Adding Value

stock-appreciation

The term value has several meanings. What we value also varies from person-to-person. Years ago, I worked for a company that taught accountants, attorneys and IRS agents how to perform valuations to determine the worth of a company. Through this experience, I learned the financial value of business and goodwill.

I saw this happen as I worked hard to make a positive impression to thousands of audience members throughout the country. I employed some guiding principles to make a positive impression.

Here are a few of them:
1. Being cheerful to everyone
2. Protecting my energy
3. Doing what I said I would do
4. Staying hydrated
5. Being responsive

Because I was serious about my role and I cared about those I served, my value went up to those I interacted with. People will remember how you made them feel. If you care for others and it shows in your actions your value will increase. In all our personal and professional roles, the more value you give the more successful you will become.

When you buy products or services you have an expectation of value. Your customers also have expectations. The opportunity to grow your business comes from communicating this to your customers. What are some ways you can increase your value today?

You may not own your own company but may be working for someone else. By adding value in your job your social capital will increase. The law of sowing and reaping applies. The more you sow the higher yield you will reap.

Whether it’s financial or social adding value will equal success in the long run. May you win the race!

The Future

2012-10-22 12.12.03

What would you like your future to look like? This may be a question that is hard for you to answer. For years, I struggled to articulate what I wanted in life, business and the future.

Now, I can say I know what I want the future to be. Setting goals has always been a part of my DNA. If you have never set a goal in your life I challenge you now to set one. About a month ago I was listening to a speaker that spoke of writing down 101 goals or things to do by the age of 80. I took this challenge. It was a lot of fun to think about all the different areas of my life and list what would be meaningful for me to achieve.

Here are some of the items on my list:
1. Travel to all my Bucket List destinations
2. Be Debt Free
3. Interviewed by Oprah
4. Set up a foundation for youth
5. Own a Jet Ski

As I listed these items I began to visualize them already in my life. I can’t wait to cross them off as each year passes.

At times, planning for the future may be a frightening thought. The future may seem bleak or scary. When you start exercising faith, you will be able to see past the trial right now. There are good things to come. One way to insure positive happenings, is to work on your goals each day.

Your mindset is the key to unlocking a positive future. Take a few minutes and track your thoughts for the past 30 minutes. Were they more positive or negative in nature? If they were negative it is imperative that you start feeding your mind positive thoughts.

Here are a few suggestions to turn negative thoughts around:
1. Count your blessings
2. Smile at a stranger
3. Think about your favorite things

We are what we think about. That is why I have decided that planning and working everyday on my goals is the best strategy to a fulfilling and happy life. If you would like me to help you craft your future, please email me at linda@lhyatesconsulting.com. We will begin your journey to the future of your dreams.

Linda’s Success Tips: The Power of Taking a Deep Breath

Linda H. Yates – The Image Energizer shares the power of taking a deep breath and how it will help you be more productive and profitable.

When I was a young woman I had vocal lessons. Yes, singing is a major part of my life still to this day. When you take vocal lessons, a major focus is on how to breathe correctly. Through the years, I have come to realize that it is easy to hold your breath when you are feeling stressed or anxious. Perhaps you have noticed that this happens to you on occasion.

When you feel overwhelmed or something rattles you. Stop, take a deep cleansing breath then move forward. Oxygen provides a multitude of benefits. All of our systems work better when we tune in to how we are breathing.

Thanks for watching and sharing these success tips! I know that you can uncover, realize and accomplish more each day as you implement these tips! Please be sure to share your thoughts and comments. If you have any questions please put them in the comments below and I will respond personally.

Sign up for our FREE newsletter for more tips on how to energize your image and your life on www.LindaHYates.com. Have a wonderful week!

Servant Leader Who Inspires

servant-leader_0

Have you ever had a leader that inspired you? I know I have. I have been fortunate to have had many such leaders. The common trait with each of these leaders is that they serve me.

As a member of Toastmasters International, I have seen first hand great leaders that have blossomed before my eyes. There is a difference in motivation when a leader is self-serving rather than serving others. What is the key to success? The following are what I have seen servant leaders do:

1. Stay focused on the individuals that they have responsibility over. Whether it be in a corporation or member association, those who lead are the most successful when they look to empower others. When that happens they as a leader look even better.
2. Great listeners. Those who are effective leaders listen to those they serve.
3. Make the hard decisions. To be a great leader there are days you have to stand alone. Servant leaders are there in the beginning and will be there at the end.
4. Being an example to emulate. Those leaders that are the most successful realize that their actions speak louder than their words. Their integrity leads their life and is not stuffed in a drawer.
5. Keep balance. Leaders understand the need to keep balance. They draw their strength and energy from a variety of sources and realize when they start to get out of balance.

You can learn how to become a servant leader. A servant leader uses their head and heart in leading. Being a powerful leader starts with humility. Keeping the perspective of who you serve will be the catalyst to success.

Listening – The Secret To Success

listening-babe
This past weekend I was cleaning my desk and came across a personality profile assessment I had taken years ago. As I reviewed this assessment one of the concerns or potential problem areas mentioned was my ability to listen. This assessment is now seven years old. I hope that if I were to take it again today listening would not be an indicator for concern!

As a coach and consultant, listening is critical to success. Listening – deep concerted listening is a skill we all can get. One of the best ways I have found to build this skill is to check-in and see if I’m present in the conversation.

To check-in I reflect back in my head first, what the individual I was talking to said and then reflect back to them what I heard. Another strategy I use is to turn-off and away from all distractions.

When meeting with a client on the phone, I turn off email and other noise making alert devices. That enables me to focus on what someone said and to seek for the meaning of what is not spoken.

