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Photo: Kelly Sikkema (Flickr: Public Domain)

MARCH 2019

It's March.  I'm still juggling my part-time gig with my biz.  I finally feel ready to leap though.  I don't have plans to bring in $$$$ green energy until September so not sure I can give up my gig until 2020 but I hope that this will be the last year I wrestle with grant writing, wondering if I should update my resume and trying to find time for my biz.


Just had a meeting with part-time job E.D. last week and it reminded me of how little support I have here - she kiboshed a provincial grant I was writing last year, gave me a thumbs down for an "inter-generational" grant I proposed (but now suggested it like it was a NEW idea) and recently she was too distracted to get our online profile updated - so I missed a funding application deadline. (Seriously no support here!)

So I really need to focus on an exit strategy here!

If I'm going to be offering products online, I need to figure out my "Store" which means I may need to switch blogging host software that has strong blog features but also online store features also.

BIG TRANSFER OF WEBSITE?

MASTERMIND (instead of business coach right now and it really is motivating me - it feels more serious when I'm investing in my business - this is good!)
GUEST POSTS/FEATURES (I didn't do my Interview series last year and would really like to revisit this idea)

BOTH BIZ FRIENDS (online entrepreneur friend and a local entrepreneur friend) feel like they have fizzled.  It's hard to connect with Business Women as they are so BUSY and also can be competitive.  Online one is gone (she was from U.K. HS HBBiz) and the other one is local (Health not Nature) but while we said we would meet up monthly - it's all on my to reach out each time.  Sigh!  (So much for them both being the ones to step up and ask!  Guess it wasn't a good sign after all!)

(But the other good news is that I don't NEED this so much anymore.  I think I've finally let go of the need to have a mentor/friend who will cheer me and motivate me.  Something has switched internally (yay!) and the mastermind is helping also.  Once the mastermind is over (end of April) I need to look into something else - maybe a bit more affordable?)

WEEKLY BLOG POSTS + MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

BUILDING EMAIL LIST

NEXT BIG OFFER: AUTUMN ONLINE COURSE

let's keep the momentum going.  provide two freebie products, offer something IRL in my city this June and continue to build my following and email list for the Autumn launch.

you do have very valuable products to offer - don't doubt yourself.  people need what you are creating.  xo

another tuesday start to the week!

WEEK 152 - POST 1

I went out this morning - had to sleep in as I didn't get to sleep until past 1 pm, which meant my morning routine didn't happen (water, meditation, reading, elliptical) but I did get into town and work in a public space.  So that feels amazing!  And I can definitely write my blog posts and then do the photos (and other graphic details) at home later.  So this feels very good!

And I just had a brainstorm about how to do a 100 in 1 day event for my business - I'm very excited!  I don't have to lead an hour long session, I'm going to do a bit more of a fun pop-up activity.  And it will be perfect!  Yay!!  So excited.

So taxes are almost done (I actually do like working on the numbers but have to get serious about a bookeeper this year) and will be submitted this week.  And I just have to plow through the ten-day challenge and get it up.

The big fear is the newsletter.  I think the fear is that once it's started I'm going to have to have something really good each month!  And I struggle sometimes with my blog - |I don't want to add to the struggle....

I need to practice - maybe just write to myself and see how it feels!!

(Also posted about an entrepreneur coffee meet-up - really don't have anyone yet but we'll see how it goes!!)

slow steps forward

WEEK 151 - POST 1

Struggling again.  But I feel a tiny turning point.  Let's hope this year there is finally a change!

I want to write a bunch of blog posts and get my 10 day challenge done but I do feel like the best place to work on these pieces (where images and words are combined) is at home.  But I also need to get out of the house (for my sanity).

Even as I say that, I feel the pull to see other people, to look on Fbook and MN.  It would be better if I could just get out of the house.  These two (and other social media) do not help me in the long term, they really corrode my being sadly - well really it's being cut off from the world (being in this house) that does that and being able to connect online, enables me.  So that's not good.

I promised myself today that I would recreate a day that has a good flow - where I prioritized my morning routine, getting out of the house and exercise and an evening routine also.  My morning routine ended up taking up most of the morning and then I couldn't get my mouse to work, so had to figure out how to fix that (but I did - YAY!).

Today is going to be OK.  It's almost 1 pm.  Maybe what I'll do today is work from here and then go out tomorrow and work outside the house.  I do have to go to the library today to pick up some books.

Good luck everyone with your week!

K.

what's what: monday morning check in!

WEEK 149 - POST 1

Good morning!  I haven't done a Monday morning check-in in awhile.  I have been doing a Zoom call Mastermind on Monday mornings and it's been really motivating.  This morning, I missed it, as the clocks in Ireland were moved forward for daylight savings, but I wasn't told by the organizer.  (I'm sure she'll offer me a make-up session, since this was her mistake.)  I was really hoping to start my week that way - get focused!!

