Shera R. Sever: Awakening Leaders™

Commit and Do It!

Action is the anecdote to despair- Joan Baez

In the past few days, I’ve been reading hundreds of posts, messages with warm new year ‘s wishes along with workshop and seminar offerings focused on intentions, resolutions, manifesting miracles, etc. etc. for the New Year.

Yet, how many of us have spent our months or even years with good intentions– intentions to change this or that and find that year after year, like good green citizens, that we keep recycling these intentions?

I am all for intentions-they are the first step for change or transforming any behavior. However, it’s the intentions  that are held with desire, clearly communicated and acted upon, that actually BECOME change or achievements. One of my mentors, Tony Robbins is famous for his “Take Massive Action” mantra.

This year’s theme for me is a COMMITMENT to ACTION!

I have found that actively practicing the following  helps me stay in integrity with myself, others, and my commitments:

• I take responsibility for everything in my life- I let go of being a victim
• I practice the Gratitude Scan ™    (see previous post)
• I engage in on-going Forgiveness- releasing old resentments opens the door to massive flow, new energy, and manifestation.   Forgiveness releases the prisoner- YOU- to Freedom in it’s ultimate form of unconditional love.
• I ask myself daily:  “What made me happy today?”- not Who, but What?  What action did I commit to today that brought me happiness? How do I feel as a result?
• I transform my “To-Do” lists into “To Be ” lists.  What will I become as a result of taking action and achieving my goals?

So who is on your team?

Intentions are only as good as the determination (commitment) to DO IT! Staying committed is an on-going process-and we can’t do it alone.  Fortify your partnerships and strengthen your participation with  like-minded communities, who will support your intentions and hold you accountable for  taking ACTION towards the changes we want this  year.

Let’s make 2009 the year we actually  BECOME our dreams and the changes we wish to see.

What we focus on expands. 

Are you going to let this recession determine your fate? 

CABAN by artist Ruby Lee

Now is not the time to retreat, recoil or recede. It’s time to move forward with more confidence and certainty than ever with 100% participation! – John Asaraf

Focus on the  possibilities, opportunties,  what’ s needed.  How can you  as an awakened entrepreneur build your product, brand and services to truly serve others in this time?

My former client of 3 years, McGraw-Hill Publishers, recently released a market study and found that companies that maintained (or increased) their marketing throughout the 1981-82 recession saw an average sales growth of 275 percent through 1987.  But those companies who cut their marketing saw meager sales growth of 19 percent over the next five years.

The truth is, this might be the best time in 70 years to build a really great business. According to other marketing gurus, this is what happens in recessionary times:

The people who maintain their focus and take the right actions, in the right order, come out way ahead. 

And this is where I come in.  Are you a small business owner frozen in fear? Are the phrases “economic crisis or “financial crisis” part of your daily mantra? Or are you the warrior ready to lead the way with a clear vision, strategic action plan, and the right power partners in place?

My gift to you

Contact me  before Dec. 22 for a complimentary consultation where we will look at your strategy for 2009. This is my gift to you along with  a daily e-mail reminder through Jan 1, 2009 of steps you need to take to make 2009 a vibrant year for you, your business and your clients.

How to develop a Millionaire Mind in Turbulent Times

There’s the general economy, and then we each have our own personal economy. Yes, we all have are own economies, just like we all have our own belief systems, preferences, and opinions. There’s an inner economy and an outer economy

I have my own economy and my economy is great!- Say that a hundred times!

What we focus on expands- Intention is the most powerful element of manifestation.

So what are you focusing on? The fear and panic of old paradigms dying, financial crisis or on what YOU want to create?

Focus on what you want, not on what you don’t want. Utilize what is! Create opportunities and your own micro-economies.

I often say to my clients: If you’re not changing, you’re not growing. If you’re not learning, you’re not living.

After three years of putting several of Harv Eker’s principles into play, I am once attending the Millionaire Mind Intensive, this weekend, in San Francisco. I’m going for a MINDSET tune-up, along with the opportunity to observe absolute master facilitators guide hundreds of participants through the most leading edge accelerated learning techniques.

