I help clients learn how to take time off. I would guess you are just like them; you want a thriving business, but you also want a life. But you don’t know HOW to have both!

Do you want a thriving business that ALSO incorporates balance? This is simple and short:

Look at your schedule for the upcoming week and determine now what day you’ll take off and schedule it in, right now.

That’s it!

Now, if you find that you do not have a full day open for next week, what half day do you have?

Imagine that your business depended on this one step of taking time off. Would you THEN do it?

For me, my day off each week is Friday. I try to keep Tuesdays open, and occasionally Thursdays. But Fridays are NOT negotiable!

Sure, sometimes that ‘non-negotiable’ turns into work. Yuck! And I kick myself, because I STRONGLY believe in practicing what I preach. But it doesn’t happen that often, actually. Today I went on a train ride through the Verde Valley in AZ. And tomorrow, which is Saturday, I will go hiking. And since I took Thursday off, too, I will do some work on Sunday.

That’s the joy of being my own boss.

Your day off is not a day to spend time cleaning house or running errands. It’s a day just for you; maybe meet a friend for breakfast, coffee or lunch. Or maybe to go shopping or even just window shopping. Or maybe to go see a movie or sit down and read a book.

For some of you, this will be really hard. How can I ask you to just do nothing! However can you grow your business if you do this?

How will you EFFECTIVELY grow your business if you DON’T!!

For others of you, you’ll say, no, there’s no way you could do this and ENJOY it. You haven’t taken a day off in… well, probably YEARS! Yea, all the more reason.

New habits have to be learned. It’s time for you to learn this new habit if you really want to take your business to the next level. Trust me; I get it about having to LEARN to take time off and not always think about business. But believe me when I say that it WILL happen. And your business will benefit as a result of it.

We have to take time off, totally off, in order to rejuvenate, renew, and be able to maintain our passion for the work we do and in order to be able to create new services, programs and products for our clients. We can’t do that if we are overworked, overwhelmed and  cluttered emotionally.

So, schedule that day off. And then look at the following week, because this will be the START of something new for you. And let me know how it goes!

Margie

MEG Enterprises

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I just took almost a week off to play in the Grand Canyon. And I have to say that because I let myself go, I am the best boss, ever! Afterall, a big part of what I preach is balance. Vacations are part of incorporating balance into life.

My plan with this ‘trip report’ is to also apply it to how we all should incorporate play into business, in order to keep ourselves creative, passionate and balanced.

We got there Tuesday and it rained all day, but we went to the Backcountry office and got a permit to go down for Thursday and Friday night. We hiked down the South Kaibab trail Thursday morning (started at 6am). Our packs were heavier than they should be. Won’t make THAT mistake again! The trip down was a killer. But we took LOTS of breaks.

It took us 6 hours to get down. Just before getting to the campground, we passed a sign next to the creek that said (I should have taken a picture!) stop here and put your feet in the creek. I told Don that if I took my pack off one more time, it was NOT going back on! It was so heavy he had to help me put it on each time. The limit should be 25% of your body weight. I think we were more at 40%..

Bright Angel Campground at the bottom is beautiful, and camping in a canyon like that is really cool. I can NOT believe I never took pictures of our camp! Then the Phantom Ranch is right down the path from the campground. We ordered dinners for both nights before going down, so we enjoyed a group seating with different people each night. It was interesting to talk to people who had ridden down on the mules, those who had come from the north rim, and to people who have used the service that will take your pack down and up the canyon. 

On Friday, we just hung around camp, checked out the trail we would take out the next day and spent a LOT of time in the creek. No showers for campers, so we ‘bathed’ in the creek. Weather was high 80s-low 90s. Hot to sleep, but with the creek, ideal. It was tough to sit too long in the creek because our muscles tightened up.

Saturday morning we got up at 3am, cooked a good breakfast, packed up our packs, and headed onto the trail by 5am.

Bright Angel Trail is BEAUTIFUL! Granted, all uphill, but gorgeous. We hit Indian Garden, the mid-way point (4.8 miles) at ~7:30am. Longer than I expected, but we weren’t in any race. We stopped for quite awhile, replenished our Gatorade and water, and headed back on the trail about 8. We thought we’d hit the sun shortly after that, but most of the trail was actually in the shade! But, yea, all uphill.

