Discovering Your Inner Samurai Blog

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

Funding Women Entrepreneurs - Seven Opportunities

Grants for women starting up businesses in America are hard to come by, especially if you don't know where to look.

If you've been searching for small business grant money and had difficult finding any, or thrown up your hands in frustration because of all the scam sites promising money that lead to nowhere, don't give up yet!

Funding opportunities for women small business owners do exist.

Here are seven of them:

1.    National Association of Small Business Investment Companies (NASBIC) - This is an investment company that funds small businesses. It is venture capital, but considered well known, recommended, and safe.

2.    National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC) - This is an association that funds ethnically diverse businesses. It is also venture capital, but thought to be a bit more secure.

3.    Woman Owned - A very good article on women-owned small business funding.

4.    Count Me In (for Women’s Economic Independence) - Here is an online community with events and funding for women-owned businesses. A minimum of two years in business and $250,000 in revenue are required to apply for financial assistance.

5.    Women’s Funding Network - A network that is a collection of organizations that fund women's solutions.

6.    American Association of University Women (AAUW) formerly, now: Breaking through Barriers -
An association for the advocacy of women's equality that provides funding for outstanding women.

7.    Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - A branch of the SBA that funds small, high-tech and innovative businesses.

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 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.

The Zen of the One Page Business Plan

Having a business plan is a strategic and financial asset. Not only does a business plan strategically guide your business, it is also invaluable for obtaining financial support and backing.

The only problem is . . . the traditional business plans are a long, arduous, and sometimes costly process filled with hours of crunching numbers, lots of grinding teeth, and struggle.

Since using the One Page Business Plan books with my clients, I've had nothing but rave reviews. They love the ease, the simplicity, and how quickly they can get their business plan done -- usually in six weeks time. Hats off to forward thinker Jim Horan, for making business planning a breeze.

If you are a in your first year of business and are interested in creating a business plan, here's how you can get started. 

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

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

10 Things to do in Your First Year of Business to Ensure Success

This question came in from one of our readers. It's a great question for new business owners with their eye on the prize. If you have a small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.

Q: What is the most important thing to do in your first year of starting up your business to ensure its success?

A: Congratulations on starting up your business! And even more so for looking beyond your start-up and asking the question that will lead to your success. Here are my suggestions:

1.    If you haven't created your business plan, do it now.

2.    Don't let yourself get sidetracked from your business plan. There will be lots of distractions that will make it seem like deviating from your business plan is a good idea. Don't be seduced. Work the plan.

3.    Keep the big picture in mind. If unemployment is at 10%, that means that 90% of the market is gainfully employed and spending money.

4.    Remember that everything cycles. Keep moving forward.

5.    Make sure you differentiate yourself in the market. Create an apples and oranges comparison and convey the contrast to your market.

6.    Stick with your core values. Remember why you are in business and what values are important you.

7.    Be transparent and honest in your dealings with people. During your first year, honesty will matter. Being a good person will matter. Being authentic will matter. Integrity earns trust.

8.    Master social networking to create inbound marketing.

9.    Keep things simple your first year. Don't over-complicate solutions, make situations more complex than they are, or react when you have the power to respond.

10.    Unplug from your business one day a week. I know. I know. There will be lots to do your first year. Your tendency will be to do whatever it takes to get things done. In addition to working long and hard, though, your business also needs you to refresh and renew yourself. Schedule one day a week off and stick to it.

Let me know if this was helpful, or if there is anything more you'd add. 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

What Makes Women Entrepreneurs Excel?

As a business coach and author of a business book for women, Discovering Your Inner Samurai, I am frequently asked in interviews this question, "How are women entrepreneurs who excel different from men entrepreneurs who excel?"

What I've discovered about women entrepreneurs who excel is that they do so in some ways that are similar to their male counterparts and in other ways that are distinctly different.

Here's how I answer that question:

 Both women and men entrepreneurs who excel:

• Are self-disciplined.
• Hold strong, clear visions about the direction of their companies.
• Follow detailed plans of action to support their visions.
• Know how to make tough-call.
• Use mentors and coaches to keep them strategically aligned for success.
• Exude confidence and determination.
• See problems, failures, and setbacks as opportunities, openings, and clarifiers.

Women entrepreneurs do all that and then some. More often then men, women also:

• Create lifestyle businesses that encompass the full spectrum of their lives.
• Have a natural affinity for customer care and service.
• Are three parts “strong woman” and one part “good girl.”
• Have strong, values-led businesses.
• Trust and follow their intuition.
• Are "whole"-istic in their decision-making.
• Measure success by their quality of interaction with people and how much they help others.

What would you add to this list? Are their things you do that are specific to being a woman entrepreneur that our male counterparts don't do as often? If so, 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

How to Create a Great Business Name for Your Business

Is this your first year in business? Want to get your new small business off to a great start? Then make it great by creating a fabulous name for your business.

Welcome to the Turn Your Business Dreams into Reality Video series. In this 4-minute video you'll learn exactly what goes into creating a great business name and also what popular trends to avoid.