Harv Eker is offering a special edition: Millionaire Mind in Turbulent Times. I first met Harv Eker in 2005 at his Millionaire Mind Intensive in Los Angeles. Since then, I have served as a Life Directions coach with his company, Peak Potentials Training

If you’re prepared for difficult economic times, and have the right tools, there is no reason to worry about your financial future. You can create your own micro-economy, and a thriving economy.

History has shown it is possible not only to survive but to prosper in these times.

During the great depression, huge fortunes were made by many. The Kennedy, Rothschild and Rockefeller families all dramatically increased their fortunes throughout the depression. But it wasn’t just the rich who got richer – many ordinary citizens found a way to not only survive but thrive during a poor economy

What was their secret?

It’s not skills, education or luck that sees the rich getting richer and leaves you in the same situation year after year. It’s mindset.

There’s an incredible opportunity available now to change your mindset in these turbulent times and create what you want.

Millionaire Mind Intensive Fall 2008
Special Edition- ONLY $97 if you click below (regular $1295)
Millionaire Mind in Turbulent Times
The Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport
November 21 – 23, 2008

Click here to find other locations and dates for 2009

At the Millionaire Mind in Turbulent Times you’ll learn how to:

• Create your own personal economy that thrives at all times
• Focus on making a fortune while others are focused on fear
• Learn what to do and which strategies to use right now
• See how the worse it gets, the better you can do, now and in the future.

Here’s just a few of the incredible things you’ll learn at the Millionaire Mind Intensive:

• Wealth creation and maintenance strategies of the rich
• How to quadruple your speed to financial freedom
• Five key financial habits of the wealthy
• The underlying cause of almost all financial problems
• 12 ways to earn passive income so you can make money while you sleep
• The key to prospering during an economic recession

So, turn off the news and your TV. Come join me and others as we tap into our inherent abundance!

The thing to do is keep your mind when the world around you is losing theirs. Warren Buffet

Last night, I had the opportunity to hear one of my earlier mentors, CJ Hayden ,speak as part of the monthly meeting at Spirit and Work Resource Center in Berkeley, CA. CJ, a principle at Wings Business Coaching, was a wonderful role model for me when I started Resumes That Work™ back in 1995.

Now the author of two books, CJ has found her true calling as a coach for social entrepreneurs- a calling that resonates with the core of my being as well.

In her presentation, she highlighted a very important distinction between a socially responsible business and a social entrepreneur. Social entrepreneurs are first and foremost Change Agents. Their reason for being is to lead SOCIAL CHANGE with an entrepreneurial approach. They are not merely socially conscious business owners with a desire to reduce their environmental footprint.

One of my long term clients, CEO Women in Oakland, CA is a perfect example of social entrepreneurship. Executive Director, Farhana Huq has received multiple awards and micro loans with the “Start Your Own Business” training for immigrant and refugee women.

So how do Social Entrepreneurs fund their ventures and earn a living?

• Micro-enterprise loans (Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank)
• Non-profit organizations with earned income- (Delancy Street in San Francisco)
• Teaching, writing, speaking engagements that fund their ventures
• Grants, fellowships, or awards
• Through another business that runs the social venture (examples: Paul Newman’s Own Foundation or Steven Van Yoder and the GIVE Foundation )
• Selling products and services from the social venture itself: (example: Lila Igram and Palestine Children’s Welfare Fund)
• Through a working spouse or parent (wow!- any extra spouses or parents out there to support my vision and venture?)

“Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with Vision is making a positive difference.” ~ Joel Barker

Conscious Capitalism is what we’re talking about, and I am committed to leading social entrpreneurs’ visions to action.

Changing the World, One Restaurant at a Time

Earlier this summer, I had a meeting with the Director of Organizational Learning at an international software digital printing company. In our conversation, she reminded me that as entrepreneurs and business leaders, we choose our clients.

I wasn’t in total agreement with her in that moment, as I have often found clients “choosing” me to work on initiatives that were not in alignment with my passions, values, and stand in life. Yet, I understood that she was referring to focused intention and the laws of attraction.

And then the light went on! As leaders, one of the key evaluative questions we need to continually ask ourselves is what ARE our values? What DO we stand for? What ARE we committed to? How do we translate that into our businesses?

