I probably believed in angels before this happened. But this sealed the deal.

Shortly after I left my marriage, nearly 10 years ago, I started seeing the number 222 everywhere. On the microwave clock, license plates, etc.

It was often enough that I started wondering if it was a message. It couldn’t be a lottery number and even if it was, I didn’t care about the lottery.

So I finally said a prayer. I said that if it was a message, I didn’t understand it. I asked God to please help me understand it if it was a message If I didn’t receive an understanding, I would let it go.

Shortly thereafter, I was visiting a beautiful little spiritual shop owned by an acquaintance. I happened across a book called Healing with the Angels by Doreen Virtue. In it, these three-digit sequences were explained! The 222 sequence means “Your newly planted ideas are beginning to grow into reality…Keep holding positive thoughts, keep affirming, and continue visualizing.”

I took this as loving reassurance that things were going to be okay after the scary step I took in leaving my marriage.

A few months later, I was about to move to the next town over. I called the phone company to get a new phone number. A very nice woman answered. She said she would find an easy number so that it would be easy for my then-7-yr-old son to remember (isn’t that so sweet?).

Then she said, “Oh, I didn’t even have to try.” A number came up that ended with the sequence 444 – the number of the angels!!

Since then, I consider angels a big part of my life. I still often see the triple numbers and pay attention to what they mean. And I ask angels for guidance all the time.

Sometimes the very moment I ask them to help me with a problem, it’ll be solved, or I’ll get clarity. Could be a coincidence, I suppose. But if you believe in angels, what’s the difference between a coincidence and miracle?

I have been busy as a bee working on some new offerings for you. My new theme is “Taming the Marketing Monster” and in fact, I’ve decide to change my company name and branding. I even have a monster, who will debut soon. (Her name is Bop.)

First, I am offering a one-time workshop on Taming the Marketing Monster in Acton, MA on Wednesday, March 7. The workshop is limited to six participants. Two have signed up, so at this point, there is still plenty of room. I’m offering this through Meetup (a great resource, by the way). Please be aware that you must sign up for the group first, and then also RSVP for the workshop. Just joining the group will not count as an RSVP.

Here’s the link to join the group:

Marketing Monster Tamers of Acton

And the link to RSVP for the workshop:

Taming the Marketing Monster workshop

I’m also offering a six-part Marketing Monster MasterMind in Westford, MA. You can learn more about that here:

Marketing Monster MasterMind

And you might have noticed that I’m also offering an email series on seven common home page copywriting mistakes. To receive that series, just fill in your first name and email address on the form to the right. Yes, you will end up on my list. But I will never share it and you can unsubscribe at any time.

And now I have a question for you. If you’re not in Eastern Massachusetts, would you be interested in a Taming the Marketing Monster tele-workshop, or a fee-based Marketing Monster MasterMind telegroup? I would love to hear your thoughts, so I encourage you to comment below.

Warmly,

Janet

I was at Trader Joe’s checking out their food demo. It was a flatbread pizza with lots of great toppings, but I couldn’t try it because of my wheat sensitivity.

So when Bob, the food demo guy, offered me a sample, I told him why I couldn’t eat it.

Bob asked me if I’d tried their gluten-free pizza, Pizza al Pollo Asado. I hadn’t, and I miss pizza! He asked co-worker Suz to show me where it was. She did, and then she offered to get me a printed list of all Trader Joe’s gluten-free foods. I declined.

Suz then pointed out the gluten-free chocolate chip cookies that were right across the aisle from the gluten-free pizzas. If there’s one thing I miss as much as pizza, it’s chocolate chip cookies!

I happily went home with a pizza and cookies and ate both for lunch.

As I ate my pizza I wondered – was this customer service or was it selling?

I decided it was the best kind of selling. The kind in which the customer service is the selling.

How can you serve your customers or potential customers by letting them know how your product or service can truly help them?

That’s the kind of selling we can all be proud of.

Warmly,

Janet

Does marketing make you cringe? Do you think it’s tacky or distasteful? Or maybe you don’t hate marketing in general. You just hate doing it. It feels selfish or uncomfortable.

If your vision of marketing has fangs and sharp claws, you can tame that monster and turn it into a purring pussycat. Marketing, done thoughtfully and with integrity, is your friend. Honest.

Best of all, marketing that purrs is far more effective than marketing that bites and claws.

I’m offering a Monster Taming workshop in Acton, MA on Thursday, February 16, from 10am to 11:30am. It could go to noon if needed.

In this interactive workshop, you’ll answer questions about marketing that will help you better understand what’s holding you back from effectively getting the word out about your business.

We’ll also do a short visualization that will help you get clarity on your marketing approach.

You’ll walk away with one “action item” to move you towards success in marketing yourself in a way that feels right to you. I’ll hold you accountable for that action, and follow up with you a week later and see how you fared with your action item.

