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How Can Being Positive Help You?

My friend Linda Childs brought this article to my attention. I loved it so much, I thought I would share it with you all.

Written by Jon Gordon, author of The Shark and the Goldfish, this article tells about the benefits of being positive.

As Jon say's "Being positive is not just a nice way to live. It’s the way to live." Here a portion of Jon's 11 reasons to be positive. It's taken from 11 Benefits of Being Positive, if you'd like to read his article in full. 

1. Positive People Live Longer - In a study of nuns, those that regularly expressed positive emotions lived on average 10 years longer. (The Nun Study)

2. Positive work environments outperform negative work environments. (Daniel Goleman)

3. Positive, optimistic sales people sell more than pessimistic sales people. (Martin Seligman)

4. Positive leaders are able to make better decisions under pressure. (Heartmath.org)

5. Marriages are much more likely to succeed when the couple experiences a 5 to 1 ratio of positive to negative interactions whereas when the ratio approaches 1 to 1, marriages are more likely to end in divorce. (John Gottman)

6. Positive people who regularly express positive emotions are more resilient when facing stress, challenges and adversity. (Several Studies)

7. Positive people are able to maintain a broader perspective and see the big picture which helps them identify solutions where as negative people maintain a narrower perspective and tend to focus on problems. (Barbara Fredrickson)

8. Positive thoughts and emotions counter the negative effects of stress. For example, you can't be thankful and stressed at the same time. (Several Studies)

9. Positive emotions such as gratitude and appreciation help athletes perform at a higher level. (Heartmath.org)

10. Positive people have more friends which is a key factor of happiness and longevity. (Robert D. Putnam)

11. Positive and popular leaders are more likely to garner the support of others and receive pay raises and promotions and achieve greater success in the workplace. (Several Studies)

Some good inner samurai business stuff here, huh?

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

We Plan Our Joys and Sorrows . . .

Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:

We plan our joys and sorrows long before we experience them.

-Kahlil Gabran

That's the Law of Attraction at work!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:

We plan our joys and sorrows long before we experience them.

-Kahlil Gabran

That's the Law of Attraction at work!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Five Helpful Ways to Keep Worry at Bay

Today . . . I am thinking about this question that came in from one of our readers about what to do when you feel as if you're drowning in worry.

If you have a small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.

Q: Susan, I'm worried all the time and about everything.

I'm worried my business isn't going to ever make a profit, I'm worried that if I keep this pace up I'm going to have a heart attack, worried about my family, worried about finances, and now worried about worrying as much as I do!

I'm feel like I'm drowning in my worry.

Do you have any advice on how I can take back control of my thoughts and worry less?"

A: Worry seems to be widespread there days. Just about every small business owner I know has in one way or another felt the touch of anxiety born from worry. I say that only to let you know that you are not alone, and to let you know that there are some things you can do to put worry in its place.

If something is weighing heavily on your heart and mind, ask yourself: Can I control this thing I'm worried about? If the answer is yes, then it's relatively easy to decide what it really is you want to see happen and then take the steps necessary to get from here to there.

If, on the other hand, you cannot control the situation causing your worry, I have found the following techniques to be helpful:

1. Get involved in an activity to get some relief from your worries.

Activities in which you are physically active and mentally engaged are usually the best. Action activities like gardening, cleaning out your garage, walking the dog, or swimming laps are better at controlling worry than passive activities like watching TV.

2. There's something really comforting about the Serenity Prayer.

Repeat it as many times as necessary when you feel worry gnawing in your gut.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

3. Stop the thought.

There's lots of ways you can do this. Some people place a rubber band around their wrist and snap it every time they become aware that a worrisome thought has invaded their calm. Other folks simply shout the word, "STOP!" and immediately re-direct their thoughts to focus on something pleasant. Whatever works for you, the important think is to stop the thought.

4. Put the worries down on paper.

There's something very healing about getting the niggling thoughts out of your head by writing them down in a notebook. It doesn't have the same effect if you type them out on your computer. It's the kinesthetic act of actually writing down the bothersome chatter, then shutting the notebook and leaving it behind you on the table that does wonders for putting worry in its place.

Lastly, if worry really has you worried, then consider seeking the help of a trained counselor or psychologist. There's no shame in seeking help for something as normal as worry. Because worry that goes too long unattended can turn into severe anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. So seek professional help, if needed.

How's that?

Do you have any other suggestions? If so, leave a comment and let us know. And, if you have a small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Do it now . . .

Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:

Do it now. Then it's done.

- Unknown

Exactly!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Inner Samurai Business thought for the week:

Do it now. Then it's done.

- Unknown

Exactly!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

10 Ways to Be a Positive Force in Your World

From an energetic standpoint (the Inner Samurai Business standpoint), being a positive force both in your life and in the lives of others who come in contact with you, goes a long way to creating a pleasurable, satisfying, and gratifying life.

Here are 10 ways to be a positive force:

1. Think before you speak.

2. Keep an open mind.

3. Discuss rather than argue.

4. Cultivate a soothing voice - How you speak often means more than what you say.

5. Never lose an opportunity to praise or say a kind word.

6. Put your thanks in writing

7. Learn to be objective about personal criticism.

8. Respect the feelings of others and take time to show interest in their lives.

9. Refused to discuss the shortcomings of others. Discourage gossip. Walk away or change the subject and focus on that person's positive attributes.

10. Let your virtues speak for themselves.

What are some other ways that you know of to be a positive force in the world?
Leave a comment and let us know.

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Mindful Breathing Exercises

Here's today's Inner Samurai Business tip:

Use the practice of mindful breathing to increase relaxation, raise energy, reduce anxiety, and control stress.

As practiced through the ages, yogis and other spiritual maters have used controlled breathing to increase their energy, ease stress, and improve the physical functioning of their bodies.

In his audio, "Breathing: The Master Key to Self Healing," Dr. Andrew Weil teaches basic breathing techniques that I've used for years to restore harmony to my mind and body.

Try these exercises for a few minutes, twice a day, while sitting in a quiet place and see it if you, too, don't feel as rested, rejuvenated, and restored as I do.

1. Deep Belly Breathing - Use this when you need help relaxing.

Place one hand on your stomach. Take a deep breath and feel your stomach expand. Hold for a few seconds, then slowly exhale.

2. Bellows Breathing - Use this when you need to increase your energy and alertness.

Rapidly breathe in and out through your nose, keeping her mouth slightly closed. Start with 15 seconds and gradually build up to 60 seconds.

3. Relaxation Breathing -Do this kind of breathing if you need to get your stress under control.

Inhale quietly through your nose to a count of four. Hold your breath for a count of seven. Then exhale noisily through your mouth to the count of eight.

You can either do these all together as a cycle, repeating four times for maximum effect, or one at a time, for however long you need.

Happy breathing!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Toolkit

Attention: Spiritually Conscious Women Business Owners

"If you're finally ready for that Aha! moment that will transform your business from simply doing what other people expect to a life of success and happiness, this 3-step toolkit is what you've been looking for!"

This Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit delivers a powerful one-two punch of both energetic and practical answers that make owning the business you really dream of not just possible, but inevitable.

First - The "Doing What You Love: Multiple Streams of Passion" report helps to energetically ground you in a business perfectly aligned with your dreams.


Second - The "Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Video Toolkit" walks you through the practical steps of:

• Creating the perfect name for your business.
• Crafting a compelling and exciting business statement.
• Building your mission statement with a plan and purpose.
• Clearly define and target your niche market.

Best yet? It's absolutely fr*ee!

