2013-05-24T16:59:12-04:00 Anne Day http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/author/index.php?author=anne-day Copyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Anne Day Good old fashioned elbow grease. tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3259763 2013-05-13T07:52:35-04:00 2013-05-13T07:52:41-04:00

Anne Day http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anne-day/
And that is the point that author Robert D. Smith is making in his book 20,000 Days and Counting: The Crash Course for Mastering Your Life Right Now. He goes on to challenge us to have a plan, and not to be spending our lives just reacting as things happen, but to move forward with purpose.

But what is your purpose in life? Some of us are still struggling with what we want to be when we grow up. Smith actually provides a quick exercise to help you focus on why you are on this planet. It is quite simple really; you take a blank piece of paper, head it My Purpose in Life and then start writing. It doesn't have to be sentences, just words that resonate with you. Keep writing. When you have exhausted all your possible thoughts on your purpose, look at what you have written. Condense the core themes into one sentence. And you've done it.

It is interesting that I should learn about this book at the same time as receiving a somewhat caustic email from a friend challenging me on why I was still working, when last year I considered retiring. She wanted to know if my problem was that I couldn't let go, or I was afraid to. My answer to her: neither. I love what I am doing.

Why should I retire just because I have been alive 22,630 days? I prefer to think that she asks out of concern, but as someone who retired years ago, she can't live my life any more than I can live hers. As Smith points out in his book, we have two choices in life -- yes or no.

I am choosing to say "yes" to my life and to living a meaningful one. I believe I am actually living my life's purpose of helping other women realize their potential and finding success on their own terms. It brings joy to my heart when I see someone getting over her self-doubt, believing in herself, and, as a result, finding success.

In saying "yes" I find myself open to different opportunities that present themselves to me. While some may scare me, I just ask myself what is the worst thing that could happen? And that doesn't mean I am not saying "no" either -- I am choosing who I want to spend my time with and how I want to spend my days. I no longer want to hang out with negative people.

Do I work too hard? Probably. But it doesn't seem like work, and when it does, I am learning to delegate. But I am definitely not ready to close up shop. I see it being a gradual process through which I will find other like-minded women to carry on my mission as I become more the old crone in the background, handing out advice when asked.

But until then, I am living out my life the way I want -- one day at a time.

]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3215650 2013-05-04T14:16:00-04:00 2013-05-05T23:15:45-04:00

Anne Day http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anne-day/
But how easy is it to find a mentor? Do you just go up and ask someone "will you be my mentor?" I don't think so. In fact, I question how effective that whole strategy is.

In her book Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg observes that we've got it all wrong. The common belief, she says is that if you get a mentor, you will excel, whereas she argues that instead it should be "excel and you'll get a mentor."

Certainly when I reflect back on my own career, no one person leaps out as officially being my mentor. I did have a manager who recognized my potential long before I did, and she would give me stretch assignments, but would I consider her a mentor? Probably not; more a gifted manager.

Part of it is because of the mental picture we tend to have of what a mentor does -- ever present, listening to our tales of woe and prodding us in the right direction; opening doors for us, and giving us a gentle kick when we need it. To me that sounds more like an influential friend.

Certainly, Sandberg acknowledges that she tends to select people based on their performance and potential, and they may well become friends, but the foundation is professional. She also looks for people who are respectful of her time.

In her recent blog, Carol Roth explains the concept of five-minute mentors, where you learn from whomever you can, whenever you can, in combination with taking charge of your own destiny. In other words, be your own mentor.

I have participated in a couple of formal mentoring programs as a mentor and I have to say I am not so sure I measured up. In one instance language was a real barrier; my mentee had limited English, which certainly made me pause and rethink how I explained something, but I doubt I was much help to her. Having a mentor who spoke her language might have served her better.

In the other instance, I know I helped, but not perhaps in the way that the mentee initially hoped for or wanted. But then again, sometimes we come into people's lives for a reason, and at that point in her business, she needed a confidence boost, not so much someone to guide her through the nuances of taking a business globally.

Like Sandberg, I personally prefer to take people under my wing when I see they have real potential to soar. If I can help connect them to the right people, I will. Or perhaps act as a sounding board or cheerleader as they work through building their business and their life.

My time is limited and I find the more formal programs set up such high expectations on the part of both mentee and mentor. Plus as with any relationship, there has to be some chemistry. You need to like and respect each other. You need to enjoy spending time together. When you are "matched" by someone else that element is not always there.

No, I think the best mentoring relationships happen organically, where you click and connect with someone else, and as a result want to help them grow, personally and professionally. And let's face it, it's a two-way street, because you learn too.


