Reading is Fundamental. Seriously.

How many books have you read in the past 90 days? 30 days?

Please tell me you’ve read at least one book in the past 6 months! I’ll be heartbroken if you haven’t. I know it probably seems like I repeat things you’ve heard before, but it’s true – some things definitely need repeating until you decide to listen and take action.

Reading is critical to your personal and business growth people. Yesteray on twitter I tweeted, “If you don’t read, you don’t grow.” It’s just that simple. Even if you don’t want to read books you can visit blogs, article directories, and subscribe to newsletters. It doesn’t matter how you get it as long as you’re feeding yourself new and useful information you can learn from, implement, and share.

The majority of the books I read have been recommended to me by people in my network. The last book I purchased was Buzzmarketing by Mark Hughes. My friend Bev Smith told me it was one of her favorites. I’ve read the book twice already and will be starting it again in the next few days. Why am I reading it so much? Each time I pick it up, I get new insight. Of course the book’s content isn’t changing, but I’m changing so something I may have skimmed over the first couple of times may be relevant to where I am right now. I’ll be doing a more in-depth blog post about Buzzmarketing in the very near future.

Here’s what I want you to do: make a list of all the topics you’re interested in or the areas you want to improve upon. Once you’ve compiled your list, ask friends and colleagues if they know of any books on that particular subject matter they can recommend. Note: If those in your network aren’t reading, this may signal a problem. Take the list and go to Amazon.com and read the reviews. Then decide which books you’re going to purchase. Read and repeat.

If you want my recommendations, leave me a comment and I’ll be sure to respond. And if you get your hands on a must-have read, do share it with me!

Photo credit: keithhull

Are You Punctually Challenged or Know Someone Who Is?

Punctually challenged is just a politically correct way of saying, "I'm always late." 

Have you ever sat down and gave serious thought to the reasons why you're late? Have you thought about the message you're sending to others when you arrive late to appointments and events?

Obviously, this is rude but I believe there are two main factors that contribute to someone not being on time:

1.  Agenda Overload - you have too much on your plate.
2.  You don't make good use of your time.

These two things are valid reasons - not excuses. Excuses are what you give when you come in apologizing and explaining why you're late. You know, things like "I got lost...my other appointment ran over...I spent 15 minutes trying to park." Regardless, all of these factors are within your control. You can correct this pattern. And yes, if you've been late three or more times, it's definitely a bad habit that needs to be corrected.

First, you must understand that being on time is a conscience decision you make. Let's get a bit deeper for a second. People who are late are also procrastinators. They wait until the last minute to start and finish projects and rush to beat deadlines. All of this behavior is a learned, lifelong pattern. You are choosing to put things off and you need to get to the root of why you're doing so.

How do you deal with the Late Lucy/Larry in your network?

set a grace period - You know how the doctor's office has that 10-15 minute window that states if you arrive beyond that you may not be seen? Decide how long you're going to wait for late comers  before you proceed with the meeting. Once you've done that, stick with it and don't allow any exceptions.

communicate the costs - What does Tardy Tina stand to lose or gain by being on time? Being late guarantees that you're going to miss some important information. Let people know that whatever they missed won't be repeated. One of the payoffs of being on time is the feeling you give others that says you value and respect their time.

coach the offender(s) - Don't punish the entire group. Talk to the specific individual and let them know that their reputation is on the line. Late people are looked at as not being dependable, reliable, or organized. Is this what you want attached to your personal brand? Of course not.

If you're someone who struggles with being on time, I want you to do the following exercise:

Start a "Late Log" and document your answers. Ask yourself:

• How late was I?
• What prevented me from arriving on time?
• Is this a legit reason or an excuse?
• What can I do differently to break my cycle of tardiness?

Let me hear your thoughts and suggestions. What else can we do to get folks to arrive 5 minutes early instead of 10 minutes late?

 
Photo credit: Eureeka's Window

How I Saved 50% on Internet Service

Back in October I tweeted that I'd called my internet provider, AT&T, and that one phone call saved me about $15.00 per month on my internet service. A month or so prior, I'd given them a call and got my home phone bill reduced too. I've done this with my cable and cell phone bills as well.