Oh, did I say that?

Seriously, though, with the breaks we took, it wasn’t as bad as the one going down! But about from the 3 mile point (from the top), we encountered TONS of people. I now know why they say the uphill traffic has the right-away. I had my hat on, and unless I lifted my head, I couldn’t see uphill traffic.

By about the 1.5 mile stop, I was ready for ‘express’ to come get my pack. Where were they??? Even the mules had passed us by! But, seriously, we finally made it to the top by 1pm. We immediately went to the Bright Angel Lodge, checked our ‘baggage’ and went into the restaurant and ate lunch. But then we had to put the packs back ON to walk to our car. Still couldn’t find that ‘express’ service…

I’m pleased that we are in better shape than I gave us credit for. Although Don aches a bit here and there, and my calves are sore, we recovered rather quickly. In fact, we’re ready to go again! Next week we’ll head up for a day trip down to Indian Garden, and maybe we’ll make a few more trips before the snows start to fall.

I am just the best boss ever!

Margie

I’m heading off for a week of fun. And, not taking my computer with me! And, heading to the Grand Canyon for some fun hiking.

And, with that, I’m practicing what I preach on here so often. Take time off and play. This increases your creativity, allowing you to stay fresh and passionate about what you offer.

See you when I get back!

Margie

One huge theme I hear these days is how overwhelmed people are. They don’t say, “Oh, I’m so overwhelmed!” They say they don’t have time, they wonder why they’re bothering with their business, they have no life, and they are exhausted.

Sound like you?

Well, how do you overcome this overwhelm? Here are three simple steps. Yea, really, as simple as this:

Step 1 – Removed from your daily planner, print up a generic schedule that gives you a grid of every hour in a full week. Print it up and do this manually. Computers still don’t work for EVERYTHING. Shade out all of your personal time, such as sleeping, eating, caring for kids/family, etc. Shade out self-care time, such as exercise or relaxing (yea, it should be on there). Then shade out any work/client time – this is the time you actually work on bringing revenue in. This can also include time spent charting, etc.  The time you have left over is the time you have to work ON your business. Perhaps NOW you can see why you’re so stressed! You’ve been trying to work on the business with time you don’t have! Just by being aware of the time you have available can put it all into perspective and help relieve some of your stress.

Step 2 – Learn to say no. It’s a simple suggestion I give ALL of my clients. When an opportunity comes your way, always, always, always ask yourself this question: Does this help me achieve my goals right now? If the answer is no, then kindly refuse, BUT keep the door open by saying, “I’m sorry, I can’t do this right now, but please contact me at another time.” You’ll be surprised how that keeps the door open.

Step 3 – Write down your goals for the week, and then break it down into your goals for the day. Keep it simple, keeping in mind the time you’ve learned you actually have (as opposed to the time you IMAGINED you “Should” have). Then prioritize your goals for the day. And then stick to it. If you get distracted easily (email, Facebook, Twitter, the phone) turn these things off. Imagine you’re in school, in class. Distractions are NOT an option. Try this just once and see how productive you are!

These really are three simple steps to move you out of feeling overwhelmed and into feeling in control of your time. Give it a try and let me know how it works!

Ok, my distraction is over. Time to get back to work!

Margie

Marjorie Geiser, MBA, RD, NSCA-CPT

Chair, Nutrition Entrepreneurs Dietetic Practice Group, ADA

MEG Enterprises

Just Jump

What does it really mean to say, “I am doing my best”, or “she is doing her best”? Honestly, to ME, it’s saying, “well, I’m SORT OF doing my best, although I deep-down know I could do even more/better.”

Do you hear the top names in your industry saying “I’m just doing my best”? No, because they’re too busy DOING than talking about it!

I’ve had others say that to me, but it’s always felt like they were trying to give me an excuse for NOT doing what I KNEW was my best. Compare that with someone who has asked me, “Do you feel you have done your best?”

This week, how can you do MORE than your ‘best’? How can you excel at what you strive for? Take just one project and put your all into it and see what develops. And then let me know if you did ‘your best’, or if you totally went for it! OR, as I tend to say in my book, you decided to JUST JUMP!

