Cathy Stucker - The Idea Lady

Attract Customers and Make Yourself Famous

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Work with Cathy
  • Resources
  • About

Making a Fresh Start

June 29, 2009 by Cathy Stucker 3 Comments

fresh-startI just got a new laptop computer and decided it was time to get my computing life in order. It would be easy (well, relatively) to just move everything from the old laptop to the new one, but that would mean transferring a lot of out-of-date and unneeded programs, documents and other files. Instead, I am looking at this as a chance to make a fresh start. I am taking my time setting up the new machine. I am asking questions about what programs I need, how my data should be organized and more. The idea is to keep the new computer working faster and better for as long as possible.

The same principle applies to other areas of life and business, too. Is it time to clear out your email inbox, uncover your desk, or rethink your to-do list? Here are some steps that will help you to make a fresh start.

Concentrate on one area at a time. Avoid overwhelming yourself by trying to get control of your work, your home, your online life and everything else at once. Decide that today (or this week) you are going to take control of one aspect (e.g., your to-do list) and start there. Then move on to the next area.

Clear out the old. When email gets out of hand, some people simply declare “email bankruptcy,” delete everything in their inboxes, and start with new emails coming in. That seems a bit extreme, but there may be times when that is necessary. Likewise, if you are cleaning off your desk, you might start by sweeping everything into a box so you have a clear surface to work with, then organize into the space in a way that works.

Make a plan. What is most important? Set priorities based on what has the greatest value to you. That can mean monetary value, but it can also include personal satisfaction or other values. Make sure that those high-value priorities will get your attention and not be lost in the clutter.

Get help. If you aren’t sure how to go about it, get help by reading a book, taking a class or hiring an organizer or other professional to help you. The time and money you invest will be repaid with your increased productivity and reduced stress.

Do it. Just attack the problem areas head-on. Be ruthless. Throw out stuff (physical or virtual) that you do not need. Take those no longer relevant, never gonna do ‘em projects off your to-do list.

Stay on top of it. As new things come to you, deal with them right away. Don’t let unread magazines pile up because you are going to read them “later.” Read them or toss them. The rule about only touching things once may not work for everything, but it is an ideal to work toward.

Need some inspiration to get started? Every organizer I have ever spoken to says that they invariably find checks, cash and other valuables buried in piles of paper when they organize someone. Streamlining and de-cluttering will not only help you find things you have lost, they will keep you from missing opportunities in the future.

Filed Under: Getting Things Done, Success Tagged With: Getting Things Done, new, organize

Make Yourself Uncomfortable

June 22, 2009 by Cathy Stucker 8 Comments

uncomfortable-raccoonWhat makes you uncomfortable? Perhaps it’s cold calling or speaking in front of a group. Maybe you find it hard to talk with strangers at networking events, or you don’t like to write, or … whatever. If you never venture out of your comfort zone, you’re missing lots of opportunities to grow your business. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Motivation and Inspiration, Success Tagged With: goals, Motivation, Success

Creating Trust in Client Relationships

June 15, 2009 by Cathy Stucker 1 Comment

trustPeople do business with those they trust. That trust can be developed in many ways. If they can visit your place of business, see you face to face, get comfortable with you, and know they can come to you if they have a problem, they will be more likely to trust you and to buy from you.

But what if you do business with people over the web, or by phone or mail? How can you build trust?

Of course, it is important to provide excellent products and services. Whenever customers decide to do business with you, they will know their trust was well-placed.

Here are some ways you can encourage them to make that first purchase:
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Dealing with Clients, Reputation Management, Success Tagged With: client relationship, clients, relationship marketing

Setting Goals and Making Them Happen

May 25, 2009 by Cathy Stucker 4 Comments

goalsWhat do you want to accomplish? Here are eight simple steps to setting and achieving your goals.

Find out what your unconscious goal is by studying what you have accomplished so far.

The choices you have made led you to where you are today. Even if you say you are not happy with the way your life is today, you made those choices for a reason.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Getting Things Done, Success Tagged With: goal setting, goals, reach goals, setting goals

You Know It, But Do You KNOW It?

January 7, 2009 by Cathy Stucker 1 Comment

lightbulbA lot of people dismiss good information and advice by saying, “I already know that.” But do they really KNOW it?

The difference between knowing something and KNOWING it is the difference between having an intellectual understanding and making it part of your being so that you actually do it.

You may understand that something is important or necessary but, for whatever reason, not take the action required to put your knowledge to work.

For example, I recently wrote that, “I know that I should have scalability built into everything I do. Do I always do it as well as I could? Uh, not necessarily. I know it but I don’t KNOW it.” It is one of the areas where I need to improve in order to grow my business, and I am taking action to make that happen.

The next time you hear yourself saying, “Yeah, I know that,” ask if you really KNOW it. How are you using the knowledge you claim to have? And what action will you take to make that knowledge work for you?

Filed Under: Success Tagged With: Knowledge, Scalability

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • Next Page »

Search

Join Me! (Get Free Stuff!)

Get useful tips and techniques to build your business, plus member-only exclusives such as free webinars, as an IdeaLady Insider. It's free!

I respect your privacy & will NEVER sell, rent or share your email address. More than a policy, it's my Privacy Pledge.

Connect with Cathy

 Facebook Google+ Twitter YouTube Pinterest LinkedIn Flickr StumbleUpon RSS Amazon Author Central

Recent Articles

  • 3 Strategies for Quick & Easy Content Creation
  • What to Ask When Hiring a Ghostwriter
  • Take a Real Break – Fully Disengage
  • You Get an Extra Day
  • Need Customers? Borrow Some!

Categories

Be an Expert Blogging Business Cards Business Start Ups Cash Content Copywriting Creating Information Products Creative Ideas Creative Marketing Strategies Creativity Customer Service Customer Testimonials Dealing with Clients Email Getting Things Done Growing Your Business Guest Posts Image Internet Marketing Life Lessons Making Changes Making Good Decisions Marketing Market Research Monday Morning Messages Money and Finances Motivation and Inspiration Mystery Shopping Networking Online Business Passive Income Persuasion Positive Thinking Pricing Productivity and Time Management Publicity Public Speaking Running Your Business Sales Search Engine Optimization Social Media Success Technology Working Smarter Writing and Publishing

Learn About

Mystery Shopping
Book Publishing
Marketing
Becoming an Expert
Free Publicity

Return to top of page

Copyright © 1998 - 2021 Cathy Stucker - All Rights Reserved