Salmon Fishing In The Yemen, And Other Crazy Ideas, Spawn New Biz
As my husband and I perused the on-demand movie offerings last weekend, one of the titles caught my attention – Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. The movie, starring two Golden Globe nominated actors (Emily Blunt and Ewan McGregor), looked worthy of watching; even if salmon fishing did not particularly excite me. I clicked purchase and found myself immersed in a story about a crazy Sheikh with a vision to bring his passion for fly fishing, which he likened to a spiritual experience, to the Yemen. The movie, a lesson in vision, faith and perseverance – with a little PR and marketing thrown in – is an education in entrepreneurship.
Here’s why:
Vision inspires you, and others, to act. It makes the impossible, possible. If we can put a man on the moon, surely we can find a way to bring salmon to the Middle East. Inspired by the Sheik's vision, solutions to obstacles were found by looking at unlikely answers. When the British government said no to raiding their lakes and streams to supply the Salmon, inspiration was discovered in the freezer by the PR rep hired to sell “a good news story from the Middle East". Salmon dinner never looked so good, and became the obvious answer to finding 10,000 ready-to-buy farm raised fish (live, of course).
Entrepreneurs need faith. It takes a lot of faith, and a little craziness, to see what others can’t. When asked if farm-raised salmon would swim upstream to spawn, fisheries expert Alfred Jones (Ewan McGregor), who claims to be a “numbers man” with no religion or faith, believes they will. Why? He knows it in his gut. Having faith in your crazy idea is key to spawning new business.
Persevere, even if it means starting over. At one point in the movie (I don’t want to ruin it in case you haven’t seen it yet), the key players are faced with a failure so great that they have to start over. For many entrepreneurs, failure is a “throw in the towel” moment. Do you throw in the towel and give up, or re-commit to your vision and do things differently to get a different result? When you’re able to persevere, you’ll look at your biz with a fresh perspective and be ready to start again. Of course you’re human, so give yourself a one-day pity party. Then start over.
Whether your vision is to bring salmon fishing to the Middle East, invent an electric light bulb or become a catalyst for change, embrace your crazy idea and have the faith to make it a reality.
Lynn Bardowski is an award-winning entrepreneur, best selling author, national speaker, mentor and radio show host. For insights on entrepreneurship, leadership and vision, read her book, listen to her radio show, follow her blog and "LIKE" her Facebook page. You may republish this article in full, as long as you list this paragraph and provide a link.
Almost Famous: Confessions Of A Proud Self-Promoter
I overheard someone say they couldn’t stay after The Tenors show to use a back stage pass, so I jumped right in to grab the photo op. And tweeted it to The Tenors. We’re BFF’s now!
With a name like Million Dollar Party Girl it was destined to happen. I've become famous. In South Jersey. Or, at least in my own backyard. Everywhere I go, people have heard of the M$PG. They don’t even know my real name, and that’s OK with me. It all happened because I’m a proud self-promoter. You see, one of my key messages for women entrepreneurs is to get your name out there, toot your own horn, and do some biz bragging. I kind of feel a responsibility to lead the way. I probably shouldn't reveal all my “secrets” but here’s a few true confessions of how I proudly promote the M$PG brand. Rinse and repeat with your brand, and you’ll be famous too. And, if you tell anyone my secrets, I’ll deny it all.
True Confession #1: I take advantage of every photo op. You might have heard that perception is reality. Thanks to social media, this has never been more true. Your pictures tell your brand story to thousands of people on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more. Are you maximizing social media? The truth is, whenever I do a book signing I make sure someone is on hand to capture the shot. Be prepared to take pics of your brands proudest moments to post, tweet, instagram and pin. When you see a fellow Visionista sharing her brand moments share the love and RT, Like, Comment and Share. Each women's success inspires another.
Success Secrets of a Million Dollar Party Girl book signing
True Confession #2: I look for opportunities to send out a press release, and ask friends to help spread the word. When the Somers Point Diner contacted me to kick off their new Literary Lunch series I said yes, and immediately got to work on a press release. “Jersey girl, and best-selling author, comes home to support the shore community” sounded newsworthy. Especially after Super Storm Sandy. It was a slam dunk. Thanks to the press release, and a "plug" from Go Jane News founder Janet Garraty, the story was featured in 3 local newspapers, as well as the Patch news outlets. The word got out, which helped the Literary Lunch sell out, launch with rave reviews and connect with local authors to book dates for the rest of the year. When you toot your own horn you'll not only build your brand, you'll bring other businesses along for the ride. Good Karma.
