Integration Week…
This week’s assignment is important not just for the WOMB program but for the rest of your professional and personal life.
Just in case you didn’t start yet (or you missed it today)… CLICK HERE to do it NOW.
Remember – this week’s assignment is answering a different question in the process – each day.
- Did you give the process a try?
- Do you have any question about the process?
- Did you get stuck anywhere?
This is your opportunity to ask any question related to this week’s implementation assignment – to make sure you get the maximum out of it.
It’s also a golden chance to help someone else – by reading their question in the comments below – and offering them an answer, an idea, an encouragement…
If you have any question regarding this week’s implementation assignment or you need some support – let me know in the comment box below, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
If you can offer an answer or support to anyone – please reply to their comment below.
Top Commenters – last 30 Days
Integration Week…
This week’s assignment is important not just for the WOMB program but for the rest of your professional and personal life.
Just in case you didn’t start yet (or you missed it today)… CLICK HERE to do it NOW.
Remember – this week’s assignment is answering a different question in the process – each day.
- Did you give the process a try?
- Do you have any question about the process?
- Did you get stuck anywhere?
This is your opportunity to ask any question related to this week’s implementation assignment – to make sure you get the maximum out of it.
It’s also a golden chance to help someone else – by reading their question in the comments below – and offering them an answer, an idea, an encouragement…
If you have any question regarding this week’s implementation assignment or you need some support – let me know in the comment box below, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
If you can offer an answer or support to anyone – please reply to their comment below.
I am looking forward to celebrate your progress and results on Friday (I’m curious to hear what solution you’ll come up with).
Until then…
Live fully, stay awesome,
Nisandeh
329 comments
Dear Nisandeh,
Context
This week I am performing Target Audience research and started with my network. In search of quick results, I have “burned” one of my precious contacts. I went straight to business instead of “warming-up” the conversation first.
What I have done
To deal with the burning pain, I have started a Mistake Journal. There I will journal about where the mistake came from and what I learned from it/ do better next time
Concerning Target Audience research I learned to start to warm up the conversation, restablish friendship/ rapport and then ask the “favor”.
Questions: What would Nisandeh do?
* How to deal with the burning pain of making a mistake?
* What is the best approach for doing Target Research with one’s network without getting “burned”?
718 comments
Well, Maru...
A mistake is only a mistake if you didn't learn from it.
So, let's start with your "Mistake Journal".
Totally understand and appreciate your purpose, not so much the execution.
A "Mistake Journal" will just bring pain to the surface each time you read it, and won't deliver any value.
Change it into "Lessons Journal" - and you now have a growing resource of wisdom and experience - that is a source for growth, insight, and pride.
And maybe as important - a legacy to leave to others...
Now... to your questions:
1. How to deal with the burning pain of making a mistake?
What would you tell your child if they made a mistake?
Would you want them to feel the pain forever, or would you help them find a way to forgive themselves?
Animals for most part don't make mistakes.
Human have free will - that's why we can make mistakes.
And since free will is what makes us human - then the ability to make mistakes is what makes us human.
And making mistakes is an expression of our unique quality as humans.
But what is also unique to us - is the ability to forgive.
Choose to forgive yourself.
Next... with all due respect to the pain that you feel for "burning" one of your precious contacts.
You didn't actually burned him or her.
You didn't kill them.
You didn't even wounded them.
You simply communicated in a way that they didn't expect from you.
Do yourself and your contact a favor and put it in perspective.
Then pick up the phone and apologize.
They might forgive you or not...
But if you're open and honest and truly sorry, and communicate that you would like to "fix" the damage to the relationship - then if the other person is not giving you a chance to do it - maybe it was all for the best...
2. What is the best approach for doing Target Research with one’s network without getting “burned”?
Just be honest and open from the beginning...
Hi...
I'm starting a new business, and I need your help.
I have a few questions that I would like to ask you about... if that's OK with you.
If it's OK... when would be a good time for you...
And before you ask the questions... let them know what type of questions you're going to ask, tell them that if they don't feel like answering a specific question to just let you know and you'll skip it...
Then at the end sincerely thank them for their help, and promise to keep in touch to share about the business and how their input helped you...
