Mandy Schumaker

PERFORMANCE COACH, TRAINER AND SPEAKER

Productivity

Are You Taking Enough Action Every Day?

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“People often say that motivation doesn’t last.
Well, neither does bathing –
that’s why we recommend it daily.” – Zig Ziglar

I’ve seen it time and time again. Two entrepreneurs who start their businesses at relatively the same time, similar businesses, both have similar backgrounds, yet one of them become much more successful than the other. What is it that the more successful one has over the other? It’s all around taking action…every single day.

As entrepreneurs, it’s so easy to get caught up in the day to day of running our businesses, that we can lose sight of our bigger goals. I see it with my own private coaching clients. There are those that work to stay motivated and take massive action every day. They are the ones who are willing to do what others aren’t willing to do, to get up earlier, stay up later, make one more call, attend one more networking event, step out of their comfort zone to do more speaking, or start a blog etc. And these are the clients who are consistently doubling and tripling their year over year income.

What’s enough action you might ask? I would ask you to answer these questions:

What opportunities are in front of you right this minute, that you are not taking advantage of?

Where are you falling prey to resistance?

What things have been on your “to do” list for too long, and by taking action on them immediately could help catapult your business in a big way?

The difference between a doer and dreamer is the amount of action that follows their visions. You must implement! Action is an issue of personal responsibility. You are solely responsible for the choices in your life and you are responsible for every action and non-action. You must accept that it is YOUR responsibility to take action.

So where can you be taking more action, starting today? Look at what you’ve been resisting, where you’ve stopped short, what’s been on your “to do” list for far too long. Make a plan, set a time limit for completion and get moving!

Mandy works with talented, bright, high energy self employed professionals and very small businesses who struggle to market their business effectively, stretch their capacity and play a bigger game. Mandy’s client’s receive proven, specific information on what they need to do to get more clients and grow their business. As a result, those who coach with Mandy increase their business, get more clients and make more money, faster and easier than they ever would have on their own.

Sign up for her free Cd “7 Productivity Secrets of Successful Entrepreneurs” at www.mandyschumaker.com. Or contact her at 207-653-6977


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You Must Be Clear On What You Want

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In a conversation this week with a new client, I asked, “If you could wave a magic wand, where would your business be 12 months from now?” He spoke about wanting to transition his work from acrylic to oil paints (he’s an artist), hopefully get into a state museum, and get into a couple of galleries outside of New England. I asked him if he had an income goal in mind and he had to stop and think a minute and said, “It would be great if I could get to $60,000”. When I asked him how he was doing towards that number…he didn’t know.

I must say, I am consistently surprised how many entrepreneurs I speak with aren’t clear on how much they want to make. It’s almost like they are afraid of drawing that line in the sand, because it then means that they have to commit to making it…or not.

It’s important to be absolutely clear on what you want for, and from, your business. In my experience of working with entrepreneurs the past ten years, I can tell you that those clients that knew where they wanted to be in their businesses 12 months, three years, five years and ten years down the road, have hands down been more successful than those that weren’t clear on what they wanted or where they wanted to go.

And the clearer you are with yourself about what you want to accomplish, the more clear it will be to the Universe to help support you in the effort. So if you have not written down what you want to make in the next twelve months, I would request that you do it today. Write the number down, in pen and put it somewhere where you can see it once a week or so. I am confident that in twelve months, you will be pleasantly surprised with the results!

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Do You Take The “No Excuses” Approach?

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We have forty million reasons for failure, but not a single excuse.
Rudyard Kipling

“I’m too busy right now”, “Next year is probably a better time to start”, “I need to wait until the kids get settled into school”, “I need to wait until after the holidays”, “It was just really crazy last week, and I couldn’t get it done” “Are you kidding me, I can’t afford that now.”

Sound familiar? These are often the excuses we tell ourselves in our business. Even when we have the very best intentions to get more clients, build our business, attend more networking events, write a book, start a blog or newsletter, or start a new product.

I’m so surprised how often people stop themselves from doing something they say they REALLY want to do in their lives or business by using excuses. And what it boils down to is the INNER SELF DOUBT that consistently allows people who SAY they want more clients or to make more money in their business to question, over think and become unwilling to take the steps or do the work that can create the result. And it’s that same inner self-doubt that creates the excuses that come up, “I don’t know how to sell”, “I can’t afford that now”, and “I’m not sure that’s right for MY business.”

This inner self-doubt, the questioning everything, and the not taking serious ACTION when the solution shows up, all comes down to one thing that’s called…SELF SABOTAGE.

You need to realize that THE limitation around getting to the next level in your business is created by your own mindset. Once you realize that, you can change your perspective, stop using excuses and make the commitment to “just go for it”.

Here’s a process that I’ve seen work with myself and in my clients recently:

  • They make a firm decision (to succeed, to attend something, to write that book, buy something)
  • They stop over thinking and start looking at what’s in front of them in terms of solutions and possibilities
  • They spend time quieting the inner critic and the relentless self doubt
  • They are totally committed and they get very creative in looking at different ways of making it happen
  • They take ACTION in spite of the fear and self doubt

Once you make the decision to succeed, it’s time to commit to doing whatever it takes to make it happen.