Great leaders are great listeners. Thus if you want to aspire to leadership opportunities then working on your listening skills is imperative. Another benefit of listening is that your confidence will increase.

Listening is a fundamental principle and if applied to every part of our life will enhance our experience. If you want to connect on a deeper level with your children – stop talking and listen. Ask open-ended questions and then stay focused on their answers. The more you do so the deeper your relationship will become.

I am grateful for the lessons I have had in business and life on the importance of being present and focusing on how to be a better listener. Now when I take an assessment, listening will be one of my strengths rather than a concern.

Strategies For Sleeping Like A Baby

good-nights-sleep

The power of a good night’s rest will assist you in achieving your goals and dreams. I find that when I don’t get a good night’s rest my day and even week goes amuck. As I have gotten older I have come to learn the rhythm of my body and what can help or hurt my ability to sleep well.

For several years I averaged roughly 4-5 hours of sleep each night. Day after day, week after week I noticed a few things started to happen. I noticed my mind wasn’t as sharp, I saw weight gain, and became more irritable and lost a lot of energy.

Once I took a step back and began changing my lifestyle and habits these symptoms began to change. When you have young children and they keep you up at night you begin to covet a good night’s rest. Here are some of the strategies I use to promote the best sleep possible:

1. Disconnect from email and electronic devices at least 30 minutes before going to bed.
2. Eating dinner by 7:00 pm
3. Evening bedtime routine
4. Retiring to bed about the same time every night
5. After a stressful day, filling the tub with hot water and essential lavender oil.

If you want to have the best health possible, you should strive to get 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. If you are a night owl, then start by retiring 15 minutes early and you will notice a difference in the way you feel the next morning.

Keeping balanced will be the avenue to reach your goals and objectives. Having a good night’s rest is a foundational principle in achieving balance. Happy dreams my friends.

Linda’s Tips – Know Your Audience

When you have been asked to speak one of the first action items on your list should be to know your audience. By being familiar with your audience you will be able to present relevant, timely and engaging information.

Some of the questions to ask before speaking in front of your speaking opportunity are:

What is the age range of the audience?
What type of professionals?
Are all of the attendees in the same industry?
What are some hot topics going on with the audience at this time?

I made the mistake once of presenting to a group who I thought were Twitter users. As I asked the question about Twitter I got blank stares. Part of my presentation had a segment devoted to Twitter. I had to quickly take that out. If I had asked this question before I got on the stage from the meeting planner I wouldn’t have had to scramble during the presentation.

Getting to know your audience before you step up on the stage will create the framework for a successful presentation. Your audience will fall in love with you and want an encore performance.

Thanks for watching Linda’s tips. These tips will assist you in uncovering, realizing and accomplishing your potential. Sign up today for our FREE Newsletter www.LHYatesconsulting.com.

Daylight

Sunrise Daylight

If you have been following my blog you probably realized that I have a fascination with light. Light in all forms empowers and energizes me. Today I would like to share my insight about daylight.

Being raised on a farm and ranch taught me that daylight is the opportunity to work and accomplish your goals. Seasons come and go. Light increases and decreases each day throughout the year. Taking advantage of the daylight and using its power to achieve your dreams is a life skill to master.

As my children have grown up it has been interesting for me to watch them give up staying up late at night. Now I see them taking advantage of the morning to get a jump-start on the day.

Setting the habit of getting up early is one of the most common habits of highly successful individuals. Try it for the next week and watch your productivity increase higher than you can imagine.

Just as a new day dawns the possibilities are endless. Each day as we embrace the light and the power it provides, our harvest over time will be fruitful and lush. The evening will be a time to relax, reflect, and celebrate a day full of accomplishment.

Family First

Norman Joy Family 1983

Being raised in a large family has been a wonderful blessing in my life. I had the opportunity to live a mile from one set of Grandparents and four miles from the other set while growing up. It was engrained in my life early on how important family is.

Fast forward 25 years later. While working for a technology company, my boss promoted the phrase “Family First.” His values impresses me still to this day.

A family may not be your blood relations. It may consist of friends, colleagues or associates. Family units have one thing in common – a bond that ties each member together. What type of family bonds do you have? I would love hearing about them in the comments below.

One of the most treasured blessings I have experienced, while living the life I have been blessed to live, is that of my family. I am married to the man of my dreams. We married six months after my eighteenth birthday. We have been blessed with 3 children. It has been an amazing experience watching them grow, mature and build their lives.

It is easy for me to get swallowed up in work and the different projects I have. The grounding principle in my life that keeps me balanced is valuing family and taking the time I need to build those relationships.

Business Building Tips

Business Building Tips

Being an entrepreneur has been a fascinating journey and one that has lessons through every turn. Business building is as important if not more so than working in the business. Taking time to focus on what you want will create the pathway to achieve all of your goals and objectives.

In business building it’s okay to change direction just as if you were planning a road trip. There may be several different routes you could take that will all get you to your destination. If you were to get into the car and just start driving with no thought of your destination, or a plan to reach that destination at a certain time, you would find yourself wasting valuable energy and precious resources.

One of the best business building strategies and tips I have found is to set aside a couple of hours each month devoted strictly to reviewing goals and laying out a path to complete them.

These are the things I have to do in order to have a successful business building session:

1. Schedule a time on my calendar
2. Turn off my phone
3. Shut down email alerts
4. Work in a relaxed atmosphere – sometimes I like to go offsite
5. Stay hydrated

Each of these tips has created a positive environment and experience to my business building sessions. After I have spent time working on my business, I feel higher motivation to achieve my goals and the momentum carries me through the next few weeks of doing the business.

Your business deserves your full attention. The focus on building your business, rather than just being in the business, will pave the road to faster and more stable growth. Are you ready to watch your business grow? Then pull your calendar out now and book it!