22 April 2008

My Biggest Business Challenge... uh, Circumstance - Part 2 of 2



If you missed the August 20, 2007 issue of The Indie Experience, I was asked about my biggest business challenge.

Last week's article (Part 1) addressed the value of reframing ideas (or questions, in this case) and the freedom of not labeling circumstance. This week's article (Part 2) contains my answer.

Now that you know how I approach this question of my biggest "challenge," I am excited to candidly share with you my biggest business life circumstance.

I warn you, however. It requires a mental adjustment to the traditional approach to business.

Without further delay, here we go!

The biggest business life circumstance I encounter is:

the moments I become temporarily
overwhelmed by the thought
that delivering the best for my clients
depends on my knowledge alone


I'm exceptional at what I do and have worked diligently to acquire my current skill set. But, when I step out and away from my business, in the grand scheme of life, I must acknowledge that the knowledge I've accumulated is miniscule compared to the vast knowledge imprinted -- and accessible -- in the ether.

Every thought, every invention, every word ever spoken, the inspirations for every great painting, the angst of every artist, every solution, every creative notion, every everything lingers "out there."

And if it lingers, these etheric inspirations are accessible to every one of us... if only we ask. (This "collective of creativity" is linked to our intuition and spirit-help. Keep this in mind as you read further.)

The funny thing is no one ever told us we could ask! And it didn't occur instinctively to ask for help or inspiration from these impressions.

The Secret to Obliterating My Biggest Life Circumstance

Every day we hear more and more about conscious entrepreneurship. I have developed and refined spiritual business practices for more than a decade, but the message is now hitting the mainstream. The world of commerce has changed. Our lives are no longer separated into neat compartments of home and work. Instead they are a complex mix of the many facets of our one, integrated life. It is thrilling to see entrepreneurs embrace and incorporate all elements of this physical plane to thrive in business (physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual). This alone seems to be moving us along at a rapid pace of growth.

However, many entrepreneurs still focus on adding to their tangible skill set (e.g. project management, internet marketing skills, effective sales techniques, etc.)... all without implementing another, equally vital and useful tool.

Certainly I depend on my expertise and years of experience, but there's another more effective component to my success. It's a secret, really, and although I don't speak of it often, it's my magical -- and until now, private -- key to doing so well in business.

Clients refer to me as "The Intuitive Copywriter." They're absolutely right.

My secret is this:
I actively invite and engage the
intuitive/spiritual element
to benefit my business and
deliver spot-on results
for my clients


In my experience, my skills are sufficient to deliver results that exceed client expectations. However, paired with this magical component, I am able to access insights not based on accumulated knowledge, but instead sourced from the divine and the etheric impressions mentioned earlier.

How Does It Work?

Throughout my day I am in ongoing communication with my Source (feel free to replace this word with the name of your spiritual source; God, Buddha, Mother Nature, The Goddess, Ultimate Creativity, etc. The name doesn't matter. That you access this resource IS what matters.). I simply remain in a state of openness and active listening.

THAT'S IT! If it sounds simple, it is. If it sounds too simple to work, it isn't.

It allows me the flexibility to take inspired, specific action instead of random action based on the latest trends. After all, my guidance comes directly from The Source. Think about it: Isn't it smarter to be directly plugged into The Source and get the insider scoop on the best next move for your unique business via a quiet inspiration vs. trying to incorporate the latest trend(s) based on technical data and projections? Talk about work!

How, Indeed!

Another facet of engaging Source is: I have completely removed myself from figuring out the "how" of things:
  • How will I create the "hook" for my client's new product?
  • How will that situation resolve itself?
  • How can I bridge this misunderstanding?
  • How will I pay for the new color printer?
  • How can I increase productivity with limited monetary and personnel resources?

When I first notice something that feels like a "how" detail, I acknowledge it and invite my spiritual guides to work it out and completely delegate the "how" to them.

When purposely separated from the "how," answers, creative input, resolve, options and ideas flow to you effortlessly. It's all about letting go... about relinquishing control of your need to come up with all the answers based on what (little) you know. Access creativity and inspiration so
  • the "work" of working becomes creating
  • you become part of a collaboration bigger than you and your business

Just the same as delivering inspired and customized copy to my clients, the Universe delivers custom solutions to every business -- and personal -- situation that arises. I trust and rely on this process exclusively now because I see how much better it works! My former approach is no longer enough.

A Passive Approach? | What Do I Do Now?

If you think this is a passive approach to business success, it can seem that way initially. If you're not busy figuring out the "how," what ARE you supposed to be doing?

With a mental switch of now relying on Spirit as part of your team, your job becomes taking only inspired action.

To take inspired action means you have to know what to do. To know what to do means you have to somehow clearly "hear" or understand what it is you're inspired to do.

One must listen very carefully to the sound of Spirit. It sounds easy (no pun intended), but it requires practice... especially at first. Paying attention to subtlety is an art!

