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	<title>Virtual Business Manager Phillis Benson</title>
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	<link>http://www.phillisbenson.com</link>
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		<title>Pinterest for Business &amp; Fun</title>
		<link>http://www.phillisbenson.com/pinterest-for-business-fun/</link>
		<comments>http://www.phillisbenson.com/pinterest-for-business-fun/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:58:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Phillis Benson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Coaching]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business Strategist]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phillis Benson]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.phillisbenson.com/?p=625</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#160; Most people have no idea how to use Pinterest &#8211; either for fun or for business. &#160;&#8221;What&#8217;s Pinterest?&#8221; Is the answer you will likely get when you mention it to somebody, and little wonder. It has not exactly advertised itself, but between December 2011 and January 2012, the sites membership increased by 155%. What [...]]]></description>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; "><img alt="pinterest Pinterest for Business & Fun" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2046" height="300" src="http://tarkoffdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/pinterest.png" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; " title="Pinterest Logo" width="550" /></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; ">Most people have no idea how to use Pinterest &ndash; either for fun or for business. &nbsp;&rdquo;What&rsquo;s Pinterest?&rdquo; Is the answer you will likely get when you mention it to somebody, and little wonder. It has not exactly advertised itself, but between December 2011 and January 2012, the sites membership increased by 155%.</p>
<h2 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 1px 1px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 22px; line-height: 23px; color: rgb(46, 46, 46); "><strong>What is Pinterest?</strong></h2>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; ">Pinterest is a new social network that reached #5 in Hitwise&rsquo;s top 10 social networking sites in December 2011. That&rsquo;s higher than Google+ or LinkdIn and pretty good for a relatively new site. Knowing how to use Pinterest can help you market your products &amp; services or help you build your email list.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding-left: 30px; "><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); ">The Pinterest website says, &ldquo;Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use &lsquo;pinboards&rsquo; to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.&rdquo;</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; ">You can &ldquo;pin&rdquo; just about any photo for other folks to view (just like Facebook and other social sites), and you can also pin promotional photos with an associated link. So, the cool thing is that you can pin photos that link to a specific page on your website. Pinterest is meant for you to pin whatever you want to share and you&rsquo;re passionate about.</p>
<h2 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 1px 1px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 22px; line-height: 23px; color: rgb(46, 46, 46); "><strong>How to Join Pinterest?</strong></h2>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; ">Technically, you can join Pinterest by invitation-only, but if you wish to join you can visit the site and click &ldquo;Request an Invitation.&rdquo;</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; ">A much quicker way to join Pinterest is through invitations from other members &ndash; so ask a friend that is already a member to invite you. You may have already received an invitation without even knowing it and ignored the invite, not realizing the potential Pinterest has to offer.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; ">When you receive an invitation from Pinterest, be sure to sign up through Twitter rather than Facebook, so you can tie your Pinterest account to your business&rsquo;s Twitter account. Because, at this time, Pinterest cannot tie to Facebook business pages.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; "><strong>Need an invite?</strong> &nbsp;Then shoot me a note at info@PhillisBenson.com and I&#39;ll send you my personal invite &#8212; you can follow me on Pinterest at:&nbsp;<a href="http://pinterest.com/PhillisBenson/" target="_blank">http://pinterest.com/PhillisBenson/</a></p>
<h2 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 1px 1px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 22px; line-height: 23px; color: rgb(46, 46, 46); "><strong>What Are Boards?</strong></h2>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; ">A board is a set of pins. A board an be created on any topic, like Books Worth Reading, Favorite Recipes, Favorite Photos, etc.. You can find great tips on just about anything accompanied by photos. This is not Flickr, but a significant extension that works in a completely different way and also works like a blog. The site enables you to create boards, each containing pictures relating to specific topics.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; ">You may have one board full of recipes, another of your own artwork and yet another with pictures of old comic books. These are just examples, and each board is focused on a specific topic, niche or even on your mood. That&rsquo;s one major way in which it differs from other social networking sites that enable photographs.</p>
<h2 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 1px 1px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 22px; line-height: 23px; color: rgb(46, 46, 46); "><strong>Can You Market with Pinterest?</strong></h2>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; ">Part of the Pinterest Terms of Service is that you cannot use it for commercial purposes.&nbsp; However, many do and it is hard to prevent, so the general feeling at the moment is that Pinterest is evolving with uses for branding-type of content.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; ">For now, it is easy to include links to your website by pinning a photo from your website. For example, I love to read, so I have a board of &ldquo;Books Worth Reading&rdquo; with some photos of books that link back to my website&rsquo;s &ldquo;About&rdquo; page. I also have a board with &ldquo;Favorite Logos&rdquo; that points to my website. The take-away here is that any link back to your website should be for branding purposes. Not direct selling. Etsy has a great Pinterest page with photos of&nbsp;<em>ideas</em>&nbsp;for gifts, holidays, etc. These photos link back to the various Etsy sellers and their products. So, Etsy is offering tips and ideas to help Pinterest viewers, not sell to Pinterest viewers.</p>
<h2 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 1px 1px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 22px; line-height: 23px; color: rgb(46, 46, 46); "><strong>The Take-Away</strong></h2>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; ">Pinterest is growing, and is ready to help you share your brand&rsquo;s image. Like Facebook and Twitter, Pinterest is about the content you share, not about the products and services that you sell. You can use Pinterest to personalize your brand, and simultaneously connect with followers and potential clients and customers. Just as Facebook and YouTube came to be essential marketing tools for your business, Pinterest can as well.</p>
<div class="alert" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(228, 209, 166); border-right-color: rgb(228, 209, 166); border-bottom-color: rgb(228, 209, 166); border-left-color: rgb(228, 209, 166); border-image: initial; padding-top: 15px; padding-right: 15px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 15px; margin-bottom: 25px; color: rgb(46, 46, 46); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; ">
