Looking for Sky In All The Wrong Places

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"



What Our CAT Taught Me About Marketing!

Toby is one of our two family pets (both cats).... Read More

Massage Marketing Made Easy: A Simple Nine Step Marketing Plan for Therapists and Bodyworkers

Marketing is actually very simple. It involves telling people what... Read More

Packaging Trends You Cannot Overlook (Part #2)

Part #26) Food safety is becoming paramount.What this means to... Read More

Direct Mail Marketing Done Correctly, Cannot Fail

So how do you do it?Direct mail marketing. When it... Read More

Why Pay for Online Press Release Distribution?

We've all heard that "free advice is worth what you... Read More

Five New 5 Ps!

NO! When I say "5 P's", I'm not talking about... Read More

Small Business Marketing Tip - Get Attention and Be Remembered

We live in a world of noise ? not just... Read More

Corporate Branding and Trade Shows - 8 Tips for Marketing Managers

Trade shows are part of the marketing mix and the... Read More

Top 9 Strategies To Attract More Clients Now

1. Advertise in trade journals, ezines, and web sites that... Read More

4 Steps To Increase Your Job Sign Marketing

It's no secret that using a job site sign can... Read More

Target Your Market

Your market is not everybody, as so many small businesses... Read More

Trade Show Promotions That Are Memorable

If you have been to expos and trade shows as... Read More

Powerhouse Marketing With Persuasive Postcards

The lowly postcard?it's more than just a "having fun, wish... Read More

Off the Shelf Small Business Mapping Software

All small businesses can benefit from inexpensive off the shelf... Read More

The Seven Keys to Marketing Genius: The Complete Guide to Increasing Your Marketing IQ

How smart is your marketing? Do you follow the crowd... Read More

Creating a Marketing Timeline That Works: 17 Simple Ideas for Marketing Your Small Business

"Goals are dreams with deadlines." -Diana Scharf HuntWhen clients come... Read More

Getting Personal ? Innovative Marketing for Small Business Owners

The small business marketing strategy you can't afford to miss... Read More

The Top 10 Wild and Wacky Ways to Market Yourself for Big Visibility

In today's competitive world of business, it takes moxie and... Read More

Youre Halfway There!...Or Not Part 2

Now that you have had a chance to create a... Read More

If My Work is Good Enough

"If My Work is Good Enough, I Shouldn't Have to... Read More

Marketing Worksheet

Even the world's best marketing strategy won't work for you... Read More

A Quick Guide To Finding Reciprocal Links

Trading reciprocal links is one of the best ways to... Read More

The Importance of Business Marketing

Business marketing is one of the most important parts that... Read More

Trade Show Videos Need to be Planned

A few months ago, we attended the recent Austech 2005... Read More

Client Attraction Technique #1: Niche Marketing

When asked "what business are you in" many business owners... Read More

If you'd like to keep up-to-date,
please complete the form below and we'll put you on the mailing list
to receive our twice-yearly newsletter for supporters

* Your email address:
* choes your language:
 

العاب منتديات هيدى الزاوية الحمراء

Pharaohs products    egypt products    Egypt shopping   Shopping in Egypt   sho  Egypt Bazaar Pharaohs Shoping Center   Egypt  Pharaohs