TCCs Top 10 Links of the Week

Fridays are the best day of the week! Because you know you have done a job well done during the week and now you get to enjoy a rest filled weekend. So why not take time to catch up on your reading. And you missed some awesome stuff this week. That's right. It's time for the Top 10 Links of the Week. If you're looking for a little inspiration, tips or tricks, here is the place to be. Whether you agree or disagree, feedback is always appreciated. So without further ado, here are your Top 10 Links of the Week!

1. 7 Tips to Begin Healing from Wounds from Mom & Dad
2. Two Obvious But Powerful Steps To Stand Out 
3. Mating Call August 2013
4. How to Write Your Way to the Top of Your Industry 
5. How to Get Influencers to Say Yes to Your Ideas (The 16 Laws You’re Probably Not Following)
6. How Not to Get Sued When You Start Mobile Marketing 
7. 7 Powerful Tips to Get Rid of Laziness and Stay Active
8. 5 Outside the Box Twitter Marketing Tips That Pay Off in a Big Way!
9. 5 Great Questions You Should Ask Your Customers
10. 10 Question to Ask Before Starting Any Medication

Video of the Week: How to Know Your Life Purpose in 5 Minutes: Adam Leipzig at TEDxMalibu

Earlier this week I wrote a post about missing your purpose. So I decided to continue the theme with this week's video - How to Know Your Life Purpose in 5 Minutes: Adam Leipzig at TEDxMalibu. Mr. Leipzip works in the entertainment industry and has been quite successful. Watch below as he gives a short and sweet presentation on how to find your life purpose in 5 minutes. The whole video is about 10 minutes long and leaves you with some food for thought. I mean, who doesn't want to figure out their purpose. So sit back, relax, and discover your purpose today!

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

6 Reasons Why You Should Join Toastmasters

One of the most important skills you as a professional can master is communication. But one of the most fear inducing forms of communication is public speaking. I know there have been times where I have been called to give an impromptu speech. To be honest I would have disappeared if I could when asked. But I am becoming more comfortable with public speaking through Toastmasters. Toastmasters International is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping others become more proficient in public speaking. Established in 1924, Toastmasters has over 14,000 clubs in 122 countries that meet on a regular basis (weekly, twice a month, or once a month). Some clubs are less formal than others, but the all follow the same general format and meetings last between 60-90 minutes. But let me tell some really awesome reasons you should join a Toastmasters near you.

1. Safe Environment - The goal of Toastmasters is to help build confidence as a speaker. I have been to several clubs, and I have never been to one where members were berated or intimidated. When speeches are evaluated, constructive criticism is used.

2. Cost Effective - The cost for a six month membership is on average $36. Some clubs cost a little more. But for an average of $6 a month to attend a regular skill building workshop, you can't beat that with a stick.

3. Learn Impromptu Speaking - One of the features of a Toastmasters meeting is Table Topics. During Table Topics, members are asked to give a 1-2 minute speech on a random topic (i.e. your worst trip ever). It helps prepare you for situations such as interviews or team meetings when you're asked a question that seems like it came out of left field.

4. Develop Speeches for Different Occasions - Once you become a member, you'll receive the Competent Communication Manual. The manual contains 10 speech projects you can complete at your own pace. An example of one of the projects you'll complete is a speech using visual aides. After completing the 1st manual, you can continue in the Advanced series and complete as many speeches as you like. The point of the series is to prepare you for different situations.

5. Develop Leadership Skills - Toastmasters is nothing without it's members. And each member is given the opportunity to take part in a leadership role if they so choose. There is even a leadership manual that discusses how to perform each role in the club, and there are many.

6. Learn How to Give (and Receive) Constructive Criticism - One of the features of the club is speeches are evaluated. Through Toastmasters, you'll learn how to give an evaluation that is meant to build up, not tear down the speaker. This is an essential tool for managers or business owners when coaching employees. It is also beneficial for learning how to accept feedback without becoming defensive.

Final Tip: If you're going to join a club, smaller clubs offer more opportunities for leadership roles and to give speeches. That's helpful if you need to improve your skills in a shorter amount of time. Also, if there's no club in your area, consider starting your own!