“The workshop surpassed my expectations. I like the way you used questions to bring the goals to light. Through your questions, it became obvious that people sometimes spend time on tactics that don’t match their goals.” Michelle Emerle Emerle Communications

To register for this workshop, visit http://www.meetup.com/Monster-Tamers/events/.

The group is limited to six participants, allowing each of you to – well – participate! I hope to see you there!

Warmly,

Janet

Fabienne Frederickson is fast becoming one of my very favorite client attraction coaches. She gives good advice and she seems to really care about us solopreneurs.

I found out the other day that she was giving away the e-book “The Secrets of Master Networkers,” which she usually sells for $87. It’s a step-by-step manual, with worksheets, on how to use networking to fill up your practice.

I grabbed it and I love it!

I have no idea how long she’ll be giving this away, but it’s really good. I believe the only solopreneur who wouldn’t find value in this book is one who has too many clients.

Here’s the link to sign up:

http://networkingtogetclients.com/

It’s not an affiliate link and I get nothing from promoting this. I just don’t want you to miss out on a great deal.

Warmly,

Janet

Do you set New Year’s resolutions? What do you resolve to do? How do you hold yourself to these resolutions?

If you break your resolutions, you’re not alone. According to Steve Shapiro’s statistics, three out of four people almost never keep their New Year’s resolutions.

I think I know why.

At the end of the year, we quickly resolve to finally lose that 20 pounds or stop smoking. It seems like the right time to do it. Unfortunately, the timing is the only factor we have in place. And that’s just not enough.

If you want to make 2012 your best year yet, here are a few ideas on setting your 2012 goals:

First, reflect on the year behind you.

Then think about what you truly want in 2012 and why you want it. How excited do you get when you think of it? What will your life be like when you’ve achieved it?

Maybe you don’t get excited about going to the gym three times a week, but you get excited imagining yourself healthy, thin, and full of energy. So going to the gym three times a week is a great resolution for you – if that’s the best way for you to become healthier, thinner, and more energetic. You may need to remember that deeper goal in order to get yourself to the gym.

Or maybe you feel guilty when you think about your wasted gym membership, but you’re excited about your business and you just don’t have time for the gym right now. Let go of the guilt and do what matters to you! You can create a goal for your business instead. Or think about what you would get out of going to the gym, and if that’s important to you, use that deeper motivation to get yourself to the gym.

The right goal for you will not be the right goal for someone else. Be sure your choices are based on what truly matters to YOU.

One more hint – use your imagination. Try spending a few minutes each day (Mike Dooley recommends no more than 10 minutes a day) imagining your life the way it will be when you’ve reached your goal. Of course, you must take action as well. But imagining it, as though you already have it, will help your goal feel possible and keep your motivation high.

Happy New Year!

Janet

In a day or two, I’ll be posting about business goals for the new year. But first let’s reflect upon the year that’s drawing to a close.

Too often we start our New Year’s resolutions with thoughts like “This is the year I’ll finally get to the gym three times a week” or “I wonder how many weeks this resolution will last?”

Reflecting on the months behind you can help you look forward with more optimism. Too often we minimize our accomplishments and magnify our shortcomings.

Here are some questions that might help you look at 2011 both thoughtfully and productively. You may want to get a notebook and paper, or you might just want to take some time to sit and think about these questions. My focus here is on business, but of course, it’s a wonderful time to reflect on all aspects of your life.

• What did I accomplish in my business this year?
• Of which accomplishments am I especially proud?
• What did I want to do in 2011 that didn’t get done? Is this (or are these) still important to me? If so, why? And if so, how can I create a plan, with baby steps, to accomplish this?
• What business activities did I do that didn’t serve me? How can I eliminate or reduce those activities in 2012?
• Which business activities served me better than I had anticipated? How can I do more of them in 2012?
• Who helped me in my business this year?

This is also a great time, of course, to reflect with appreciation on your clients and customers.

And, last but not least, be sure to reflect with appreciation on you! Your business would not be what it is if someone else were running it.

As you look back on 2011, it may be tempting to get upset with yourself over things you didn’t do, and real or imagined faults. But if you’ve still got a business to run in 2012 (I’m not talking about money here, I’m talking about the gifts you have to offer people), give yourself a pat on the back and know that you’re now shining even brighter than you did a year ago as you get ready to ring in the new year.

Warmly,

Janet

If you’re looking for a web host today (November 25, 2011), HostGator is offering a really good deal. Today only, they’re offering 50% off web hosting.

The 50% is taken off your first invoice only. But if you sign up for six months, a year, two years, or three, the savings should be substantial.

I switched to HostGator two years ago and I’ve been happy with them.

Again, this is a Black Friday special and is only available on Friday, November 25, 2011, starting and ending at midnight Central time.

To get the discount, visit HostGator today only.

