Empowered Enterprises

Arising from Value!

2012-01-18T10:48:00.000-05:00

Weekly PowerCall Context : ARISING FROM VALUE! Join us next week http://www.empowered-enterprises.com/PowerCalls.html

Game On!!

2012-01-09T17:27:00.002-05:00

Weekly PowerCall Context : GAME ON!! Join us next week http://www.empowered-enterprises.com/PowerCalls.html

BEGINNINGS!

2012-01-02T15:45:00.003-05:00

PowerCall Context for the Week: BEGINNINGS! Join us next week as we choose if, and how, the PowerCall will be in 2012!!
www.MeansDavis.com

Happy Holidays!! PowerCall Context for the Week: Creating Miraculous Experiences!

2011-12-21T09:01:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays!! PowerCall Context for the Week: Creating Miraculous Experiences!
MPower Network - http://www.empowered-enterprises.com/M-PowerNetwork.html

Powercall: CELEBRATE!

2011-12-13T10:05:00.003-05:00

PowerCall Context: Allowing Ourselves to Celebrate the Perfection of All of It!
Join Us!!! http://www.empowered-enterprises.com/M-PowerNetwork.html

Celebrating the Richness of Life

2011-12-06T11:13:00.001-05:00

PowerCall Context for the Week: Celebrating the Richness of Life!!
Join us! http://www.empowered-enterprises.com/M-PowerNetwork.html

Embracing the Gift in Ourselves and Others!

2011-11-29T08:19:00.001-05:00

PowerCall Context for the Week: Embracing the Gift in Ourselves and Others!
Experience Empowered Enterprises new offerings! www.Empowered-Enterprises.com

PowerCall Context: THANKSGIVING!

2011-11-22T09:44:00.001-05:00

PowerCall Context for the Week: Thanksgiving!!
Experience the NEW Empowered Enterprises! www.Empowered-Enterprises.com/M-PowerNetwork.html

PowerCall Context for the Week!

2011-11-15T12:31:00.001-05:00

PowerCall Context for the Week: Sharing the Light of Accomplishment!!!
Experience the NEW Empowered Enterprises! www.Empowered-Enterprises.com

PowerCall Context for the Week!

2011-11-09T10:25:00.000-05:00

Monday PowerCall Context for the Week: No Failures- Only Results Produced!
Join us - and the M-Power Network!!! www.Empowered-Enterprises.com/M-PowerNetwork.html

PowerCall Context & the NEW Empowered Enterprises!

2011-11-02T15:38:00.002-04:00

This week's PowerCall Context: 100% - Whole and Complete! Experience the New Empowered Enterprises!! www.Empowered-Enterprises.com/M-PowerNetwork.html

Global Access Program! Your PowerPlan: Your Path to Success!

2011-10-27T10:47:00.001-04:00

Join Us Nov 7th , 7-10pm, for this month's Global Access Program! Your PowerPlan: Your Path to Success!

http://www.empowered-enterprises.com/PowerPlan_Global_Access.html

PowerCall Context for the Week!

2011-10-26T12:12:00.003-04:00

PowerCall Context for the Week: Discovering Expansion!!
Join us next week - and connect with our community in the M-power Network!!
http://www.empowered-enterprises.com/M-PowerNetwork.html

PowerCall Context for the Week!

2011-10-17T13:46:00.001-04:00

Monday PowerCall Context for the week: Allowing Expansion!! Join us next week www.Empowered-Enterprises.com/EE_PowerCalls.html

PowerCall Context for the Week!

2011-10-11T10:10:00.000-04:00

Monday PowerCall Context for the week: THIS is What I Am Committed To!! Join us next week www.Empowered-Enterprises.com/EE_PowerCalls.html

2011-10-06T13:35:00.002-04:00

Get your tickets today for the next M-Power Event! CLARITY; VISION; RESOURCES; TOOLS; RESULTS!Powerful Careers, Designing & Living Fulfillment is a two day powerhouse for creating your future. We'll go through the five steps to create your personal brand, and create a strategic action plan for moving your career to the next level of success. http://www.empowered-enterprises.com/M-PowerEvents.html

2011-10-04T09:16:00.000-04:00

PowerCall Context for the Week: That's Exactly What I Needed to Hear! Join us next week!! www.empowered-enterprises.com/EE_PowerCalls.html And check out our new online community - M-Power Network!! www.Empowered-Enterprises.com/M-PowerNetwork.html

Building Wealth & Well-being Webinar

2011-09-27T12:06:00.000-04:00

Wealth Skills Building Wealth & Well-being Webinar October 19th, 2011Practical & SimpleLive Webinar in Two Sessions plus support for implementationThe Benefits:Self-confidence around money & financesUsing money to serve your lifeUsing money for your overall well-being A clear path to achieving your goals and building wealthSession 1: Planning for Abundance in the Flow of MoneyWhat you learn: Projecting Flow of Money for AbundancePurposeful Spending & SavingSecret to accessing the abundanceWhen: Wednesday, October 19, 2011, 8:00-9:30 pm EasternSession 2: Planning the Flow of Money for Financial SuccessWhat you learn: Planning for Income, Spending and SavingsSecrets of Successful Planning Tips for Successful Implementation When: Wednesday, October 26, 2011, 8:00-9:30 pm EasternAfter the webinar: Receive a system for planning and tracking your flow of moneyCreate a plan for your flow of moneyTrack the flow of moneyOptional Session 3: Support and Q&A Group CallFor successfully creating your plan and tracking the flow of moneyWhen: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, 8:00-9:00pm EasternTuition $175 per person Register on line @ http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2094999199or call (678) 478-5861

PowerCall Context & M-Power Network!

2011-09-27T09:39:00.003-04:00

PowerCall Context for the Week: A Game For life!! ** Experience the M-Power Network - Real People, Real Interactions, Real Life Results!! www.Empowered-Enterprises.com

PowerCall Context & M-Power Network!

2011-09-20T10:08:00.003-04:00

PowerCall Context for the week: Consciously Open! **Experience the M-Power Network! http://www.empowered-enterprises.com/M-PowerNetwork.html

PowerCall Context for the Week!!

2011-09-13T09:20:00.001-04:00

PowerCall Context for the Week: **Totally Open to Being Fully Alive!!Join us next week!! http://www.empowered-enterprises.com/EE_PowerCalls.htmlWeekly PowerDeal!! Fantastic introductory offers!! This week, DOUBLE YOUR INVESTMENT!! http://www.empowered-enterprises.com/Weekly_PowerDeals_.html

PowerCall Context for the Week

2011-07-26T12:07:00.001-04:00

PowerCall Context for the Week: Being in the presence of fulfillment! Join us next week! www.Empowered-Enterprises.com/EE_PowerCalls.html

PowerDeal: Empowered Dreams Network: The Coaching Club! Only $29. www.Empowered-Enterprises.com/Coaching_Club.html

PowerCall Context for the Week

2011-07-19T12:57:00.000-04:00

PowerCall Context for the Week: Living in Fulfillment of the Vision!! Join us next week! www.Empowered-Enterprises.com/EE_PowerCalls.html

PowerDeal for this week: Empowered Dreams Network: The Coahcing Club! Only $29! http://www.empowered-enterprises.com/Weekly_PowerDeals_.html

PowerCall Context for the week!

