Resolutions – Will You Keep Yours?

Happy New Year! And with the new year comes time to make our resolutions, to think of the things we would like to change about ourselves and our lives. Resolutions are just another name for goals. I understand the power of setting goals and planning in my life and in my business.

This year, I must admit, I am very excited about my goals both personally and business. I am starting the year off full of excitement and anticipiation of what is to come. It is going to be an great year full of opportunity, fun and making things happen.

So how can you do the same? Well here are some tips on how to get started!
First, where do you want to be by the end of the year? Is this goal realistic? It is important for your goals to be a stretch but not so unrealistic that your mind can not believe it is achievable. If you’re not sure if it realistic, use the following planning tips to see if you can make it happen. If not, you may need to reassess.

Second, what steps do you need to take to make that goal a reality? Write down all the things that will need to happen to get you where you want to be by year’s end. Not sure what all the steps are? Well, this is where a coach comes it to give you the support you need to get where you want to be.

Third, understand your strengths and weaknesses! In understanding your weaknesses, you are giving yourself the opportunity to get the support you need to move beyond it. And by knowing your strengths, you can focus more on what you excel at and less on what you struggle with.

Finally, start scheduling your steps onto a calendar so you have clear picture of what your calendar looks like for the year. This will give you the ability to see what you need to do and when. Whether your goals are financial, weightloss, work related or creating balance, these steps will get you started.

Need a bit more support in commiting to your resolutions? Email Kate@askcoachkate.com and get started today to make 2011 your BEST year yet!

Your Brand In Bloom Telesummit

I am participating in the Your Brand In Bloom Telesummit which runs from January 3-7, 2011. There is a great line-up of presenters scheduled for the 5 day event and topics range from marketing to life balance.

The is a FREE event and by signing up you will have access to join any of the calls live!

I will be presenting information about Creating Life Balance as a Small Business Owner on Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 7:00 PM EST. You can register by clicking here!

Here is the full line up for this event!

Event Schedule
Please note all call times are EST.

Attendees can access recordings for 24 hours following the call.

Monday, January 3 at 4 pm Allyson Piper of Marketing in Bloom
Big Vision: Set Your Direction and Goals

Tuesday, January 4 at 1 pm Nora Richardson of Spot-On Branding
Branding 101

Tuesday, January 4 at 4 pm Michelle Salater of Sumèr
The Power of Your Brand Story: 5 Tips to Create Content That Sells

Tuesday, January 4 at 7 pm Kate Harrington of Return to Happy
Creating Abundance: The Essential First Step That Has Nothing To Do With Business

Wednesday, January 5 at 4 pm Lee Heyward of Charleston Style Concierge
Create a Business Image that Turns Heads and Profits

Wednesday, January 5 at 7 pm Janet Savage of HandTales
What are your favorites “Yes-Buts”? Making peace with your resistance on the path to success.

Thursday, January 6 at 1 pm Tiffany Jackson, ND of EcoHealth & Wellness
Nutrition & Wellness for Women Small Business Owners

Thursday, January 6 at 4 pm Sarah Hays of YuDu Concierge
Delegation: The Key to Entrepreneur Life Balance

Thursday, January 6 at 7 pm Kate Powers of Ask Coach Kate
How To Create Life Balance As A Small Business Owner

Friday, January 7 at 2 pm Allyson Piper of Marketing in Bloom
Pulling it All Together: 5 Steps to Build the Marketing Plan to Get You Noticed

I would love for you to join me for this free event! Click here for more info and to register!

12 Days of Christmas

As we are all “wrapping” this season up and heading into 2011, I thought I would share some ways to keep the season from becoming overwhelming. 

At this point many of us are wondering if we have enough gifts for the kids, family members and friends.  We are headed out several nights a week to a host of holiday parties, visiting with family and friends while trying to get everything ready for the big day.  And you have to work, take care of your family, run the house, drive the kid’s car pool, volunteer.  Just writing it makes me exhausted and overwhelmed. 

 Over the next 12 days I will post a tip to help make the season less insane! 

