How Do You Show the Love in Your Business?

Love and business have been a big topic in the Joyful Business eZine!

Are You Infusing Love into Your Business?

If not, take a look at my featured article: 5 Love Practices for Your Business

Or join the conversation below by posting a comment. I would love to hear what you have to say about love and your business …

*What does love in your business mean to you?

*Where does love currently show up in your business? 

*Where in your business do you need to make room for more love?

*Which area do you need to start with first?

En-joy

Laura

5 Creative Planning Tips for a Joyfully Successful 2010

A couple of weeks ago in December, I offered five Creative Planning Tips for a Joyfully Successful 2010. In case you missed them, here they are again in one place. If you like these tips, check out the sale on the Joyful Business Guide at the bottom.

Tip #1: Schedule a creative planning day on your calendar
This time is important. It isn't an urgent fire you have to put out, but it will be some of the most important time you will spend on your business. This time will shape the success of your business, your focus, and the outcome for your entire year! It can be a half day, whole day or a weekend. It will be worth it to focus on what's possible.

Make sure you spend the time planning. Don't use it as a clearing house for all those daily to-do's. Use it to actually plan 2010.

Tip #2: Get out of your home office
I find that creativity, sparks, ideas, and inspiration don't usually come when I'm sitting at my desk. Going to a new environment like a café, a friend's retreat house, the lobby of a beautiful hotel, or even renting a lovely space for the day will shift my energy. What does shifting energy mean? Instead of having a "head down - what needs to be done next" focus, I'm able to have a "heads up and looking at the horizon" type of perspective.

By shifting your location, you are able to shift your perspective, and then you shift what's possible. New ideas come to you. Just the act of planning to go on a creative retreat outside of your office will subconsciously start pulling new ideas and thoughts toward you. Suddenly you will find that you are making notes of ideas to explore when you have your retreat time. Your commitment will cause your creative momentum to start moving in that direction.

Tip #3: Bring creative supplies
You don't want to develop your marketing strategies, creative ideas, and inspiration with a boring yellow legal pad. Pack your favorite markers, pens, or pencils, add some colorful, fun sticky notes to capture spontaneous free flowing ideas, bring paper or a tablet for making mind maps of ideas (a great way to access your right-brain creative thinking before your left-brain logic kicks in).

Do you have stickers or a favorite pen that you love writing with? Do you have cool big planning calendars or pads that you can't wait to dive into?

I find that the more I can support my creativity around planning for making more money, rolling out big marketing campaigns, or committing to a big project or that new platinum program - then the more tapped in I am to my creative flow, ideas, inspiration… And it's so much easier this way!

So - whatever makes you giggle with delight - bring with you on your creative planning day.

Tip #4: Set the stage for inspiration
I find that inspirational ideas don't always just happen when I say it's time. It's better to prime the pump. When I go on creative retreat time, I bring an inspirational book. Something by Wayne Dyer or Marianne Williamson works well when I want to be called into my purpose and passion; SARK books work well when I really want freedom to express my joy.

Bring along your favorite magazines like O, Ode (an entrepreneur type magazine which will help you get you sparked), Inc Magazine (with stories of other entrepreneurs and small business owners). Read a few pages to get the creative juices flowing and ideas moving.

I also find that connecting with my mastermind group or a coach will open up my inspiration in all new, big ways that I would have never thought of on my own!

Tip #5: Bring your Joyful Business Guide™ system
The Joyful Business Guide system provides the smart business tools you'll need - for getting clear about your ideal client, marketing system, team planning, and vision story, along with the attraction tools for setting your intentions and focusing on your projects.

I hear stories all the time from entrepreneurs all around the world using their Joyful Business Guides in cafes, libraries, cabins in the mountains, and at oceanside retreats and having a surprisingly wonderful time planning for their business. (It's like they are breaking all the rules! Planning and joy working together!)

And to help you more joyfully plan your successful 2010, I'm offering $50 off the Joyful Business Guide system.

The Joyful Business Guide usually sells for $249. Through Friday, January 8, you can get it for only $199. Use coupon code JOYFULLYCREATE to save $50 off the Joyful Business Guide. Click here to learn more and get your Joyful Business Guide.

Do you have the tools you need to plan an amazing 2010?

En-joy

Laura
 
P.S. This isn't just a product I sell.... The Joyful Business Guide is a system of tools for right-brain creatives, and I use it myself - everyday. It's helped me grow my business and double my income in 2009. What can it do for you and your business?

5 Love Practices For Your Business

Love practices for your business?

Yes!

Love is the most powerful of emotions… we also know it as joy, passion, inspiration, connection, flow, beauty, creativity, and leadership.

We are literally yearning for more love in our businesses. We are tired of the same old sales letters and boring products that lack creative fire and beauty.

