Category: Uncategorized

Networking in a way that didn’t work for me

by EvieBurke, posted in Uncategorized

This is the seventh (and final) installment of the 8 easy-to-make networking mistakes that can be avoided series.

This week I’m covering the second of two mistakes that aren’t immediately apparent, but are there just the same.

Networking in a way that didn’t work for me because I saw it work for someone else or I read that it was the way networking should be done.

This one I made a bit later on, when I started to realize that maybe I could be doing more than just showing up at networking events with an elevator speech.

I picked up a couple of well-known books about building your business through referrals (I’m purposely not sharing names here because they also contain really great information) and read all about how you should always ask for referrals, make lots of phone calls each day, and do any number of other things that I thought sounded awful, but shrugged it off as me coming up against my comfort zone (which I was, but not in a good way).

To be clear, these strategies work really well for some people. They can do it and it doesn’t feel icky to them or the people they’re talking too (most of the time).

For me? Well, for me it felt weird and pushy.

Yes, some of it was my own stuff around sales and marketing. And some of it was part of me knowing that these are good strategies to know about, but they weren’t for me.

Once I recognized that I didn’t have to network (or do business for that matter) in a way that didn’t work for me regardless of what the guru had to say, things became a bit easier (and I still expanded my comfort zone).

In closing this series I want to repeat something I wrote previously: Recognize that you’re going to make mistakes and that is OKAY.

Those mistakes are your path to success and can be expected.

Share one of your favorite networking stories in the comments below.

The networking events I didn’t go to

by EvieBurke, posted in Uncategorized

This is the sixth (but not final) installment of the 8 easy-to-make networking mistakes that can be avoided series.

This week I’m covering one of two mistakes that aren’t immediately apparent, but are there just the same.

The networking events I didn’t go to.

Between you and me, I like being at home. It’s comfortable, I know what to expect and I usually don’t have to have conversations with people I don’t know.

And I’m more of an introvert* than an extrovert. So, sometimes networking feels like a lot of work.

There were a lot of networking opportunities that I could have taken advantage of and other opportunities I didn’t know about because I didn’t look or ask. And I missed them (or you could say ignored), because it felt a bit too outside of my comfort zone – and I was going networking!

Isn’t going to 2 or 3 a month enough?

Answering that question is where it gets tricky.

Because it depends.

It depends on where you are in your business and where you want to go.

Every coach I’ve had has said it, I’ve seen it and I’ve heard others that I trust say it to: the fastest path to cash is individual clients. And networking is one of the best ways for them to find you.

So, when I was just starting out it was in my best interest to attend at least four if not 6-8 networking events a month.

Over the summer I was focusing on next steps for my business and was networking less.

And right now I’m focusing on growing my business, so I’m attending more events.

How many networking events make sense for you right now? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments over here.

*That means I replenish my energy stores by being at home (it doesn’t mean I’m shy or can’t have a good time away from home). And extrovert replenishes them by being out or with other people. And introverts tend to like deeper conversation and not enjoy small talk.

My Writing Process Blog Tour

by EvieBurke, posted in Uncategorized

colored pencilsThis post is part of the My Writing Process Blog Tour.

I’ve been asked to join a great group of writers/bloggers on this tour by the wonderful Wendy Pitts Reeves. Wendy is the Founder and President of Courage-to-Confidence, is host of the popular “Secret Adventures for Courageous Women.” As a Life and Business coach, Wendy’s a radical enCourager who helps women do things they never thought they could do, to create the life, and business, they never thought they could create. Her Courage-to-Confidence eZine goes out weekly.

You can find her post where I was tagged here.

For this tour, instead of traveling by plane, train or automobile – you answer four questions and then tag/ask three other wonderful people to participate.

So, let’s get started!

What am I working on?

It seems like I have a lot of things I could be working on – such is life as an entrepreneur, right?

However, right now I’m working on the next revision of my Keep-in-Touch One on One Coaching Program. It has good bones and I’m working on improving parts of it.

Interestingly enough, I’m also working on adjusting my schedule – which I’ll write more about in the last question.


