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