Love in your business makes your day feel full of joy. You are engaged and alive. You feel like you just resuscitated lives by helping make someone’s life better through your product or service. Love is that spontaneous flow of inspiration and ideas that you don’t know where it’s coming from, but you trust it for how awake and engaged you feel and the impact you can see you have on others.

Here are 5 ways you can consciously practice infusing love in your business:

1. Love Your Creativity – Freedom to creatively express yourself in your business is one of the highest values for most passionate entrepreneurs. If you find yourself nodding in agreement, then you want to make sure you schedule time for your creativity. As your business grows, it’s easy to lose touch with your creativity if you aren’t consciously giving it attention and time. Schedule creative retreat time each week to get out of your office. Spend some time journaling and mind mapping and reviewing what’s working in your business and where it needs to go. Then use some of that scheduled time to create the program, project or article ideas. Put your attention on what you want to grow!

2. Love Your Marketing - Let go of old stereotypes about marketing and what it means to market your business. These old-style limiting beliefs will just hold you back. Today’s marketing is all about creating relationships with your clients, potential clients, and potential collaborators. The more creative, fun and authentic you are, the better you’ll connect with your clients and grow your business. Successful marketing is also about having a generous mindset to help each other increase visibility and success. So… love your clients, love your colleagues… and focus on loving them in success. While you do, you’ll find you’ll be more successful too.

3. Love Your Money – Money loves being paid attention to. That means learning about money strategies, keeping your Quickbooks™ up-to-date, and knowing how much money you’ve spent and created. If you ignore money, then don’t be surprised if you aren’t making very much! Spend time nurturing your money and its flow in your business. Welcome sales into your business as a sign that you are getting your purpose (your love) into the world!

4. Love Your Life and Relationships – If you are like me, you started your business to have more freedom and flexibility in your life. So make sure that you build a business around your life, not the other way around. You want to love your life – your family, friends, hobbies, travel – whatever you love. Your personal joy is to make room and time in your life and let your business support your life.

5. Love Yourself – As your business grows, you’ll keep running up against your upper limits of success. Those beliefs that will limit how much joy you’ll allow into your business as far as money, success, recognition, great clients and enjoyment. Be aware that everyone hits upper limits of how much success they’ll allow into their businesses (think lottery winners who lose all their winnings within two years). You have to love yourself enough to allow the success in.

Where in your business can do you need to make room for the love? Which area do you need to start with first?

En-joy

Laura

If you would like to use this article in your newsletter or blog please feel free to do as long as you include our credit information: Written by Laura Howard West, Center for Joyful Business, http:/www.joyfulbusiness.com I would also appreciate it if you'd send us a copy for our media files. ©Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.

Laura West is an award-winning online entrepreneur and president of The Center for Joyful Business. If you are ready to shift your marketing and mindset for more success with joy and ease, get your free report: Business Attraction Success Kit

Joyful Business Podcast #24: Living and Working with Your "Higher-Self"

Don't miss another episode - subscribe today and be the first to know when a new podcast comes out  - Join our "Creating Your Joyful Business" newsletter - http://www.joyfulbusiness.com/subscribe.html

Here is the latest episode of the Joyful Business Podcast featuring interviews with some of the most talented and joyful entrepreneurs on the Internet. Each interview is full of nuggets of wisdom about how being joyful and mindful in your business brings you the success you deserve. You'll find tips, stories, and real life ideas for keeping the joy, passion and creativity alive.

Join us every two weeks in Cafe Entrepreneur for a new interview.

In episode #24, we talk to Tricia Molloy.  Tricia is a professional speaker, business consultant and author of Divine Wisdom at Work: 10 Universal Principles for Enlightened Entrepreneurs and the upcoming book, Take Your Higher Self to Work: 7 Best Practices for Success. Tricia started her own public relations firm, Molloy Communications, in 1988 to support the success of other passionate business owners. Throughout her life and career, she has always used universal principles and has counseled clients and colleagues to do the same.

Today Tricia was so kind to share with us her great insight into success and peace that can come into our lives by following and trusting in Divine Wisdom.  She works to remind people to trust this inner wisdom, to listen to those messages derived from quiet meditative moments, and to look within for peace and answers.  As we seek out the wisdom for our lives, we will be lead to our purpose.  Tricia acknowledges the hard work that goes into this, but chose for us a few important universal principles that will start us off on the path to enlightenment. She has seen these practices improve success and peace in her own life and in the lives of her clients, and encourages us to try them out too.  "C.R.A.V.E. your goals" is the place to start...Listen in to learn more!