<h2 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-shadow: none; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 22px; line-height: 23px; ">Action Steps</h2>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-shadow: none; ">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-shadow: none; ">Get invited to join Pinterest. Once you set up a Pinterest page, start pinning content that reflects your company&rsquo;s brand identity. Pinterest can be really addicting, so be mindful of precious time spent on this new social media network. The most important of component of your marketing with Pinterest is to support your brand image.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-shadow: none; ">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-shadow: none; ">Need an invite? &nbsp;Then shoot me a note at info@PhillisBenson.com and I&#39;ll send you my personal invite &#8212; you can follow me on Pinterest at:&nbsp;<a href="http://pinterest.com/PhillisBenson/" target="_blank">http://pinterest.com/PhillisBenson/</a></p>
</div>
<p>Are you ready to commit to taking the next steps to grow your business? &nbsp;Then sign up for a&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.phillisbenson.com/VIP/special/" target="_blank" title="VIP Strategy Session">VIP Strategy Session</a></strong>&nbsp; -&nbsp;Commit to yourself and see your business come to life . . . &nbsp;you can find out more about my services &amp; tools by&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.phillisbenson.com/business-strategist/" target="_blank">clicking here!</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #c92310;">Cheers,</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Angelina; font-size: xx-large;">Phillis Benson</span></p>
<p><strong>SPECIAL:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.phillisbenson.com/VIP/special/" target="_blank" title="VIP 3 hr Intense">VIP Alignment Session</a></strong>&nbsp;- Six spots available for March!</p>
<p><a href="https://my.timedriver.com/B1SYN" target="_blank"><strong>Find out more about me &#8211; just click here!</strong></a><a href="https://my.timedriver.com/B1SYN" target="_blank"> </a><strong><strong><a href="https://my.timedriver.com/B1SYN" target="_blank" title="Calendar">Schedule your [no-charge] Discover Session</a>&nbsp;here and let&rsquo;s have a 20-minute chat about your needs!</strong></strong></p>
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<li><a href='http://www.phillisbenson.com/happy-monkey-business/' rel='bookmark' title='&#8216;Happy Monkey Business&#8217;'>&#8216;Happy Monkey Business&#8217;</a></li>
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<li><a href='http://www.phillisbenson.com/conscious-decisions/' rel='bookmark' title='Conscious Decisions'>Conscious Decisions</a></li>
</ol>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>You’ve just started your own business</title>
		<link>http://www.phillisbenson.com/youve-just-started-your-own-business/</link>
		<comments>http://www.phillisbenson.com/youve-just-started-your-own-business/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:54:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Phillis Benson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Coaching]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business Strategist]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coaching]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phillis Benson]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[You’re tweeting, you’ve got a logo professionally done, you know who your target market is and what makes them tick. Just one thing…You haven’t quite figured out what to charge. Maybe you’re still thinking that you don’t even want to charge; you love what you are doing so much that you’d do it for free! [...]]]></description>
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<h2>You’re tweeting, you’ve got a logo professionally done, you know who your target market is and what makes them tick.</h2>
<p>Just one thing…You haven’t quite figured out what to charge. Maybe you’re still thinking that you don’t even want to charge; you love what you are doing so much that you’d do it for free! And who wants to talk about money anyway.</p>
<p>First off, loving what you do is a great place to start. It would be nice if we were all that fortunate, but as long as there are public toilets that need washing, that just isn’t going to happen. But just because you are one of the lucky ones, that does not mean that you shouldn’t be paid. That just means that you had a passion and goals and made it happen. So, keep loving what you do, but, unless you are one of the very fortunate few (in which case, feel free to stop reading), you still need to get paid.</p>
<h2>Rate vs. Worth</h2>
<p>Now, coming up with a rate and deciding what your time is worth are two different things. To come up with an hourly rate for your services, you will need to look at what your competitors are charging and evaluate what the market will pay. You might take into consideration any overhead that you have and create a cool mathematical equation involving percentages, net and gross, and other important sounding accounting terms.</p>
<p>But that’s not the same as calculating what you are worth. The money that you are being paid is an exchange for your time, your knowledge, your experience, and your gifts. You are being paid and your clients are benefiting in other ways.</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter if you are a coach or do colon cleansing, you are offering your talents to the world, and those talents will benefit others. Think about what your potential client will receive from buying what you offer: a new outlook on life with tools on how to achieve goals; a relaxed body free of stress and strain; a new website with social media integration without headache and hassle.</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72153088@N08/6510934443" rel="prettyPhoto[pp_gal]" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 3px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; border-image: initial; border-width: 0px;" title="Gift" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7010/6510934443_8bd2942b79_m.jpg" alt="6510934443 8bd2942b79 m You’ve just started your own business" width="216" height="144" border="0" hspace="5" /></a>Your Offer</h3>
<p>What are you offering your client? Is it just yardwork or is it landscape design that creates harmony and flow? Is it just childcare or is it loving care that’s second only to mum and dad? Is it just bookkeeping or is it peace of mind that not one single thing will be lost or forgotten?</p>
<p>In the above examples, I know which I would be willing to pay money for. I can also see which small business owner has thought about what they are offering and what they are worth.</p>
<p>You are not worth as much if, for example, you are just a life coach. Take me, for example: I don’t just help clients with issues; I help people regain control of their financial lives so that they can live a life of abundance. As such, I know that I have a lot to offer to my clients and they can feel confident that I am going to give them exactly what they came for.</p>
<p>Once you’ve got a clear idea of what you are offering to your potential client, think about how much that time and energy would be worth. Remember, your client is getting more than just your service, they are getting peace of mind, abundance, harmony, etc.</p>
<h4>Honour Yourself</h4>
<p>Be true to yourself. Pick a number that feels good to you. Honour yourself. I’m not suggesting that you go hog wild here, but being modest isn’t being true to yourself either. Don’t think small. You are not a small person. You are someone with a gift that you need to share with the world, and the world will be better off for it.</p>
<h4>Price accordingly.</h4>
<p>Talk it Up! Once you’ve gone through this process and come up with a number that truly resonates with you and what you offer, you will find that it is much easier to then share that number with the world. You should no longer feel shy or embarrassed about your rates, but offer them proudly, knowing that, if anything, your client is getting a great deal because you are offering them not just a product but an experience.</p>
<p>I know that you have a great offer for the world. Now you just have to get out there and talk about it, and feel good about what you are offering and what you are charging.</p>
<blockquote><p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em><span style="font-size: 12px;">Esme Gosling in a Money Coach who is all about Money Love and Money Smarts. She is passionate about helping others break through their money issues so that they can achieve lives of abundance and happiness. </span></em></p></blockquote>
