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5 Tips: What Mountain Climbing Can Teach Us About Business and Life

June 12, 2012 By Lena 10 Comments

This is a guest post by my good friend Anita Fiander.

I am thrilled to be featured as one of the hand-picked speakers for a fabulous FREE online women’s event that my friend Suzanne Duret with Showcasing Women is hosting.  

I’m inviting you to join me for Climb The Mountain, Plant Your Flag and Prosper – Proven Strategies To Execute Success in Business, Courage and Heart. You really need to check out the amazing video on this page: http://bit.ly/L9mlEk


1. Turning Back From Reaching The Summit

During mountain climbing, tough decisions have to be made about whether to press on or turn back. The same holds true in business. Effective planning is essential, and yet there are always obstacles you must maneuver through. Remember that having to turn back means you gain valuable lessons and are wise enough to recognize you need to make adjustments. Pressing on when conditions aren’t right can create permanent damage that makes your recovery a mountainous challenge.

2. Negotiating Mountain Terrain

When negotiating your way up a mountain, you must respect the mountain’s terrain. The same applies to negotiating with men. They think and communicate differently than women. It is important to recognize this by being very concise and brief in your communications. Just give them the bullet points and then
offer them more detailed information if they want it. If you talk until their eyes glaze over with information overload, you’ve damaged your effectiveness and potentially your desired outcome.

3. Social Media – Shouting From The Peaks

When you make it to the top of a mountain, what do you do? You shout something out. And then what do you do? You listen… to your voice echo like a wave across the land. The key word here is LISTEN. When using social media as a business tool, it is crucial to spend 30-50% of your social time listening and being aware of the conversations pertaining to you, your business, or anything relevant in your regard. If all you do is shout out your message over and over again, without stopping to listen, how will you know if your message is being heard, or if you’re being effective, and if what you’re sharing is what people want to hear? Listen.

4. The Choice of Your Climb

If you aren’t enjoying a mountain climb in good conditions, you’ll certainly quit when bad conditions hit and you’ll never reach the summit. The analogy is a good one. If you are always unhappy with your current choice of career, business niche, or workplace, you will never achieve the goals and joy that you deserve. Carefully evaluate your choices; if you are not happy and can’t get happy with the choice, it is time to shift your journey. As frightening as it may be to choose another mountaintop, there can never be regret as you enjoy the view from a summit you wanted to reach, no matter what challenges stood in your way.

5. Success Actions That Get You To The Top

Just as with climbing a mountain, the same rules of success apply in business… model what the successful do and you too can reach the summit. Some key success actions are: a) focus on being productive, not busy; b) make logical informed decisions; c) focus on making small, continuous improvements; and, d) maintain a positive outlook and learn from mistakes.

Summit Climb the Mountain 2012

Suzanne Duret is Founder of ShowcasingWomen.com and Host of a FREE online women’s summit: CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN, PLANT YOUR FLAG, AND PROSPER Proven Strategies to Execute Success in Business, Courage and Heart. Learn more about finding success in business and life by registering for this amazing free event: http://bit.ly/L9mlEk

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Stand Your Ground, Be the Stream: Seven Lessons on Perseverance and Success

October 18, 2011 By Lena 10 Comments

The Acorn StashThey say there is a fine line between perseverance and plain old stubbornness. One is a surefire way to get to where you want to go, and the other will just give you a concussion from beating your head against the wall. Call it what you will, perseverance is the “stand your ground” attitude that defines a lot of successful people who do get to where they want to go because they didn’t give up when things got tough.

Persistence and perseverance are habits that can be cultivated. Just like anything else that you learn on your journey to success, they can be learned in baby steps. So, since we all know that I’m a master of taking baby steps, here are a few that I’ve learned from when it comes to sticking to your guns and standing your ground to get where you want to be.

