What a week!

I'm sure you've had those weeks where your plans just didn't go as you had thought. Well, that's how my week was last week. Sunday, my five year old had a fever. Tylenol helped but by 8:45 PM we realized we needed ibuprofen as well. A quick search of friends and we found a store still open late on Sunday and we got her fever down from 104.5 to 102. That started the week of illness. Earlier on Sunday we decided that our kitchen needed a facelift. You see, our house is on the market and just hasn't sold. We loved the teal blue cabinets, but the flooring has always been horrid. The new floor we picked out didn't match the teal, so we (I) decided we should paint the cupboards. My partner and husband hasn't been feeling welll either. So, Sunday night I took all the doors off the cupboards. As we spread them all over the basement I remembered what a big job this really was. But I was commited to doing it quickly. Our three year old thought the new look was great. From childproof to totally open and available. She went from cupboard to cupboard taking things out. It's all getting messier!

By late Monday afternoon I had the first coat of Antique White on the kitchen cupboards and my partner Ken had the doors done. Three more coats to go.

We still had a sick little girl and both kids home

At the same time, I'm trying to run my business. Looking back over the week I realized that in the midst of painting and playing with sick kids I got a lot done. Here's my list:

1. Finished a new e-book called "Getting Noticed on the Web" You can pick up your copy here! I think it came out to 30 pages and is filled with info.
2. It became the foundation of a presentation I had to do on Tuesday night at a networking meeting. I printed out the first 6 pages for folks and talked with my co-presenter Monday night to figure out our plan.
3. I did a presentation at a networking meeting. I really didn't have time to plan out my talk, so using the report I winged it! I couldn't tell if everyone there was in awe of what I was saying or didn't understand a word of what I was talking about. BUT, after the meeting, two people came up and said I need to work with you!! Ok, so even though the week isn't going as planned I've nailed my weekly goal of two new clients!
4. I had two business meetings, one via phone with a new client and one at my house with kids on the couch.
5. I got my newsletter out, which has been behind! I'll post the article here too!
6. I scheduled my next tele-seminar -- complimentary one that is for this Thursday at noon, it's based on my new e-book. So, everyone will get the e-book, and today I'm working on the workbook or notesheet. Do you want to come? You can email me as my registration form isn't working and I will personally send you the call in info.
7. I read hundreds of emails.
8. I deleted hundreds of emails.
9. I attended a conference for non profit leaders and made some great new contacts.
10. And, now I am finally getting to my blog!

The week came to a close today, when everyone went back to school and to work. The kitchen is painted. the cupboards sparkle. The new floor, well, it's not totally done yet. Ken cut his finger cutting tiles and had to go Saturday night for stitches. We should have it done by Thursday or Friday. And, we even showed the house on Sunday, disaster that it was.

Looking back, it wasn't a bad week after all. Much got accomplished and business did get done.

Staying positive, staying focused and family being the priority, all contributed to the success of the week.

What lessons does your life teach you? I learn the most from myself, and reflection on what happened.

Spring is here! And we are loving that.

All the best,

Donna

Snowy March

Here in New Jersey we have had a roller coaster of weather. Jumping from 50+ degrees last week to 5 with a windchill below zero this week, and light snow. The buds on the pussy willow tree are peeking out, but now the tree must be confused. The neighborhood skunk, is out and about and leaving his smelly trail, another confused by the mixed up weather. And, we long for real snow, real winter, not just cold, but weather for playing!

At the same time it is time for planting seeds, and nurturing the new plants. In business, this is also true. We have planted the seeds with our new year's strategic plan and now it is time to grow those seeds. The seeds of new contacts, new services, new products. What have you planted this year? What seeds are you growing? Does your business have a solid plan for growth and expansion? Have you developed the contacts that you need to? As you move into spring, it is time to revisit your plan, refine it and focus on it. The plan doesn't just happen. You make it happen. Just like growing a garden, you have to nurture it, water it, fertilize, and spend time with it. This is the gold time of business. Planning, strategizing and implementing -- following through.

Take time today to revisit your plan, and begin moving it forward into spring.

If you need help developing a plan or realizing your plan then give me a call and we will help you make it happen.

Happy Gardening!

All the best,

Donna