Listen Now: 

If you enjoy this Joyful Business Podcast then you'll love our bi-weekly newsletter, Creating Your Joyful Business, filled with resources and how-to's for creating a financially successful business while honoring your lifestyle, your relationships and your creative expression!  Subscribe at: www.JoyfulBusiness.com  and receive your Free Business Attraction Success Kit!

En-JOY!

Laura

Joyful Business Podcast #23: Becoming the Complete Entreprenuer

Don't miss another episode - subscribe today and be the first to know when a new podcast comes out  - Join our "Creating Your Joyful Business" newsletter - http://www.joyfulbusiness.com/subscribe.html

Here is the latest episode of the Joyful Business Podcast featuring interviews with some of the most talented and joyful entrepreneurs on the Internet. Each interview is full of nuggets of wisdom about how being joyful and mindful in your business brings you the success you deserve. You'll find tips, stories, and real life ideas for keeping the joy, passion and creativity alive.

Join us every two weeks in Cafe Entrepreneur for a new interview.

In episode #23, we talk to "Street-Smarts" Marketer, Kathleen Gage, who is the CEO and founder of Turning Point, Inc. and Maxwell Publishing, as well as a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and an internationally recognized Internet marketing and publicity expert for speakers, trainers and authors. She enjoys working with spiritually minded entrepreneurs who want to learn how to package their expertise and knowledge into money making products and service, while using their spirituality to enhance their business and to complete their lives.

Through Kathleen's success, she has found that as long as she makes living in a state of gratitude the cornerstone of everything she does, then things will work out better on the whole - no matter what the circumstances are around her. She has taken time to work on gratitude daily through small spiritual rituals, and suggests ways we can do this as well.  As we take the time to work on this aspect of our lives, we will find that we feel more complete, and we will be able to enjoy our work, our business, and our lives more completely!

Listen Now: 

If you enjoy this Joyful Business Podcast then you'll love our bi-weekly newsletter, Creating Your Joyful Business, filled with resources and how-to's for creating a financially successful business while honoring your lifestyle, your relationships and your creative expression!  Subscribe at: www.JoyfulBusiness.com  and receive your Free Business Attraction Success Kit!

Enjoy!

Laura

Joyful Business Sightings - Pat Altvater

I created the Joyful Business Guide™ system to help creative entrepreneurs bring together the power of law of attraction with smart marketing strategies.  I love sharing stories from Guide owners about their experiences and thought you'd love to hear about it too!  

From:  Pat Altvater, Transformations Institute   

"Hi Laura - I LOVE my Joyful Business Guide. The Daily Giggle Goals cards are my favorite and they WORK! Just the other day I wrote a "Universe goal" that said people looking for speakers would contact me and sure enough the next day I got a call out of the blue from a woman that owns a speakers bureau who found me through the National Speakers Association. How's that for fast?

Loving it, Pat"

En-JOY!

Laura

Joyful Business Podcast #22: When Nothing Goes As Planned...

Don't miss another episode - subscribe today and be the first to know when a new podcast comes out  - Join our "Creating Your Joyful Business" newsletter - http://www.joyfulbusiness.com/subscribe.html

Here is the latest episode of the Joyful Business Podcast featuring interviews with some of the most talented and joyful entrepreneurs on the Internet. Each interview is full of nuggets of wisdom about how being joyful and mindful in your business brings you the success you deserve. You'll find tips, stories, and real life ideas for keeping the joy, passion and creativity alive.

Join us every two weeks in Cafe Entrepreneur for a new interview.

In episode #22 Jeanna Gabellini visits with us about her passion for using the laws of attraction to get you what you want.  Jeanna is a prosperity coach, and is the founder of MASTERPEACE Coaching and Training.  In 1998, she was one of the first coaches in the world -- and the youngest -- to receive the designation of Master Certified Coach by the International Coach Federation. She has developed teleclasses, workshops and seminars on ways to implement the laws of attraction into her client's business.  Jeanna also co-authored the book, "Life Lessons on Mastering the Law of Attraction."

Jeanna has so many stories to share of how the laws of attraction have influenced her life.  She has learned that in order for you to reach your goals, sometimes you have to let go of time lines and just let things be manifested when it is the right time for them to come.  Listen in to hear her amazing story, and be ready to jot down her golden nuggets on how to keep positive even when it seems that nothing is going how you planned.  For our listeners, she has also graciously offered a free gift!  Go to: www.masterpeacemarketing.com/giveaway.htm.

Listen Now: 

If you enjoy this Joyful Business Podcast then you'll love our bi-weekly newsletter, Creating Your Joyful Business, filled with resources and how-to's for creating a financially successful business while honoring your lifestyle, your relationships and your creative expression!  Subscribe at: www.JoyfulBusiness.com  and receive your Free Business Attraction Success Kit!

Enjoy!

Laura

I've Been Featured in a Book!