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<h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://www.phillisbenson.com/happy-monkey-business/' rel='bookmark' title='&#8216;Happy Monkey Business&#8217;'>&#8216;Happy Monkey Business&#8217;</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.phillisbenson.com/pinterest-for-business-fun/' rel='bookmark' title='Pinterest for Business &amp; Fun'>Pinterest for Business &#038; Fun</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.phillisbenson.com/launched/' rel='bookmark' title='LAUNCHED!!!'>LAUNCHED!!!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.phillisbenson.com/running-away/' rel='bookmark' title='Running Away'>Running Away</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.phillisbenson.com/ready-to-thrive/' rel='bookmark' title='Ready to Thrive'>Ready to Thrive</a></li>
</ol>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>A Six Step Plan For Getting Out Of A Funk And Back To Business</title>
		<link>http://www.phillisbenson.com/a-six-step-plan-for-getting-out-of-a-funk-and-back-to-business/</link>
		<comments>http://www.phillisbenson.com/a-six-step-plan-for-getting-out-of-a-funk-and-back-to-business/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:00:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Phillis Benson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.phillisbenson.com/?p=589</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Guest Writer - Sarah Clachar February&#8217;s a hard month in general.This is typically the time when you&#8217;re starting to have substantial doubts about everything you promised you do with this year a few weeks ago.Remember those resolutions? It&#8217;s when bills pile up . . . deadlines start to loom . . . your belly flab hasn&#8217;t shrunk noticeably . [...]]]></description>
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<p><!-- Start Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><!-- End Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><em style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Guest Writer - Sarah Clachar</em></p>
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<div>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">February&#8217;s a hard month in general.</span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">This is typically the time when you&#8217;re starting to have substantial doubts about everything you promised you do with this year a few weeks ago.</span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Remember those resolutions?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/how-to-avoid-burnout.jpeg" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1415" style="margin-top: 3px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 15px;" title="how-to-avoid-burnout" src="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/how-to-avoid-burnout-150x150.jpg" alt="how to avoid burnout 150x150 A Six Step Plan For Getting Out Of A Funk And Back To Business" width="150" height="150" /></a>It&#8217;s when bills pile up . . . deadlines start to loom . . . your belly flab hasn&#8217;t shrunk noticeably . . . and colds and flus catch you unawares.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">The sparkle of the holidays has disappeared and you feel a little deflated.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">And -ah yes &#8211; Valentine&#8217;s Day brings a bittersweet reminder of both the loves in your life . . . And the challenges to loving and being lovable.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">February&#8217;s tough. And this February is especially tough with everything going on in the world.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">It&#8217;s an easy time to get lost in a funk.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #c92310; font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><strong>Well, if you&#8217;re feeling like you&#8217;re in a rut and struggling to get recharged, put this great 6-step process to work and get out of it. </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">See, this past summer I went through a pretty good funk.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">I couldn&#8217;t focus on my work. I didn&#8217;t have the motivation to get things done.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">All the discipline and structure I&#8217;d set up to keep my business and larger life clipping along at a good pace went flying out the window.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">But luckily, I realized this wasn&#8217;t a random act of chemistry.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #c92310; font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><strong>I recognized that there were reasons I felt this way . . . and there were ways to address these reasons.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Essentially, a mix of things were dragging me down &#8211; hard:</span></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Some personal baggage I hadn&#8217;t dealt with was contributing to tensions with my spouse . . .<br />
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">I was diving into my work without giving adequate time and attention to this precious family time . . .<br />
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">And to top it off, my aging mother hit a somewhat serious situation that demanded my time and emotional energy.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Despite all of the &#8220;distractions&#8221; piling up, I tried to maintain full-time work hours.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><em>Stupid me. </em>This only made things worse.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Eventually I had to concede that this wasn&#8217;t working. Eventually I had to recognize this messy stuff &#8211; stuff that didn&#8217;t fit into my neat business plan and calendar.  And I needed to take care of it.</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #c92310;"><strong>So here&#8217;s what I did step-by-step so that within a couple months I was back in gear with my business.</strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Even better &#8211; by taking a step back &#8211; once I had resolved these &#8220;distractions&#8221; I was able to return my focus to by business with a vengeance.  I have more higher-paying clients booked several months in advance now. And I&#8217;ve been able to squeeze in more projects due to my renewed energy.</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">And best of all, I had regained solid ground with my children and spouse.  I&#8217;m healthier and trimmer. And I had been able to help my mother make some big changes that made things far better for her &#8211; taking a big burden off of me.</span></p>
</div>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 16px;"><strong><span style="color: #c92310;">How To Fight The Funk</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><strong></strong><span style="color: #c92310;"><strong>Fight The Funk Step #1: </strong></span></span><span style="color: #c92310;"><strong><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Take a Step Back From Business as Usual</span></strong></span></p>
<div>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Get away from distractions and let your mind ramble a bit.</span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">And I really mean get away from distractions.</span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">You still need to discipline yourself to keep things going at a reduced pace.  You still have to slowly increase the pressure on the gas pedal as the weeks go on &#8211; even when your heart isn&#8217;t really into it.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">But first ease off the gas. Take some focused time out and listen to the internal mumblings that are fast becoming insistent yells.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">We rarely give ourselves &#8220;empty space&#8221; and time to let our thoughts surface.  It&#8217;s so easy to distract ourselves with all our electronic information.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">You&#8217;ll be amazed at how earthshaking clearing a little headspace can be.  Even if you just take half an hour to sit with your eyes closed and ponder what&#8217;s eating you.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #c92310; font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><strong>Fight The Funk Step #2: Hone in on the Problem and Reflect</strong></span></p>