]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3174437 2013-04-29T00:06:35-04:00 2013-04-28T23:21:29-04:00

Anne Day http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anne-day/
A couple of years ago, that was me. I struggled with this form of marketing and questioned the merit of getting involved. Today I am an active participant in this arena and have tailored my involvement to suit my business goals.

My advice? Get started but start small.

1. Choose one medium -- be it LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. If you do
them all at once, you run the risk of being overwhelmed and spinning your wheels.

Pinterest, for example, is somewhat addictive and fun, but unless you have a product to sell, it may not be the best for ROI.

2. Go where your people are. Start where you are most likely to connect with prospective clients and customers.

3. Observe for a while so you get a sense of what is said and shared.

4. Join groups and participate. With LinkedIn, for example, sign up for different groups and respond to discussions or questions. Get yourself known.

5. Share information and useful articles you've written to build your credibility as an expert. Consider starting a blog.

6. Don't worry if you don't write. There is a wealth of information out there. Circulate other people's material (with appropriate attribution). They will be grateful that you've spread their words. Or you could contract someone to write for you.

7. Find useful material. Research industry online magazines and sign up for Internet newspapers on the topics of interest or relevant to your business.

8. Build your reputation. The more you supply useful information, the more likely you will be added to and mentioned in other online publications.

9. Consider starting your own Internet newspaper. Using a service like paper.li, you can easily formulate a weekly or daily newspaper. For a nominal monthly fee, you can also personalize and select the content and layout.

10. It's not all about you. Yes, you can promote your own programs, services and products, but if that is all you do, you won't attract the following you want. Just as in face-to-face networking, givers gain. Try to make it 80 per cent about your industry and 20 per cent about your business.

11. Say thank you. If someone takes the trouble to retweet or share your material, say thank you.

12. Follow others. While you don't have to follow everyone who follows you, you do have to build a fair number of followers, otherwise you will appear self-serving and only interested in your own gains.

13. Be selective. Avoid sending out invitations to someone you barely know just because you think he would look good on your list of connections. It has to mean more.

14. Consider video. YouTube is one of the strongest players in social media. Eighty per cent of people prefer to watch a video, rather than read text.

15. Monitor your time. It can be really easy to spend too much time on social media. Establish a routine and time limit, that way you'll become more efficient and selective with what you do.

Social media is not just a trend, it is here to stay. It needs to be one of the marketing tools in your toolbox.

]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3122023 2013-04-22T08:30:50-04:00 2013-04-21T23:02:22-04:00

Anne Day http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anne-day/
To make his point, he asked us to think about someone we trust and someone we don't trust and to compare the difference in how we do business. When you don't trust someone, and feel they have a hidden agenda or you are not sure what their "game" is, so the whole process takes longer as you suss out what is at stake. Whereas when you trust someone, there is a different, fully-charged dynamic that is built on mutual respect.

From a business perspective, time is money and so there is a price tag attached to that lack of trust. And these days there are so many ways people can "rob" you -- be it through fraud, time or identity theft, office politics to unproductive meetings.

Covey, to give an example of what happens when trust is an integral part of a relationship, told the story of how Warren Buffet bought one company where he met with the owner for two hours, shook hands on the deal and less than one month later closed the sale.

He also observed that people like to be trusted. For example a coffee vendor who lost customers because he was having to stop and give change, decided to have a box where customers could pay for the coffee and make change for themselves. Not only did he regain the lost customers, but people left higher tips.

So how exactly do you build trust in yourself, your team and your business? Covey explained that there are five waves of trust and there is a ripple effect, which starts from the inside out. In other words, you have to start with yourself.

Building your credibility is how you create trust. If you say you are going to do something, you do it when you say you will. If you find that someone has been overcharged, you tell the person and refund the money. You are true to your word.

Covey showed a tennis clip of when Andy Roddick, all set to win a match, noticed a dent in the clay which meant that the last call was wrong. Now he could have walked away and ignored this so he won, or he play with integrity and speak up. He chose the latter, and went on to lose the match, but win the respect of the crowd. It is also when your intent is clear and authentic that people around you believe and trust in you.

As a leader, you want to instill these characteristics in your team, and like the coffee story when you show people you trust them, they will go out of their way to prove your faith was justified.

Competence also plays an important role in gaining trust, shared Covey. Having integrity and credibility is not enough if you don't deliver a quality product or service. Competence and performance can be learned and improved, especially when we focus on lifelong learning, always questioning and trying to do our best.

To illustrate that trust can be restored after being lost, he talked about his 16-year-old son who got his license and wanted to drive the family car. Covey agreed but pointed that there were four rules -- no drinking, no speeding, seatbelts on and no fooling around in the car.