With everyone focusing on saving and getting out of debt in the new year, I wanted to share some easy steps you can take to reduce your monthly expenses.

Just about every service provider has a Customer Retention department or something equivalent. If you don't know the name of the specific department, just tell the customer service rep you're thinking about switching providers and they'll get you over to the right people ASAP.

Before you call, research a competitor that's offering compatible services at a lower rate than you're paying with your existing provider. I used this strategy when dealing with Tmobile to get my cell phone bill reduced. I went online and compared two different companies that had similar rate plans. This signals to your company that you're serious and are ready to drop them immediately if they aren't willing to work with you to lower your bill.

Ask the rep how long you've been a loyal customer. Don't leave out the word loyal. Although you know good and well how long you've been with them, this puts the attention on them to acknowledge the fact that you've chosen to do business with them for X number of years. Note: It doesn't hurt if you throw this in for good measure, "As a consumer, I have choices and I've chosen to do business with you for 5 years." This is exactly what I did with AT&T.

More than likely, the rep will come back with something along the lines of the lower advertised rates only apply to new customers and not existing customers. I love it when they say this! This is when you ask one simple question, "So you're saying I can't save money because I've chosen to remain a loyal customer for 5 years? If so, please tell me why I should remain your customer." You want to reinforce the fact that you're already a paying customer and have been for a long time. Oh - and when you ask why you should remain their customer, expect a brief moment of silence as the rep tries to gather his/her thoughts.

Set aside a few hours one day before the end of this month and make the phone calls. Some companies will be more cooperative than others, but don't back down. If they flat out refuse to work with you, be prepared to make a decision to stay or move to another company. In my case, I was genuinely prepared to switch residential phone services. Although I wouldn't have saved much, I could've bundled my home phone and internet with my cable provider...whom I've also been loyal to for about 5 years.

Which company are you going to call first? I suggest starting with the one that could save you the most money. Let me know how it went and how much you saved.

Photo credit: theantibride

13 Real-Life Exercises to Reinvent and Enhance Your Life

Are you all pumped up and ready to get started with your 2010 goals and resolutions? When you set those goals, did it make you uncomfortable? If you aren't getting shook up - you're playing it safe and you'll never grow. Sure, you'll make progress but you won't ever reach the heights you're capable of soaring to.

I've been guilty of doing it myself so don't think I'm just sitting here finger pointing. Moving outside of what's comfortable and familiar doesn't take much effort. You have to be open and willing to do it.

Here are 13 practical exercises to incorporate into your routine to help you jump start the transformation process:

1. 
   
   Decide to do Better - The difference between this being a great day or a bad one depends solely on your attitude. This is the only variable you can control. Train your mind to identify the positive in every difficult person or situation you encounter.
   
   
2. 
   
   Free Yourself - We spend a great deal of time holding on to emotional baggage. When we do this, it's almost impossible to enjoy the present and recognize the improvements we've made. Stop allowing past pains to hold you hostage. Confront them and let it go.
   
   
3. 
   
   Recognize the Power of Your Thoughts - You have the choice of expecting the worse or looking forward to the best out of life. This goes hand-in-hand with Exercise #1. When you visualize and anticipate strength, prosperity, and harmony, they'll show up. If you look for the bad and subscribe to negative self talk, you'll eventually get what you ask for. We become what we think.
   
   
4. 
   
   Manage Your Relationships - I've often told people to completely avoid dream crushers. This isn't very realistic since some people live with energy zappers and naysayers. Limit the amount of time you spend with toxic people. Surround yourself with supportive folks who want you to succeed. Put them on speed dial for times when you're feeling vulnerable.
   
   
5. 
   
   Study Diligently - You don't have to resort to being a "professional student" in order to have a lifetime of learning. Set aside a certain amount of time each day to read/listen to self-help and other educational materials. Tap into your intellectual resources to stimulate your mind.
   
   
6. 
   
   Do Something New - Commit to introducing something new into your life. This is one of the best ways to break old habits and replace them with new ones. It doesn't have to be anything drastic. Something as simple as trying a new food, listening to a different genre of music, or visiting a part of town that isn't along your regular route will gradually take you outside of your comfort zone. When you do this, you become more open minded and look forward to challenges and experimenting with new things.
   
