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

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

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

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

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

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’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…

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…

I’m offering one month of coaching for $99. That’s three 60-minute sessions. The offer is risk-free, because you’re free to enjoy a complimentary session before you decide whether or not to invest in the coaching.

You just need to book your first session (whether it’s a complimentary session or the first of your three paid sessions) by September 30, 2011.

Please note – you don’t need to have the session by September 30, you just need to contact me and set it up by then.

To book your session, just contact me. You may want to do it now, before September slips away!

Namaste,

Janet

If you can’t wait to spend more time on yourself and your business, you’re in luck! I’m offering a special so good I probably won’t do it again.

But I only have a couple of openings, so this is a first-come, first-serve offer.

For a little while, I’m offering your first month of coaching for just $99. You’ll receive three 60-minute sessions.

If you love coaching (you probably will), you can continue at the regular rate of $297 per month. If not, no problem. You’ll certainly benefit from a month of coaching, but there’s no need to continue.

That said, you will benefit the most from a commitment of at least three months. That’s about how long it generally takes to make lasting changes in your life.

So if you decide to continue on, I will request a two-month commitment. If you continue beyond that, I book in three-month segments.

What if you’re intrigued by this offer but still not sure you want coaching?

I offer a complimentary session so you can find out more about whether coaching is right for you and whether or not we would be a good match. Although $99 is an exceptionally good rate for one month of coaching, I respect your right to experience coaching before parting with $99 of your hard-earned money. So feel free to request a complimentary session before committing to this month of coaching.

The Rules

• This offer ends on September 30, 2011, or when I have booked all available openings, whichever comes first.
• To take advantage of this offer, contact me to set up the first session. This session can be a complimentary session.
• Payment is due before the first session (excluding the complimentary session, of course).
• This offer is only valid for new clients.

A request

This is a great deal, and it’s intended for people who are serious about coaching. It’s not intended for people who want a month of coaching at a very low fee, but who have no intention of developing a longer-term coaching relationship.

So I do ask that you only take advantage of this offer if you have at least some interest in continuing the coaching relationship for longer than one month.

That said, I fully understand that you may not know whether or not you want more than a month until you’ve experienced coaching. As I said, there’s no obligation to continue.

I’m very excited to make this offer and I hope this will inspire you to give coaching a try and find out how much this exciting process can benefit you!

Namaste,

Janet