2011-07-12T09:23:00.000-04:00

Monday PowerCall Context for the week: Playing in Everything Else! Join us Next Monday for a powerful start to your week!
http://www.empowered-enterprises.com/EE_PowerCalls.html

PowerCall Context for the Week

2011-06-29T09:10:00.001-04:00

PowerCall Context for the week: Connecting in our Heart Space! Join us next Monday: www.Empowered-enterprises.com/EE_PowerCalls.html

This Weeks PowerDeal: Powerfully Presenting yourself 5 week coaching program.! http://www.empowered-enterprises.com/Weekly_PowerDeals_.html

PowerCall Context for the Week

2011-06-21T08:29:00.000-04:00

PowerCall Context for this week: Being the Gift!! http://www.empowered-enterprises.com/EE_PowerCalls.html

This week's PowerDeal - 3 months coaching for the price of one! http://www.empowered-enterprises.com/Weekly_PowerDeals_.html

PowerCall Context for the Week

2011-06-13T13:05:00.000-04:00

PowerCall Context for the Week: Living the Grand Adventure!! PowerDeal for the Week: 90 Day PowerPlan for $90 www.Empowered-Enterprises.com

PowerCall Context for the Week

2011-06-06T14:06:00.001-04:00

PowerCall Context for the week: We Are Where We Are: Experience the Adventure! PowerDeal for the Week: JumpStart Career Coaching package.
www.empowered-enterprises.com

PowerCall Context for the Week

2011-05-30T13:12:00.001-04:00

Recognizing heroes!!
Join us next week for the PowerCall! www.empowered-enterprises.com

POWERDEAL: JumpStart Career package: 90 Day career action plan and three months coaching!

PowerCall Context for the Week

2011-05-23T13:07:00.001-04:00

Monday PowerCall Context for the week: Letting the Light Shine!! Join us next Monday! www.Empowered-Enterprises.com/EE_PowerCall.html
Check online for the Weekly PowerDeal!!

PowerCall Context for the Week

2011-04-12T11:48:00.000-04:00

PowerCall Context for this week! SYNCHRONICITY IN BUSINESS!! This week's PowerDeal: 3 months Business Coaching!! www.Empowered-Enterprises.com

PowerCall Context for the Week 4/4/11

2011-04-04T17:16:00.000-04:00

This week's Monday PowerCall Context: PLAYING FULL OUT!!! See this week's PowerDeal, and join us next week! www.Empowered-Enterprises.com

Monday PowerCall Context for the Week 3-21-11

2011-03-21T13:13:00.001-04:00

PowerCall Context for the week: TARGET MARKETS!!
Weekly PowerDeal!! http://www.empowered-enterprises.com/Weekly_PowerDeals_.html
Join us next Monday! http://www.Empowered-Enterprises.com/EE_PowerCalls.htm

PowerCall Context for the Week 3/14/11

2011-03-14T15:07:00.000-04:00

Monday PowerCall Context for the week: Creating the Extraordinary Now!
Join us next week!! www.Empowered-Enterprises.com/EE_PowerCalls.html

PowerCall Context for the Week 3/7/11

2011-03-07T13:41:00.000-05:00

Monday PowerCall context for the week: What's the Opportunity for US?!!
Join us next week!! www.Empowered-Enterprises.com/EE_Powercalls.html

Monday PowerCall Context for the Week 2-28-11

2011-02-28T12:47:00.001-05:00

PowerCall Context for the week: Celebrate!! Listening for the Gold...
Join us next week!! www.empowered-enterprises.com/EE_PowerCalls.html

Monday PowerCall Context for the Week 2-21-11

2011-02-21T13:30:00.000-05:00

Monday PowerCall Empowering Context for this Week: JUST ASK!!!
Join us next Monday!! www.Empowered-enterprises.com/EE_PowerCalls.html

PowerCall Context for the Week 2-1411

2011-02-14T12:49:00.000-05:00

Monday PowerCall Empowering Context for this Week: Choosing Choice!
Join us next Monday!! www.Empowered-enterprises.com/EE_PowerCalls.html

PowerCall Context for the Week 2-7-11

2011-02-07T13:40:00.000-05:00

Empowering Context for the Week of 2/7/10: Clearly From the Heart!
Join us Next Week! www.Empowered-Enterprises.com/EE_PowerCalls.html

Monday PowerCall Context for the Week 1-17-11

2011-01-17T14:01:00.000-05:00

Monday Powercall context for the week: LEADING FROM WHAT WORKS!
Join us for a powerful start to your week! www.Empowered-Enterprises.com

Context for the Week 1-10-11

2011-01-10T13:44:00.000-05:00

Context for this week: Already Having Everything We Need!!
Join us next Monday!
www.Empowered-Enterprises.com/EE_Powercalls.html

Monday PowerCall Context for the Week

2010-12-27T15:06:00.000-05:00

Monday PowerCall context for the week: Awake & Empowered!! Join us next week! www.empowered-enterprises.com/EE_Powercalls.html

PowerCall Context for the Week

2010-12-13T12:49:00.000-05:00

PowerCall Context for the Week: Expressions of Love! Join us next Monday for the PowerCall! 1-218-862-1300 Bridge line 816870. 11:30 - 12:30 eastern. www.empowered-enterprises.com

PowerCall Context for the Week

2010-12-06T13:15:00.001-05:00

Monday PowerCall Context for this week: Fulfilling Dreams!!
Join us next week!! Monday's 11:30 - 1230 eastern 1-218-862-1300 Bridge line 816870
www.Empowered-Enterprises.com

Monday PowerCall Context for the Week

2010-11-29T13:44:00.002-05:00

Monday PowerCall Context for the Week ( Join us next week!!)
Playing in the Flow of Opportunities!
www.Empowered-Enterprises.com
www.Empowered-enterprises.com/EE_PowerCalls.html

PowerCall Context for the Week

2010-11-22T14:00:00.000-05:00

Aligning Goals for Fulfillment!!
www.empowered-enterprises.com/EE_Powercalls.html

PowerCall Context for the Week

2010-11-15T14:57:00.000-05:00

Powercall Context for this week: What Are You Hearing?!?! Visit www.empowered-enterprises.com/EE_Powercalls.html

PowerCall Context for the Week

2010-11-08T13:00:00.001-05:00

Here's My Game- Wanna Play?!!!

Managing Your Career Growth

2009-12-02T10:41:00.001-05:00

www.empowered-enterprises.com

Utilizing the resources available in today’s job market can be overwhelming, to say the least. Want to create a resume? There are over 100,000 web pages designed “specifically” for you. Same with interviewing, dressing for success, asking for raises, and just about anything else you can think of. And all of the sites have “give away” information, services you can purchase, products for sale… you can spend your entire life just learning about what is available, and how people think you should manage your career. Unfortunately, educating yourself is just the FIRST STEP.

