12 Days of Apps: E-READER

Although many of us still like the experience of reading paper books, the convenience of having a ton of digital books at your fingertips is undeniable. 
Whether you have a Nook or Kindle (or a competing) device, or use one of their apps on your other devices, the convenience factor is phenomenal.

Of course, having your books with you all the time also makes it likely that you will read more, such as when in line at Starbucks or the bank, or waiting for an appointment, etc...

12 Days of Apps: CAMCARD

Are business cards still relevant? It depends who you ask, of course.  I believe they are still very much relevant for today's professional.  It's critical to consider the digital side of what business cards are traditionally used for and not rely only on paper cards to exchange contact information.  That said, I am still amazed at how many business cards I have on my desk at the end of a week or month.  For those of us that are meeting new people at least somewhat regularly, having a system for dealing with all those cards and contacts is critical. 

An important business skill is to create a simple system for translating business cards into data that can be mined when needed.  Having an app with you so you can scan a card and make notes right away is definitely a 5 star option with today's technology.

12 Days of Apps: TIME RECORDING

Where does your time go?  How can you possibly know unless you track it?  Have you done one of those exercises where you track everything for a week, and although useful, you feel like you need "Time Tracking" added to the list because it felt like it took way more time than it should have?  

What if there was an app for that?  What, oh, of course there is!  At least one...in fact there are several.  After taking a sales audit course and realizing I hadn't been doing a good job of tracking how much of my time was spent on critical activities, I searched for an app instead of relying on my usual spreadsheets or a paper journal.

12 Days of Apps: GOOGLE MAPS

You may be surprised that we would include Google Maps in a list of productivity apps for greater success in the new year, but that's partly because this app (and others like it) are under-utilized for making more in less time.  For example, say you have an appointment with someone and don't know where you're going.  

You could use your "spidey-sense" and hope for the best, but when you show up late and explain that you got lost, people are less understanding today given the technology at hand.  For the modern professional, there is simply no excuse any more for getting lost-- unless it's a particularly tricky address or in a GPS dead zone.

12 Days of Apps: MY FITNESS PAL

Nearly everyone has a goal, New Year's Resolution, or maybe just an intention to improve their health in some way, whether it's getting to the gym more often, reducing unhealthy foods, drinking more water, or some other action.  

Even for my business clients, often fitness comes up --because without it, we don't have enough energy to accomplish other goals,

The End of Your Story?

The End of a Story
by Julie Strzyz, ESI Personal Growth and Leadership Coach

I was impressed by a recent TEDx event called “The Energy of Eulogy”, given by a fellow coach, speaker, writer, and all-around magnetic individual.  She described the power behind a eulogy as well as the message it leaves about the deceased.  She challenged us as an audience to contemplate our own eulogies as the process defines how and who we will be.

I reflected on the eulogies of two recently deceased loved ones and the celebratory note of each of them.  Yes, I was grieving intensely and missing them dearly but the pure joy I felt at the realization of their impact on the world was deep and consuming.

12 Days of Apps: CALENDAR

Using one master calendar that allows you to schedule on the go and reminds you ahead of time where you need to be is PRICELESS for success in business.  

I have been using Google Calendar this past year, but frankly it doesn't matter which one you pick as long as it syncs to everything you need it to.  I also like DejaOffice for this because it works across various Calendar programs and platforms (and Contacts), and lets you organize with Categories and color-code (yes, I'm a total nerd for this stuff!).  

Some important features to consider of any decent mobile calendar app are as follows:

12 Days of Apps: AUDIBLE

How many people do you know that have a goal to read a book a month?  Or maybe to get through ONE book in a year?  How many people do you know that are in a book club?  And how many people do you know have a regular commute that is essentially wasted time?  Ah-ha, there is a solution here, and it's called audio-books.  A favorite app for this is Audible.  Basically, it rocks.  My clients, colleagues, friends, and I use it to listen to great book content we would otherwise probably not get to.

12 Days of Apps: LINKEDIN

LinkedIn has been described by many as Facebook for business, but it's fair to say that's not fully accurate. Besides a way to express personality, connect with others, and show career history and highlights, it's also an opportunity to showcase one's professional possibility and to make a unique business contribution through valued content. 

 The key difference, obviously, is that the idea is to be PROFESSIONAL about all of it, including being truthful, earnest, and respectful.  Facebook, much as I do appreciate it, is not any of these things for a noticeable chunk of users.

