I mean the kind of shrinkage you get when you’re not being fully present, playing your biggest game or pushing yourself to your maximum potential.

So how are you going to avoid staying small and propel yourself into making a lasting impression in your business?

Here are a few tips:

1. Hit Refresh.
Whether it’s a new way of scheduling your day, a new approach to speaking with your staff, or picking up the phone to check in with clients instead of sending an email, try taking a new action that will support you in being bold.  Try something new at least once a week.

2. Say Yes!
Make saying “Yes” your new mantra.  Saying yes automatically may be counterintuitive, but it’s a great way to put yourself out there, and let everyone know you are ready to take on the world.

3. Squelch Fear.
When you feel fear creeping into your head, immediately shake it off, charge forward and refuse to let it hold you back.

4. Look for the Payoff.
Keep focused on where being bold will make the biggest difference in your business and dive in!

5. Take a Stand.
Be clear on what you stand for in your business, what your message is, and be sure to stick to your guns at all times.  Having an opinion is a good thing.

Shrinkage is a terrible disease that can seep into the way you run your business.  So stop plodding along and fight it by being bold, disarming fear and being the star of your industry.  I know you can do it!

Here’s To Your Big & Bold Success!

Your Small Business Coach,

Erin
www.erincollins.com
310-857-6668

P.S. My EXCITING new program starts in just a few weeks!  Stay tuned for more information…

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In my opinion, being a smart entrepreneur or small business owner means knowing how much time things take, and when it’s time to ask for help and outsource.

Ask yourself the following if you’re struggling doing everything alone:

• How much time do I spend in each area of my business daily?

• What is my skill level in each of those areas and how long might it take someone else to do the same work?

• What is my hourly rate or my time worth?

• What would it cost for someone to do the same task-oriented work?

• What tasks or projects do I want to outsource first?

Outsourcing is an investment in yourself and your business, and can be the reason your business jumps to the next level.  I’ve worked with many reluctant business owners who, at first, thought they could continue to do everything on their own.  But after taking a leap of faith and outsourcing, their whole world opened up as to the possibilities of the future of their business, as well as the ability to currently make more money overall.

The first step is to do a trial run with someone who you think is a good fit.  See how it goes, see how you feel about releasing control, and see what the outcome is.  If you hire a qualified and appropriate person, I guarantee it’ll be the kick-off to running your business in a new way and you’ll never look back.

Here’s To Your Outsourced Success!

Your Small Business Coach,

Erin
www.erincollins.com
310-857-6668

P.S. My EXCITING new program starts in just a few weeks!  Stay tuned for more information…

***Hire someone to do your social media and “like” me at https://facebook.com/ErinCollinsCoaching***

Sustaining a laser-focused business can be difficult for many entrepreneurs, because they usually have a lot going on at once.  If that’s something you tend to struggle with, consider doing the following:

1. Start with a clean slate.
Be extremely clear about your priorities, and what the most important tasks or projects are.

2. Manage your time.
Don’t over commit yourself to too many things at once and understand how much time things will take so you can plan accordingly.

3. Execute quickly.
Be decisive and don’t let fear creep into your thoughts and derail you from moving forward.

4. Cut the fat.
Stop wasting time in areas of your business that don’t serve you. Trim off anything that is costing you more time, money or effort than it’s worth.

I know these tips may sound simple, and they are.  A big key to staying focused is keeping things as simple as possible, and not letting any distractions, procrastinations, or other gobbledygook get in your way.

My motto is “Focus Don’t Freak!” and I mean it.  If you want to be as groovy as you can be, stay focused, know your limits, make good decisions and stay en pointe.

Here’s To Your Groovy Success!

Your Small Business Coach,

Erin
www.erincollins.com
310-857-6668

P.S. My EXCITING new program starts in just a few weeks!  Stay tuned for more information…

*Get in the groove and “like” me at https://facebook.com/ErinCollinsCoaching*

So, I’d like to ask you:  what helps you the most in your business?  Does looking at an overall concept or theory allow you to execute better, or are you a more practical, hands-on kind of person?

The reason I ask is because there are different ways of learning and applying what you learn.  And knowing what kind of learner you are can help speed up your ability to absorb, implement, and move forward in your business.  Being aware of how you approach things, how you learn, and how you execute can be very helpful information.

If you know you are a broader-picture kind of person, you might be better served by creating ideas and the overall direction in your business, and then contracting out the more detail-oriented tasks and projects.  On the other hand, if executing the details of a project and creating tangible results are what you’re great at, you may want to get support with the macro view of your business.

Most of us are very strong in one area or the other, and you can benefit from knowing where your strengths lie.  Stop wasting time trying to be all things in every area of your business, and farm out the projects or tasks that just aren’t your forte.  You’ll save time and money by knowing when to hire someone else to do it, and when you can do it quickly and easily yourself.

And if you need any help on either side of the coin, or where to find the right people to use in your business, just let me know. I’m always here for you and would be honored to help.

Here’s To Your Well-Executed Success!

Your Small Business Coach,

Erin
www.erincollins.com
310-857-6668

P.S. My EXCITING new program starts in just a few weeks!  Stay tuned for more information…

***See the big picture AND hands-on by “liking” me at https://facebook.com/ErinCollinsCoaching***

All of that is great stuff, but here are a few questions to make sure you’re ready to go:

• What is your tangible plan for 2012?
• What is the detailed, mapped-out strategy that will guide you through the year with exactly what you need to do?
• What are your expectations for this year, and how realistic are they?
• What new approach might you try to create the success you want?
• How will you stay on track and make sure you reach the success you’re shooting for?

