The Savvy Professional Women Network welcomes women at every stage of life—from those at the top of their professional fields to those who are just starting out. The goal of our Virtual Networking Celebrations is to give you the space to connect with others, learn from a fabulous speaker and of course, have fun!
February 2021 we had Kierra Jones as our guest speaker. Kierra is a Speaker, Amazon Best-Selling Author, Mindset Coach and Brand Messaging & Monetization Consultant to women all over the world. She’s passionate about helping leaders transform how they see, think, and feel about their genius so they stop undervaluing, giving it away for less than value, and holding back in their marketing & sales! Before building her own multiple 6 figure international coaching practice, Kierra worked in sales, client management, and consulting with market-leading brands like Pillsbury, Cheerios, and Marriott where she supported the double digit growth of 5-7 figure businesses and brands.
In the recording below with Kierra you will discover:
The #1 thing you can do to shift your visibility mindset so you show up in your unique brand voice and amplify your visibility!
The power of high impact messaging that calls in and converts high quality clients (I’ll share the messaging + content strategy my clients and I to stand out & magnetize 4 & 5 figure ideal clients + customers)!
The biggest packaging mistake costing most service based entertainers thousands of dollars + key business model strategies you can implement immediately that have increased my clients’ sales by 200-900% while still aligning with their lifestyle & the people + things that matter most!
Keep it Functional: There are functional moves of average daily living that we all need to incorporate into our workouts to stay mobile throughout our later years in life. Think about what we do on a daily basis. We are in and out of the car, grocery shopping, doing laundry, lifting up grandbabies, loading the dishwasher, jogging across a busy road and not to mention whatever we choose for our professions (past or present). The movement patterns that we use on any given day are these seven: push, pull, squat, lunge, twist, hinge, and balance. We may not even realize that we are using these moves but now that we are, try to incorporate them into your daily exercise routine. If you need more photos and descriptions of these movement patterns, email me at [email protected] and I will send you my e-book The 7 Functional Movement Patterns of Average Daily Living.
Add Resistance: Bone density is typically a concern for the aging population because as bones get brittle, we have more chances of injury. It is hard to imagine that bone is actually a living tissue, just like muscle. When you work them, they get stronger? It is known that after our third decade in life, we begin to lose bone density. The one thing that can slow the progression is regular exercise with resistance. This is especially important for those diagnosed with osteopenia (bones are weaker but not yet to the point where they are too far gone) or osteoporosis (a disease in which bone density and quality is already reduced). Exercises that can minimize your risk for developing Osteoporosis are anything that works against gravity. Hiking, climbing stairs, or lifting weights would be good examples. Exercises that can help us maintain muscle coordination, gain strength and balance will also help us prevent falls and possible fractures.
Walk: Don’t underestimate the power of our own stride. Walking is the most functional exercise you can do. Not only is it free, you can do it anywhere with no equipment needed. It helps keep us functional and works against gravity. Boom…this is an all-inclusive exercise to enhance health and graceful aging! The benefits of walking are so many but to name a few: improves heart rate, improves mood, aids in weight loss, decreases blood pressure, improves balance and coordination, prevents dementia and osteoporosis, boosts energy…and the list goes on. My suggestion would be to walk anytime you can. Park far away from where you are going. Get a few extra steps in every day. Take the stairs. I have worked with clients who do not have the simple act of walking as an option so my point here is; don’t take it for granted. If you can walk, get going. Your life is waiting.
Savvy Blog Contributor:
Jenn Benson
Jenn Benson is a Certified Personal Trainer, Corrective Exercise Specialist, Weight Loss Specialist, and Group Fitness Instructor, Jenn has been able to help countless people discover their passion for exercise. Over the years, her motto of K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple stupid) has allowed her to excel in the ever-changing field of fitness. When Jenn is not traveling around teaching or training, she is spending her free moments running around with her two boys and adventurous husband.