Your experience may be audible, felt-audible (I feel/hear divine inspiration in my right ear), a feeling, or a physical manifestation (the stomach area is very common). It may even be a slight shift in your emotions that becomes your personal way of knowing.

Subtle nuance. Pay attention!

There are as many paths as there are people, and this moment-by-moment, inspired and effective approach to business -- and your personal life -- deserves a trial run. If it doesn't work, you can always go back to the overwhelm and frustration of managing everything yourself and depending on your knowledge alone to carry you.

It may sound so simplistic and yet couldn't we all use less complicated systems when the results prove that simplicity works?

Go ahead, unburden yourself. Relinquish the need to think you have to know it all, ask for help and delegate the "hows" to those spiritual entities much better equipped to deliver ultimate creative solutions. Watch what happens.

If you want to experience more confidence, more peace and a much wider well from which to draw, add the spiritual element to your business activities. It doesn't matter what product or service you offer. Spirit is available to deliver better results than you can ever imagine.


15 April 2008

My Biggest Challenge - Part 1 of 2


If you missed the August 20, 2007 issue of The Indie Experience, I was asked about my biggest business challenge.

As someone who approaches life with a unique perspective, I had to mentally reframe the question before I could respond.

This article (Part 1) addresses the value of reframing ideas (or questions, in this case) and the freedom of not labeling circumstance. Next week's article (Part 2) contains my answer to the question: "What Is Your Biggest Challenge?"

The Art of Reframing

My need to reframe the question posed in the interview has a foundation in acknowledging that I don't think the way most people do.

Without reframing the question, I would have to honestly answer, "I don't have challenges." However, this response places me in a position in which you cannot relate to me. I build as many bridges as possible for clear communication, and if you cannot relate to me -- for any reason -- I have not done my job. You stop listening.

So, instead of the answer, "I don't have challenges," I reframed the question based on how my mind works and my understanding of the impact of words (Part 1)... and then set out to answer the question (Part 2).

Reframing a question, notion, or situation is a preparation. It sets the foundation for maximum understanding or outcome. It allows us to take a few steps backward, look at the situation from another perspective, breathe deeply, relax and then proceed.

The reframed question allows me to illuminate yet another valuable life skill for your empowerment.

Dispelling the Need to Label Circumstance

I live the entire range of experiences of being on this physical plane... just like you. The difference is my mental approach, which is: "No circumstance is a challenge (or problem)."

I know how damaging it is to place labels on circumstance. How often have you heard someone else (or yourself) say, "That was so traumatic."

Engage me for just a moment. In recounting the story, what if, instead, you said, "Although I was scared at first, that experience taught me how much strength I really have when I need it! I was very proud of how I handled the situation."

Same scenario. Different mindset AND a diversely different impact on everyone involved... including you! One is based in fear and leaves the situation open-ended with IT in power. The second scenario is clearly concluded with YOU in power.

Sit with these examples for just a moment. How does each feel? Yeah, I thought so.

I understand the power of words.

I also understand the impact of thinking something like, "I'm having a terrible day. Nothing is going right," which can number in the thousands throughout the course of one day. (What can possibly be different if, with your thoughts, you've already committed to having a "terrible" day? You actually anchored that experience to you!)

Furthermore, I know the devastating impact of being in the habit of actually giving voice to these thoughts. (Don't do it! It serves no purpose other than feeding the monster and leaving you disempowered.)

Attaching your current experience to words like problem, catastrophe, bad, hardship, fiasco, mistake, emergency, disaster, tragedy, etc. is death to your well-being.

In my world there's no such thing... not because I am immune to the impact of everyday experience, but because I simply don't attach labels to circumstance.

It's a conscious choice at first and requires practice, but I promise, it soon becomes habit.

As you'll experience for yourself, eliminating the need to label experiences richly enhances your life because it frees you to consider other, more empowering, alternatives in the moment of now.

You, too, have a choice; you get to decide if the circumstances in front of you are "problems" or not.


Now that you know how I approach this question of my biggest "challenge," stay tuned to Part 2 in which I actually share with you my biggest business life circumstance. A hint: It will surprise and inspire you. It's a time-tested and proven technique to blow out all limitation. It's quick, it's easy and it's accessible to EVERYONE, but it requires a mental adjustment to the traditional approach to business!


08 April 2008

Few Words In Small Spaces Must Still Communicate Effectively

There is no doubt small spaces require special attention. Space is a precious commodity; especially on instruction or ingredient labels. Based on experience, each word must pull its own weight.

A client recently contacted me about copy for a very small label. Directions for a similar product said, "Swirl, tap, buff."

As a consumer myself, with these directions, I wouldn't know how to use the product most effectively. Swirl what? Using what? Tap where? How hard? Buff where? To what extent?

