Simplify & Systematize

So I have been noticing a theme in my little corner of the world lately…

"Our life is frittered away by detail… Simplify, Simplify." ~Thoreau

From writing my ebook to business planning to marketing plans I am learning to simplify, simplify.

Its not always easy either! There are some projects and ideas that seem overwhelming with information overload. It is times like this that I know it is time to stop… take a deep breath… and gather my scattered thoughts and take it one step at a time.

This is when I realize and remember just how important it is to set up a system, but where do you start? Sometimes I’ll try an outline and take a look at the steps involved… but honestly most of the time that is just too complicated and is not a good way to capture the fleeting gems quickly enough. That is when I break into my bag of tricks and pull out the power tool ‘Mind Map’.

This super cool tool helps me gather each thought and idea ( great ideas of course:)! ) and get them down on paper all in 1 place. Check out the definition and example of a mind map at Wikipedia . They can be hard to explain so it is usually best to see an example in order to get the ‘picture’.

For creative thinkers, entrepreneurs, renaissance souls and multipreneurs thoughts and ideas can scatter here, there and everywhere so capturing them and putting them onto paper is essential. When I have a new idea my brain can go a little nuts. I have learned that it is just best for everyone concerned to take a second and write it down so I wont obsess in my efforts to not forget.

Mind maps allow these scatters thoughts and ideas to come into a cohesive form. When you use a problem solving and organization tool like a mind map you can start to see a pattern, a series of steps that must be taken from Point A to Point B without jumping to Point F first. A simple tool that can make a great system!

See? Simplify & Systematize… that seems to be a theme.

Thought Provoking: Michael Port, Booked Beyond Solid

Earlier I had promised I would share some of what I gleaned from the calls through AuthorTeleseminars.com, so first I am starting with Michael Port, author of Booked Solid and Beyond Booked Solid . After hearing this call his books were moved onto my "must read" list.

Here are just a few things that caught my attention enough to write them down.

4 criteria necessary to go "beyond booked solid", choosing business building blocks that can be built upon again:

1. Scalable: Grow exponentially if you want to.
2. Leveragable: So you do not have to do all the work yourself.
3. Profitable: The margins you are making are worth the time and labor put into it.
4. Be the best in the world at serving my clients.

If you want to go beyond booked solid:

1. Name what it is you want to do – Remember words matter and what we tell ourselves everyday makes a difference whether we know it or not!
2. Reconfigure what you have and turn it into something else – I loved this one, this thought really struck me and made  me take a look at what was working in my business and what wasn’t. How can I take what is not working and turn it into something that is?
3. Don’t throw away what you have, do something different! Reconfigure it into something you want. – This sounds the same but actually it is slightly different. What about all those half finished product ideas, business plans that we all have in the back of our mind or in a file cabinet somewhere. Don’t throw it away, bring it out and take a look at it from a different perspective. Why didn’t I fnish this? What do I still like about it? What might still work? What needs to be reworked.
4. Cross Appropriate: Take ideas/models/influences in different markets and bring it into your own market .  – This was something I hadn’t really spent time working on before but it made me think of different programs and ideas that I have seen and heard about and thought it was so clever and fresh. I need to go back to that and see how I can make that work for me and my business.

I highly recommend signing up at AuthorTeleseminars.com and downloading this audio file and hear it for yourself. Make sure you stop back by and share some of what made you stop and think.

Recommended Resource: AuthorTeleseminars.com

During the past few weeks I have been listening to a series of teleseminars from Elizabeth Marshal over at AuthorTeleseminars.com. She has put together an incredible program that brings together some of the best business authors and moderates insightful, challenging and funny conversations with the author and a guest panel.

Well known names like, Seth Godin, Tim Ferris, Howard Behar, Michael Port… that is just to name a few. And best of all…. it’s free!

There are times I am listening at my desk and just shaking my head yes! I agree! Wow great idea, how can I implement that in my business?

Not only has this series created a MUCH bigger reading list than I already had, it has challenged me to think differently about my business and how I run it. It is like having  a group coaching session from some of the biggest business experts…at no charge. Now that is hard to beat!

Soon I will share some of the tidbits I received and just had to write down to remember.

I highly recommend taking a look at AuthorTeleseminars.com for yourself. The MP3′s are downloadable so you can listen to them again… and some you will need to and want to! There is just too much to absorb at one time.

I hope you enjoy and find this as invaluable a resource as I have!

Wow! 42 Speakers In 1 Month – Summer Speaker Series

My colleague and dear friend, Erin Blaskie, is hosting the first annual Summer Speaker Series featuring an amazing line-up of speakers including James Roche, Christina Merkley, Sheri McConnell, Alexis Neely, Allana Pratt, Lou Bortone, Viki Viertel, Lynn Scheurell, Kathie Thomas, Debbie LaChusa, Wendy Weiss, Terri Z, Donna Gunter, Diana Ennen and so, so, so many more.

Here’s the deal… She’s featuring TWO speakers PER DAY for the entire month of August (not including weekends because really, who likes working weekends?)

The best part is that this amazing series of speakers is priced VERY affordably. It’s going to be one of the hottest events of the summer and you’ve got an invitation from me!

Simply click through this link Summer Speaker Series and register today. You won’t be disappointed and I’ll be there to speak as well!

You can purchase a seat in one track, two tracks or get audio downloads included too (along with your live seat) so what are you waiting for! I’ve heard there is a cap of 200 people due to the bridge line and with the speakers involved, that won’t last long!

Visit the Summer Speaker Series Info Page and register now… ‘see’ you on the calls!

Creating A Portable Office

As a small business owner who works virtually I have had to battle coordinating information between my laptop and my desktop PC. Setting up an office-to-go has become a challenge I have taken on and in the process have found some great tools and resources along the way. So much so that I have actually started to write an ebook about what I have learned.

I am always on the look out for simple steps that are easy for anyone to implement. As we go along I am looking forward to sharing with you some tips along the way and give you a glimpse of what you will see in the ebook.

Please add your comments and let me know what types of information you would like to learn more about.

Lets take the journey together and create a portable office…..The Blue Jeans VA way.

Making a move… to Aweber

As subscribers to my monthly newsletter and Top Free Internet Resources you probably received my email regarding switching to a new newsletter publisher and list management software. I made the decision to move to Aweber and so far so good.

I was very impressed with the immediate follow-up from Aweber with relevent, helpful tips to help you get started right away using and getting the most out of Aweber.

Which of course is a lesson to learn on how any business should market itself. Why not take advantage of an audience and give relevant content that your ideal customer can begin to use immediately. Show them your expertise and showcase the type of work you enjoy doing.

So sign up today and start receiving your list of Top FREE Internet Resources.