I am so pleased – my e-book is finally done! This month’s Resolve article is lesson five from it. I hope you enjoy it!

Learn How to Play the Marketing Game – Lesson Five
by Gay Landeta

The big problem many people find with getting their work out there is that there are so many ways to do it. What works? What doesn’t?

Do you know what results you are getting from each strategy you are doing, or even more importantly, why you are undertaking that particular strategy?

Yes, I know–to get more clients, but how will it get you more clients; what role does that actual strategy play in your big picture? And are you sure you are gaining every bit of effectiveness out of that strategy? And how much fun do you have while doing it? Is it just another job on the to-do list?

Robert Middleton, my marketing mentor and coaching trainer, talks of the similarity between playing baseball and marketing.

Hmmm, you might say, but think about it. A game of baseball consists of a bunch of people on a playing field throwing a ball, hitting that ball, catching that ball and running around. Now if you try to take all those people and get them to do that without understanding the game or knowing the rules, mayhem will result.

But if you tell them what the rules are and train them, you can develop a winning team. Read the rest of this entry »

April 20th, 2010

I am back from holidays and, as usual, there is so much admin catch-up to do while feeling just a tad lagged and distracted. I put into place a timed process that is a great way to stay focused and get stuff done for when a limited attention span is an issue. It helps to engage the thinking processes so paying attention happens naturally. I thought I would share it….

Start by listing the jobs to be done, eg today mine look like:

catch up pile
finalise BAS
sort out spare room stuff
clear emails
finalise client records
blog

then add 10 / 20 / 30 after each one. It will now look like:

catch up pile 10 / 20 / 30
finalise BAS 10 / 20 / 30
sort out spare room stuff 10 / 20 / 30
clear emails 10 / 20 / 30
finalise client records 10 / 20 / 30
blog 10 / 20 / 30

Now just do each item in order for 10 minutes, then back to the top of the list to do each item for 20 minutes, then back again to the top of the list to do each item for 30 minutes. Cross off each time code as you get to them ie my list looks like this right now:

catch up pile 10 / 20 / 30
finalise BAS 10 / 20 / 30
sort out spare room stuff 10 / 20 / 30
clear emails 10 / 20 / 30
finalise client records 10 / 20 / 30
blog 10 / 20 / 30

And, if you get an item done before the time is up then you can just cross off the whole item and move on!

This is a great way to work through an overwhelming list… I think this months ezine will be on this and other ways to handle overwhelm. If you are not yet signed up go to http://gaylandeta.com.au/sign-up/ to do so.

Here’s to getting stuff done!

Gay

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February 6th, 2010

I have a confession to make, I haven’t been following what I know. It is so irritating when you get that – ‘yup, i shoulda…’ feeling!

The dreaded black hole of time sucked me in. You know the one, way to much to do, technology issues to deal with and just STUFF!

In the end with my unexpected but wonderful move to my own premises last year and all that entailed I have not been following my own marketing advice. Outcome? An unreliable number of people for my next Marketing with Heart workshop =(

Oh well, just another example to me of how powerful – and essential – the program is!

Last session I discussed this with my current group and committed to take myself through the program again. I do it most years and often double whatever area I focus on ….. so I am excited to start! Without it I could not do the work I love with my clients!

Don’t dja love those reminders from the Team?

See yah,

Gay

January 27th,

I was discussing prioritising her busy work today with a client and we came up with a simple visual for us more easily distracted folk…

She has tried the more usual managerial methods of ***’s, numbering and even the grid urgent/important, not urgent/ important, urgent/ not important and not urgent/not important to little effect.

We discussed the old story about rocks, pebbles, sand and water. For those who haven’t come across it here it is:

Imagine a container in front of you. Now fill it with rocks. Is it full? Maybe. It does seem so but try fitting in some pebbles.

Sure enough you can get quite a few in there as well. NOW is it full? Yes, it seems so. What about if you add some sand to the container?

Sure enough there is a bit more room. Must be full now. No! Still room for some water.

But what happens if you try to work in the reverse and fill up the container with water and sand first – you probably won’t get many pebbles or rocks in at all.

