Bill Gluth's Creative Business Strategy Blog

Creativity: A Field Trip for Your Brain

Creativity is a funny thing. If you think you are creative you are correct and if you think you’re not, you are correct too.

But let’s suspend any mistaken beliefs for a moment and realize something very important. Everyone has the exact same potential to be creative.

Your creative mind is at work all the time. You just don’t realize it the majority of the time. As a result, you don’t use it to its full potential.

Use these ideas to empower your personal creativity

1. First and foremost stop telling yourself you are not creative.

2. When you are faced with any challenge, train your mind to stop chattering with worry, problems and negative outcomes.

3. A great way to stop the chattering mind is to imagine a big red STOP sign popping up in front of you, whenever you are struck with stress and worry.

Just think STOP. Picture a stop sign in your mind. Allow yourself to relax. Take a deep breath and let go of the worry.

Then simply allow yourself to evaluate how you “feel” about the situation. What do you FEEL the best outcome would be?

Picture that outcome in your mind. Ask yourself, “What created that solution.” Then write down your inspiration.

Write down ACTION steps you will follow based on this creative idea.

Finally, take the ACTION step and evaluate the result. You’ll be amazed at how creative you are when you give yourself the opportunity to experience it.

Your personal creativity is amazing. All you really have to do it give it a chance to shine.

Know What You Have to Accomplish Every Day

Have you ever said – “Boy, do I have a lot to do today. I’m SLAMMED.

Then you went on to connect to email and check it, react to events that pop up and by the end of the day say, “I just don’t have time to get everything done in just 24-hours.”

If that’s you, here’s the solution.

Before the day starts, sit down for 15-minutes with a pad of paper and your favorite pen.

Make a list of everything you have going on in your life. List it all, and don’t stop at just business tasks.

Pick the single most important thing you HAVE to do today on that list. Then estimate how long it will take you to do it. Schedule it into your time management program (Outlook, ACT! 90 Min Time Manager Online Planner, other program).

Then pick the second most important thing you have to do today. Estimate how long it will take you to do it. Schedule it into your time management program (Outlook, ACT! 90 Min Time Manager Online Planner, other program).

Move on to the third most important thing and repeat the process listed above.

Pretty soon you’re going to realize that you can only get 2, 3, 4 or 5 things done in a day, depending on the complexity of each project.

Don’t forget lunch. Even if you eat at your desk, you still need 15 to 30-minutes to get your food and bring it back. Schedule it in.

This exercise will also show you whether or not you have time to do non-essential tasks during the day.

If you do, by all means complete them. But do it ONLY after you have accomplished the most important things you have to do every day.

Remember too, if you are in small business, the most important thing you have to do each day is generate revenue.

Have your systems and processes developed and in place so that you can wiz through business building activities efficiently.

Delta Went the Extra Mile

In the past I was a frequent traveler. Since living in Arizona I have been pretty much a one state kind of guy.

At the last minute I was invited to participate in a marketing blow out called Marketing Madness 2006, in Atlanta, GA.  I had to book a quick flight and get there with just a few days notice. Delta Airlines had the best fair, so I booked with them (commodity at the time).

At the ticket counter on Thursday afternoon, I was greeted by Michael. I asked him for a complimentary upgrade to business or first class, so I could get some work done in route to Atlanta.

Michael said he would see what he could do. He checked the computer and wasn’t sure exactly how to proceed. He let me know he was new behind the ticket counter, but he would make a call to see if he could accommodate me.

During the course of the call, Michael found my frequent flier account with Delta (which I hadn’t used since the mid 1990’s), found out how to check to see if he could upgrade me and all the details involved.

Unfortunately, the flight was full and other people were ahead of me for the upgrade. I had to fly coach, but not because Michael didn’t care.

Michael, you are a Human Touch Marketing Expert. Your caring made the difference for me and will ensure that when I fly, I’ll be checking Delta Airlines first. Again, I appreciate your efforts very much.

The takeaway? Caring costs nothing to give and leads to significant increases in the bottom line. Think about that the next time a client asks you for a special favor that you could easily say NO to.

How Stay Focused Everyday

Time to Read: 90 Seconds

The mindset you want to embrace is to keep it simple. Don’t make planning your day complex.

First, figure out how many hours you want to work today.

Then, list everything you have going on in your life right now. Make sure you list everything, don’t leave anything out.

Prioritize the single most important thing you MUST get done today.

Evaluate how long it will take you to do it. Be sure to over estimate. It always takes longer than you think.

Then go to the second most important thing.

Evaluate how long it will take you to do it.

Then the third most important. Evaluate how long it will take you to do it.

Get the 2, 3 or 4 most important things done first, before doing non-essential tasks like checking email or making non-sales related telephone calls.

These things may seem like work, but unless you’re generating revenue from these activities, it is probably not your prime business mission each day.

Stay focused on each task. Don’t let anything else distract you as you accomplish your most important things one-by-one.

Do this exercise for just 3-days. At the end of 3-days see how you feel.

I’m betting you’ll feel light, focused, and more profitable.

On March 14th I am going to change the life of 100 small business owners in Phoenix AZ.

Take the first step now. Visit the Your Life into Focus website.

A tale of two promotions

I received 2 offers to buy things today.

One was a 4 page fax (pictured on the right). It was not relevant, it was not anticipated and obviously it was not welcome.

