Overwhelmed

After a week of working hard I have so much going into the pipe I need a stick to ram it through. Where to begin?

The very beginning. Make a list and work through the list.

Today I thought I had only one appointment, but I have two. I thought I had more time to process the existing workload, I don't.

Should I panic? Why? Write the list and work the plan.

The fact that I am going on a 590km bike ride in two days time and will be out of action for 10days can not panic me. I must write my list, contact the clients and give them an expected time frame.

Always create a plan and work the plan.

Work

It is important to understand the seasons in business. There are times when you really need to put your head down and work and do the best you can.

Right now can be one such time. Coming up to Christmas the retail sector will become extremely busy. I share Facebook with a few women who are in such a place. By Christmas day they will be exhausted but relieved. They made it, did their best and have arrived.

I am not in retail but am also in a busy time. I am on location and can totally concentrate on work and that is basically all I am doing, except for a bike ride and swim in the evening.

I have my laptop, my mobile, (new)Internet key and I am away, oh and printer, I brought that along as well. This week I am interviewing 7 clients and in most cases their spouse as well. I am meeting some delightful people.

As you can imagine this is creating a lot of work and I am so grateful that I have no distractions and can work. I am totally enjoying myself.

However, I know that I could not stay in a busy work mode forever, there are seasons and for that I am also grateful.

Be thankful for the seasons in business. We have periods when we must work 'on' the business and others, like now, when we work 'in' the business. A good balance works well.

Enjoy the day!

Problems

Problems are good in that they push us to discover the answers. I have been presented with a problem, how do I present the answer in the way the client will receive it without giving too much away so that my service is still required? Good problem!

When I work out the answer I will use it again and again, it will become a tool in my belt.

I have a vast array of resources around me and now have to go searching for the best tool. I have people I can call on and rather than try to re-invent the wheel I have to avail myself of their assistance.

Keeping a cool head, not resenting the problem and going on a treasure hunt will all assist me, when, at the end of the day, I present my solution.

Remember problems are good for us they force us to grow!

Importance of Relationships

This morning I had my first Mildura appointment. As with a lot of people who have policies with large companies and have not received service in a long time this client had the same removed attitude. 'Why should I deal with you', more or less.

I cannot despise this as I fully understand. In any organisation if people who have once been welcomed in are not nurtured they become used to being independent and they go off and do their own thing, even if it is not the best thing for them.

My role is to win back the lost and disaffected. Quite a challenge but I can do it with compassion and understanding.

Not all I go to will receive me, because they have other stuff going on in the way. This man was distracted with business concerns. Yes I can help but unless he can see that he will stay as he is, lost, until he is in a place where he is free to see and be found.

What am I saying? It is not about me, move on to the next one and keep looking for those who are ready to receive.

Am in Mildura, Victoria, Australia for work this coming week. When I arrived at my accommodation I read the literature, yes Internet access was available. When I went to organise it, 'no sorry our Internet is down'.

I kept my cool and asked for the location of the nearest MacDonalds, 'yes just down the street.' I thought I might pay at the same time and lo the receptionist gave me a discount.

Why did I get the discount? I imagine attitude had a big part to play in it. I have been with others who let fly at the receptionist making me want to crawl under the carpet.

I am very conscious that I don't know what my clients or future clients look like and it is always the best policy to treat people as you would like to be treated. It works, trust me!

The Way Forward

I have been given a wonderful opportunity to establish and run my own business. I have a tremendous support network. Now all I have to do is be still and walk with focus the path ahead.

Often our path is not about personal glory and accolades, not in this life. It is about making a difference to the ordinary folk in our world.

If I chase fame and glory it will elude me, however if I pursue customer satisfaction then it will come.

I love what I have in my lap, it is young, like a small pup, or even a child. I have years ahead of watching it grow, nurturing it and seeing it prosper. This business is not about me, I am about the business of finding people to help with my services and being the very best I can be for them.

If we go into business thinking of all we can get out of it we will fail. Yet if we look at it as a great opportunity then as we are diligent and nurture it we will automatically prosper.

Remember your business is not about you, you are about your business!

Walls

Ever find you are surrounded by walls? Today was one such day. I kept pushing forward and knew I was in for a day of breaking down walls. Each piece of territory I took was hard fought. I suppose the worst part was I was alone and the feeling of being hemmed in was more acute.

Yesterday's audit went well. I was at work at about 7.30am. My printer was beginning to complain. Although I have been given 'full electronic office' status I had written business before the release date so I had to print off reams of documents so that they could be checked. I felt like I was cutting down several trees for the sake of evidence. I am so glad that here on in I can present electronic evidence.