12 Days of Apps: HOOTSUITE

My clients are probably sick of hearing me rave about Hootsuite, my social media dashboard, aka "lifesaver."  I mean, who has time to post decent content 3 or more times a day on 3 or more social media accounts while they are trying to run a business? Hootsuite, both via desktop and mobile app, allows me to create one message and post it to any combination of 5 different places. 

12 Days of Apps: DROPBOX

Ross was having lunch with a referral and was hoping to close the sale.  They seemed very interested and asked if he could email some documents that same afternoon to a colleague.  Fortunately, he had them available via Dropbox and was able to send the message with attachments immediately.  They were impressed, and he got the deal.  Ross had previously lost valuable time with prospective clients because he had to wait until he got back to the office hours later,

12 Days of Apps: EVERNOTE

What happens when you are driving around and have a killer idea that you want to get down before you forget?  

You could:
1. Pull over and make a note-- but oops you're on the freeway and the next exit is miles away
2. Try to remember-- and then chastise yourself later because it slipped your mind
3. Scribble it on a gum wrapper or gas receipt-- which may be discovered later under the seat with illegible smudges

12 Days of Apps: TIMER

Welcome to the 12 Days of Apps from Envision Success Inc!  We are reviewing 12 apps this month that we like, and that help our clients, friends, and colleagues be more productive.  

The first is an indispensable product!  Fortunately this is a piece of hardware (or software) that everyone has, either around the house, on their mobile device, and easily accessible at their nearby Target or grocery store:

A Timer
As in, a standard kitchen/household timer...  Yep, this is a critical tool for getting the most focus when you really need it. 

What Are Your 3 Wishes?

So what happens if a Genie shows up in your life today and you get 3 wishes --what do you pick?
Of course, there is one major stipulation: You have to hear Genie's opinion first before your wish is granted.  After thinking through some crazy wishes about a person that frustrates you, your fantasy vacation ideas, shopping for luxury items, living a wild lifestyle, as well as making a huge difference in the world, learning from people you admire, and doing cool things for people you love...you start to hone in on what you might use for your three wishes.

You realize that what you REALLY want

Hit Your Goals Before the Holidays Hit!

Most businesses have some cyclic nature and seasonality.  Many industries, companies, and people find their business tapering off around Thanksgiving and not picking up again until after the New Year.  Although some people start putting off decisions and actions in the Fall, don't make the assumption that nothing is happening.  Plenty of transactions are still happening! Especially for those out there that still want to achieve some big goals in the quarter, right NOW is the time to hussle.

Following are my Top 5 Don'ts for making the most of business leading up to the end of the year:

What I Learned in 7 Years in Business

OK, seriously, I can't possibly cover everything I've learned as a business owner over seven years in one post!  However, I wanted to share some of the highlights with others out there-- especially newish business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and those on the fence.

1. Make sure you like what you're going to be doing.  If you aren't sure yet, find some resources to help you figure it out.  Don't fall into the money trap.  The sayings are true: the money will come much more easily when you are contributing in a way that's enjoyable to you, and that others find valuable.  After 7 years, I have no "itch" to do anything else...
2. It's better to fail than to be afraid to make a move!

Negotiate: Don't Just Say YES!

Whether in sales or job hunting, and any other time it matters, don't accept the very first thing!  I was in a conference yesterday presenting on Negotiating skills when a very important point came up: When you are offered a job, it's important not to accept the offer exactly as they make it, but to ask for something that you want, and allow them the compromise.  Think about it: let's say you're out shopping and find a street vendor who has something you want.  You offer a price, and they gleefully accept quickly, money and goods change hands, and as you walk away you can't help but feel a bit deflated.  Yes, you got the item you wanted, but it seems obvious you paid more than needed, and you wonder about the quality. 

When Is Planning a Waste of Time?

As they say in carpentry, "Measure twice. Cut once." We've all experienced what happens when we didn't plan [measure] correctly, and there wasn't an easy fix. Hopefully the frustration or embarrassment was enough to learn the lesson that adequate planning for success is important.  In addition, most of you reading this will be familiar with the concept of "Q2" or "Important, but not Urgent" activities like planning & strategizing, and specifically how these typically need to be a higher priority for most people in business to be more successful.  HOWEVER it is hypercritical to realize that TOO much planning is akin to paralysis by analysis.