And for a month or so, his son stuck to those rules. Then late one night they got a call from the police. His son had got caught speeding 135 mph in a 40 mph zone. Now he got fined and his parents made him pay the $550 fine himself but the judge didn't suspend him. However, his father did. For three months he was not allowed access to the car -- and when he showed that he could be trusted again, he won back the keys.

You could see the many parents in the room just nodding their heads, recognizing that there had to be consequences to his behaviour, but it is not so easy when it is an employee or a supplier who has crossed the line. Do you give them a second chance?

Much depends on the original relationship, but it is not that simple and it is much harder to win back trust, just proving that it is far better not to lose it in the first place.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3080636 2013-04-15T00:36:26-04:00 2013-04-14T23:20:02-04:00

Anne Day http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anne-day/
I am working by candlelight as we have a power cut here at the farm and will only be able to do that for as long as the battery on my laptop lasts.

It truly is amazing how much we rely on electricity to function in our everyday lives. No coffee is probably the hardest to take right now. I need my caffeine fix to kick-start my day.

But living in the country, no power also means no water, as our well is operated by a pump. If I didn't have stuff to do, this might all seem quite romantic, this working by candlelight, but not knowing how long the power outage will last, I will reserve judgment and let you know.

Living in a century old stone farmhouse it does give you a taste of olden times before we became so beholden to hydro. In fact I have just realized that if this carries on all day, it is going to get pretty cold in the house too. Well I guess I am just going to have to adjust, put on more clothes and forget about a shower today.

It is several hours later and still no power. I am now wearing three layers of clothes, topped with a red housecoat -- not exactly my usual fashionista look. Outside it is still raining ice pellets and as I peer through the window in between the ice that has stuck there, I see the branch of a big tree has been severed off by the weight of the ice.

Even the dog doesn't want to go outside. He tried once and his legs gave way on the ice. He's likely got the right idea and has decided to sleep through it all and not let it faze him.

It is so eerie in the house. There's no sound except for the rain lashing on the windows and the trees creaking and swaying in the wind. I keep expecting one to crash into the house. Our house is surrounded by trees, it could be any one of them, so there is no one window to avoid.

It reminds me of how isolating it can be living in the country. I am feeling totally cut off from the rest of the world, not knowing whether this storm is just local or right across Ontario. I can't even reach anyone to find out as my cell phone has died and of course the Internet is down.

As for lunch, the cupboards and fridge are pretty bare, I was due to do my grocery shopping so I guess it is going to be cheese or cheese, everything else requires cooking. As for drinking, I have one jug of water in the fridge, once that is gone, it's on to the beer. Hey, maybe this ice adventure is beginning to look up.

After seven, long cold hours, the power went back on. My first task? To make myself a cup of coffee. I look out the window and watch the icicles slide off the trees, as they litter the grass, looking like snow, but more lethal with their long, sharp spikes. You can hear them cracking and falling to the ground. I am hoping my car won't get hit and damaged - either by the ice or by the falling branches. There's water everywhere and two lone ducks are swimming happily in the new pond in our back field.

I've learned something from the imposed hydro-free day, something practical, rather than philosophical - I am going to make sure in the future that I stock up with bottles of water and food that doesn't require cooking. I mean the cheese was OK, but not that good.

I am sure in the days ahead we will be hearing the "war" stories of how everyone survived the ice storm. Hopefully no one got hurt.

As I have joked in the past, clearly Mother Nature is in menopause and has forgotten that Spring was supposed to follow Winter on March 20. Let's hope she catches on soon.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3033067 2013-04-08T08:50:26-04:00 2013-04-07T23:09:46-04:00

Anne Day http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anne-day/
It's therefore ironic that I would end up throughout my career managing large budgets. I was forced to understand and overcome my aversion to number crunching, especially when a non-profit organization relied on me to keep the agency financially afloat. And when I worked for the government, I had to develop plans for budgets in the millions. Yet, truth be, as a small business owner, the bookkeeping was one of the first tasks I delegated to someone else.

Recently I was asked for advice from a couple of women -- a small business owner and a would-be entrepreneur and in each instance, the answer was the same -- they needed to do the math. In fact, it really was all about the bottom line.

If you are trying to decide whether to give up your day job to pursue your dreams, you need to know how much money you have to live on, how much you need to make and whether this leap into the unknown will generate the income you require to pay those bills, and if not, how long it likely will take.

Longer than you may think as we tend to overestimate the revenue and underestimate the costs involved in getting there. It is why so many people start their businesses part time, as then they have the cushion of a regular income coming in to pay those essential expenses like food and rent, while they build the business on the side.

Or perhaps you already have an existing business that is doing well and seems poised to go to the next level. Again, the number-crunching is crucial to your decision-making. It is important to know what your costs will be, how many clients/customers/sales you will need to cover the additional costs of expansion -- be it larger space, more staff, or new equipment.

