Do You Feel Successful in Your Art & Design Business?

Do you feel Successful?

As Business Coaches we talk to many artists and designers there’s a common theme we’ve discovered...

We all start out with a dream or an idea. A dream for what we'd like our business to be. An idea for what our lifestyle should become.

So why do some of us feel less successful than others?

And why do we feel less that successful even when we may have already achieved so much?

In our experience working with creative clients like you we’ve found four common reasons why people feel unsuccessful or unfulfilled..

1. Unclear Goals or Objectives:

We work with our clients to get very specific with objectives.

Be very clear on what it is that you want.

Visualise what it is that you’re aiming for. And remember to write your goals in the present tense as if you have already achieved them too.

Understand your DPP (Desire, Passion, and Purpose)

2.Planning Steps: No clear measure of success.

If you haven’t sat down and really planned where you’re going in your business, it’s hard to know when you’ve “got there”.

Many people have vague ideas of what “successful” means to them - ‘being rich’, ‘having time to do what I want’, or ‘being the best in my work'.

You need to define what success means to you and what that success would look and feel like for you too. 

It’s this feeling that will empower you to reach your goals.

Think about all the steps you need to take to make your goals a reality. Again, it’s about being specific. What resources will you need, and how will you best use them? Write each action step in sequential order.

If your goal is broad, make sure you break down the task into small little steps, and celebrate them when you attain them.

It’s no fun feeling like you’re not “successful” - That’s why it’s so important to have measurable, realistic, and achievable goals.

3. Your external & Internal  World are not aligned:

Your external world is not aligned with your internal world.

Tired of working for someone else? Ready to create the business of your dreams?

If you’re looking for up to date information about how to start a small business, then you’ve come to the right place…

Are you:

* Working full time but not sure for how much longer?

* Wondering how to turn your passion, hobby, or skills into real income?

* Ready to be your own boss but not quite sure where’s the best place to start?

While ArtSHINE is here for everyone who’s looking to start a small business, we specialise in what we call “transition from full-time employment to self employment.” Or to put it another way… “Working 5 to 9.”

What does that really mean? Consider this scenario:

Imagine working in a full-time job, earning good money, but you’re not entirely happy. You’re thinking that now’s the time to start your own business. It may be because there’s some changes coming at work - “restructuring”. You think that you’re in the firing line, or on that list for redundancy. It may be because you’ve had enough of all the politics and pettiness that goes on at the office. You want to take back control of your own life. It may be that you’ve had a burning desire to do something different for quite a while…

You have a burning desire to follow that dream… A burinng desire too live your passion…

We’ve worked with lots of people who have decided, for one reason or another, to leave the corporate world and start working for themselves; to become free-agents as it were. (In fact, we’ve even done it ourselves!)

For some it means opening a restaurant or cafe, for others it’s becoming an artist or designer. It could be a move into consulting, or using your skills, knowledge and experience for your own profit and gain rather than somebody else…

But here’s the trap, and the danger…

One of the biggest issues for most new start businesses is cash flow.

And we’ve seen it so many times!

Here’s what most people do… They quit their jobs! And then they start their business…

What does that do for cash flow?

Well, you’re earning good money one day, then the next, as you’re starting your business, you’re spending money - start up costs, purchasing equipment and product, on it goes… You’re either eating into savings, or getting deeper into debt. Either way, it’s a negative position.

And you’ve go to ask yourself too:

How many small businesses are profitable from day one?

How long could you survive with little or no income

as your business gets off the ground?

We’re here to show you another way!

Now don’t be fooled… We’re not offering a “Magic Pill” or some easy path to riches… This isn’t about getting something for nothing, or being initiated into some “Secret”…

It’s about planning, and passion, and doing the hard work that’s required to make your dreams a reality.

So, what ever your vision and passion…

We’re here to help.

Ask yourself:

* What if you had a business coach walking along side you as you start out?

* What if a personal coach was always there for you urging you on?

* What if you had a mentor who’s successfully been where you’re going?

Now think about how that sort of support and assistance would make a real difference to you and your new business…

* Would that mean you could get up and running faster and easier?

* Would that mean you would make money, and make more money sooner?