You will never know all there is to know – about any subject. The important thing is to get sufficient information to make an educated decision. You don’t have to be an expert on interviewing to have a successful interview. Likewise, your resume doesn’t have to be a showpiece. With the onset of the internet, resumes have become nearly obsolete as a way of introducing yourself to prospective employers. In today’s market, an employer can find literally hundreds of resumes on line that say exactly what they want. We say that resumes today are good for only two things: to disqualify for a position, and for the hiring authority to take notes on during the interview. While a resume is still a necessary tool in the job-seeking process, it should not be a major focus of your time and attention.

So what should you be focused on? We recommend that you do what we call the “Love to Do Exercise” which is a part of our PowerPlan System. In this exercise you list what you love to do, and identify who benefits from you doing that. Then we set up a structure of conversations with those people – asking them what resources they are looking for to reach the next level of success. Then we look to see how you can provide those resources.

More, more, more…
The job search game is a game of numbers – it used to be that for a hundred resumes you’d get 10 responses and 1 or 2 interviews. Now it’s no longer the number of resumes you send out, but the number of actual conversations you have with real people – hiring authorities – about what they’re looking for and what you can provide. We recommend a minimum of five conversations every day; and identify five new people you want to talk to. And be sure to keep the names and numbers in a way that is easy to find them again – this is going to become your database of people who benefit from the services you provide!

Managing Your Conversations
It is important that you manage the conversations that you have, from initial contact through the results and follow up. We use a spreadsheet solution, called the Conversation Manager, which tracks the name of the individual, company name, their position with the company, their contact information, the notes of the conversation itself, the results produced out of the conversation, the next action to be taken, and the date you want to take that action.

Overall, looking for a job today can be challenging, but the challenge can be FUN! Enjoy meeting new people, increasing your Rolodex, and increasing the circle of people who know who you are, and what you are up to. The larger your circle, the more opportunities will come your way.

And of course, we recommend you have a career coach to support you in REACHING YOUR GOALS & REALZING YOUR DREAMS! Ask your career questions of our founder at www.AskMeans.com , or Visit www.empowered-enterprises.com Today!

Join us for a PowerPlan CAREER TELEWORKSHOP Dec. 7th!

Do What You Love!

2009-11-27T09:03:00.001-05:00

Do what you love, and give the rest away!

(From the E-book Powerful Careers: Designing & Living Fulfillment. Get your copy today at www.empowered-enterprises.com!)

When there is a failure to reach goals or produce the desired results, corporate America has us well trained: Employers blame employees, employees blame employers. Each is a victim of the other’s ineptitude, inability, lack of training, lack of initiative, lack, lack, lack. Focus is on the lacks, and what’s wrong, instead of looking for what works, what is present in the workforce to work with, the skills and abilities of all of the individuals. One of the most powerful practices available is to utilize people’s talents: put simply, have people do what they love to do, because that is where and how they’ll be most productive.

Ask Yourself:
What do you love to do?
What do you NOT love to do, and so could give away to someone else?

Effectiveness comes from realizing the potential from your resources. Human resources is the most powerful resource any individual or organization can utilize. When we realize that for every task, there is someone for whom it would be a delight, a joy, and a self expression, the potential is for productivity to increase exponentially. The focus here is on identifying what you do and don’t want to do, and finding someone who does want to do those things you don’t enjoy. Remember, we are looking for how people can be self expressed – and contribute that self expression to the effectiveness of the organization.

In the workplace, the concept of utilizing each person’s strengths has disappeared into a conversation about “how do we survive today? this week? this month?” We look at what we can do rather than at what we do best.´ When we focus on only what someone is able to do, rather than what they want to do, we kill off the natural self expression of the individual, and the individual’s productivity declines. We also deny someone else the opportunity to contribute their self expression through that job or task. In short, instead of a win-win situation, we create a lose-lose. That’s not a formula for success!

In every organization, we need to look at what are the natural self expressions for the members. What does each employee love to do, and have them do that. Then look to see what tasks are unclaimed,, and find someone for whom that would be a joy, a delight, a self expression. With the national unemployment numbers where they are now, there is a tremendous pool of talent available.

What, you may ask, does this have to do with designing and living a powerful career? This is the arena that you are playing in. When you recognize what you have to deal with, then you are better prepared and able to impact it. Look to see in your past experiences where you have run into the mentality just described. Later we’ll look at how you can impact the situation by having a powerful presentation of who you are, what you offer, and where you want to go. We’ll actually design a conversation for you to have with prospective employers or partners that will leave the other person clear about the future you are creating!

In this e-book, we are talking about what you can add to an organization that will make it more effective, that will cause it to accomplish it’s mission. We’re talking about what you want to do, and where that will be a contribution. But somehow at this point most people ask, “but how can I earn enough to live if I only do the things I like to do?” Let’s look at that. ( to be continued..Or click HERE get your copy of the Powerful Careers: Designing & Living Fulfillment E-Book at )

Experience the Future Your Are Creating NOW

2009-08-03T20:23:00.000-04:00

Experience The Future You’re Creating, NOW!
www.empowered-enterprises.com

Most of us have noticed how the week before we go on vacation seems to be brighter, happier, and how easy it is to handle all of life’s challenges when we’re about to head to the beach. And how dark and gloomy that last day of vacation can be knowing that tomorrow it’s back to life as usual.

This is one of the fundamental concepts behind the Empowered Enterprises PowerPlan system, and the Balanced Living Timeline/. When we create your ActionPlan, we create the future you want and then design Actions to produce the Results required to make that future a reality. As you take each action, you experience creating that future and can actually experience that future in the “now moment”.

As you get practiced in aligning your Actions to the Future you’re creating, more and more of those “now moments” include the experience of that future – you experience the future you’re creating, now!

So how do we do this? They key is in being clear that moment by moment you have the choice as to what future you are going to create. Every moment you choose: now you’re creating a promotion with raise, now you’re creating great customer service, now you’re creating powerful relationships, now you’re creating financial freedom; As you get practice in distinguishing the future you’re creating, in each now moment you can begin to consciously cause your future by choosing actions that will move you forward into that future. Again, you begin to experience the future you’re creating, now.

The next step is Empowered Enterprises’ simplified Actions Steps for a life that works:
1) Say what you want ( distinguish the future you are creating now)
2) 2) Take the next best action to move forward into that future ( this is where the PowerPlan is so effective)
3) Check in with the results you produced by that action, and the opportunities that opened up.
And then repeat Step 1!!

Remember, this is a practice, like working out at the gym. As you grow in mastery of this practice, more and more often you will experience the future you are creating, now!

More personal empowerment, career coaching, and business growth solutions at www.empowered-enterprises.com!

Other People's Problems

2009-04-19T10:14:00.001-04:00

Other Peoples Problems/ Creating Opportunities

Just because everyone else views the current economy as problematic (nice word for disaster, isn’t?!) doesn’t mean that we can’t use the current circumstances to our advantage. Take a look at the people who make a lot of solid business decisions, who have created successful companies – what are they doing today? They’re creating opportunities!

Thousands of people have been laid off – that means skilled employees are available, sometimes for a fraction of the former cost!
Companies are closing or making drastic cuts – means market share is suddenly available in the market place that previously was solidly taken up by the existing companies/providers; and their customers are left hanging with their products or services.