   
7. 
   
   Set Goals - There are thousands of personal development experts and we each have our own opinions regarding goals. Here's mine: set realistic goals that make you happy when you're pursuing them, write them down, and reflect on them daily. Achieving your goals shouldn't feel like a chore or obligation. If you aren't excited about the goals you've set, you need to go back to the drawing board and revisit your list.
   
   
8. 
   
   Establish Boundaries - Don't allow people (friends and family included) to manipulate you, use you as a doormat, or treat you like a dumping ground. Love, value, and respect yourself and accept nothing less from others.
   
   
9. 
   
   Keep it Real - Stay true  to yourself and your beliefs. Be honest no matter what. Don't be afraid to go against the grain even if it means not being liked or accepted. Adhere to a strict ethical code - never compromise your integrity. Always do what's right.
   
   
10. 
    
    Give Cheerfully - Look for opportunities to share your blessings. It doesn't always have to be monetary. Donate your time and talents to those who are less fortunate. Serve others from the kindness of your heart and expect nothing in return.
    
    
11. 
    
    Don't Procrastinate - When you have a task to complete or a deadline to meet, Just Do It! Some people perform well under pressure but for others it can cause anxiety and tension. Devise a timeline and finish your projects ahead of schedule whenever possible.
    
    
12. 
    
    Accountability 24/7 - You and only you are responsible for your actions. No one else can cause you to react or respond. Don't point the finger or blame others when things don't go well or according to plan. Be flexible and don't hide behind excuses.
    
    
13. 
    
    Redefine and Embrace Failure - We're not perfect. We're bound to fall short and miss the mark along our journey toward excellence. The same mistake shouldn't be repeated if you learned from it the first time. New failures signify growth. The insight you gain is essential  to your success.
    
    

I've said it before and I'll say it again - Reinvention is a never ending process, not a a destination. If you follow my friend Zara Green's advice and make your next decision better than your last, you'll be just fine.

Which exercise are you going to put into practice first? Do tell!

Photo credit: aramoe_mi

Do You - You Can Always Change Your Mind

Welcome to 2010! I'm really excited about the new year. Not because of the typical new year hype, but because I'm back at home blogging again. It had been about seven months since my last post and although I wasn't here, I'd been writing articles, posting videos, and blogging in other places. Speaking of which, I'll be guest blogging at The Work at Home Woman with my first post debuting on January 19th.

When I ran across the photo to the left, it was perfect for my entry today. I've often felt that my blog didn't  matter, but I now know this is so far from the truth. After I came back to blogspot, I read my previous posts and comments. The fact that I had friends here who were supporting me should've been reason enough for me to hang around and keep at it. Hindsight is 20/20 and this has allowed for yet another learning experience.

Why I Took a Blogging Hiatus
I was doing just fine here at Blogger, but had several different people tell me that my blog wouldn't be taken seriously. I was told things like no one reads blogs on Blogger and Google owns your content just to name a few. I've spent the last few months going back and forth with starting a blog on Wordpress vs. coming back here. It was going to cost me a few hundred dollars and I didn't have the money to move forward. Or should I say, I chose to allocate that money to other uses. It simply made no sense for me to pay for something that I could do myself for free. I already knew how to use Blogger and felt comfortable with it. More importanly, The Unemployed Entrepreneur's™ brand is one that gets results using an organic, low-cost approach to business. Nothing costs less than free.

What This Has Taught Me
We have so many choices these days and the best thing we can do for ourselves is to choose what's right for us as an individual. Besides, we have the right to change our minds. What you're doing today may not work for you tomorrow and you should be flexible and able to adapt to and manage change - in your personal life and in your business.

When you're listening to feedback (solicited and unsolicited), you have to carefully discern what's being said and figure out if the information you're getting is in your best interest. While I believe that more often than not it is, there are those people who'll tell you things that will ultimately benefit themselves. Those folks trying to convince me to move over to Wordpress were well aware of my technological challenges and could have benefited from me hiring them.

Take advantage of the free resources that are available. You won't be able to accomplish everything without spending money, but when you can - you should. Invest only after weighing all of your options and doing your research. It will certainly pay off in the long run.

Talk to you soon...

Photo credit: MrLomo