Without doubt, if you don't do the math you could be in for a rude awakening, one that could jeopardize all that you have achieved to date. Frequently I see people lulled by their success and expanding too quickly. If the infrastructure is not in place to handle the increased business and they stretch themselves too much in terms of resources, business knowledge and financial commitment, too often they find themselves totally out of their depth and far removed from the part of the business that they loved and were good at. Bigger is not always best.

Sometimes going deeper not wider is the answer. What do I mean by that? Doing more for your existing clients, offering increased service to them might be a more effective growth strategy, than moving out further afield or totally diversifying what you offer. There can be more risks with the big unknown, whereas you could become the "expert" in your field and develop a niche market.

I believe it is far better to expand strategically. To work out what you can expect, what could go wrong and to build in a safety net to deal with areas that could backfire and not go to plan, because often that is the reality.

So no matter what your scenario, you have to look at the figures. This may mean that you have to involve an expert such as an accountant to help you to interpret what the numbers are saying and to help you develop a strategy to move forward -- be it starting, changing or growing your business.

What you don't want is to waste your time and money on a business that is going nowhere. Now that truly is expensive and to be avoided at all costs.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2984589 2013-04-01T12:24:56-04:00 2013-04-01T12:23:40-04:00

Anne Day http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anne-day/ "In a world full of me-firsts and gimme-gimmes, the best strategy for standing out is ruthless generosity. Nothing builds trust and engenders loyalty better than unselfishness."

These are the wise words of a young writer, Jeff Goins, whose blog I have been following for over a year now. For such a young person, he has wisdom beyond his years, and I believe he is on the right track.

I am sure many of us can think of examples of those who are the "takers" in life. They run their business in a transactional way. Getting a sale, winning the order, and making more money is their driving force. From their perspective, building relationships is too time-consuming and can detract from their end goals.

While we can admire their focus and ruthless determination to succeed, and even want to help, I've found that you can give and give, but bottom line, it is all about them. And then when you in turn ask for help, they're too busy.

I actually feel sorry for people who have a scarcity or competitive attitude because they miss out on so much. No one is going to rush to their rescue when their business tanks or they hit a life crisis. Why should they? You reap what you sow.

And it is not that you help others because you want to stock-pile favours which you can cash in when the chips are down.

No, true generosity is giving without any thought of getting anything in return. You do it because you want to help, and you can.

Nor is it measured in giving, where you've calculated in advance what you could garner in rewards by being generous. There isn't a life spreadsheet tracking it all.

Sometimes we can be suckered in, but it's a bit like friends where you've been the one always reaching out, making the calls, listening to the problems, arranging the dates. There comes a time when you decide it is too one-sided, and you distance yourself from the relationship, be it business or personal. Sad, but true.

Fortunately I have been blessed by people in my life who have lent a helping hand with no strings attached, no hidden agenda, just the desire to help me and my business succeed.

Like the marketing agency that designed an issue of our magazine, Company, free-of-charge. Doing this work wasn't going to win them the ongoing contract. In fact, after that issue, we actually had to close it down.

Its demise was inevitable given the economy, but by designing this last issue, I was able to meet my obligations to the advertisers I had and was better able to cope with the tough decision I knew deep down that I had to make.

Or the successful entrepreneur who lends her beautiful space and shares her expertise freely, recognizing that an abundance attitude can take you far. Needless to say, her yoga centre is hopping, full of people who are thrilled at finding this safe haven and who appreciate all that she has to offer.

Like any relationship, business or personal, loyalty and trust have to be earned, but can be quickly lost and hard to regain once faith is lost.

As Dr. Ivan Misner advocates, "givers gain."

]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2850139 2013-03-10T19:34:22-04:00 2013-05-10T05:12:01-04:00

Anne Day http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anne-day/
So it came as no surprise that when he was laid off at age 52, he chose to buy a business. And in no time at all, he'd turned the business around and was successful. Not only that, he was a generous man who never forgot his humble beginnings, and used his financial success to help others get ahead in their business ventures. You could say he was an early Dragon.

Today, I run my own business, as do my husband and our two daughters, which raises the question, is entrepreneurship genetic, or is it a skill set you can learn? I would say yes and no.

Why yes? Because when you are surrounded by people who are entrepreneurial, taking risks seems more natural; being in charge of your own destiny becomes a more obvious course of action. After all, you have role models. So starting your own business, relying on your own skills and expertise, is not such a leap of faith, but more the norm within your family. Plus there is acceptance within the family that this is a reasonable career choice.

But, sometimes no. There are those who, while their parents may be entrepreneurial, prefer steady and secure. They choose a different path, and straying from the tried and true is anxiety-provoking for them -- just not an option as it is contrary to their personality and out of their comfort zone for coping with ambiguity.