* Would it mean that you could skip over mistakes other new starts make?

* Would it mean that you’d sleep easier with less concerns and worries?

We offer start up business coaching across Australia including Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane; as well as around the world. Where ever you are we’re ready to help you create the small business of your dreams.

Nothing could be simpler. Take the action you need to take to make your dreams a reality.

Using ‘Vision Boards’ to map your Desire, Passion, and Purpose.

 

By Foodfetishlv

 “Imagine, believe, and the create a ‘reality’ that works for you.”-Vinh Van Lam

Vision boards are very powerful tools that help you create a clear vision of what you really want to have in your life. They’re an ideal tool to help you to reach your Desire, Passion and Purpose. Your vision board is there to help you visualise your goals. And it’s there as a tangible reference point that gives you the drive & motivation you need to move forward.

A vision board is typically a poster board onto which you can paste or collage images, clippings, cuttings, quotes that empower you and make you want to reach your goal sooner, basically anything that has meaning to you... Tear out ideas from magazines, use photos, or pictures that you collect. there’s no limit to the collage that you can create to record your own dreams, goals, and desires.

Remember that a vision board is a visual artwork; a representation of the ‘YOU’ you aspire to be. It’s about what you want your design practice to become, what you want to have, where you want to live, or where your next holiday will be.

Making your goals visible and tangible in this way gives you the opportunity to see that new ‘reality’ every day as you work towards it. Your life changes to match those images and those desires over time. A vision board is another great tool the Quantum Compass clients we work with use to support their goals.

It’s that simple.

Imagine your vision board as a treasure map. A map full of adventures and exciting journeys of discovery. What do you really want in your life? What words, or images, or items, can you place on your vision board that will give you direction and keep you inspired?

Make your vision board highly visible. Display it where you will see it constantly. Surround yourself with the images and ideas that will inspire you on your journey, and that supports you in that journey.

It’s not enough to just create a vision board, a pretty collage... you need to own it, plan it, implement it and most importantly... to commit to it. Set a routine to look at it every morning and keep doing that regularly. Set deadlines for those goals and commit to action steps; a ‘how to get there’ process. Then execute your plans.

Remember, there’s no so such a thing is a magic pill, or a miracle. You can’t just wish or will something into existence... Your dreams will not manifest themselves without you taking any direct action.

So, what are you waiting for? Now the best time to create the life, and the design practice that you really want to create.

Would you like an invitation to attend the next Quantum Compass ‘ Vision Board’ workshop in April? - contact us now here: VisionBoards@QuantumCompass.com.au

Want to know more? It’s as simple as 1... 2... 3...

1. Like  ArtSHINE's Facebook page

   

2. Send an e-mail to this Quantum Compass address: DailyActivityPlanner@QuantumCompass.com.au and receive a free e-book that teaches you the steps to creating the systems you need to succeed.

3. Contact Vinh for a no cost, no obligation coaching session: http://www.quantumcompass.com.au/free-coaching.php

Setting your goals for 2010

-->

"Make Tomorrow Today" TM

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed

is more important than any other one thing.”

                                                                         - Abraham Lincoln

With the start of this new year at the end of the first decade of the century, now’s probably the best time to be thinking seriously about where you are on your journey, and to re-assess where you want to be.

This is our quick guide to setting some goals for yourself. Detailed goals that are realistic and achievable. Goals that, while specific and measured, are still exciting and inspirational.

Here at Quantum Compass we work with our clients on what we call the “OPIC” system.

OPIC stands for:  Objective, Planning, Implementation, Commitment

Now let’s look at each point starting with your objectives...

Think about what you want to achieve, what area you want to focus on. There are all sorts of things that you could focus on; personal goals, or business goals. 

Get very specific with your objectives. Be very clear on what it is that you want. Visualise what is is that you’re aiming for. And remember to write you goals in the present tense as if you have already achieve it too.

The next step in this process is the planning step.

Think about all the steps you need to take to make your goals a reality. Again, it’s about being specific. What resources will you need, and how will you best use them?

Write each action step in sequential order.

If your goal is broad, make sure you break down the task into small little steps.

Implementation.This section where you can plan to delegate too. Look at your objectives and your plans. As you roll out those plans and start taking action, think about what you could be delegating to others to be doing for you.