True Confession #3: I create my own buzz. I shared this proud FB post (with a photo of a champagne bottle) when I found out I was going to be one of Top 25 Women to Watch: “OMG! Just got an email from a local news reporter. Super excited! Reveal is coming……” When my friend nominated me to be the Most Happening Author I shared this post: “I’m kicking up my heels! Someone thinks I’m the most Happening Author in SJ! Vote for me and make it so.” Don't be afraid to let the world know you're excited about your accomplishements. If you did something great, tell us about it. We need more postive images of women rising, and achieving success, on their terms. As the saying goes, "If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"
Lynn Bardowski is an award-winning entrepreneur, best selling author, national speaker, mentor and radio show host. For insights on entrepreneurship, leadership and vision, read her book, listen to her radio show, follow her blog and "LIKE" her Facebook page. You may republish this article in full, as long as you list this paragraph and provide a link.
From Legally Blond to Million Dollar Party Girl, 5 Tips To Playing A Starring Role In Your Biz
Have you ever wondered who would play you in your life movie? I’ve always pictured Reese Witherspoon playing me, starring in the Million Dollar Party Girl Movie. From Elle Woods to June Carter, Reese is an Oscar winner who’s played fun, strong, smart women, AND she knows how to look classy on the red carpet. She’s my kind of girl! While we all wait for our life movie to be made, here’s five tips to playing a starring role in your biz.
Show Up On Set. Have you always been eager to show up, on time and ready to work, for your employers? When was the last time you showed up for your business? Most entrepreneurs I know have no problem building someone else’s dream, but hold back when it comes to their own. I frequently hear, “If I can’t make this business work, I’ll have to get a full time job.” Before you dedicate 40+ hours a week to someone else’s dream, do it for yourself, consistently, for a full year. I have a feeling you won’t be needing that day job.
Hire a Winning Team. Every star has a winning support team so they can focus on what they do best – Stardom! From stylists, to PR, to agents, an Oscar winner can’t get there alone. Neither can you. Your time is valuable; if you’re spending it on “task” activities, you’re losing money and customers. Focus your efforts on business building activities that will elevate you to “super stardom” and dump or delegate the rest.
Get an Entourage. Who you roll with is a key ingredient to your success. Your entourage is the people who influence you on a daily basis, and who create a perception about you and your business. Reach out to like-minded entrepreneurs and customers who play big and are dream builders like you. Social media and local networking groups are great places to start.
Be Ready for Your Close Up. Whether you’re presenting yourself in person or via your social media profiles, be ready for your “close up.” Smile, show up as your brand, and give an Oscar-winning performance. As the saying goes, you have only seconds to make a first impression. I never post, link or tweet about politics, religion or even illness. Did you know I fractured my knee last year? No. The world has enough pain, they don’t need to hear about mine. Choose to inspire, before you expire.
Practice Your Oscar Speech. “I’d like to thank the Academy, my fellow actors, and especially my husband….” Don’t wait for your Oscar moment to thank the people in your business who helped get you there. That includes your customers, family, sales team, networking friends, and even the person who cleans your house. A thank you can be a kind word, handwritten note, FB shout-out or small gift. It goes a long way in life. Timely Manner Consulting, who publishes my blog, recently sent me a thank you note that included a pack of post-it notes with a fun saying on them. Make people feel special, and your performance will always be memorable.
Lynn Bardowski is an award-winning entrepreneur, best selling author, national speaker, mentor and radio show host. For insights on entrepreneurship, leadership and vision, read her book, listen to her radio show, follow her blog and "LIKE" her Facebook page. You may republish this article in full, as long as you list this paragraph and provide a link.
Why Don’t Women Like To Sell? 3 Tips for Women Entrepreneurs
Well, actually, we do. We’re selling our favorite shoes, purses, movies, books and restaurants all the time. We just don’t get paid for it. When it comes to selling for ourselves, and getting paid, we don’t like it. We feel pushy and salesy, as if getting paid for our product or service was a bad thing. I’ve even heard women apologize for it. Enough already!
Here’s 3 Tips To Increase Sales
1. Stop Using the Word Sell. If you’re not comfortable with the “S” word, stop saying it. Use words that are more authentic and true to your core, like the word Invite. Invite is one my favorite words. Invite people to look at your product, become a customer, refer your business and join your team.