Image courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Quote of the Week: There is no greater tragedy than a life that is lived without purpose. Ed Young

There is no greater tragedy than a life that is lived without purpose.  Ed Young

Purpose - The reason for which something is created.

For awhile, I worked in nursing homes. I had countless clients, most of whom were well past the age of 75. I listened to many stories. But the ones I found the most heartbreaking were the ones from people who had not found their true purpose in life. Or if they found their purpose, squandered it.

One of my clients I remember vividly is Mr. Jones*. He was a handsome man in his day. He was also athletic and talented. But he was a bit of a ne'er do well. He spent more time in jail than out. He had plenty of potential and boatloads of squandered opportunities. But more importantly, he coasted through life, no direction, no purpose. Mr. Jones died a few months after I met him. But I would often sit and wonder what he could he have accomplished had he found his true calling and followed it. I wondered that about many of my former patients. Years before I started working in the nursing homes, I used to wonder about my own purpose. I worked for years in the IT industry, but I hated it. I didn't feel like I was making a difference. So I changed course.

Do you feel this way? Do you feel like you are drifting along in life with no direction? Are you still trying to figure out your purpose? Are you scared that you are wasting your life? Then take action today. Figure out your true path in life. But you don't have to go it alone. If you want to get out of that rut you're in, contact me today for a free coaching session. Let's get you on the right path today.

Failure as Feedback

Failure isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes it can be the best thing that can happen to you. Failure teaches you things that success cannot. Here is a prime example. Do you remember "New Coke?" If you don't, here's a recap. In April 1985, Coca-Cola announced they were changing the formula. Keep in mind that Coke was the best selling soft drink in the world at the time. But they wanted to take a risk. Bring something new to the table. Well, "New Coke" went over like a lead balloon. Once word got out that the formula was changing, people started hoarding cokes, protest groups formed across the country, and the company was receiving 1500 calls and countless letters a day. Within 3 months, Coca-Cola brought back the old formula. Coca-Cola continued to sell the  "New Coke", but it eventually went the way of the dinosaur. In the process of analyzing the biggest blunder in company history,  they learned some valuable lessons. They learned that their customers liked the old formula just fine. They recognized that to continue to give the customers something they didn't want, would lead to disaster. They also learned that new doesn't always mean better. But, most importantly, when they saw the mistakes that were made, they didn't curl into the fetal position. They used the feedback they received, changed course, and came back as strong as ever. You can do the same thing, too.

Its always good to try something new and different. It may not always work out. If it doesn't work out, examine the situation. Why didn't it work? Did you need a stronger marketing campaign? What feedback did you get from your customers? Do you need to keep going in the same direction and make some minor adjustments? Do you need to change course completely? Only you decide what actions to take next. But never waste a failure. Learn from it and move forward.





Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

TCCs Top 10 Links of the Week

TGIF! It has been a long but productive week. I'm sure you are just as ready for the weekend as I am. And I know that you haven't had time to read and relax. So take some time this weekend and do just that. I have scoured the web for some of the best content available to help you move forward. Whether you are looking for tips or tools, there is something here for you. Sit back, relax, and happy reading!

1. Leadership Qualities That Will Help You To Win And Cause Me To Want To Follow You
2. Positive Affirmations for Love, Abundance and Anxiety Relief that Produce Results! 
3. Will You Blast My Event….. SAPs
4. How to Write a Mission and Vision Statement
5. 21 Characteristics of Highly Influential People (aka: Christians)
6. 5 Easy to Use Tools to Effectively Find and Remove Stolen Content
7. Is There “Free Money” For Small Businesses?
8. 10 Healthy Tips for Fitness Success
9. Ask SmallBizLady: Should I Focus on My Personal Brand or Brand My Company?
10. 7 Things Successful Women Do Differently

Video of the Week: Juggling Life: Redefining What's Possible: Jennifer Slaw at TEDxPrincetonLibrary

In today's video, we learn about juggling. I know, I know, who wants to learn about juggling. But the there are benefits to learning how to juggle. Jennifer Slaw, a professional juggler, discusses how juggling has helped her and how she has used juggling to help others. More importantly, she discusses the lessons she has learned from juggling, including how to handle failure and the importance of patience. This is a short video today, so if you have 20 minutes to spare, take time to watch. Have a great day, folks!

