Today is International Friendship Day, and it got me thinking….
Our relationships have had a huge impact on behaviours, emotions, and overall health, and who we choose to spend our time with is vitally important when it comes to our well-being and in turn our business success.
Finally, the day is here! Today marks National Intern Day, and is the first year that I have cause to celebrate!
Summer holidays can be the prime time for business owners like ourselves to lose our mojo. The kids are running free and you have little time on your hands to focus on yourself, here’s a few tips and tricks to get that mojo back.
We all know that setting goals can be hard and keeping them can be even harder especially when these goals have to potential to make or break your business. If you follow these simple top tips you’ll be on your way to achieving your wildest business dreams!
After Southgate’s well-known blunder that caused us to lose the 1996 European Championship no one expected big things from him, but through integrity, empathy and determination Southgate gave England a much-needed chance of glory. While you’ll often hear people say “he’s no Venables, Robson, Shankly or Klopp.” Gareth Southgate has proven he’s a talented leader that we could all learn from.
In most aspects of our lives, a little clutter doesn’t hurt: be it in our wardrobes or in our cars. But the most distracting and debilitating cluttered space is in our heads. A cluttered mind usually results in us trying to run in ten different directions at once, with the end result being that we haven’t got very far at all. So, here are my top tips for decluttering your mind:
Failure. It’s a daunting word, isn’t it? I think the majority of us would avoid any type of failure if we had the chance. But as I’ve come to learn, failure isn’t something we should avoid and actually it’s something we should embrace.
Having had 2 little people, a full time self employed job and being a single mum I remember the juggling. So I hope you enjoy them and as the summer holidays are less than 6 weeks away – get planning.
Continuing July’s theme of taking action, I want to share with you the importance of planning. We’ve all heard the saying “fail to plan and you plan to fail”, yet the majority of us are still trying to figure out how, why and where to get started.
As we are coming to the end of June, we are now moving onto July’s theme which is about taking action. If (like me) you’re a little sick of hearing about the World Cup, give yourself a 5-minute break by reading this blog that will help you to defeat your inner procrastinator!
Many of us are great at planning. We know what we want to achieve in a day and generally what it will take to smash those tasks and cross off the to do list. But, life gets in the way. Or rather, distractions do. Notifications, technology, phone calls, social media, it all tries to take us away from those tasks in hand. Which suddenly puts us behind. So how can you get more sh*t done (without locking yourself in an underground cave)?
How to Achieve More by Doing Less JUNE 23, 2018 Sounds bonkers doesn’t it? How can you achieve more by doing less? Achieve more what? More money? More time? More control? If you have kids then this time of the year is mad - there's trips, sports days, end of term...
Many businesses start out as a ‘one man band’ whereby the business owner does EVERYTHING. While that is possible in the early stages, as you develop your client base, work on your products or services and promote the brand, it’s not viable longer term. Even if you want it to be, it’s just not possible. I’m going to highlight how you can best prepare for business success, but first I want to analyse, what IS success?
Running your own business is hard work. I guess if it was easy everyone would do it!
So whether you choose a coach, a mentor or a buddy – choose carefully and choose someone who will hold your toes to the fire!
While being agile and flexible (and I’m not talking Yoga) is a small business owner’s advantage, critical decisions, such as launching a new service or product, are best made by bouncing ideas with someone you trust and thinking things through. An accountability partner can help you identify weaknesses and opportunities in your business, make plans to overcome them and hold you accountable for action.
There are a huge number of inspirational business women out there. Those that have battled the testing times, running business whilst being a mother or wife and those flowing with entrepreneurial mastery. As someone who has worked in the corporate world, managing teams of people as a single Mum, I have a real level of respect for those that do it all. It really isn’t easy, but certainly teaches you some valuable life lessons.
May is your biggest challenge….. maybe you’re just getting over the Easter holidays and revving back up to speed and there it is BAM! Two Bank Holidays in the UK and a school half term! You have got to be joking!!!!I guess the only consolidation is that the weather is starting to get better – finally!