Happy Holidays

On the first day of Christmas Coach Kate said to me…

 Take an hour to evaluate your gifts to make sure you have all that’s needed for the Christmas day.   Make a list of  each person and what you have for them.  This allows you to see what shopping needs to be finished.  It will also  keep you from spending countless hours and dollars on shopping when you probably have enough, you just need to pull it out of the hiding closet.

Need some support to deal with all you have going on this holiday season?  Let’s chat about how we can get you better organized and focused to make this season more manageable.  Email me at Kate@askcoachkate.com to get started.

Good Enough VS. Perfection Paralysis

Are you a perfectionist? 

Are you paralyzed by this need to be perfect? 

If so, this could truly be a major barrier to your success in business.  Part of developing a successful business is to actually develop that business through the services, programs, products and events you offer to reach your market.  Perfection paralysis is a sure way to limit your success.  Don’t get me wrong, I am a firm believer in producing quality products, events and programs but if you NEVER actually offer anything because it’s “not good enough” then how will your business grow?  Anyone can create a JOB for themselves but to develop a business that gives you the income and freedom to live your life in the style you desire is what most businesses owners want but never achieve.

And what makes the product “perfect” anyway?  Who knows?  And most perfectionist couldn’t tell you either.  The next time you are stuck in a rut by perfection paralysis, ask yourself these questions then push outside your comfort zone and decide it is “good enough”. 

• Is the product of use to my target market?
• Will the content solve a problem that is common for my target market?
• Is the information written so my market will easily understand?
• Will the participants leave my event with great clarity on the subject?
• Are my events on relevant topics to my target market?
• Are my offerings free of major technological glitches?
• Is my info product/eBook etc easy to read (font style and size)?
• Is the presentation of my information laid out well?

If you can answer yes to these questions then you are probably ready to release your program, offer your free eBook or start promoting your event.

Notice I didn’t say “is the eBook the best eBook on the market”.  It doesn’t have to be the best.  It has to be clear, well written or presented, easy to follow and of value to your market.  So do yourself and your clients a favor, give yourself a break and give your awaiting public the products, programs and events they want to say yes too!

If you would like to learn more about how Coach Kate Powers can help you break through the barriers in your business email her at Kate@askcoachkate.com for free consultation.

Inspired Moments

Last night I was blessed with some divine inspiration. I have been working on simplifying my Launch Your Business Program and I think I have finally done so. There will be plenty of time for me to share with you about that new program but right now I want to talk about allowing for inspired moments.

Many of us women business owners are so busy caring for our families while working our business, being everywhere and doing everything that we don’t make time for inspired moments. It is hard to know when that moment will hit. It’s not as if you can mark it on your calendar, right?

What if you could help yourself along to have more of those moments on a more consistent basis when you need them? Inspired moments come by giving yourself the mental space to think, to contemtplate a variety of solutions to a business problem. If you are so busy on your own version of the hampster wheel how can you make time for inspired thought?

I understand how hard it is to schedule time to think, strategize and brainstorm in your busines especially if you are having some success – you are busy! I am in the same boat as a single mom of 2 and owner of a busy coaching practice.

Here are some ways I make time to think and allow for inspired moments…
- Folding laundry is a task I do not find engaging so I use that time to let my mind work. It’s great, my hands and my mind are engaged!
- Driving is when I do some of my best thinking. I don’t mean the city driving that takes all my focus but highway driving that allows for some mentall space. Once in a while, I will pack up the toddlers and go for a drive to do errands a few towns over. It is the perfect combo of thought and task completion.
- Turn off the TV. I don’t usually watch television and it adds several hours to each day for me. Where TV is a hobby most people have, entrepreneurship is my hobby. So some nights, after the kids head to bed, I will spend some time just thinking, writing and mapping out different ideas. Not all of them are worth taking action on but some are and I get to enjoy the creative process.
- Go to dinner with a fellow business owner without any specific agenda. As a business owner you probably know other business owners you would like to get to know better. Grab a coffee or a meal together and do some collaborative brainstorming. It could be just what you need to get out of a business rut and make space for some inspired moments.
- Work with a business coach to get those creative juices flowing. One of my most popular offerings is the Strategy Session because my clients get the benefit of my creative ability to create out of the box solutions to their business problems. If you struggle with being creative or making the time, working with a coach might be the best solution.

