We live in a very connected world through the internet.  First impressions used to come from face to face interaction with people we met.  Today that is done very differently through platforms like social networking and websites.

How do you want to be known?   Do you see yourself as a professional?  Do you understand the importance of branding yourself properly to make the first impression strong enough that someone would want to know you and what you have to offer?

Profile pictures are one way to start.  A good headshot is necessary and should be congruent among all your different social networking sites so that when people visit different platforms they know for sure they have the right person.  A headshot should be a close up from the shoulders up, looking directly and confidently at the camera with a great smile.  A quick scan of profile photos on any social network will give you an idea.  Pay attention to YOUR first reaction when you see the back of someone's head, a body shot so far back you can't see their face, a cartoon,  or worse yet, no photo.  Would you be excited to meet or do business with any of these people?  It would be a shame to shoot yourself in the foot by not taking the time to put up a great headshot.  Note, this is not about being handsome or beautiful.  It is about looking the part of someone you would want to do business with.

Words used are often underestimated, in website copy, descriptions in about me sections, email addresses, etc.  For instance, I once met a psychologist that had a hobby of belly dancing.  Can you imagine her being taken professionally if her email address to clients was Janesbellydancing@gmail.com?   Look at the difference here:  Dr.Jane@gmail.com.  Words can make a big difference.

In our technologically connected world, it's important to give yourself the best chance for success.  We all know that first impressions are the starting point.  If the first impression is not good, you will be overlooked even if you are the most qualified.  It's really just about common sense.  You have to sell yourself first before people will listen to the value you offer.

I have this sign in our home. It's just one of many positive, encouraging words or phrases that I have scattered about our home. This is a visual reminder of the power of a seemingly simple decision that has affected every single aspect of my life. If my husband and I had not fallen in love, our lives would be totally different than we know it today. We would not have our children, our home, our community, our families, our friends or our work. We would not have the 30+ years of wonderful experiences and memories. Everything would be different. Everything we have experienced together, is a result of that one, initial decision. There have been many decisions since, that are all connected to that one decision. Some have been good decisions, some have not...but combined, they have all worked as stepping stones to create the amazing life we are living.

Just as I did in my personal life, something I learned many years ago in business, was to get very clear on what I wanted, and only make decisions that support my goals. This is a simple concept that many miss as they analyze and complicate the process of decision making.

As I was learning to make this an automatic part of my thinking, I used a question each time I was making a decision - "will this decision bring me closer or further away from my goals?" This question makes it very easy to make the decision, because, if it is bringing you farther away from your goals, it is like a red flashing light you are making the wrong decision.

If you determine the decision is bringing you further away from your goals, it is a sign to either change your decision to support your goals, or re-evaluate your goals and choose something you are willing to be 100% committed to.

If you determine the decision will bring you closer to your goal, you know you are making the right decision and then must follow through.

In order to follow through with this thinking, you must be willing to:

-Push through fear - You may be fearful of something you haven't done. When I first became an entrepreneur and trainer, I had to get over the fear of speaking. I distinctly remember the feeling of extreme fear, and started that talk from stage with the words "I feel like I'm going to be sick". Actually it wasn't quite that polished, but I got through it and proved something to myself. Although I was scared to death, I learned I could feel that fear inside, and DECIDE to take the action anyway. This was a powerful experience and the first step in many to become comfortable speaking to large groups.

-Push through uncertainty - When you are striving towards a goal, there will often be times that you feel uncertain about your ability. You may doubt yourself and feel you don't have enough knowledge. We are fortunate today to have unlimited resources to learn. The internet has made it possible for anyone to research and learn to improve their knowledge. When the desire to learn is strong enough, the decision to learn is easy. A tip - successful people are always continuing to learn and grow themselves.

-Make the commitment - Many will put off making a decision because they are afraid to make the commitment required. One of the most powerful things a person can do is make a commitment to themselves and keep that commitment no matter what. When you learn to follow through and keep the commitments you make to yourself, it builds confidence and self esteem.

-Take action - This is what brings it all together. Without action, nothing happens. Great ideas are of no value without action.

Successful entrepreneurs have made a habit of making bold, powerful decisions that support the direction they want to go. There are still fears and uncertainties, but those that create success have learned to push through and take action anyway, despite those fears and uncertainties. This teaches you that those fears and uncertainties were much bigger in your mind than they actually were in reality.