I have so much to do the walls pressed me, but I kept cool. Why waste energy on something I cannot control. People do not return calls, I have to trust that all will work out in the end. If I am doing all I can to expedite an efficient result I have to trust it will all work out. What alternative do I have? Too many people give up because they cannot cope emotionally. Emotional intelligence is important. What if the treasure is just beyond that wall?

The Audit

Today I am to be audited. Rather than fear this process I am welcoming it so that I can know and understand how then should I practice.

This is my first audit in many years. Since then I have worked for another man who dreaded the process. The office was filled with fear and attitude. However I have a young woman coming to see me, I have talked with her and I like her.

As a financial planner we must be audited by AMP at least once a year and depending on how we go we may need monitoring or even coaching. AMP want us to be ready should the governing body ASIC turn up.

In Australia Worksafe is another governing body that will turn up periodically and check that the working environment is safe for its workers.

Recently I went to purchase a piece of foam so that I could make a cushion. I was served by a young man with only one leg. What he did not do was not worth mentioning. His service was above and beyond. Yet I noticed his workplace was a danger to him. There was rubbish all over the floor he had to navigate. I was concerned for him.

The audit I am to experience is to protect my clients and myself from wrong or harmful practices. This can only make me a better planner.

So welcome the audit.

Employing Staff

Over the weekend I spoke to two people who had staff issues. When the budget is tight or you are wondering if the budget will allow for staff it can be disconcerting.

The first woman had staff and was, last month, able to work 'on' the business, whereas this month two staff members were on leave and she was compelled to work 'in' the business. She said she could not afford to employ more as finance would not allow her.

The second has only recently opened a shop and is entering her busy period and has employed two staff members, she said to me 'it is scary'.

Employing staff is scary for the small time operation. In the past I have had a lot of staff but in my current business I do not, not yet.

When do you employ staff? There is a delicate balance here. Yes you could work on the business, predominantly, if you have staff but then you have to train the staff so that you can be released. I have an enviable position in which I do a lot of my business away from the office, online, by email or telephone. When I now need staff I can employ virtual staff, I can buy a package of staffing depending on my needs.

When you have a shop or as in one instance, a gym, you need to have the place manned all the time, 9-5. How do you release yourself to work on the business? Employ casuals initially or trainees. Our Australian Government gives new businesses an incentive to put on trainees, they help with cash flow, which is good. However if you are needing experienced employees you pay more, as in the case of the gym.

Cash flow is vital and there is an element of faith required but a lot of wisdom when you step out. You must keep a good set of books and monitor them continuously, not to the point of distraction, but enough to know what the state of affairs is at any given time.

Choose wisely when you choose staff. I have a personality profile exam I will use, when it comes time for permanent staff. I want to be sure that the person I employ fits, otherwise I waste time discovering, by experience, that I have chosen wrongly.

Take time to choose the right fit now or regret it for a long time as you try to remove the wrong choice.

Celebrate

Enjoying the moment of celebration is important. We can be so busy preparing the event or in running the event we are removed from enjoying the event.

Yesterday I had another interruption that took a huge chunk out of the time I had given myself to prepare for the office party.

I stilled my emotions and went to the preparation at a less grandiose pace and settled for a modest presentation. I was tired, bone tired and the challenges kept coming yet amidst all the challenges I had my baby grand piano come home to me (I had given it to my son, but he has now gone)I was about to leave for the office a delivery came with the shirts I had ordered for the 590km bike ride at the end of the month. I was able to take them to the printers to have my logo stamped on them.

I went to the office and decorated, bought the food, set everything up and went home to rest. However, work awaited me and so my rest time was gone. I showered and made ready for my return to the office when I had a call. A florist had flowers for me. My manager had thought of me.

Had I allowed my body to dictate I would have been a grumpy, feeling sorry for myself type and would have repelled people. However, last night on the way home I received a SMS from one of those who attended saying how lovely I had looked.This morning a received another from someone else saying how inspiring I was to them. I would say that I had a few wins? Yes?

Milestones

Milestones are constructed to provide reference points along the road. This can be used to reassure travellers that the proper path is being followed, and to indicate either distance travelled or the remaining distance to a destination.(Wikipedia)

Milestones have been around for centuries. In very early biblical days when a patriarch had something significant happen they would set up a monument, usually a pile of rocks or stones, so that each time they went by there they would remember.

In our businesses we have to allow time to make milestones so that we can remember. During difficult times we can easily forget how far we have come.

These milestones can be photos, as almost everyone has a mobile that takes pictures we are apt to use them. I have included some photos of my new office because it is a first for me, also much of me is in that office. I painted the paintings, made the Roman blind and seat cushion in the bay window.