Hope that helps...
329 comments
This totally helps! Very valuable advice! Thank you so much Nisandeh!
120 comments
Dear Nisandeh,
As I said the other day, I have difficulty balancing my time. My wife is supporting me now by taking most of the daily tasks out of my hands even though I quit my regular job so I could do them in support of her. Now I should have at least 32 hours a week of extra time but since the baby came I feel I miss more hours than there are in a day.
I know one of my biggest struggles is getting back focused after any kind of interruption. But a baby just doesn't care that much about your focus on anything other than them. Also, doorbells (get a lot of packages each week), a 4-year-old, animals (got a lot of dogs) and even more my own thoughts, keep getting 'in the way'.
I try to write down my thoughts but still, that interrupts my work. I got a lot of them, useless and splendid ones. It's just a lot. I can go back to my ADHD medication but that blocks a lot of creativity, kills my will to eat, kills my night sleep a lot and can make me depressed. (Fun pills...) I know I do have more than enough time each day to work. It really is the focus.
Do you (or any other participants) have any suggestions on how to get back in focus quickly after being disrupted?
718 comments
I hear you, Logan…
I remember when my life looked as chaotic as you describe, and I feel for you.
But there’s always a way… if you’re committed.
Here’s what I’d do…
The most important thing for creativity AND productivity is working without interruption.
Any interruption, even a blip of an app that wants to tell you there’s a new message or email. EVEN if you don’t read the message or email, you’re already interrupted.
So I normally work in blocks of uninterrupted time.
A block can be 50 minutes or 25 minutes… whatever works for you.
Negotiate with whoever you need to, or find ways to be alone, focused, concentrated on ONLY one task for that block of time.
Make sure that it’s not only other people, kids and pets cannot interrupt you during this block.
But also that you eliminate any phone, message, email, or other distraction…
I’m pretty sure you can find/negotiate for one block of uninterrupted time per day.
Use it well.
Then have a look if you can find another one or two similar blocks of uninterrupted time per day.
I found out that even 25 minutes of uninterrupted time per day will make me more creative AND productive than an 8-hour workday with frequent and unexpected interruptions.
Try it and let us know how it worked for you…
85 comments
Hello Logan,
Totally agree with Nisandeh.
I just want to add some perspective:
- when you act on the distractions, you become a serial multitasker. This will cut your efficiency by AT LEAST 30 %.
- when you act a longer time on a distraction, the time to recover your original focus can become up to 23 minutes and 15 seconds (Canadian research tested in an email situation). Not only your productivity drops during that period, but you also generate higher stress levels during that period. So I would use longer blocks than 25 minutes. 25 minutes is a very good start to learn how to create those blocks and become better at it, but after that: make them longer.
Succes!
477 comments
Dear Nisandeh,
I'm looking for a good system to promote. What kind of system do you use? What is the most effective way of promoting? Is there such a thing as a step-by-step plan?
718 comments
To promote what, Marcel…?
To whom? What budget? What market place? What channels?
Lots of questions to consider…
Better share YOUR current “system of promoting”, and I’ll try to give you some feedback and suggestions.
477 comments
Thank you Nisandeh,
I got the message! I need to promote more specifically, because I did that way too general. More focused and more personal!!! I'm going to work on it!
576 comments
I also have a practical question: is there a way to see all my answers (or my buddy's) from all times in the WOMB ? I only see the comments on the videos of the Business University if I click on it....
718 comments
It’s not possible to see ALL your comments (as we keep your comments in the WOMB confidential from the rest of the world).
However, on any specific WOMB post you can put your name (or your buddies) in the ‘Search Author Name’ box and you’ll get all your comments in that specific post.
Hope that helps.
576 comments
ah.. no... I was hoping for something like in the Conscious Entrepreneur Program:) Thank you! But I have mine (and my buddy's) in a dropbox as well so I guess that is easier to find everything. Thought that would be handy to re-read everyhing that I did so far. And see how much I ACTUALLY implemented.
576 comments
Pff.. Got a question.