Time of opportunity for the small business or entrepreneur to GROW! Take a look to see who is “suffering” the loss of products or services, and see what you can provide. Success business are much more often created out of providing what someone needs or wants, rather than some here-to-fore unknown brilliant idea.

So use the Empowered Enterprises Three Keys to Cash:
1) Ask what their goals are
2) Ask what resources they need to reach those goals
3) Ask what yo9u can provide to have them reach the next level of success

Then let them have what they want!!

7 Components of Effective Leadership

2009-03-05T09:01:00.001-05:00

The 7 Components of Effective Leadership!

Powerful leadership is exactly what most of us look for, in ourselves as well as outside ourselves. We look for people who provide that extraordinary quality that pulls people toward them, makes great endeavors appear effortless, and, in short, make us envious!

So we went to look for what constitutes effective leadership – what is this quality that creates powerful leaders? The first component we identified is that every one of the powerful leaders is CLEAR ON WHAT THEY ARE COMMITTED TO. They speak it at every opportunity. They don’t hem and haw, or stutter, when people ask what they are up to and what they intend to accomplish.

Powerful Leaders know that THEY ARE THE ONE! They recognize that they are the source, the catalyst for creating their vision. They don’t depend on others to make it happen – that’s always their job! And they take on that accountability with all of their attention and intention.

Effective leaders are clear on the EXPECTATIONS – their own and those of others. They communicate clearly – what is expected, and what they can be counted on for.

Powerful leadership requires POWERFULLY CREATING TEAM. Effective leadership derives from a shared commitment, inside of which each individual team member can realize their own goals.

Effective Leadership means MANAGING THE RESULTS we want to produce. Instead of trying to manage each and every action, powerful leaders keep their eye on the target, the results to be produced, and then have the teams action align to those goals.

Powerful Leaders are experts in MANAGING RESOURCES. Effective leadership requires that you allocate appropriately a wide variety of resources, including both financial and human assets and resources.
a.
Powerful leaders are MASTERS OF COMMUNICATION . Not only can they communicate where they want to go, but they can effectively communicate that to anyone, in such a way that people are called into action, and empowered to produce the results that will lead the way to the desired goal.

An finally, effective leadership requires STRUCTURES FOR SUCCESS. Powerful leaders have planned it out, mapped it out. They know the results that have to happen, and the actions to be taken to produce those results. They’ve put those actions and results into time – scheduled them for themselves and for team members. And they manage fore the success of those structures!!

For more Career Tools, Coaching, Seminars, and Resources, visit our website at http://www.empowered-enterprises.com TODAY!

Daily Practices

2009-02-08T12:06:00.002-05:00

Daily Practices

Do you have daily practices that help you create what you’re up to every day? Try some of these daily practices, and see what results!

Set yourself up for success: map out your day/week/month by writing down what results you intend to produce, and the actions you will take to cause those results.

Talk to someone new today!!

Take a break! Be sure you include time to re-generate every day; even a ten minute break several times a day can increase your productivity, focus, and overall effectiveness.

Smile!! It improves your face value!
**
Schedule a call every morning with someone to create your day, and get clear on what you intend to accomplish.
**
Every week look to see what actions caused the results you produced this week – both the actions and the inactions, and both the desired results and the undesired ones. Then choose which actions to repeat!
**
Ask someone what they would like to be acknowledged for.

Collect Names & Numbers! Never let an opportunity to get someone’s name and number go by – you never know when they’ll be just the resource you need to reach the next level of success!
**
Speak your intentions: Communicate with at least one person every day what you intend to accomplish – the power of speaking it aloud to someone else will amaze you!
**
Tell someone you usually don’t talk to something that you love about your life!
**
Ask people what resources they are looking for to reach the next level of success. Then you have the opportunity to see what you can provide!
**

What are some of YOUR favorite or most powerful Daily Practices??

For more personal empowerment, career coaching, and business growth solutions, visit us at www.empowered-enterprises.com!

A New Season (An Awakening)

2008-12-30T23:29:00.000-05:00

The New Season (an Awakening)

A time comes in your life when you finally get it . . .
When in the midst of all your fears and insanity you stop dead in your tracks, and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out - ENOUGH! Enough fighting and crying, or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears, and through a mantle of wet lashes, you begin to look at the world through new eyes. This is your awakening.

You realize that it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change. Or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that he is not Prince Charming and you are not Cinderella, and that in the real world there aren't always fairy tale endings (or beginnings for that matter), and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you. And in he process, a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are . . . and that's OK. (They are entitled to their own views and opinions.) And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself. And in the process, a sense of new-found confidence is born of self-approval.

You stop bitching and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you), and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected. You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say, and that not everyone will always be there for you, and that it's not always about you.

So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself, and in the process, a sense of safety & security is born of self-reliance. You stop judging and pointing fingers, and you begin to accept people as they are, and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties, and in the process, a sense of peace & contentment is born of forgiveness. You realize that much of the way you view yourself, and the world around you, is as a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche. And you begin to sift through all the crap you've been fed about how you should behave, how you should look, and how much you should weigh, what you should wear, and where you should shop, and what you should drive, how and where you should live, and what you should do for a living, who you should sleep with, who you should marry, and what you should expect of a marriage, the importance of having and raising children, or what you owe your parents.

You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. And you begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.

You learn the difference between wanting and needing; and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with, and in the process, you learn to go with your instincts.

You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive. And that there is power and glory in creating and contributing, and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.

You learn that you don't know everything; it's not your job to save the world, and that you can't teach a pig to sing. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility, and the importance of setting boundaries, and learning to say NO. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry, and that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love. Romantic love and familial love. How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving, and when to walk away.

You learn not to project your needs or your feelings onto a relationship. You learn that you will not be more beautiful, more intelligent, more lovable or important because of the man/woman on your arm or the child that bears your name. You learn to look at relationships as they really are, and not as you would have them be. You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes.

You learn that just as people grow and change, so it is with love. And you learn that you don't have the right to demand love on your terms . . just to make you happy.

And, you learn that alone does not mean lonely. And you look in the mirror and come to terms with the fact that you will never be a size 5 or a perfect 10, and you stop trying to compete with the image inside your head and agonizing over how you "stack up."

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over, and ignoring your needs. You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK . . . and that it is your right to want things and to ask for the things that you want . . . and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands.

You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity and respect, and you won't settle for less. And, you allow only the hands of a lover who cherishes you to glorify you with his/her touch, and in the process, you internalize the meaning of self-respect.

And you learn that your body really is your temple. And you begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin eating a balanced diet, drinking more water, and taking more time to exercise. You learn that fatigue diminishes the spirit and can create doubt and fear. So you take more time to rest.

And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that for the most part, in life you get what you believe you deserve . . . and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for, and that wishing for something to happen is different from working toward making it happen.

More important, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline, and perseverance. You also learn that no one can do it all alone, and that it's OK to risk asking for help.

You learn that the only thing you must truly fear is the great robber baron of all time: FEAR itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears, because you know that whatever happens you can handle it, and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your terms.