Old style management still believes they must rule their employees with an iron fist, instilling fear to gain respect and results.  These bully style, ego driven managers  believe the constant threat of losing their jobs is what  brings out the best in people.  This may have worked in the industrial age, but it is not effective in today's work environment.

It's been stated that 75% of the workforce will be millennials by 2015.   This is a group that is more educated than previous generations, they are more confident, know what they want, will not put up with poor treatment and are not threatened by losing their jobs.  Thankfully, this generation is not a generation of followers, living in a fear based society, sacrificing what they deserve for a paycheck.

If todays employees really want to leave, they will leave. It is much better to develop a great culture and working environment where people feel valued, rather than building a fear based culture based on threats. When employees do leave a great culture and working environment, for whatever reason,  they can become your biggest cheerleaders.  With the power of the internet and social media, this is often the best free advertising a company could get.   How much more powerful is that for future growth than an ex employee that bad mouths your organization?

Old style management still believes they must rule their employees with an iron fist, instilling fear to gain respect and results.  These bully style, ego driven managers  believe the constant threat of losing their jobs is what  brings out the best in people.  This may have worked in the industrial age, but it is not effective in today's work environment.

It's been stated that 75% of the workforce will be millennials by 2015.   This is a group that is more educated than previous generations, they are more confident, know what they want, will not put up with poor treatment and are not threatened by losing their jobs.  Thankfully, this generation is not a generation of followers, living in a fear based society, sacrificing what they deserve for a paycheck.

If todays employees really want to leave, they will leave. It is much better to develop a great culture and working environment where people feel valued, rather than building a fear based culture based on threats. When employees do leave a great culture and working environment, for whatever reason,  they can become your biggest cheerleaders.  With the power of the internet and social media, this is often the best free advertising a company could get.   How much more powerful is that for future growth than an ex employee that bad mouths your organization?

We have all heard this phrase from reading Dr. Seuss books.  How many actually took these words to heart and live them daily in their lives?

I know of a young man living these words.  He works in a bank.  

When he started at the bank, he started part time as a teller, and wanted to move up.  He studied the company training manual on his lunch hour and after work.  He spent the first year working in 5-6 different branch locations, going wherever he was needed.  

He volunteers to fill in for employee's that are sick or on holidays by driving to different cities to fill in for them.  Whenever there is a need to be filled such as this, he is the first to volunteer to go.

He volunteers to represent his company at community charity events, by attending on his days off, getting up and speaking to the crowd about the company he represents.  He does this to practice his public speaking to become more comfortable, as well as a way to give back to the community he lives in.

I saw a picture in our local newspaper of volunteers at one of the events.  He was the only one, out of about 40 in the picture that was dressed up....everyone had t-shirts and casual pants on, he was in a suit because he wanted to professionally represent the company he works for.  He stood out, not because he is 6'4" and towered above everyone in the picture, but because he has this vibrant positive personality, great smile, and was dressed the part of who he is portraying. 

He wears a suit and tie every day to work, even though it is not expected.  On dress down day when everyone is wearing jeans, he wears a pair of dress jeans, shirt, tie and jacket.  

It may seem like he is a more mature worker, however, he is 25 years of age.   He does all of this not because he has to, because he wants to.  He is going the extra mile because he understands this principle...why fit in when you were born to stand out.  It is no surprise he is excelling at his career, and was promoted to assistant branch manager after the first year.

Clues for success in life and in business are all around us in everything we do.  Many times, these clues seem so simple they are overlooked.  Pull out a Dr. Seuss book, and share a quote that may have inspired you that other's may have missed.....

Last week we were receiving weather warnings for 24 hrs in advance of an upcoming storm the next day. 15 cm of snow and winds picking up to 50 km/hr. At 8 am, when people would be leaving for work commutes, the snow was already coming down hard and winds were picking up. It was clearly evident by simply looking outside, and checking the forecast, that no one should have been driving.

I spoke to an employee of a business out of town, and by 9:40 am, the employees in this business were all leaving to go back home, after being given "permission". How unfortunate that these people were not given the space to make a judgement call about the weather, and felt they had to risk the roads to go into work. How unfortunate that they were not confident enough in their own decisions. How unfortunate they chose to go in because they felt obligated and felt like they didn't have choice. There were several fatal accidents that morning. How unfortunate that those that lost their lives may have felt this way and were driving into a similar job.



These are precisely the type of things that lead to disengagement and dissatisfaction within an organization.

Why is it important to give employees the space to make good judgement calls?

-Builds trust - they will feel like doing more for a company that puts them first. They won't mind staying late for other projects down the road because they know the company appreciates them, and stands behind them.