I have currently 2 challenges. And I don't know what to do. I am working for months now to find a location to do my book launch. Can't find any! I keep on calling and it makes me feel needy. In the beginning I thought "this is awesome who wouldnt want to have my book, and a good picture and exposure on social media and a networking event?", well, it turns out, they do want it but I get lost in administrative hassle and I'm about to give up. Maybe I shouldn't do a book launch at all.
Second challenge. I had a big customer saying that he wanted to work with me, we even planned the first day in the office to prepare. He agreed on the first meeting. All vocal, nothing on paper. I asked him to send him the invoice details but he never did. the day before I was going to his office he canceled it and since then he only sent a message "need to call you, will do later today" and that was a week ago.
When do I get myself together and keep going, and when is it time to give up and focus my energy on what does work?
105 comments
Maybe one of these links might help you?
devrijeuitgevers.nl/diensten/vermarkten
bureau-artemis.nl/informatief/publicaties/blog-de-promotie-van-je-boek-zo-pak-je-het-aan
boekenmakers.nl/service/marketing/
There is a lot more, but maybe this is not at all what you are looking for. (?)
718 comments
Good question, Gerdy…
I don’t know if there’s an absolute answer, but here are a couple of pointers/rules of thumb..
1. Always start with the WHY!
What’s the purpose of the action you’re doing?
In the case of your book launch, as we already discussed privately, the action itself will not get you to your purpose - so why do it?
And, clearly, the Universe is kind enough to show you that it’s going nowhere…
If your WHY is clear (e.g. I want to close more clients), then it’s easy to see if an action is going to deliver it or not (in this example, book launch will not).
So, if you chose anyway to take that action, don’t be surprised if it won’t deliver you the results you hoped for, and although you’re welcome to make it as an experiment - ‘killing’ that experiment sooner rather than later will probably save you time, effort, money and frustration.
2. Remember the ABC of selling - Always Be Closing!
We tend to get totally excited about someone saying anything vaguely resembling a “yes” to our ideas.
HOWEVER, until a “yes” is translated to a money in your bank (or at least a signed agreement) it only means, “I’m vaguely interested, let me sleep on it, I still need to get my wife/boss/shrink/dog to approve it, assuming the weather/economy/my mood/hormones will stay the same…”
I’m actually not joking…
Just see how we work… either you pay (money in the bank) or you sign an agreement (Business Bootcamp days), otherwise a “yes” is just a word worth very little.
So, in your second example - you should have got a signed agreement or payment (even partly or a deposit) the same day that he told you “yes”.
And you should have kept going at it until you get it…
BUT in the meantime you should have put that follow up on a low burner, and kept closing other clients for the same timeframe… if you’d manage to close that timeframe - you should have called the person in your example, and apologize that since he didn’t commit (money or signed contract) you had to take another client…
He’ll learn fast for next time.
So… I guess what I’m trying to say is:
1. Focus on the actions that will close a deal;
2. When you get someone interested, put all your energy on closing that deal (payment or signed agreement);
3. If that interested party is not acting quickly enough (a couple of days max, in 24 hours - better, on the spot - best) then lower your expectations, keep following them up, but don’t spend too much energy and go back to step #1 - to find the next prospect.
Hope that helps…
576 comments
Yes. The WHY. Thank you. I guess my WHY is also an ego thing, and also: I want to celebrate with everyone that the book is there! But if that is the case, then why not find a different way to celebrate it?
Regarding the customer: Absolutely and I agree... and I think I did it all, it's just that I got so frustrated. He sent me a message today that he will really call me when it's time and that it might take another week... we'll see... I'll keep in touch and in the meantime I have other clients too...
412 comments
Just one question, Gerdy: what is your WHY for still giving him a chance?
366 comments
Hey Gerdy, this is probably somebody who tries to get free advice. Just pick up the phone, say you need a date for your schedule is tight and invoice details before the meeting, as you do not work without a signed contract. And offer a one time session price if he keeps from getting solid. Remember Vered's "as is" during a presentation going wrong? Thats this kind of thing to do now. Hey, you did not send it, i'm assuming your goal was not x but y - am i correct? If so...
189 comments
Very valuable to learn from this, thank you
323 comments
Thank you- I add this to the answer of 'closing a deal' that you gave me last week!