Image courtesy of renjith krishnan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Kickstarter vs. Peerbackers - Choosing the Right Crowdfunding Site for You

Isn't the internet wonderful? In this modern day and age, the startup now has easier access than ever to enter the marketplace. With Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and other forums, gaining exposure is not as cumbersome as it used to be. But bringing your product or service to the masses still takes some amount of funding. With the economy in the current state its in, going to the bank for a loan isn't really feasible. And sure there's the venture capitalist, but what if your startup or project needs smaller amounts to get going? That's the beauty of crowdfunding. It gives startups an opportunity to raise funds for a project without going into debt. But there are a lot of crowdfunding sites out there. So today we are focusing on 2 that I really like: Kickstarter and Peerbackers.

Kickstarter - Started in 2009, Kickstarter offers creators a chance to gain funding for their projects in exchange for rewards. The rewards must be related to the project. For example, if you're trying to raise funds for a movie, you can offer tickets to the premiere of the movie. A pair of socks would probably be rejected as a reward. Kickstarter has an all-or-nothing format. The funds are released only if the goal is met. Once the goal is met, payment is handled through Amazon Payment, so you will need an Amazon account to access your funds. Most of the projects on Kickstarter focus on Arts and Entertainment (i.e. Movies, Documentaries, Books, Music). Also, the funds raised though Kickstarter or any crowdfunding site are taxable. So keep those receipts for your tax records.

Peerbackers - Founded in 2011, Peerbackers offers a lot of the same features as Kickstarter with a few differences. Unlike Kickstarter, Peerbacker will allow you to keep the funds raised if you can reach 80% of your goal and you can deliver on your rewards. Also, the rewards offered do not necessarily have to be connected to the project. Just make sure your rewards are interesting. Peerbackers offers a wider range of projects to support, including non-profit endeavors. Once the project ends, the payment is distributed through PayPal. Remember that funds raised are taxable.

Both Kickstarter and Peerbackers charge a 5% fee. You also have to take into consideration that PayPal and Amazon Payments also charge a fee as well. Keep that in mind when you consider your goals.

Both sites are appealing and user friendly. Ultimately, if you decide to create a project, you will have to put in some work to get it funded. You just have to decide which site would be best for you based on the type of project you are doing.


Image courtesy of ddpavumba at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Quote of the Week: Girls make excuses. Women find solutions.

Girls make excuses. Women find solutions. 

There is always an excuse to why something was not accomplished. But it's just that. An excuse. Instead of giving an excuse, find a solution. I learned this indirectly by working with sex offenders. 

Believe it or not, offenders don't actually enjoy sitting in jail. So to avoid sitting in jail, they typically cut a deal with the state. Well, the state says in order for you to not be in jail, here are all the rules you have to live by. And believe me. Here in the state of Texas, they are serious about following the rules. And when my offenders would step out of line, and give me some lame excuse, that was shut down immediately. I would tell them that as long as they were on probation or parole and they wanted to stay out of the orange jumpsuit, then they have to live as if they have a solution for every problem. If their car breaks down on the way to group, they should have at least 10 backup plans to make it on time. If they lose their job between sessions, they should be pounding the pavement to find another one and have my money ready by the time of the next group. Now, for those who decide that they would rather live by excuses, rather than find solutions, they didn't last very long on probation/parole. I have seen many an offender get sent back.

Now how does this apply to you? For most problems that you run into on your path, there is a solution. It may take awhile to figure out. It may take years. But there is a solution. So you have 2 options. You can make an excuse and concede defeat. Or you can find a solution and fight towards victory. The choice is yours.

Coaching: Boundary Setting 101

One of the most important things to implement in a coaching relationship is boundaries. When you set boundaries with your clients, you let them know the expectations of the relationship. Boundary setting should start at the very beginning. Some clients are more high maintenance than others. They will expect you to be available at every beck and call. But you have other clients to serve as well. So in order to maintain communication, but not be overwhelmed by the needs of your clients, here are some tips to put boundaries in place.