1. Know what you want and why you want it before you get started.

It’s hard to persevere when you don’t really have a clue what you’re trying to achieve. If you’re not absolutely clear on what your goals are, then it’s just too easy to get sidetracked. The best way to avoid this is to have a solid plan, backed up by plenty of self-reflection so that your heart and mind are in complete agreement on where you’re going and how you’re getting there.

2. Be willing to take responsibility for your mistakes and the actions needed to fix them.

No one in the world that I know is perfect. We all make mistakes, and fall down from time to time. It’s what happens after that, that determines your success. As the old proverb says, “Fall down seven times, get up eight.” And if you messed up on the way down be willing to admit it and do whatever it takes to fix it and get back on track again.

By the same token, no one that I know has ever had their dreams handed to them on a silver platter. It’d be nice, but it’s not very realistic to think it’s going to happen any time soon. My Daddy always told me that if I wanted to make sure something got done, I’d best do it myself and he was right. If I had relied on others to do everything for me I would never have made it as a single parent, or been able to get my degrees.

The common denominator in both cases is that you have to take action. You won’t get anything sitting on your butt waiting for it. Sure you might take a tumble or two, but at least you’ll have done something.

3. Looking for the good in every situation is another way to develop your own persistence. It takes a positive attitude to get things done and achieve your goals, so by focusing on the good stuff even when it looks like everything is about to fall to pieces, you’ll be more likely to stand your ground and try again to make things work.

4. Learn how to manage your stress. This one’s a biggie for me, and lucky for you I will most likely be preaching stress management for the rest of my life. :)

Seriously, though, when you’re stressed out you don’t think straight. You’re also more likely to let the negative energy take over and deter you from your course. Put simply, stress and perseverance do not go well together.

Meditate, learn yoga, or take up kickboxing but do whatever you have to in order to release the stress from your life.

5. Know what your bad habits are and make plans to change them.

Some people would call bad habits self-sabotage. I used to be one of them, but I recently heard a lecture where the speaker (his name escapes me at the moment) said there is no such thing as self-sabotage, only bad choices. So bad habits, bad choices, both need to be eliminated if you are going to be able to persevere on the road to success.

For me, those bad habits would be procrastinating and having too many projects on the go at one time. I’m getting better at focusing and getting things done but there’s still a long way to go. (Shhh… don’t tell anybody I’m not perfect, okay? LOL)

6. Put your pride in your pocket and ask for help if you need it.

This is one of those places where the line between perseverance and stubbornness gets crossed. Not asking for help or advice when you know you need it is just plain stubborn. It’s like those men who won’t ask for directions when it’s obvious to everyone else in the car that they’re completely lost. Don’t be like that. Lost won’t get you where you want to go. Ask for directions.

(Aside: I’ve been listening to a Billy Currington CD as I’m writing this. Just as I typed that last line, the song “Good Directions” started playing. How’s that for being in tune?)

be the stream7. Finally, in the words of Sir Winston Churchill, “Never, never give up.”

Take baby steps if you have to. Take leaps of faith when they are required. But above all, be like the acorn… hold your ground and follow your dreams and you will get there in the end.

And if you start to feel like it’s impossible, remember this:

“In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins- not through strength but by perseverance.” ~ H. Jackson Brown

You, too, can be the stream.

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How Do You Define Success?

September 6, 2011 By Lena 6 Comments

Four Questions To Consider When Creating Your Definition of Success

Success is such a personal thing, that whenever someone asks me to define it I always hesitate. I know my answer will be nothing like theirs because my life is not theirs, and anything I say on the topic will be skewed by my own life experiences and what’s important to me at that particular moment. There was a time in my life when my definition of success was getting from one week to the next without making a trip to the food bank.

Examples of how some people define success for themselves include having enough money (or a lot of it), being healthy, having lots of friends, a big house, or the latest “big boy” toys to play with. (And no, there’s no gender bias there… because I know for a fact that big girls like ‘em too.)