And you learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom. You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve, and that sometimes, bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people. On these occasions, you learn not to personalize things.

You learn that God isn't punishing you or failing to answer your prayers. It's just life happening.

And you learn to deal with evil in its most primal state-the ego. You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected, or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.

Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself, by yourself, and you make yourself a promise never to betray yourself and never to ever settle for less than your heart's desire. And you hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind. And you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.

Finally, with courage in your heart and with God by your side you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can.

"It's a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the
best, you very often get it." -- W. Somerset Maugham

Peace on Earth

2008-12-29T21:56:00.001-05:00

Today we know hate is doomed to fail
God will not be mocked forever by fear and sorrow – nor will mankind be shackled by violence and hate.
Posted: Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008
in the Charlotte Observer
Published in The New York Times, Dec. 25, 1937:
The name belongs to one religion but the spirit belongs to them all. Now, in this crisis of the modern world, when artillery drowns the sound of bells, when prayers can hardly be heard by human ears because of the groans of the dying, we need to realize this truth. We are not deeply divided by sectarian lines. The division is between those who wish their neighbors well, who work and pray for peace and good-will in our time, and those who do not.
It is a struggle at best. So it has been throughout the ages. Socrates knew it, and Buddha, and Christ. The heart of man is darkness shot with light. He is an animal who rises at times to kinship with divinity, a God who sinks despairingly through bleak and terrible abysses. But the light strives upward, and will not die. It is not put out when the bomb slips earthward, when the artillerymen stand to the guns hurling shells into the defenseless city, when the machine guns silence forever the diggers, the builders, the inventors and the singers of songs. It cannot be quenched by edicts, nor blotted out by censorships. Not by hate, nor cruelty, nor selfishness – though these things remain – can it be forever extinguished. Always the hope returns, always the dream straining outward and upward.
We hear the beating of wings over Bethlehem and a light that is not of the sun or of the stars shines in the midnight sky. Let the beauty of the story take away all narrowness, all thought of formal creeds. Let it be remembered as a story that has happened again and again, to men of many different races, that has been expressed through many religions, that has been called by many different names. Time and space and language lay no limitations upon human brotherhood. In plain churches set high in the hills, in great cathedrals where the incense drifts above the heads of the kneeling worshipers, in laboratories where the scientist bends over his test tube in the long battle against disease and pain, on ships at sea where the quartermaster stands to the wheel and the captain holds the deck while the last lifeboat puts off, in burning buildings where the fireman mounts the ladder set against the tottering wall, in bare rooms where the poor divide their bread with those who are poorer, in prisons and concentration camps where men abide in misery for the truth's sake – there is the spirit of Christmas, of the Feast of Lights, of brotherhood. There is religion, there is reverence, there is the Holy of Holies. For this the bells ring.
Fear and sorrow, and the hate that is born of them, bestride the earth. They hold their lines, advance their armies, destroy cities, trample down growing crops, parade in bitter triumph with the thumping of hobbed boots and the flash of bayonets. But we know on Christmas morning that their strategy is doomed to fail. The human spirit will not endure for a long time the degradation of their presence. God will not be mocked forever – nor will man. Ever the truth will force its way through the dust of battle. We are of one body and one flesh – the black, the yellow, the white, whose prayers go up to one God under different names. It is our own flesh that is torn when the shell explodes, that is pierced by the thrusting bayonet. Our hate recoils upon us and destroys us. It is only our love that survives and is immortal.
It is the fear and hate that are impractical and visionary. The spirit that is evoked on this morning of gifts and rejoicing and good-will is more practical than all our inventions. It is the spirit of life, of creativeness, and kin to that spirit which set the stars in their courses and caused the rain to fall and made the earth fruitful. Not tanks, nor guns, nor bombs, nor armed fleets can destroy it, nor the mightiest armies: at the last it is they that will be destroyed. It will be the lips of the most valorous that will whisper in the end, after the battle cries are silenced, “Peace on earth, good will toward men.”

Weekly Kaballah TuneUp ( 11/23/08)

2008-12-09T19:59:00.001-05:00

A re you happy? Me, I don't always wake up happy. But I follow the advice my father and teacher Rav Berg gave me early on: build on the moment.
The only thing we can do when faced with chaos and pain is accept things as they are and be happy in that moment. The genius of this logic is one moment is carried into the next. When we put all our effort into seeing the good, to pushing back the darkest doubts and to injecting light and happiness, we go into the next moment carrying that energy.
Switching up the energy, that's what we're doing. Difficult? Yes. Paradoxical? For sure. Doable? Without a doubt.
Lots of people are in the dumper lately, that's no news flash. And I think this idea of building on the moment is especially relevant. It doesn't mean we have to resign ourselves to a bad situation or relationship. I think we have a habit of thinking "I can't be happy now because I have this problem and if I accept it I will never get rid of it."
The energy that goes into being happy, internally ignites change on the external level. That's the beauty of life: everything can change just like that. Even when things aren't as you want them, if you can train yourself to be happy in the moment, then you will see dramatic shifts forward.
On top of that, why be miserable and unhappy? Look back at your life. If you had certain parts to do over, would you do them over with apathy, boredom and fear? Or would you rip into those situations with confidence and verve?
This week, call yourself out on your negative thought loops. Break it in your mind. Pay attention to how often your feeling of desperation and doubt are in control. Practice being excited and happy - even when you're not.
To keep it simple, here's a 3 step reminder for the week:
Accept the difficult situation for what it is
Be happy, despite not being happy (get that?)
Switch the moment, leading to a new continuum of happiness
All the best,
Yehuda
(for more information on thekaballah and its inspirational teachings, visit www.72.com)

Giving Thanks: Masterpiece of the Universe

2008-11-23T21:39:00.000-05:00

THE ELEMENTS
© Sandy Rodgers Ministries

November 18th

I give thanks for the many elements of the Universe.

I love the rays of the sun beaming down on the planet. It gives the force of life through its rays of nourishment. Vitamins found in the natural rays of sunshine can be a healing element. Sunshine will certainly brighten all days. The sun helps vegetation and all life forms to flourish and grow.

The rains come down to provide water and it is also a cleansing element. After the rains everything appears to be fresh, all the pollution is washed away even if just temporary. The rains help the same vegetation to grow. The rains can provide a haven for you to get some rest and relaxation.

The winds serve to move objects. The objects may be debris or it can be trees and leaves. Those things that are no longer needed at this particular time can be swept away by a gush of high winds.

The moon shines brightly to light the night sky. It is so glorious and beautiful. The full moon is a wondrous sight. Watch the moon rise and you will wonder how it knows exactly when to go into action.

The stars twinkle in the sky like little neon lights. Some are in patterns, some simply stand alone. However they are all amazing. Have you ever wished upon a star? Especially as a kid, you think the wish will come true and it usually does. Give it another try.

Mother Earth is special in every way. Mother Earth provides the perfect place to grow the plants, the trees, the flowers and our vegetables. Mother Earth is a nurturer and protector. Mother Earth has granted the birth of the Grand Canyon and the Pyramids, the Mayan Ruins and the Tombs. Mother Earth we thank you.