In this story the water and sand signify the little things that fill our time up while the rocks and pebbles signify the  big important stuff of life. And the moral of the story is obviously if you always try to fit in the water and sand first, there will never be room for the pebbles and rocks.

What a great visual that is, I can almost feel that container and how much I could fill it with each of those substances.

How about instead of trying to determine if a task was important, urgent, not important, not urgent (all the nuances of that make my brain hurt…) or even trying to figure out if it is a 1, 2 or 3, or even a *, ** or ******* we just  assigned a R, P, or S to it.

We thought it was brilliant. I immediately reassigned my to-do list as Rock things, Pebble things and Sand stuff. I left out the water. It happens anyway.

And it felt immediately easier.

Try it! Let me know what you think!

That’s it for now…

Cheers, Gay

December 24th, 2009

This email came from my Action Plan Coach Colleague and friend Geoff Kelly, I think it sets a perfect note at this time of year when we are reflecting on the past and beginning to be ready for the new and thought you might enjoy it!

I wish you a wonderful and refreshing holiday break and an joyous and abundant New Year!

Warmest regards,

Gay

With Gratitude and Best Wishes…

About 10 years ago I heard some words that changed my life from Canadian achievement scholar and expert Bob Proctor:

“When you set goals, don’t worry so much that you’ll need to live up to them. Focus on setting goals that are worthy of you. Make them goals you would give your life for…because whatever you are doing now, you are expending your life on it.”

I find it helpful to collect and reflect on the wisdom of people who have achieved much in life. I’ve attached a brief selection of these on the next few pages, as you might enjoy reflecting on them too as you prepare for next year. These are people and words that have changed lives and changed history. If we reflect and act on their wisdom, we can expect no less of ourselves. I hope you and your family have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year, and that you make 2010 your most fabulous year yet. I’ll look forward to sharing that journey.
Best wishes
Geoff Kelly

“If you want to know your past – look into your present conditions. If you want to know your future – look into
your present actions.”
Chinese Proverb

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
Albert Einstein, 1879-1955, Physicist

“Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of
being.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1749-1832, German Poet and Novelist

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
Martin Luther King, Jr., 1929-1968, Civil Rights Leader

“You are what you repeatedly do. Excellence is not an event – it is a habit.”
Aristotle, 384-322 BC, Greek Philosopher and Scientist

“Let us become the change we seek in this world.”
Mohandas Gandhi

“What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
Napoleon Hill, Author of Think and Grow Rich

“The first step to becoming is to will it.”
Mother Teresa

“Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
St. Francis of Assisi 1181-1226, Founder of the Franciscan Order

“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.”
Alexander Graham Bell, 1847-1922, Inventor

“It is no use saying, “We are doing our best.” You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.”
Winston Churchill, British statesman

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do
anything you decide to do.”
Amelia Earhart, Aviator

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never
forget how you made them feel.”
Maya Angelou, Poet

“We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for
something and that this thing must be attained.”
Marie Curie, Physicist

“The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.”
Ferdinand Foch, Military strategist

Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to
lose. You are naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
Steve Jobs, CEO Apple Computers

What I will do to make 2010 my best year ever:
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And if you want to subscribe to his newsletter, Leading Minds, the online newsletter for leaders who want others to support their ideas simply go to http://www.kellystrategicinfluence.com.au and enter your name and email address in the subscription box.

June 5, 2009

Here is June’s ezine article – if you are struggling with a thousand roles in your life (and who in this day and age isn’t?) this article may give you a fresh perspective and a useful way to step out of them. Once you are out of them you can see more clearly, make better decisions in your work and in your life and gain some peace and clarity….

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Roles – Are yours holding you back?

By Gay Landeta

We all have many facets to our life, and these facets, the roles we take in day to day life, often create conflict and frustration. We start to feel trapped and exhausted rushing around as parent, corporate lawyer, yoga student, cook, money manager, child …. plus a thousand more in a day.

It is easy to get lost in these roles, to believe we are them, and that we must do them and excel in them to be worthwhile. Our self esteem often hangs off them.