Margie

Marjorie Geiser, MBA, RD, NSCA-CPT

MEG Enterprises

If I don’t literally hear it from my clients, I sense it. I tell them they HAVE to complete their business plan, and I hear “YUCK!!!” It’s even worse once I start discussing the cash flow projection worksheet.

But, I have to say, TO A PERSON, every single client who completes the entire process – business plan (including SWOT analysis and cash flow projections), marketing plan and marketing calendar – come out the other end THRILLED with the clarity and focus for success!

I work with health professionals who are extremely knowledgeable in areas of health and fitness. But business is NOT their thing. And, they don’t HAVE to become extremely knowledgeable in it. But they DO need to be clear what they want to create, what milestones they’d like to see to help them track their progress, identify exactly what products and services they want to offer, and where they would like to be in, say, ten years from now. Then they have a template from which to create the plan to market these services! And this is the plan for success.

Sometimes we have to sweat in order to achieve our goals. For some, this sweating is sitting down, putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and hashing out the plans for success. It works every time!

So, if YOU find yourself avoiding the planning process, don’t fall into the trap that too many other companies fall into (which leads to failure); do the planning for success so you avoid failure!

Margie

http://www.meg-enterprises.com

If you want to get your business up and running NOW, and need intensive help getting going, check out the MEG Enterprises Intensive 8-Hour Strategy Session program.

We lost a shining star last last week, and I lost a client and a very special person. A personal training client I had worked with since 1999 lost her battle with congestive heart disease, caused by radiation for cancer many years ago.

But she left an incredible legacy and stands as a shining example of what a difference we all can make in the lives of others.  After she retired from her own business, she consulted for an international company, traveling the world, even as her health deteriorated to where she could not travel alone, or without oxygen.  She even became the president of her national professional organization, and was recently awarded Alumni of the Year from her medical school she attended so many years earlier. Yet she felt it was improper to feel pride. And she was always striving to do more and have a purpose, even as her activity decreased. Her purpose was to serve and make a difference for those coming behind her. Yea, she left a legacy that she’ll never really realize.

What will YOUR legacy be? What are you creating right now? Is it by chance, or are you clear what footprint you wish to leave on this earth?

There comes a time in all of our lives where we wonder what is next for us. Some people stress a great deal over it, in fact. I know, because I work with many people who are making huge changes in their lives/futures. Sure, it’s scary and represents great uncertainty, but it can also be viewed as an AMAZING time! What other creatures can change the focus and direction of their lives?

If you can’t answer my initial question, here are some questions to help walk you through coming closer to the answer:

1.What do you value most in life? It might be independence, it might be power, it might be service.

2. Where does your greatest passion lie? Stop and consider what conversations light you up. There is a consistency to it, even if you’re not aware of what that is.  When I ask clients this question the first time, often they don’t know. But in conversation I am able to point this out, usually quite easily. I’m sure others notice it, too.

3. Imagine the end of your life and you are sitting on the porch, talking about what you have accomplished. Draft that conversation and focus on just one thing you would like to highlight.

There you go! My client was extremely accomplished, but she was so because she felt it important to serve her profession and help others succeed. None of her accomplishments were for her own satisfaction; it was just who she was and knew this was her destiny. I’m thrilled that she received many acknowledgements for her accomplishments before the end of her life.

We all should be so lucky as to listen to our heart and live our destiny. But I don’t think it’s by chance. We must forge our path and be fearless in following it.

What is YOUR legacy?

Margie

Again I am prompted to comment on the information spread by people who have no education or background in nutrition science. Apparently an actress just shared on her new TV show that grapes are fattening and that if you scoop out the inside from a bagel that you get rid of the ‘bad’ calories.

Interesting. I’d LOVE to hear your comments about this!

Then here are my questions:
1. Do you believe either of these statements?

2. What would lead you to believe (or not believe) either of these statements?

We’ll go from there after I get feedback. Just curious.

Margie

Time and time again, I hear from emerging entrepreneurs who want to start their own businesses in health or fitness. And more often than I’d like, I also hear the comments, “I should…”

This was a recent discussion on one of my listservs, in fact: The person was saying she should offer this and offer that because that’s what the physicians would want.