1. Have clearly defined packages - If you have packages where clients are paying for x months of coaching, let the client know what that includes.
Ex: 3 months of coaching consisting of 9 45 minute sessions, plus an assessment session and unlimited email support between sessions.
This lets the client know what they are paying for and leverages expectations.

2. Voicemail - Use voicemail appropriately. If you're in the middle of a session with one client, and another one calls, let it go to voicemail. After listening to the voicemail, if its something that requires your prompt attention, call back as soon as possible. If you let the client know upfront, that they will receive email support between sessions, respond by email. Inform the client that you received the call, address their concerns, and touch base at the next session.

3. Keep personal disclosures at a minimum - The purpose of the coach-client relationship is to help the client achieve a specific goal. The client doesn't necessarily need to know about that time you got dumped in high school or what you did last night with the family. Personal disclosures should only be used as it pertains to helping the client. For example, if a client is struggling with self confidence, it may be appropriate to say, "I have experienced times where I lacked self confidence, but this is what helped me."

Remember that you are in business to serve others. But do not be a slave to your business. Boundary setting is essential to maintaining the proper balance.

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

TCCs Top 10 Links of the Week

Hasn't this been an awesome week! We've had nice sunny weather and business is booming. But I know the real reason you stopped by. You're ready for the Top 10 Links of the Week! And they are a doozy. Whether you're looking for tips or tools, these links are sure to please. Remember, whether you agree or disagree, feedback is always appreciated. Now let's get down to business!

1. How To Be Good At Life
2. Referral Blurbs - Marketing Coach Tip
3. 10 Signs You Have What It Takes To Build A Business Empire 
4. Personal Brand Strategy - 4 Steps for Professionals
5. How to Create an Infoproduct that Sells: Make It Stick
6. 62 Blogging Topics for Life Coaches
7. 8 Questions to Ask a Potential Social Media Manager
8. How to Deal with a Lazy Team Member
9. 9 Psychological Symptoms of Stress
10. 37 Quick Steps To Crazy-Effective Copy

Video of the Week: Top 10 Mistakes Made by Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship can be a truly rewarding experience. Wouldn't it be great if you could learn more about it from others who have been there and done that? Well here's your chance. In this week video, you'll hear from four entrepreneurs who have been where you are. Why not benefit from their experiences? Listen to Carol Sands, Gurbaksh Chahal, Jørn Lyseggen, Matt Cohler as they discuss what it means to be an entrepreneur, how to get through the black days, and the joys and pitfalls of partnering, and other things they have learned along the way. So kick back and take notes. Knowledge is power and only a fool learns everything from experience.

4 Fabulous Websites for Finding Freelancers

So you are a solopreneur trying to do it all. Stop it. It is humanly impossible to do everything by yourself and hope to have any quality of life. That's what outsourcing is for. I get it. Money is tight. But  there are affordable options for you to get some things done. Think of it this way: Pay someone $10/hr to do your administrative tasks, so you can earn $200 an hour focusing on your clients. For example, if you have calls coming in, but you're trying to close a deal, you can have an assistant answer or return calls. Or what if you need a need logo or book cover for that e-book you've written. You can hire a graphic designer for that task. You can even have someone manage your social media. Can you imagine how much time that frees up for you to do what you do best? So here are some websites to visit to get started in outsourcing.

1. Fiverr - Have a quick job you need done on the cheap? Fiverr is the place to be. Jobs start at $5 and you can get anything from having someone make a video about your product to having someone screen your calls. While jobs start at $5, you can get upgrades such added for a few dollars more such as 24-hr turnaround.

2. Odesk - When outsourcing tasks, you want some assurance that your work is being done. Odesk has a feature called Work Diary. The freelancer logs into the work diary and while he is completing tasks, it logs and takes snap shots of the work being done. This is done to guarantee that you pay only for the time spent on your project. Also, you can hire an assistant for as little as $3 an hour. Not too shabby. Just be aware that not all freelancers will be based in the U.S.

3. Elance - Great site when looking for more specialized services. Like Odesk, Elance has a feature that allows you to monitor progress on your projects. You pay for work you approve and you can video conference with your team. How awesome is that?!