The living is easy and the kids are…home. You are stuck between wanting to relax and wanting to keep the business ball rolling. You feel scattered, pulled in all directions, guilty for not being all things to all people, unable to say “No,” and stressed about doing the bare minimum to keep the business afloat. So, you suck it up, soothe yourself with the thought that the kids will be in school in just a few short weeks, grab your copy of “City of Girls,” park yourself by the pool and put off work yet another day.
Sound familiar?
I get it.
This does not have
to be an either/or situation: either fully engaged in your business OR fully
committed to fam. There’s a Both/And
Solution here… One you can begin to put
into practice right now.
Now, I know what
you’re going to say, “Yea, but, how am I going to find the time to do it
all? I can hardly fit one more
commitment on my plate!”
I hear you – and you
may be familiar with an expression Desmond Tutu, Nobel Prize winner for his
efforts in resolving and ending apartheid in South Africa, once wisely said:
“There is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time.”
Step One
Plot Your Course: Create a Plan
This may seem like an odd question, but have you ever
considered your relationship with time? The
greatest complaints I hear from the women I work in my coaching practice have
to do with their lack of time. They use
expressions such as not having enough it, it flying or passing quickly, wasting
it, it being too late, having limited amounts of it, it being against you,
running out of it and wouldn’t it be nice if they had it to do [fill in the
blank.] Not to mention our cultural
identification and gripping fear of aging, regret, frittering it away… There is
a lot of pressure we put on ourselves in regards to time.
Just as you have relationships with loved ones, partners and
yourself, you have a relationship with time.
If you were to see time as a sentient being, by the relationship
you have with it, would you say it was more of a foe or a friend? Do you follow its lead or feel controlled by
it? Are you time’s driver or its victim?
It’s time to take time back and create a bite-size plan
(remember we’re not going to eat the elephant all at once…)
Let’s take a good look at your next 30 days in your business
and life. We are going to divide your
time into 3 categories: personal time, business time, and contact time.
Plot and mark off your personal
time in first. (Wha? But what about all off my obligations? My clients, my responsibilities? What will people think?????) I know this is a bit of a mind bender, and
you know what they say, “if Mama ain’t happy….”
So, go ahead a chart out your pedicure time, pleasure reading time,
vacay with family time, shopping for school time, girl’s night out time etc..
FIRST.
Next, plot and mark off your
business time. This time is
dedicated to doing things like sending emails, writing copy, planning out your
next workshop, scheduling gigs, creating new packages/programming etc… (by the
way, the work you are doing here in planning your 30 days can be considered
business time…)
Finally, plot and mark off your contact time. This is
time you’ve specifically put aside to pick up the phone, meet with a client, go
to a networking event, give an estimate, talk to prospective clients….
You may or may not have anything going on during your
dedicated “contact time” and, by making time for it in your planner, it makes
it that much easier to make appointments and dates so you no longer find
yourself scrambling to “squeeze” somebody in.
In fact, you can tell people, I have dates/times available for this
purpose, what works for you?
Don’t you already feel the difference? Yep. You.
In time’s driver seat.
Step Two:
Maintain Routines: Keep a Weekly Plan
Routines… you might be thinking… are only for kids,
right? Nope.
You might find yourself throwing a 3 year-old tantrum
here….: But I like things loosey goosey,
I don’t like to be tied down, I do better when I can be spontaneous!
Does this mean you like the unpredictability of your
business? Does that mean you thrive on
inconsistent income? Does this mean you enjoy being at the mercy of time,
obligation and responsibilities that do not serve your financial Dire Need?
I’m pretty certain you’d say no.
So, stay with me here.
Let’s create, what is referred to in The Nia Technique, as a tight, but
loose structure for your week.
Begin your week with your 3 Top Goals… Not planning what you’d like to achieve by
the end of the week is akin to trusting a blind pilot to get you to your
destination… Have you blocked out
uninterrupted time for these activities or projects?
Check your calendar at the beginning of the week, make sure
you’re ready for the upcoming personal, business, and contact time commitments
so you are not caught completely off guard.
Have a weekly planning list – this is a checklist or default
template you can go through every week.