Our Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit combines both the energetic alignment and practical know-how:

• in language that is easy to comprehend and understand,

• with videos that are fun and entertaining, and

• worksheet templates that are a joy to complete.

All together, you'll have an end result that will leave you energized and excited about the direction of your business.

Get your Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit now!

Enjoy!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

 

Free - Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Toolkit

Attention: Spiritually Conscious Women Business Owners

"If you're finally ready for that Aha! moment that will transform your business from simply doing what other people expect to a life of success and happiness, this 3-step toolkit is what you've been looking for!"

This Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit delivers a powerful one-two punch of both energetic and practical answers that make owning the business you really dream of not just possible, but inevitable.

First - The "Doing What You Love: Multiple Streams of Passion" report helps to energetically ground you in a business perfectly aligned with your dreams.


Second - The "Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Video Toolkit" walks you through the practical steps of:

• Creating the perfect name for your business.
• Crafting a compelling and exciting business statement.
• Building your mission statement with a plan and purpose.
• Clearly define and target your niche market.

Best yet? It's absolutely fr*ee!

Our Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit combines both the energetic alignment and practical know-how:

• in language that is easy to comprehend and understand,

• with videos that are fun and entertaining, and

• worksheet templates that are a joy to complete.

All together, you'll have an end result that will leave you energized and excited about the direction of your business.

Get your Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit now!

Enjoy!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

 

Inspiration From Jane Goodall

All this week I've been showcasing Carol McClelland, PhD and her new book, Green Careers For Dummies. Now, I'd like to share an article Carol wrote for her Green Career Central eZine on Jane Goodall. 

Whether you're launching a green career or are a budding woman entrepreneur staring up a new business, you'll find Carol's article insightful and inspirational.

Five Strategies that Launched Jane Goodall's Green Career
by Carol McClelland, PhD

Last Friday night I happened to see Jane Goodall's interview with Bill Moyers. In addition to sharing stories from her recently released book, Hope for Animals and Their World: How Endangered Species Are Being Rescued from the Brink, Jane shared stories about how her own career unfolded in unexpected ways.

Did you know Jane's original career goal was to be a Poet Laureate and a naturalist? In the early days, she had no intention of becoming a scientist. And she certainly had no idea she would travel the globe as an activist!

Her ultimate dream was to live with wild animals in Africa. Amazingly enough she succeeded in achieving that goal! From there her career continued to unfold in ways that aligned with her passions and strengths.

As she described her career story to Bill Moyers, I was struck by the ways her mother nurtured the seeds of her passions that lead to her career. Her mother:

• Encouraged Jane to read books about the topics that engaged her. In fact, her mother would search out books that allowed her to learn more and more about animals.

• Supported her dream, never belittling her or her dream. Even though World War II still raged, commonly held beliefs about Africa highlighted the dangers above all else, and, oh yes, her gender made it seem highly unlikely she'd ever travel to Africa to live with wild animals, which was her deeply held dream.

• Stressed that she'd have to "work hard to reach her dreams" and that she "could do whatever she set her mind to."

• Advised her to take advantage of opportunities. Imagine how different her life would have been if she hadn't met Richard Leakey when she did. Did you know she first visited Kenya at the invitation of a friend whose family had just purchased a home in Africa? To take this trip she had quit her job as an assistant at a film studio in London to return to her mother's home to work as a waitress to save as much money as possible to purchase her round trip ticket to Kenya. Just two weeks after arriving in Kenya she met Dr. Leakey who was impressed by her knowledge about animals. After becoming his research assistant, Dr. Leakey asked Jane to study the group of chimpanzees she studied for several decades.

• Told her to never give up! Jane's career has not been easy. The early years at Gombe can't have been easy. Her current lifestyle, traveling 300 days out of the year to "challenge audiences to see themselves as caretakers of the natural world," can't be easy either. Yet she carries on with optimism, hope, and vision, sharing her message with young and old in ways that are compelling, motivating, and inspiring.

How Can You Leverage These Lessons that Propelled Jane Goodall's Career?

Most of us don't have an adult who is as committed to our future as Jane's mother. If this is true for you, it's up to you to give yourself this kind of encouragement, support, and faith. Even if you don't have a lot of time to dedicate to "fanciful" passions, give yourself some time each week to deepen what you know about the topics that interest you. Although your next job may not embody your entire dream:

• Keep learning - by reading, by doing, by observing.
• Take advantage of opportunities that come your way.
• Keep taking the steps that appear for you.
• Search for ways to move toward your dream career.
• Connect the dots and take your career to another level of green.
• (If you were supported to explore your interests and dream big as a child, count your blessings, I know I do! Continue to give yourself the time and space to explore the topics that excite you. You never know where those interests will take you!)

(If you are a parent, look at ways you can incorporate these lessons in supporting your children to explore their interests and passions, even when their dream doesn't seem possible or probable. This doesn't mean your kids just follow their dreams to the exclusion of going to school and working. It means that they take classes that interest them; they take time when they are young to do low paid internships; they volunteer in ways that give them skills they'll use in pursuing their dreams. Help them experience opportunities that will strengthen their chances of doing work they love and having the impact they want to have.)
 
Copyright © 2010 Transition Dynamics Enterprises, Inc.

11 Benefits of Being Positive

My friend Linda Childs brought this article to my attention. I loved it so much, I thought I would share it with you all.

Written by Jon Gordon, author of The Shark and the Goldfish, this article tells about the benefits of being positive.

As Jon say's "Being positive is not just a nice way to live. It’s the way to live." Here a portion of Jon's 11 reasons to be positive. It's taken from 11 Benefits of Being Positive, if you'd like to read his article in full. 

1. Positive People Live Longer - In a study of nuns, those that regularly expressed positive emotions lived on average 10 years longer. (The Nun Study)

2. Positive work environments outperform negative work environments. (Daniel Goleman)

3. Positive, optimistic sales people sell more than pessimistic sales people. (Martin Seligman)

4. Positive leaders are able to make better decisions under pressure. (Heartmath.org)

5. Marriages are much more likely to succeed when the couple experiences a 5 to 1 ratio of positive to negative interactions whereas when the ratio approaches 1 to 1, marriages are more likely to end in divorce. (John Gottman)

6. Positive people who regularly express positive emotions are more resilient when facing stress, challenges and adversity. (Several Studies)

7. Positive people are able to maintain a broader perspective and see the big picture which helps them identify solutions where as negative people maintain a narrower perspective and tend to focus on problems. (Barbara Fredrickson)

8. Positive thoughts and emotions counter the negative effects of stress. For example, you can't be thankful and stressed at the same time. (Several Studies)

9. Positive emotions such as gratitude and appreciation help athletes perform at a higher level. (Heartmath.org)

10. Positive people have more friends which is a key factor of happiness and longevity. (Robert D. Putnam)

11. Positive and popular leaders are more likely to garner the support of others and receive pay raises and promotions and achieve greater success in the workplace. (Several Studies)

Some good inner samurai business stuff here, huh?

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Inner Samurai Business - Eight Ways to Restore Balance in Your Life

From an Inner Samurai perspective, balance is everything. You can not be inner inspired while outwardly stressed.

The path to restoring balance in your life begins by taking eight decisive steps each and every day. These eight steps will not only reduce the amount of stress in your life, they will also help put you in control and make balance a way of life naturally and simply.

Step One: Set your positive intention for the day.

First thing each morning, set your intention for the day ahead. Make sure it's a positive one.

Step Two: Set a “balance goal” for your mind.