4. Freelancer - Similar to Elance and Odesk, Freelancer also allows you to track progress on your projects. But Freelancer is a little different. It allows you to have a contest for work you want performed. Great option if you are looking for a logo or other types projects that feature graphics.

Image courtesy of mrsiraphol at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Quote of the Week: If you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work.

Do you love what you do? If not, why are you wasting your time? I know, I know. The economy sucks. There aren't any other jobs out there. But what if you used this time to prepare. Discover your true passions. There are multiple tools available to help you discover your calling in life. If you're having doubts about the career you've chosen, try a career exploration workshop. Chances are you have an idea of what you want to do. But inventing in a workshop could be useful in helping to clarify the picture. Or maybe the career isn't the problem, but that you are sick of working for someone else. Consider consulting. There are many small businesses out there that may be looking for your expertise. For example, if your expertise is in accounting, think of how many small business owners could use your services to make sure their accounting practices are in order. Either way, now is the time to move forward. I'm not saying quit your job. I'm saying do some research. What career are you thinking about pursuing? What would it take to start consulting? Spend a good week on research. Then, if you are sure you want to change careers or maybe go into consulting, form a plan. Don't go off half cocked. But do take directed action. It's time to do the work you love.

Coaching: Identifying Your Clients Thinking Errors

If you have coaching clients, they are typically coming to you because they are at a stuck point and it's your job to help them get unstuck. I would wager that 90% of the time the client is stuck is because of a thinking error. A thinking error is defined as an irrational thought that leads to negative emotions and can result in making poor decisions. Here are some of the the more common thinking errors that I see in my clients (Definitions courtesy of Quizlet):

1. All-or-Nothing - Viewing a situation as only one thing or another; in two categories instead of on a continuum. It can be identified if your client makes a statement such as "If I don't lose 5 lbs this week, I'm a failure"

2. Catastrophizing - Predicting the future negatively without considering other, more likely outcomes. I once had a client tell me, "If this event doesn't go well, no one will take me seriously, no one will ever hire me, and I'll end up living with my parents the rest of my life."

3. Discounting the Positive - Unreasonably telling self that positive experiences, deeds, or qualities do not count. Have you ever heard a client say "Yeah, but that wasn't all my doing" when something positive happens (i.e. Yeah, but I got the promotion because I was the only one left.)? It doesn't occur to the client that he is competent and deserves the promotion.

4. Labeling - Putting a fixed, global label on self or others without considering that the evidence might more reasonably lead to a less disastrous conclusion. Ex - I'm  worthless.

5. Mind-Reading - Belief that you know what others' motivations are, or what they are thinking while failing to consider other, more likely plausible possibilities. Watch for statements such as "I know my boss thinks I'm slacking off" or "They must think I'm a total idiot."

6. "Should" and "Must" statements - Having precise, fixed ideas of how self or others should behave and overestimating how bad it is that these expectations are not met. Ex. "I should be growing faster in my career."

7. Tunnel Vision - Only seeing the negative aspects of a situation. Ex. "My boss hates me, my wife looks down on me, and my children don't appreciate me."

Being able to identify thinking errors is key in helping your clients break through barriers. The next step is to challenge their statements. Here's a technique I like to use with my clients. First, I introduce the thinking errors and ask them if they recognize any that they use. Then, I have them write down those statements in a journal as they come up. We then spend about 5-10 minutes during the session to go over the statements and reframe them. I ask them questions such as "Does this really make you a failure?" or "How do you know your boss is thinking this?" So now that you've seen what I run into, what are some of the ones your clients use? Drop your comments below.

Image courtesy of 89studio at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

TCCs Top 10 Links of the Week

Ahhhh. The end of the week. And it has been a productive one. There is so much awesome content out there, but I know that you don't have time to search for it all. So here's something to make your life a little bit easier. Whether you are looking for tools for your business or just a little inspiration, here is the place to be. And as always if you agree or disagree, let me know. I value your feedback. Have suggestions for next week? Drop them in comments below! See you next week!






