Cathy Stucker - The Idea Lady

Attract Customers and Make Yourself Famous

Cloning Myself

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I have said for years that I need to clone myself in order to get everything done. Well, I have finally taken some steps in that direction.

No, I haven’t hooked up with some mad scientist who will make an exact copy of me. Instead, I am finding ways to outsource more tasks. For example, I recently hired a fulfillment service to handle many of the book orders I receive.

In addition to finding others to take care of things I have been doing, I am also clearing away some tasks and responsibilities. For the past few years, I have been president of a professional organization. My duties there were taking more time than I could spare, especially as the demands of my business continue to increase, so I have resigned from the board. I am still a member and will continue to be involved, but with a lesser time commitment than previously.

I am continuing to make changes to use the time I have in the most effective ways. As I take on new challenges, I am leaving behind old activities that have run their course or that I simply can no longer accommodate.

And, I am learning to say “no.” That simple, two-letter word will make a huge difference in your life, too. Learn when to say it, and don’t be afraid to do so.

Get the Help You Need by Hiring the Right Consultant

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You may know that I offer consulting services. It is a way for me to share expertise with others. You might be surprised to learn that I also use consulting services from others.

It is not unusual for consultants and other experts to seek advice from others who have expertise that is different from theirs. No matter how knowledgeable and successful anyone is, we all can learn from others.

I tend to be task-oriented, so I look for assistance in learning how to do things. Yes, I could probably learn on my own, through a process of trial and error, but why not cut to the chase and skip many of the mistakes?

When seeking advice, look for someone who has “been there, done that.” Someone who can show you the right path, and warn you about what is less likely to work. Someone who can answer the questions you have, and the ones you don’t yet know enough to ask.

Even if you are an expert in some areas, there are others who know more than you about some aspects of your business. For example, you may be great at helping others set and achieve goals, but not so good at marketing or web design. The secret to growing your business successfully is to find the people who can help you fill in the gaps in your knowledge and skills.

Learning more about my consulting services.

Get a Mentor (or Several Virtual Mentors)

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A mentor is anyone who can help you advance on your journey. It may be someone who takes you under his wing to teach you specific skills or introduce you to others who can help you. I consider anyone from whom I can learn to be a mentor, even if that learning takes place by reading a book or listening to an audio program.

When I was in the corporate world, I had mentors from whom I learned. They taught me skills that helped my thought processes, made me a better manager and more.

Since 1994, when I went into business for myself, I have had additional mentors. Some of them I knew. With others I had only online relationships. And there are some people I consider mentors with whom I have never had direct contact.

A mentor is anyone who can help you advance on your journey. It may be someone who takes you under his wing to teach you specific skills or introduce you to others who can help you. I consider anyone from whom I can learn to be a mentor, even if that learning takes place by reading a book or listening to an audio program.

Here are some ways you can learn from mentors:

Create a network of people in your industry. Some may be more advanced than you, while others are still beginners. It is likely, however, that all of you will be able to learn from each other. Even someone new to an industry has knowledge and experience they can share with others, and they may bring a fresh perspective to problem solving.

Offer a benefit to someone from whom you want to learn. Would you be willing to volunteer to work for them for a time, in exchange for the experience and knowledge? Could you help them make a contact or reach one of their goals, and develop a mutually-beneficial relationship?

Look for online relationships. It is often possible to contact even well-known experts through email. They may be willing to answer a simple question, or steer you in the right direction.

When you see someone succeeding, learn from them. Study what they do and how they do. Don’t copy them, but learn from them. Do they have skills you need to develop? How can you do so?

Many experts and industry leaders share their information through books, CDs, DVDs and other information products. Make it a habit to listen to one CD, take one online course, or read one book a week. (Or more, if you can make the time.)

Once you acquire ideas and inspiration, put them to use. It does no good to spend a lot of time learning if you do not use what you know.

Keep Learning

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What are you doing to keep learning?

Last week I attended the convention of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. These folks know how to put on a conference! There were lots of great educational sessions and networking opportunities. Attending an event like this not only gives me new brain food, it gets me excited about taking action, too.

Because the conference was in Grapevine, Texas, just “up the road a piece” from here in Sugar Land (well, about a five-hour drive, actually) I decided to drive.

This was my third road trip this year. I loaded some audio programs into my iPod and used the trip to stuff a bit more information into my brain while I drove. It seems that I don’t really listen to audio programs as well at home, because there are phone calls, laundry and other interruptions to distract me. Cars and airplanes have become my classrooms.

Between the conference itself and the drive up and back, I got lots of fresh ideas and inspiration to continue growing my business. I am already implementing some of them, and making plans to do more.

What are you doing to keep learning?