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The majority of men meet with failure because of their lack of persistence in creating new plans to take the place of those which fail. - Napoleon Hill

The business bunny hop

by EvieBurke, posted in Arriving, planning

The majority of men meet with failure because of their lack of persistence in creating new plans to take the place of those which fail. - Napoleon Hill
In business, and life for that matter, our vision of success often doesn’t occur on our time table.

It’s more of a dance, maybe a bunny hop (forward, backwards, hop, hop, hop and then you do a little dance where you’re standing).

It’s not always forward movement.

Sometimes you feel like you’re not moving forward, despite all the work you’re doing and plans you’re making.

Sometimes you move forward only to move back where you started (or behind that).

And other times you feel like you just took a giant step forward.

Where ever you find yourself, know that you’re on the dance floor.

And after you mourn the lose of what could have been (yes that’s an important step), review what worked, what didn’t and create those new plans.

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Waiting to respond

by EvieBurke, posted in perspective

What will you learn about yourself through networking and follow-up? What insights and aha’s will you have? Share in the comments below.

I share one of mine in the video above.

I’d love to help you with that. If you’re interested in that email me at support@OneInsightCloser.com (yes, you need to reach out to me here 🙂 )

I viewed networking as a problem

by EvieBurke, posted in attitude, Changes

We all walk into networking events with our own thoughts and attitudes about it.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how networking has changed for me in the last two to three years.

How it’s evolved since I noticed that something wasn’t working and started all the reading, programs and research that led to where I am today.

And through this reflection, I realized I had a bit of problem vs opportunity thinking happening.

What I mean by this is three years ago I viewed networking as a problem.

Yes, I viewed networking as a problem.

Networking was a chore to be completed. 

It was something that I did to check the “I went to a networking event this week” to-do off my list.

It wasn’t even a place I could really say I was completely present, because I was so busy focusing on how uncomfortable I was and hoping no one was going to try to “sell” me their services.

How well do you think that attitude worked for me?

Well, if you view successful networking as how many new clients did I generate from networking, then the answer is NOT successful at all!

Seriously, at one point early on I had problems even giving away my services (yep, you read that right).

At some point this shifted and instead of networking being a problem, I started viewing it as an opportunity.

It became an opportunity to make initial connections with potential clients and referral partners.

It became an opportunity to meet new entrepreneurial friends.

And how well do you think this attitude worked?

Again, if you view successful networking as how many new clients I generated from networking, then the answer is it WORKED!

So, how did this attitude shift look?

When networking was no longer a “Yep, I did that this week” task, I started staying a bit after the events to talk with people.

I started talking with and learning about more people, instead of scanning the room looking for someone that fit my ideal client description.

Phone calls and emails after events to people that were interested in what I did or to people that I wanted to learn more about became easier – it was an extension of the opportunity instead of another to-do.

This shift didn’t happen over night.

I didn’t even notice it until I started reviewing what’s changed.

My question for you this week: what shifts have you experienced in the last 2-3 years? Share below.

woman thinking "what if..."

What do all these thoughts have in common?

by EvieBurke, posted in attitude, Fear

woman thinking "what if..."
“I don’t like networking because no one talks to me.”

“That group is really clicky.”

“No one there is interested in my service.”

“Walking into a room of people I don’t know is really intimidating.”

“Networking is hard because I’m an introvert.”

“You have to be an extrovert to network well.”

“Networking just doesn’t work for me.”

You know what all of these thoughts have in common?

They’re stories.

Stories you tell yourself to give yourself permission to not network or reach out to people.

But they feel true, don’t they?

Painfully true.

So, let’s play a game.

Think about how networking might change for you with each of these questions.

What if everyone else in that room is as scared as you are?

What if they’re not talking to you and are clicky because they’re afraid that you won’t like them.

Or because it’s just easier than putting themselves out there.

Or because they’re an introvert too.

Or because they’ve also convinced themselves that networking just doesn’t work for them.

What if you assumed that everyone there wanted to talk to you, but they don’t know how to start the conversation or approach you?

What if you assumed that the people in the clicky group would LOVE you, but they don’t know how to politely excuse themselves from the people they’re with?

What if they’d love your service if you gave them to opportunity to learn about you?

What if you have the networking advantage because you’re an introvert (seriously, you kinda do, because you skip the small talk and want to really get to know them and create a connection)?

What if networking does work for you, and you just haven’t found a way to network in a way that works for you?

What difference would this make for you and your business?

Share in the comments below. I’d love to know!

More than gold

by EvieBurke, posted in Gratitude

Last week I wrote about experiencing the magic of being in a group of entrepreneurs who have invested in themselves and their businesses.

This week I continued that experience with a different group of solopreneurs.

I spent three days in the company of some wonderful women (and a few super cool guys). We all arrived at Asheville, NC for learning and masterminding with our coaches, led by Christine Kane.

Again, that magic was present and there was a different layer to it because some of us have been together for almost two years.

Every time I come to Asheville for this experience I leave full of gratitude, ideas and love.

It is great connecting again with some people and connecting for the first time with others.

For me, part of the great magic of our time together is the conversations at the meals. There we share our insights, struggles, wins and really, we share ourselves on a level we don’t always do in other places.

And like last week, I want to highlight some of the women. These are women who have generously shared themselves with me and supported me and I hope I’ve been able to reciprocate.

​Sue Paul is a pharmacist extraordinaire. Seriously, the knowledge this woman has about pharmaceuticals is AMAZING. Sue has been a great and constant friend at these events. She’s supportive and loving and always has a listening ear.

Sara Dickison Taylor is an executive coach. She exudes warmth and love from every pore. Sara is curious about everyone and so very supportive. I will forever remember a dinner we had with two other friends last trip and I had the pleasure of dining with her twice this trip. And she’s one of those people that just glows.

Mika Ross is a relationship coach and therapist. Mika is funny, smart and … And I think she observes a lot more than what she sometimes lets on (maybe it’s her training 🙂 ). She has a wonderful ability to lighten the mood when needed or make an insightful observation. And when she laughs, she throws her head back and lets it go, it’s wonderful to see and hear.

Cindy Harris is a graphic designer and fine artist. I find her fascinating. She has a quiet strength about her and joy. She observes much and I have a feeling she doesn’t share even half of what’s going through her head. And while she’s taking in everything around her, her eyes beautifully sparkle.

Debby Lissaur is a Gallup-Certified Strength Coach. Debbie is someone that looks at me and sees me at my next step long before I can. And each trip I leave with a question or observation from her that makes me think. She’s super sharp, willing to challenge you and love you all at once.

Robbin Jorgensen is one of Christine’s strategy coaches and she also runs her own very successful business. I’ve been blessed to have her as my coach for the last several months. She’s brilliant and warm and will kick your butt when you need it. When she looks at you she really is looking at you, right to your soul. That butt kicking? It’s because she does really see what you’re capable of and she knows you can do it, even when you can’t see it or know it for yourself yet.

I’ve been blessed beyond measure to know and love these wonderful women.

And while you, dear reader, might not ever be able to meet these women in person, my hope is that you have people like this in your life. People that you grow with, are lovingly challenged by and lovingly challenge.

That community is worth more than all the gold in the world.