Right after you set your positive intention for the day, spend the next five to ten minutes mentally picturing your life the way you want it to be. Clearly see and experience how it feels to be perfectly balanced, centered, and whole. By doing this you will have set a goal for the mind and a feeling state for the body to achieve.

Step Three: Simplify.

After you've set both the balance goal for your mind and the feeling state for your body, look over your week and see what you can do to simplify your life for the next seven days. Be very Zen about this. Invite simplicity to be your new way of life.

Step Four: Let things go.

As simplicity becomes your new way of being, you'll find that many of the things you compulsively thought just "have to get done" no longer need to be done. Do you really have to stay up late putting the final touches on that report or can you do it in the morning after a good night’s sleep? Does the car really have to go in for detailing or is it OK to just go through the car wash for now? Begin today to recognize the things that don't really have much impact on your life, then allow yourself to let them go.

Step Five: Set priorities and create boundaries.

When you begin living more simply and letting things go, you'll find yourself coming quite naturally into alignment with a more balanced lifestyle. You'll feel in charge again. You'll be eager to set priorities. You'll find yourself wanting to create healthy boundaries in order to maintain balance. The key here is to figure out what you want your priorities to be, not what you think they should be.

Step Six: Learn to say no to others.

The more balanced you become, the more you will come to appreciate and utilize the word "no." Saying no helps you to maintain the balance and equilibrium you so crave. Quit doing things you only do out of guilt or a negative sense of obligation. Instead, make more room in your life for the activities that are meaningful to you and bring you joy.

Step Seven: Practice saying yes to you.

Now that you've learned to say no to others, it's time to practice saying yes to you. In order to restore balance, it's important to experience fun and relaxation as essential to your balanced life and lifestyle. Therefore, make sure that you set aside time each day for an activity that you enjoy, and set aside one night each week for something special you know will rejuvenate you.

Step Eight: Protect your private time.

The final thing to do as you go about living a balanced life is to fervently guard your personal and private time. There are very few things that actually warrant a necessary and urgent intrusion into your personal time. Let no one and nothing distract or intrude upon you. Turn your cell phone off!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

How to Write a Vision Statement

This question came in from one of our readers wanting to know about what a vision statement is and how to write one for her business.

If you have a small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.

Q: I have lots of questions about vision statements:

• What is a vision statement?
  
• What's the difference between a vision statement and a mission statement?
  
• Which should I write first? 
• What does a vision statement look like? Is there a formula?

A: Here's my business made easy answer:

Vision and mission statements are two separate entities that answer two different, yet complementary, questions about your business.

Simply put, your vision statement answers the question: "Where do you see your business going?" Your mission statement answers, "Why do we exist?"

From the start, vision statements are future focused and written with the end result in mind. Mission statements are focused in the present and tell you the fundamental purpose of that business.

Which comes first, the vision or the mission?

If you are a new business just starting up, or if you are a larger company getting ready to add a new program, or an existing organization planning to overhaul your current services, then write your vision statement first.

If you are an established business with a mission statement already in place, then let your mission guide the writing of your vision statement.

Top Five Things to Keep in Mind When Writing Your Vision Statement

1.    Describe outcomes that are five to ten years out.
2.    Dream big and focus on success.
3.    Write your vision statement in the present tense.
4.    Infuse it with passion.
5.    Paint a graphic mental picture of the business you want.  

There is no space limit when writing a vision statement. Vision statements are written in paragraph form, and often contain one or more paragraphs. Write as much as you need to create a dynamic mental picture of your business that will serve to energize and inspire you and your team. 

Two Vision Statement Formulae for Success

Here are two basic vision statement formulae. The first one is for businesses starting up without a mission statement, and the second is for those businesses that are already established or have a mission statement in place.

1. Five years from now, _______________________________ (name of your business)
will become a successful ___________________________ (type or description of business including whether it will be local, regional, national, or international in its scope)
by providing ____________________________(description of your products and/or services)
to _____________________________________________(your customers).

Example:  Five years from now, the Sierra Woman's Shelter will become a successfully run non-profit shelter serving the Greater Pittsburgh area providing education, life-skills training, and the necessary support to help women who have been previously battered or abused build self-sufficient, sustaining, prosperous lives. 

2. Within the next ________ (add a number) years,
grow ___________________________________ (name of your business)
into a successful _______________________________________ (type or description of business including whether it will be local, regional, national, or international in its scope),
increasing revenues to ____________________________ (amount) by _________________ (date)
providing _______________________________(description of your products and/or services)
to _____________________________________________(your customers).

Example: Within the next five years, grow Cultural Awareness Travel into the premier North American woman's tour company increasing revenues to $225,000 by 2012 by becoming known for helping women develop greater self-awareness, confidence, and discover a new respect for diversity through cross-cultural exposure.

So, that's it. Vision statement in a nutshell. 

If you have a small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Life Preview Exercise for Balance

Finding balance in today's frenetically paced world is no simple task. Yet it can be done. One way I have done this in my life is to complete a Life Preview each year. Every January, I set aside time to sit down with paper, a pencil, and a chai tea latté to warm my hands. I sit on my favorite spot on the couch where I can watch the snow falling and the cardinals playing. Then I plan my Life Preview.

I begin by writing across the top of my paper:

What My Life Will Be Like in 2010

Then I draw lines creating three columns on the page: Purpose, Outcomes, and Theme. In each column I write a corresponding attraction statement, as follows:

•    Column One – Purpose
In 2010 I will __________. I will focus on __________. (This statement summarizes the major activities and goals I'm energetically aligning myself with this year.)

•    Column Two – Outcomes
At the end of 2010, I will ____________. (This statement defines the key measureable outcomes I will achieve based on the goals I set above.)

•    Column Three – Theme
This time next year, _____________. (Here I declare to the Universe the most important outcome for me to achieve, by saying out loud, "2010 is the year of ____________.")
I take some time thinking about my purpose, the outcomes I desire, and my theme for the coming year. Then I fill in the blanks in each statement.

Next, under the "Purpose" column, I categorize my goals. Some categories might include relationships, finances, health, etc.

Some of my categories this year are:

Personal Development - Here I'll be focusing on what I want to learn this year (speak Mandarin Chinese more fluently and learn how to write, too, as well as sailing lessons), limitations I want to overcome, how I want my body to look and health to be (just started the Kathy Freston 21-day cleanse that Oprah did), and specific relationships I want to cultivate (attracting the perfect mate into my life).

Business - This year, I'll be focusing on making writing for profit the most important thing I do this year. This includes growing my eZine readership to 5,000 and my blog readership to 200 page views per month. I'll also be intentional about specific product development this year, and working with more women to create their business plans and find their niche.

Adventure Travel - This is the fun one. I'm planning a trip back to China this fall, have scuba diving in Fiji in the works, and will begin planning for my writing and painting adventure in Santorini Greece in 2011.

Economic Earnings & Investments - This year I have set a definite amount of money I intend to earn each month ($10,000) and how much of that I will be putting into savings and investments (20%), and how much of that I will be contributing to my travel (10%) and to the foundation I have in the works to start in 2010 (5%).

Contributions - I've always had a dream of starting a Foundation that helps creative women get started in business. This year, I'm turning that dream into a decision by doing the research and investigation of what needs to be done to start-up my Foundation. In addition, I have two specific organizations I'll be contributing my time and money to (Hospice and Peace Corp).

Under "Outcomes," I list what next steps I need to take to achieve each of my goals.  Under "Theme" I list the deadlines for each of the actions I set for myself.

Here's an example of what my action step and deadline look like for:

Personal Development - Speak Mandarin Chinese more fluently - Complete lesson 50 by December.