I am so loving this experience and have to remember so that I will always remain grateful for this moment. Tonight I am having another first, my office/Christmas party. Tomorrow I will post the photos. The people who are coming are special to me, some are clients others good friends, one couple the oldest friends I have in the area.

Take time to create good memories, they are important to your health. We so easily remember the bad but there is a lot of good, remember that.

Mindset

Do you realise your thoughts can be controlled? Your thoughts about a subject can make or break. If your thoughts are negative towards a subject then they will, if allowed to solidify, create an attitude and an attitude if given room will set up shop.

If you catch yourself being negative and complaining, get rid of that thought. Think of all the good things about your circumstances and speak them out.

Have a check up from the neck up. What is going on in your head? Is it true? Probably not! Most garbage that goes on in our heads has nothing to do with truth.

Is you head full of critical thoughts? Tell them to go. Start filling your mouth with praise for that person, those people, that circumstance. All things can be used for our good, we have to know and understand that, and allow it.

That difficult person is there to sand the edges off your life, teach you how to deal with difficult customers, because they are out there.

Start being grateful and watch things change.

Authority

We all want people to buy from us, but realistically not everyone will because for some reason or other they have a relationship elsewhere and we have not presented a greater one to them.

Yesterday I was at breakfast with a group of ladies, several of us have businesses. Each of us would like the others to do business with us.

Now I know I am a good financial planner and what makes me unique is my ability to care for people and relate to them. I do not have all the answers but I do know where to find them.

Do I make the client, or potential client comfortable with me and my expertise. Do I present an authority in my life to speak on my topics?

People have to open up to my authority on my products and want to do business with me. What will make them do that? I believe I must be:

• Competent with my topics and exude that authority, I have to be comfortable with my business and know my stuff
• Relational in my authority
• Comfortable in the understanding of the process of winning clients

Authority without relationship is arrogant and cruel. Relationship without competence lacks authority. There is a balance here, all are equally important.

Business Partners

Have you gone into business with a friend? Are you sharing an office with a friend or family? It is often said the best way to lose a friend is to go into business with them.

I was in business with my spouse and we parted. We can consider the way we are treated unfair and pull the plug.

I am currently endeavouring to share an office with a person I met through a course I conducted. I am now having to learn to 'live with' this persons idiosyncratic behaviour, and he with mine.

I am a fast mover, I am usually organised and get things done, no nonsense stuff but I also have an awareness of the need to allow others to work at their own pace and endeavour to give them room, with difficulty I might add.

We are having an event this Friday night, an office Christmas party. My colleague has not yet moved in and has informed me he may not make the event. No, mind you I did pick the date and I have organised the invites.

It would be easy to go to the blame game and in fact I have been a little annoyed but have to remind myself that I have been pushing for this. If I pull back and look at the big picture, then, if I sit on my emotions all things will work out for good.

In any relationship we have to keep perspective and not give our emotions free range. I struggle with, and I am sure you do, with speaking to the offending party directly and not to others, bad move!

Yesterday I let slip 'he is so disorganised' to a friend of his and saw his reaction. The friend has a face that registers all and he did not appreciate my criticism. We do not win friends or customers when we criticise.

It is important that I keep cool and look to the big picture.

Events

Finally moved into the new office. It has taken 3 weeks of fumbling, sorting out telephone, Internet, furniture but it is finally happening.

It represents the next step. To grow we have to step out from comfort and embrace the new. It was so easy to work from home. My office hours were what suited me, I dressed like I wanted, now I must always be professional.

Being professional requires a certain mindset. What am I going to do today? How does that look to potential clients?

Having an official office opening party requires everything to be in place, it compels us. Events force us to move, they also expose us to the public, show them who we are.

Events create momentum. People that have not done business with us in the past will now think about it.

Create an event, bring in the customers.

Equality?

Today I read a post by a friend on Facebook. She showed how the difference in pay between males and females is a lot higher in Australia than even New Zealand our close neighbour.

We can stand and rage at inequality or get up and behave equal, or better than. In my industry (finance) I know there are some powerful females and I have to not compare myself to the menfolk but I must compare myself to the best that I can be. Am I under performing to what I want to be or could be?

I know that the battle for equality starts in our own minds. Do I believe I deserve the best or do I consider that I am not up to par?

Another consideration is while ever I blame someone else I am hiding behind that criticism, is my criticism just a cover for my own fear or self doubt and all I am doing is projecting it onto the male population and blaming them for what I must own?

In my industry I can be paid as much as I like. It depends on me believing my worth and selling that to clients. I am my own ceiling.