It’s in this step that there’s a real opportunity to create new ways of doing. To create new systems.

Remember to always have measurable validation points at this stage. 

“Setting goals is not the main thing.

It's deciding how you'll go about achieving them and staying with that plan.”

- Tom Landry.

Finally, without commitment nothing will really happen. You can write as many goals as you like. You can have all the action plans, and have all the measurable validation points as you like. But you’ll never succeed in your goals without committment.

Commitment is about firming your mind and launching yourself towards your goals with no hesitation or fear. It’s about making the decision that nothing will stop you or hold you back. It’s about deciding that every road-block or obstacle in your path is merely another step towards your objective.

With a commitment from your heart, together with your dedicated actions towards your objectives you’ll find your dreams, your passion, and your purpose.

Want to learn more about goals and action planing the Quantum Compass way? 

It’s as simple as 1... 2... 3...

1: Like  ArtSHINE's Facebook page

2: Come along to the next “Goal Setting” workshop. E-mail Quantum Compass (insert link: GoalSetting@QuantumCompass.com.au ) for details of the next half day session near you.

3: Contact Vinh for a no cost, no obligation coaching session. www.quantumcompass.com.au/free-coaching.php

Make Tomorrow Today!

Don’t wait until the new year to plan your business goals ... Make Tomorrow Today; and do it now!

Here’s a quick approach to planning in your business.

“Our greatest lack is not money for any undertaking, but rather ideas,

If the ideas are good, cash will somehow flow to where it is needed.”  Robert H. Schuller

CASH FLOWS: Take some time now to review your current cash flows and make some projections for where you’ll see yourself in three to six months. When we work with our clients we look forward in three month blocks as it keeps us all in touch with the day to day and month to month fluctuations in the business.

SEASONALITY: Understand the nature of your business. Look at how demand and cash flows varied over the course of last year, and think about how this seasonality will play out in the new year. Project your sales and cash flows accordingly.

TIME OUT: When you plan and project your cash flows, map out your “time out “ too. You are a critical part of your business, so it’s important that you’re looking after yourself. By planning ahead and building in some “down-time” you will always be able to afford to take a break knowing your cash flows are still manageable.

“If you want to reach a goal, you must ‘see the reaching’ in your own mind

before you actually arrive at your goal” Zig Ziglar

GOALS: It’s the time to set your goals and business strategies to support your cash flow.

EXISTING CUSTOMERS: Plan your sales strategies. Ask yourself how you can retain your existing customers and come up with new ways to encourage them to spend more with you.

NEW CUSTOMERS: Plan and implement steps to introduce new clients to your business. Focus on your your “competitive niche”. Ask yourself why would someone want to buy your products or services? How can you best communicate with them?

Want to learn more about planning for the new year the Quantum Compass way?

It’s as simple as 1... 2... 3...

1:Like  ArtSHINE's Facebook page

2: Come along to the next “Action Planning” workshop. E-mail Quantum Compass: ActionPlanning@QuantumCompass.com.au  for details of the next half day session near you.

3: Contact Vinh for a no cost, no obligation coaching session: www.quantumcompass.com.au/freecoaching.ph

-->

Goal Setting

“It's your Passion that drives your purpose to achieve your goals”-Vinh Van Lam


There are some basic principals of goal setting:

1. It’s critical that you own your goals and ensure that they have real and genuine meaning for you.

2. It’s critical that your goals written down and put on paper. Think about how you can make

them visible so you can see them every day. That way they’ll always be

3. Write your goals in present tense as if you’ve already attained them.

4.Use positive language. Frame things in ways like… “I will…” I do…” rather than “I don’t…”

“Iwon’t…”

5. It’s important that your goals is D.A.R.E.S:

a. Detailed

b. Achievable

c. Realistic

d. Exciting

e. Specific

6. It’s critical that your goals be measurable and that you establish clear milestones for their

achievement.

Identify your Short , Middle and Long term goals

* STG: Goals that are reachable in a short time in a day, week or within month.

* MTG: Goals that fall in the middle like 6 to 12 months

* LTG: Goals that you have no clues how to get there and they will challenge you. You also feel the fear because they are out of your comfort zone .