</div>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">When you find yourself dawdling on Facebook when you know you should be getting a project done . . . and this happens day after day after day . . . <strong style="font-size: small;">Listen up! </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><strong style="font-size: small;">Something&#8217;s trying to get your attention.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">And if you ignore it, it&#8217;s just going to get worse.  Louder.  And take up more of your energy and focus.<a href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/resilient.jpeg" target="_blank"><img class="size-full wp-image-1416 alignright" style="margin-top: 3px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 15px;" title="resilient" src="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/resilient.jpeg" alt=" A Six Step Plan For Getting Out Of A Funk And Back To Business" width="150" height="150" /></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">So take the time you&#8217;ve cleared out from life&#8217;s busy-ness and ask yourself: What&#8217;s getting to me? What issues have come up that I shoved to the back of my mind and replaced with work?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Also, take some time to <strong style="font-size: small;">reflect on the good things in your life</strong>.  Often enough when you look at the good things, the tough things become less daunting.  This is not about being Pollyanna-ish, but perspective is a powerful tool for taking on challenges and boosting your energy.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">And then here&#8217;s the crucial thing . . .</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><strong style="font-size: small;">Don&#8217;t spend too long dwelling on the problem once you spot it. </strong> Too much reflection can be paralyzing. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Often what we need as much as anything is to simply acknowledge that something&#8217;s wrong, identify it and then&#8230;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #c92310;"><strong>Fight The Funk Step #3: Brainstorm Your Solution</strong></span><strong style="font-size: medium; color: #c92310; font-family: Verdana;"></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><strong style="font-size: small;">Figure out how you can solve this issue.</strong> What can you do - what action can you take to solve it? Can you talk to someone?  Do you need to enlist some help?  Do you need to confront someone? Do you need to make some changes?</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">The point here is to move towards action and change. </span></strong><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"> Not to get stuck in feeling powerless, frustrated, bad, etc.</span></p>
<div>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><em>And even if you feel the problem can&#8217;t be solved by you</em>, there usually is some action you can take to live more effectively and comfortably with the problem.</span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Figure out what you can do to regain some control.</span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Brainstorm.  Be creative. Don&#8217;t nix any potential solutions outright.  Allow yourself to look at different options.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">And then swiftly move to the next step . . .</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><span style="color: #c92310;"><strong>Fight The Funk Step #4: Create An Action Plan</strong></span></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"> Starting with your desired outcome, go backwards and map out step by step how to get there.</span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Make the steps doable. Think about what you need to put in place to get from one place to the other.</span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><em style="font-size: small;">Most important for any plan</em>, make sure it starts with <strong style="font-size: small;">something you can do just about immediately</strong>. So you can move into the action phase of getting out of your funk.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #c92310; font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><strong>Fight The Funk Step #5: Take Action</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Put your steps towards solving this problem in the calendar. Or make a big list with dates and post it on your</span> <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">wall.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Set a schedule and commit to doing this.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">When we&#8217;re emotionally drained it&#8217;s hard to muster up the energy to get things done. And it&#8217;s easy to get overwhelmed by ambivalence. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">By scheduling actions into your calendar you save yourself tons of energy. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Instead of hemming and hawing, you just do it.  No debate. No internal quizzing about whether you feel up for it. Just do it.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #c92310; font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><strong>Fight The Funk Step #6: Keep Yourself Fueled</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><strong style="font-size: small;">Focus on healthy habits.</strong> Your best bet for taking care of business (and I mean <em style="font-size: small;">everything</em> - family, emotional, home business, and more) is to have the physical capacity to do this.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Make sure these elements are part of your schedule and daily to-do list.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><strong style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/chakra-symbol-6-bg.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1417" title="chakra-symbol-6-bg" src="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/chakra-symbol-6-bg-150x150.jpg" alt="chakra symbol 6 bg 150x150 A Six Step Plan For Getting Out Of A Funk And Back To Business" width="150" height="150" /></a>Get some exercise in every day. </strong>My morning routine worked wonders for helping me get through the rest of the day. It sets the tone for the day. It gives me energy and a positive attitude right from the start.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">I also integrate action into my workday so by the end of the day not only have I gotten some work done, I&#8217;ve also gotten some activity in.  </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><strong style="font-size: small;">Eat well. </strong>Caffeine, sugars and too many carbohydrates will in the end just drag you down &#8211; emotionally and</span> <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">energy-wise.  Focus on good proteins, lots of vegetables and some nice fruits. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Not only will you feel better due to the good nutrition, but you&#8217;ll also know you&#8217;re doing good for yourself.  Remind yourself that each bite is a positive step.  Each healthy bite is an act of regaining control over your situation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Enjoy your food &#8211; use your mealtimes and snacks to recharge.  Getting out of a funk can be tough.  Relax when you can and savor the moment of relaxation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><strong style="font-size: small;">Get your sleep.</strong> When I got dragged down by a funk I was pushing it in terms of sleep.  This only contributes to a short wick and inability to focus.  Do what you can to get 7-8 hours of snoozing in.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Make this a priority.  It is essential for building up a positive perspective and the energy to carry through with</span> <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">your action plan.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px; color: #c92310;"><strong style="font-size: small;">Step by step reconnoiter and push yourself to get back into a disciplined routine.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">We need to acknowledge funks and contend with their origins.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">And the nice thing about working at home is that you have more flexibility to shift your schedule in order to take them on.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">You can accommodate things that come up &#8211; like funks.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">But don&#8217;t get swept up in the flow.  Fight entropy with this plan.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #c92310; font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><strong>Eventually you need to chart your course.  And this plan can help you do it. </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;">Use these steps and you&#8217;ll be able to navigate the choppy waters you sometimes find yourself in without drowning in them.</span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 14px;"><em><strong></strong></em><span style="font-size: 10px;"><em><strong>Sarah Clachar </strong>created <strong>Your Healthy Home Biz </strong>based on her experience of building a natural health copywriting business at home.  YHHB combines her wealth of knowledge as a health writer and researcher with that of being a home business owner.<strong>  </strong>YHHB gives home business owners specific strategies, tips and inspiration on how to<strong> run your home business without running yourself into the ground</strong>.   Get weekly tips sent right to your inbox plus the invaluable but free guide “The Easy Way To Sneak Exercise Into Your Workday And Get More Done” when you fill in the optin form on the right.</em></span></span>