You’ve heard it, I know you have – the old age and classically overused quote “Fail to plan, you plan to fail.”But really it is relevant now? Isn’t it more about a dynamic cocktail of planning and execution. There is little point having an awesome plan, beautifully nurtured, colour coded, project managed if there is no execution.
I know, a weird title for a blog, but it’s been in my head for weeks. She had me at hello – a phrase that expresses affection, popularised by Tom Cruise in the movie Jerry Maguire. Essentially to imply – you need not say anything else, I am in, I bought in, I am convinced. I need nothing more. I have no more questions – just sign me up. I am in!
You may have seen my blog at the start of the month about the importance of planning. It highlighted the benefits of strategic planning in business and how thorough planning can help your business thrive. After all, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. However it must be mentioned that just because you have a plan in place, it doesn’t mean you’ll definitely be striding for success
If you are to succeed, and I hope you as your read this you will be then you have to plan for it – YES PLAN FOR SUCCESS. No it is not arrogant. No it is not ego driven nor is it foolish. It makes perfect sense. You must plan and expect success – otherwise why bother?
This month my theme is the importance of focusing some of your time and energy on PLANNING. The importance of it, how to master it and how it can really help you thrive.
Having children changes your life. Even if you plan for the changes, they’ll still hit you harder than you’d have thought possible. It can be particularly challenging if you have your own business, but with careful planning, the right support team and a bucket load of determination, you can wear both the Mum and the Entrepreneur hats. Here’s how…
When I got up this morning I had it all planned out, a strategy rewrite, a couple of business meetings, work on my book and then a swim. I had not expected to be on national radio – BBC Radio 5 Live! Read how it went…
When I was younger, much younger, I overheard an old boyfriend talking about low and high maintenance girlfriends – I’ll leave that one with you, but the upshot was that the worst variety were the women who thought they were low maintenance but who were really high maintenance, again I’ll leave you with that one, but it got me thinking… it’s all about attitude. Now translate that into business
Today on International Women’s Day we celebrate the women who have gone before us and the young women who will follow us. I’m sitting here at Red Maids’ High School, which is the oldest girls school in the UK, celebrating International Women’s Day at a brilliant event called Brave Bold & Bonkers with Freelance Mum. It’s particularly poignant as my daughters attended this school and had the most amazing and happy school years, my business is a proud sponsor of Freelance Mum and many of my clients are freelancers. Happily bumped into Lisa Brown, the Head Teacher who has known and supported my girls since they were both 7 years old. Today is a happy day 🙂
They say everyone who attends the Oscars is a potential winner, but by the end of the evening there are a handful of winners and a room of losers. Now that is tough! So how so you keep going, honing your craft and persisting after such epic failure played out in front of literally millions of fans watching on TV and surrounded by your famous peer group. How does anyone get over that?
Well, having a goal, a vision and winning strategy are critical steps. But most important a dogged determination and to build personal resilience, and finally be persistence. Pleasantly persistent and consistent. To take action, every single day – no matter what.
My theme of March is ‘You’re Worth It!’ Because, let’s face it, you are. Every single one of you has started your own business and your own empire. You’ve taken that courageous step into entrepreneurship, which totally makes you a boss. So I intend to guide you through March, giving you the help, support and love you need to make this month your best yet. Are you ready?
Email is the communication king. Quick, easy and free, it’s the chosen method of communication for many business owners. They offer us the flexibility of working hours, allowing us to work on the move and can reduce your stress, and increase our efficiency exponentially.
Procrastination. It’s something we’re all guilty of from time to time. It’s something I regularly hear when speaking with clients, particularly those who work from home. Washing, tidying, dusting, baking and food shopping are all easy things to get distracted by. My teenagers use it all the time and I am convinced procrastination is a modern day epidemic and all you need is to recognise it, and get a regular shot in the arm inoculation. Remember it’s not a thing – it is an excuse.