Oh my. BIG mistake taking this route! Why? Because if you do what you THINK you should do, two things are likely to happen: First, you won’t see the success you envision, and second, it won’t be too long before you dread what you do. So, instead of living your dream with your own business, you’ve just traded a job that bored you to a business that drags you down.

What is the answer? Here are three keys to success that you can’t go wrong with.

#1 – Focus on your passion! Stop thinking about what you SHOULD be doing. What excites you? What motivates you to get up in the morning? What leaves you energized by the end of the day? For me, I LOVE empowering people and when they leave a coaching call energized and motivated and with ACTIONS for moving forward, I have achieved my life passion. When I hear from clients who are literally living their dreams, my work has been complete.

#2 – Focus on your vision. What do you want to ultimately create? One big area that gets new entrepreneurs bogged down is when they start to see opportunities at every turn. Then they want to do EVERYTHING! But, before you do anything else, get very clear what it is you want to create and then continue to ask yourself, ‘does this help me achieve that goal right now?’ If the answer is yes, great, go for it! If the answer is no, add it to your ‘opportunity list’ and leave it for later. As an example, one goal I just achieved was completing my MBA degree. At the same time I started school, I started to increase presentations. Something QUICKLY became apparent. Something had to go. So, I put aside growing my speaking career for after I completed school. NOW I am focused on my public speaking gigs.

#3 – Learn to say no! Oh yea, this is a biggie for most of my clients. In fact, we often will end up with EXERCISES on how to say no. And, the great thing is how free-ing it is for them! If this is an issue for you, practice it! An example would be to practice saying “no” at least 5 times in the upcoming week. Remember #2? If it doesn’t help you achieve your goal right now, it’s ok to say no! Now, HOW to say no without totally closing the door: You can say this doesn’t fit with my plans right now, but do please consider me the next time (or in the future, or I’ll get back to you when…). Although fear may lead you think you HAVE to say yes to everything, it ends up filling your time with things you are NOT currently passionate about acheiving, and prevents you from doing what you love.

What happens when you aren’t doing what you love? It shows! But, when you are doing what brings out your passion, that shows to, and people gravitate to you. And, when it comes down to it, you want to have your own business for success, fulfillment and enjoyment. Dragging through the day isn’t going to make that happen.

Margie

Come check out how I can help you move forward: http://www.meg-enterprises.com

Due to some recent national TV appearances by people who call themselves nutritionists, which have included inaccurate, and down-right wrong information, a colleague went to work to collect videos from registered dietitians around the country who have done TV interviews. Since this was my last topic, I though I’d go ahead and share those interviews on my blog! But as I watched them, I also realized how educational they will be for those of you who watch them! As a consequence, I then did a little more research on my own, in order to add to the list.

So, do spend time watching the particular topics that interest you, to not only learn something new (which we all try to do, right?), but to also take away tips to help improve your life, and also get a better sense of the role dietitians play in helping people learn how to apply the science of nutrition to your own life.

Now, I again want to point out that although there is no standard for someone calling themselves a nutritionist, before either accepting what they say OR ruling them out, do a little checking of your own. Did they graduate from an accredited university with a degree in nutrition, or did they just find a certification program? We are talking about your health, here, so don’t fall prey to someone who says you have to avoid this or that, because of their own mis-information and lack of education.

Curious about gluten-free? Check out http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/food_coach&id=6358243.

What about information on pregnancy? Check out http://www.abc15.com/content/living/yourhealth/story/Pregnant-5-health-nutrition-myths-busted/Wz8Sqx1qCUued8bTH6h3hw.cspx.

With the holidays just around the corner, check this one out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CybyhlV1OR4.

Have young children or picky kids? Watch this; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjcu4nOXR5M.

Curious about fish oil supplements? Then you need to watch this one; http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/food_coach&id=6698760.

Curious about nutrition needs for teens? Watch this; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sGoUk5E7c8.

Starting to wonder about Halloween candy? Here is a segment from last year to help; http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6118955

Good segment on eating to prevent cancer http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5620219.

Happy watching!

Margie