Taking time to think is crucial as an entrepreneur. I encourage you to make the time so you can grow your business. If you would like to schedule a Strategy Session click here.

Launch Your Business

Did you know I am hosting a free teleseminar on the subject of launching your business?

I am and it will be held on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at 8:00 PM EST. Sign up here to join us.

I am excited about sharing this information as I feel it is vital to the success of any business. Most solopreneurs, mamapreneurs and home based business owners struggle in the business side of things due to lack of knowledge and guidance. I intend to demystify the business start up process by going through the steps needed for successful business launch.

“Well, I’ve been in business for a year, two years , 5 years so why should I join the call”, you ask?

If your business is having great success and you are exactly where you want to be then you probably don’t need to call in but if you are not making the income you desire, feel your business has taken over your life or are not sure what to do next then this call is for you no matter how long you’ve been in business. And it’s free so it can’t hurt, right?

Some of the topics we will touch on are…
- Business concept
- Business planning
- Budgeting
- Soft launch
- Setting up shop
- Marketing
- Product creation
- Taxes and legalities
- Client retention
- Outsourcing
… just to name a few.

I entered the entrepreneurial world over 15 years ago and want to share with you what I have learned along the way about building your business for success.

If you are thinking of starting a business, have recently started a business or want to bring your current business to the next level then join us on the call. Simply click here to sign up!

My Outrageous October Comes To A Close

Today is October 31st and marks the end of my Outrageous October where I challenged myself to write, edit and produce an entire workbook so I can concentrate on a new writing project in November.

Well, I did write an extensive workbook that has the potential to be great. It actually has TOO MUCH info in it and I have decided to chunk it down into smaller, more manageable products.

How amazing is that? My first attempt at creating information based product and I have TOO MUCH information. And although I wanted to have a product ready for November 1st, I do not feel it is fair to put out a product that is not close to perfect. If I expect people to pay their good money, the product they purchase should be worthy. So, I will be releasing several workbooks in the next month and beyond but none of them will be released tomorrow.

You see, when we set a seemingly unattainable goal for ourselves we come to realize just how much we are capable of. It is truly amazing when we have a focus, create a plan, and take action – there are no limits, just adjustments of timelines.

During the writing, editing and test groups for the workbook I came to grow and learn more about myself and my business. I came to see the area of both myself and my business that I have been filtering, softening or avoiding. You see, I had been coming from a place of fear about expressing my faith in my business but the truth is I offer faith based coaching services for women in areas of life and small business – that is just a fact. I have, up till today, been shy in owning this truth. I am sure as I come to fully understand this fear I will have more to say about it but for now this is it. I have been wearing a filter or covering that hid my full beliefs since my background and business experience had always been about not rocking the boat, keeping things status quo and making the most amount of people happy.

Well, I’m all done with apologizing for who I am and what I believe. I am a single mom of 2 who works from home along side my family. I am a Christian. I am deeply spiritual and I am grounded in the 12 steps of Al-anon and have been growing my life from this place of faith and understanding since I was 13 years old. I am done with staying safe as it does not allow for me to grow in a full way – personally or professionally.

In honor of Halloween, I am taking those masks of fear off and letting my true heart shine through.

I already offer programs and workshops that speak from my heart and moving forward I will be tweaking my web copy to be in alignment with these offerings and speak more clearly to my potential clients because the reality is I offer faith based, personal, and small business coaching for women. Anyone who knows me or has coached with me is saying “duh, what did you think you offered, Kate?” I knew my coaching was faith based but I was afraid to niche myself, afraid to put my heart out there for all to see, afraid to rock the boat.

What an amazing gift the workbook process has given me! Truly, I am blessed to have such gifts of truth and love in my life that I can have these realizations and take action in the supportive environment I have created for myself and my business.