How To Fall Back In Love With Your Business FEBRUARY 11, 2018Does your relationship with your business feel like a loveless marriage?The start of a business is blissful. You get to set your own hours, making your own decisions and being your own boss. You can work in...
Is your social media feed filled with self proclaimed experts? Mine is! On a good day I’m inspired and curious and want to know more about why and how they are experts. On a bad day, I’m angry and frustrated with a side order of jealously.
Now I don’t regard myself as an expert, I still think with 30+ years business turnaround and coaching experience, and MBA, professionally qualified as a coach and a handful of other very specific business qualifications I am still work in progress. But I do believe I am someone who can make a difference to many businesses. I deliver achievement. Read on to hear how to be regarded as an expert.
It’s tough running a business and running a family without running yourself into the ground.
Last year I conducted a rough analysis of how many actual working days there are for an average working mum who is a busy small business owner in the UK. Here’s what I found: You have on average 150 working days to achieve your annual business goals.
Join me as part of my Expert Interview Series and get under the skin of a brilliant Mind and Body Expert Kim Ingleby.
Blogging has risen in popularity in recent years since it’s launch in the 1990s and is now a key area within a strategic campaign. Content marketing (which includes blogging, digital campaigns and social media) costs 62% less than traditional marketing yet generates more than 3x the amount of leads. Also and totally brilliantly it allows you to position your opinion, evidence your knowledge and position yourself as an expert! So put simply, you need to be blogging!
Do you have a viable business? Are you working your socks off, trading time for money, but there’s just too much month left at the end of the money? Read on to see whether you have a viable business…
There’s been so much scaremongering since the changes to Facebook were posted on 12th January 2018 by Mark Zuckerberg the CEO of Facebook. Here are my initial top 5 recommendations to enable you to take control of the situation and take action straight away.
To make sure you’re really working as smartly and productively as you can, it’s essential and good business sense to give your business a regular business detox.
Brain dumping is a powerful, increasingly popular phenomenon, used by many business owners as a means of planning. It has many benefits and can bring true value to your business. But can also improve your sleep and therefore, your business and your life. Look after yourself to look after your business. It’s good business sense.
The greatest challenge that most small business owners and entrepreneurs I meet and work with struggle with is the sheer feeling of overwhelm. It never stops – it’s relentless. Check out my simple tips on how to conquer overwhelm as a busy business owner.
9 signs you are standing in your own way and what to do about it! JANUARY 17, 2018I have always believed that we make our own luck in life!Circumstances don't just happen. Often, they are the result of the view we have of ourselves. Our thoughts have much more...
Most people who make resolutions end up giving up on them after a month so why not use this time to show some real ambition and make 2018 a life changing year instead?
The third Monday of January has been awarded the most gloomy and depressing day of the year. Whether its a combination of the post-Christmas blues, short days, cold dark nights, the unfulfilled new year resolutions, the too long to wait until the January pay day or the expectation of the the christmas heavyweight credit card bills – who knows! Take positive action today to avoid the most depressing day of the year…
I love January. A month full of anticipation, goal setting and excitement for the 12 months ahead. Many take it as a time to reflect on the previous year and critically analyse what worked well and what didn’t. For me, it’s an opportunity to forward plan the epic-ness that will be the coming year. And here’s how to do it…
Most people who make resolutions end up giving up on them after a month so why not use this time to show some real ambition and make 2018 a life changing year instead? So what are you will to commit to – no matter what?
As we welcome in another new year, there’s never been a better time to kickstart your career and shape the year you want. With Blue Monday just around the corner and the ever increasing failure of New Years Resolutions there’s even more of a reason to ensure yours are deemed a success 12 months from now. The best way to do so? Turn them into actionable and accountable goals with these 7 simple steps.