2. Stop Talking, Start Listening. Women love to talk and share; it’s what we do best. Our passion for our business can sometimes give us what my Mother called diarrhea of the mouth. The cure is not Imodium, it’s listening. My rule is, if I’m talking more than my customer, I will always get a no. Let your customer sell themselves by sharing how much they want or need your product or service. A great question to get the conversation started is, “What interests you most about ______?” Oohhh, tell me more!
3. Stop Hanging Out With People Who Don’t Want Or Need Your Product. If you’re getting lots of no’s and feel you have no one left to call, you’re hanging out with the wrong people. Take time out to identify who your ideal client is by answering a few questions: 1) Who’s attracted to your message? 2) What do you and your ideal client have in common, and 3) Who are you called to serve? Get started by making a list of 100 contacts that fit into this profile. If you don’t know anyone, get out and network with groups where your ideal client is hanging out. Start off by sharing how you can help them; give and you will receive. Then, after you build a relationship, invite your new connections to look at your product, listen in, and increase sales.
Lynn Bardowski is an award-winning entrepreneur, best selling author, national speaker, mentor and radio show host. For insights on entrepreneurship, leadership and vision, read her book, listen to her radio show, follow her blog and "LIKE" her Facebook page. You may republish this article in full, as long as you list this paragraph and provide a link.
EVERYTHING I LEARNED ABOUT SALES, I LEARNED FROM WATCHING QVC
When QVC first launched in 1986, I was just beginning to hit my stride in corporate sales. By 1990, I decided to give up my full-time career to become an entrepreneur. Even though I had sales experience, selling to homeowners was a whole new thing for me. I turned to QVC, an innovative new business model, to get my “MBA” in sales and marketing. Here’s a few things I learned from watching the experts:
Use a Limiter: QVC is the queen (or king) of limited offers. They used to have a clock showing how much time a customer had to purchase the product before it would be sold out. We all rushed to the phones (that was before computers) to “Buy Now!” A limiter influences your client to act – and say yes – so you can “seal the deal.” Limited offers can be based on the number of people (1st 10 to buy!), a specific date (one day only!) or a time period (April special). I tuned in while I was writing this blog (research) and the Germack Berry Nut jars are only going to be available ‘til Sunday and they won’t be back ‘til Fathers Day. Darn! Now I have to stop writing to order them.
Sell the Sizzle, Not the Steak: You can literally hear Kansas City Sirloins sizzling on QVC, “A great value when you buy today!” I learned the “sell the sizzle” expression early in my corporate sales days. It means to sell the benefits, not the features. Today, we call this “emotional selling.” Focus on how your product or service makes people feel. If you’re not sure, ask your customers. A survey is a great place to start. If you need more ideas, tune in to QVC anytime.
Use Testimonials: Let your customers sell for you. The most compelling sales tool is a client sharing why they hired you, how your product makes them feel and how they benefited. As soon as I hear “Sarah from Greenville” calling in to QVC to share how the (fill in the blank) has changed her life, I have to have one. Add client testimonials via quotes and video to your website/marketing materials and let them do the talking - and selling - for you. Make client testimonials part of your follow-up system by asking 3 simple questions after the sale: 1) What attracted to you my product (or service)? 2) How did it benefit you? and 3) How would you describe my product or service? You can glean a lot from watching TV. Infomercials, QVC, and those “As Seen On TV” commercials all offer valuable sales and marketing tips. Instead of shopping, have your pen and paper ready to take notes. Today’s Special Value is more revenue. Act Now!
Lynn Bardowski is an award-winning entrepreneur, best selling author, national speaker, mentor and radio show host. For insights on entrepreneurship, leadership and vision, read her book, listen to her radio show, follow her blog and "LIKE" her Facebook page. You may republish this article in full, as long as you list this paragraph and provide a link.
Spread Your Feathers and Get Attention
Yesterday I keynoted an Authors’ Conference to share some of the juicy details on how I became a best-selling author. As I held up my book, I told the attendees that the day to start promoting their book is, well, today – in other words, as soon as they decide to write a book. A woman in the audience asked, “…how do I tell everyone about my book without sounding like I’m bragging? I don’t want to be seen as pushy?” That’s one I’ve heard, and blogged about, before. Men biz-brag all the time. It’s time the ladies pulled up our big girl panties and got over our fear of being pushy. Trust me, pushy people are not worrying, or even thinking about, being pushy. If you’re worried about it, it’s not in your DNA. I’ve heard it so many times; I call it The Pushy Myth. You’re creating a story to justify a limiting belief. When a woman wants to get a man’s attention, out come the red dress and stilettos. Yet, we don’t know how to do that with our businesses. Here’s how to strut your stuff and get your message out to the world. Not just for you, but for the people you serve.
Get Real: Tune in to what limiting belief is holding you back and face your fear head-on. Or maybe it’s feather-on, like a peacock. Those birds really know how to get someone’s attention! Go figure, it’s the males who know how to work it. Peacock feathers are so beautiful they’re used for everything from art to fashion to home decor. It’s a great example of the impact you can have on the world when you put yourself out there.
Start Today: Whether you’re marketing a book, or marketing a biz, you need clients (or readers) to be successful. Don’t get all dressed up with no place to go. Your #1 activity while you’re getting ready to launch a book (or business) is building your client base. One of my friend’s husbands said it best on a recent couples dinner date, “…network or perish.” I laughed when he said it. Partly because the statement sounded so alarmist it caught me off guard. It has a lot of truth in it.
Avoid the Words, “I don’t do (fill in the blank with any social media platform)”. Social media is not going away. If you want to build your list, start sharing, tweeting, pinning, posting and videoing. Remember, it’s called social media for a reason. Leave the salesy rhetoric for the advertisers. If you don’t know how to use posts to generate revenue, click on over to my training page. I’ll teach you how to be a savvy social media maven.
I finished my speech by sharing, tongue in cheek, that I’m successful because I’m a shameless self-promoter. That got a chuckle because most of the time I don’t take myself too seriously. But, I do take my message seriously. Be passionate enough that you want to spread your feathers and attract attention.
Lynn Bardowski is an award-winning entrepreneur, best selling author, national speaker, mentor and radio show host. For insights on entrepreneurship, leadership and vision, read her book, listen to her radio show, follow her blog and "LIKE" her Facebook page. You may republish this article in full, as long as you list this paragraph and provide a link.
photo credit: Laurence & Annie via photopin cc
VISION VS. GOAL: WHY DON’T WOMEN GET IT?
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I've enjoyed seeing women leaders become the hot topic in the media. It was a refreshing break from the typical media coverage women get which goes from which star gained, or lost, weight to who's in rehab. We could really use a whole year of this. Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, got the discussion going with her new book, Lean In. From Oprah to GMA to Mommy Bloggers, we’re all talking about the role of women in business and as Sandberg calls it, the gender imbalance. We've come a long way, baby, but we still have a long way to go. As I was researching my book, Success Secrets of a Million Dollar Party Girl, I discovered one of the answers to the imbalance in a study titled, Women and the Vision Thing. According to the Harvard Business Review women make great strategic thinkers, but we lack the skill of envisioning.
I didn’t need a Harvard study to tell me most women are not visionary thinkers. I know this because I’ve coached women entrepreneurs for 23 years and interview them weekly on my radio show. When I ask the question, “What is your vision?” women tend to stumble. The answer is typically a goal. Is there really an imbalance in the workplace or is it that women just don’t get the difference between a vision and a goal?
Three Reasons Why Women Don’t Get It:
1. Many Visionary Women Were Left Out Of Our History Books. When I think of vision, great leaders like Carnegie, Rockefeller, Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. come to mind. I would have loved to learn the story of Coco Chanel, a visionary entrepreneur in the late 1800’s, when I was in school but she was never in my history books. Try Googling visionary leaders; only a few women are listed. When we change the history books and provide more examples of visionary women business leaders, we’ll start to change the imbalance.
2. Women Suffer From Vision Guilt. Women’s role in society has always been as the nurturer. We’re supposed to take care of everyone else. Creating a bigger vision in business means taking time away from our family, which makes us feel selfish and guilty. The irony is that when we create a bigger vision, we solve bigger problems and serve more people. Sounds like something a nurturer wouldn't feel too guilty about.
3. Women Are Taught Not To Toot Our Own Horn. Strong women who speak up are often seen as being that B word. We can be our own worst enemy, judging other aggressive women even more harshly. Sandberg says, "We’ve got to get women to sit at the table.” Sitting at the table is only effective if we open our mouths. It starts with teaching our daughters to speak up and not be so “ladylike.” Instead, teach your daughters to be more “leader-like.” Women fear being perceived as “pushy” and, as a result, hold back on sharing their gifts. Keeping quiet about our strengths, expertise and talents reinforces the glass ceiling. Start “Biz Bragging” about yourself and own it.