Whatever it takes.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT:

Answer this question: What is it that you are wanting to do that you’re stopping yourself with excuses or money or time?

Make a list-be honest with yourself and if you see yourself doing this very thing…

Answer this question: How BADLY do you want this thing, whatever it is?

If it’s something you want really badly, then you need to approach it as a life or death situation. Shut all the “back doors” and “ways out”, stop with the excuses and start taking bold, decisive action towards what you say you want in your business or your life. It’s about saying YES to what’s possible for you, saying YES to all the opportunities that are before you.

Nothing is impossible; there are ways that lead to everything, and if we had sufficient will we should always have sufficient means. It is often merely for an excuse that we say things are impossible.
Francois La Rochefoucauld

Do The Thing You Fear The Most…

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You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do. Eleanor Roosevelt

I have always been moved (and motivated) by this quote by Eleanor Roosevelt. And this quote was much on my mind last week when I had the opportunity to go waterskiing for the first time in over ten years! And in the salt water no less! I had learned to waterski in a lake when I was a child, then didn’t do much after I was in my twenties. I think I’ve been twice in the last 30 years. When I had mentioned early last week to a friend who owns a boat and often water ski’s , that in my 50th year, I had on my list to water ski again, he called me on Sunday (a beautiful day) and said, “this is the day-get ready”.

I was excited, but also VERY nervous and scared. While this was really something I wanted to do, all of the sudden, my stomach got a bit tight, my palms started to feel a bit sweaty, I got a very serious look on my face, according to my eight year old, and I started to think of all the things that might happen if I actually tried it. I might really hurt myself, an old knee injury might reappear, my back hadn’t been so great recently, I might get tripped up on a lobster pot. I wear contact lenses and had to take them out in case I took a big spill and that made me feel even more vulnerable.

The negative-worse-case-scenario-thinking went on and on and on…. This is how many of us react when we come face to face with our fears, even when it’s something we really want, or know is best for us. Whether it’s deciding to finally quit our corporate job and start our own business, or making that fifth sales call on a potentially big client who’s turned you down four previous times, or maybe it’s asking for help on how to become a better leader for our organization, or finally realizing in order to grow your business, you need to ask for some support and guidance to help you finally make the move.

In my experience of coaching clients for over ten years, have found that most fear comes from the fear of failure: loss of income, job, relationship, self-esteem, confidence etc. As I sat on the boat contemplating whether I was actually going to water ski, I thought about all the big, hairy audacious goals I had asked of my clients, requesting they face their fears, take action and make the huge strides in their businesses and personal lives that they wanted. My job is asking people to do the thing they fear the most…because you know you’re onto something really good when you get to people’s fears. So there I was standing on the dock, wondering if I should get in the boat, or give up my water skiing notion.

I decided to use the Greek’s “burn the boats” theory, when the Greek’s came ashore for a battle, they burned their boats upon arrival, so they would be stranded on the island and it insured their confidence in winning the battle. I left my contact lenses ashore, donned my wetsuit and life jacket and jumped in the boat where we headed out beyond the lobster pots, jumped in the water with my skis on with my kids shouting, “Mama, just say, ‘I think I can, I think I can’ and you will.” I jumped in the water and got up on the first try. It was exhilarating! We made one big loop then I motioned to take me in, where I dropped the rope. That’s when I thought of one of my other favorite quotes:

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage” Anais Nin

Where can you expand your life? What fears can you make friends with today, in order to gain strength, courage and confidence? Remember, you must do the thing you fear the most… If this particular post resonates with you and you would like help and support in creating a plan of action for your business or personal life, please feel free to contact me at 207.767.2634 or at mandy@mandyschumaker.com.

5 Proven Tips To Increase Your Productivity

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Did you know the average person spends 2.1 hours in distraction every day?  2.1 hours!!  And that every 11 minutes, we get distracted at work by e-mail, Facebook, texting etc?  And were you aware that it takes 25 minutes for each of us to refocus our minds and get back to the task at hand after we’ve been pulled off?

It’s no wonder many times we feel like we aren’t getting anything done or can’t get traction on a project, report or idea…because we can’t…we’re distracted. 

I have found this in my own business, constantly checking e-mail to see what just came in, or checking Twitter or Facebook and losing an hour and a half looking at various blogs and websites.  It’s not that Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites aren’t helpful or interesting, they certainly are, and they have their usefulness, but not when they get in the way of staying focused on doing business.  In a world full of distraction, it’s so important to stay focused in our businesses and organizations so we can innovate and implement.

I hear from clients all the time, “I really wish I could be more efficient”, or “Gee, I can’t seem to stay focused on anything’, or “I’ve been trying to get to that idea for months”.   We now live in a culture where our brains are constantly on the go, there is little if no downtime for us to just be.