A quick note from me today... I am so excited that I had to share this information with you right away! I just got word that the book that I contributed to, The Official AWE Emerging Trends Guide 2009 is now ready for distribution!

This book is the one book every entrepreneur must buy for 2009!

Here is a sneak peek as to what is included in the book:

Build Your Business

• Top Business Networking Trends to Watch For in 2009 by Gina Bell

• ·Key Web Development Trends That Entrepreneurs Need to Know by Susan Daffron

• The Most Powerful Trend in the History of Business: The JV Explosion by Stefanie Hartman and Vickie Jimenez

• The Emerging Trends of the Virtual Membership-Based Business Model by Sheri McConnell

• Emerging Legal Business Trends and How They Affect Your Ability To Think Big by Alexis Martin Neely

• How The Ever-Changing Landscape of Internet Marketing Affects Your Message And Why You Must Adapt by Lisa Manyon

• Cold Calling in the 21st Century: The New Rules by Wendy Weiss

Grow Your Business                      

• Three Key Elements for Business Success in 2009 by Melanie Benson-Strick
                             
• The Future of Virtual Assistance: Lifestyle, Mindset, and the Team-Based Business Model by Erin Blaskie
                             
• Online Book Marketing Trends by Penny Sansevieri
                             
• Emerging Trends in Social Networking for 2009 by Mari Smith
                             
• Top Five Trends You Must Know to Continue Growing Your Info-Profit Business by Adam Urbanski
                             
• Trends in 2009: Video, The Internet, and Your Bottom Line by Viki Viertel

                        

Go Beyond Your Business

• How to Consciously Capitalize on the Biggest Trend in Business Ever by Christine Kloser
                             
• Why Savvy Web Entrepreneurs Will Find Even More Opportunity In The Growing Cultural Creative Market by Christina Merkley
                             
• The Intersection of Technology, Information, and Transformation: Using the Internet as a Tool for Change by Marilyn Schwader
                             
• The New Solo Entrepreneur: The Secret to Business Success - Tapping Into Your Joy Energy! By Laura West

If you'd like to purchase a copy, click here.  

 

En-JOY!

Laura

P.S. - Don't forget... please let me know how you enjoy the book!

7 New Ways to Launch 2009 As Your BEST Year Ever!

Are you excited about what's possible for the new year for your business and yet are you secretly afraid that it won't be any different than this year?

Working too much, too hard, not making your dream money?

And even though you love the law of attraction, it seems to break down in your business somewhere?

Are you ready for next year to be different? Join us on my last free teleseminar call of 2008 and learn 7 ways to start the new year and create your BEST year ever!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Time: 2pm eastern/ 11am pacific / 7pm UK

Click here to register

I look forward to "hearing" you on the call!

Joyful Business Podcast #19: Don't Forget to Breathe

Don't miss another episode - subscribe today and be the first to know when a new podcast comes out  - Join our "Creating Your Joyful Business" newsletter - http://www.joyfulbusiness.com/subscribe.html

Here is the latest episode of the Joyful Business Podcast featuring interviews with some of the most talented and joyful entrepreneurs on the Internet. Each interview is full of nuggets of wisdom about how being joyful and mindful in your business brings you the success you deserve. You'll find tips, stories, and real life ideas for keeping the joy, passion and creativity alive.

Join us every two weeks in Cafe Entrepreneur for a new interview.

Our guest for Episode #19, is Victoria Castle, coach and author of the book, "Trance of Scarcity." Victoria teaches, coaches, and writes about enlivening practices that result in greater freedom and contribution.  She has over 20 years experience helping leaders and Fortune 500 organizations to be purposeful, effective, creative, and fulfilled in the midst of chaos and pressure.  As a Master Somatic Coach, Victoria teaches post-graduate and professional programs addressing the issues of sustainability and resilience.  She speaks at national conferences for business, women, and social activism.  She also helped create the eco-friendly website, www.hotwomenforacoolplanet.  Check it out today!

In today's podcast, Victoria stands by her mission: to Expose and debunk the Trance of Scarcity so that people have access to their inner greatness.  She begins by asking, "Where does your energy come from?", then gives us some great tips on how to overcome our tendency to live in a state of "fight or flight".  Her secret process starts simply with remembering to really breathe.  Take a few minutes to listen in, and you will be amazed at the results of these simple but necessary rituals for your business to be truly joyful.

Listen Now: 

If you enjoy this Joyful Business Podcast then you'll love our bi-weekly newsletter, Creating Your Joyful Business, filled with resources and how-to's for creating a financially successful business while honoring your lifestyle, your relationships and your creative expression!  Subscribe at: www.JoyfulBusiness.com  and receive your Free Business Attraction Success Kit!

Enjoy!

  Laura