Self Employed Success

Recently I made a commitment to write a new book. Whether I’m writing a book or a blog post, the hardest part is getting into the habit of writing. After all, writing a 60,000 word book means blocking out huge chunks of time on a consistent basis – and actually writing during those appointed times!

Then I heard about an idea that sprang up from the academic community called Shut Up and Write. People who had to write their master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation would agree to get together on a regular basis, spend a few minutes getting settled, and then “shut up and write” for 25 minute sprints. Then they’d take a 5 minute break and do another 25 minute sprint.

This technique of 25 minutes of work and 5 minutes of break is a proven method for working within your brain’s normal rhythms. Add that to the group support and accountability of working quietly together, it’s a real win-win.

Imagine having time set aside each month when you will definitely get some writing done towards your book, blog posts, or other writing projects. This isn’t a replacement for all the time you’ll need to get all your writing project done, but it can be a cornerstone to developing the writing habit.

I decided to create my own Shut Up and Write virtual accountability group, and you can join me for five Shut Up and Write virtual meetings, beginning July 29.

We will meet every 2 weeks:

• July 29
• August 12
• August 26
• September 9
• September 23

We’ll meet via video conferencing (I’ll send you the Zoom link once you register for the group), and each meeting will be 90 minutes. That will allow us enough time to do THREE 25-minute sprints of writing, and still have time to share, support and motivate each other.

(If you don’t have a video camera, or you won’t be near your computer, you can dial-in on phone or Skype.)

Our 90-minute video meetings will be from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM eastern.

1:00 PM eastern (New York time zone)
12:00 PM central (Chicago time zone)
11:00 AM mountain (Denver time zone)
10:00 AM pacific (Los Angeles time zone)
6:00 PM London (England)
7:00 PM Berlin (Germany) or Paris (France)

Do you want to join me?

The cost is only $20. (NOT $20 per meeting — $20 for all 5 meetings)

If you’d like to join Shut Up and Write, register here

P.S. Once you register, please email me and tell me what writing project(s) you’ll be working on.

P.P.S I can’t wait to get writing together!

Personal Branding: Stand Out By Standing For Something

When you sell your services in a crowded marketplace, you have to stand out from the crowd so your customers choose YOU.

In this 2-part Personal Branding webinar, we talk about creating a brand that captures your customers’ attention, and more importantly, their loyalty.

Whether you’re branding your entire business, or a service, product, class or mastermind group, this is the perfect webinar for you.

Here’s what you will learn in this webinar:

• Define the Three Pillars of Branding for your business
• Increase your reach and revenue with a strong brand
• Choose your brand, your uniqueness and what you stand for
• 16 ways to be unique
• Determine your Big Promise
• Craft your positioning statement and your Core Message
• Choose your image and brand personality
• Get known and be seen as an expert
• Where to implement your brand and build your brand and reputation

Come with your ideas and questions, and walk away with a branding checklist to implement immediately!

Join me on April 20! Learn more about the Personal Branding class here: http://www.passionforbusiness.com/personalbranding/

Adding mastermind groups to your existing service offerings, or simply setting one up for your personal use, will help you grow yourself and your business.

The beauty of Mastermind Groups is that participants raise the bar by challenging each other to create and implement goals, brainstorm ideas, and support each other with total honesty, respect and compassion.

Mastermind participants act as catalysts for growth, devil’s advocates and idea-generating colleagues.

If you are new to mastermind groups, this introductory level class is for you.

In this online, self-study program, you will learn how to:

• Help people distinguish between a mastermind group, group coaching, and training classes
• Pick what type of people should attend your mastermind group
• Choose to facilitate, participate, or both
• Select your mastermind group’s niche and type
• Decide where to hold meetings
• Determine if your group should be free or paid
• Create meeting agendas
• Prepare for your first meeting
• Write group guidelines
• Choose among basic masterminding techniques
• Determine why mastermind groups fail — and what you can do to ensure the success of your group

For more information and registration:

http://www.TheSuccessAlliance.com/start/

Create success. Start a mastermind group today! 🙂