Regardless of the size or type of your business, working with a business coach can completely transform your entrepreneurial journey. A coach will step back and critically analyse your business from an outsiders point of view. They’ll make you work harder, more efficiently and on areas of your business that need it the most. They’ll know you and your business inside out. So who better to help you get the very best out of it?
Lets run away to the beach together. It’s the Christmas run up – of course I’m wound up. I want to run away to the beach… You see I planned my month very carefully so I could stop working on about 18th, but so many of my lovely clients have been poorly so now I’m playing catch up and I’m backed up. Also who knew but we’d be inundated with new business enquiries in December!
The best advice I ever received was choose your battles as “Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you choose to react to it!” This quote has guided me since my 20s, challenged me in my 30s, saved me in my 40s and now in my 50s it is supporting active choices I am making in my personal and professional life. Read on >>>
I had the pleasure of attending a LinkedIn Masterclass recently run by Greg Cooper. I was blown away by Greg’s knowledge and he kindly agreed to be this months expert to feature as part of The Expert Interview Series.
As business owners, it’s a well regarded fact that you’ll work excessively long hours, trying to get as much done in the little time that you have available. Going away, whether for a once in a lifetime trip or a short mini break, seems like a distant dream or an unachievable reality. When in actual fact, it can completely transform your business.
Less than a week to go and small businesses are at an all time high. Just browsing Instagram and attending networking events is enough to tell you that, before you even delve into the impactful statistics. People are inspired to run their own business and now is a better time than ever to set up if you haven’t already done so.
So a year in business and we’ve learned so much, we’ve made so many mistakes, but we have taken the learning – some were cringe worthy, some were just downright stupid! I am happy to say there were a few moments of genius. It’s time for The Master Fixer to grow up.
Everyone is ill! My clients are dropping like flies… so instead of a business blog I thought we’d have a little fun. Here are 50 ways to make you feel fabulous again so you can keep rocking your business – even when you’re feeling under the weather.
Personal brand is very on trend, and everyone has an opinion and are instant expert. Much is talked about creating a strong personal brand for yourself establishes you as a natural leader and opens doors – but why is it so important and how can we leverage this? I wanted to find out the inside skinny on personal branding.
Success. It’s a funny word with a thousand different meanings. Very rarely can one word mean so many different things to so many different people. What does it mean to you?
FOMO, or the Fear Of Missing Out, is the subconscious phenomenon that you’ve made a poor decision and the result is that you’re missing out on a potentially life changing social event. Of course, chances are it won’t be life changing at all, but your mind tells you otherwise as it tricks you into thinking a great discovery will be unveiled or an announcement will be made.
7 reasons why you should switch from fixed to growth mindset NOVEMBER 3, 2017 It's easy to have a fixed mindset. We all do it. In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time...
It’s exactly a year today that I launched Master Fixer. Happy Birthday to me! 🙂
I never thought of myself as a coach, I have a brilliant and varied career. It sort crept up on me and now it feels like the most natural thing in the world and I have never been happier. Listen to my first ever podcast here >>http://bit.ly/2zb6SUv
Here are my top 12 take aways and what I have learned in my first 12 months in business.
Do you sit there in the evening with your phone or device (or both) pinging and buzzing away – your partner/ husband / wife or child looks daggers at you as they think you’re “playing” on Facebook and have NO IDEA you are running your business and it just doesn’t stop because they want some one-on-one time! So lets explore some simple top tips how not to freak yourself out with notification fatigue without losing your mind or your business.
It took me 30 years of semi coaching peers, colleagues, friends to realise that it was my “thing,” the work that didn’t feel like work. A mass of experience, several recessions later, a ton of business qualifications and whole lot of fun, enter stage left the “thing” I was always meant to do. A calling, no that sounds too “woo woo.” The business that felt real to me, the work that I was always meant to do. That really did have dramatic impact and helped transform people’s lives as it transformed their business.