Top 10 Links of the Week

1. How to Be Confident: 31 Practical Steps
2. Baby Steps Are Still Steps (My Eating Habits)
3. 8 Vital Small Business Internet Marketing Tips You Don't Know
4. How To Make Strong Gamechanger Connections
5. Coaching World: Theory & Practice
6. 14 Fantastic Free Tools for Design Collaboration
7. The Extraordinary Secret to Dealing with Change
8. How To Build The Perfect Blog Post Blueprint
9. Five Ways to Expand Your Social Circle and Connect with Like-Minded Women
10. How to use HootSuite to Manage Twitter Chats 

Video of the Week: Bootstrapping ― Entrepreneurship 101

Becoming an entrepreneur is a process. But with the advent of Youtube, you can learn all sorts of things about entrepreneurship from others who have been there and done that. This week's video is about Bootstrapping. Not familiar with that term? Basically, it when you start your business on a limited amount of funds. In the video Charles Plant, Founder and Chairman, Material Minds, discusses what bootstrapping is and why you should use it instead of Angel funding to start your biz. He also discusses what he has learned after starting 2 separate companies. This is valuable content folks. And if you like this video, Youtube has tons of others on entrepreneurship among other things. In this day and age, there is no excuse for being uninformed. Knowledge is power. Arm yourself with it and learn from the experience and mistakes of others. So take an hour, sit back, listen, take notes, and learn!

Image courtesy of Victor Habbick at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

5 Web/Teleconference Tools That Enhance Your Business

By now, you probably know we live in a global economy. Thanks to the internet, webcams, and free nationwide calling through cellphone plans, the ability to collaborate across state lines has expanded exponentially. So in todays post, we are exploring Web and Teleconference tools that if you aren't using, you probably should to help enhance your business. Whether you are having a team meeting or hosting a webinar, these are tools you can use without busting your budget.

1. Skype - Need to have a one-on-one with a client or team mate? Skype is the place to be. Skype can be downloaded to your laptop, tablet, or mobile device.  As long as you are using your laptop to connect through Skype, there is no cost. But if you are using an Android or iPhone, then you have to pay. Also, if you want to have multiple attendees, then you would need to upgrade to the premium account.

2. WebEx - Offered by Cisco, WebEx is a high quality product with several pricing options. The free option allows you up to 3 attendees for web conferencing. Meetings can also be recorded for those unable to attend and need a recap. Screen sharing is also allowed. Great option for training or when you have multiple presenters. WebEx is also available for mobile devices for people on the go.

3. Uberconference - Great tool for a smaller team. The free plan allows up to five attendees and the call can be recorded. After the call, Uberconference sends a report showing analytics from the call. But the paid plans are super affordable, starting at $10 per month. With the paid plan, you get a transcript of the call and other added features. Great option when conducting interviews.

4. Anymeeting - Having a webinar or sales call and need an option that allows you to have more attendees? Anymeeting allows you the option of having up to 200 attendees on the free plan. But the free plan is also ad supported. On the upside, the only difference between the free and paid plans besides the ads is that it isn't recorded. As with the others, mobile apps are available.

5. Free Conferencing - Now if you need something really robust and not put a dent in your budget, try Free Conferencing. They offer up to 1000 attendees and screen sharing. They also can record the conference for up to 6 hours as well as send a report after the call has ended. All for free.

Aas you can see, there are viable options available when you're just starting out and on a budget. There are more tools available, but these are my favorites. Also, the free plans are not "free trials." In these cases free means free. You just may have to endure some ads during your calls. Otherwise, happy conferencing!

Image courtesy of Kookkai_nak at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Quote of the Week: Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart...

Quote: Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. Must have patience, persistence, and perseverance to succeed.

-Sharlotte Jackson

A lot of people want to be an entrepreneur. But do you have what it takes? Do you understand that things will not happen overnight? Chances are you aren't going to get your big break after your first business meeting. You may not get it on your tenth. The truth is, things aren't going to happen on your time table. Do you have the patience for that? No? Entrepreneurship may not be for you. 

Do you have persistence? Do you have the gumption to move forward while obstacles stand in your way? There are times when your dreams will be put on hold. Setbacks happen. Business isn't always going to be sunny. Detours occur. When Walt Disney first started his company, he had to go work for someone else for awhile because business slowed down. But he didn't give up on his dream. He went one to build one of the greatest animation companies in the world. 