1. Since this goal is a continuation of one that I had last year, I will be continuing to use the same Mandarin podcast lesson format, so I don't need to research that part before I begin.

2. Sign-up for next 6-month segment of Mandarin Chinese Lessons with Serge Melnyk.

3. Download lessons to iPod.

4. Print out lessons and exercises.

5. Set up time each week I will study Mandarin.

Business - Writing for profit - Increase earning from $500 to $2,000 per month by September. 

1. Brainstorm with Yvonne DiVita of Windsor Media Enterprises (my book publisher) for ideas of where I might submit my writings for paid publication.

2. Research places where I can submit my writings for publication.

3. Explore my local and regional newspapers for possibilities to write regular business columns.

4. Talk to five professional writers for tips and suggestions.

5. Submit 10 articles for paid publication by June.

Finally, I take my calendar out and set dates in the spring, summer, fall, and winter when I will return to my favorite spot on the couch to review my Life Preview. This helps me see how I'm doing, make certain I'm on track, and make adjustments as needed. In this way, I ensure that I'm intentionally using the Law of Attraction to attract exactly what I want into my life this year.

Here are my dates (all around 3-day weekends, so I'll have plenty of time to review and revise):

• Spring review - April 2
• Summer review - July 2
• Fall review - October 8
• Winter review - January 4, 2011

And that's how I roll, folks.

Have fun planning your Life Preview!

Susan L. Reid

Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Who or What Inspires You When You Hit the Wall?

As women entrepreneurs starting up and running your own businesses, I know you, like me, have experienced what it's like to hit the wall. When you can't see a way over, around, or through to the small business success you so passionately want to be.

When that happens, watch this 5-minute video. I guarantee it will not only bring tears to your eye, it will give you the strength to move beyond any wall you're facing.

How to Set Goals That Stick Video

Want your small business to be successful this year? Then it's time to be fierce about your goals and guard them with your time.

Welcome to the Inner Samurai Business Leadership Video series. In this 3-minute video you'll learn how to set goals that stick.

Inner Samurai Business - How Will You Lead Your Team To Success?

Have you ever given much thought to the energetic difference between motivation and inspiration?

Not many people do.

However, one of my clients recently asked about the difference when I asked her if she wanted to lead her team to success via inspiration or via motivation.

That question stopped her short.

"What's the difference," she asked?

Often we use the two words interchangeably, though energetically they are quite different.

Motivation is when we are pushed forward, from behind, toward a desired outcome. This usually happens when someone other than yourself is using his or her thoughts and words to influence your behavior.

These thoughts and words can belong to a real, live, external person, like a boss, sister, or mother, or they can belong to the voice inside your head that is telling you what you should and ought to do.

Inspiration, on the other hand, has a whole 'nuther feel to it. Inspiration feels as if you are being magnetically drawn toward doing something or being someone from an inner inspired source. With inspiration, there's no voice inside your head telling you what you should do. Neither is there the feeling of guilt if you do not. Instead, there is an inner inspired joy that bubbles up, connecting you and igniting you toward.

It's rather like the energetic carrot out in front beckoning you onward, inspiring you to success and greater fulfillment in your life. 

When my client and I talked about what leadership style she wanted to use with her team, which one do you think she decided upon?

"Drawn toward or pushed forward, which feels better," I asked?

She knew, right away, that she would rather be inspired to success rather than motivated for success.

Weigh-in. Which are you? Are you a motivator or Inspirator? Which do you prefer?

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

How to Set Goals That Stick

Want your small business to be successful this year? Then it's time to be fierce about your goals and guard them with your time.

Welcome to the Inner Samurai Business Leadership Video series. In this 3-minute video you'll learn how to set goals that stick.

Hottest Way to Market Online

Currently, the hottest way to market your product or business online is by making short, relevant, entertaining videos.

I've been marketing online for many years and have just about done it all. By now, I've broadcasted hundreds of articles, blogged almost a thousand posts, contributed helpful information to online discussion groups, used social media sites (Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn) and placed ads on Google. But that's all passé.

The hottest thing now to get you noticed, generate leads, and make money is online video.

Because, like it or not, we are a TV watching society. We are used to getting our information in color with fast-paced bursts of information that is short, entertaining and to the point. When your information is seen in a video format, marketing research has shown that it is 10 times more likely to be viewed than if coming in via an article or brochure. Furthermore, if you put your voice or self in the video, you trustworthy level increased tremendously.

Plus, and here's the real bonus folks, videos are 50 times more likely to get indexed by Google than straight text articles. This is very important if you want to get your business or product found on the Internet.

Here's how:

1. First, go to YouTube and open an account.

YouTube is the #3 ranked website in the world. Millions of people tune in to YouTube each day to watch videos. Therefore, if you want to drive traffic to your website and get your information out to the world, YouTube is the place to be seen and heard.

2. Then, go to TubeMogul and get set up for broadcasting your videos.

TubeMogul is a free distribution site that allows you to quickly and easily get your videos broadcasted all over the Internet.

3. Now, make a lot of very good, high quality, high entertainment and/or very helpful how-to short videos (three minutes or less).

You can make your videos using something high-end, such as Camtasia Studio (a screen video capture program for Windows and Mac) or a video camera in a room with a green rug hung on the wall for a makeshift green screen. The point isn't how much you spend—it’s how entertaining or informative your video is.

4. Lastly, remember to research your keywords and match the ones to your video that will drive leads and business to your website.

For some additional quick, easy ways you can market online to boost traffic and generate money, see my video, How to Make Your Business Money this Christmas Season. It's had over 10,000 hits so far and is a good example of a short, informational, how-to video that has gone viral and driven a ton of business to my website.

Have fun!

Susan L. Reid

Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Three Small Business Best Practices You Can Do for 2010

Here are three things you can do right now, this year, to ensure you start out your New Year right!

1. Hire a business coach.

For many years, clients have pointed out the advantages of working one-on-one with a small business coach when starting up or growing their business:

Accessibility - Knowing that you have a real, live person that you can call and discuss your personal business situation with is priceless.

Personalization – If you're currently working with a small business coach, then you know the benefit of being able to work with somebody who knows your business situation. An experienced business coach provides customized business management and ongoing strategic oversight they can better position you to reach your long-term business goals and objectives.

Skills - A skilled business coach has the training and insights to understand your goals, your dreams, and your reasons for starting up and growing a business. They can help you create a start-up strategy that meets your short and long-term needs. Business coaches don't merely help you start up your business. They carefully analyze your personal circumstances and assess the market environment as they work with you to develop your small business startup and growth plan.

2. Focus near-term.

The past is behind you. Turn your mind toward 2010 and the work that needs to be done for your business success, today.

Now, at the start of 2010, it's important to concentrate on the most important things that need to be done to move your business forward, first. Do not make the mistake of thinking that you first need to get caught up on things in the past before advancing toward the future.

Expect to get caught up on everything this year, while doing the most important things now for your 2010 success.

3. Reinvent your business.

2010 will be the year when you will have to reinvent yourself and your business. The world is not the same world you inhabited just a few years ago. Don't get caught up in the thinking that once the economy settles that we're all be returning to the way things were. There is no going backward. And, honest, even if you could, would you?  

To respond to events, do something new and innovative. Something other people would not expect you to do. The old way of doing things doesn't apply any ore. So, be brave and try something new in your life and business.

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Have a Cool Yule

Tonight . . . as you are out and about with family and friends, take a moment to pause, in gratitude and appreciation for all that came your way this year.

Have a cool yule!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Write You Inner Samurai Business Plan in 60 Days Teleseminar

Start your New Year off right with an Inner Samurai Business Plan!