Join the discussion. Who are the women visionaries that influenced you?
Lynn Bardowski is an award-winning entrepreneur, best selling author, national speaker, mentor and radio show host. For insights on entrepreneurship, leadership and vision, read her book, listen to her radio show, follow her blog and "LIKE" her Facebook page. You may republish this article in full, as long as you list this paragraph and provide a link.
HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY BUSINESS
Having a plan for a healthy body can be summed up in two words: diet and exercise. A plan for a healthy business can be more challenging to define. Let’s face it, it’s not a term we hear or think about often. The signs of an unhealthy business may begin slowly, then compound into frustration and overwhelm when left untreated. Many solo-preneurs are so caught up in the day-to-day of running a business that they never step back to consider their business might be sick, or worse, chronically ill. Should we take our biz in for an annual physical? Or, should we be creating daily health habits for success, like eating vegetables and exercising more? The simple answer is: both. Here are a few action steps for preventive care to create a lean, mean, revenue-generating machine.
Focus on the vision, not the goal. Lack of vision has toppled many businesses and organizations. The message we hear is that goal setting and action plans are the key to success. The "G" word is overrated. Most of my clients don't know where to begin when it comes to creating a vision statement, or the fundamental difference between a vision and a goal. Simply put, vision inspires action, goals are the baby steps that take you there. Symptoms of a lack of vision include goal setting'itis, lack of direction and working your butt off with little to no growth.
Come up for air. If you’ve ever flown on an airplane you’ve heard the flight attendant instruct you to put your oxygen mask on first in the event of an emergency. As women, we tend to forget this basic health rule. If you’re so overwhelmed that you can’t think, you can’t help anyone else, let alone your business. Avoid a biz meltdown by taking a time-out to breathe new life into your daily plan. Whether you have 10 minutes or 30 minutes, walk away from your desk, clear your mind and take a few deep breaths. If you have the time, go for a walk. Let your thoughts wander and tune in to inspired action. You’ll feel refreshed, refocused and ready to conquer the day.
Get a quarterly checkup. We all know insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result. Can you really afford to wait a year for an annual checkup when you could have refocused your business, and your results, months earlier? Your “doctor” can include a mentor, coach or mastermind group. Evaluate what’s working, and more importantly, what’s not. Having someone else look at your business will give you new insights that you might have missed.
Ask yourself these questions every day to keep your business, and your life, in optimal shape:
Why am I here?
What is my vision?
What is my intention?
What is the most important business building activity I can do today?
Who can help?
7 Quotes for a Healthy Body and Healthy Business:
“You miss 100% of the shots you never take.” ~ Wayne Gretzky
“Just Do It.” ~ Nike
“When quitting is no longer an option, you’re halfway there.” ~ Unknown
“The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph!” ~ Marvin Phillips
“When your legs are tired, run with your heart.” ~ Unknown
“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” ~ Jim Rohn
“The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work.” ~ Vince Lombardi
Lynn Bardowski is an award-winning entrepreneur, best selling author, national speaker, mentor and radio show host. For insights on entrepreneurship, leadership and vision, read her book, listen to her radio show, follow her blog and "LIKE" her Facebook page. You may republish this article in full, as long as you list this paragraph and provide a link.
Are You Hiding Your True Passion?
Hearing two different women business owners share the same story this week reminded me that I've heard their story before. As we discussed who they were communicating their million dollar vision to, they both started the conversation with an apology (not a good sign), and shared that the people closest to them had no idea they had started a business. Or, had a website. Or, that they were so passionate about their business they were losing sleep over it. In a good way. The conversation went something like, “I’m sorry to say that my (fill in the blank with the name of those closest to you) doesn't know I’m doing this.” I've heard this story many times over my last 23 years as a business coach and mentor. Why are are so many women hiding their true passion, afraid to open the door and share their dreams with those closest to them? The common answer is FEAR - fear of failure, fear of success, fear of putting ourselves out there to be judged by the people we know and love the most. Our inner circle knows the “real” us, right? I don’t think they do. It’s the reason I titled the first chapter of my book, “You’re Not Who Everyone Thinks You Are.”
Here are 5 Things You Can Do To Stop Hiding Your True Passion:
1. Stop worrying about what your friends, family, co-workers, cousins or the neighbor next door thinks about you. While it might be easier said than done, realize that their judgement is based on a lack of belief in themselves, not you. They are not capable of supporting you to come out of hiding because they’ve locked themselves into their own limiting beliefs. It’s their "shift", not yours.
