 |
5 Essential Habits to Protect your Most Essential Commodity
Author: Melanie Benson Strick  | Posted: 13-08-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 14 | Rating: (51)  (?) 
 A couple of years ago I was at a leadership conference where one of the keynotes, Suzanne de Passe of Motown Productions, talked about protecting the entrepreneurs’ greatest commodity – our energy. Suzanne’s key comment was “how you spend your energy is how you measure your success.”
Boy did that strike a chord!
Why? Because every entrepreneur I know at some point on their ascent to success has to take a look at how they have used (or abused) their most vital lifeline – their energy.
Think about it. As an entrepreneur we are everything to our company. We are the creative spark, the leader, the manager, the product fulfiller, the customer service rep, the sales and marketing team (you get the point, right?) The one thing that keeps us going is our energy. What do we do if our energy is gone?
Let’s take a look at Sue. Sue has been going non-stop for months. She sleeps about 4 hours a night, has 15 – 20 crises a day, and truly believes that every single idea she has is a million-dollars waiting to happen. So every idea must be completed yesterday. Sue’s husband and friends haven’t seen her in weeks. She can’t possibly slow down for food, let alone a social event.
One day Sue finds herself feeling a bit sluggish. Pushing through it (I mean she is a super-hero after all, what’s a little tiredness) she finds herself two weeks later with a little cold. The cold turns into a chronic illness that takes over her life and takes down her momentum. Confused, frustrated and overwhelmed, Sue finds that she can barely get up to eat, let alone accomplish any work.
Now this may sound a bit extreme – but is it really? I don’t think so. I can’t tell you how many people I know who have literally been drop-kicked out of the game because their energy gave out. They got sick, tired, and depleted. (Yes, I admit, me too.)
So how do we protect this most vital commodity that is so precious? Here are a few ideas.
1. Always take care of yourself first. No matter what. No excuses. Workout at the gym, eat healthy, meditate, have down time, or get a massage once a month. You must take care of yourself. It’s a lot less expensive to invest in your energy when you are healthy than if you are sick.
2. Don’t Try to Do Everything Alone. It’s exhausting. It’s overwhelming. And any successful person will tell you it’s impossible. Figure out a way to start delegating and getting support. Learn to apply the golden delegation rule of “opportunity cost.” If you can’t do it well and it costs someone else less to do it, outsource it! For help with learning to delegate, check out www.virtualteambuildingsecrets.com.
3. Learn to Say No. Oh this one is SO hard for most of us. You have to say no sometimes in order to support the “greater yes.” That means, in order to achieve our goals we have to say no to other people’s requests sometimes. It’s OK; you will still be loved and needed if you can’t do it all.
4. Know what’s Important. And even more critically, what’s not. If it doesn’t fit with your passion, values and goals, don’t do it. No matter what. Someone else will do it and everything will be just fine.
5. Release Tolerations. Tolerations are the things you put up with. Incomplete decisions, negative people, broken items, unresolved issues, etc. Tolerations can be HUGE energy drains, especially when it goes on and on. Make a plan to handle the tolerations in your life. Use our free resource at www.cleansweepchallenge.com.
One example of how I protect my energy: After I give a presentation or attend a long conference, I always book a day or two off from the office. I’ll usually get a massage. I’ll use the time to put into action the nuggets from the event. If I skip it, I find I’m completely loopy and exhausted and worthless to my clients.
In Suzanne’s keynote presentation, she wrapped up by saying “get a sense of humor.” I couldn’t agree more. The world is only as frustrating as we see it. When we go through life with a sense of humor, we can find the thread of joy in any situation. I found in my own life that infusing every situation with laughter could always take the stress away.
Life is too short to waste our most precious commodity. Protect your energy and you will see how your success multiplies. Deplete it and you will see your success shrink. The choice is yours. I hope you choose to be good to yourself.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/entrepreneurship-articles/5-essential-habits-to-protect-your-most-essential-commodity-197979.html
About the Author:About the Coach:
Melanie Benson Strick, The Entrepreneur’s Success Coach, teaches entrepreneurs how to stop feeling overwhelmed so they can create more money, more freedom and more prestige.
If you’re ready to stop working in your business and start working on your business, go to www.virtualteambuildingsecrets.com to learn the secret to growing your company to a six and seven-figure success without employees or a 90-hour work week!
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Do you Have a Hobby or a Real Business: 6 Key Indicators to Know the Difference
By: Melanie Benson Strick | 14/06/2007 | Entrepreneurship
As every business owner knows, almost every business is born from a passion for “some thing” that we think we can do better on our own. The need for freedom, independence and unlimited earning potential gets the better of us and the next thing you know, you are in business for yourself.