What is an Inner Samurai Business Plan, and why do you need one?

An Inner Samurai Business Plan is a plan that precisely defines your business, identifies your goals, and serves as a blueprint and inner-inspired vision board for your business’s success. 

• Inner because we'll be making sure that your business is aligned with what fuels you from within: your passion, joy, and strong desire to be of service and make a difference in the world.
• Samurai because of the strong, confident decisions you'll make, fully knowing what's true for you, while sustaining yourself to act on that knowing with integrity, honor, beauty, and grace.

Although many businesses have been started without the benefit of a formal business plan, most businesses do not succeed for long without one.

In this Write Your Inner Samurai Business Plan in 60 Days Teleseminar we will address the main elements of an inner inspired business plan. You'll learn how to write an executive summary, how to describe your company, product, competencies, and market needs in a way that is aligned with your value system and guiding inner principles.

You'll look at your competition, determine the products and services you'll offer, and decide what you need to do to market and sell your business. You'll also make decisions about how your business will operate, what action plans need to be put into place for its success, and how to determine the funds that you need both now and in the future.

When you're finished, you will have put together an Inner Samurai Business Plan that is from 30 to 40 pages in length. It will look professional. It will also give potential lenders or investors everything they need in order for you to obtain financing. Most important, you will have an inner-inspired blueprint for success that will make you feel proud of what you are offering to the world, excited about your direction, and confident in your success.

What Are the Facts, Mam?

The particulars:
•    We'll meet six Wednesdays between February 17 and March 31.
•    At 7p eastern.
•    For 75 minutes.
•    If you can't make a session, no worries. All sessions will be recorded.

You'll receive:
•    A comprehensive Inner Samurai Business Plan Toolkit,
•    All necessary worksheets,
•    Organizational flow charts,
•    Video segments. 

The cost:
•    $147.
•    Since this is the first time I've offered this seminar I'm able to offer you a special "first timer’s" price. After this first time, the price will go up.

Respond now!

If you think this is something your business would benefit from and you would like to be included in all future Inner Samurai Business Plan communications, please email me: susan at alkamae dot com. Include "ISBP" in the subject line and your full name and email address in the body of the email. 

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Celebrate Inner Christmas

Have you seen the Inner Christmas Movie, yet? Watch this 5 minute movie and discover a new way to celebrate a deeply personal Christmas - one bringing gifts of renewed meaning, wonder and wisdom to your life.

Enjoy and Happy Holidays to you all!

Merry Christmas

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

5 Characteristics of Great Business Names

Have you ever thought about what goes into creating a great name for your business?

You want it to be everything. Sadly, many business names are nothing.

Deciding on a great business name takes time. It takes thought. Moreover, getting it wrong could spell disaster for your business. Getting it right, however, will give customers a reason to hire you, connect you to your niche market, and save you thousands of marketing dollars.

The Inner Samurai Priority System

My client Rebecca was always running out of time.

We’d have a productive coaching session together, make a lot of headway toward starting up her business, and then she would get nothing done between sessions. Or, she would scramble to get something finished minutes before our next meeting and send me an apologetic email saying, “Sorry to get this to you so late. I just ran out of time.”

Rebecca had all the best intentions. She also felt guilty about not getting things done and vowed she would get started—right after she baked cupcakes for her son, walked the dog, and picked up her husband's dry cleaning. Pretty soon, a week had gone by. And the very thing she was so excited about doing still sat, waiting.

After months had gone by, this thing that originally made her so energized had now become a “project.” Something that was hanging over her head. The joy of starting up her business, once so wonderful, had become a burden.

Does this sound like you? It used to sound like me, too. That was until I developed the Inner Samurai Priority System. This system acknowledges how important it is for business owners to be able to make decisions with complete confidence and get things done. The Inner Samurai Priority System is easy to use and highly effective.

It’s Never about Time

How much time is there in one day? There are 24 hours. That’s 1,440 minutes or 86,400 seconds. We all have the same amount of time, so why is it that some people get a lot done in their day while others do not?

It's because those who get a lot done understand that it's not about time. They know that it's about priorities. Specifically, about making yourself a top priority.

Right now, stop reading and take a self-priority check. How's your commitment to yourself?

Is it pretty balanced or a bit lopsided? Favored in your direction or another's direction?

Rebecca's relationship with herself was lopsided. She made sure she had everything done for everyone else first, before she took any time at all to work on her new business. She put her children’s and husband's needs before her own. She put household tasks before business tasks. She even put taking the family dog to the groomer ahead of taking care of herself.

Rebecca was always putting other people and their needs first. Her priority system was out of whack and heavily weighted in the direction of other people's needs. As a result, she wasn't getting much done for herself.

Rebecca was out of control of her time. Why? Because she had not made herself a top priority in her own life. In fact, Rebecca had made herself the last priority.

“Yeah … but,” I can still hear her saying, "You don’t understand. This thing and that thing happened this week."

Sure, life happens. But here's what Rebecca wasn't taking reasonability for: It wasn't about whatever came along and "took" her time; it was about what she'd been doing with the other 1,440 minutes of her day. “This and that” hadn't stolen her time. She had stolen time from herself because of whom and what she had set as her priorities. Because Rebecca had placed herself last on her own list, she was not in control of her time. Other people's wants and needs were.

This was hard for Rebecca to hear. Fortunately, hear me she did. Soon she was taking the steps that placed her higher up on her priority list. She put the Inner Samurai Priority System into action.

The Inner Samurai Priority System

What the heck is the Inner Samurai Priority System?

Inner Samurai is a term I coined to describe the “inner voice.” The Inner Samurai Priority System is one of the tools in the Inner Samurai Way of Business I've developed. These tools are designed to help the spiritually conscious businesswoman connect with her powerful inner voice and make it the central guidance system compelling her toward business success.

Everyone has an Inner Samurai. Inner because the voice resides deep within your being (to distinguish it from the voice inside your head). Samurai because of how powerfully it stands, fully knowing what's true for you, able to act on that knowing in every moment of every day.

If you are struggling with your business, getting in touch with your Inner Samurai will transform you into a powerful business owner able to operate in dynamic and powerful ways that are compatible with your deepest inner principals.

Step one: Identify your top two A-1 priorities each month.

Let’s return to my coaching client, Rebecca, to see the Inner Samurai Priority System at work. The first thing I did was ask Rebecca to decide what her top two A-1 priorities would be for the month. She was quick to respond, “Be a great mom to my kids and get my business plan done.”

“Okay, great! Let’s get more specific. How would you like to be a great mom to your children this month?”

Rebecca thought for a moment and then said, “I’d be present, fresh, and there for them when they came home from school. I’d take them to the park to play on the weekend. I’d take them to swim lessons and stay there watching, without answering my cell phone. I’d be involved with their homework assignments, instead of just asking them if they’d gotten them done. I’d be fully present when I read them their bedtime stories and not skip any pages.”

Rebecca had a great list of things she would do with her children this month, given they were one of her top two priorities. Best yet, when she talked about the things she would do and how she would be, there was an inner strength and confidence in her voice. I could tell she was connected with her Inner Samurai Priority System. Nothing on her list felt like a should, ought, or must. Rebecca was energized and motivated from within.

“Rebecca, does it seem realistic that you will complete your business plan?”

“Yes!”

“How can you say yes so emphatically?”

“Because I only have two priorities this month!”

Bingo! That’s the key. Two priorities; one-month commitment. That’s all. A one-month commitment to two priorities is achievable. With only three remaining parts of her business plan to go, Rebecca certainly could finish it in a month and still have plenty of time to spend with her other priority—her children.