God we give thanks for Your Awesome Masterpiece of the Universe!
-- Sandy Rodgers Ministries IncP.O. Box 67Austell, GA 30168www.myspace.com/Sandy_Rodgers_MinistriesTransforming human darkness into the Light and Love of God.

21 Rules to Live By

2008-11-22T12:44:00.000-05:00

TO LIVE BY:
ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, "I love you," mean it.

FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk..

FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone.

"SO"

2008-11-22T12:42:00.000-05:00

So think as if your every thought were to be etched in fire upon the sky for all and everything to see.
For so, in truth, it is.

So speak as if the entire world were but a single ear intent on hearing what you say.
And so, in truth, it is.

So do as if your every deed were to recoil upon your heads.
And so, in truth, it does.

So wish as if you were the wish.
And so, in truth, you are.

So live your life as if God himself had need of you. His life to live.
And so, in truth, He does."

— Mikhail Naimyfrom The Book of Mirdad

A World of Abundance

2008-10-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

A world of abundance surrounds you, so step up and claim it! There are billions of people on the planet having conversations about how they can become a resource for other people - it’s time to become a participant in that game! One of our core desires as a human being is to be a contribution to others, to make a difference. Look around you every day, and see how you can become a resource for the people you meet. Offer what you love to do; and offer what the people in your community provide. All needs and wants are met through someone you know!

Take action to have life happen through you rather than letting it happen to you. It will make all the difference in the world. It’s first a shift in your view of life, then a shift in the actions you take. When you view yourself as the source of the results that occur around you, you then become the source of the circumstances of your life; when you are the source of the circumstances of your life, you get to say what your life looks like! When you participate, you are an active, integral part of the global human family, creating and causing the world we live in.

Have some FUN! When you are fully self expressed and enjoying life, people are attracted to you – and that opens up opportunities.

Announcing the Coaching Club!

2008-07-30T10:06:00.000-04:00

ANNOUNCING!

ANNOUNCING: THE COACHING CLUB
Basic Membership: $29/month

You Receive:
· Weekly Coaching Gold messages packed with advice on how to accomplish your goals!!

· Weekly PowerCalls

· Monthly Networking Opportunities

· Monthly PowerPlan Tele-Workshops!

Visit www.empowered-enterprises.com/Coaching_Club.html
TODAY!!!

The Next Atlanta PowerLife Event!

2008-03-29T11:58:00.001-04:00

The Next Atlanta PowerLife Event!

What would have you jump out of bed every morning ecstatic because you have the privilege of doing it?

Powerful Careers: Designing & Living Fulfillment

A 2-day intensive seminar workshop designed to provide you with the opportunity and tools to create a future that calls you into action. (Also available as a teleseminar! visit www.empowered-enterprises.com!)

We will create a career path that lights you up and a detailed action plan to fulfill your goals.

We'll identify the results that need to be produced, the actions you can take to cause those results, and you'll leave with a custom designed career path of your dreams.

That is what this seminar is about: living your dreams. We will look at what those dreams are, and identify some possible paths to lead you there.

Well look not only at what you want to do, but how you can do it.

We’ll look at:

*Past Based vs Future Based Goal Setting

*The PowerPlan: The Goals, the Results & the actions to produce those results

*The Love to Do Exercise: What should you be doing, and who benefits from that?

*The Balanced Living Timeline: identify and manage the results you are out to produce in every area of life! How to Prioritize your actions; how to produce velocity and momentum in reaching your goals!

*Utilizing the Resources of Your Communities

*The Three I’s of Producing Extraordinary Results

*Creating & Managing Teams

The first step is simple:

Quick Coaching: Effective Actions!

2008-03-29T11:56:00.001-04:00

Quick Coaching!

The Three Legs of Integrity in fulfilling on Action Plans

Communication:

On time, as scheduled.

down the list" No story - just go down the list of what needs to be covered.

Intention and Intentionality - have an intention for the call, and go through the call with intentionality – no detours or distractions.

Precision and Focus. Be precise in the communication: say what needs to be communicated and shut up. Keep Focused on the intention of the call (no bunny trails!)

Team/Staff:

Real Partnerships: shared commitments.

Real Agreements - in writing! Who's doing what.

In Action - you know the actions being taken, so you can add or modify.

Awake to Opportunities:

SOCIAL!! (the context for all)

The Appropriate People, Places, and Communities

Professional/Business always as a potential in a conversation

Consciously choosing where you show up. Who are you being known by?

Visit us today at www.empowered-enterprises.com for additional career coaching, business growth solutions, and career toools!

The 7 Components of Effective Leadership!

2008-02-04T10:56:00.000-05:00

Powerful leadership is exactly what most of us look for, in ourselves as well as outside ourselves. We look for people who provide that extraordinary quality that pulls people toward them, makes great endeavors appear effortless, and, in short, make us envious! So we went to look for what constitutes effective leadership – what is this quality that creates powerful leaders? The first component we identified is that every one of the powerful leaders is CLEAR ON WHAT THEY ARE COMMITTED TO. They speak it at every opportunity. They don’t hem and haw, or stutter, when people ask what they are up to and what they intend to accomplish. Powerful Leaders know that THEY ARE THE ONE! They recognize that they are the source, the catalyst for creating their vision. They don’t depend on others to make it happen – that’s always their job! And they take on that accountability with all of their attention and intention. Effective leaders are clear on the EXPECTATIONS – their own and those of others. They communicate clearly – what is expected, and what they can be counted on for. Powerful leadership requires POWERFULLY CREATING TEAM. Effective leadership derives from a shared commitment, inside of which each individual team member can realize their own goals. Effective Leadership means MANAGING THE RESULTS we want to produce. Instead of trying to manage each and every action, powerful leaders keep their eye on the target, the results to be produced, and then have the teams action align to those goals. Powerful Leaders are experts in MANAGING RESOURCES. Effective leadership requires that you allocate appropriately a wide variety of resources, including both financial and human assets and resources. a. Powerful leaders are MASTERS OF COMMUNICATION . Not only can they communicate where they want to go, but they can effectively communicate that to anyone, in such a way that people are called into action, and empowered to produce the results that will lead the way to the desired goal. An finally, effective leadership requires STRUCTURES FOR SUCCESS. Powerful leaders have planned it out, mapped it out. They know the results that have to happen, and the actions to be taken to produce those results. They’ve put those actions and results into time – scheduled them for themselves and for team members. And they manage fore the success of those structures!! For more Career Tools, Coaching, Seminars, and Resources, visit our website at http://www.empowered-enterprises.com TODAY!

3 Steps to A Powerful Presentation

2008-01-16T15:57:00.000-05:00

Effectively Using Your Powerful Presentation
(Get your copy of the E-book, complete with the step-by-step Powerful Presentations process and workbook here!)

In the previous segments, we looked at an overview of the five components of powerfully presenting yourself, and started to design a conversation at the end of which it is clear who you are, what you bring to the conversation, and where you are going with your life. We spend a week or more on each level – in doing the exercises, you’ve kept asking yourself the questions, seeing each day what you wanted to add to your answers, or even better starting fresh by creating your answers newly each day. You’ve probably found your dreams coming alive, expanding on what’s available in your life, and for your life. New ideas will continue to emerge - as you true yourself up to your natural self-expression.