Are you Productive or EFFECTIVE?

The other day I found myself rushing to get to Rotary in time for lunch and felt like I had been "running at full speed" from the moment I got out of bed. I had a to-do list with some check-marks and a good client meeting that morning, but I felt a bit manic as I was speeding along in traffic and mentioned on the phone, "Oooh, I don't like it when I'm rushing like this!" (I do like fast-paced and dynamic, but this was the next level), then I said  "At least I've been productive!" Because I felt I had been getting things done.  But then I realized I was justifying it.

Risk of Summer Plateau?

I call it "Summer Mode" and I see it every year with clients, professional connections, and yes- myself.  It usually manifests as a combination of decreased focus and productivity, increased procrastination, and even some laziness.  My theory is that it stems from the school year we were conditioned to; it's so ingrained in us and our culture that we take a break, that we deserve time off, plus we want to be outside soaking up the sunshine.  This tendency, coupled with more outdoor social gatherings like graduations, golf tournaments, and sporting events, means lots of us are spending less time in the office. Are you at risk of a summer plateau?  (Do you care right now?)

3 Tips for a Better LinkedIn Experience

I've noticed a trend in helping clients enhance results with their LinkedIn profile and connections, so thought I'd share some of the things I've learned to help people use LinkedIn more effectively.  Disclaimer: This reflects my personal/professional opinion.  I am not claiming to be a LinkedIn POC. There are lots of great experts out there already, but I hope this will be a great place to get started for some, and motivation to tweak something for improved results! 

Hit the "Up" Button

You know how it feels when motivation is flagging, and that task that you said you would complete suddenly seems too difficult and you want to take a break, or quit altogether?  Hit the "UP" button!

During one of my recent workout sessions, the video host said, "You can always hit the UP button" in reference to putting more effort into the task at hand.  Hmmm...I like it! Very motivating.  I have since adopted it a bit as a personal motto. (Thanks to Jillian Micheals)

Rational-Lies?

While driving the other day I got to thinking about a particular goal of mine...with a jolt of disgust, I acknowledged I haven't been fully committed to that goal for awhile.  Worse yet, I realized that I have been attempting to convince myself that it is OK if I do NOT achieve the goal!  WTH?  How did this happen? 

Plan in the FUN!

Why not have some fun with strategic planning?



To your continued success,
Heather A Legge
Coaching in Business to Change Habits and Boost Results-Envision Success Inc 

Stop Apologizing!

STOP APOLOGIZING SO MUCH (unless you really need to.)  How often do you apologize repeatedly for something minor, or for something that isn't your fault, or maybe for just being you?

Stop apologizing when you don't need to!
For example, have you ever seen a colleague be late to a meeting, and after texting "sorry" on the way once or twice, then apologizing 1-2 times when they enter the meeting,

Control Your Email in 5 Easy Steps

Does your Email cause you anxiety?  If so, you are not alone. In fact, the statistics are staggering!  You already know the pain, so let's talk solutions. To gain control of your Email, following are some easy suggestions and best-practices. These steps are also a countdown to ZERO messages in your inbox (at least for a moment in time):

Toilet Talk Needs to GO!

The Public Service Announcement could be "Just DON'T Do It."

I was in a restaurant's public toilet last week and a woman in the next stall was discussing specific data and spreadsheets with a coworker on her cell phone.  Not only was it obvious the conversation would have been more productive in person, it was awkward for several people within earshot, and may have been a data breach.  Wow.

Sure, the urge to multitask is strong.  We are all feeling the time crunch in our modern work environments.  However, other than brief conversational comments with colleagues in passing, the bathroom should be off-limits for work, especially for phone calls!   Here are 5 reasons why talking in the toilet is bad for business:

From Blame to Success in 30 Days

Think about your last encounter with someone angry because things didn't go well.  While you probably witnessed some yelling, cursing, maybe kicking or punching, and plenty of blaming, you probably didn't hear them accepting responsibility.  They likely blamed other people, the economy, the weather, the government, bad timing, and a whole slew of others.

Who is really the source?

Don't Be Resolution Roadkill

You've got your resolutions and/or your goals set.  Now how do you avoid what typically happens: becoming a statistical "failure"?  What will you do differently (from other people, previous years) to guarantee your success?

Following are 5 easy steps for achieving greater success. They are all important, but in this case they are counting down to the one most critical during times of multifaceted change: