3 Tips to Turn Failure into Success

Failure isn't failure if we learn from it.  Just between you and me, I've had many failures in my life. If you're a woman in business you've had your share also!

Here are 3 Tips to Turn Failure into Success:

1) An optimistic attitude is essential:  Scott Adams, of Dilbert comic strip fame and author of How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big lists his failures in the book and there were over 20. But he had unfailing optimism and he finally succeeded BIG.  

2) Keep your foot on the gas pedal:  Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook and author of Lean IN says women need to keep their foot on the gas pedal.  I agree. Sometimes we take the foot off the gas pedal because we've been working really hard, had some successes and think it's time to rest. Sometimes women in business take their foot off the gas pedal to have a family. I think she has a point that if you're wanting to compete with the big boys you have to stay in the game. Women are still bumping up against the glass ceiling although we're making progress. 

3) Learn from your Failures & Mistakes:  Robert Kiyosaki, author of the Rich Dad Poor Dad series, makes a valid point about the education system. He says it doesn't allow for falures and to make mistakes. As a young business man his first business failed, he lost millions, yet what he learned from that failure helped him succeed with his next business.  

As I look back at 2013 I see my failures - not staying focused on one thing at a time - and my successes - closer to my financial goal, more systems in place anda  much improved bottom line.  

Turn failures into successes by first listing your TA-DA's:  Make a list of your successess for 2013 and of any failures. Write down what you learned from each mistake and what you can do differently in 2014.  

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Author, Money & Business Coach, Lynn Telford-Sahl publishes the monthly PowerUP Your Money for women in business. If you’re ready to get past financial stress, value yourself and your money more, get your FREE tips now. www.powerupyourmoney.com.  

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR ON YOUR WEB SITE? 

You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: 

Certified Money & Business Coach, Author and Professional Speaker, Lynn Telford-Sahl, writes the weekly JOYwithMoney blog for women in sales and small business. If you’re ready to PowerUP your Money, Business & JOY Success get your FREE Strategy Session with Lynn at www.joywithmoney.com

4 Hurdles of Women Business Divas & 4 Reasons Why Women Shine!

Lynn’s definition of Diva: Women determined to BE their best, DO their best, serve others in the process, make more $$ and have more FUN!

Four Mistakes Women in Business Make:

1) Women in Business undercharge for their products, time and services. It’s a worthiness issue. 

2) Women owned business are under capitalized. A National Association of Women Business Owners survey found that 75% of respondents did not get loans or credit at all. (I wonder if these women are using credit cards to finance their businesses?)

3) Women don’t have the built in financial networks or support systems that men do. NOTE: It’s only been since 1988 (26 years) that the Women’s Business Ownership Act eliminated state laws that required women to have a male relative co-sign a business loan. Can you believe it?

4) Women in business don’t take enough risks. Probably iin part because they’re underfunded and the worthiness challenge.

In spite of these challenges women SHINE! It’s exciting to see women starting new businesses and up-leveling current ones.  Here are 4 reasons why women owned businesses are going to explode in the next few years.

1) Women are more customer focused. "The only thing ranked higher for women (according to Mark D. Wolf of The Guardian Life Small Business Research Institute, is family and religion."

2) Women multi-task more easily than men – Men might have come up with the fancy multi-tasking word to describe doing lots of things at once, but women have BEEN multi-tasking for eons. We were just too busy to name it!

3) Women value a positive work environment, paying employees better and making employees feel as if they’re part of a team. (I’ve heard the complaints about women’s backbiting and emotionalism, but I have never experienced it.)

4) Women are more collaborative and are using social networks and supports systems for help in their businesses – and to support others. Decide to BE a Woman Business Diva in 2014 and SHINE.

If you're ready to BE a Business Diva in 2014 join Lynn for her Free Monthly Webinar: Step on the Gas Pedal Business Goals & Strategies for 2014  

Want to use this article in your newsletter or on your web site?

You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: 

Certified Money & Business Coach, Author and Professional Speaker, Lynn Telford-Sahl, writes the weekly PowerUP Your Money blog for women in sales and small business. If you’re ready to PowerUP your Money and your Business Success get your FREE Strategy Session with Lynn at www.joywithmoney.com  

*popular article originally published March 2010 and updated for 2014!!

Business Success Isn’t Magic – It Takes Planning!!

Business success isn't magic - it takes planning! We, women in business, work hard IN our businesses, but often don’t spend enough time working ON our business doing the planning, goal setting and strategiziing necessary to achieve our dreams.  

The smart, successful coach Katrina Sawa once shared with me that 1 hour of planning saves 6 hours of WORK.

Let's get smarter!! Be honest - Are you spending enough time planning for your success? It's good to first define what success means because yours and mine are going to be different.  I’m a simple gal with pretty simple needs. Your life dreams & needs may be a Starbucks Trenta or a Grande – mine is more of a Short or Tall. It’s all good – we just need to define it for ouself.

1) What is your definition of success?  For me success is freedom, abundance, happiness and time to enjoy life and yes, to make plenty of money to do all that! 

What’s your definition?  _____________

2) Get Clear About Financial Success by Setting a Reasonably Uncomfortable Financial Goal for 2014.

To come up with this number consider the lifestyle you’re currently living and the one you would like to be living.  And, don’t forget to factor in how hard you are willing to work. There's no right or wrong about this - it's your life and you get to decide.

One business woman, Jodi, hit her goal of $150,000 a year, but she was exhausted. The next year she scaled the number back to fit a more relaxed lifestyle.

Research shows that after $75,000 a year, most Americans have enough to meet their needs with enough extras and that more money only increases happiness by about 9%.  What is your enough number?

Your Reasonably Uncomfortable Financial Goal:  _____________ 

Now, don't just write it down. Tell someone. Last year in my 4th Annual Business Strategy Workshop in January, I asked the women to first write their financial goal and then say it out loud to the person next to them. Uncomfortable. Then I asked those that were brave enough to say it out loud to the group. Vicky Johnson, Financial Planner, of Principal Finance shared with me that was difficult, but by Sept. of 2013 she'd surpassed her goal.

Next blog I'll show you how to work backwards from your financial goal to make sure you meet it!! 

Sign me up for FREE Money Strategy Session

Business Success as a Woman: 4 Power Tips

Women & Power = Money (& so much more.) When I use the word power with my women coaching clients, they can act uncomfortable. Why? Because they've seen power used as a method of control or as a power over manuever. The Boss is in control - I have to do what he or she says.  

However, the definition of Power is simple:  To Act.  A recent article in the New York Times: "You Have Power: Don't Be Afraid to Use It," interviewed successful women. 

Here are 4 nuggets they shared about power, how to support yourself and each other and to achieve success:

1) Women can and should help one another and stop under valuing "...the role that we can play in the success of other people and the organization." Amy Schulman, Exective vice president and general counsel, Pfizr

2) Be vocal in group settings and don't make statements that sound like questions. (Women are still trying to prove they belong - men know they do). Amy Schulman

3) Trust your inner soul, use your voice. Cooperation is a great female strength and in groups of men, "...you must speak up and believe in yourself."  Doreen Lorenzo, President, Quirky, a product development company

4) Don't be afraid of being "nice."  Marjorie Kaplan, of Animal Planet, says she manages based on expectations rather than fear. And, if men aren't being respectful at a meeting, for example by not introducing themselves, speak up. Doreen Lorenzo says if you're not being treated respectually end the meeting: "We're going to end this conversation until you listen to me. Don't be afraid to use your power."

(*New York Times "You Have Power. Don't Be Afraid to use It." Oct 13, 2013)

The message from these powerful corporate and entrepreneurial women is quite clear. The corporate culture stlll tends to be traditional, however women are making a difference and need to support each other. All these women are successful, have learned through the school of hard knocks. Be successful, believe in yourself and get help when you need it.

"People Love to Give Me Money" - Obamacare Makes Insurers Pay Refunds

"People love to give me money," is an affirmation I picked up from Chellie Campbell author of The Wealthy Spirit, that I LOVE saying whenever I get unexpected money. I just received a check for $120.00 as a refund through Obamacare.

How? Here's the scoop:  Thank Obama for helping insurance companies be more accountable to us and the dollars they spend. The Affordable Care Act requires Blue Shield (& I imagine every other insurer) to spend at least 80% of the premiums it receives on health care services, not adminiatration or advertising. Since Blue Cross didn't, it refunded 2% of our premium which for me amounted to $120.00. Not a lot, but it went right in the bank for the vacation we just took to San Diego. Yes to vacations!!

"This 80/20 Rule of the Affordable Care Act is intended to ensure that consumers get value for their health care dollars. You can go to: http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/costs/value-for-premium/index.html  for more info.