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		<title>LAUNCHED!!!</title>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:54:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Phillis Benson</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[Phillis Benson here – How the heck are you all doing?  Me, well glad you asked &#8211; because I  BIG NEWS – I have been going through a HUGE business Makeover . . . I’ve recently come to a Hugh Ah-Ha while working with my own Business Coach . . . that ‘awakening’ as I call [...]]]></description>
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<p>Phillis Benson here – How the heck are you all doing?  Me, well glad you asked &#8211; because I  BIG NEWS – I have been going through a HUGE business Makeover . . .</p>
<p>I’ve recently come to a Hugh Ah-Ha while working with my own Business Coach . . . that ‘awakening’ as I call it came in the form of the following questions:</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #c92310;">“What are the three things that you love to do [passion] and are very good at [brilliant at]?”  </span></h2>
<p>Good questions eh?!   My answer, after much thinking and pondering – and lol re-reading all of my ‘Musing Love Notes to Me’ notebook. . .  and here’s what came to mind:</p>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #c92310;"><strong>COACHING</strong></span> &#8211; Love Strategy Coaching and Mentoring to help others.  Working with and helping individuals who are at a point of confusion – who are experiencing dissatisfaction of where they are in life and want to work with a Life Strategist to aide them on their adventure of self-discovery.  [A lot of my clients have then become online entrepreneur and then turn around and hire me through my Virtual-Partner business – hum, see where this is going?]</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #c92310;"><strong>ONLINE TECHNICAL ASPECTS</strong></span> &#8211; I am a Techie [aka Geek] at heart – have been since the first Apple Computer came out in the early 80’s!  While going through my coaching certification I became the ‘Coaches Coach’ in the sense that the other coaching students saw that I had an online business and a client list.  They wanted to know how I did that – and I was more than happy to help!  So, I started taking any and all classes that addressed my needs and the needs of my coaching friends – I even became a Certified Online Business Manager!  Hence my business Virtual-Partner!  THEN, what came about after awhile is that though I loved doing the OMB work and helping others create an online presence – my WOW was that I was really – really good – no not good but GREAT at helping the client through Strategy Business Building sessions!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #c92310;"><strong>CREATING SYSTEMS AND STRATEGIES</strong></span> &#8211; I Love and am very good at helping my clients create and implement Business Strategies, processes and systems.  I love mentoring and coaching my client – helping them over the ‘Monkey Mind’ and clearing their mind fog – coaching and guiding them to become clear and focused with their ‘Passion’!</li>
</ul>
<p>SO – <span style="color: #c92310;"><strong>I love Coaching and Techie stuff</strong></span> – what can I do that serves both my clients and me  – what’s my Brilliance?</p>
<p>The answer . . . I love Systems, Strategies and Coaching . . . Yes, I really became the <strong>Virtual Business Manager</strong> [the Business Coach] vs. the OMB [the doer and overseer!]  <strong><span style="color: #c92310;">I am Phillis Benson – the Virtual Business Manager &#8211; Creating &amp; Implementing Virtual Projects Together!</span></strong></p>
<h3> <span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #333333;">*Launch SPECIAL &#8211; limited time only &#8211;</span> <a title="VIP Strategy Alignment Special" href="http://www.phillisbenson.com/VIP/special" target="_blank">Click Here!</a></span></h3>
<p><strong><span style="color: #c92310;">Cheers,</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Angelina; font-size: xx-large;">Phillis Benson</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><strong><span style="color: #2361a1;"><a title="Calendar" href="https://my.timedriver.com/B1SYN" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2361a1;">Schedule your [no-charge] Discover Session</span></a></span> here and let’s have a 20-minute chat about your needs!</strong></strong></p>
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<li><a href='http://www.phillisbenson.com/happy-monkey-business/' rel='bookmark' title='&#8216;Happy Monkey Business&#8217;'>&#8216;Happy Monkey Business&#8217;</a></li>
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<li><a href='http://www.phillisbenson.com/ready-to-thrive/' rel='bookmark' title='Ready to Thrive'>Ready to Thrive</a></li>
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		<title>A Wellspring of Wisdom</title>
		<link>http://www.phillisbenson.com/a-wellspring-of-wisdom/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:19:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Phillis Benson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Coaching]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[The world can serve as your inspiration! Whether you are creating an artistic masterpiece, putting the finishing touches on a professional project, or attempting grand feats of self-improvement.  You may find as you consider how you can achieve your goals that you are granted sudden insights that seem to materialize fully formed in your mind. [...]]]></description>
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<h3><span style="color: #6e9200;">The world can serve as your inspiration!</span></h3>
<p><em><a href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/design-ideas.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1291" style="margin-top: 3px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 15px;" title="design-ideas" src="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/design-ideas-e1327756922137-150x150.jpg" alt="design ideas e1327756922137 150x150 A Wellspring of Wisdom" width="150" height="150" /></a>Whether you are creating an artistic masterpiece, putting the finishing touches on a professional project, or attempting grand feats of self-improvement.</em>  You may find as you consider how you can achieve your goals that you are granted sudden insights that seem to materialize fully formed in your mind.  Though you may look to the universe for answers, this newfound <strong>awareness likely comes from within</strong> and is the result of your emotional and intellectual maturity.  Should you find yourself at a loss for ideas, <strong><a title="Meditations &amp; Resources" href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/power-within-resources/" target="_blank">meditation and soul-searching</a></strong> can help you turn vague notions into refined plans.  You&#8217;ll likely feel that some new part of yourself has been awakened today and is guiding you toward eventual success.</p>
<p>When we accept that there is much wisdom that can be gleaned from intuition, we tap into a wellspring of insights that are perfectly suited to our individual circumstances.  Though we may receive much well-meant advice from others, the guidance they offer will often be skewed by <a href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/320888_2285464180007_1350972393_32410797_1702376572_n.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1296" style="margin-top: 3px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 15px;" title="Umbrellas" src="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/320888_2285464180007_1350972393_32410797_1702376572_n-150x150.jpg" alt="320888 2285464180007 1350972393 32410797 1702376572 n 150x150 A Wellspring of Wisdom" width="150" height="150" /></a>perspective and therefore incongruous.  In looking within ourselves for counsel, we ensure that the information we receive is both appropriate to the situation and geared toward our unique needs.  Since we know ourselves better than anyone in our lives can ever know us and have made a study of our inner selves through reflection, we instinctively know what is best for us.  As you strive to cultivate awareness within yourself, you&#8217;ll discover that there is a wealth of knowledge in your soul.</p>
<p>To help you rediscover Your Power Within &#8211; <a title="VIP Alignment Special" href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/learn/" target="_blank">please join me here &#8211; VIP Alignment Session</a> &#8230; February Special!</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #c92310;">Cheers,</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Angelina; font-size: xx-large;">Phillis Benson</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Achievement Through Positivity</title>
		<link>http://www.phillisbenson.com/achievement-through-positivity/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:18:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Phillis Benson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Coaching]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business Strategist]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Phillis Benson]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Is your future looking bright? Are you feeling great as you gaze upon the many possible paths that are open to you? Reflect on the following &#8211; feel what rings true to you &#8212; take note if you feel &#8216;light&#8217; or &#8216;heavy&#8217; &#8212; when you feel &#8216;light&#8217; that is a great indicator that you are [...]]]></description>
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<p><!-- Start Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><!-- End Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic -->Is your future looking bright? Are you feeling great as you gaze upon the many possible paths that are open to you?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/394801_10150501761949565_139233219564_8568092_1548735624_n.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1262" style="margin: 3px 15px;" title="Heart" src="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/394801_10150501761949565_139233219564_8568092_1548735624_n-150x150.jpg" alt="394801 10150501761949565 139233219564 8568092 1548735624 n 150x150 Achievement Through Positivity" width="150" height="150" /></a>Reflect on the following &#8211; feel what rings true to you &#8212; take note if you feel &#8216;light&#8217; or &#8216;heavy&#8217; &#8212; when you feel &#8216;light&#8217; that is a great indicator that you are on your right purpose path!</p>
<p>In your optimism, you may discover that opportunities you once thought were out of your reach now seem attainable.&nbsp; If you should find yourself facing a difficult or stressful decision, you&#8217;ll likely approach it with the understanding that you are capable of overcoming it.&nbsp; You may feel courageous and bold in your personal and professional lives and ready to take calculated risks to build the life of your dreams.&nbsp; You can make the most of the confidence you feel today by asking your boss to let you handle more responsibility or by undertaking a personal project that can contribute to the fulfillment of your most precious aspirations.</p>
<p>Feeling positive about your prospects can be one of the most important elements in your ability to achieve your goals.&nbsp; Pessimistic thoughts easily become real-life roadblocks because our negative attitudes are then reflected in everything we do.<a href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/404558_371490339534842_270860272931183_1721705_2114663763_n.jpg"><img class="alignright  wp-image-1263" style="margin: 3px 15px;" title="Think Positive" src="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/404558_371490339534842_270860272931183_1721705_2114663763_n-150x150.jpg" alt="404558 371490339534842 270860272931183 1721705 2114663763 n 150x150 Achievement Through Positivity" width="222" height="222" /></a></p>
<p>It is impossible to feel helpless or out of control when you view your world optimistically.&nbsp; A positive and hopeful attitude will inspire you to look for opportunities to take advantage of challenging personal and professional prospects.&nbsp; You&#8217;ll feel capable of addressing any difficulties the universe puts in your path and of handling distractions in an empowering way.&nbsp; Your attitude will carve a path that leads you to success.&nbsp; The positivity you feel today will give you the courage, willpower, and discipline you need to reach your goals.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #c92310;">Cheers,</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Angelina; font-size: xx-large;">Phillis Benson</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><strong><span style="color: #2361a1;"><a title="Calendar" href="https://my.timedriver.com/B1SYN" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2361a1;">Schedule your [no-charge] Discover Session</span></a></span> here and let’s have a 20-minute chat about your needs!</strong></strong></p>
<h4><a href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/2.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1272" title="Facebook Like" src="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/2.png" alt="2 Achievement Through Positivity" width="674" height="59" /></a></h4>
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		<title>Conscious Decisions</title>
		<link>http://www.phillisbenson.com/conscious-decisions/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:17:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Phillis Benson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Coaching]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business Strategist]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[Going Against What Is Popular Because an idea or way of doing things is popular doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. Just because an idea or way of doing things is popular doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone.  However, part of the way that something becomes popular is that many of us don’t take the [...]]]></description>
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<h3><span style="color: #6e9200;">Going Against What Is Popular</span></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/226001_220410811343752_194980977220069_696140_3945886_n.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1249" style="margin-top: 3px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 15px;" title="226001_220410811343752_194980977220069_696140_3945886_n" src="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/226001_220410811343752_194980977220069_696140_3945886_n-150x150.jpg" alt="226001 220410811343752 194980977220069 696140 3945886 n 150x150 Conscious Decisions" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p>Because an idea or way of doing things is popular doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone.</p>
<p>Just because an idea or way of doing things is popular doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone.  However, part of the way that something becomes popular is that many of us don’t take the time to determine what’s right for us; we simply do what most of the people we know are doing.  In this way, our decisions about life are made by default, which means they aren’t what we call conscious decisions.  There may be many other options available, but we don’t always take the time to explore them. This may be the result of feeling overwhelmed or pressured by family, peers, and humanity at large, to do things their way, the way things have always been done.  Regardless of the cause, it is important that, as often as we can, we decide for ourselves what to do with our lives rather than just drift along on the current of popular opinion.</p>
