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Why You Can’t Find the Answers? Stop Looking to Others for Your Answers

Why You Can’t Find the Answers? Stop Looking to Others for Your Answers

Michele Duwe from Miss Task Stop Looking to Others for Your Answers

I wonder if you're falling into the same trap that I fell into the first few years of my online business. What's the one trap you should avoid? Okay, let me put this out there. It's probably not just one trap. I've fallen into lots of entrepreneurial mindset traps on my journey with my business over the last six years. But this one has long-term effects if you don't nip it in the bud. It is to stop looking to others for your answers.

Listen up, friend.

I really want you to hear me on this one, and I want you to learn from my mistakes much earlier than I did in my online business. Not learning this early on set me back in my success.
You see.
Rather than listening to what I naturally speak about. The areas that I would spend my free time researching and learning more about were the things that my friends and family would simply come to me and ask for my input.

Rather than relying on my inner knowledge. I would turn to others to help make the decision for my business. What type of business should I be building that would be right for me and my business?

It came down to this. Self-Trust

All of my turns to others resulted from my lack of trust in myself.
Now, this is key; if you take anything away from this today, it's this one thing.

I want you to trust yourself.

I want you to trust yourself and trust your decisions because you know better than anyone else. They've not walked in your shoes. They have not gone through the same life lessons as you have. Above all, they have not gone through your same struggles.

 

And you will struggle.

 

You will know that the struggle is real if you are not playing into your own interests and your own strengths.
If you're anything at all like me, you find yourself staring at a blank screen, attempting to come up with some content to share on your blog or social media.

It will be an endless cycle of start and stop. All of a sudden, you'll feel burned out because the words just aren't coming. You become frustrated and wonder why these words are not flowing to me as easily as they have in the past.

So you spend time Google-ing for inspiration, and you just continue to bang your head on the wall.

I'm left wondering, am I the only one struggling to write content for my blog and social media? Is it only me? Is this normal? I know I do it every now and again still.

Michele Duwe from Miss Task Stop Looking to Others for Your Answers

How to stop looking to others for your answers.

Let me ask, what are you talking about when the words flow out of you easily and effortlessly?
What have you worked so hard to overcome in your life or with your online business?

Imposter Syndrome is involved too.

While somebody out there may talk about all the same things that you want to talk about, they do not talk about it in the same way that you do from your own unique experience.

Let me tell you, when you're talking about it from your own point of view, there is no way that you can be an imposter. You are well aware of the personal path you have walked.

I'll say it again because I like to sound like a broken record. They have not walked in your shoes, and you have not walked in their shoes.

Who you connect with and how you say something will be totally different from how somebody else would say something. Yes, it's probably very similar; however, your energy draws people to you.

You see, your person, they're going to go, yep, that's my guy, my gal, my lady.
That's who I need to be working with and who I need to be spending time with because they get it.

They know, they understand they're in my head,

My own discontentment.

I ignored and pushed down those things that led to my dissatisfaction with my business.
I told myself that I was happy.

Besides, I was happy with what I was doing with my business. Right?

I was happy with the business I was creating.

After all, it was exactly what I needed to build to support my family.

Even though it was not necessarily true, do you hear yourself in me?

What's the outcome of looking to others for answers?

Do you know what happens when you build a business that you're not truly passionate about?

A business that you thought you should build because you heard it was the best business to make money online?

It feels difficult. It doesn't feel like you.

And all of a sudden, you will find yourself sabotaging all the success that you've had in the past and worked to achieve.
You'll always feel overwhelmed and like you're hustling. All those other people, they aren't you.

Now. It is important that you take everything in, the advice you have been given.

But know that it's you that gets to decide what is best for you in the end. They are not you, and this is not their online business.

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Little Side Note

Here’s a fun little bit of commonly misused idioms knowledge. Did you know that Nip It In the Butt really is Nip It In the Bud? In case you are interested, here is an article. 

Trust yourself, friend.

Keep in mind that your perception will always be slightly different from mine. You may be just what that one person needs if you can explain how you overcame your challenges.

They need to hear from you.

So take your time to figure out how you can best serve. However, don't get caught up in this decision and procrastinate.

Free Guide: Affirmations Made Easy

How To Use Affirmations To Attract Your Desires

With the help of positive affirmations, anyone can improve their mindset and start manifesting their desires and living a life they've always dreamed of.

Download this free guide today: “Affirmations Made Easy” - How To Use Affirmations To Attract Your Desires. 

Wish you success! 