Make sure to have your top 3 priorities on the top of your checklist as
well as all of the regular admin, calendaring and blocked off times accounted
for.
One of the advantages of planning your days, your weeks,
your month is that it takes away a lot of stress because you know exactly when
you will do what and that you have thought of everything. To avoid the sense that you’ve over plan,
account for buffer times in your day.
For example, add 15 extra minutes to every event that lasts an hour or
more, especially when other people are involved.
Step 3
Be Ready When Unpredictable Events Strike.
Although planning can have its dark side – being
spontaneity’s worst enemy – life is life.
And we are human, subject to the unpredictable: a child getting the flu,
the in-laws dropping in…
So, plan for it. Leave
some space in there for you to breathe and to honor the “loose” part of that
“tight but loose” idea from The Nia Technique.
For example, keep your weekends plan free so you can spontaneously go to
the pool with the kids, hit a matinee on a rainy day, go for an unplanned
Sunday drive.
You needn’t eat the elephant all at once when it comes to creating boundaries around your time and schedule. Taking a step-by step approach to taking back your time will allow you to decrease your stress level, anxiety and guilt so you can increase your business’ bottom line. Truly working harder is for the birds. Working wiser, now, that’s the way to go.
Let us know in the comments what is your relationship with time and what are you willing to change or enhance in that relationship?
Savvy Blog Contributor:
Joelle Lydon
Joëlle is an internationally sought after Relationship Expert, mentoring smart, successful, self-aware and spiritual women to transform their life and love struggles, low self-esteem and mistrust into ease and confidence. Her clients are able to release their painful stories about what it means to be highly sensitive, take responsibility for themselves as Grown Woman rather than a little girl, and change their life trajectory.
Opinions expressed by Savvy Women blog contributors are their own, and do not express the opinions of the Savvy Professional Women Network.
I was working with a client today, and as is almost always the case, the beliefs and values of childhood were running the show. Many of us don’t understand how our mind and body work together. It’s both simple and complicated.
In the “Biology of Belief” Bruce Lipton teaches us about the conscious and subconscious mind. I could go into my beliefs about past lives, or my alignment with Carl Jung’s philosophy that the human mind is not just a blank slate at birth to be written on solely by experience, but for today, let’s talk about the scientific aspects of the challenges of change.
No one can argue that our beliefs and habits are programmed in from our caregivers, whoever they may have been. Parents, teachers, family, friends, society, religion or lack of, and on and on. Our job is to understand what’s true for us and what’s not so we can line up with our truest self and stop living someone else’s life!
Change Takes Courage!
Your conscious mind is controlling about 5% of what’s happening in your world. The stronger your habits are, the stronger you have to be to change them, and to create the new habits that will make the difference.
You’ve been thinking and doing the same way for most of your life. If you want to change a habit, and consequently your life, then you have to do something different to move toward the change you desire.
When we start to make changes, alarms and whistles go off. No, that’s new, that’s not safe, that’s could be dangerous. The mind/brain likes to stay in what it knows.
When I was sixteen, in a violent incident with my father, I accidentally scratched him with my ring. It shocked him out of his rage and he never touched me or spoke to me again. If that hadn’t happened it’s likely I would have perpetuated that version of violence in my life. As it happened I did keep the violence going but in other ways, until I made the conscious changes that has me living my life with a beautiful man and I am happy and healthy in every way. It was a big old fat process though.
Here’s what happens: The changes start in your mind but also in your body.
You have a thought, your brain starts to make some chemicals that will match that thought based on past experiences and you feel uncomfortable in your body, and do your usual reaction.
Or you have a feeling, and the body creates some chemicals that create a thought based on past experiences associated with that feeling, and once again, you have your usual experience.
It’s not your fault!
Your brain is hardwired to keep you safe and change is not safe – at least according to certain areas of your brain.
When making a commitment to change, you have to go through the process of feeling your feelings and changing your thoughts, at the same time as you keep moving forward. You have to practice over and over. It’s a 24/7 job for a while and then over time it becomes your more natural state.