And then again there are those who are hungry for success, like immigrants who have already taken a risk in coming to a new country, and can learn the skills and have the drive to succeed in business. Taking risks is part of their personal make-up, learning the business skills required is just the next step. It has also been found that street kids who have the innate savvy to survive on the streets, can be entrepreneurial when they re-focus their energies.

While you may have the burning desire to carve your own entrepreneurial path to success, it is considerably harder when everyone else in your family has chosen the professional route -- lawyer, doctor, accountant. This makes for a more challenging journey as you can feel to isolated and unsupported.

That's when it is really important to surround yourself with like-minded individuals who not only get you but understand what you want to achieve. Other business owners already know the stresses and challenges you face as you launch and run a business and will encourage you to focus all your energies in making it happen.

As to whether your entrepreneurial skills are inborn or learned, when it comes down to it, the advice is the same either way: keep going; pursue your passions and to be true to yourself.

]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2755896 2013-02-25T12:31:26-05:00 2013-04-27T05:12:01-04:00

Anne Day http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anne-day/
That's been my life for the past eight months since we decided to put our home of 28 years up for sale.

We're nearing the end, and my firmest hope is for a quick sale... and a long closing. So I have a break from this routine and more time before I have to pack. And clean again.

If any of you are about to embark on a similar venture, here's a few pointers on getting your home ready for the sale.

1. Allow yourself plenty of time, especially if you have been in your home for decades. You will need that time to sort through everything. It all takes longer than you think, especially when an item triggers a trip down memory lane.

2. Get expert advice. If you have a real estate that you plan to use, call them in early and get their advice on what you need to do. Our agent walked through the house and gave us a list of what needed to be done and fixed, and provided us with a list of contractors we could use to get the work done.

3. Don't spend dollars on expensive renovations. We were all ready to renovate two bathrooms, but our real estate agent talked us out of it. Instead we had a bathtub repainted (who knew you could do this?) and purchased a new vanity and toilet. The bathroom looks new and modern, at a fraction of the price that a full renovation would have cost us.

4. Get outside photos done in summer. Instead of having your photos done in the winter, which can make your house look gloomy, take them ahead of time so you can showcase your home at its best.

5. Go for beige. We had the walls repainted in the house. Now I would call it "blah beige" but I am assured that clean, neutral walls sell.

6. Let there be light. Make sure all your light bulbs are working so your rooms look bright and cheery.

7. Clean your grout. Who knew that this could be a deal-breaker for some people? I tell you it is also a back-breaker trying to clean it up.

8. When in doubt, out. As I have sorted through each room, I have some pieces I would love to keep, but I have also had to be brutal and ask myself -- where will it go, and will I really, really use it?

9. Give away treasures. Finding a "good home" for some treasures has been fun. Some friends have gladly adopted some items and our daughters have been quick to put in their bids on certain pieces of furniture.

10. Decluttering is freeing. We rented a dumpster early on and it was very freeing to just get rid of paper and files that are no longer relevant to our lives. We also arranged for more personal documents to be shredded.

11. Donate. Once you've determined that no one you know wants certain items, you can always donate them to charity. I have been making regular trips to the Salvation Army for weeks now, and I gave away several collections of books to organizations whose clients would use them.

So just a few days to go, and the house goes on the market. I have to say it looks amazing. Typical, all those jobs we'd put off for ages, have been done and the house is sparkling and looking its best.

To be honest, it is going to be hard to part with this home that has been so much part of our lives, and in which our children grew up. But I also know it is time and a new young family will just love living there. Fingers crossed for the quick sale.

]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2708220 2013-02-17T20:31:38-05:00 2013-04-19T05:12:02-04:00

Anne Day http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anne-day/
My answer last week when asked was quite simple -- exhausted. I had had a marathon week, co-ordinating and attending three events in two days, and in three cities. Too much driving, too many details to remember, and all told, frankly, just too much.

Do you ever do that to yourself? Your calendar looks all neat and manageable at the beginning of the month and then all of a sudden it is jam-packed with meetings, conference calls and, in my case, also events. No wonder the paperwork and thinking time gets lost in the shuffle, never mind some down time for myself.

Right now my life is even more complicated in that I run two offices from different locations and you can always bet that the document I need is at the other office. I have also come to realize that I forget to allow for travel time between destinations and with the winter weather, to allow extra time to get there -- and for me, being on time matters.

So what is the answer? It boils down I think to another word -- "no." I am sure like other entrepreneurial women I have a tendency to say "yes" when in reality, I truly should decline, especially if I want to protect myself, do a good job at what I have committed to and most importantly, stay healthy.