We believe so strongly in the importance of roles that we do our best to ensure our children have all they need to create their roles in the belief that will ensure their happiness. And if they don’t we worry about them. And they worry about themselves.

In fact we can get so caught in the importance of our roles that we worry that if we stop playing a role the world will fall apart. That these roles are, in fact, essential to life and to our very being.

But, what if that’s not true? What if our true nature does not consider our roles as important as we do. Ouch, most ego’s will react to that one!

Think about it though, how many people we hear of who have their whole life explode around them and have their roles taken away by some random action in the world? Some people stay stuck in their ex-role and stuck in their ex-life. Others deal with it, painful as it may be, and then grow stronger and more inspirational to others.

Often it is their ability to detach from that role, to realise they are more than that role, that their core self, their true being has remained unaltered by any of the external events, that determines the level of joy in their post apocalyptic life.

And, while most of us are fortunate not to have to experience something as dramatic as that we all experience the kids leaving home, loosing a job, the death of a loved one. And at these times, part of what we need to deal with is a change in identity, in a role we are playing in our life.

The Buddhists have a core teaching about the concept of impermanence, that everything is temporary, including our human incarnation, and that our attachments, including the faulty belief of permanence, is the source of all suffering.

In theory that’s all well and good, but to bring these concepts into our day to day life can often feel very scary.

Our roles have taken on such importance in our life that it actually can feel like we could die or worse if we stop doing what we are doing.

But guess what, we don’t have to stop doing stuff or even let go of our roles, our goals or our life to let go of the suffering and enjoy life more – we just need to remember that there is something else at our core and that is who we truly are.

Our roles, our life, even our physical incarnation are just tools for our true self to use in the world, to help us to learn our lessons and enjoy our planet! We need to anchor to our center and allow our roles to just be something we choose to do. Not have to do. We can experience and stay connected to our life, our loves and joys, even our disappointments without feeling they are us.

As we learn to detach but stay connected we learn to live life more joyfully with less suffering. Our many roles clash less and clarity about our future emerges at the right time. Life becomes more graceful, even in the rush!

This month, sit with the concept of impermanence and remember that we are all more than we appear to be. And see if it opens doors for you.

Enjoy the Process!

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This Month’s Resolve : To remember that our roles are just roles, not who we truly are.

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Booster of the Month :

MEDITATION ON THE TRUE SELF

This meditation forms part of the teachings of Roberto Assigioli and is used, in part, in Transformational Kinesiology to help clear unhealthy identifications with our roles. While it is particularly effective within a balance where the blocks are cleared prior to the meditation the usefulness of regular quiet contemplation cannot be underestimated.

Find a quiet place where you will be undisturbed for a period of time. Five minutes is a good start although you may choose to meditate longer.

Sit or lie comfortably, And become aware of your body, just notice it in a neutral way, without trying to change, all the physical sensations you have, any aches or pains or discomfort. Be aware of the clothes on your skin, the air on your face, your feet on the ground. Once you have done this for long enough move to the next step.

Now become aware of your feelings, notice what you are feeling right now. Which feelings are predominate in your life right now, both the positive and the negative. Don’t judge, just view them and notice them.

Next become aware of your desires, impartially, as before, notice the desires that take turns motivating your life.

That you have desires but that these, too, are changeable and often contradictory.

Then observe the world of your thoughts, watch as one thought emerges and takes over from the previous one. If you think you are not having any thoughts this too is a thought. Watch your stream of consciousness; memories, opinions, nonsense, arguments, images flow by.

Finally dismiss this realm also from your observation and become the observer, the one who has been watching your thoughts, feelings, desires and sensations. Who is it that has been observing these realms? It is not the same object as the realm experiencing the sensations, the thoughts, the feelings or desires. It is not an image or a thought, it is your SELF, your essence, that has been observing but is distinct from all of them. “I am the SELF, a centre of pure self-consciousness”. Sit with this realisation for about 2 minutes.