Then there are the philosophical definitions of success. Which are just as different depending on who you ask and the material definitions. When I was putting together “Success Quotes from The Acorn Stash” awhile back, I collected over 100 quotes from influential thinkers that had the words “success is” somewhere in the lines.

But I digress… (I’m kinda good at that)

Back to you… How do YOU define success?

It can be a daunting process to create a clear picture of what you want your success to look like., You need to ask yourself some tough questions. More importantly, you need to be honest with yourself when you answer them.

So with that being said, here are four questions to get you started designing your own definition of success…

1. Where will I be in 5 years? In 10 years?

Think about what you want your life to look like in five or ten years, or both. Visualize how you will have progressed and grown over that period of time.

2. Does my definition of success include all the areas of my life?

Life is made up of so many different areas and experiences, that one definition of success can’t begin to cover them all. For example, being successful in your relationships is not the same as being successful in your personal growth which is not the same as being successful in business or your career. How you define each of these will make up part of the whole that is your unique life.

3. What goals have I created to help me reach that success?

It’s great that you want to be successful, but what steps are you taking to get there? If you don’t have goals (whether you call them goals or targets or milestones or whatever word you choose) that you can measure and define, how will you know you’ve achieved success? Write down your goals and read them often.

Here’s something to consider as you’re reading your goals — how do they make you feel?

Too often we set our goals based on what we think others will want us to achieve. This success process is all about YOU, so when you’re reading your goals out loud to yourself, pay attention to how they make you feel. A good goal should stretch your comfort zone, and it’s normal to stress a little bit, but it should not send you screaming in a panic or make you nauseous or upset with yourself. A good goal, and one that’s in line with your vision of success will make you feel good, get you excited at the prospect of achieving it, and feel right. I know that sounds vague, but I don’t know how to describe it any other way. (If I figure it out you will be the first to know!)

4. Does my life flow?

Some people might ask “Is there balance in my life?” I’ve never been a big fan of balance because to me it means I have to divide things up equally. And sometimes there’s just no way to do that. If you’re pursuing a career goal, it’s natural that your focus is going to be more on that than the other areas of your life. I like the idea of flow because it implies that all areas of your life work together. You know that it’s not healthy to be so single-minded that you forget about everything else in your life in the pursuit of one goal. You still have to eat, and sleep and take care of yourself. You still have to spend time with family and friends, even if it is less than you or they would like.

When you’re successful, your life should have that flow where all of the pieces fit together like the perfect puzzle, creating one successful life and making you feel happier and at peace with yourself.

And isn’t that really the ultimate success in life? When you create your own personal definition of success and work to achieve it, all of the things you put into your definition be they money, relationships, health, or material goods have one ultimate goal — to make you happy.

I wish you much success.

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Living Life Today, Not Someday

August 4, 2011 By Lena Leave a Comment

view from Omemee bike trailThere’s a saying out there that “yesterday is the past, tomorrow is the future, and today is a gift so that’s why they call it the present.”" I used to dismiss it every time I heard it because it sounded kind of cheesy to me, but the older I get the more I realize every day really is a gift. Focusing on the past doesn’t do anything for you because you can’t change what happened back then. And looking toward the future, while a nice idea is just that — an idea — unless you use the gift of today to do something that’s going to get you that life you want “someday.”

The question is … why can’t someday be today?

The truth is someday can be today if we let it. If we stop and think about it, today and all its moments are the building blocks of that future that we say we want. Learning to live in the moment and taking the actions we know we should be taking will start us on the road to living our best life in the now instead of somewhere down the road.

Take One Step Forward

I started reading Gretchen Rubin’s “The Happiness Project” awhile back. And although I haven’t finished it yet, one line right near the first when she is setting out her commandments for happiness really stuck in my mind.

“Do what ought to be done.”

How many times do we put off living and doing what we know we should be doing, in order to goof off and go in a totally different direction where we know darn well that it’s not going to give us the result we’re looking for.