7 Easy Ways To Overcome Negative Thoughts

7 Easy Ways To Overcome Negative Thoughts

I'm sure this is coming as a huge shock to you. Huge! You must be curious about this big, shocking news that I'm sure will knock your socks off. The answer? Your negative thoughts are affecting your happiness. I know, right? Mind-blowing. JK. While we all know this information isn't shocking news, it can still be a daily hurdle to overcome.
It's not surprising that we all have negative thoughts. We're human, after all. But if our negative thoughts get in the way of our happiness, we need to do something about it.

And on top of that, those negative thoughts keep you stuck. And I'm not stopping there; they may even make you wear the poor me badge.

But that's not all they do. They leave you feeling sorry for yourself in all kinds of situations in life.

Hey, I'm not throwing any stones. Because I know myself and my nature, and I can also get caught in those negative thoughts.

So let's go ahead and break down some of the different ways that we can get out of that negative thought process.

Furthermore, if you are the one wearing the poor me badge. I want to ask you to remove it and stop thinking that way.

That's why today, let's discuss seven ways to kick that negativity to the curb and say goodbye to it once and for all.

One. Tell Yourself to Stop It

Don't you wish you could overcome negative thoughts altogether? Basically, when you catch yourself in those negative thoughts, I want you to say, Stop it. That's not true.

Then I want you to go ahead and back it up with all the reasons why that negative thought is not true. Because I'm sure, you have evidence in your life to show otherwise.

What is that past evidence? How is this not true at all?

Two. Journal to the root cause

You're gonna move ahead and break down that negative thought. In other words, get a piece of paper and begin drilling down into that negative thought. Journal until you figure out your root cause and what's causing it. Do this by asking, “What else” to get to the root.

I want you to write down that negative thought that you're having. Then I want you to journal on why you are having this thought.

What is triggering this thought? How does it make you actually feel? And what else could you think of instead?

Three. Talk to someone

For me, when I'm having a bad day, I talk to my sister. Yes, I know my sister, not my husband. I always do. We have crazy similar girl thinking. Truly it is crazy how much we think alike. And I know she will have the exact words to say to me to kick me out of that negative thinking pattern. As a result, I pick up my phone and send her a Marco Polo.

Letting go of all my thoughts and feelings circling in my head. All those thoughts and feelings cause that negative thought pattern.

Four. Get some fresh air

Okay, so this next idea here, I will admit that I enjoy this one so much more during the warmer months than the colder ones. This is because I live in Iowa, and it's cold outside. I'm not one for cold weather.

But getting outside for some fresh air. Either a walk or run is still the most effective way to clear that negative thought pattern. Calm the rumbling in your head.

As a matter of fact, this method happens to also be Bo and Saylor's favorite way for me to overcome my negative thoughts. Get your walking shoes, your earbuds, and your favorite happy, upbeat playlist.

There's nothing like fresh air and a good playlist to clear those negative thoughts. And if your negative thoughts are really bad, you may need to play the Happy song on repeat. 

Michele Duwe from Miss Task Overcoming Negative Thoughts

Five. Be Grateful

All things considered, be grateful and count your blessings. When you think of all the things you're thankful for to help you overcome your negative thoughts.

Do this out loud, and say out loud to yourself all the things you're thankful for.

What is the complete list of all the things you're grateful for in your life? You can put anything on your list, no matter how big or small. If you've been around for a while, you know coffee and the freedom to drink it are on the list of things that I'm thankful for.

Six. Get Out Of Your Head To Overcome Your Negative Thoughts

The next idea for you to overcome your negative thoughts is to get out of your own head.

In my case, I like the insight timer because I am able to overcome my own negative thinking by getting out of my head.

Simply do a quick search inside the Insight Timer on negative thoughts. As you can see, it will bring up various results such as music or meditations with varying lengths of time. Whatever you need to actually get out of your negative thoughts, get out of your own head.

Ugh, we can be our own worst enemies sometimes. Am I right about that?

https://insighttimer.com/

Seven. Kindness to Overcome Negative Thoughts

I love this next one. And that's doing something thoughtful for somebody else to brighten their day.

Given your current state, go ahead and turn your attention to somebody else. What can you do to brighten up their day? If you could do one thing to brighten up someone else's day, what would it be? Is it sending them flowers? Thinking back to sending flowers to my Grandma. Knowing it brightened her day always made me happy and cheerful.

What is something kind you can do for somebody else? A random act of kindness is sure to totally kick that overwhelming negative thinking to the curb. Trust me when I say it will help you overcome that negative thinking within no time.

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Little Side Note

We are a product of our beliefs. Combat your biggest negative thought with a positive affirmation or mantra. How are you able to change the words that you say to yourself? Belief in yourself and your service is a daily commitment. 