I talk about business goals all the time. I talk about income goals all the time. I talk about life goals a lot!
I jumped on a call this lunchtime and heard a coach I find super inspiring talk about a different set of goals and it got me thinking. He talked about 4 new ones I hadn’t even considered.
Running your own business is the dream of many people. Being your own boss, setting your own hours and working tirelessly on something that you actually love doing. But it’s certainly not for the faint hearted. Long hours, no guarantee of income and managing yourself all take sheer grit and determination. Do you have what it takes to succeed? Here are some of the top qualities you need to run a business, and a successful one at that.
How hyphotherapy changed their business OCTOBER 19, 2017I have to share this with you.... I have started working recently with a number of bright, creative and highly talented Generation Ys. (defined as currently aged 20-35, or born between 1980 and the end of 1994...
Now if you’re reading this and cursing me, please be aware that I was a single mum of 2 little girls when they were 2& 4 (they are now 21 & 18) and I was a single mum for about 9 years. So I really do know what I am talking about and how hard it is to juggle everything.
When did we have to differentiate gender is identifying our business roles. Surely we are entrepreneurs and we are leaders within our business sectors? I am a mum and love being a mother, but I am an entrepreneur and proud of that – I am willing to be compared to my male colleagues and peers, I don’t need a sub title – thanks all the same.
In both our personal and professional life, there are always three things which can happen to us and can be altered by us; chances, choice and change.
Business owners are busy people. That’s no secret. Instead of making excuses they make a plan. They set goals. They monitor their productivity, results and actions to ensure time and resources aren’t being wasted and that the end result is what was aimed for. Having an accountable list in which to work from not only gives you targets to aim for, but allows you to monitor your progress.
Want to change your life? Change the way you think.OCTOBER 4, 2017 I don't like graffiti. I just don't like it. I used to think that it was unnecessary, I didn't recognise the talent, saw it as ugly and thought those caught should be prosecuted. I recognise now that...
Love what you do. Do what you love. OCTOBER 2, 2017It has long been suggested and studied, with the great Chinese leader Confucius making the best quote of all; “choose a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” The inspirational Steve Jobs has even...
How to avoid being a marketing and sales loser! 26 SEPTEMBER, 2017The mornings and evenings are darker, I'm deliberating turning the central heating on and I love the idea of chunky knits and autumnal walks.New season usually marks changes... So this morning I ran my...
Your life and your experiences help you become a better person, a better business person, a better friend, parent and partner. My experiences have helped me become a much better business coach.
Enjoy my top tips, get started today and let month end madness be a thing of the past!
Indulge me, don’t think of a list of things you need to get done, switch your thinking, reframe how you think of time and reposition your time as opportunities. You’ll be surprised what a difference it makes!
Running a business is a minefield. Understanding the numbers and the deep numbers is like having a metal detector to establish whether you have controls, visibility and you know what and when to pull those levers!
Think Big. Get Results You Need in 5 Simple Steps AUGUST 24, 2017 Lots of business owners I know and work with desire a bigger business, bigger results, more time to themselves and more sleep! I could write pages of suggestions, great recommendations and top...
So, if your business year hasn’t turned out the way you had planned. This is a great time. The best bit is you get to press the STOP button, the R E F R E S H button and treat September like a brand new start.
9 top tips to DOUBLE your income in 90 days. AUGUST 4, 2017 Hey listen there are so many people out there - my Facebook feed is FULL of people claiming they have the secret source, the greatest gift and for $5000 they are going to show you how to earn a 7...
If you want to uplevel your business, yourself, your business networking, leadership, and time management skills, it’s time to get reading. Here are my favouite
These 11 top time saving resources, have helped to keep my small business organised and running efficiently and effectively.
The buck stops with you! Only you can make it happen – so lets look at how we can create more value in your business.
Having had 2 little people, a full time self employed job and being a single mum I remember the juggling. So I hope you enjoy them and as the summer holidays are less than 6 weeks away – get planning.