But I don't. Why is that? Like many women, I find it hard to say no. I like to be needed. I tend to think I am invincible, that I can take on new projects without any detrimental impact to what I already have on the go. Another factor is my ego. It feels good to be recognized for your expertise, to be in demand and so when we feed into that, we spread ourselves too thin, and as a result, run the risk of doing nothing well.

It is a real risk for entrepreneurs because we get excited easily by new ideas, new projects and a change to the routine. Bottom line, we tend to get bored so new projects have a real appeal, regardless of what else we may have on our plate. It takes great discipline to sit down and determine priorities, and even more steel to stick to what we have decided, especially if it feels like we are narrowing our horizons.

I don't know about you, but my interests are broad. But I recognize after this hectic week that I need to take myself in hand; that I need to follow the advice that I give others. I need to focus.

Story Continues Below: LOOK: How women feel about work and home balance in Canadian regions:


It's about determining priorities, setting goals and focusing on making them a reality. Sounds so simple doesn't it? Hmm. Maybe part of it is that I hate to limit myself. Life to me is all about possibility. My trouble is I see opportunities at every turn.

While for some this would appear to be a real advantage, when you are susceptible to over-stretching yourself, it can be a problem. But one thing for sure, life is never dull.

And that maybe is just it. Routine and schedules feel a tad boring and yet are a necessity. My theory is that you hire or contract people to do the routine work so you are free to work to your strengths; to build and deliver on your vision. But in the early days, that can just be financially out of the question.

People often comment that they don't know how I manage it all. But you know what, I am not so sure that I do. Yes, I juggle a lot. Yes, I am high energy. But there are weeks, like this one, when I want to stop being the hamster on the treadmill.

Maybe it's time to get off, because while the hamster may be nocturnal, I am not. I need my sleep and burning the candle at both ends, is not for me, anymore. Maybe when I was younger, but not now.

So it all boils down to that ongoing, current quest for balance, which is different for all of us. But it is important to determine what works for you. We do disservice to those we love if we burn out and overstretch ourselves, because bottom line -- family matters and our well-being is key to holding the family together.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2660774 2013-02-11T17:41:12-05:00 2013-04-13T05:12:01-04:00

Anne Day http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anne-day/
Obviously my attitude changed. One of the first inklings I had that I was on the wrong path with this blog business was when I hired a social media intern. She was reviewing all that we did, and was quick to point out that my blog looked "shitty." Her words, not mine.

I needed to add photos and taglines, otherwise how would anyone ever find me, she asked. Well, I guess. So I started to pretty it up, added photos which I might add can be extremely time-consuming when you are hunting for free digital shots that accurately convey the message you want to send out to the universe.

Well I did start to get a following and it would often surprise me when I would meet someone and they'd make some comment on something personal happening in my life. How did she know? Then of course, I remembered. I wrote about the situation in my blog. That is maybe one of the downfalls of putting yourself out there -- people know your stuff.

Note to self: only write about topics and share stories that you are willing to discuss later. I am often asked if I ever run out of ideas. And the simple answer is "yes," and that is when I walk away from the computer and get on with something else.

I set aside time every weekend to write, but if it isn't flowing and the topic isn't coming naturally, then I take a break, knowing something will, and when it does, I will have the blog done in minutes.

As for topics, nothing is sacred. I have one friend who every time I am with her, she seems to provide me with fodder for my blog. She's just started a business and her angst reminds me of the struggles other newbie entrepreneurs face, and so she will just say something or tell me a story, and she triggers an idea, and I slot away the conversation for a later blog.

Like everyone else, I am navigating my way through life and sometimes I take a wrong turn. It is those lessons that, while often painful, I feel compelled to share so others can benefit, feel less alone, and in some cases, not feel so stupid.

Many bloggers suggest having an editorial calendar, and that is probably a good idea as it keeps you on track and gives you some focus for your writing. I have to admit I don't. I prefer to be "fresh" with my blogs so frequently it is something that has just happened; a lesson I learned the previous week or some observation that struck me worthy of sharing. When I keep it real and current, the words flow.

And sometimes the "venting" blog written in anger and frustration, never see the light of day. Once down on paper, the situation is somewhat diffused, I feel better and on reflection decide that perhaps there is nothing to be gained from exposing both myself and the perpetrator. The rant resolves it for me.

I think the trick is to find your voice. Determine what you like to write about and read. Learn more about your area. Become an expert and then you can write authentically about the topics.

Last year I actually turned a collection of my blogs into a book -- Day by Day: Tales of Business, Life and Everything in Between. When I pulled them all together, I was surprised at how much I'd written. Who knew?

But first you have to get started. And another pointer, they don't have to be long. Look at the success of Seth Godin. His blogs are often short and pithy and just as effective.