How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I started with this niche, productivity, because I couldn’t find someone to help me with the same things I now help my clients with. Sometimes I wonder what I was searching for because they definitely are out there.

So, how am I different? It’s my demeanor and the presence I bring to each call with my clients. And my absolute love for each of them.

And I do a lot of listening – some productivity coaches might spend a lot of time telling you what you should be doing to reach your goals. I don’t do that, I find clients do better in the long run that way.


Why do I write what I do?

My blog started as a way for me to share random insights I was having as someone working for someone else. It evolved into the blog and website for my business.

I continue to write here for primarily two reasons:

  1. “I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say.” – Flannery O-Connor.I tend to process things through writing or talking (if you’ve ever been in a group with me and you think I’m trying to chose my words wisely – I’m probably formulating my thoughts/opinion as I’m talking), this newsletter allows me to continue to do that.
  2. For you the reader. My sincere hope is that you come here each week and read something that helps you personally or professionally more often then you don’t.I truly love reading your comments – no matter there length. They tell me I’m doing something right and encourage me to continue.


How does my writing process work?

Currently, I sit down on Tuesday or Wednesday (occasionally on Thursday) and write. I’ve either jotted down a topic that popped in to my head or think about what you might need to read this week.

Generally, a topic will eventually come to mind and I’ll just start writing. Then I’ll re-read and pick a title.

And if a topic doesn’t come to mind I just start writing about anything and usually will end up with an extremely rough draft of something that I can work with.

However, I’m contemplating changing this by writing 3-5 blog posts one week each month and then scheduling them (the note at the beginning of the newsletter will still be created each week). I have some topic ideas that will get me started.

The blog tour continues with these three writers that I know personally and love!

Mary Wu
I’ve literally known Mary and her family for years. So, I’m happy to be able to introduce her to you – if you don’t already know her!

Mary is a virtual assistant living in Naperville, Illinois. She is married with two teenage children. She loves to learn new things, an she enjoys searching for solutions to problems.

Kristina Fortune
I met Kristina a little over a year ago. We hit it off right away and talk every couple of weeks.

Kristina is a writer and editor who believes in simplicity, authenticity, and appreciation for the little things in life. Her mission is to inspire, empower and teach busy, creative women how to create the balanced, peaceful and fulfilling lives they desire. Check out her blog Vitality Organizing for tools, tips and inspiration for creating a simpler life, a peaceful mind and a happy heart.

Jennifer Bugajsky
I met Jennifer last fall. We met for coffee a couple months later and probably would have sat there chatting for a couple of hours if we wouldn’t have had other commitments!

Jen is a health and body relationship coach. Her delivery of seminars and coaching have inspired woman to greater levels of awareness in the importance of taking care of their family’s health and well-being. As a body relationship coach, Jen shares her own transformation story and teaches people how to use their body as a guide to create a deeper relationship with God (the divine source of truth) as well as teaching women how to love, respect and appreciate themselves and their bodies. She is an expert at empowering women to invest the time and energy to improve the health of their family. Jen’s education and experience improving the health of her own family have equipped her with extensive knowledge in holistic nutrition, health coaching, and the importance of preventive care. She works with clients to help them make the dietary and lifestyle changes that produce real and lasting results. Her clients love that she takes the fear and stress out of where to begin by focusing on one simple step at a time.

Image: © cristinaduart – Fotolia.com

Get to Know Evie – 21 Questions

by EvieBurke, posted in Uncategorized

Continuing last week’s theme of getting to know me, I’m answering 21 questions that it appears went around the internet/blogs in 2011.

  1. Are you named after anyone?
    Nope, my mom heard the name and liked it (and Dad liked it too).

  2. When was the last time you cried?
    Last week while writing, and then re-reading, the 9 People Who Have Influenced Me article.

  3. Do you have kids?
    Nope.

  4. If you were another person, would you be a friend of yourself?
    I’d like to think so.

  5. Do you use sarcasm a lot?
    I used to use it a lot more. I don’t think I’m quite as sarcastic these days.

  6. Will you ever bungee-jump?
    Is everyone else doing it? Seriously though, probably not.

  7. What’s your favorite cereal?
    My favorite cereal really depends on what I feel like that day (and what I like now is a lot different than what I liked 20+ years ago). Generally though, I don’t eat cereal. I’m just hungry an hour later. Give me protein for breakfast.

