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!

Image courtesy of digitalart at FreeDigitalPhotos.net