This is a good time to take stock of what’s working and what’s not in your business. Here’s my list of the top five people and practices I recommend to accelerate your success and reduce stress in the coming year:

Number One:

An accountability partner. This is someone you trust and are willing to share the good and the not so good about yourself and your business. An accountability partner who will tell you the truth, be a shoulder to cry on, and who sees you clearly and is willing to be there for you and you for them is just about the most important person next to yourself in your business. You you need someone who can act as a sounding board, a cheerleader, a den mother, and sometimes just someone who will listen and not try to change you. If you’re like me you’ll go to the ends of the earth when someone else is depending on you. Meet with your buddy frequently, at least once a week, by phone or in person.

Number Two:

A trustworthy  bookkeeper. Follow the money and you’ll see where your passions are now and where your passion generates income.

Number Three:

A professional group were you feel inspired, appreciated, challenged and have fun. For me, it comes in the shape of the Bay Area Consultants Network. I’m not just a member there, I’m on the executive board, and I contribute as a board member to help shape and guide the group. I’m privileged to participate in the general meetings, hearing and interacting with great speakers each month. And I get to eat bacon for breakfast.

Number Four:

Do something fun and maybe a bit outrageous at least once a week. For me, that means singing with the rock chorus, Vox Populi. I love to sing and I get to do it for fun for about two hours every week. It lifts my heart and lifts my spirits. I can be tired and discouraged when I arrive, yet by the time I leave rehearsal, I have a light heart and have shared songs and  laughter. We are singing at a charity event in Sonoma on Thursday night, Larson Winery, 6-9pm. $25 for a spaghetti dinner, live auction and music by Vox Populi and Ten Foot Tone. For more information, to purchase tickets or make a donation, contact Jennifer Sunia at 707.888.0274 or jensunia@gmail.com.

Number Five:

Exercise your mind, exercise your heart and exercise your brain. I do all three at my health club, Parkpoint. When I’m working out I’m taking care of my body and mind. I feel happy and relaxed and this allows me to connect spirit. Of course I’m surrounded by like minded people, most of whom don’t take themselves too seriously. This helps me keep my life in perspective.

What ever you do in life, if you have someone who is on your side, helps you keep track of the money, appreciates you, and a place to laugh, and a place to be just who you are, for me that’s a good life.

 

The lure of Amazon often trumps going to your local bookstore. Buying shoes from Zappos can sometimes be easier than purchasing the same items from the shoe store in your town. But, wait, something is missing. The personal touch of your relationship with your neighbors and the people in your community.

When we buy locally it is a vote of confidence in the community. When money stays and circulates with in your local economy, that money circulates many times over and tends to remain among your friends and family. When we send our money overseas, the benefit goes to anonymous companies while our local businesses go wanting. Helping to stimulate local businesses raises the stakes of your investment in a place where you live.

The first 10 years I lived in Sonoma I commuted to work in San Francisco, Napa, and Petaluma. As a commuter, I got the dark, went to work in the dark, and most often, I came home in the dark. My waking hours were spent away from home as were my dollars. Most of my income went outside the community where I live. When I began to work where I live I began to send money more regularly to in the community. One day I realized I was also connecting to people in town. It felt good to exchange money with people I know. It was at that time I finally felt like I was once again part of the economy and the vitality of the place I call home.

With the prevalence and the ease with which all of us can purchase with the click of a mouse, a local businesses need to pay attention to what brings customers in the door. Knowledge and trust are a factor in my buying decisions. Relationships, history, personal care, a sense of belonging, mutual respect, connection, all of these factors play a part in my decision to spend money where I live.

I find mega malls and cookie-cutter shopping experiences boring. I look for unique, one-of-a-kind, special items and shops. I enjoy finding out the stories behind unusual products. When I travel, I want to experience the ambience of the place rather than looking for the same things I can find anywhere. When I’m at home I want to find the special things that make the Valley of the Moon one of the top places to visit and to live.

Just as the locavore movement in food has taken hold, I am an advocate of buying local business services, clothing, whatever I need if it is available locally, I will try that option first before going far afield. But, many times local businesses are unaware that they are making it hard to buy from them. They make price their goods and services higher without providing premium service or connection. Those local businesses that get it right are involved, aware and engaged with those they serve.

Some of my friends created a network of local businesses, business owners, independent contractors, and people who live inside of Sonoma Valley. The group they created is a combination of online and face-to-face interaction. They initially started the group to fill a need they had and a desire to find talent within the geographical radius of Sonoma Valley. Because they created WiredSonoma, new businesses have started, people found people to populate their businesses, and individuals in the community are more connected to each other.

Before you consider outsourcing hitting the button and making a purchase online, or sending the work you have overseas or outside of your community, take time to explore whether it is possible to find what you need in your own backyard. You may be surprised that just what you need is a close as your next-door neighbor.

When you are in need of a friend to comfort you in times of trouble or when you want to celebrate a success, will that anonymous online presence answer your call at 3 am? Will they be there to help you move into your new house or say a prayer when someone you love is hurt? Get to know your neighbors. And make a difference.

This is a photo of my friends, Randy and Deb Myers. He is wearing a hat I brought back from a fabulous hat store in New Orleans, Meyers Hats. Myers Hats is a family owned business, with five generations of Meyers on board. I was thinking of Randy on our vacation in New Orleans. When we saw the name of the store, we had to go in and they helped us find just the right hat and fit for our friend. We were delighted to bring bag this piece of the Crescent City in the form of a hat for Randy.

Randy is battling cancer. Both he and Deb have given to those they know and now it is time to give back.If you live in Sonoma County, come and help support my dear friends, Randy and Deborah Myers at the Create Ease Benefit, October 24, 2010. If you can’t come in person, you can make a donation at www.AstateofEase.com

 

Valuable expertise on demand – rich business content and presentations | myBrainshark.

There are many ways to add video and share it on the web. My Brain Shark offers some unique and free options.

If you are a Powerpoint user you already know most of what you need to know to use My Brain Shark.

One feature that is different from other services I have found, you can use your telephone to record a audio track for your slides. No need to buy a microphone or worry about learning how to use it, just follow the dial in instructions and you are ready to record.

This could be a way for you to post a real “Audio Logo” on your web site.

 

800 CEO Read.com – Mojo: How to Get It, How to Keep It, How to Get It Back If You Lose It – ISBN: 9781401323271.

I came across this book today. There is also a smart phone app (Rypples) for iPhones and Blackberries.

Marshall Goldsmith is an inspiring author and trainer.

What are you reading that inspires you? Send me your recommendations.

 

What keeps us from making our dreams come true?

• Lack of a dream
• Lack of a concrete, step-by-step action plan to make it real
• Fuzzy thinking
• Poor organization

There are tools, techniques and coaches to help with each of these areas.

I’d like to share a free resource with you that can help you get and stay organized.

Avery Dennison, makers of all manner of labels and binders, has an extensive web site. It is full of tools, tips, articles, templates and software that can help you bring order to your life and business

http://www.avery.com/avery/en_us/

Avery templates work with a variety of software programs – the most popular being Microsoft Word. I use them with Adobe InDesign too.

Take a look.  You might be inspired to work on a project you have been avoiding with renewed energy and commitment.

Maybe you will start a new project that will move you closer to where you want to be.