  8. What’s the first thing you notice about people?
    Is it bad that I’m not really sure? It’s probably their face and hair.

  9. What is your eye color?
    Blue.

  10. Scary movie or happy endings?
    Happy endings (within reason). I don’t care for scary movies.

  11. Favorite smells?
    Newly cut grass. Baking bread. My husband.

  12. Summer or winter?
    Spring and fall.

  13. Computer or television? 
    Computer! I can watch television through a computer. And I can do a lot more stuff on a computer than with a television.

  14. What’s the furthest you’ve ever been from home?
    The UK. Nate and I took a 10 day vacation there a few years ago and had a really great time.

  15. Do you have any special talents? 
    Hmm, does being able to sleep in a car even when I don’t think I’m tired count? I think one of the other things I can do is create a warm and welcoming group.

  16. Where were you born?
    Wisconsin.

  17. What are your hobbies?
    Church and reading (mostly business books these days).

  18. Do you have any pets?
    Not right now. I’d like a dog, but Nate isn’t excited about that 🙂

  19. Favorite movie? 
    The one that comes to mind is Stardust. If Nate starts it I will stop what I’m doing and watch the whole thing.

  20. Do you have any siblings?
    Yep, one wonderful sister (see last week’s article for a little more about her).

  21. What do you want to be when you grow up?
    Initially I read this as what did you want to be when you grew up. Which is a different question entirely. As a kid I wanted to be a veterinarian because I love animals. And then I had biology in high school and realized I did not want to be looking at animal’s insides.
    These days the answer generally boils down to happy.

Do you have any questions for me, personal or business, that you’re curious about? Ask them in the comments below!

woman looking out window

Not Knowing HOW… and being okay with that

by EvieBurke, posted in Uncategorized

woman looking out windowLet me know in the comments below if this sounds familiar:

Last week you were in a magical place that felt somewhere in between 2013 and 2014 and everything and anything was possible there. And it was so much fun and exciting to be in that place and see the possibilities!

And then you were suddenly dropped squarely into 2014.

 
*THUD*
 

And all those possibilities are suddenly feeling drowned by the day in and day out of your everyday life. You already had full days, there’s no more time for new things, no matter how fun and exciting they (or their outcomes) are.

Does any of that feel familiar?

I truly believe that there’s a magic to dreaming what our business and our lives can be. We tap into something bigger than us. Something that takes us gently by the hand, lifts a curtain over a doorway we didn’t know was there, and allows us to peek through. While patting us gently on the back and whispering into our ear “it’s totally possible for you.” Then we’re given a hug and that person with the twinkling, knowing eyes leaves us. And we’re left with a wonderful vision that we know is possible. And we don’t know the HOW.

 
*THUD*
 

It’s that HOW that sometimes gets me. I love knowing HOW. It’s comforting to know the steps. I want to get from A to B and this is the map that will get me there in 3 steps and 2 hours. LOVE that.

And the vision, that dream of what can be, of what will be, is different.

We’re left to determine the HOW by ourselves. Sometimes it might feel impossible, at other times daunting and then there’s those really wonderful and cool times where it feels completely possible – no, even better than that, it feels like REALITY.

As someone who LOVES to plan, being okay with not knowing the HOW is uncomfortable and often just plain frustrating.

Knowing the next one or two steps I need to take IS actually enough and I’m slowly learning to be okay with that.

Does that mean that I’m not planning or making decisions? Of course I’m still planning! I know what my next big project is and I have rough estimates of dates and time reserved to map out exactly what I want to happen and want to do to make it a reality.

AND I’m okay with not knowing what’s coming immediately after that. 

I prefer to look at it this way: so much more will be opened to me in the coming months, new opportunities and directions, that I’d be doing my self a disservice by limiting myself to my current view.

I don’t know what the future holds. And for the first time in a long while, I’m okay with that.

And the path there, it’s going to be so much fun!