How can we develop our “relational capital” to attract and serve the clients who will benefit most from what we offer (the intangible values and commitment, and the tangible products/services)? What are our clients’ values and needs?

To assist this inquiry, I was reading an article in The Sun magazine where I was re-introduced to the business model Judy Wicks employed to develop the White Dog Cafe in Philadelphia.

Not only has Judy consistently managed to motivate, recognize, and retain skilled employees, she has also set the standard for community-building, education, and the resurgence of thriving local “living” communities, both in the USA and abroad. Judy is also the co-founder of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE).

Among her guiding principles and practices, Judy speaks on the need for the business world to move away from a mentality of accumulation and competition and (back?) towards an economy based on sharing and cooperation.

She coins this model “living returns” vs. the stock market. She reminds us that investing in our community is in our self-interest and the “multiple bottom line” approach pioneered by Ben & Jerry’s (before the forced buyout to Unilever Corporation), is not only a responsible approach, but an essential and necessary action if we want to experience any form of sustainable return.

The bottom line question is : Do we want to develop and sustain businesses that are beneficial to all life and future generations or not?

We can no longer focus solely on the competitive advantage, but rather need to engage in Cooperative Advantage ™ strategies- competencies, skills, values, communication that is all inclusive, and that encourages sustainability, justice, personal and collective fulfillment.

To find out more about how you can incorporate The Cooperative Advantage ™, in your business, workplace, and community, post a comment or e-mail me directly .

In my work with solo-preneurs and consultants,  the mantra I most frequently hear from the , “I don’t know how to market myself”.

The most important element in any marketing message is authenticity. Commitment to your intention and authenticity in your message builds trust and retains clients.

About Us- The Bio:
Interestingly enough, I have often times discovered that the most difficult task for new business owners is to write about oneself .Depending on the context, a compelling bio can be anywhere between (150 -450 words , i.e. two paragraphs -one full page.)

The bio of a business leader/owner needs to answer the following questions:

• Who you are?-A speaker, a venture capitalist, internet marketing strategist, media buyer, a branding specialist, a seminar facilitator.
• What you do? Create businesses, teach courses, design branding and marketing solutions, write software, design PDA’s.
• How do you do it? This is where the senses come in. Create a picture for your audience so that they can see and feel you in action. Think texture, color, motion, sounds, even scents. Audio (mp3) and video files are a great asset here.

Accomplishments: Highlight two or three accomplishments that you are really proud of, and that made a significant difference to those you served.

Recent clients: Mention a few recent clients (or industries specialities).

Education: One or two lines is sufficient; mention prestigious awards.

Need more? Send your current bio to coachshera (at ) gmail (dot) com for a complimentary critique.

Here is a wonderful exercise adapted from Tony Robbins‘ Awakening the Giant Within, introducing three guiding principles to lasting change:

RAISE YOUR STANDARDS

Any time you sincerely want to make a change, the first thing you must do is to raise your standards. Write down all the things you will no longer accept or tolerate in your life, and all the things that you aspire to becoming. This is an exercise in deep personal honesty (telling yourself the truth 100% of time). Frequently ask yourself: What am I pretending not to know?

CHANGE YOUR LIMITING BELIEFS

Our beliefs are like unquestioned commands, telling us how things are, what’s possible and what’s impossible, what we can and can not do. They shape every action, every thought, and every feeling that we experience. As a result, changing our belief systems is central to making any real and lasting change in our lives. We must develop a sense of certainty that we can and will meet the new standards before we actually do.

CHANGE YOUR STRATEGY

In order to keep your commitment, you need the best strategies for achieving results. If you have set a higher standard, and you can get yourself to believe, then you certainly can figure out the strategies. One of the best strategies in almost any case is to find a role-model, someone who’s already getting the results you want, and then tap into their knowledge.

Read about successful people. The most successful people have had mentors in every stage of their life. Who you associate with does help determine your happiness and success.

Many small business and career development organizations offer free mentoring services with a rich pool of volunteer, seasoned superstars, ready to share with you their experience, knowledge, and expertise.