That commandment was like a wake up call for me because I’m great at procrastinating at what ought to be done so that I can read a book, sit down and watch a race, or even just take a day off to wander around outside. Even though the writing, the marketing, and even the laundry doesn’t get done … in that moment it’s more important to me to procrastinate than to do what I know I should be doing. That’s definitely not living my best life.

Since I’ve borrowed Gretchen’s commandment for myself, and have been practicing doing what I know has to be done each day before I get to the book, the race, or the great outdoors I am living better, more things are getting done at the right moments, and I am living a much better life than I was when I was the queen of all procrastinators.

The funny thing is, that once you start taking action and doing those little things you know need to be done, you start seeing yourself as more successful, more deserving of, and able to live your best life. Whether it’s another article published, or just knowing that your favorite shirt is clean when you want to wear it … these are things that a successful person would have and since you now have them, it’s one more way you are living that successful life you want. Little things like this make you feel like you’re living a better life even though the big picture might not have changed much at all.

Grow Your Results

You can then multiply those feelings by using tools such as meditation and visualization to really get your present moment energy flowing. (You knew I was going to fit those in here somewhere didn’t you?)

Let’s start with visualization. When you’re basking in the glow of having done what needs to be done in the moment, see yourself as successful in the future because of the actions you have taken today. Really let yourself feel how successful you are, how your life has changed for the better, and how you are living the life of your dreams right at this minute.

And be proud of yourself for taking the step you know you had to take this day to get to where you ultimately want to be. Then harness the energy and the momentum you create and realize that in doing so you are living your life to the fullest in this moment.

Adding meditation into the mix allows you to slow down and really revel how you are feeling at that moment. That’s because meditation is all about being in the moment and not having to think about the future or the past. When you meditate you have no choice but to see your best life now because you are focused only on this moment. If the past and the future cease to exist while you are in the present, then this is your best life. Use what you see and feel during your meditation to your best advantage.

Enjoy the Journey

Above all, don’t forget to enjoy the journey. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” Another saying I’ve always been kind of partial to is “Life is what happens when you’re making other plans” (John Lennon).

It doesn’t have to be that way. Plans are good. Goals are good. But living your best life each moment of each day is even better. Because we don’t know which day will be our last, today really is a gift. Accept the gift and live it the best way you know how today.

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Mastering the Art of Self Discipline

June 13, 2011 By Lena 1 Comment

SuccessDoes your day start with a host of good intentions? Do you plan to accomplish everything on your list, yet find yourself getting distracted more and more as the day goes on? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, I could say welcome to my world!

Self-discipline and focus are qualities we all want to have, but seem to be increasingly elusive in our fast-paced, gotta have it now, world.

Fortunately there are actions you can take in order to improve your sense of self-discipline. Here are a few examples for you:

1. Write down what you plan to accomplish.

Whether it’s long- or short-term goals, plans, or just the day’s to-do list, writing it down will help you get it clear in your mind and have a visual reminder. It’s a lot harder to get distracted when the list is sitting right in front of you.

2. Get help when you need it.

If you have a support group, or even one person you can go to when you need help staying on track it makes the job much easier.

I have an accountability partner, and I would be totally lost without her. (She might say I’m still lost, even witih her help, but that’s a story for another day!)

I email her my goals in the morning, every morning, and if I don’t get them done or if she sees me going off in another direction during the day, she doesn’t hesitate to give me a virtual butt-kicking to get back on track.

After years of working in isolation in front of my computer, I can’t tell you what a difference it makes to my own self-discipline to know that help is just a skype or an e-mail away if I feel myself floundering. It’s also a real boost when I achieve a goal, to have someone there to share the success!

Just because you have a strong sense of self-discipline doesn’t mean you have to go it alone.

3. Most importantly, have enough faith in yourself to know you can do what you set out to do.

You do know you can do whatever you put your mind to, right? If you have any self-doubt on that score, think back to when you were a kid and were determined to have the latest and greatest. You knew without a doubt that you could do it, and nothing was going to stop you.