What Does Bodie Miller Have to Do With your Success?
By: Melanie Benson Strick | 14/06/2007 | Entrepreneurship
Bodie Miller is at the top of his game. The guy is an AWESOME skier, his face has been plastered on major magazine covers, a Nike commercial features him skiing, and he is on the USA Olympic team. To those of us on the outside, Bodie Miller is at the top
of his game – right?
The Insider Secrets to not Losing your Shirt on your Client’s Next Project
By: Melanie Benson Strick | 13/08/2007 | Entrepreneurship
My client Anna called me last week, completely frustrated, about an unfolding nightmare with her new client. Anna had recently accepted a new client who had an exciting project. They discussed what specific needs the client had, and Anna determined that it would fit in her schedule. She received a down payment for the work, and scheduled the time in her calendar.
Your Focus Can Make or Break a Million Dollar Opportunity: a “real Life” Story
By: Melanie Benson Strick | 26/04/2007 | Entrepreneurship
I think we all have heard the adage, “What you focus on expands.” So why is it then that business owners and entrepreneurs will spend countless hours and tons of resources focused on solving the problems in their business? Why aren’t they focused on the opportunities all around them? Here’s a real life story that will explain why.
6 Common Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make Trying to Grow Their Bottom Line
By: Melanie Benson Strick | 26/04/2007 | Entrepreneurship
Have you ever felt like you were running a rat race? Everything seems like it takes forever, costs 10 times as much as you expected and you still feel like you are a million miles away from achieving your financial goals?
A Little Secret to Skyrocket your Success
By: Melanie Benson Strick | 05/04/2007 | Entrepreneurship
Do you know anyone who over and over again makes poor choices in their life, in their business and particularly, in managing their time? Yes, you probably do. Have you ever found yourself struggling with a decision, not knowing what to do? Maybe you are faced with a poor performance employee who has been loyal yet you know they aren’t working out. Or perhaps you are being offered a chance-of-a-lifetime opportunity, but deep in your gut you don’t feel it is right.
7 Steps to Creating Million-dollar Results With your Own Mastermind Team
By: Melanie Benson Strick | 05/04/2007 | Entrepreneurship
“Mastermind” is the one of the greatest “secrets” to success. A Mastermind is a group of people who share a common vision and commit to leveraging each other’s brilliance, skills and big thinking to achieve their biggest dreams. Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich, talked about the power of masterminding almost 100 years ago! When you gather a small group of committed, successful people together and focus on your individual businesses – magic happens.
A Dirty Little Secret That’s Costing you your Profit…and your Sanity
By: Melanie Benson Strick | 13/02/2007 | Entrepreneurship
It can cost a lot of money to launch a product (and run a business!)
The truth is you have to spend money to make money. But at some point, you really must identify HOW MUCH you are willing and able to spend.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Name for a hot new bar openin up.
By: megan.padilla | 09-10-2007
I am going to open up a bar/sports bar within the next year, and i was wondering if any of you had any ideas for naming my bar? We will be open in the afternoon for football and food, and at night it will be more of a night club than a bar, or at least thats what i'm trying to do. . . any name ideas for my bar would be great. I really would like it to be an unforgetable name, that everyone will always want to go to my bar. Thanks.
Harry Potter DVD
By: natush | 30-09-2007
How many "Harry Potter" DVDs were sold worldwide in 2006?
Harry Potter DVD
By: natush | 30-09-2007
How many "Harry Potter" DVDs were sold worldwide in 2006??
What is the most expensive earrings in the world?
By: guia | 28-09-2007
What is the most expensive earrings in the world?
Question on Math Business: John Baxter signed a ...
By: cbusch | 27-09-2007
Question on Math Business:John Baxter signed a promissory note agreeing to pay the bank $950.00 in 45 days. If the bank charged $10.20 for the loan, what was the discount rate?
Im looking for Israeli young genius start up for a ...
By: Yoed Kadary | 27-09-2007
Im looking for Israeli young genius start up for a magazine story in the Japanees tv- any ideas?
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Entrepreneurship Articles
Big Move Across the Big Pond?
By: Joe D'eramo | 04/09/2008
Boston Pack and Ship’s international shipping provides door-to-port service
The U.s. Olympic Women's Gymnastics Team Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs Around the World
By: Susan L Reid | 04/09/2008
On August 15, 2008, Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson of the United States won the gold and silver medals in gymnastics at the Olympic Games. Watching their victory unfold from their unsettling start at the beginning of the Games was awe-inspiring. There is much today's woman entrepreneur can learn from the U.S. Olympics Gymnastics Team women about staying strong and focused when faced with the unexpected.