Bonus: Cuddle With A Pet

While I was planning to keep it to seven, here's one quick bonus tip as well. If you have a puppy. There is nothing like cuddling time on the sofa with your pet to feel happy and overcome those negative thoughts.

The 7 plus one way to overcome negative thoughts are:

  • Tell Yourself to Stop It
  • Journal to the root cause
  • Talk To Someone You Trust
  • Get Some Fresh Air
  • Be Grateful
  • Get Out Of Your Head
  • Brighten Someone Else's Day
  • Cuddle With A Pet

Thank you so much for reading. I appreciate you. I'd love to hear in the comments if you have any other ideas on things that you do to overcome negative thoughts. I hope you have a wonderful week.

4th Quarter Planning Tips for Entrepreneurs

4th Quarter Planning Tips for Entrepreneurs

Drum roll, please; hello, quarter-four! Oh my goodness, quarterly planning is one of my favorite things to do. Let’s go ahead and step through these essential 4th Quarter planning tips and, of course, a 3rd quarter review! Why are these days so important for your online business? Because what you focus on improves. Taking a few hours each quarter to review and plan for the upcoming quarter will get you out of the trenches and help you focus on growing your business.

Here is the perfect opportunity to download my quarterly planner if you'd like. It will walk you through this!

Schedule Time For 4th Quarter Planning

It’s funny; after working with multiple creatives, you’d think the shock factor would wear off. At any rate, the shock factor never seems to go away when I realize that not everyone loves to sit down and plan. Who knew?

If this is you waving your hand in the air like you just don’t care, hear me now. Please block time on your calendar. As if that’s not enough, you’ll need to show up and do the work for your business and plan your fourth quarter.

Equally, you must set aside enough time to review the previous quarter and plan your next quarter.

At a minimum, block off two hours on your CEO day to get this done, preferably before the end of the quarter. However, this can be done at any 90 Day increment.

Copy and paste the link for this blog into your calendar event; just saying. (:

Set the tone for fourth-quarter planning.

Now that you’re sitting down to plan grab a cup of coffee, water, or your drink of choice. Also, have a timer handy you’ll want that. If you don’t have a timer, simply Google the word timer, and one will pop up in the browser. Easy peasy.

With fall in full swing, my diffuser has lovely fall scents from Plant Therapy. Not an affiliate link, just a product that I use and love. Running my diffuser while planning is another thing that I do to set a pleasant tone. https://www.planttherapy.com/seasonal

Limit your distractions.

Before beginning, turn off all the distractions because it's time to focus on your online business. Let me elaborate, turn off your notifications, put your phone in do not disturb mode, and close all but your needed applications and extra browser windows.

Close all the open tabs that do not relate to your 4th quarter planning.

Start with Reflection

Now, this is important for your quarterly review and planning. Begin reflecting on where you’ve been in the past quarter. You need to look back to look forward.

I can almost hear you thinking, what the heck do I reflect on? No problem, I’ve got you.

What worked really well?

What are the areas of improvement?

Umm, total feedback – not doing that again!

Woohoo, review your win jar (in case no one has told you lately, YOU’RE AMAZING, just sayin’).

Did you achieve your goals last quarter? If not, why?

Are you on track to hit your yearly goals?

Think back over the previous quarter, the last month, the current year, and the entire length of time as an online entrepreneur.

Let's set the timer for five minutes, maybe ten minutes, whatever works for you. Be sure to grab your journal or notebook and get to writing.

Do a brain dump.

Stay with me now, I want you to do a mind sweep and get all of your thoughts that are distracting you out on that paper.

To begin with, this provides for a clear mind while you’re planning.

With a mind sweep, it lets your brain know that all your thoughts are in a safe place and you don't need to worry about them while we're moving forward in the quarterly review, and your next quarter planning.

Michele Duwe from Miss Task 4th Quarter Planning for Online Entrepreneurs

Revisit Your Yealy Vision

Moving on with our review, what's your vision? Pull that out and read it.

What if you do not have a vision? Now seems like a perfect time to write one out.

Does your vision feel in alignment with you still? Do you feel like, oh, yeah, that's my vision!
That's exactly where I'm going.

Is your vision that you created when you first started your business, is that where you’re still headed as you've matured as a business owner?

Bottom line, does your vision still feel in alignment with you? Great.

Now, I want you to write out your vision, what are your three-year and one-year visions?

If it's the same, beautiful. Write it out exactly the same and step into your future self that already is living the vision of your business.

Pause and set your timer for about five minutes.