Whenever I do a speaking gig I get stressed. It used to be I would have endless days and nights of tossing and turning. I had friends and colleagues tell me that if I wasn’t thinking about myself, and instead thinking about the audience, I wouldn’t feel that way. While that may be true, all I could feel was I was in danger! LOL
I practiced feeling my feelings, changing my thoughts, imagining myself having a good time, spending a little more time meditating and eventually it became just a feeling and a thought that has little to no power. I know that there is no boogieman coming to get me and I can embrace the wonderful joy of the possibility of changing someone’s life. I feel lucky! When I get that feeling, I remember and do what I know to do.
You know what to do too!
Answer these questions for yourself:
What’s the one thing that you want to change?
What are the thoughts and feelings that are associated with that change?
Take the time, connect the dots and make the changes that make the difference.
Feel your feelings Change your thoughts Create a life you love
How?
When you get that feeling, the one that’s particular to you, you’ll need to learn to discern the difference between true danger (which is almost never) and avoidance of something you’re not saying or not doing. This is where stress lies. What are you not saying or not doing? The other triggers are experience driven such as a smell, a touch, a familiar and uncomfortable feeling that drives stress and indecision.
There are multitudes of ways that can make a difference, but initially it is beneficial to just start noticing when that feeling sets in and why.
When you change the way you look at things,
the things you look at change. Wayne Dyer
Start the day with focus
Declare that you are ready to change the way you see things
Notice when negativity takes you over
Change your thoughts NOW
Go on a complaining diet – NO complaining
Fake it till you make it
Look around with gratitude – what are you grateful for?
Applause, applause
Some days are harder than others. When it just isn’t working use this tool.
Accept – What can I accept right now?
Commit – What am I committed to?
Practice – What do I need to practice – what’s my plan?
Discomfort – Where do I feel discomfort in my body – lean in.
Courage – Do I have the courage to keep going?
Awake – How can I stay awake?
Celebrate – Everything!
You are amazing. Everyone knows it. You are beautiful just as you are. You may desire change and that’s cool too. I know I will always be striving for more, more of myself and more from others, that’s just my nature. What is your true nature? How will you fulfill your desires and purpose? How can we see more of you?
Will the real you please stand up, stand out and be the best, most authentic version of you. We need you, you need you, and the world needs you and your specialness. Comment below… How will you fulfill your desires and purpose? How can we see more of you?
Savvy Blog Contributor
Karen Carey Five Star Coaching Group
Karen Carey is the founder of Ruby Red Road and partner at Five Star Coaching Group. As a CultureTalk certified partner, she helps businesses and teams create a productive and positive environment with self-knowledge, collaboration and heart to maximize potential and ultimate success.
Karen will be the guest speaker at our Networking Soiree on September 17th in Albany, New York. For ticket details please click here.
Opinions expressed by Savvy Women blog contributors are their own.
We have all done it…. rolled out of bed, and hit the ground running with full intentions of returning to “get dressed.” Now, somehow it’s noon, and we still are not really put together for how we intended. Sure, you never anticipated having to go on three different errands, yet, it happens. Perhaps you had to dash to the school to drop off your child’s project, which was left behind. Or swing into the post office to mail an order to a client. And then of course, there is the practical added errand like getting milk to save a later trip. As luck would have it you run into three people you know along the way…
How do you feel when you engage with these people? Are you happy to see them? Are you comfortable? Do you feel prepared to answer a question about your business? Or, are you just hoping they don’t notice the toothpaste markings on your sweatshirt…?
I am not advocating for perfection. Perfection is not realistic, and it’s not genuine. I am a believer of feeling comfortable. That can mean many things to different people. I know for me when I feel disheveled or drab, I don’t feel my best. This in turn can influence how I interact with others.
How we present ourselves in every area of our lives sets the tone. Whether we are aware of this or not, we ARE our personal image; this influences how others perceive us. While it would be nice to think we are not so impressionable, we as humans simply are. What we wear is a huge piece of how we present ourselves to the world.