I’ve already heard from a lot of clients who are revved-up and ready to “make it happen” starting now.  Are you someone who wants to do the same?  I know you can make 2012 an amazing year, and have the success you want if you have the right foundation and the right strategy.

Let me know if I can help you in any way.

Here’s To An Amazingly Successful 2012!

Your Small Business Coach,

Erin
www.erincollins.com
310-857-6668

P.S. My EXCITING new program starts in just a few weeks!  Stay tuned for more information…

***Kick things off right and “like” me at https://facebook.com/ErinCollinsCoaching***

Many people don’t bother because they say they never accomplish what they set out to, but I say resolutions are still worth it.  I think part of some peoples’ problem is that they have too many resolutions, or that their resolutions are just way too big.  So in a way, these people have set themselves up for failure.

Here’s my suggestion:  Come up with 3 Business Resolutions for yourself. And make sure they’re realistic.  Even if they’re tiny ones, it doesn’t matter.  Keeping them manageable and attainable is more important.

But be sure to also set a timeline with the resolutions. For example, if you were to say “I want to increase my client base by 10% in 2012″, well does that mean in the first 2 months or 8 months time?  Be as specific as possible.

Lastly, get inspired.  Think of a new resolution that could really change your business or maybe something you’ve been reluctant to try in the past.  Think of the beginning of the New Year as your kick-off to being bolder!

I’d love to hear what your inspired Business Resolutions are, so if you have a chance, email them to me.  I’d be happy to share them with you all so you can see how creative other entrepreneurs and business owners can be.

Here’s To Your Inspired & Resolved Success!

Your Small Business Coach,

Erin
www.erincollins.com
310-857-6668

P.S. My EXCITING new program starts in just a few weeks!  Stay tuned for more information…

***Inspire others and “like” me at https://facebook.com/ErinCollinsCoaching***

When you think about why you do what you do, I would imagine that a lot of it has to do with giving to and supporting others.  Maybe you’re the breadwinner of your family, or maybe you help support your siblings or parents, or maybe you just like to support those in need and give to a great cause.

Whatever the reason for your hard work, keep in mind that taking some time to relax, reconnect and recharge is the greatest gift you can give yourself. You need to have some quality down-time so you can embrace 2012 with open arms and be excited to make it a stellar year.

So turn off that cell phone, shut the computer, and soak up the holiday cheer.  I will be doing just that with my husband and family.  I’m so excited I get to just “hang out” with them, relax and play.

I wish you a Very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Here’s To Your Recharged and Ready Success in 2012!!

Your Small Business Coach,

Erin

www.erincollins.com

310-857-6668

P.S. My EXCITING new program is coming out in the New Year!  Stay tuned for more information!

***Be in the Holiday Spirit and “like” me at https://facebook.com/ErinCollinsCoaching***

Listening is an important skill that is not often practiced well.  So ask yourself the following to see if you measure up:

• How often do I listen completely without interrupting someone?
• What are my clients telling me that I’m not addressing?
• What percentage of a conversation do I listen vs. talk?
• How can I improve my listening skills?
• How can I be sure my clients, employees and colleagues know that I’ve heard them?

Good listening skills can make you, and others around you, more productive.  It allows you to build better rapport, show support, resolve problems, answer questions, and better understand where someone is coming from.

Think about how you can be a better listener, if you aren’t already, and try the 80/20 rule. Try listening 80% of the time and talking 20% of the time.  Make good eye contact.  And help make sure you heard them correctly by repeating what you think they were saying so they know that their point was clear.

See if making these adjustments makes a difference in not only what you learn from others, but also how listening well makes others feel.

Here’s to Your “Loud-And-Clear” Success!

Your Small Business Coach,

Erin
www.erincollins.com
310-857-6668

P.S. My EXCITING new program is coming out in the New Year!  Stay tuned for more information!

***Listen to my request and “like” me at https://facebook.com/ErinCollinsCoaching***

If you worry about whether or not your social media presence is where it should be, ask yourself the following:

• What is my tangible strategy for how I approach social media?
• How often to I tweet, post, blog, write articles or engage otherwise in social media?
• What do I need to do in order to be “in the game” of social media?
• Which service(s) should I focus on most?
• How do I quantify when I’m content with my participation in each medium?

There are new services popping up every day but for now, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn are still the big 3 and where most people hang out.  Make this the season of not only socializing with friends, but also getting more social with your business through social media.

Here’s To Your Social Success!

Your Small Business Coach,

Erin
www.erincollins.com
310-857-6668

P.S. I have an EXCITING new program that will be coming out in the New Year!  Stay tuned for more information!

***Be social with me and “like” me at https://facebook.com/ErinCollinsCoaching***

• What is one big project or task that you can complete before January?
• What do you need to put in place now so you can start off 2012 right?
• What do you need to eliminate or phase out in the next few weeks to be able to focus on what’s important in the new year?

Although there’s still plenty of time to be doing business before the end of the year, taking stock now of what you can complete, capitalize on, and consolidate will help you wrap up 2011 with a nice bow on top.

If you try your best to get as much as you can out of the last days of the year, you’ll most likely get a lot accomplished and be able to enjoy the holidays even more.

Here’s to Your Nicely Wrapped Up 2011!

Your Small Business Coach,

Erin
www.erincollins.com
310-857-6668

P.S. I have an EXCITING new program that will be coming out in the New Year!  Stay tuned for more information!

* Make one of your last drops be the gift of “liking” me at https://facebook.com/ErinCollinsCoaching *