You’ve made the leap from being an employee to owning a business. Now how do you stay ahead and drive your business forward? Enter right – your business coach the person who helps you move from where you are to where you want to be, and does so by solely focusing on your goals. Read more…
It takes guts to launch a new business. It takes grit and determination. It is hard work and no one ever sees the late nights and the early mornings and the sacrifices that are made. Find out more on my blog post.
I love networking and dislike networking in equal measures. Learn about the 5 main networking personalities and which ones to avoid!
Find out why its critical to get your ASK into gear and why if you don’t get if you don’t ask is important for the success of your business. Read more here:
Call it brand, call it your business DNA. Find out what your business DNA says about you…
❌ STOP COMPARING ❌ START LIVING YOUR LIFE AND STOP LIVING OTHERS PEOPLES LIVES.
Social media is amazing but let’s be honest it’s where we can see everyone else’s achievements in all their splendid glory. So when it comes to comparing what’s happening in our lives, it’s pretty hard when we are faced with it day in day out, scroll in scroll out. Read more…
Are you frustrated with the pace of change in your business? Do you need to take action but its just not working fast enough for you? Any of this sound familiar?? OK, got 2 minutes? Read more …
Join me with these 7 Top Tips to Make You Unstoppable in business in life: The good news is that anyone can develop and perfect these qualities to become unstoppable in their pursuit of your dreams, your passions and your goals. Read more …
When you have a Goal and a Plan, you increase the likelihood of achieving your goals x 10 times, by 1000%! Learn 4 great steps to plan like a professional so you max out your chance of success. Read more…
Knowing your business numbers and the levers you need to pull to drive your business forward are critical. Read more here:
5 easy steps to get great testimonials APRIL 12, 2017 Hell it's not rocket science, but when did you last ask? Yes get them to email you but better still make it V I S I B L E to the outside world. There's no point have a great testimonial from a client...
7 reasons why coffee with business works! APRIL 9, 2017 So this week is UK Coffee Week, and it got me thinking.... when did we all get so stuck on coffee shops? I remember as a teenager going out to meet friends and making a "pot of tea" last for hours for 4 of...
5 things a busy business women needs to outsource immediately! APRIL 9, 2017 Did you know its National Gardening Week this week, can I tell you how much I really hate gardening! I'm just not good at it, I do not have green fingers and to be truthful it bores...
How to let go of the fear of fucking up! APRIL 3, 2017 It's quite common you know. I know we all think we are special and we are, we really are. BUT many many people are fearful of failure. So try and understand why you feel the way you do. Many of us are...
So that’s the first lesson – ‘things’ do not bring happiness. The second lesson I learned is that if you don’t feel good, there’s no point to it. As feeling good is all we really truly want to be and to have.
6 benefits an entrepreneur can enjoy by hiring a business coach MARCH 13, 2017 As a successful entrepreneur, you probably know exactly what you want and how to get it. You are driven, determined and a self-starter. So if you have all these great qualities, why...
Got what it takes to be a business athlete? MARCH 12, 2017 World class athletes report they fulfil over 90%of their potential, however non-athletes in senior positions in business typically report they fulfil around 40%. This is a shocking statistic and yet the...
Intention + Action = Results MARCH 12, 2017 Commit yourself to be #allin to what you want, see it, feel it, know that it will be and watch what happens. It does not magically happen but your change of mindset impacts your actions, your actions become more...
5 tips to get luckier in business MARCH 8, 2017 I and totally with Thomas Jefferson on this subject... I am a great believer in luck. The harder I work the luckier I am. Thomas Jefferson. It's about hard work, but it is mixed with opportunity and being in the...
8 marketing tips to get you more clients MARCH 7, 2017 Everyone needs clients. FACT! Whether you are producing or selling a product or you are providing we all needs clients, someone who wants what we have. Ok so you’ve heard about the law of attraction and...