It was the kind of promotion that was very memorable, in a negative sort of way.

Then, later in the day I received a lumpy letter in the mail.

It also was not relevant or anticipated. It was however very personal. It was also memorable and I’d like to acknowledge Mike Adler, the owner founder of Myron, the Leader in Personalized Business Gifts.

Nice job Mike. Now we know why you’re the leader.

You understand that you can interrupt me, show me the value of what you have to offer, make it personal to me and get a great response. Visit Mike and Myron at www.myron.com 

What did we learn from all this?

You have to interrupt to get attention sometimes.

BUT when you demonstrate value, you get a great response.

As opposed to when you send a 4-page fax before finding out if I am even interested in what you have to offer. Permission can make you memorable. But hey, so can a nice pen with my companies name engraved on it.

How To Love Your life in Business

Promoting your talent and passion in business is the quickest way to fulfillment, joy and contentment. The combination is your true path to success.

Follow these steps to get the ball rolling.

1. Title a blank sheet, What the *@#* Do I HAVE to Do to Make My Vision Happen NOW?

2. Write your authentic talent in business statement (my authentic talent in business is ____) as the first sentence.

3. List the top 3 to 5 services you offer that fully utilizes your talent and passion in business. Pick the one MAJOR service (the most profitable) you offer and make it your primary target.

4. Make sure each of the services you list compliment and feed each other.

Your goal is to offer services based on your inherent strengths (talent). Then only offer supporting services that lead people to your MAJOR offer.

In my upcoming Pull Your Life into Focus Experience on March 17th, I'll teach an idea called "The Law of Concentric Circles."

The idea is to make sure everything you do extends and leads to the "ultimate service" you offer. Watch for an announcement coming soon.

5. When you have completed your What the *@#* Statement, email your ideas to me at whatthe@developyourvision.com

I'll take a look and give you feedback on whether or not your plan extends your business or dilutes it.

Basically, I'll put you on the right track to focusing on talent instead of remaining stuck in the “programmed” business model.

You'll be on track and clear so that you can use your talent to make a difference in the lives of others.

The best part is, by following these steps; you'll learn to love your life in small business once again

What's Your Mission

For those of us who "feel" we have something to achieve in life that touches the lives of other people, you need to know the answer to one, very important question.

What is your mission in life?

In other words, where do your talents meet your passions?

And where are your passions so strong you HAVE TO scream from the rooftops exactly what you are all about in your life in business.

The answer to that question opens every door you have ever dreamed of and visualized. It is the key to a life of fulfillment, happiness and joy.

Where Does Your Talent in Business Live

Your talent in business is a potent story that relates to your true reasons for being in business. It builds interest, trust and credibility; the 3 reasons people do business with you.

To create your talent in business story

1. Sit down in a quiet place with a pad of paper and complete this sentence "My authentic talent and passion in business is ___________.”

2. If you don't know what to write, STOP. You are thinking instead of feeling.

3. Quite the mind by not thinking of anything. Focus on your breathing. Allow the mind to be still. Anytime a thought comes up, imagine a blackboard and erase the thought. Then refocus on your breathing.

4. When your mind is quiet ask the question again.

5. Write down the very first feelings, thoughts and impressions that come to you as you sit in this quiet personal space. Take 10 to 15 minutes to complete this exercise.

6. Let your notes sit for a day. Then come back to them and evaluate what you wrote down. How does it feel? Is it authentically you?

7. Create a sentence that starts with I am a ________(your talents and passions) that ________ (results people gain from your talent)

For me it is I am a motivational trainer who inspires small business owners to use their authentic talent in business as their greatest competitive advantage. How about you?

Email me your authentic talent story and I’ll post the best few stories on the blog.

Nice Marketing Touch

Valerie Simpson of Organize-U did an outstanding and very much appreciated Human Touch Marketing contact that was worth mentioning and learning from.

I was quoted in the January 27th edition of the Phoenix Business Journal in the Biz Edge section. Valerie spotted it, added a personal note and dropped it in the mail.

The take-away? Doing nice things for people makes you memorable. Taking a few extra minutes shows you care and care is the key to developing long term relationships.

You can learn more about Valerie Simpson and her Organize-U consulting practice at http://www.organize-u.com

Thank you Valerie.

Every once in a while a remarkable idea comes along

In 1993, I met a young computer genius named Robert Stephens. Robert had $200 and an idea to create a company comprised of young computer geniuses who help home based and small business computer users solve tech challenges.

His company was called The Geek Squad. Today, you will see his vision in every Best Buy store in America.

Today, February 2nd I had the privilege of having lunch with another computer genius.

His name is Michael Cady. Michael has developed a way to provide you with a state of the art computer, completely eliminate every computer headache you will ever have, ensure your system never crashes or has viruses.

His program even includes your own Computer Buddy to support you right in your home or office WHENEVER you need help.

The best part is he does all this at a price that is less than a nice dinner out per month.

It isn’t often you run across remarkable ideas. I did and thought you should know about it.

Learn how you and your small business can have a worry free, dependable "computer environment."

Email me at cady@developyourvision.com to learn more about Michael Cady and how his innovative Simplify Your Computer Environment idea is revolutionizing the way Arizona computer users buy and use computers for business and life.

If you have ever felt this way about your computer you NEED to learn about Michael Cady.