-Builds confidence - they will perform better. When people are not given the space to make simple judgement calls, they lose confidence and this affects other areas of their performance. Build their confidence and they step into their own greatness and prove what they are capable of.

What did the snow day example demonstrate to employees?

-The decision makers couldn't make a simple judgement call before everyone risked their lives. This causes distrust.

-The company didn't truly care about their people. This causes resentment.

-Employees lives are not valued over profits. This causes disengagement and destroys company culture.

This is the reality of the message the employees feel in situations like this. They don't feel valued, they become disillusioned and distrust and resent the company.

Giving people the space to make responsible decisions helps them take ownership of those decisions, which builds their leadership, self esteem, confidence and personal responsibility. Respect and trust for the company goes up, it increases their level of happiness and job satisfaction, which leads to higher engagement and more productivity. A true win/win for both the company and the employee, which is how long term successful businesses are built.

Debbie Ruston - Success Educator & Home Business Mentor
http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140311225623-5397534-what-are-the-most-overlooked-questions-new-entrepreneurs-forget-to-ask-themselves  

It isn't how to write a business plan, how many staff to hire, or how to budget. There are obviously things like this to learn when running a business, however, the most important questions start before you get to that point.

Ask yourself - WHY do I want to be self employed? It isn't enough to say you don't like your boss. Although that may be a trigger that sets your entrepreneurial wheels in motion, it has to be more than that. So you don't like your boss. Join the crowd....most don't. So what makes your situation different and why are you leaving the perceived safety of having a job, to starting your own business? Take some time to think about this from your heart and take the time to really think this through. An example of how this could look: (you may want to print this page off, so you can go through this properly when you have time)

"I don't like my boss"

-List all the reasons you have made this statement

-Do you like the company, if not, list all the reasons

-Do you like your co-workers, if not, list all the reasons

-Do you like the work, if not, list all the reasons

*-If you did like the work, list all the reasons why you liked it

*-Is there work you would like to do you haven't had a chance to?

-could you change jobs and would that make a difference

-if not, why

*-why do you want a business instead of changing jobs?

-did you answer you want to make more money?

-why do you want to make more money?

-is that the most important thing to you?

-if yes, why?

*-look at your previous answer, and ask why?

*if not, what IS important to you?

*-what are your ideas, interests, skills, passions experience?

These questions will uncover to you the real reason you want to start a business. It is very revealing when you take the time to go through this exercise. Understanding why you want to become a business owner, and what brought you to this spot will assist you in deciding what type of business to start. Too often people choose a business because they really don't know what else to do and they have not done this preliminary reflecting. For instance, a person may start a franchise. They don't realize the limitations and long hours they would be putting in, and the amount of time it will take to pay off that investment. That may not be the solution they actually wanted.

This person may want a business to stop working the long hours they are putting in at their job. To start a franchise that will require long hours would not be the best solution to achieve the goal of more family time, and will most likely cause even more stress and frustration for the individual and their family, because that would also require a substantial investment. This leaves the franchise owner feeling like they have to work long hours to pay off the investment.

To make a better choice, look at the answers to the questions that have a * beside them. It's important to identify what you are not happy with, what you really love, your underlying motivating factor (as in being with your family more), what's truly important, ideas, interests, skills, passions and experience. This will allow you to explore from the heart the direction you should be taking. You will find answers here that you hadn't previously considered. This will allow you to do work that is meaningful and fulfilling to you. You will truly understand the real reasons you are taking this step and be able to make better choices.

You don't learn these things in business school. This comes from real world experience, from those that have walked the walk, been through the challenges, learned from their mistakes, overcome adversity and those that have been willing to do what ti takes for as long as it takes. If you are contemplating entrepreneurship, take the time to think these things through...you will be happier with the outcome.

Regardless of whether we are talking about business, relationships or dieting, many people are accustomed to buying into their own excuses.   Why is it that someone can state they want to achieve something, yet, when it comes to taking action, they don't follow through?

-They were not committed in the first place - There is a difference between wanting something and actually committing to it.  You can want to lose weight, but unless you are willing to implement proper eating and exercise, you will not reach the goal.   This must be something an individual is willing to do for as long as it takes.  That is commitment.