<div><a href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/305129_2312493495723_1350972393_32426103_1442830375_n.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1250" style="margin-top: 3px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 15px;" title="305129_2312493495723_1350972393_32426103_1442830375_n" src="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/305129_2312493495723_1350972393_32426103_1442830375_n-150x150.jpg" alt="305129 2312493495723 1350972393 32426103 1442830375 n 150x150 Conscious Decisions" width="150" height="150" /></a></div>
<div>
<p>It is not always easy to make decisions that go against the grain.  Many people feel threatened when those close to them make choices divergent from the ones they are making.  Parents and grandparents may be confused and defensive when we choose to raise our children differently from the way they raised us.</p>
<p>Friends may feel abandoned if we decide to change our habits or behavior.  Meanwhile, on our side of the fence, it’s easy to feel frustrated and defensive when we feel unsupported and misunderstood simply because we are thinking for ourselves.  It can be exhausting to have to explain and re-explain our points of view and our reasons.</p>
<p>This is where gentleness, openness, and tolerance come into play.  It helps if we are calmly persistent, consistent, and clear as we communicate to those around us why we are making the choices we are making.  At the same time, we have the right to say that we are tired of talking about it and simply need our choices to be respected.  Our lives belong to us and so do our decisions.  Those who truly love us will stand by us and support our choices, never mind what’s popular.<br />
<strong><span style="color: #c92310;">Cheers,</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Angelina; font-size: xx-large;">Phillis Benson</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #c92310;">SPECIAL:</span> <a title="VIP 3 hr Intense" href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/learn/" target="_blank">VIP Alignment Session</a></strong> &#8211; TWO spots available for January!</p>
<p><a title="About Phillis Benson" href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/shift-it-coaching/about-power-within/" target="_blank"><strong>Find out more about me &#8211; just click here!</strong></a><br />
<strong><strong><span style="color: #2361a1;"><a title="Calendar" href="https://my.timedriver.com/B1SYN" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2361a1;">Schedule your [no-charge] Discover Session</span></a></span> here and let’s have a 20-minute chat about your needs!</strong></strong></p>
<h4></h4>
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		<title>Power in Honesty</title>
		<link>http://www.phillisbenson.com/power-in-honesty/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:16:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Phillis Benson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Coaching]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[Staying True to Your Word Your honest word is one of your most precious and powerful possessions. Promises are easily made.  Keeping them often proves more difficult because when we are pressured to strive always for perfection, we find it simpler to agree to undertake impossible tasks than to say no.  Likewise, there is an [...]]]></description>
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<h3><span style="color: #6e9200;">Staying True to Your Word</span></h3>
<h4>Your honest word is one of your most precious and powerful possessions.</h4>
<p><a href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/373832_166259786809085_163892283712502_209014_1817748457_n.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-1170" style="margin: 3px 15px;" title="Rule Your Mind" src="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/373832_166259786809085_163892283712502_209014_1817748457_n-150x150.jpg" alt="373832 166259786809085 163892283712502 209014 1817748457 n 150x150 Power in Honesty" width="221" height="221" /></a>Promises are easily made.  <span style="color: #2361a1;"><strong>Keeping them often proves more difficult</strong></span> because when we are pressured to strive always for perfection, we find it simpler to agree to undertake impossible tasks than to say no.  Likewise, there is an infinite array of circumstances that conspire to goad us into telling falsehoods, even when we hold a great reverence for truth.  When you endeavor to consistently keep your word, however, you protect your reputation and promote yourself as someone who can be trusted to be unfailingly truthful.  Though your honesty may not always endear you to others, or there will always be those who fear the truth you can nonetheless be certain that your integrity is never tarnished by the patina of deceit.  <strong><span style="color: #2361a1;">Since frankness and sincerity form the basis of all life-enriching relationships, your word is one of your most precious and powerful possessions.</span></strong></p>
<p>When we promise more than we can deliver, hide from the consequences of our actions through falsehoods, or deny our true selves to others, we hurt those who were counting on us by proving that their faith was wrongly given.  <strong><span style="color: #2361a1;">We are also hurt by the lies we tell and the promises we break. </span></strong> Integrity is the foundation of civilization, allowing people to live, work, and play side by side without fear or apprehension.  As you <strong><span style="color: #2361a1;">cultivate honesty within yourself, you will find that your honor and reliability put people at ease.</span></strong>  Others will feel comfortable seeking out your friendship and collaborating with you on projects of great importance, certain that their positive expectations will be met.  If you do catch yourself in a lie, ask yourself what you wanted to hide and why you felt you couldn&#8217;t be truthful. <strong><span style="color: #2361a1;"> And if life&#8217;s surprises prevent you from keeping your word, simply admit you<a href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/388373_2409344956949_1350972393_32465887_1449229285_n.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2361a1;"><img class="alignright  wp-image-1174" style="margin: 3px 15px;" title="Lighted Path" src="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/388373_2409344956949_1350972393_32465887_1449229285_n-150x150.jpg" alt="388373 2409344956949 1350972393 32465887 1449229285 n 150x150 Power in Honesty" width="192" height="192" /></span></a>r error apologetically and make amends quickly.</span></strong></p>
<p>Since the path of truth frequently represents the more difficult journey, embarking upon it builds character.  <strong><span style="color: #2361a1;">You can harness the power of your word when you do your best to live a life of honesty and understand what motivates dishonesty. </span></strong> In keeping your agreements and embodying sincerity, you prove that you are worthy of trust and perceive values as something to be incorporated into your daily existence.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #c92310;">Cheers,</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Angelina; font-size: xx-large;">Phillis Benson</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #c92310;">SPECIAL:</span> <a title="VIP 3 hr Intense" href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/learn/" target="_blank">VIP Alignment Session</a></strong> &#8211; TWO spots available!</p>
<p><a title="About Phillis Benson" href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/shift-it-coaching/about-power-within/" target="_blank"><strong>Find out more about me &#8211; just click here!</strong></a><br />
<strong><strong><span style="color: #2361a1;"><a title="Calendar" href="https://my.timedriver.com/B1SYN" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2361a1;">Schedule your [no-charge] Discover Session</span></a></span> here and let’s have a 20-minute chat about your needs!</strong></strong></p>
<h4></h4>
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		<title>Clarity &amp; Infinite Possibilities</title>
		<link>http://www.phillisbenson.com/clarity-infinite-possibilities/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:15:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Phillis Benson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Strategist]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coaching]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Phillis Benson]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Gaining Clarity &#8211; allows you to have a feeling that your mind is more agile than usual &#8211; that you are keenly curious and aware. Keeping an open mind could help you learn to recognize new opportunities, accept new ideas, and integrate new ways of being.  As you consider challenges you have faced in your [...]]]></description>