What is your vision for the next 90 days? Pause and spend time tapping into your vision of how the next 90 days will go in your business.

What are your goals?

What are the goals that you want to achieve for the next quarter, the next six months, the next year, whatever it is, you can achieve them!

This is where I really want you to focus. What is your goal for the next quarter?

Now, this is important, what do you want to accomplish in the next quarter that will push you towards your one-year goal?

Here’s what I mean, ask yourself if what you want to accomplish in the next quarter will directly impact your one-year goal. Therefore, pushing your business toward your vision.

If it does, in this case, good job!

However, if not ask yourself, why am I trying to accomplish this goal when it is not in alignment with my vision?

As a follow-up question, would achieving this goal make you feel like you’re living your good life?

Get that timer going! You may want a bit more time for this one.

The next thing, what do you want more of in your life and business?

For example, would you be on cloud nine if you were to do this every day in your life and business? What is it? What do you want more of in your life and business? That's going to make you feel like this feels wonderful.

Now, it’s important to know what you want to do less in your life and business. The problem is there are things that you're doing that you don't need to be doing that drain your energy.

What are those? Go ahead and write them out. Here’s why that’s essential those draining tasks will be the items we look at potentially outsourcing to somebody else that would not find it draining.

And the best part is it will preserve your energy for the things that only you can do in your business as an entrepreneur.

Those tasks that are draining your energy and focus need to get off your plate if you have any hopes of growing your business to six figures.

What is that? What can you outsource?

Circling back to your goals, what would make you jump up and down with joy if you were to actually achieve them? What would that be?

Don’t forget what are your top three personal, financial, and business goals that you have for the next quarter.

Here’s how to filter your goals

Now, this is the kicker; this is the goal filtering question I ask my clients.

Read those goals you just wrote down for your life, business, and finance.

Looking at those goals and ask yourself, are you committed? Are you committed to those goals? By committing, are you willing to devote two hours a day to achieving those goals? If not, they are not meaningful to you.

Map out important dates

Time to pull out the calendar. What dates do you need to plan around?

Here’s what I mean, for me, my sister is getting married in November I’ll be out of the office for eight business days right before Black Friday. You guessed it; I’ll need to ensure my Black Friday campaigns are ready to go before I head out of the office.

Consider this when planning out how to reach your goal.

You’ll reverse engineer from the end date. You need to understand you’re runway. Having two weeks out of the office for a vacation will play a huge factor in getting stuff done.

Block all the time you’ll be out of the office. You can use stickers or wasabi tape in your paper planner to make it fun.

  • Vacation Days
  • Important Kid Events
  • Holidays
  • Launch Dates

Breakdown the Goal

Here’s how it works: for the goal to be a success, there must be a commitment to follow through.

This is plain and simple; you can hope to reach your goal all day. Here’s the bottom line, if you’re not committed to creating a plan, following through, and taking action, you will not have success. This is accountability, Friend!

Fortunately, a simple solution is breaking down the goal into a plan by figuring out who, what, and when.

Digging in and figuring out what needs to be done, who will get the work done, and when it needs to be done. You may need to figure out the where, too if it needs a physical location.

Business Pulse

The final thing is, what is your business pulse? What I mean, what are the numbers telling you about your business? Do you have a healthy, thriving business? Or do you have areas that need to be focused on in the next quarter?

Do that now if you’re not tracking your numbers weekly or monthly. What gets measured gets improved. Here are a few common stats.

  • Website Traffic
  • Email Subscribers
  • Engagement
  • Number of Clients

 

 

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Little Side Note

Because I 💙 planning I have a few articles pretty similar to this one. I'd still invite you to review them. 

Past YouTube: https://youtu.be/rOLIL6Vb8bY

Past Blog: 5 Elements in a Strategic Planning VIP Day

Highlights of how to plan your fourth quarter.

  • Looking back is the best way to move forward.
  • Are you still in alignment with your vision?
  • What are you actually committed to doing?
  • Add all the important out-of-office dates to your calendar
  • Create a plan and commit to your success
  • How do you know you’ve improved without having a business pulse with all your numbers?
  • Go get ’em, tiger! You’ve got this.
  • Schedule time on your calendar for your NEXT quarterly review and planning.

Stop believing that old story that you're not someone that likes to plan.

Do you have a recurring pattern of starting and stopping when you feel unsure, frustrated, and incapable of doing the things you want to do?

90-Day Plans Are Important Because: 

You figure out beforehand what needs to be done. No more deciding as you go.

You confidently step into the leader and CEO of your business. 

It creates a clear plan, vision, and goals for your business. No more second-guessing yourself. 

Download The Planning Workbook Today!