2. Go Full Monty. Letting the real you shine through is a lot like being naked. Suddenly, there’s no place to hide and you’re out in public during bright daylight. You feel exposed and vunerable, wishing you had a pair of invisible Spanx to put on. Have you ever been on a Caribbean vacation with a “clothing optional” beach? You'd think everyone would be staring, but when everyone is naked, no one seems to really care.
3. Free Your Dreams And You’ll Free Your Fears. Letting the real you out is scary and exhilarating all at the same time, kind of like a roller coaster. Let’s face it, it can be a wild ride. After you’ve faced the “Demon Roller” you’ll be ready to conquer the world! When everyone knows you’ve acted on your passion and purpose, there’s nothing left to stop you.
4. Take Responsibility For Keeping Your Passion A Secret. Hiding is such a convenient excuse as to why we’re not getting to where we want to be. We could totally be a success “if only” we could get out. That excuse plays well until you show up at an event and discover that your cousin just started her own business and is soliciting everyone to get the word out. Ouch. It’s not her fault she's getting all the biz, she had no idea what you were up to.
5. Be Proud, Out Loud. If you’re not shouting your vision off the highest roof top, why would anyone believe in you, your business or your product? It takes courage, belief, persistence and determination to act on your passion and purpose. Proudly celebrate your achievement and set out to be the best in your field. As Steve Martin said, “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” And don't keep it a secret.
Lynn Bardowski is a 23-year entrepreneur, best selling author, national speaker, mentor and radio show host. For insights on entrepreneurship, leadership and vision, read her book, listen to her radio show, follow her blog and "LIKE" her Facebook page. You may republish this article in full, as long as you list this paragraph and provide a link.
photo credit: flatworldsedge via photopin cc
The Road To SuperBowl XLVII – 5 Lessons About Winning
According to the New York Times, both the Ravens and the 49ers won on the strength of their defense.
de•fense
/diˈfens/
Noun
1. The action of defending from or resisting attack.
The article states that this notion defies today's expectation that the superstar quarterback wins the game. The Ravens and 49ers, fueled by passion and belief, became an unstoppable force who's passion and belief wore down the predicted winners, both on the field and in their minds.
Here are 5 lessons both teams taught me about winning:
Be willing to fight for your beliefs: Start every day as if it was your year to win the super bowl, regardless of the competition. If you don’t believe it, no one else will. Put your vision on a sign for the world to see and share it with your team (family, friends, customers). Your belief, vision and passion can triumph over talent and knowledge. Even an underdog can win.
Be a people builder: Joe Flacco, Ravens quarterback, is not the best in the league. His coach recognized his potential and guided him to where he is now. Seek out and recruit a winning team of motivated people who share your beliefs, and your vision. If you’re a solo-preneur, your team might include ambassadors that will bring you referrals and new clients. I frequently get asked how I motivate people. My answer is, “I don’t. Motivation comes from within. I recruit people who are already motivated and develop their potential.”
Master the basics: Vince Lombardi taught his team to succeed by mastering the fundamentals. Ray Rice, Ravens running back, is a great example of this. Ray mastered the skill of running the ball up the middle. He even has his own mantra that makes it so, “Hey diddle diddle, Ray Rice Up the Middle.” What skills do you need to practice over and over again, so that they become second nature?
Keep your head in the game: Both the 49ers and the Ravens turned around their teams in a relatively short period of time. Sure, it’s a challenge to stay focused on the end goal when the points (or sales) are down. The task can seem daunting. Instead of looking at the score board, keep your eyes on the daily activities that will continue to move your ball forward. One “play”, or one new team member, can change your entire game.
Be willing to take risks: 49ers coach, Harbaugh, chose to stick with his backup quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, when his star QB Alex Smith had a concussion. It was a risk that paid off. Listen to your gut and have the courage to try something new, even when the challenge is great. Innovation and change are necessary to grow.
I’ve never been more excited to watch the Super Bowl than this year, even though my local team, the Philadelphia Eagles, went down early. Everyone loves to root for the underdog!
Lynn Bardowski is a 23-year entrepreneur, best selling author, national speaker, mentor and radio show host. For insights on entrepreneurship, leadership and vision, read her book, listen to her radio show, follow her blog and "LIKE" her Facebook page. You may republish this article in full, as long as you list this paragraph and provide a link. Photo credit: clbphoto
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