As Meg Cabot said, "Write the kind of story you would like to read. People will give you all sorts of advice about writing, but if you are not writing something you like, no one else will like it either."]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2607351 2013-02-04T12:11:27-05:00 2013-04-06T05:12:01-04:00

Anne Day http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anne-day/
The one consistent aspect to these 60-minute, free webinars is that the presenters devoted at least the last 10 minutes trying to up-sell you to take further training -- but this time, these were big-ticket items. They also alluded to this amazing, not-to-be-missed in-depth training throughout.

One guy even ridiculed how people do this, and then in his admittedly charming style, proceeded to do exactly the same. And of course, there's always the immediate deadline if you want to get the "special" price.

I guess this all must work, or else why is everyone doing it, and I appreciate if you are giving something for free, there has to be a catch, a payback, something in it for the presenter. But why can't the call to action just be to sign up for a newsletter or e-zine where participants can learn more about the training. Why does it always seem to end with the hard sell?

Frankly it puts me off.

In fact with the last webinar I listened to, knowing THE pitch was coming, I just fast-forwarded the recording. But it is somewhat ironic as this presenter was advocating the importance of providing value, which she did with the webinar, but then she totally blew it by expecting me to take that giant leap and sign up for training with a $995 price tag. I mean, she was good, but not that good.

In fact, she likely could have lost a lot of people even at the beginning, with the three-minute introduction by a woman with a monotonous voice, clearly reading slowly from a script.

I caveat my next comments by saying that I don't personally give webinars, but as someone who has started taking them, I do have a few observations to share:

1. Skip the long introductions, especially from someone else saying how wonderful you are.
You're just going to lose people.

2. Just as in a live presentation, summarize the content of the webinar so people can decide
if it is worth staying on to listen

3. Have good visuals -- clip art is old-fashioned and dated. Go for photos.

4. Tell stories to illustrate your points.

5. If you are going to shoot it live, make sure the cameras are working and pointing in the
right direction, especially if the webinar is about how to make an effective video☺

6. Watch your vocabulary. Make sure you are not repeating certain phrases like "Are you
with me?" Or "Does that make sense?" because after a while it gets irritating.

7. Interactive webinars where you could participate, by voting on something or giving
feedback keep you involved.

8. Don't sell people short and tease them with what they could learn if they only took the
next level of training.

9. Offer some concrete, practical information, material that your participants can immediately
use and put into practice.

10. Instead of the up-sell, finish with your website address and ways to connect so that people
can stay in touch and connected.

When you deliver what you say you are going to deliver, you build a loyal following, not by trying to coerce people to spend money they don't have on over-priced training.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2558326 2013-01-28T17:08:13-05:00 2013-03-30T05:12:01-04:00

Anne Day http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anne-day/
I have often found that when I am on the right path, doing what I am meant to be doing, I meet or connect with someone who is meant to help me. It is powerful stuff and gives you a boost that is hard to measure.

Many people say that there is no such thing as coincidences and I would agree. Often on the face of it, events in your life can seem unrelated, and yet on closer inspection, there is some significance, some lesson you are supposed to learn from the experience.

Of course, that can only happen if you have your antennae up, are listening and watching closely as to what is going on around you. You also have to be prepared to think creatively, to see potential where it may have not existed before and to be open to opportunities that just reveal themselves to you.

I am on this path of thinking because today, like my horoscope above predicted, I had one such day where one chance conversation led to another and before we knew it, we were truly helping each other and the support was reciprocal. And then there was a chance email that reminded me of someone who would be perfect for my conference, and so I reached out and that may well happen too. It feels good.

Once you open yourself up to such opportunities, it has a snowball effect, often triggering even more chances to grow, because you feel bolstered by that one success and ready to try again and take that risk of putting yourself out there. In many ways, you have to ask yourself, what is the worst thing that can happen? Usually it is that the person will say "no", but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

But it also comes back down to your level of confidence, in believing that you do have something to offer. So often as women we question ourselves, and self-doubt worms its way into our thoughts, and we can be paralyzed by fear that we might fail, so we do nothing. When we are indecisive, we limit our level of success and how far we can go.

It reminds me of when I used to teach parenting classes, I would often describe a child with high self-esteem as one with lots of poker chips, ready to gamble, because he was pretty well stocked up and could afford to lose some. On the other hand, the child with only one or two, hoards them, not taking risks because there is too much at stake and he's afraid to lose.

It's like that as adults. We probably all know of someone who could be so successful if she could just well... get out of her own way. It is hard to ask someone to believe in you, when you don't believe in yourself. And as a result those synchronistic moments can just pass you by, as you are too wrapped up in today, to even contemplate tomorrow and the options available to you.

Lack of confidence is one barrier but another is the fear of change. "If I do this, what will happen to...? " All those internal questions can kill a great idea dead before it has even had a chance to blossom and come to fruition.