Step two: Stay on track and know what to do by asking this question.

Once you've decided on your two A-1 priorities for the month, there's only one question you need to ask yourself in order to stay focused and on track: Does or doesn't this activity support my two A-1 priorities?

Let's return to Rebecca to see how she handled this step. She wondered, “What about the laundry?”

“Does getting the laundry done support or get in the way of either one of your priorities?” I asked Rebecca.

”Yes … No. I mean, I want my family to have clean clothes to wear. I can’t go all month without doing laundry!”

I chuckled, imagining a month’s worth of dirty t-shirts and socks waiting to be washed in stacks outside the laundry room. “Yes, of course, do the laundry. After—not before—you’ve attended to your top two priorities.” That's the key. Your two A-1 priorities come first, before anything else.

“Oh. So that would be the same for dishes, going shopping, and committees I’m serving on at school and church?”

“Yes. Being a great mom to your kids and getting your business plan done are your two A-1 priorities for this month. Let nothing and no one get in the way of them.”

At first, this was a difficult task for Rebecca. She was used to putting everyone else's priorities before her own. Therefore, changing to be in alignment with her Inner Samurai Priority System was a challenge. Yet, she persevered.

One week later, she reported that she had been successful at reorienting her day. She worked on her business plan while her children were at school and was present for them when they came home. She completed the one-year objectives section of the plan and reported feeling energized and optimistic.

When I asked her how she managed to stay focused, she said, “I kept asking myself that one question: Does or doesn’t this activity support my priority? The answer was immediately clear. Then all I had to do was take action in that direction.”

At the end of one month, Rebecca completed her business plan. She was ecstatic! She also had done every one of the things she said she wanted to do with and for her children. She felt good about herself, her priorities, and all that she had accomplished.

Moreover, Rebecca learned, not through reading a book but by direct application, that she was in control of her time—time was not in control of her. Best yet, she was able to take back control very simply yet powerfully. By assigning two A-1 priorities each month, she made herself a priority and became more aligned with her Inner Samurai Priority System.

Rebecca was no longer out of time.

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

The Heart of Inner Samurai Business Explained

Are you a spiritually conscious woman? A woman entrepreneur in business for yourself?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like for you to Discover Your Inner Samurai? About how powerfully vital you'd be in your life and business once you did?

Watch this short, 4 minute video and wonder no more!

Freebie - Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Toolkit

Attention: Spiritually Conscious Women Business Owners

"If you're finally ready for that Aha! moment that will transform your business from simply doing what other people expect to a life of success and happiness, this 3-step toolkit is what you've been looking for!"

This Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit delivers a powerful one-two punch of both energetic and practical answers that make owning the business you really dream of not just possible, but inevitable.

First - The "Doing What You Love: Multiple Streams of Passion" report helps to energetically ground you in a business perfectly aligned with your dreams.


Second - The "Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Video Toolkit" walks you through the practical steps of:

• Creating the perfect name for your business.
• Crafting a compelling and exciting business statement.
• Building your mission statement with a plan and purpose.
• Clearly define and target your niche market.

Best yet? It's absolutely fr*ee!

Our Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit combines both the energetic alignment and practical know-how:

• in language that is easy to comprehend and understand,

• with videos that are fun and entertaining, and

• worksheet templates that are a joy to complete.

All together, you'll have an end result that will leave you energized and excited about the direction of your business.

Get your Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit now!

Enjoy!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

 

Freebie - Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Toolkit

Attention: Spiritually Conscious Women Business Owners

"If you're finally ready for that Aha! moment that will transform your business from simply doing what other people expect to a life of success and happiness, this 3-step toolkit is what you've been looking for!"

This Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit delivers a powerful one-two punch of both energetic and practical answers that make owning the business you really dream of not just possible, but inevitable.

First - The "Doing What You Love: Multiple Streams of Passion" report helps to energetically ground you in a business perfectly aligned with your dreams.


Second - The "Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Video Toolkit" walks you through the practical steps of:

• Creating the perfect name for your business.
• Crafting a compelling and exciting business statement.
• Building your mission statement with a plan and purpose.
• Clearly define and target your niche market.

Best yet? It's absolutely fr*ee!

Our Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit combines both the energetic alignment and practical know-how:

• in language that is easy to comprehend and understand,

• with videos that are fun and entertaining, and

• worksheet templates that are a joy to complete.

All together, you'll have an end result that will leave you energized and excited about the direction of your business.

Get your Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit now!

Enjoy!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

 

What's it Like to Discover Your Inner Samurai?

Are you a spiritually conscious woman? A woman entrepreneur in business for yourself?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like for you to Discover Your Inner Samurai? About how powerfully vital you'd be in your life and business once you did?

Watch this short, 4 minute video and wonder no more!

Freebie - Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Toolkit

Attention: Spiritually Conscious Women Business Owners

"If you're finally ready for that Aha! moment that will transform your business from simply doing what other people expect to a life of success and happiness, this 3-step toolkit is what you've been looking for!"

This Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit delivers a powerful one-two punch of both energetic and practical answers that make owning the business you really dream of not just possible, but inevitable.

First - The "Doing What You Love: Multiple Streams of Passion" report helps to energetically ground you in a business perfectly aligned with your dreams.


Second - The "Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Video Toolkit" walks you through the practical steps of:

• Creating the perfect name for your business.
• Crafting a compelling and exciting business statement.
• Building your mission statement with a plan and purpose.
• Clearly define and target your niche market.

Best yet? It's absolutely fr*ee!

Our Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit combines both the energetic alignment and practical know-how:

• in language that is easy to comprehend and understand,

• with videos that are fun and entertaining, and

• worksheet templates that are a joy to complete.

All together, you'll have an end result that will leave you energized and excited about the direction of your business.

Get your Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit now!

Enjoy!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

 

What's it Like to Discover Your Inner Samurai?

Are you a spiritually conscious woman? A woman entrepreneur in business for yourself?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like for you to Discover Your Inner Samurai? About how powerfully vital you'd be in your life and business once you did?

Watch this short, 4 minute video and wonder no more!

Freebie - Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Toolkit

Attention: Spiritually Conscious Women Business Owners

"If you're finally ready for that Aha! moment that will transform your business from simply doing what other people expect to a life of success and happiness, this 3-step toolkit is what you've been looking for!"

This Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit delivers a powerful one-two punch of both energetic and practical answers that make owning the business you really dream of not just possible, but inevitable.

First - The "Doing What You Love: Multiple Streams of Passion" report helps to energetically ground you in a business perfectly aligned with your dreams.


Second - The "Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Video Toolkit" walks you through the practical steps of:

• Creating the perfect name for your business.
• Crafting a compelling and exciting business statement.
• Building your mission statement with a plan and purpose.
• Clearly define and target your niche market.

Best yet? It's absolutely fr*ee!

Our Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit combines both the energetic alignment and practical know-how:

• in language that is easy to comprehend and understand,

• with videos that are fun and entertaining, and

• worksheet templates that are a joy to complete.

All together, you'll have an end result that will leave you energized and excited about the direction of your business.

Get your Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit now!

Enjoy!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

 

See the World Through the Eyes of Source

Many of you, I know, have read the Abraham-Hicks book, Money and the Law of Attraction. There are lots of great reminders and gems in this book. I'm re-reading it myself and think this quotation is particularly powerful for the spiritually conscious businesswoman to keep in mind.

