Ever sit with a single puzzle piece of clouds and wonder how you will ever put the entire sky together? Life as an entrepreneur is often just like that-- lots of the little pieces, creating products, taking care of clients, wrestling with computers, finances, taxes, etc.-- and a whole lot of sky. The big open space where you create a successful and enjoyable business. There were many pieces of 'puzzle sky', I was drowning in an ocean of sky blue. After over a decade of struggling with my own company to fit all the 'pieces' together, I have finally put together the big business puzzle-- and it's not what I thought it would look like.
As a sponge for knowledge, I would constantly search for information to help me grow. Emblazoned in my mind was a quote that I stumbled upon by accident while researching William Shakespeare in the old, smelly, humid junior high library (thank goodness for the Internet). "Information is power" insightfully said by Sir Frances Bacon. At thirteen years old, I didn't exactly know what power was but I knew I didn't want to be a 'dork' or a 'druggie', like so many of my friends. So, I wanted power. So... I needed knowledge. I lived for it.
I became a "knowledge" junkie and didn't 'know' it. How ironic is that? I graduated from college with over twenty more credits than needed because I kept taking classes. A habit that carried into adulthood, waaay past college, anytime I tackle a new endeavor or head in a new direction... I take a class. A class-- the perfect place to get knowledge right? Yes, though I found I gave up something for that knowledge. And I didn't know it.
For me, every pursuit of knowledge was a piece of "puzzle sky." I was excited with the opportunity to learn something new. Exhilarated by the threshold of my un- dorkiness being expanded. Enamored with the teacher teaching me! Yet at the end of each 'learning' experience, something felt-- wrong. Yes, I had gained a piece of knowledge but felt empty and unattached. So, I would throw myself into another class, another learning opportunity-- ever on my quest for power. I had no idea that with each learning experience, I was instead seeking permission for the new undertaking-- and was sidetracked by the high I got from the experience of learning. (Gosh, I hope I'm not the only one.)
With more and more people leaving their cushy corporate job, there's an explosion of entrepreneurial workshops and seminars teaching you how to be more, make more, more, more, etc. With all these portals of power, how do you know what's valuable information? Every one of these workshops and the information they offer are a benefit to you-- ONLY IF it is part of your larger picture. So let me help you now... you don't need permission to "see" exactly what is inside you daring to come out.
To be successful you must dare to learn, surround yourself with knowledge, savor each individual learning experience, HOWEVER always hold it in relationship to your big picture-- your success sky.
You must have a clear vision of the sky... your sky. No one else's. You get to establish if it's blue or green. You get to establish is it's clear or cloudy. You even get to establish if it's up or down. The important thing is that you "see" it, establish it, create it by surrounding yourself with knowledge to supports that vision.
The next time you are considering taking a course or workshop for your business, ask yourself these three simple questions:
1. What is my sky?
2. Which piece of my "sky puzzle" does the course fulfill?
3. Can this knowledge help me "see" my sky better or help me create it faster?
Knowing the answers will ensure you get actually what you need.
After all my years of knowledge hunting, I'm amazed to find I am now in the knowledge-sharing business. Of course, I learned how in an incredible workshop :) (Email me at info@whybrandu.com I'll tell you about it!). I know you can accomplish whatever you want. It just takes the right individuals to remind you and expand your knowledge. I'm honored to have the opportunity to be one of them.
© Castle Montone, Limited All Rights Reserved.
Written by Kim Castle, the Co-founder of BrandU? - the home of only step-by- step process for developing your business as a brand from the inside out!
To get information on upcoming BrandU one-day workshops: http:// www.whybrandu.com/Public/events/workshop/index.cfm?semID=13
Get your Why You?!(sm) monthly ezine for easy-to-read tips and informative insights on branding. To subscribe: http://www.whybrandu.com/
"BrandU? - Big Business Success No Matter Your Size"
Toby is one of our two family pets (both cats).... Read More
Marketing is actually very simple. It involves telling people what... Read More
Part #26) Food safety is becoming paramount.What this means to... Read More
So how do you do it?Direct mail marketing. When it... Read More
We've all heard that "free advice is worth what you... Read More
NO! When I say "5 P's", I'm not talking about... Read More
We live in a world of noise ? not just... Read More
Trade shows are part of the marketing mix and the... Read More
1. Advertise in trade journals, ezines, and web sites that... Read More
It's no secret that using a job site sign can... Read More
Your market is not everybody, as so many small businesses... Read More
If you have been to expos and trade shows as... Read More
The lowly postcard?it's more than just a "having fun, wish... Read More
All small businesses can benefit from inexpensive off the shelf... Read More
How smart is your marketing? Do you follow the crowd... Read More
"Goals are dreams with deadlines." -Diana Scharf HuntWhen clients come... Read More
The small business marketing strategy you can't afford to miss... Read More
In today's competitive world of business, it takes moxie and... Read More
Now that you have had a chance to create a... Read More
"If My Work is Good Enough, I Shouldn't Have to... Read More
Even the world's best marketing strategy won't work for you... Read More
Trading reciprocal links is one of the best ways to... Read More
Business marketing is one of the most important parts that... Read More
A few months ago, we attended the recent Austech 2005... Read More
When asked "what business are you in" many business owners... Read More
Everything you will ever need to know about internet marketing... Read More
How many times has your competitor gotten one over on... Read More
If you're just dipping your toes into the waters of... Read More
It is my belief that if anyone is to suceed... Read More
One of the most essential things to successful networking is... Read More
Does it make sense to clap for your customers? It... Read More
The REAL key to successful marketing of any product is... Read More
The world of marketing has changed. With increasingly better educated... Read More
Parents are always looking for free and easy ways to... Read More
A step-by-step guide to creating a growth strategy... Read More
The marketing decisions you make for your new business are... Read More
If you're doing any sort of marketing effort, whether it's... Read More
How would you use business cards for gift certificates?I asked... Read More
5000 B.C. -- somewhere near a cave in MontanaOg the... Read More
Before you ever get on the telephone, send a marketing... Read More
Your nametag can be your best friend. It can be... Read More
Are you on track for hitting all your business goals... Read More
With promotional items there are standards: t-shirts, mugs, note cubes,... Read More
Wondering if your marketing message is dancing in the spotlight... Read More
The telephone enables a credit manager to make many contacts... Read More
Your mailing list retains its value best if... Read More
Some of the most successful package introductions have come from... Read More
People are known to shop on impulse- buying an item... Read More
The Building Blocks to Successful MarketingIt's More than Sales and... Read More
In my e-book "Articles That Sell", I've shared the secret... Read More
Marketing Marketing |
|
| العاب | منتديات هيدى | الزاوية الحمراء | |
|
Pharaohs products egypt products Egypt shopping Shopping in Egypt sho Egypt Bazaar Pharaohs Shoping Center Egypt Pharaohs |