Tap into that sense of self-belief again and you will find yourself achieving your goals in no time!

There is no secret science to self-discipline. It really is nothing more than a combination of the ability to stay focused, the strength say no when you have to, and the determination to take action and to say yes to doing what needs to be done. We often make it harder than it has to be, but by putting these strategies to work for you, you will find that staying disciplined comes much easier, and those good intentions you start the day with become your reality.

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Pick Yourself Up, Dust Yourself Off

December 13, 2010 By Lena Leave a Comment

Nine Ideas for Starting Over When Things Don’t Go The Way You Planned…

sunrise reflectionsIt’s that time of year again. Things are winding down, and it’s likely that at some point over the next few weeks you’ll be taking stock of the past year and getting ready for the new year ahead.

Would you say your year has been a success, or a failure?

Personally, I’d have to say it was a bit of both. Some things, like my health, improved greatly. Others, most notably in the business area of my life, failed miserably. So now I’m in the planning stages for next year, and that’s what prompted today’s article.

I like to think of failure as just another step on the path to success. One of these days I’ll get it right! But in the meantime, that doesn’t mean I don’t get bogged down my fair share of fear of failure issues and “I’ll never be able to do this” moments. So in the interest of helping you avoid some of the angst that I put myself through, here are nine ideas that might help when it comes to starting over after things don’t go quite the way you intended.

1. Learn from your mistakes. — My Dad was big on telling me this, and I never wanted to listen (mostly because I never wanted to admit I’d made a mistake) but it’s true… There’s always something you can learn from failure, even if it’s only not to do that again.

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” ~Thomas Edison

2. Keep going. One of the best things you can do for yourself in the aftermath of a failure is to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move forward.

“Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail.” ~Confucius

3. Get a support network. It’s much easier to deal with disappointment when you know your friends and family have got your back.

4. Rework your goals. Sometimes failure isn’t total, and it’s only a result of biting off more than you can chew. If you break the failure down into manageable bites, how much did you really accomplish? I’ll bet it’s more than you’ve given yourself credit for!

When you start planning your next accomplishments, think about dividing the overall result into smaller goals so that you can see what you’re achieving along the way.

“Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, only this time more wisely.” ~Henry Ford

5. Use a journal. Writing down your thoughts, dreams, goals, and accomplishments in a journal helps to keep you on track while you work toward success. It also gives you a great source of positive feedback when you need a pick-me-up if things aren’t going the way you planned.

6. See it and believe it. When things don’t work out the way you planned, it’s very easy to let the negative thoughts and self doubt take over. Train yourself to visualize your success along ever step of the way and knock the negative stuff to the sidelines. Consider using a vision board to keep the end result firmly in your sight while you work.

7. Maintain your enthusiasm.It’s easy to be enthusiastic at the beginning of a new project. It gets harder to maintain those good vibes when thngs aren’t going the way you thought they would. Digging deep to find that sense of excitement will give you the energy to keep going when the path gets a little rocky.

“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” ~Sir Winston Churchill

8. Focus on the future. Looking back at past failures and thinking that because you failed once, you’re destined to keep failing won’t get you where you want to go. Look to the future instead and focus on what you can and will achieve.

“Failure doesn’t mean you are a failure…it just means you haven’t succeeded yet.” ~Robert Schuller

9. Think about worst case scenarios. What is the absolute most horrible thing that could happen if you fail? Many times people forget to focus on a successful outcome and get stuck in a place where the fear of failure reigns. I know I’m guilty of this more often that I’d like to admit to. When the fear of failure strikes, if you can imagine the worst that will happen you’ll see that it’s often not nearly as bad as you think it will be.

Whatever you do, and however you cope with failure, DON’T GIVE UP! Keep believing in yourself and in your dreams and nothing will be able to stop you from doing whatever you put your mind to.

“No man is ever whipped until he quits – in his own mind.” ~ Napoleon Hill

So…. how has your year been? Share your successes and/or failures in the comments.

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