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<h3><span style="color: #6e9200;"><strong>Gaining Clarity</strong></span> &#8211; allows you to have a feeling that your mind is more agile than usual &#8211; that you are keenly curious and aware.</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/281724_218806628170837_194980977220069_691408_7153600_n.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1162" style="margin: 3px 15px;" title="281724_218806628170837_194980977220069_691408_7153600_n" src="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/281724_218806628170837_194980977220069_691408_7153600_n-150x150.jpg" alt="281724 218806628170837 194980977220069 691408 7153600 n 150x150 Clarity & Infinite Possibilities" width="150" height="150" /></a>Keeping an open mind could help you learn to recognize new opportunities, accept new ideas, and integrate new ways of being.  As you consider challenges you have faced in your past and those you are coping with in the present, you may be able to see new and exciting solutions that you have never considered before.  The best solutions can surprise you in their unexpectedness.  You can encourage your mind to blossom by entertaining novel and creative ideas whenever possible.  Exercising your imagination through play today may also help further open your mind.</p>
<p>When you have an open mind, you can recognize a world of opportunity that not everyone has entry to.  An open mind is receptive to new ideas and new modes of being and can allow you to find novel and innovative solutions to everyday quandaries.  Where some people might see only one possible course of action, you can see innumerable options because you aren&#8217;t restricted by self-limiting ideas.  You have the freedom to explore a wide range of thought, and every action can open you to unusual and exciting prospects.  Seldom will you look upon anything and see barriers when you have an open mind.  Maintaining an open mind today can help you see that anything is possible.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #c92310;">Cheers,</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Angelina; font-size: xx-large;">Phillis Benson</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #c92310;">SPECIAL:</span> <a title="VIP 3 hr Intense" href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/learn/" target="_blank">VIP Alignment Session</a></strong> &#8211; TWO spots available!</p>
<p><a title="About Phillis Benson" href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/shift-it-coaching/about-power-within/" target="_blank"><strong>Find out more about me &#8211; just click here!</strong></a><br />
<strong><strong><span style="color: #2361a1;"><a title="Calendar" href="https://my.timedriver.com/B1SYN" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2361a1;">Schedule your [no-charge] Discover Session</span></a></span> here and let’s have a 20-minute chat about your needs!</strong></strong></p>
<h4></h4>
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<h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://www.phillisbenson.com/begin-with-yourself-the-journey-of-finding-a-relationship/' rel='bookmark' title='Begin with Yourself ~ The Journey of Finding a Relationship'>Begin with Yourself ~ The Journey of Finding a Relationship</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.phillisbenson.com/a-magical-mind-wish/' rel='bookmark' title='A Magical Mind ~ Wish'>A Magical Mind ~ Wish</a></li>
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</ol>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>The Process of Becoming</title>
		<link>http://www.phillisbenson.com/the-process-of-becoming/</link>
		<comments>http://www.phillisbenson.com/the-process-of-becoming/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:15:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Phillis Benson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Coaching]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mindset]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phillis Benson]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.phillisbenson.com/?p=225</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Are you enjoy a strong sense of self-assurance and determination to meet your goals? Being self-assured and determined can be beneficial in making business or financial decisions and result in some lucrative opportunities.  However, with strong determination also comes aggressiveness, which has the potential to distract you from enjoying the process of manifesting your goals.  [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[</p>
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<h3><span style="color: #6e9200;">Are you enjoy a strong sense of self-assurance and determination to meet your goals?</span></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/374963_10150435482481358_97485361357_8410779_1001123881_n.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-1154" style="margin: 3px 15px;" title="Don't Think Too Much" src="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/374963_10150435482481358_97485361357_8410779_1001123881_n.jpg" alt="374963 10150435482481358 97485361357 8410779 1001123881 n The Process of Becoming" width="133" height="159" /></a>Being self-assured and determined can be beneficial in making business or financial decisions and result in some lucrative opportunities.  However, with strong determination also comes aggressiveness, which has the potential to distract you from enjoying the process of manifesting your goals.  Rather than keeping your eye only on the end result, you might choose to remember that the journey can be just as enjoyable as the satisfaction you will feel when you reach your goal.  In addition, you can choose to acknowledge that each experience is contributing to your personal development and providing rich lessons that will enhance your skills and ready you for further levels of growth later.</p>
<p>As we focus on enjoying each step along our journey to success, we immerse ourselves fully in the process of becoming.  Our desire to excel in pursuit of our dreams can often cause us to act aggressively or justify hasty actions as a means to an end. When we stop to think about the true benefits of goal setting, we realize that the journey itself provides the greatest potential for growth and development.  By choosing to immerse ourselves in each experience and become what we are trying to create in our lives, we are able to enjoy the benefits right now rather than waiting for some far off reward we gain at the end.  If you embrace each experience as its own reward today, you will have already created the success you desire.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #c92310;">Cheers,</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Angelina; font-size: xx-large;">Phillis Benson</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #c92310;">SPECIAL:</span> <a title="VIP 3 hr Intense" href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/learn/" target="_blank">VIP Alignment Session</a></strong> &#8211; TWO spots available!</p>
<p><a title="About Phillis Benson" href="http://www.powerwithincoach.com/shift-it-coaching/about-power-within/" target="_blank"><strong>Find out more about me &#8211; just click here!</strong></a><br />
<strong><strong><span style="color: #2361a1;"><a title="Calendar" href="https://my.timedriver.com/B1SYN" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2361a1;">Schedule your [no-charge] Discover Session</span></a></span> here and let’s have a 20-minute chat about your needs!</strong></strong></p>
<h4></h4>
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<h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://www.phillisbenson.com/begin-with-yourself-the-journey-of-finding-a-relationship/' rel='bookmark' title='Begin with Yourself ~ The Journey of Finding a Relationship'>Begin with Yourself ~ The Journey of Finding a Relationship</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.phillisbenson.com/new-year-plan-2012/' rel='bookmark' title='New Year Plan 2012!'>New Year Plan 2012!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.phillisbenson.com/remembering-to-pause-beyond-reacting/' rel='bookmark' title='Remembering to Pause ~ Beyond Reacting'>Remembering to Pause ~ Beyond Reacting</a></li>
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<li><a href='http://www.phillisbenson.com/running-away/' rel='bookmark' title='Running Away'>Running Away</a></li>
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