Roberto Assigioli’s original version adds the words :
“I have a body but I am not my body.
I have feelings but I am not my feelings,
I have desires but I am not my desires,
I have a mind but I am not my mind.
I am a centre of pure self consciousness, capable of mastering, directing and using all my psychological processes and my physical body.”

I find these words a solid verbal reminder that I can choose to be the observer and not my thoughts, feelings or the emotions that are attached to any of my roles.

Enjoy the release!

April 1st, 2009

This is from my ezine this month… an article and exercise on values.

Values may be something you have visited in your workplace, either in your own business or on team building days – but have you considered how important they are in your private life?

They are the core of who you are, how you respond to the world and the decisions you make. Working with your values can help you to understand yourself, your motivations and help you to make decisions
more easily.

At the bottom of the post is a values exercise to help you to recognise yours. Good luck with this, this process has been transformation for several of my clients, and for me. I hope it is for you.

VALUES, ARE YOURS GIVING YOUR STRESS?
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By Gay Landeta

Values are the notions, morals and concepts that influence our
choices and help us to determine our behaviour and actions.
Shaped by our belief systems and originating through a
myriad of influences including our families, our culture and our
experiences, they are a very personal expression of who we are.

They are also quite subjective and can change through our life.

They remain hidden in the subconscious for most of us and for some
they are a primary source of stress.

How so? Because values dictate such a large proportion of our
responses in the world.

For example, consider the situation of a client of mine. She was
becoming more and more irate with her friends and family. She felt
they were untruthful, this judgment was creating an enormous amount
of pressure in her life and she was afraid the resulting stress was
beginning to impact negatively in many aspects of her life.

Upon working out her values she recognised that her number one
value was truth. At first this justified her anger until she had the
realisation that her truth was not everyone else’s truth.

At that moment she was able to let go of her judgment and see that
everyone was being true to their self. This letting go of justice
for ‘just is’ meant she could just let go into her life and enjoy it.

Doing a values exercise is simple. Firstly stop and allow yourself
to relax. Now start to brain storm all the values that influence your life.
These can include but are not limited to such values as :

freedom                purpose                  accomplishment
connectedness        philosophy              accountability
security                generosity              beauty
discipline              friendship              happiness
fairness                community               calm
adventure               family                  loyalty
equality                charity                 goodness
self reliance           orderliness             simplicity
meaning                 pleasure                integrity
unity                   justice                 harmony
truth                   spirituality            self-improvement
serenity                wisdom                  wealth
hard work               creativity              joy

…the list goes on. Once you have a selection of 10 or so choose
your top five. You can use the above list if you are not sure where
to start.

Once you have your top five values delete two. You now know the most
important values in your life at this time. Consider how these
influence your life.

Do any of these impact negatively or cause you stress? Do any need
any adjustments?

Which one is your number one value? Once you know that you can use
it pro-actively in your life. You can use it to help you to make
decisions and to prioritise the important things in your life.

Finally, how can you use it to help you to Create the Life you want to Live?

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This Month’s Resolve : Align to your Values, and Feel the Freedom!

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I would love to hear your comments…

That’s it for now,

Cheers, gay

February 28th, 2009

Here is a copy of my feature article from this months resolve, this month I re-printed an article from my marketing mentor Robert Middleton. I love his perspective, in fact so much so that I spent last year becoming one of his marketing coaches and this year engagin in his advanced program. Read his take on abundancy and scarcity, whether you have a business or not this will make you think.

I am also including my brain gym of the month; this month it is the Grounder, a great psoas release – this is a place lots of us keep our fear and anxiety! and – to be even more relaxing this is a lying down variation. Enjoy.

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Commentary of the MOnth: Scarcity or Abundance? Neither!
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By Robert Middleton of Action Plan Marketing

I was watching a very interesting show (I think on PBS) last night about the mortgage crisis, how it came about, and what the consequences have been.

The bottom line was very simple: Greed.

It’s easy to point the finger at the mortgage companies and the investment houses that packaged these mortgages, along with several other players in this tragic drama.

But you and I, the American consumer, are equally responsible.