A Major Media Hit and not Even One Phone Call?
By: Anthony Mora | 04/09/2008
To be effective in this field you have to look at the big picture. Your short-term goals may not be met by a particular article or TV spot, but it affords you new, powerful ammunition to reach your long-term goals.
Why Should One be an Entrepreneur?
By: Chanakya | 04/09/2008
One may ask - Why should I be an entrepreneur? People will have their own subjective reasons for it but one objective and logical reason for the same is covered in this article.
Do You Have What it Takes to be Boss?
By: Pearlin Siow | 03/09/2008
Think you have what it takes to be your own boss? Check yourself against my list.
Google Endorses Use of 'get Google Ads' Free System
By: Michael Szodi | 03/09/2008
This product’s greatest endorser is Google itself! Believe that. As shocking as it may seem, Google hasn't a problem with this.
Real Estate Foreclosures - an Alternative
By: Greg Cox | 02/09/2008
Real estate foreclosure is a very popular market for people to enter that want to make extra money. The foreclosure business is difficult to break into. It requires high capital, has a low sale rate and the novice competes against people with a cost advantage. This article considers an alternative approach.
How to Become a Ticket Broker
By: Greg Cox | 02/09/2008
Being a ticket broker can be a very lucrative business. Any business comes with risks. The more you know about the industry, the more likely you are to make the correct decisions and stay profitable. This article describes some of the basic decisions ticket brokers need to understand and make.
More from Melanie Benson Strick
A Simple Formula to Guarantee an Instant “virtual Team” Return on Investment
By: Melanie Benson Strick | 08/09/2007 | Entrepreneurship
So what is the formula to know how to pay for your team? It’s very simple. Let’s start with a basic premise that one client is worth $350 per month to you and that you will outsource your bookkeeping at a rate of $35/hour for 10 hours a month.
The Four False Fears an Entrepreneur Must Overcome to Achieve 6 to 7 Figure Success
By: Melanie Benson Strick | 08/09/2007 | Entrepreneurship
Have you ever felt paralyzed by a fear that kept you from taking action? Or maybe you have a goal, project or commitment that you somehow continue to avoid – over and over and over again? These are signs that one of the False Fears may be present.
The Delegation Dilemma: 8 Keys to Know if It’s Time to Build a Virtual Team
By: Melanie Benson Strick | 08/09/2007 | Entrepreneurship
For the entrepreneur, cash flow is the make or break point. Interestingly enough, many of us will throw thousands of dollars at programs and products that suggest they will make us money but you will hold back from investing in the ONE KEY STRATEGY that is proven to help you achieve a six to seven figure income.
The Insider Secrets to not Losing your Shirt on your Client’s Next Project
By: Melanie Benson Strick | 13/08/2007 | Entrepreneurship
My client Anna called me last week, completely frustrated, about an unfolding nightmare with her new client. Anna had recently accepted a new client who had an exciting project. They discussed what specific needs the client had, and Anna determined that it would fit in her schedule. She received a down payment for the work, and scheduled the time in her calendar.
How to Transform Over-commitment, Way-too-busy and Debt:simple Strategy to Skyrocket Success
By: Melanie Benson Strick | 02/08/2007 | Entrepreneurship
What’s the number one difference between the hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs barely making it and the top 10% who are wealthy, successful and living a life that they love?
Six Steps to Create an Instant Shift in your Results
By: Melanie Benson Strick | 02/08/2007 | Entrepreneurship
What would you do if you knew that you could change your results in an instant? Would you create more money? More fun? More freedom? The ideal relationship?
7 Keys to Identifying an Ideal Partnership
By: Melanie Benson Strick | 20/07/2007 | Home Business
In the world of small business, it seems there is often a common quest: to find the ideal business partner. Usually this stems from a need to “get rid of” the roles or tasks that we struggle with. Like marketing, finance or sales.
Monkey Management: 3 Simple Solutions to Reclaim your Time, Focus, and Sanity
By: Melanie Benson Strick | 20/07/2007 | Business Opportunities
Do you ever feel like you are carrying the weight of a thousand people on your back? Somehow no matter how good you think you are at delegating it still feels like you have a thousand things to do. It’s a feeling many entrepreneurs, managers and business owners have. William Oncken, author of Management Time: Who's Got the Monkey, calls it “the monkey on your back.”
|
|
Business 