There are three steps to powerfully delivering any presentation:
1) Powerfully set up the presentation with your audience; Be sure you have scheduled plenty of time to deliver your presentation, that they know the subject of the presentation and are prepared to listen! You also want to be sure there are no interruptions or distractions from your presentation – you want their full attention.

2) Be Prepared! You want to have practiced your presentation many times. We recommend starting with presenting it powerfully to yourself in the mirror – you’ll be amazed at how much you can learn from watching yourself! What works? What doesn’t work? What can you add? Do your facial expressions and body language reflect the content of your presentation? Where do you lose focus on the person in the mirror and go into your head, or into getting the words right? The second recommended way is to practice your presentation with another person – use someone you trust to listen powerfully for what works, and doesn’t work. Choose someone who will empower you to succeed, and someone you can take advice from without resistance.

3) Deliver! Show up powerfully when you present. Set aside your doubts, your fears, and anything else that might get in the way of your powerfully delivering on your intention. You want them to know who you are, what you bring to the table, and where you are headed in your life – be that person!!

The secret to powerfully presenting your self is letting your audience, whether a single person or a stadium full of people, know what they need to know so they can choose how they want to participate. So – let ‘em have it!!

See more of our Career Coaching and Business Growth Solutions, tools, and resources at www.empowered-enterprises.com!

CLEAR AND EMPOWERING CONVERSATIONS

2007-12-22T18:42:00.000-05:00

We've looked at four things that we could add to communication to have it be more effective in producing the results we seek:
1. Clarity in the message
2. Being conscious of the other person’s situation(s)
3. Listening for what will make a difference in moving the conversation forward
4. Using the Rule of Three

Now we add a couple of powerful strategic tools that will enhance your ability to communicate effectively.

It’s All About Them
To powerfully communicate your ideas or intention, you must be comfortable enough with your topic to be able to set it aside and listen for what will make a difference for the other person. In listening to what the other person has to say, you can hear what will have them inspired into action. Your goal in every conversation could be to have the people you talk to left inspired into action! Remember, it is only action that produces results.

( Quick sidebar: – how many times have you said that you didn’t produce any results? Consider, that as a human being, you are constantly producing results! Your actions, or non-actions, always produce some kind of result. The game is to start looking at the results you do produce, and begin choosing to take, or not take, the actions that caused those results. Then you can actually begin to create the results you want!)

Call To Action
You have the opportunity in every communication to leave the other person (or people) empowered to action. Every conversation is an opportunity for people to see something for themselves, and to see the next right action to take to create that. Identifying that next right action can be the greatest gift you can give to another person. How hard is it to ask someone, “So what could you do to have that?”

Structures for Success
This is the fun part that so many people resist – the accountability portion of successful communication. It’s the follow up piece - you want to leave the conversation with a specific structure in place for the other person to report the results they produce. The structure of accountability is vital to the success of any project – knowing who is going to do what, when. When the report comes in, you then have the opportunity to look at what worked, what didn’t work, and what the next right action could be to produced the desired result. It’s the actions, results, and the flow of the communication that produce success in any endeavor.

And that’s the topic for next month’s article! Producing the Desired Results.

Get answers to your career questions at www.AskMeans.com!

See all the career tools, E-Books, coaching and seminar services at www.empowered-enterprises.com.

CLEAR AND EMPOWERING CONVERSATIONS

2007-12-12T12:04:00.000-05:00

We all have had those moments – you know, those times in a conversation when the blank look slides across their face and we know that they didn’t get our point – or when what comes back to us as a result bears no resemblance to what we asked for.

What would it be like to be able to communicate effectively? What is it that has us be powerful in our communication sometimes, and yet at others fail miserably in sharing our ideas?

We’ve found that there are four things that are usually missing when a communication fails:
1. Clarity in the message
2. Being conscious of the other person’s situation(s)
3. Listening for what will make a difference in moving the conversation forward
4. Using the Rule of Three

Clarity in the Message:
This is probably the most easily added component of an effective communication, yet it is often the first thing we drop out. Do you plan what you are going to say? Do you practice it? Do you have someone listen to you as you say it so that you can get feedback on the effectiveness of the communication? Each of these practices will have your communication be as clear as possible.
Practices: Write it out! Go ahead and script out your message – determine who you are talking to, what they need to know to move forward, and your intention in communicating. Practicing knowing what you intend to accomplish in the communication.

Being Conscious:
Many times we begin speaking without taking into consideration what is going on in the other persons life. At that moment, for us to be effective in our communication, we need them to be focused on us, rather than on whether the babysitter showed up, their reports are on time, or how mean their mother in law was at dinner last night. Take a moment at the beginning of your communication to be sure you have the full, undivided attention of the person or people you want to communicate to.
Practices: Begin your communication with a question – for example, “ Is there anything you need to say or do before we get started ? “ or simply “ Can I have your undivided attention for 5minutes?”

Listening:
It is amazing how powerful Listening can be! When you are committed to powerful and effective communication, it is vital that you listen for what will move the conversation forward. Listen carefully to what others say, then ask yourself, how can I answer that in a way that moves us forward to my intended result?

Using the Rule of Three
Ask any marketing person, any business school graduate, any master of communication, and they will tell you that it takes three communications for a message to have a chance of being delivered. Therefore the “old” Rule of Three is:
1. Tell them what you are going to tell them
2. Tell them what you want them to know
3. Tell them what you told them.

You have the opportunity in every communication to leave the other person (or people) empowered to action. And that’s the topic for next month’s article!

Visit www.empowered-enterprises.com today for more career coaching, tools, and resources!

Get your career questions answered at www.AskMeans.com!

Stop Tolerating!

2007-12-05T09:17:00.000-05:00

The faucet in the kitchen drips; the light in the garage needs replacing; your desk drawer is a mess; your inbox is overwhelmingly full, your co-worker talks on the phone at the top of her lungs; your boss is never on time to meetings; your best friend constantly calls you in the middle of your work day; the million dollar idea folder in the desk drawer is overflowing; traffic is always horrible…and we still don’t have World Peace.

What are you tolerating, putting up with, in your life??
There’s something underlying where we are, in the midst of tolerating. Consider that there is a deep seated resignation; we are resigned that the world operates this way, that it always has, and always will, forevermore. We’ve accepted that it’s true: people can't be counted on to be on time, and traffic is horrible, and World Peace is just a pipe dream. Underlying that is an insidious little voice inside your head saying “I can't make a difference.” We believe it, and we tolerate letting it go on the way it's been going.
Consider Margaret Meade’s statement, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Albert Einstein said, “Most people see what is, and never see what can be.”

Tolerating: it can be very valuable to look at all that we are tolerating; - the small things as well as big things - from World Peace all the way to the dripping faucet in the kitchen.

There is a power available in making a list of your Tolerations - call it a Freedom list so you're not creating a continuation of toleration - then see what you can move off of the list! It's like moving through molasses when there are so many daily tolerations. How much time and energy go into noticing what we're tolerating, thinking we should do something about it, deciding not to do anything now, and all the reasons why not to do something now…. Eliminate all of that and you've freed up a tremendous amount time and energy for yourself. You’ve also cleared the way for the miraculous to show up.