When considered from an Inner Samurai perspective, the world is truly an amazing place with unlimited opportunities for alignment:

To see your world through the eyes of Source is truly the most spectacular view of life, for from that vibrational vantage point, you are in alignment with - and therefore in the process of attracting - only what you would consider to be the very best of your world.

What do you think? Great reminder, yes?

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Energetically Speaking - How do You Know if a Niche is Good for You?

How do you know if your niche is a good niche for you?

"Well that's easy," you say. "If you've found a niche market that is hungry for your product or service and is willing to pay for it, and is large enough to flow the kind of income you want to you, then you've found a good niche."

From a practical standpoint, that's true enough.

However, as a spiritually conscious businesswoman you're just not focused on the practical. You're focused on the energetic, too. So, how would you answer this questions from an energetic standpoint - from an Inner Samurai Business perspective.

How would you know if your niche is a good niche for you, energetically?

Here's how:

You Know Your Niche is Good if . . .

1. You are passionate about it.
2. You are knowledgeable about it.
3. You have a sustaining interest in it.
4. You know you can make a meaningful contribution to it.
   
5. You are able to make good money at it.

So, how's your niche? Good for you?

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

 

Freebie - Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Toolkit

Attention: Spiritually Conscious Women Business Owners

"If you're finally ready for that Aha! moment that will transform your business from simply doing what other people expect to a life of success and happiness, this 3-step toolkit is what you've been looking for!"

This Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit delivers a powerful one-two punch of both energetic and practical answers that make owning the business you really dream of not just possible, but inevitable.

First - The "Doing What You Love: Multiple Streams of Passion" report helps to energetically ground you in a business perfectly aligned with your dreams.


Second - The "Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Video Toolkit" walks you through the practical steps of:

• Creating the perfect name for your business.
• Crafting a compelling and exciting business statement.
• Building your mission statement with a plan and purpose.
• Clearly define and target your niche market.

Best yet? It's absolutely fr*ee!

Our Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit combines both the energetic alignment and practical know-how:

• in language that is easy to comprehend and understand,

• with videos that are fun and entertaining, and

• worksheet templates that are a joy to complete.

All together, you'll have an end result that will leave you energized and excited about the direction of your business.

Get your Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit now!

Enjoy!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

 

Freebie - Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Toolkit

Attention: Spiritually Conscious Women Business Owners

"If you're finally ready for that Aha! moment that will transform your business from simply doing what other people expect to a life of success and happiness, this 3-step toolkit is what you've been looking for!"

This Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit delivers a powerful one-two punch of both energetic and practical answers that make owning the business you really dream of not just possible, but inevitable.

First - The "Doing What You Love: Multiple Streams of Passion" report helps to energetically ground you in a business perfectly aligned with your dreams.


Second - The "Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Video Toolkit" walks you through the practical steps of:

• Creating the perfect name for your business.
• Crafting a compelling and exciting business statement.
• Building your mission statement with a plan and purpose.
• Clearly define and target your niche market.

Best yet? It's absolutely fr*ee!

Our Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit combines both the energetic alignment and practical know-how:

• in language that is easy to comprehend and understand,

• with videos that are fun and entertaining, and

• worksheet templates that are a joy to complete.

All together, you'll have an end result that will leave you energized and excited about the direction of your business.

Get your Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit now!

Enjoy!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

 

Joe Vitale's Productivity Secret

Many people ask my how it is that I get so much done. They marvel about it as if it is something out of the ordinary. Unusual. As if I must have more time in the day than they. My response has always been, " It's all about choice. I choose to focus on what I love to do and get a lot done because I enjoy doing it."

Here are some of the things Joe Vitale has to say about productivity:

• When an idea comes to me, I believe it comes to several people on the planet at the very same time.
  
  
• When the idea comes, I don't second guess it, doubt it, or question it. If it feels right to me, I jump, I take action.
  
  
• When the idea comes, it is your responsibility to act on it.

Joe knows his Inner Samurai. He knows how to listen to his inner voice and take immediate, aligned action.

Watch this short, just over 2 minute video to discover Joe's secret to productivity.

Freebie - Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Toolkit

Attention: Spiritually Conscious Women Business Owners

"If you're finally ready for that Aha! moment that will transform your business from simply doing what other people expect to a life of success and happiness, this 3-step toolkit is what you've been looking for!"

This Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit delivers a powerful one-two punch of both energetic and practical answers that make owning the business you really dream of not just possible, but inevitable.

First - The "Doing What You Love: Multiple Streams of Passion" report helps to energetically ground you in a business perfectly aligned with your dreams.


Second - The "Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Video Toolkit" walks you through the practical steps of:

• Creating the perfect name for your business.
• Crafting a compelling and exciting business statement.
• Building your mission statement with a plan and purpose.
• Clearly define and target your niche market.

Best yet? It's absolutely fr*ee!

Our Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit combines both the energetic alignment and practical know-how:

• in language that is easy to comprehend and understand,

• with videos that are fun and entertaining, and

• worksheet templates that are a joy to complete.

All together, you'll have an end result that will leave you energized and excited about the direction of your business.

Get your Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit now!

Enjoy!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Freebie - Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Toolkit

Attention: Spiritually Conscious Women Business Owners

"If you're finally ready for that Aha! moment that will transform your business from simply doing what other people expect to a life of success and happiness, this 3-step toolkit is what you've been looking for!"

This Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit delivers a powerful one-two punch of both energetic and practical answers that make owning the business you really dream of not just possible, but inevitable.

First - The "Doing What You Love: Multiple Streams of Passion" report helps to energetically ground you in a business perfectly aligned with your dreams.


Second - The "Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Video Toolkit" walks you through the practical steps of:

• Creating the perfect name for your business.
• Crafting a compelling and exciting business statement.
• Building your mission statement with a plan and purpose.
• Clearly define and target your niche market.

Best yet? It's absolutely fr*ee!

Our Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit combines both the energetic alignment and practical know-how:

• in language that is easy to comprehend and understand,

• with videos that are fun and entertaining, and

• worksheet templates that are a joy to complete.

All together, you'll have an end result that will leave you energized and excited about the direction of your business.

Get your Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit now!

Enjoy!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

 

Last Day!

I'm finally doing something I've wanted to do for a long, long time.

I’m putting together a combination of Inner Samurai Business teleseminars, workshops, and retreats that will support you in taking your business to the next level.

But first, I need some feedback and direction from you. 

Rather than trying to guess what would help you the most, I am going to let you tell me exactly what you need to energize your business to the next level.

To do that, I've developed a four-minute Inner Samurai Business Survey.

And, as a delicious bribe to entice you to complete the survey, I will be giving away three Starbucks gift cards (valued at $10 each) in three separate drawings held between now and July 20, 2009.

Anyone who completes the Inner Samurai Business Survey eligible to win!

Thank you!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Survey Says?

I'm finally doing something I've wanted to do for a long, long time.

I’m putting together a combination of Inner Samurai Business teleseminars, workshops, and retreats that will support you in taking your business to the next level.

But first, I need some feedback and direction from you. 

Rather than trying to guess what would help you the most, I am going to let you tell me exactly what you need to energize your business to the next level.

To do that, I've developed a four-minute Inner Samurai Business Survey.

And, as a delicious bribe to entice you to complete the survey, I will be giving away three Starbucks gift cards (valued at $10 each) in three separate drawings held between now and July 20, 2009.

Anyone who completes the Inner Samurai Business Survey eligible to win!

Thank you!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Inner Samurai Business Survey

I'm finally doing something I've wanted to do for a long, long time.

I’m putting together a combination of Inner Samurai Business teleseminars, workshops, and retreats that will support you in taking your business to the next level.

But first, I need some feedback and direction from you. 