Ugh. Another frustrating experience with the product thrown into the back of a drawer, never to see the light of day.

Keep in mind these 3 guidelines as you write any copy, but especially copy for tight spaces:

Guideline 1: Don't assume your customer will instinctively know how to use your product.

Guideline 2: Don't frustrate your customer by forcing her to try to figure out how to use your product.

Guideline 3: It's your job to instruct your consumer. Do it effectively.


My client required as few words as possible to fit the limited space, but as importantly, the words had to effectively communicate how to use the product. After all, what's the point if the words don't truly instruct and empower?

Below are some actual label instructions found on consumer products. They are not only attempts to write effectively in a small space, but to relieve the supplier of liability. Avoid this approach! It's lame and totally transparent to the consumer. Other examples exhibit simple carelessness, language/translation issues, and lack of attention to dual meanings.

These examples may cause you to laugh, but if it's your business name on the product, you have much to lose. If consumers perceive you as inept, will they purchase from you more than once? Probably not. This translates to a disastrous impact on your reputation and your business.

  1. On a blanket from Taiwan -
    NOT TO BE USED AS PROTECTION FROM A TORNADO.

  2. On a helmet-mounted mirror used by U.S. cyclists -
    REMEMBER, OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR ARE ACTUALLY BEHIND YOU.

  3. On a Taiwanese shampoo -
    USE REPEATEDLY FOR SEVERE DAMAGE.

  4. On the bottle-top of a (UK) flavoured milk drink -
    AFTER OPENING, KEEP UPRIGHT.

  5. On a New Zealand insect spray -
    THIS PRODUCT NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS.

  6. In a US guide to setting up a new computer -
    TO AVOID CONDENSATION FORMING, ALLOW THE BOXES TO WARM UP TO ROOM TEMPERATURE BEFORE OPENING.
    (Sensible, but the instruction was INSIDE the box.)

  7. On a Japanese product used to relieve painful hemorrhoids -
    LIE DOWN ON BED AND INSERT POSCOOL SLOWLY UP TO THE PROJECTED PORTION LIKE A SWORD-GUARD INTO ANAL DUCT. WHILE INSERTING POSCOOL FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES, KEEP QUIET.

  8. In some countries, on the bottom of Coke bottles -
    OPEN OTHER END.

  9. On a packet of Sunmaid raisins -
    WHY NOT TRY TOSSING OVER YOUR FAVOURITE BREAKFAST CEREAL?

  10. On a Sears hairdryer -
    DO NOT USE WHILE SLEEPING.

  11. On a bag of Fritos -
    YOU COULD BE A WINNER! NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. DETAILS INSIDE.
    (The shoplifter special!)

  12. On a bar of Dial soap -
    DIRECTIONS - USE LIKE REGULAR SOAP.
    (And that would be how?)

  13. On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom of the box) -
    DO NOT TURN UPSIDE DOWN.
    (Too late! You lose!)

  14. On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding -
    PRODUCT WILL BE HOT AFTER HEATING.
    (Are you sure? Let's experiment.)

  15. On a Korean kitchen knife -
    WARNING: KEEP OUT OF CHILDREN.
    (Dammit! Who are they to tell me what to do with my kids?)

  16. On a string of Chinese-made Christmas lights -
    FOR INDOOR OR OUTDOOR USE ONLY.
    (As opposed to... ?)

  17. On a Japanese food processor -
    NOT TO BE USED FOR THE OTHER USE.
    (Now I'm curious.)

  18. On Sainsbury's peanuts -
    WARNING - CONTAINS NUTS.
    (Really? Peanuts contain nuts?)

  19. On an American Airlines packet of nuts -
    INSTRUCTIONS - OPEN PACKET, EAT NUTS.
    (I'm glad they cleared that up.)

  20. On a Swedish chainsaw -
    DO NOT ATTEMPT TO STOP CHAIN WITH YOUR HANDS OR GENITALS.
    (What kind of consumer phone-call led to this warning?)

  21. On a child's superman costume -
    WEARING OF THIS GARMENT DOES NOT ENABLE YOU TO FLY.
    (Bummer, I want my $8.95 back!)

  22. On some frozen dinners:
    SERVING SUGGESTION: DEFROST.

  23. On a hotel-provided shower cap in a box -
    FITS ONE HEAD.

  24. On packaging for a Rowenta iron -
    DO NOT IRON CLOTHES ON BODY.

  25. On Boot's "Children's" cough medicine -
    DO NOT DRIVE CAR OR OPERATE MACHINERY.

  26. On Nightly sleep aid -
    WARNING: MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS.
    (Duh! It well BETTER cause drowsiness at that price!)

Someone, somewhere, approved this copy! Don't let this happen to you!

What can you learn from these examples? Have several people review your small-space copy to ensure it conveys what you intend. Otherwise, you risk losing your precious reputation, as well as sales.

06 April 2008

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