As an entrepreneur I personally embrace change, partly because I get bored easily but also because then you are always learning and growing. Yes, you will make mistakes but consider them invaluable lessons to learn, and then move on.

The key to being innovative and creative is to have respect for ideas -- your own and other peoples; to always keep an open mind and an eye on the potential of pursuing a different avenue.

Staying and standing still doesn't achieve much and when you continue to do the same old, same old -- you don't move forward at all.

Regardless of your horoscope, take a risk. Open your mind to other possibilities. Drive home a different way. Start looking at how you can change your game, because when you can, who knows who you will meet or what opportunities will arise. You create your own synchronicity.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2468742 2013-01-14T08:45:44-05:00 2013-03-16T05:12:02-04:00

Anne Day http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anne-day/
For some the route to success is looking at the big picture, setting goals, objectives and putting a structure in place so that it can be measured and analyzed to determine how well you are doing.

With others, their business plan is likely on a napkin, more a concept they dreamed up and have intuitively pursued with creativity and passion.

And then there are those who have a passion for what they do, instinctively know what their customers want and set about delivering it, but who don't look at the long term vision because they are too busy in the trenches making it happen.

Which are you?

I have to confess that I belong in the last group but I know that I need to spend more time focusing on the business, rather than in the business, if I want it to grow.

I've always been hands-on which can make delegation difficult. I remember years ago aspiring to be the manager where I worked, and at times I would get that opportunity when the manager was away and I was assigned her responsibilities.

I quickly came to realize that overseeing other people and their work was not for me. I was entrepreneurial even back then, and just wanted to be left alone, uninterrupted to get on with my creative activities -- mainly designing practical programs for women.

But I guess at some time we do have to grow up and learn to do stuff we don't like. Avoidance isn't the answer -- that head-in-the-sand approach -- it doesn't move you forward, professionally or personally.

So what is the answer? First I am setting aside time each week to just focus on the big picture. I am determined to channel my creativity to eke out a future for myself, and the business that is both innovative and progressive. By tapping to my creative side, I am taking it away from the heavy analytical chore that would feel like a trap and bore me from the get-go. I guess the key is to know yourself.

Second, I am going to look at what I can delegate and pass on to someone else, or just forgo all together. This would free up my time so I can get a better handle on what works and what it will take to grow the business.

Right now if someone was to ask me which of my programs was most successful, I would be quick to say the most popular, however, that does not necessarily equate to the most profitable.

After 10 years in business, I suddenly feel like one of the women in my newbie groups. I am definitely a work in progress as I put on my big girl pants and tackle the aspects of my business that I have preferred to ignore.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2420967 2013-01-07T17:53:00-05:00 2013-03-09T05:12:01-05:00

Anne Day http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anne-day/
Sometimes it means taking small risks. Take the other night: Our neighbours invited us over to play Euchre. Ever played the card game? Well we hadn't. True to form, my husband immediately got onto the Internet to check out the rules of the game. It looked highly complicated to my holiday-mellow brain.

Being a hands-on learner, I preferred to think that I would pick it up as I played, whereas he wanted to be forearmed with some information ahead of time. But neither of us wanted to look foolish.

I guess I also secretly hoped our friends would forget about the cards, and as the evening progressed and it got late, I was lulled into thinking that perhaps they had thought better of it, and we weren't going to play.

But I was wrong. At 10 p.m. we got started. Our first five games were played with open hands so we could see and learn how to play the game, and then we were on our own. There were three couples and it was the guys vs. the gals. The guys won, but I want you to know, it was close.

And you know what... it was fun. Just goes to show that sometimes our fears are for naught. Plus when you're open to learn something new, you find out that the old brain cells can still accommodate more information and that the hard drive is not totally full.

With the Euchre, if I made mistakes, it wasn't obvious to me and our hosts were too kind to point out the errors of my card playing. They made the evening fun and none of us took it too seriously, laughing when a hand didn't work out the way we expected.

While we may have learned a new card game, the lessons carry over into the business world. Often with your own business, especially at the start, you don't know what you don't know and so much is new to you.

Here's some pointers to consider as you embark on your firsts:

1. Be willing to take small steps outside of your comfort zone.

2. Think about your learning style, some of you may be like my husband and prefer garner all the information first, while others may be more like myself and learn by doing. The key is to do what works for you.

3. Recognize that you will make mistakes, especially at the beginning as you learn the ropes.

4. Surround yourself with people who want to help and encourage you.

5. Consider what is the worst thing that can happen and try to put strategies in place to counter that happening

6. Don't take yourself too seriously. Have fun. Laugh.

Just remember, you are never too old to learn new "tricks."

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