There are however, things we can do for ourselves that help us increase our productivity, stay focused and feel more in control of our work lives.

1-Work in 90 minute cycles

New research has shown that working in 90 minute cycles increases productivity.  When you schedule your day (preferable the night before), schedule several 90 minute increments when you can focus on one task or project.  Turn off your e-mail, Facebook, Twitter etc. set an alarm for 90 minutes and work uninterrupted until the alarm goes off.  When the 90 minutes are up, take a quick break, go for a walk, or get a drink of water.

2-Make ONE to do list

This is from David Allen bestseller, Getting Things Done.  Make one to-do list putting everything you need to get done for the day on it.  This includes things from your work and personal life.  Make sure you schedule your most difficult or important tasks during the time of day when you are at your best.  If you are a morning person, schedule them in the morning, if you are an evening person, schedule them then.

3-Get enough sleep

It’s a fairly well known fact that Americans do not get enough sleep.  When you don’t get enough sleep, it can greatly impact your productivity.  If you are someone who doesn’t get enough sleep, try this experiment.  For two weeks, schedule yourself for eight hours of sleep a night. At the end of two weeks assess: how you feel, what you’ve accomplished and your overall general well-being.  Do you notice a significant difference?

4-Schedule periods of unstimulated time

I have a client who last weekend decided to turn off all electronics for the whole weekend.  No I-Phone, I-Pad, TV-nothing.  This is a guy who is constantly “plugged in”. He spent the weekend doing things with his family, exercising and reading, and relaxing. He reported by Monday, he felt so much more refreshed, relaxed and really ready to return to work.  It’s important to schedule unstimulated time during the day or week.  Try it-you may be surprised how it positively impacts your productivity.

5-Move your body

Find some time everyday to move your body.  Workouts at a gym, walking at lunch, walking or riding your bike to work, meditating, or just doing some stretches before going to bed.  Anything that gets you to move your body everyday will help improve your productivity. 

The best news about productivity is, we are in total control of influencing whether we are increasing our decreasing our productivity.  I invite you to try these five tips for the next couple of weeks and see if it makes a difference in your business!  If you’d like some help and support in your efforts, feel free to contact me at 207-653-6977 or mandy@mandyschumaker.com for a complimentary session.

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Feeling Stuck? Five Tips To Get Yourself Unstuck And Back On Track

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It happens to all of us at varying times.  We get stuck.  We know what we “want” to be doing, or where we “should” be going, or what we “ought” to be achieving.  But something is holding us back between what we desire and where we are in our job, business, or life.  As a leadership coach, I often work with clients who are stuck. Stuck in their current job or position.  Stuck in a business they don’t find fun or fulfilling anymore. Perhaps they’ve gotten caught up in the details and have lost sight of their intended vision or outcome.  Or perhaps they are unable to focus on what they really want because they have a fear of the unknown, or a loss of confidence.  Often times they just feel plain overwhelmed and don’t know where to start and can’t make a decision.  Whatever the reason, it’s painful, frustrating and downright depressing to be stuck. 

If you are a leader or business owner, being stuck also has an impact on our employees and organizations.  New ideas, projects and innovation within our organizations are jeapordized.  Your direct reports feel frustrated that things are not moving forward and there is probably a loss of trust and respect.  Productivity and profitability are compromised and customers may start to lose interest and patience with your products and services.

Again, we all get stuck at different times of our lives but what’s most important is how we choose to move through what’s keeping us stuck.  After working over the years, with clients who have found themselves stuck in a job or business,  I have found the five following tips help get most people unstuck and moving toward their goal and vision.

1) Consider playing a bigger game.  Perhaps your goal is too small and you are bored, which if the case, will clearly not motivate you to take action and move forward.  Look at your vision or goal…and double it!

2) Perhaps your goal is too large and you need to play a smaller game.  If your goal is too big, you could easily get overwhelmed and stuck in a rut.  So either set a smaller goal, or set milestones along the way and target those.

3) Do the opposite. What might happen if you started doing the opposite of what you’ve been doing to help move yourself forward, or reach your goal?  Sometimes taking a 180 or even a 90 degree turn is what’s needed to help move you along.

4) Ask yourself:  Is this really the goal I want, or is this a “should” goal.  So often I ask my clients this question when they are stuck and many, many times it’s a “should” goal.  Not something that’s coming from your heart.  Fill in the blank and answer the question, “If I do _______________, am I doing it to make ME happy or just to make someone else happy?”

5) Identify your top five values.  This is a very helpful exercise in getting clear on what values in your life are most important to you.  Only then can you authentically move forward towards a goal or objective that clearly expresses your value(s).  Working with a coach or mentor is an excellent way to identify your value list, which helps create the cornerstones for any change, movement, goal or objective you hope to achieve.

I would really welcome your comments  on this subject.  If you’ve found a successful way in helping get yourself unstuck,  I would love to hear from you.  In the meantime, if any of this post resonates with you and you’d like to have some support on getting yourself unstuck,  please feel free to call me at 207-653-6977.

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