October has truly been Outrageous for me. The past 30 days have been filled with introspection, devotion, creating clarity and growing personally and professionally. I hope you will enjoy all that I have coming to fruition.

And guess how I am starting off November? With a day of communication shut down to raise awareness and funds for Autism.

I told you I was making it an OUTRAGOUS OCTOBER! What about you? How could you make November YOUR month for change? Email me at Kate@askcoachkate.com and let’s make set your BIG GOAL!

Business Relaunch Tips: Ready, Set, Jump!

“Business Relaunch Tips: Ready, Set, Jump!”

Ask Coach Kate is offering you this helpful list of new business must-have marketing tips for your start-up enterprise.

Whether you’re launching, re-launching, or simply need some low-cost ways to increase sales and success… click here and fill out the form to have your copy emailed straight to your inbox today!

Contact Coach Kate today and learn how working on these topics can increase your profitability while decreasing your time investment.

Learn what tasks to outsource and what to take on yourself.

How to effectively managing a small business on a shoestring budget.

The ins and outs of effective networking for business success, in person and on the web.

How to delegate more effectively and become the true leader in your business.

Learn tips and strategies for becoming more profitable.

To learn more about these topics contact me today and we’ll get started on your success plan right away!

My Outrageous October…

You will notice a slight shift in my blog posts in the very near future.

As a way to stay motivated to finish 2 writing projects I have started I have committed to write 50,000 words in the National Novel Writing Month of November.

Although November is a few weeks away I am not wasting any time in preparing for the challenge. I will be keeping you all updated on my progress and posting excerpts from both the workbook and my memoirs. My plan is to complete the workbook by October’s end so I can focus soley on my memoirs for the November challenge.

I am very excited about this as I have long desired to write a book. I have worked through many blocks and emotional baggage as well as quieted my inner critique. I am sharing my experience, strength and hope so others may find comfort and camaraderie and learn some easy ways to heal and move forward.

I appreciate your support as I bring this dream to fruition.

Feel free to share your dreams by commenting below…I would love to hear about them.

The “Magic” Of Technology

The “magic” of technology is truly incredible if you think about it. I was able to benefit from this “magic” last week in my business and thought I would share.

As most of my readers know, I am a divorced, single mom of two wonderful little beings. My Big Girl is 6yrs old and my Little Man is 17 months now. And although I have an incredible supportive family, I have limited childcare. The ROI on live networking events does not usually justify the childcare costs for me. I still need to meet new people to grow my recently re-launched business to create a life for me and the kids of financial independence and prosperity.

So what’s a Mamapreneur to do?

Well, here is what I am doing. I am embracing social media and all its wonderful offerings. I am on Facebook and Twitter and joining chats. There is actually a schedule of all the different chats here.

Since the events are virtual it’s ok if I have background noise or the occasional interruption – no one but me knows.

Well, while tweeting (that is so funny to type – it makes me smile) I came across a chat and decided to check it out. I am not even sure what made me notice that tweet in the flurry of updates. The chat was a group of women entrepreneurs (like me) who were kicking off a virtual retreat with a Twitter party. I was able to join the chat then sign up for the retreat where I met many wonderful women virtually as well as gained incredible insight into my business.

As a result of the virtual retreat I found a like minded group of women entrepreneurs. I am already signed up for another event and have since joined a newly launched organization, NACWE. And just in case I doubted the money I spent to join – I won prizes for being their 100th member!

Sometimes I get overwhelmed by technology. I completely understand the WHY and sometimes struggle with the HOW. I will continue to move outside my comfort zone and ask for guidance from those who know more than I do. The benefits far outweigh the discomfort.

All of this amazing activity triggered some other great thoughts for me. I have been being tugged by an idea for some time now. It’s a book idea that has been formulating for over a year. I gained clear insight as to what it will look like and am looking forward to getting started with it.

I also posted my latest workshop offerings and f*ee teleseminars on my website. I am looking forward to offering more opportunities to work with me in the way that best suits my clients.

Speaking of opportunities, you only have till tomorrow to sign up for “Turning Over a New Leaf” all day intensive workshop on Saturday, October 9th from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

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