New Year thoughts and BEST recipe!

New habits for a New Year?
It doesn’t have to be a new year, but it can be a good time to adjust your course, get rid of a few habits or clutter, and add what you need or want.  I’ve been spending the first 2 weeks of 2010 at my childhood home, my parents farm, sleeping in my old bedroom, and cooking up a storm (well almost) in my mothers kitchen.  She’s having a love/hate relationship with the results – it’s gluten-free, which suits us both, but she thinks she’s putting on weight while I’m here.  I think it’s a Christmas/New Year concern.  I’ll be back at the gym next week, so I’m not concerned, but one of the recipes is a must-share, and one that I’ll be taking into the year with me as it’s SO easy, and healthy too!
Actually, when it comes to cooking – “easy” is the priority for me.  So the winner is…
from the book “4 Ingredients GLUTEN FREE”
Date Loaf
(a recipe from Mrs Frasier, Raceview QLD)
375g packet of dates
2 tsp instant coffee in 1 Cup boiling water
1 Cup GF self-raising flour
Preheat oven to 160. mix coffee & water, pour over dates and soak overnight. stir in GF flour. pour mixture into a baking paper lined loaf tin, sprinkle with flaked almonds (I used shredded coconut when I ran out of almonds) and bake for 45 mins.
Optional (and I recommend…) serve warm spread with butter.

And while your making the most of the new year, it doesn’t hurt to reflect on the old one – what gems are you bringing with you from 2009? I spent some time going through the questions in my previous blog – and I must say!  I ask some good – and challenging questions!  It took me a few days, but my journal is loaded with insights, and some great ideas I have to implement at the right time.  That’s something else I noticed – I have some great goals, but not the best sense of timing.  I want to do everything NOW, but do see the sense in pacing myself, as well as listening to my husband who has an amazing innate sense of timing.  More insights for another blog – go and try this recipe!  I love that it’s 2 minutes effort after dinner, and about 5 minutes in the morning!

Have a great week!

Love Kerrie

A different perspective on Celebrating…

…when you’re dealing with disappointment when everyone else is celebrating.

Sometimes the year finishes all too soon, with goals incomplete, and disappointments scattered around you like the gift-wrapping after Christmas lunch.

If you’re familiar with my writing or speaking, you know I’m passionate about celebrating.  Reflecting on accomplishments and celebrating learning is incredibly valuable. It’s not always easy, and even more important at these times. I know many people who are completing 2009 with a sense of “Thank God this year is over! I don’t want to think about it again.”

It may have been a really, really tough year, so let’s have a look at what there is to celebrate… come with me on a journey of discovery. (It’s been a tough year for me, but the outcomes are amazing!)

Did you do something for the first time this year?
Did you meet someone new who opened your eyes to new ideas or opportunities?
Did you step outside your comfort zone?  What do you now do, or know, that was once outside of your reach?
Did you set a goal that scared you because it was ‘bigger than ever’?  How did you go?  Whether you reached it yet or not, what did you learn?
What do you now have, or what do you know as a result of tackling this goal?
How did you handle the challenges that came up this year?  (Never mind if it wasn’t as well as you would’ve liked, but did you handle things better than a previous time)

What would the most encouraging, sincere friend be saying to you if you discussed the above with them?

It’s so important to find opportunities to give yourself a pat on the back.  It increases your awareness, expands your creativity and your confidence, and can even increase your energy – how useful is that at this time of year!
If you keep noticing the things you aren’t so proud of, acknowledge them and put them aside… you might need to remind yourself that it’s time to silence the inner critic and see what else is there that the critic has been ignoring.

Personally, I’m really looking forward to a week to reflect on this year, which feels a bit of a haze at the moment as I’m more fatigued than I’ve been for a long time, so I’m going to start by going through my calendar month by month, noting the events.
I know I will realise that I’ve traveled extensively, met amazing people each time that I am grateful to have connected with. Some have been dear friends for a long time, some are new connections.
I know I will find many new experiences, and moments where I jumped out of the comfort zone which resulted in great learning and more opportunities.
I know I’ll find moments where I surprised myself, and insights that will jump off the pages and excite and inspire me.
I know I’ll be grateful for each coaching journey I’ve taken with clients and in awe of the difference it’s made for them.  Actually reading their testimonials speaks volumes to me…

Are you seeing how this could look for you?

What will you do to celebrate your accomplishments – and the fact that you’ve arrived at the end of this year? See yourself crossing the finish line… You made it!!! Well done! Start with the simple things – pen and paper – and go for it!!!