Everything we do affects our personal and professional brand. It is up to us to determine whether our brand is affected positively or negatively.
What exactly is Branding?
Simply put, branding is the process of influencing perception. Branding helps people perceive us and our company in the way WE CHOOSE.. notice the words “we choose”, because if we don’t shape our brand, other people will shape it for us… In their minds, they will make assumptions quickly based on what are their impressions of us. Attire is an instant language.
Branding is what helps you stand out in the marketplace. When you step into the glorious person you are and present your unique self that is the best kind of confidence and positive marketing. Why? Because it’s genuine and it’s relatable. With such a fast pace society today, people are craving personable relationships which are authentic. When you are being truly you this assists to ensure trust and supportive attention. This trust is just as valuable if you are forming relationships with other parents or meeting with a client. It’s all related for you’re always presenting yourself in every area of your life. From picking up your “to go” food to walking into a meeting.
Defining your personal or business brand is one of the most special gifts you give to yourself and the world. It is your time to shine! My wish as an image maven is that every woman shine in her own miraculous and unique way! There are many facets that go into a successful brand. Like any task it can be more manageable when taken in steps. Your attire is one piece but it’s also an important one. The beauty of exploring your style is also knowing that it will evolve and change over time. So be patient. Remember, this isn’t about being perfect. Everyone starts somewhere and like anything new it can feel awkward before it feels elegant. This is an invitation to hone in on your unique style which will compliment and attract more positive experiences.
Your clothing is a tool. It can work for you or against you. The key is knowing how to dress your body and honoring your style.
Where to begin?
Following are a few steps to get you started on the path of exploring your personal brand….
Be Unforgettable – Aside from your wisdom and sunny demeanor, what sets you apart? What do you want people to remember about you? Now this doesn’t mean you grab an over the top fluffy jacket fit for show tunes. It means there is something that you add which is noticeable. Perhaps it’s a savvy accent color, a necklace which is unique, or a flattering hat. Having a piece that draws the eye in can not only be a way to be memorable it also can be a great conversation starter.
Be Authentic – Do not try to mold yourself to what others think you should be. If you are not dressing in a style that is comfortable not only will you suffer but it can affect the integrity of the relationship as well. Be the best version of yourself.
Bring In The Troops – It is valuable to reach out to those trusted individuals for feedback who will be honest with you because they care. Choose wisely. Gathering some friends for a night in to sift through your clothes can be a blast! If you do not have the right type of support then you may want to consider retaining a professional. We all need a trusted confidant to provide honest feedback, be kind, loving and support our individuality.
Get Inspired And Excited! – When you look at your closet you should get excited by the items that fill them for they ideally make you feel beautiful and happy! If they do not then that is a place to start. Many times we can get in the habit of throwing on whatever and just getting by. Perhaps it’s because we don’t feel worthy, perhaps it’s we don’t want the attention. Or perhaps we have no idea how to dress our bodies. Remember, if you don’t feel truly magnificent and confident then you will send this message on some level. Whether you are working with a professional or making some changes on your own it does not need to be expensive or labor intensive. Phew! It really can be very easy… you just have to start!
If you are not sure what you like for a style then the best thing to do is to explore. Set aside some you time, pull up a chair and pick a place. It could be magazines, Pinterest etc. Pay attention and note what you are drawn to. Don’t think about the cost, where you’d wear it or if you could pull it off. Just notice what draws you in and how it makes you feel.
Be proactive – This is no time to be overly modest or shy. It’s important to move at your own pace but just make sure you keep moving forward. Refreshing and defining your style really takes very little effort and it can be so very fun! Women have gotten away from dressing up. Many of us didn’t think twice about it when we were younger – clomping around in our Mother’s shoes and pearls and loving it for we were supporting our imagination and self expression. We need to give to ourselves as we often are doing for others. For when we do, we shine both personally and professionally.
About the Author:
Brandon Dewyea
Image Maven of Moxie
findyourmoxie.net [email protected]
518-336-0157
Brandon Dewyea