay thousands of dollars for rewiring?
It amazes me how many people go through a similar scenario with their body (and car, actually). There's a tendency to want to "fix" ourselves by adding, applying, or taking more in. If we can learn to step back and think about the situation as a whole and map out different scenarios, we can usually find a much simpler solution that may involve doing less, or at least different. Isn't your body and health worth the time for that kind of study?
What if you simply drove less and changed the way you handle your car? Wouldn't that have saved you time, money and hassle? What if you found a way to reduce your stress levels, change your diet, and move your body more to say, lower cholesterol, reduce hypertension, control diabetes, depression, etc.?
One Thing
All you need to use mind-body tools effectively, is a real desire to change parts of your lifestyle, rather than bandaid one thing after another that may be going "wrong" in your body. The result is a strategic mindset with better focus and the ability to place your health and well being at the top of your priorities. No prescription drugs, otc supplementation or electrical rewiring necessary.
3/11/09
Coping with Cancer Anxiety
How Some People Cope with 'scanxiety'
From: Philadelphia Enquirer
It may be normal to feel nervous before cancer-detecting tests, but that doesn't mean you can't calm down a little.
Cancer experts say patients can relieve test anxiety with self-hypnosis, deep breathing, and relaxation exercises. Talking to friends and family relaxes some people, as do counseling and participation in support groups.
Patients should talk to their doctors about how long it will take to get test results and how they'd like to hear the news. It helps to make that part of the process predictable. Because some patients are afraid even when their odds of long-term survival or cure are good, a frank discussion about risks might help.
Changing the way they view their illness, particularly as cancer progresses, helps patients adjust. "We work with patients to come to accept that stability is the goal," said Lidia Schapira, an oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. "We help patients reframe what they hope for."
Kevin Stein, a clinical psychologist who directs quality-of-life research for the American Cancer Society, recommends a different type of "cognitive reframing." Instead of sitting in the waiting room thinking, "Has the cancer spread to my liver? What's going to happen to my family?," Stein suggests thinking, "I'll deal with it. I'm a strong person. I have a great family."
Patients say they learn to accept what they can't control. However, never underestimate the value of distraction.
Judy Bernstein, an Ambler woman who has been dealing with cancer since 2001, substitute-teaches in second grade, a job she loves. The work was just what she needed recently while she waited for some test results. "I didn't think of myself at all," she said. "It was wonderful."
Bernstein keeps busy. Her faith in her now-well-tested doctors at Fox Chase Cancer Center calms her. "They are going to get me through it, whatever it is," she said. "In fact, that has been the case many, many times."
Bunny Guerrieri, a breast-cancer patient who has studied mindfulness at the Wellness Community, has learned to admit she's afraid and to keep going, knowing her fear won't change what happens. "Regardless of what you inhabit and you hold onto," she said, "the outcomes are still going to be. . . . Let them be, and take care of it when you get there."
-Stacey Burling
From: Philadelphia Enquirer
It may be normal to feel nervous before cancer-detecting tests, but that doesn't mean you can't calm down a little.
Cancer experts say patients can relieve test anxiety with self-hypnosis, deep breathing, and relaxation exercises. Talking to friends and family relaxes some people, as do counseling and participation in support groups.
Patients should talk to their doctors about how long it will take to get test results and how they'd like to hear the news. It helps to make that part of the process predictable. Because some patients are afraid even when their odds of long-term survival or cure are good, a frank discussion about risks might help.
Changing the way they view their illness, particularly as cancer progresses, helps patients adjust. "We work with patients to come to accept that stability is the goal," said Lidia Schapira, an oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. "We help patients reframe what they hope for."
Kevin Stein, a clinical psychologist who directs quality-of-life research for the American Cancer Society, recommends a different type of "cognitive reframing." Instead of sitting in the waiting room thinking, "Has the cancer spread to my liver? What's going to happen to my family?," Stein suggests thinking, "I'll deal with it. I'm a strong person. I have a great family."
Patients say they learn to accept what they can't control. However, never underestimate the value of distraction.
Judy Bernstein, an Ambler woman who has been dealing with cancer since 2001, substitute-teaches in second grade, a job she loves. The work was just what she needed recently while she waited for some test results. "I didn't think of myself at all," she said. "It was wonderful."
Bernstein keeps busy. Her faith in her now-well-tested doctors at Fox Chase Cancer Center calms her. "They are going to get me through it, whatever it is," she said. "In fact, that has been the case many, many times."
Bunny Guerrieri, a breast-cancer patient who has studied mindfulness at the Wellness Community, has learned to admit she's afraid and to keep going, knowing her fear won't change what happens. "Regardless of what you inhabit and you hold onto," she said, "the outcomes are still going to be. . . . Let them be, and take care of it when you get there."
-Stacey Burling
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