Somewhere we bought into the notion that, “You can have it all!”
This led to borrowing on our home equity to pay off other loans with the belief that the value in our houses would keep on increasing forever.

Well you know how that worked out!

I succumbed as well. I refinanced my home and bought a condo in Mexico. Now, it’s really nice and a great getaway (although we don’t get away much!) but the downside is the $2K plus additional monthly mortgage payment.

Now I’m doing OK and haven’t missed a payment, but I’m also noticing that Independent Professionals are tightening their belts and spending a little less online these days.

Now there are a few ways to react to all of this.

One way is to go into “scarcity mode” where you worry that it’s all going to fall apart. Then every decision, every action is based on fear which leads to inaction and stagnation.

Another way is to turn on “abundance mode” which it to see every adversity as an opportunity and to turn on the creative juices and push harder than ever to advance on any setbacks you may have experienced.

Well, scarcity mode definitely doesn’t work. I’d recommend working hard to get past that one as soon as possible.

But I’m not sure abundance mode is the answer either. After all, wasn’t this the mode that got us into this mess in the first place?

Isn’t abundance just a more polite name for greed?

Think about it. In abundance mode you visualize the money you will make, all the things you will buy, the home renovations you will do. It’s a very strong driver. And I assure you that the mortgage lenders, bankers, and Wall Street firms were very much into that mode for several years.

But with abundance mode, all you’re left with is a lot of stuff! And then you go into survival because you’re afraid of losing that stuff.

Scarcity and abundance are just two sides of the same coin.

Perhaps there’s a “middle mode” that’s a lot more sustainable.

I call it “contribution mode.”

When we’re in contribution mode we are balanced. We are not thinking first about what we can get for ourselves, but what value we can provide for others.

What we offer isn’t quick-fixes and smoke and mirror marketing strategies. We offer services, programs, and products that really deliver on their promise. These services help our clients build solid skills they can use for a lifetime. These programs provide a foundation for their careers, relationships, and lives.

Now, I must admit, contribution mode is not very popular. It’s not very sexy. It doesn’t promise instant riches. It takes work and dedication and trial and error.

On the other hand, contribution mode is deeply fulfilling and satisfying. When we’re in contribution mode, we’re making a difference, we are providing substantial value and we can sleep soundly at night knowing this.

Not only that, in contribution mode, we build our wealth slowly but surely. We don’t risk everything we have on a long shot. We don’t live beyond our means. We buy quality products that last a long time. We make our priority our loved ones and those who are less fortunate than us.

I invite you to step into contribution mode. The water’s fine!

*

The More Clients Bottom Line: Don’t get dragged down by scarcity mode or seduced by abundance mode. Both of these modes are full of pitfalls that don’t get you what you really want.
Choose contribution mode. That’s where the real prize is.

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Brain Gym*c of the Month :

GROUNDER

Lie down and notice how you are feeling. Relaxed and welcoming of the future – or something else?

With your legs relaxed out straight, bend one leg and bring it up so your ankle of your bent leg rests somewhere above your knee on your thigh of your straight leg (wherever is comfortable). Place your hands on your hips and turn your head so you are looking in the direction of your bent leg. Breathe out and relax into this posture, feel your hips open and your back relax. after a few breaths swap sides.

Finish by noticing any changes, I often find when my hips are tight so are my thoughts, this relaxes both. Try it!

*c Brain Gym – Created by Paul and Gail Dennison and a trademark of Brain Gym International www.braingym.org

February 9th, 2009

This formula helps you develop a new ideas without squashing them before they are ready to launch. If you tend to a bit of pessimism or to much logical thinking try this formula.Thanks Natalie!

It’s important to get lots of SUN in the early formation of an idea/concept but what most of us do instinctively is RAIN before it even gets developed into a concept.

Suspend judgment
Understand the idea/concept
Nurture – make it better by building on it

React – oppose, argue,
Assume – think about your agenda & what you know – listen to the idea to pick holes in it
Insist that you are right/correct/know best
Not let the idea in – dismiss it out of hand.

Enjoy! Gay