Now go and have a real celebration, no need to put a smile on – the happiness and confidence will come from the inside out!

Cheering you on,
Kerrie

PS.  Please leave a comment with your thoughts, especially if you’d like to be notified when I actually do my list (I know it’s going to take a while!) – I’m happy to share some of it with anyone who would find it useful to see an example.

Focus on Flourishing

When I hear people talking about how businesses are struggling at the moment, especially when it’s an “all-too-hard” tone of conversation, I just want to say, “STOP!  It’s not all doom and gloom.   I know of businesses that are really flourishing” – so I want to highlight one of them here.

I’ve recently connected with Ellen Bathgate, a very lovely, business savvy, 25 year old, who inspires me in the way she runs her business.  She’s a very practical thinker and creates and follows systems so that she can look after her clients exceptionally well.  She makes her clients feel really valued and makes it so easy for people to do business with her.  What Ellen has learned previously, as an employee in a different industry, she applies in her own business, Rouge Beauty. There’s a valuable point to note right there – success secrets work just about anywhere! (And they’re not really a secret…)

Another thing that makes Ellen successful is that she doesn’t stop learning! We all know that you don’t stop learning when you leave school – although that may have been what you’d hoped – it’s only the beginning! Learning doesn’t have to be as challenging as it may have been at school, it can be an adventure!  (Think of it as discovering useful things, if the word ‘learning’ sends a shudder down your spine.)  Keep making discoveries that help you grow and move forward!

Step outside of your business for a moment, ask for feedback from others, see it from some different angles, and always keep focused on the outcomes you want, not the negativity that is all around.  Look at what’s working, for yourself or others.  What do you do best?  Focus on that and get support from others for the areas you’re not strong in.  Focus on flourishing.

If you are looking for possibilities, you’ll find them.  Be inspired by other people’s success stories and keep believing in your dreams.  As Eleanor Roosevelt stated, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”.

Want more success stories?  Want to fast-track your success?  Make sure you connect with Create the Life Club to become a part of a community that shares wins, success tips and resources from the world’s best, and awesome opportunities to get you where you want to go.

I would also like to give you 5 amazing business-building resources absolutely FREE. You will discover how to overcome obstacles, develop effective habits and so much more.  They are valued at over $147.   This will also include you in the inspiring and fun Create the Life Club newsletter, which connects you to successful people and encourages you to achieve your life dreams.  Click the banner below today.

What Makes a Great Sales Person

What Makes a Great Salesperson? It’s someone who cares more about answering their clients concerns than making the sale. If you talk someone into something, someone else will talk them out of it.

Serving customers is an expression that is used lightly… (Fred! Come out front and serve!) Serving is not a task, it’s an attitude. When you are there to serve people, you make them feel special and safe to do business with you.

I recently went to get some hot chips for a friend, and so went to the shop they recommended (for quality and speed). After waiting for a full 5 minutes, standing at the counter, to be acknowledged by anyone, I asked how long it would take for $5 of hot chips. When the response was “oh, about 20 minutes” I said, “never mind” and walked out, wondering if I was making the right decision… how long would it be at Peter & Angela’s? I drove there, was greeted pleasantly by Courtney, and told it would be 5 to 10 minutes. They were just as busy, with as many people waiting as the first shop, but I noticed how they worked as a team. I left there and was halfway home in the time the other shop would have taken if I’d stayed. With an abundance of quality chips that the kids loved. Lessons,…

For me, go with my gut feeling – I’d looked at the shop from across the road and not felt great about it, I walked in and didn’t feel any better. Sometimes we want to be open-minded for the sake of others, but if your gut feeling doesn’t agree, go with it!

For customer service providers – be that – provide customer service. With a smile. If it comes without a smile is it really service, or just doing a job?

When a customer enters, acknowledge them immediately, make them feel valued as they step in the door. How do you feel when someone looks delighted to see you?

Work as a team, this makes you all far more efficient, so lessens stress, heightens the sense of accomplishment and is much more fun!


I’ll leave you with a couple of my favourite team quotes… When we all work together, we all win together. (this one is on the wall under a picture of a group of skydivers in a free-fall formation)
And of course – TEAM =
Together
Everyone
Achieves
More.
Not just a nice anagram, but completely and scientifically proven to be true!

Have fun being a Great Sales Person.

Click the banner below to access more fantastic resource on customer service.

Smile and be a Great Sales Person!