Namaste,

Janet

If you read my last post, you know that I would have loved a chance to coach Nick, Dale, and Kurt, the three protagonists in the comedy “Horrible Bosses.”

If you’re not familiar with this dark comedy, these three men decide the only way to deal with their job problems is to kill their bosses. Somehow, the movie makes us sympathetic to these homicidal employees.

So how would I have coached Nick, the character played by Jason Bateman?

Me: So, Nick, what would you like to talk about today?

Nick (calmly): My boss. My mean, sadistic, jerk of a boss.

Me: Sounds like a challenging situation. You deserve credit for staying so calm while talking about it.

Nick: Yeah, well, I know what to do about it. So that part’s okay. I’m just having some disagreements with my friends about how to go about it.

Me: Well, you know, Nick, we coaches believe that you, the client, have the answers within you. You know best how to deal with this situation.

Nick: Thank you! I wish my friends could appreciate that.

Me: The important thing is that you appreciate it. So how can I help you today?

Nick: Well, like I said, I know how to handle the situation. I’m just getting stuck on the details.

Me: So what’s your plan?

Nick: I’m going to kill that &*(*&^ing *(&$#@& excuse for a *&%$#*^%ing boss!

Me (nervous laughter): Yes, Nick. It’s good to let the anger out. Now, seriously, what’s your plan?

Nick: I am serious. I’m just having a lot of trouble figuring it out. It’s not like I go around killing people. I’m a good guy. So I don’t know how to kill anyone.

Me: Yes, Nick, that’s understandable. Most of us don’t know how to kill anyone. Thank goodness.

Nick: Well, I feel stuck. I feel blocked. I don’t know how to take the next step. I think maybe I need an action item, a baby step.

Me: To help you move forward towards your goal of killing your boss?

Nick: Exactly!

Me: Nick, what’s the real problem here?

Nick: My boss is a jerk.

Me: And how does that affect your life?

Nick: Let’s see, he tricked me into drinking at 8:15am. He dangled a promotion in front of me, then gave it to himself. And when I threatened to quit, he said he’d never write a letter of recommendation for me.

Me: It’s understandable that you’d want to – um – get this guy out of your life. In some way. What are some ways you could do that?

Nick: I just told you. I could kill him.

Me: Yes, but what other alternatives do you have? Just so that you’re not tied to just one idea that could get you life in prison and possibly the death penalty.

Nick (thinking): I know! I could kill myself.

Me: Okay, let’s try something a little different. Something without any death in it. How did you get this job?

Nick: The usual way. I sent out a resume and a cover letter, did the interview thing, and got the offer.

Me: Okay, so how could you use that information to help you consider another possible alternative for getting your boss out of your life?

Nick: Sorry, you’re losing me here, Coach.

Me: Resume, cover letter, interview. Getting your boss out of your life. Any thoughts?

Nick: Oh, I think I get it. I can’t apply for another job. I told you, Harken won’t write me a letter of recommendation.

Me: And what kind of letter of recommendation did your last boss write you when you applied for this job?

Nick: Seriously, Coach, it’s not like I told the last company I was looking for a job. This company didn’t expect me to ……..oooooooohhhhhhhh! I do see another alternative!

Me (huge sigh of relief): That’s great Nick! Good job!

Nick: Although I have gotten kind of attached….no, you’re right. Wow, thanks. This was great! I’m going to recommend you to two of my friends!

Me: Oh, thank you!

Nick: Yeah, you’d be perfect for them. They want to kill their bosses too.

Me: Actually, I’m kind of booked up.

Stay tuned, because Nick is going to send Dale into my office next, whether I like it or not…

So many comedies rely on the terrible choices their characters make for their humor. Yeah, that can be funny. When Jane (Meryl Streep) has an affair with her married ex-husband in “It’s Complicated,” I know it’s a bad choice. She knows it’s a bad choice. But it was a comprehensible bad choice. When hilarity ensues, you’re not still shaking your head at her stupidity. It was a bad choice, but it wasn’t a stupid choice.

Far too many comedies have characters that make choices so nonsensical you’re more likely to be dumbstruck (literally) than amused.

I enjoyed the movie “Horrible Bosses.” It was funny and had a great cast.

It’s about three friends, each having bosses so horrible that together they decide to murder them. Makes Jane’s bad choice look pretty tame in comparison, huh?

Anyone would notice how crazy the premise is. I watched it with my ex, who enjoyed the movie but noted “they’re immoral!” And yet we all know, fiction requires a suspension of disbelief. If you can handle a disturbing premise, you just roll with it and enjoy the ride.

Now that I’m a life coach, though, I was struck than usual by just how many alternatives these characters had.

Instead of enjoying the ride, I was thinking about how I’d coach these guys!

So did life coaching ruin this comedy for me? No, but it did get me thinking:

How would I coach Nick, Dale, and Kurt?

Tune in to the next blog entries to find out…