-They don't have confidence in their ability to achieve the goal - Confidence comes from doing.  I remember the first time I was invited to speak at a business function.  I was not confident, I was actually quite the opposite and was a nervous wreck for months prior to the speaking engagement.  Something I learned a lot time ago though, was to keep stepping out of my comfort zone.    So even though I didn't feel confident as I spoke the first time, and probably a dozen times after that, I kept accepting the invitation to grow.  I kept stepping out of that comfort zone until I did feel confident. 

-Afraid of making a mistake -  Understand you will make some mistakes along the way.  That is ok, learn to embrace those mistakes and realize they are opportunities to learn, not mistakes.  When you learn by doing something the wrong way, you are also privileged to learn the right way, or in many cases, a new way that no one else has thought of.  This gives a new distinction in thinking you may not have realized had you simply done it the way everyone else does.  Also learn to lighten up an don't take yourself so seriously.  No one is perfect...mistakes are made.  Take responsibility and move forward.

-Attempting to be perfect - The challenge with being perfect, is the procrastination that takes place in pursuit of perfectionism.  Perfectionism cannot be maintained long term.  Strive for excellence instead and get out of procrastination and into action.


-They want results yesterday and are not willing to stay the course - Anything worthwhile takes time.  The world is full of people that just want the short cuts.  Although some will have short term success with this approach, long term success is built by doing the right things with a high level of ethics and integrity and staying the course, continually taking persistent action steps towards the goal.


-They have fears that are stopping them -  Many people stop in their tracks when fear arises and don't take the actions required, because they are too afraid.  Fear is something that every single person feels.  The difference between those that achieve their goals and those that don't, is successful people have learned to push through fear, understanding that fear disappears when you have the courage to face it.  


-They have limiting beliefs about what they are capable of - This is where desire comes in.  There are always going to be situations where you will think that you can't do something, that it is beyond your capability.  There is nothing a person cannot do provided they are willing to learn.


-They don't allow for adversity - With success, you will also experience adversity.  It is simply part of the process that all successful people experience. This is often where people give up, because they have bought the excuse that something went wrong, or it was too hard, and don't realize they have to push through this.   

Ask yourself who you are being?  The person that buys into one or more of these excuses, or, the person that is committed and willing to push through to achieve the result you want.  Identifying your excuse is the first step to conquering it.

I'm not a sports fan at all.  I didn't have any interest in watching the recent Sochi Olympics, which was definitely being in the minority being a Canadian.  Every eye in my family and social circle were engaged and watching every moment of the games.  People were watching from work, from home, getting up earlier, and staying up later to accommodate time differences between Canada and Russia.  
The final men's hockey game between Canada and Sweden was on the last day of a weekend cottage getaway for a friends 50th birthday.  The game was at 7 am on a Sunday morning, and everyone  was up ready for the game between 6-6:30 am.  Being as the TV was in the living room I was sleeping in, I too watched the game.

It isn't something I would normally have chosen to do.  However, as I watched the game, I looked at it from a different perspective than everyone else in the room.  I was watching from more of a business perspective.  Watching the players actions as the game unfolded.   Sweden came out strong and with my limited knowledge of the game, it appeared were going to dominate the game and ultimately win the gold medal.

Although Sweden was stronger in the first few minutes of the game, what I noticed was the Canadian players response.  They didn't panic.  They didn't fight.  They didn't lose their focus.   They maintained their professionalism.  They took control...by strengthening and tightening up their defense and played their strengths.  They seemed calm.  They worked together as a team.  They truly played at the highest level that you would expect of gold medal athletes. 

I was impressed with the level of leadership displayed by the players at this level.  So different than what we typically see in "professional" hockey we see on t.v.  There was no fighting.  There was talent.  Talent, vision, teamwork, and leadership was outshining everything else.  At the end, to no one's surprise, Canada brought home the gold.  

   
We hear all the time, about people "cracking under pressure" and not performing at their maximum capability, while others just seem to step into the greatness they are fully capable of.  What did this hockey team display that could be applied to the world of business and help people step into their greatness?

-A team of people working hard together to achieve the vision set forth by the visionary leadership of an organization
-A team of confident, like minded people that are able to work together confidently throughout challenges or pressure
-Maintaining focus, keep doing what it takes for as long as it takes
-Don't react when things appear to be going off course....simply course correct using your strengths and regain focus
-Be professional and have the mindset of a gold medal athlete  
-Maintain your integrity, play the game like you are a gold medal athlete 

Stepping on the ice can be comparable to stepping into business each day.  Imagine if every person in your organization stepped onto the ice, each day, with the mindset of a gold medal athlete and played at the level we witnessed the Canadian men's gold hockey team play!