I help women in business make more money - keep more of their money - and have fun in the process! Register for FREE Webinar Women's Inner Money Game & How to Win It 

How I Saved $14,000 in One Day On Vacation

How did this Money Coach save $14,000 in one day while on vacation? Sound like a miracle? Well, it sorta was. My husband, Dave and I were on vacation in sunny Escondido at the Lawrence Welk Resort - yes, you heard that right. Lawrence Welk of 60s TV & bubble fame has built a money making resort about 40 minutes north of San Diego. Why did we drive 7 hours to stay there? Because it's child friendly and our grandchildren are joining us so that we can make good on our Christmas present to them - a trip to the San Diego Zoo.

But, let me get back to the big money we saved today. For two full day Zoo passes worth $88.00 we, in a moment of weakness, insanity, fill in the blank, decided it was worth it to attend a - you guessed it -a 90 minute TimeSHARE Presentation. Three hours later, though a bit financially stressed, we walked out as rich as when we met our lovely saleswoman Lynne, a therapist soul-sister, who did everything in her sweet power to convince us that it was "nothing" to add to our 2 timeshares, or trade them in on the NEW even better development of the Lawrence Welk resort - all for only $14,000.

By the time we'd been there nearly 3 hours, we almost caved - we were wearing out and wearing down and the last deal, the smallest deal, the best trading deal was starting to sound good.  (Our math also showed us that the 3 hours we'd sat patiently while Lynne very sweetly described all the glories of ownership was worth between $600.00 - 800.00 of our time by our hourly rates - somehow this helped direct us back to sanity.) As we began to weaken we thought if we just signed the deal we'd get out of there. Dave and I had a private conference and did the figures again and in our regained frugal sanity realized we can do a lot with the $14,000 it would have cost for a week a year timeshare - we can remodel our bathroom, we can upgrade to a larger unit when we go to Mexico and we go every year (of course we already have a TimeShare - doesn't everyone?) 

As Dave and I escaped from the Time Share building, we laughed in relief - we'd just saved $14,000 and we got those $88.00 Zoo Tickets. Here are quick rules on how to keep your money in your pocket if you attend one of these presentations:  Smile, nod, be polite, firmly grip your partners hand and give each other the NO, don't you dare say yes grip as needed, keep smiling and as they present their last option, say please give us a couple minutes and then a sweet, clear and firm NO when the sales person returns. Yes there is disappointment - I hate to say no to a sales person - but your money will be in tact. Enjoy!!

Suffer from Moneychondria - The Fear of Having Money?

Women in business, do you suffer from Moneychondria, the fear of having money?

I know it sounds funny, but maybe you’re more afraid of money than you realize...

Are any of these Financially Stressful things true for you?

* You spend more than you make.

* You “debt,” or consistently run up credit card debt.

*  You under-earn or…

*  You overspend or shop when stressed or anxious

*  You give your money away to children and other “needy” folks and don’t keep enough for yourself – for a safety cushion or retirement.

It’s safe to say many of us have conflicts about money.

Why? We want the American Dream and yet reaching it can prove to be illusive.  After all – how much money is enough? And, how much is too much? 

Get curious instead of furious with your money challenges. Take action to identify money challenges and DO something proactive by creating a PLAN and Specific Steps to move forward.

I help women make more money – by breaking through money barriers to create Prosperity & have FUN in the process. Next FREE Financial Freedom Introductory Webinar for Women in Business Aug 20th http://lynntelfordsahl.com/womens-inner-money-game-free/

Next FREE 3 Steps to Financial Freedom Webinar Aug 20 http://lynntelfordsahl.com/womens-inner-money-game-free/

Have Fun: Identify Your Money Type & Break Through Money Barriers

Looking at my money could be fun? Ugh is what most of us think. Money is one of those subjects we try to avoid. After all it's uncomfortable to think about how much we owe, or how little our next pay check will be. But avoidance doesn't solve our money challenges and believe me, both personally and as a Certified Money Coach, we ALL have money challenges. This is why it makes good sense to have expert help for women in business.

It doesn't have to be scary learning about our relationship with money. It can be FUN to look at our strengths and challenges by getting to know our Money Types.

For example:  Are you the type who is happy-go-lucky most of the time, but avoidant when it comes to money? You may be an Innocent. Or, are you financially successful, goal driven but a bit of a rescuer? Ah...The focused Warrior is a great worker to have on your side. Or, perhaps you know someone who is self-sacrificing, long-suffering and may give money but with strings attached? I relate to part of this archetype which is the Martyr who also tends to overwork. The clue for me that I'm slipping into my Martyr is feeling resentful. Then I know to pay attention and take a break

By taking the quick and easy Money Type Quiz you'll discover which of the 8 money or archetypes are showing up in your relationship with money. Oh, you didn't know you have a relationship with money? Well, we do and money affects everything in our lives. David Krueger, author of The Secret Language of Money says, "Money is more than just money. It's about everything. Everything we eat, drink, fear and buy; everything."