Rather than trying to guess what would help you the most, I am going to let you tell me exactly what you need to energize your business to the next level.

To do that, I've developed a four-minute Inner Samurai Business Survey.

And, as a delicious bribe to entice you to complete the survey, I will be giving away three Starbucks gift cards (valued at $10 each) in three separate drawings held between now and July 20, 2009.

Anyone who completes the Inner Samurai Business Survey eligible to win!

Thank you!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Toolkit

Attention: Spiritually Conscious Women Business Owners

"If you're finally ready for that Aha! moment that will transform your business from simply doing what other people expect to a life of success and happiness, this 3-step toolkit is what you've been looking for!"

This Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit delivers a powerful one-two punch of both energetic and practical answers that make owning the business you really dream of not just possible, but inevitable.

First - The "Doing What You Love: Multiple Streams of Passion" report helps to energetically ground you in a business perfectly aligned with your dreams.


Second - The "Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Video Toolkit" walks you through the practical steps of:

• Creating the perfect name for your business.
• Crafting a compelling and exciting business statement.
• Building your mission statement with a plan and purpose.
• Clearly define and target your niche market.

Best yet? It's absolutely fr*ee!

Our Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit combines both the energetic alignment and practical know-how:

• in language that is easy to comprehend and understand,

• with videos that are fun and entertaining, and

• worksheet templates that are a joy to complete.

All together, you'll have an end result that will leave you energized and excited about the direction of your business.

Get your Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit now!

Enjoy!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

 

Inner Samurai Business Survey

I'm finally doing something I've wanted to do for a long, long time.

I’m putting together a combination of Inner Samurai Business teleseminars, workshops, and retreats that will support you in taking your business to the next level.

But first, I need some feedback and direction from you. 

Rather than trying to guess what would help you the most, I am going to let you tell me exactly what you need to energize your business to the next level.

To do that, I've developed a four-minute Inner Samurai Business Survey.

And, as a delicious bribe to entice you to complete the survey, I will be giving away three Starbucks gift cards (valued at $10 each) in three separate drawings held between now and July 20, 2009.

Anyone who completes the Inner Samurai Business Survey eligible to win!

Thank you!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Success Tips From Your Inner Samurai

Today . . . I am thinking about this question that came in from one of our readers. She is a spiritually conscious businesswoman who wants to make sure she is focusing her energy in the best direction for success.

If you have a small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.

Q: “How do I ensure that I am focusing my energy in the best direction for success?”

A: Entrepreneurial women begin imagining their future the moment they start thinking about striking out on their own and starting their own business.

They think about what the business will become, the lives they will touch, the people they will help, the flexibility they will have, and the money they will make. They imagine building a business around their value system, their passion, and what’s important to them. They envision a business that fits beautifully into their life. In short, they dream about building a business from the inside out.

How many times have you known what was right for you yet made another choice… one that was wrong for you? How many times have you gone against your inner knowing? How many times have you heard yourself say, “I knew I should have gone that way, done that thing, or spoken my truth?” It happens to all of us.

That's why getting in touch with and trusting your Inner Samurai is so important.

Success Tips From Your Inner Samurai

•    Create only two priorities per month. What are the two things you are most passionate about doing? This will help you prioritize and focus by aligning you with your "Inner Samurai Priority System."

•    Check in with yourself often. If you hear a lot of chatter, explanation and justifications, that's the voice of doubt inside your head. Learn to recognize and ignore it. If you check in and feel a one-word pulse, pay attention! That's your Inner Samurai.

Three qualities that will always lead you down the right path:

   1. Know who you are.
   2. Accept yourself as you are.
   3. Dare to be who you are.

Do you have any other suggestions? If so, leave a comment and let us know. And, if you have a small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Take Our Inner Samurai Business Survey

I'm finally doing something I've wanted to do for a long, long time.

I’m putting together a combination of Inner Samurai Business teleseminars, workshops, and retreats that will support you in taking your business to the next level.

But first, I need some feedback and direction from you. 

Rather than trying to guess what would help you the most, I am going to let you tell me exactly what you need to energize your business to the next level.

To do that, I've developed a four-minute Inner Samurai Business Survey.

And, as a delicious bribe to entice you to complete the survey, I will be giving away three Starbucks gift cards (valued at $10 each) in three separate drawings held between now and July 20, 2009.

Anyone who completes the Inner Samurai Business Survey eligible to win!

Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Toolkit

Attention: Spiritually Conscious Women Business Owners

"If you're finally ready for that Aha! moment that will transform your business from simply doing what other people expect to a life of success and happiness, this 3-step toolkit is what you've been looking for!"

This Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit delivers a powerful one-two punch of both energetic and practical answers that make owning the business you really dream of not just possible, but inevitable.

First - The "Doing What You Love: Multiple Streams of Passion" report helps to energetically ground you in a business perfectly aligned with your dreams.


Second - The "Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Video Toolkit" walks you through the practical steps of:

• Creating the perfect name for your business.
• Crafting a compelling and exciting business statement.
• Building your mission statement with a plan and purpose.
• Clearly define and target your niche market.

Best yet? It's absolutely fr*ee!

Our Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit combines both the energetic alignment and practical know-how:

• in language that is easy to comprehend and understand,

• with videos that are fun and entertaining, and

• worksheet templates that are a joy to complete.

All together, you'll have an end result that will leave you energized and excited about the direction of your business.

Get your Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit now!

Enjoy!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

 

Five Steps to Putting Your Cause at the Center of Your Business

The problem with talking about financial freedom is that many people believe having lots of money is the answer to all problems. If the spiritually conscious woman holds this belief when starting up a business, it actually can work against her. In fact, it can even lead to the downfall of her business.

To prevent that from happening,follow these five steps to take the focus off the quest for financial freedom and put it where it belongs: onto the passionate cause that needs to be at the center of your business.

Step One: Take out a piece of paper and write this question at the top of the page: What cause or causes am I already passionate about?

Then start listing all the causes that bubble up from within you. Don't think too hard about them. Just allow them to arise and be known.

Step Two: To the right of each of your causes, put a number between one and ten that indicates your degree of passion for each. One would be a cause you're mildly excited about. Ten would be a cause you're wildly passionate about.

Step Three: To the left of each cause, put a number between zero and ten that indicates your level of resistance to starting up a business with this cause at its core. Zero would be very little resistance. Ten would be a lot.

Step Four: Narrow down your list to the one main cause that is both high in passion and low in resistance. Ideally, you're looking for a degree of passion of nine or ten and a resistance level of three or below. Circle the cause or causes that fall within these parameters.

If you have more than one cause circled, then take a moment to center yourself and feel into each cause. Listen inwardly for something that will make one cause stand out from the others.

Step Five: Draw a circle in the middle of your paper and place the number one cause at the center. Now draw spokes radiating outward from the core and brainstorm a list of products and services you are excited about offering that will tantalize all the money in the world toward your cause. Notice that I didn't say, to you or to your business.

Your products and services are what will entice the flow of money to your cause, not your slick marketing strategy, fancy product packaging, or snazzy website. Yes, all those things are important. However, without your cause at the core of your business generating a magnetic vortex through which money flows, fancy product packaging and a snazzy website will not be enough.

What cause are you putting at the center of your business?

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

 

What You Intuitively Desire, That is Possible to You

Your Inner Samurai Business thought for the day:

For whereas the mind works in possibilities, the intuition works in actualities, and what you intuitively desire, that is possible to you. Whereas what you mentally or "consciously" desire is nine times out of ten impossible; hitch your wagon to a star, or you will just stay where you are.

— D H Lawrence

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success