Please Don’t Be A Copy Cat!

This weekend I was alone during the day. My son was working and my husband was playing in a golf tournament. Perfect timing for me since I had lots to do in order to be ready for a business trip I am taking. The weather was glorious – clear blue skies, 70 degrees, and all sunshine. This is amazing after the near month-long rain and gloom we’ve been having. I just admired it from the window as I slowly worked my way through the to-do list.

The highlight of my weekend was listening to a teleseminar series by Gina Bell, called “How Does She Do It?”

Fifteen amazing women business owners gave advice on “How To Stop The Knee-Jerk Reaction of Comparing And Copying So You Can Create Success Online (Your Way) With Authenticity And Confidence!” It was the perfect thing to hear since I have been falling prey to seeing what others are doing and feeling like I have to copy cat my way to success. As Dr. Phil would say, “How’s that working for you?”

Here are a couple of things that were Aha moments to me:

•    You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing. Be authentic to your own style. Discover what works for you. Create new paradigms! Don’t look outside yourself for definition.

•    Talk about money with your business girlfriends. Get to know money so it will flow into your business. Love your money. Pay attention to it. That will start bringing it to you.

•    Be generous with your contacts, but don’t give away everything. And there will always be a segment of your audience that will want you to do the task for them.

For me it all boils down to staying true to my strengths- which are completely different from everyone else’s strengths. What I bring to my work and clients is me. And you bring you! Listen and watch what your mentors are doing, and then take what you can that works with your business. But don’t BE them. Be You!

A not so ugly secret

As a work at home Mom for the last 13 years, one thing has made a difference for how I feel about myself. I always -without exception- dress down to my shoes (as the Flylady calls it.) It may be lunchtime before I get my exercising and shower in, but if you saw me, I’d have on decent clothes, shoes, jewelry, makeup, and my hair done. My mom would be proud that I’m likely to have on lipstick, too.

Okay – it’s not rocket science, but after 3 decades in a corporate world I know that I perform better when I am “ready.” If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you’ll do better work. I’m ready to dash out of the door to the store, or to a client’s office, and don’t have to delay a trip or feel embarrassed if I run into someone.  I do it even if no one else is around and I know I’m not going anywhere.

What do YOU do when no one is looking?