That brings us to perseverance. On this journey called entrepreneurship, there will be many dark nights of fear and uncertainty. There will be doubts and you will question your own competence and confidence. There will be times when the only person who believes in your vision is you. It's during these times where you will have to summon your courage and dig deep to move forward. Milton Hershey had three failed candy companies before Hershey Chocolate Company became a success. But he never gave up on his dream. Are you willing to endure all of this? Are you willing to do what it takes to finish the race? If not, then entrepreneurship may not be for you. 

I know, this may seem harsh, but now is the time to face the truth. Before you put the time, effort, money, and energy into whatever business venture you decide to pursue, consider these things. Only you can decide what is right for you. So choose wisely. 

3 Reasons Your Client is Resisting Setting Goals

If you are a coach, one of your first priorities is probably helping your client establish some goals. Well, this isn’t always an easy task and you may run into some resistance. That's ok. Resistance happens at times. Don't take it personally. But it's helpful to know why your client may seem unwilling to buckle down. So let’s look at 3 reasons why your client could be dragging his feet in the goal setting department.

1. Victim Stance – In most cases, clients are coming to you because they are tired of being victims of their circumstances. But the victim role is comfortable. The victim role allows the client to place the blame for all of their problems on others, rather than take responsibility for their own actions.  Sometimes, a client can play the victim for so long, they forget they have some control in what happens in their lives.  But setting goals forces a client to move beyond the victim role.
2. Fear – Let’s face it. Change is scary. For a client to set a goal means that he will be taking a risk. For the client to move out of his safety zone, he must come to the belief that the gains outweigh the risks, even if the process is a painful one.  For example, a client who is complaining about not liking his current career may be reluctant to explore other options for fear of losing the status he has attained in his current field.  Even though the client may be unhappy in his current field, he is familiar with is role and he feels safe.  To consider the possibility of trying something new can be stressful.  It is the coach’s job to help the client see the benefits of change and establishing goals.
3. Lack of Ownership – Setting goals means the client will have to make decisions and own them.  Clients often come in with the misconception that the coach is going to fix their problems and the coach is going to make all of the decisions for them.  In reality, the client is the one who must make the decision to change and decide what those changes will be.  The coach can then help facilitate the process.  If the client must make the decisions, then that means the client must take responsibility for the outcome.  This can be a scary proposition for the client, because it means that they cannot blame anyone but themselves if goals aren’t met. 

There may be other reasons, but these are the ones I usually run into when working with clients. The trick is to recognize where your client is coming from and address it head on. As long as you are doing a thorough assessment at the beginning, these issues should become apparent fairly quickly. Remember that clients want to feel understood. They want to know that you get it. A little reassurance can go a long while in the early stages of building rapport with a client. Most importantly, be sure your client is really ready for change, and that the client is aware that goal setting is a part of the process. Once you address these issues, goal setting should be a lot easier going forward. Happy Coaching!

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TCCs Top 10 Links of the Week

This week we are introducing a new feature: The Top10 Links of the Week. You don't have time to scour the web for good content. So we are doing it for you! Come visit us every Friday for helpful tip, tricks, and thought provoking content from around the web. If you agree or disagree with our picks, leave a comment. If you want to suggest a link for next week, we take suggestions. So without further ado, here are our picks for the week.

1. The Top Motivation Techniques Your Competition Doesn't Want You to Know
2. Start Your Crowdfunding Campaign With a Marketing Plan
3. 50 Ways to Energize Your Social Media Community & Audiences
4. Gone Too Soon, Gone Too Young
5. A Grateful Pause….A Lesson on Appreciating the Now
6. Being Held Back by Your Fear of Writing? Here’s What to Do
7. "No" Is Not A Bad Word
8. Memories of Being Bullied
9. Women Entrepreneurs Becoming Force in the Developing World
10. How to Turn a Hot Mess Into a Powerful Message

Video of the Week: How To Find And Do Work You Love: Scott Dinsmore

Here is a sad but true statement. Most people are not doing the work they love. Some people had setbacks. Some lack the confidence to step out on faith and pursue their dreams. Others are still trying to figure out their passion. Well, its time to stop floundering. Watch Scott Dinsmore as he discusses "How To Find And Do Work You Love"

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