The LifeLine

How Bad Do You Want Change?

Here are a few things to consider while deciding which road to turn down next in your business.

Where the heck am I going?
How are the things I am doing now working for me?
How have I done this past year compared to what I wanted to do?
How will this year be different?
What am I consistently not doing that would have the greatest impact on taking my business to where it should be?

In the movie “The Secret”, Mike Dooley asks the question, “How bad do you want change?” I ask that question to myself often. My answer is, “I want it bad!” Then I answered the above questions......... hmmmmmmm. Thought provoking

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Eleven Tips to Improve your E-mail

Put a compelling message in the 'Subject' line. Your reader needs a reason to open your e-mail over the other 97 she's gotten that day.

Never use the 'Subject' line as the first line of your message. Depending on how your reader receives his e-mail, he may not see the subject line when reading the message and miss the point of the communication completely.

Always include an e-mail signature. Your 'signature' is not just part of your marketing message, but a convenient way for your reader to contact you when they have you in mind. Don't miss that opportunity.

Use Hyperlinks to drive your reader to your website or other destination of your choosing. E-mail is the best way to get visitors to your site.

Keep your e-mail short and to the point. In this busy society you are more apt to receive a response from someone if they don't have to sort through 10 paragraphs to get to the point.

Use emoticons (smiley's) :0) sparingly. Too many are distracting, but a few well placed smiles can help convey your message in an otherwise toneless medium.

Avoid sending large files to your contacts. If you don't know whether they are on dial-up or DSL, or the file size limit of their ISP, keep 'em small and provide a link to a webpage where they can download the photo or audio file.

Use caution when using the "Cc" button. You are exposing the e-mail addresses of every recipient on your list.

Use some color to catch readers attention to important details. Once again, don't over do it or you will just cause visual confusion.

Always provide a way for your reader to opt-out of receiving your e-mails if they are being sent to a group or contact list. Of course this is not needed if your e-mails are of a personal nature.

Get feedback. You never know what your e-mail looks like on the other end, so ask if your logos or graphics just looks like this.

aren’t they?

I bet you read those questions without actually answering them or giving much thought to them, didn’t you? Did you write down your answers? Take a minute or two and do it. That’s right, do it right now! If you are a procrastinator, you may put this off till later or more likely never. Oooops, bet you don’t want change that bad, huh?

“Well, yeah, I want change” you say “but I want to keep doing what I’m doing now. I just want different results.” I refer you to Zig Ziglar's quote "One definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over expecting different results". If this is you, my advice is to quit! You got it, QUIT! Give up now, pick up what ever marbles you have left and go home.

Ouch! That hurt! My Mom taught me that honesty is the best policy. And that’s the honest truth. If you aren’t willing to change your thinking and your actions you are doomed to more of the same results in your business. And that’s fine if you are getting what you really want. Not fine if you aren’t. Change takes courage, commitment and help.

The fact is most business owners like you are great at their chosen field. You may be a great massage therapist, accountant, chiropractor, pastry chef or Realtor®. You may not be great at wearing all the other hats necessary to achieve the success you deserve. Or maybe you are good at wearing all those other hats, when you actually do it. There’s the rub. You have to do all of it, consistently, automatically, without fail.

I see two choices at this crossroads. Keep your hands on the wheel, bite the bullet, keep your nose to the grindstone - and try to work in that position. Or, get some help. I vote for getting some help.

If you are the type who knows what to do, but doesn’t do it, think about getting an accountability partner or a coach to keep you on track. If you are one who doesn’t know what to do, consider teaming up with other business owners for help and advise. There are mentors, consultants and coaches who can help get you started, point you in the right direction and keep you on the road to your chosen destiny. For the Jack of all Trades type business owner, it’s time to let go of the things you are not excellent at and get an assistant or two. Farm out the bookkeeping to the bookkeeper and focus on what you love, giving massages or baking your amazing pastry.

Go ahead and risk it. Make some changes, let go a little and start living again. If it doesn’t work, you can always go back to the way it wasn’t working before. Oh, and for you naysayer’s who think help is too expensive, guess again. A good coach, assistant or support person is worth their weight in gold. That’s right, the gold that should be yours.

Just remember the question, “How bad do you want change?”

I want it bad. And I just convinced myself to hire an assistant. Gotta run!

How Bad Do You Want Change?

Turn it UP ñ to 11

Eleven Tips to Improve your E-mail