What we don't know that we don't know about money we can get us into trouble - think credit card debt, foreclosures, short-sales. Knowledge about how we think, feel and behave with money helps to keep us safe, plan for our future, have fun and create financial freedom as we feel more in control of our money.  

Take the Complimentary Money Quiz and receive a FREE 15 minute phone or Skype Consult with Lynn personally to go over the results. I guarantee you'll learn something important about you and your money!!

(*Money Types by Deborah Price - The Money Coaching Institute and used with permission)

Is The Middle Class Going, Going, Gone?

Is the middle class of old going, going, gone? Yes and the sooner we take our heads out of the sand of denial, the sooner we can strategize and create positive job solutions.

Here are economic facts of the last 40 years:

In previous recessions (2001, 1990-1991, 1981-1982, 1973-1975) mid pay jobs rebounded each time, but the net effect was still lost midpay jobs with each recovery.

In the recovery of 2001 there was a 5% net loss of midpay jobs, in 1990-91 a 20% netloss of midpay jobs, in 1981 32% net loss. In other words with each recession the recovery of midpay jobs has declined. The net effect is that the middle class has lost ground with each recession and recovery period. “Half of the 7.5 million jobs lost during the recession were in industries that pay middle-class wages, ranging form $38,000 to $68,000. But only 2% of the 3.5 million jobs gained since the recession ended July 2009 are in midpay industries.* Mid-wage jobs were 60% of recession losses but only 22% of recovery growth.

What about the poor? How do two working adults make enough money for rent, food and basic necessities on a $7.25 an hour minimum wage? They don’t. In California, the miniminum wage is $8.50 an hour.  If the minimum wage was pegged to inflation over the past 40 years, the federal standard would be $10.58 an hour.*  Still not much to build a better life on.

Who or what is to blame? It's more complex than this answer, but technology is the major culprit, though of course the housing market and banking excesses share the blame. Though we love our technology, it is the main problem in terms of recapturing lost mid wage jobs because robots, software and newer and better apps do jobs faster, cheaper and more productively than humans can. Companies understandably go for increased productivity and earnings and cheap, effecient labor. 

What's the solution?  First of all, letting go of the dream that things will go back to the way they were. Forget it. Let's move on. Then, we need our best, most creative economists, along with folks from the middle class and poor to brain storm short and long term solutions to job creation because, believe me, we are all in this economic soup together. If the middle class and poor continue to lose ground that affects all of our standard of living. We can create job solutions. We must start now and we can't leave that to Washington alone. (*“The Great Reset, Recession, technology kill middle-class jobs,” Modesto Bee January 27, 2013, ** Michelle Singletary, Mod Bee 1-27-2013) 

Money Stress: 3 Tips to Feel Better

What’s the top reason for divorce? Money problems. And, money stress, is the number 1 stressor for 80% of Americans. Symptoms include:

Headaches, depression, heart attacks, muscle tension and back pain and ulcers and digestive problems.  Notfun.

But what exactly is stressing you about your money situation? Pick your top stressor:  Debt, lack of income, not saving enough, fights with your partner, just not knowing where to begin?

Tip 1: Talk About Money

Especially for women, talking about what’s really going on lightens the load and makes you realize you’re not alone.  As I give presentations about money to women in business I hear over and over about the struggles with money. Until we talk about what’s going on we FEEL we’re the only one.  Find a friend or family member to confide in. If there isn’t one available, I offer a FREE 15 minute consult (LINK HERE209 492-8745 or email me lynntelfordsahl@gmail.com)

Stress Busting Breakthrough Tip:

Tip 2: BREATHE  I know, I know. Breathing won’t CHANGE your money situation, but when the body relaxes the mind relaxes and solutions become more clear. 

Here’s How:  Exhale first. Breathe in the to the count of 6, hold for a moment and exhale to the count of 6. Take 10 breaths at least 3 x a day.  I’ve taught breathing as stress reduction for over 20 years and it’s the #1 most effective tip. It’s FREE, can be done anytime, anywhere.

Tip 3:  Create a Plan:  You have to start somewhere. Get the bill folder out, the credit card slips. Tally up what you owe.  Now you know. It may not be pretty, but not knowing often creates more anxiety. Next step? Figure out what you can pay weekly or monthly – better to pay something than nothing.  LearnVest.com is a terrific website for financial help. Feel a little better?