THE NEW ENTREPRENEUR!

© Sheryl R. Sever (Coach Shera)

There is a profound change coursing through our cosmos, our world, and our very beings in these times. Although not under the radar of the mainstream media, change and reinvention are occurring throughout governments, corporations, small businesses, communities, families, and even in our individual daily practices. Business as usual is out- Innovation, collaboration, and revolutionary impact are in!

THE “JOB” is OBSOLETE

Nearly 10 years ago, one of my mentors, William Bridges, International Change Consultant, introduced the then, ground-breaking concept of You and Co., in his best-selling book by the same title.

Bridges declared that the “job” is obsolete, and that it’s essential re-position ourselves in order to function and thrive in an economy and workforce that continues to shift and depend more and more on outsourcing and consulting experts. Now in 2007, Bridge’s predictions have ripened, with an encouraging emphasis placed on non-linear leadership paradigms, community building, local economic development, and sustainability. The US Bureau of Statistics reveals that by 2010, approximately 40% of the US population will be self-employed or small business owners.

I rejoiced when I heard this. My career as an organizational consultant in over a dozen industries was finally affirmed and acknowledged. I wasn’t an oddity! According to Tom Peters, International Management Consultant, I was a PSF (Professional Services Firm), a talented non-conformist, and interesting. I was a company. WOW!

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Starting one’s own business may be an attractive career choice, particularly if you are ready and willing to transform a long-held passion into income, run an extra mile (or two) and creatively package your varied resources, abilities, talents, and knowledge. Not for the weak of heart, or for those simply longing for independence and freedom, owning a business is for those who are comfortable with the unknown and risk-taking, have done their research, and possess certain qualities that set them apart.

TEN QUALITIES of the NEW ENTREPRENEUR

Are you thinking about starting your own business or taking an existing business to the next level? Are you ready to excavate a buried dream? Take a look at my Qualities of the New Entrepreneur and ask yourself if you have what it takes.

1. Passionate and driven to transform dreams and ideas into reality – loves what she does and knows what she stands for. Think about the energy of passion. It is a natural attractor.The New Entrepreneur inspires her customers with a passionate declaration that offers creative solutions to her customers needs.

2. Goal Oriented – has a short- and long-term strategic plan. The New Entrepreneur is FOCUSED (period)

3. Self-Confident and Optimistic – practices the principles of the “Law of Attraction.” Science and consciousness are merging. In the release of ” (www.thesecret.tv) , we are reminded that every thought vibrates and radiates a signal, thereby attracting a matching signal back. Thoughts come from feelings. The New Entrepreneur puts her attention on “what feels good”, holding herself consistent with her intention in order to bring about the desired manifestation.

4. Creates a budget with well-researched operational costs from which she makes realistic financial projections.

5. Maintains work/life balance and asks for support from other “experts”. The time of the lone wolf is over.

6. Realizes the value of partnerships and the necessity of environmental sustainability; builds these elements into her business plan.

7. Life-long learner - thrives on change and keeps current with trends in her industry.

8. Approaches obstacles as opportunities.

9. Committed to and grows though helping others. Knows the value by “giving-back”.

10. Creates a business plan and develops marketing strategies with her coach.

YOU, INC.

So what’s next? Start thinking of yourself as a business, now! How will you position YOU, Inc.! (your product, service, skills, and knowledge? Whether you are looking for work or currently employed full-time, planning to start your own business, buy a franchise, or offer consulting services, your skills and talents are a product or service to be offered and received. Assess what you truly value. Translate these values into offerings. Ask yourself: How can I help? How can I make a difference?

NEED SOME IDEAS?
There are over 80 new start-ups born each day. 79 of them are unprepared. Entrepreneur Magazine Best Businesses to launch in 2007 include:
Specialty Food Businesses (Wine, Chocolate, Organic Foods, Dessert Restaurants,) Alternative Energy and Green Products, Specialty Apparel, Senior Transition Services, Virtual Economies, Nanotechnology, Media Storage, Baby-Boomer Career Counseling and Financial Planning, Teen Party Planning (by and for teens), Kid’s Businesses and Home Parties.

First published OPEN EXCHANGE , January,07