So I'm back here (sorry I've been gone!).  What was my win from last week?  Last week I worked on blog posts and some social media and got some background research done on other similar courses.  I also had two break-throughs regarding "friends" which has been a theme in my life.  I end up prioritizing getting back to friends (and organizing meet-ups) above almost everything else: myself, my spouse, my business, etc. So I do feel like this is significant in terms of my business.  And even my health.  I need to let this go and learn how to deepen some friendships, keep people on the friendship "conveyor belt" and let others loose.

What would have been my question for the group? I really do need to focus on getting out one newsletter and finding some podcasts (even if just to create some backlinks).  So no big questions, it's more about mindset, getting focused and getting my next product created.  (It REALLY helped to be working with others during the "build your own online course" group class.)  I need to figure out what works to help keep me motivated and moving forward!



What's Inspiring You This Week: I went to a woman's "sporty" event to help motivate me to be more active.  It was good but it was also a reminder that these aren't my people (and that I can't match up with just anyone) and that's OK!  I am now more focused on finding my audience for my business.

Where Are you Stuck This Week:  I am again feeling the burden of deadlines for my part-time job and having a hard time motivating for my BIZ.  I did work on two blog posts but think now I will have to put them on hold (as they are themed and the timing is just not right)  But good news is that I now have two blog posts I can use next winter!

What Is The Message You Need To Hear: You can do this.  You have a few hours today.  Just move through the list and let's work at it!  Spend a bit of time connecting so that you can "see" your audience and your people.  And then let's have fun creating new products!!  xo


What Will You Commit To For This Week: Whew - this question always scares me.  Let's get a few more blog posts done and see if we can send out a newsletter.  If we work a bit at the new product also that would be great!!  xo


And how about you?  What's going on with your business and what do you want to accomplish this month and where is your focus for this year?  Let me know!

What's Inspiring You This Week: 

Where Are you Stuck This Week:  

What Is The Message You Need To Hear: 


What Will You Commit To For This Week: 

more about the mini-course

WEEK 147 - POST 1

I'm feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable - like it is the end of the party and I'm not sure how it went.  Sort of at loose ends. 


So here are a few other things about the course:

First person to mention signing up was KP (but I think she signed up for my RSS feed)

Second person was friend from GFC (then I felt like I had to offer it) and then a few friends signed up JW, CP & HS (was she just curious for her own business?) and then finally a stranger (wow!).

And once the course was launched there were two other who saw it on social media CF (from Twitter) and DA (from instagram).


The people who participated were:

- KP (social media)
- IH (course page)
- CP (in emails)
- (JW told me she was too busy)

the others: AA (stranger) CF, DA & HS did not participate in any way.  Sigh!!  but 3 out of 8 is actually a GREAT participation rate!



In the end it was:

- 3 friends
- 4 people I know on social media (GFC, twiter, IG)
- 1 stranger


In terms of my list from last week:

AND I still have to complete two course pages, two blog posts (and others as I want to get back on a weekly schedule), one survey, one newsletter for next week and finalize the two emails I'm going to send for the course.

I nixed the two blog posts but did the course pages, survey and two emails.

So now I just need to get back into a regular schedule and do weekly blog posts and work on my first newsletter!

Let's make this week count!  xo

how are we doing today...

WEEK 146 - POST 1

I feel very burned out.

It was especially hard to do social media posts.  I think I did a bit of liking and commenting (not that many "new" people - maybe a few) but I just felt like every day I had to keep up AND I started missing it if I didn't do it, or mindlessly starting to scroll.

(I figured if I was on and posting things, I should be supporting others also!)

Today I started using tags to comment on "new" people's posts.

I realized that I haven't worked at social media in awhile.  I might just work at IG for now and Linked In.  (Although how do I get people to "follow" me on Linked In?

Hmmmm....


AND I still have to complete two course pages, two blog posts (and others as I want to get back on a weekly schedule), one survey, one newsletter for next week and finalize the two emails I'm going to send for the course.

But I have no energy for any of this!!!


And this week was also filled with other tasks (for my part-time job):

- Weekly Presentations for various audiences
- Lots of emails to write and send this week
- An article to revise and send to a local blog
- More presentations to put together (each one is different)
- Two evening meetings this week (networking for part-time job)

- WW (online discussion group/book club to moderate)
- two friends who needed to chat about things in the past two weeks
- still trying to catch up on my personal email

And just received email from lawyer (re: trademark) - ugh!


So not surprising I'm burned out.

I really am hoping to figure out a better balance.

I feel good about completing my first course and delivering it (and finding out where my weaknesses were - in terms of social media and responding in the classroom) and want to work hard at the next deliverable.

But I also wonder how much time to focus on GRANTS and my RESUME (if the next contract for my part-time job doesn't come through!)

One step at a time - right?

xo