One of our clients reported that when she created her Freedom list - just putting it on the list caused miraculous. She had an overgrown tree in her yard, and every time saw it she said to herself, “oh, that just doesn’t work – it blocks the view, and just doesn’t make my yard attractive.” -She put it on her tolerations list and the next day her landlady called to let her know the tree was being trimmed the next day! Just the identification of what she was tolerating, and what could be done about it, allowed the result to happen, and she didn't even have to take an action to cause it. And she was freed up to put her attention on her business.

Now, were not saying World Peace will happen just from you writing it down on your Freedom list. But then again, if everyone in the world realized that they were resigned about having World Peace, and tolerating not having it, and then took just one action to cause it - wouldn’t it then become possible? The world would certainly be a different place! And certainly the inbox could be managed, the dripping faucet fixed, and your time and energy freed up to look at what else you want, rather than focusing on what you don’t want. Give Freedom a try today! Visit www.empowered-enterprises.com for more tools, career coaching, seminars, inspiration and motivation!

Successful Interviewing Strategies

2007-11-14T17:24:00.000-05:00

Interviewing
Let’s look at an alternative to the usual interview; we’re not invalidating other ways, just exploring another way that has been highly effective in today’s job market.

Start off with your first contact – it’s the most important;
**Be Professional; use industry terminology, and language the hiring authority will be comfortable with. **No slang, or local colloquialisms. Modulate your voice to be interesting, but not distracting in any way.
**Have the conversation be about what the company is looking for; what they are trying to accomplish by the hire. Match yourself to what they are looking for, and schedule the face to face interview.
**Be sure your voicemail message is clear, concise and professional!

Before the Interview:
Do your Homework! Know who the company is in the industry, and who you are talking to – their position in the company. Has the company been financially successful? Do they have a high rate of employee turnover?

Resumes are good for:
**Disqualifying you from the position
**Their note taking during the interview.

Use your resume as a follow up tool, or as a “leave behind” as you complete the interview. NOT as an introduction. Use a voice to voice conversation to introduce yourself.

Practice interviewing with a partner!! Go through and answer questions designed from all different aspects of the interviewer- be both the interviewer and the job seeker in your practice sessions. Try being: exhausted by the process; irritated at having to talk to candidate number 475; delighted to be meeting someone new; serious and significant; distracted.

Before each interview, write down: 1) What is the minimum result you want to produce out of the conversation? and 2) The maximum result possible? (play with this – see how outrageous you can be!)
Open it up from just a job interview to establishing a relationship with someone new, and connecting with all that they bring to the table.

During the Interview: Relax! Both of you want you to be the one!!
First and foremost, in an interview, your job is to let the hiring authority see how you will be an asset to his team. Pay close attention to everything they say – it is what you can use to show how you are the best for the position. Listen, listen, listen. Answer the question they ask, not what you think they need to know!

Three questions you want answered by the end of the initial conversation:
§ What does the next level of success look like for them??
§ What resources are they looking for to reach that next level of success?
§ And what service can you provide to support them in reaching that next level of success?

Turn the interview around: Go into the conversation with specific questions you have about:
**The company’s goals
**Your potential boss’s goals
**What do they like most about working there? Least?
**What kind of personality profile has been successful in the past? Failed?
**What kind of experience/education has been successful? Failed?

Keep balance! You don’t want to talk a lot!!! Answer their question directly and concisely, and then ask one of your own.

Note on Professional Appearance: always make sure that there is nothing distracting about your appearance. Be professional! You want to appear ready to be a member of their staff. You want their attention to be wholly on you, not your clothes, jewelry, scent, hair, etc. Beware of what might pull their attention from concentrating on your ability to do the job! After you are working for them, you can change your appearance as may be appropriate. For now, conservative is the most successful.

Be sure to schedule a time to follow up with them; know their timetable for the hiring decision.

After the Interview:

Send a thank you note, call with a thank you, do something that will differentiate you from the crowd!

ASK YOUR CAREER QUESTIONS at www.AskMeans.com
Visit www.empowered-enterprises.com for career coaching, seminars, career tools, and resource referrals!

Managing Your Career Growth

2007-10-26T15:18:00.000-04:00

Utilizing the resources available in today’s job market can be overwhelming, to say the least. Want to create a resume? There are over 100,000 web pages designed “specifically” for you. Same with interviewing, dressing for success, asking for raises, and just about anything else you can think of. And all of the sites have “give away” information, services you can purchase, products for sale… you can spend your entire life just learning about what is available, and how people think you should manage your career. Unfortunately, educating yourself is just the FIRST STEP.

You will never know all there is to know – about any subject. The important thing is to get sufficient information to make an educated decision. You don’t have to be an expert on interviewing to have a successful interview. Likewise, your resume doesn’t have to be a showpiece. With the onset of the internet, resumes have become nearly obsolete as a way of introducing yourself to prospective employers. In today’s market, an employer can find literally hundreds of resumes on line that say exactly what they want. We say that resumes today are good for only two things: to disqualify for a position, and for the hiring authority to take notes on during the interview. While a resume is still a necessary tool in the job-seeking process, it should not be a major focus of your time and attention.

So what should you be focused on? We recommend that you do what we call the “Love to Do Exercise” which is a part of our PowerPlan System. In this exercise you list what you love to do, and identify who benefits from you doing that. Then we set up a structure of conversations with those people – asking them what resources they are looking for to reach the next level of success. Then we look to see how you can provide those resources.

More, more, more…
The job search game is a game of numbers – it used to be that for a hundred resumes you’d get 10 responses and 1 or 2 interviews. Now it’s no longer the number of resumes you send out, but the number of actual conversations you have with real people – hiring authorities – about what they’re looking for and what you can provide. We recommend a minimum of five conversations every day; and identify five new people you want to talk to. And be sure to keep the names and numbers in a way that is easy to find them again – this is going to become your database of people who benefit from the services you provide!

Managing Your Conversations
It is important that you manage the conversations that you have, from initial contact through the results and follow up. We use a spreadsheet solution, amazingly enough called the Conversation Manager, which tracks the name of the individual, company name, their position with the company, their contact information, the notes of the conversation itself, the results produced out of the conversation, the next action to be taken, and the date you want to take that action.

Overall, looking for a job today can be challenging, but the challenge can be FUN! Enjoy meeting new people, increasing your Rolodex, and increasing the circle of people who know who you are, and what you are up to. The larger your circle, the more opportunities will come your way.

And of course, we recommend you have a career coach to support you in REACHING YOUR GOALS & REALZING YOUR DREAMS!

First try: To Your Success!

2007-10-20T16:44:00.000-04:00

First try at a blog post - bear with me!
So good morning, good afternoon and good evening...good day , week, year...you get the point!.

The purpose of this blog: a forum for Career Coaching, Business Growth Solutions, and the opportunity for us all to reach our goals and realize our dreams!

Check out the new products and services on http://www.empowered-enterprises.com/ - seminars, Career Coaching, Workshops, Ebooks, all are available.