· Break down the activities and tasks into small chunks, more achievable action steps.

· Commit a date when you want it to complete

7. Delegate or appoint yourself or some one else to do the task.

8. Validate your tasks and make sure the task is actioned at a specific time frame. e.g. by Wed 15 April

9. Review you goals regular and record you learning from the goals.

At Quantum Compass we’ve been working with clients on what we call the OPIC planner:

OPIC stands for: Objective

Planning

Implementation

Commitment

To learn more about OPIC goal planner please email to:


OPICtool@quantumcompass.com.au

How to Leverage Time...

“All my possessions for a moment of time.” -Queen Elizabeth I, with her dying breath,1603




What would you do if you had “more time”?
Here’s what a lot of people have said in answer to that question:

*Have more time with families
* Relax and rest
* Travel and see the world.

Right now I’d like to share something with you that when I understood it seriously changed my life…
Time is the only resource that you have that can never be taken away from you. And no-one else has
any more of it than you do… When it comes to time every-one is equal…

How many hours in a day does Richard Branson have? Bill Gates? Or anyone else I could name?
How many hours a day do you have?
24 hours in a day.
And what happens when you’ve spent your 24 hours? What happens when that day ends?
You get another one!
So the ”fallacy” about “spending” time, “saving” time, or “making more” time is that you can’t… You
have exactly the same 24 hours that everyone else on the planet has. No more. No less.
The real secret to success is what you do with those 24 hours.!

So,
*You always have time.
* You always have all the time there is.
* You always have the same 24 hours as everybody else.
* You always have all the time you need to do things right here, right now.
* You always make the choices about how you use your time.

Now, let’s look at how you can leverage your time to best effect…

Ways to leverage time:

Now’s the perfect time (is there any other time?) to learn the difference between:

*The urgent things
* The important things.

Urgent things demand your time but can usually wait, even when they seem like emergencies.
Important things move you in the direction of your dreams and goals.

A clear focus on the difference between the urgent and the important will be critical to your future
success in this, or any other business.

And a clear understanding of the activities you undertake that are important rather than urgent will
see you succeed sooner.

It is not possible to manage time. But you can leverage it.. Time is a most precious commodity, and
your only natural resource. Only dead people don’t have time. They’re also the only ones with no
problems. It’s not a matter of having time, but of arranging your priorities.

You can change your effectiveness time by changing the way you relate to the idea of time.
You can choose to live in a world of scarcity or abundance. Or you can choose to live in a world you
create where you decide your own priorities.
It’s time to own your future. It’s time to focus on what you want by leveraging your time in activities
that advance you directly towards your dreams and goals.
It’s your future after all. Procrastination is the thief of time and the graveyard of opportunity.
If you wait until you have time, you’ll be waiting forever. You will never have time. It’s the most
elusive concept ever devised. That’s why there’s no such thing as tomorrow.

So make tomorrow today...

Have you ever find a calendar with a tomorrow on it?
There’s only today.
Tomorrow is a promise. Yesterday is gone. Do it right now! Do it in the moment that you’re in!
When your priorities are in order you know what you need to do right now. So just do it. Think in
terms of moments of time. Grab those little bits of time and do the “little bits at a time” that will take
you closer towards your goal.

Sometimes it’s the scary though of those Herculean tasks and goals that we set ourselves that cause
us to procrastinate and stall in our actions. By breaking down the task into smaller chunks, you‘ll soon
find more things get done, and more things get done sooner.

Four DOs can assist you arrange your priorities:

*Can Do:
Task can be done but neither urgent nor important

*Could Do:
Task could be carried out but not so urgent nor so important

* Would Do:
Essential but not so important

* Must Do:
The importance task that need to be actioned right away.

These four dos can help you to identify which task is urgent or important. When you are loosing
focus, these four dos can bring you back on track with your priorities.

All you have to do is focus on want you.

Useful tools to help you plan:

* To Do List (use it daily)
* Weekly Activities Planner
* Follow up calls.
* Daily to do tasks
* Things to follow up
* Diary Planner
*Daily Journal
* Plan your day
* Set priority
* OPIC Planning Sheet (From Quantum Compass)