Always Bring Your Own Sunshine

You've got to come to the table 90% full. 

Never expect anyone else to fill your cup. 

-Dona Lyman

Source: becauseitsawesome.blogspot.com via WomenCentric on Pinterest

Help! When Is It Time to Hire a Virtual Assistant (VA)?

If you’re a busy entrepreneur, solopreneur, or working mom, back-to-back deadlines probably leave you overworked, overwhelmed, and under appreciated.  We are great multi-tasking, but often find ourselves exhausted by the end of the day.  When is enough, finally enough? Find out below.

When is it time to hire a Virtual Assistant?

A Tribe of Admins founder tells us we need a Virtual Assistant when:

• Last year’s receipts are in a box under your desk and QuickBooks is empty
• You haven’t sent out a networking newsletter in six months
• You’re afraid to look at your email
• You don’t remember your husband’s name
• Your customers are growing cobwebs

Is it really worth it?

In my opinion, hiring a Virtual Assistant may be one of the best steps you can take in building your business. We are so used to “doing it all”, but in business that doesn’t work.  Trying to do it all will definitely have a negative impact somewhere along the line.  You don’t see a doctor booking their own appointments, performing the examination, completing the paperwork, and then billing, right? Don’t get me wrong, all of those tasks are completed, but they are completed by a TEAM of people.  As a smaller business, you may not have the budget to hire people.  That’s why VA’s are so valuable.  You hire them only to do the work you need, and pay them only for that time.  You don’t have to worry about someone not showing up for work, payroll taxes, purchasing additional equipment and so-on.  A VA uses all of their own equipment and they work remotely.

Finding a VA whom you can trust.

Gazelle Virtual Assistance recommends not rushing.  Their advice: Don’t rush into finding just any Virtual Assistant. Ask around with those you network with if they can refer someone to you. Make sure you have an interview (usually over the telephone or Skype) and make sure it is a perfect fit. Your VA needs to have a passion and vision for your business just like you do, especially, if they are going to be a long-term VA for you. You will save money and time when you delegate projects.

Dona Lyman

CEO  of Blessed Life Coaching.com

Good is Good Enough

It's a new year and a new you; a year bursting with opportunity.  Many of us will be setting new years resolutions with the best of intentions.  But what about you?  How are you going to make 2013 the year of YOUR best life?  Here's a tip that you would not see most coaches saying - put the resolutions in the "G (garbage)-file" and, instead make a commitment to imperfection.

Yes....you heard me right.  I said imperfection.

I've seen it time and time again.  As the new year rolls in, many place high expectations but take no ACTION.  Fear creeps in and keeps them paralyzed.  Is this you? 

Well, if it is, there is no reason to fear anymore!

Running a successful business is not about perfection.  It's about committed ACTION.  It's about "good" being "good enough".  It's about diligence.  It's about getting out there and doing SOMETHING.  The hardest step to take is the first one.

Once you take that first step, ONLY THEN will you see the next one, and the next, and so on.  But, you have to take that first step.  Could you imagine a mother trying to hold her baby back from walking?  That would be CRAZY, or as my daughter would say "cray-cray"!  And, that's exactly what we do to ourselves.  We hold ourselves back from our natural progression as business owners.

Good news.....It gets easier! I promise you it does.

How do I know? Because I've been there.  I've had the panic attacks, the anxiety attacks, the sleepless nights, working a crazy amount of hours per week doing the motions trying to get everything to be "perfect."

At one point, I was looking at all the "work" I was putting into my private practice as a psychotherapist, and looking at my appointment book, and all I saw were gaps of empty appointments.  I just couldn't understand it.  I was good at what I did.  I loved the work I was doing.  I was "working", but for some reason, I was missing something; my "work" was just not manifesting into booked appointments.

That's when I was ready to throw in the towel.  I was so beat down, I could barely muster up the strength to pray for a better way!

But, I'm so glad I didn't.  Because, I did find a better way.  And my practice did explode.  And those empty appointments filled and then I actually had to start a waiting list. I couldn't believe it.  I went from famine to feast in just 6 months.

I learned, as I started to loosen up my reigns on being perfect and allowed myself  "to just do it already!", my business boomed!

I started attracting more clients that I could handle.  I know; that's a good problem to have right?  Well, it is if you are prepared to handle and service the clients as they come in.

In my coaching program, I show you how to start and run a successful business.  I stand by you side-by-side and hold your hand and show you how to release your fear and come into a perfect sense of peace, and belonging.

In fact, I feel so connected with you right now that I'm going to share with you my secrets for helping others.  But, shhhhhhhh, let's keep this on the QT because there are alot of people who payed me a very nice sum of money to go through this with them.

Ok, so here it is; here is my Blueprint to Success.

First, you have to be realistic; which means being honest with yourself.  Why are you in business?  Is this your passion, or is this a quick fix to make money?  Second, you must hold yourself accountable.  As a solo-preneur, you don't report to anyone but yourself.  If you cheat on time, tasks, or anything for that matter, you actually are hurting yourself.  Third is forgiveness.  If you want to attract your ideal clients and see your calendar full, you have to get rid of the negativity.  People FEEL negativity; they don't even need to see it; they FEEL it.  And, they might not do business with you because of it. Fourthly, is commitment.  How committed are you?  Is one foot in the water and one foot out?  If you aren't fully committed, how can you expect to attract clients that are fully committed to you?  Lastly, is action.  You must commit to action; it doesn't have to be perfect, but a ship doesn't go anywhere if it's docked in the harbor all day.

I wish you all the best in any endeavor that you embark on!

With love and blessings,

Dona.

Lemon Bars Would Be Great With Dinner

Saturday is my favorite time to bake.  And, Lemon Bars are one of my absolutely favorite things!!!  

I'm going to try and adjust this recipe by using coconut and almond flour in place of the all-purpose flour.  I'll let you know how it goes!

Weight Watchers Lemon Bars Recipe

Ingredients:
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 5 tbsp packed light brown sugar
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter, cold, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, divided
- 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp lemon zest

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
To make crust, mix flour and light brown sugar using a food processor until fully incorporated. Toss butter into flour mixture and pulse to combine using short bursts of power until butter is cut into tiny pea-sized pieces and dough appears lumpy. Sprinkle crust mixture onto an ungreased 13 X 9 X 2-inch baking pan as evenly as possible; press down with a spatula to create a packed surface. Place crust in middle of oven and bake until golden, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, to make lemon topping, beat eggs in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until well blended. Add vanilla extract and 3/4 cup of powdered sugar; mix well. Add lemon juice and remaining powdered sugar; mix until powdered sugar is completely dissolved and then add zest.
As soon as crust is finished, remove from oven and reduce oven temperature to 300°F. Immediately pour lemon mixture over hot crust. Bake completely, about 30 minutes; cool, and cut into 24 bars. Yields 1 bar per serving.

NOTES: The crust must be HOT when you pour on the lemon mixture.
You’ll need approximately three lemons to yield the amount of juice and zest in this recipe.
You can increase the lemon flavor of these bars by adding more zest or eliminate the zest altogether for a less tart taste. You can also change the flavor completely by subbing fresh lime juice and zest for the lemon.

Serving size is 1 Lemon Bar
Each serving = 3 Weight Watchers Points

Read more: http://www.laaloosh.com/2009/01/20/weight-watchers-lemon-bars-recipe/#ixzz2H8jbseZ2

Source: laaloosh.com via dona on Pinterest