Archive for Business

Overwhelmed…

September 1st, 2011 by Robin Wilson

September 1st!

What does that mean to you?

For many, it means getting the kids ready for back to school, for some it means heading out to the cottage to get it closed up or one last big shin-ding before the cold weather gets here.

For business owners, it is usually the starting line for the next quarter.

Are you rarin’ to go? Were you rarin’ to go, but then lost your steam?

How do we deal with the overwhelm we feel as business owners? Especially small business owners who are doing absolutely everything on their own. Just the thought of it can tap into all your existing energy.

Over the summer I took some time off. Trying (and succeeding most of the time) to work only 3 days a week. But in my down time, I learned a few things.

Get sleep! Are you tired? …then go to bed!! Turn off twitter, facebook, google+ and shut down your email!

Start working out! Yes I hate going and grumble every flipping minute before I get there…even threaten to not go. But I always feel better after I’ve been and at least given it a half hour. Working out actually gives you more energy to fuel your day! Helping you stay focused and get more done!

Turn off your tv. Its a huge time sucker that turns your brain to mush! Unless you are watching clever programs like Dr Who (yes I’m a huge fan!)

Hire help. What ever you need help in. Do you need someone to come clean the house? Use that groupon that came in your inbox! Get the cleaning lady to your house. There is one more job done and you don’t have to stress yourself out about not getting your house cleaned yet again!

Need someone to help with the cooking? Hit up your local butcher shops, they usually have premade goodies in their freezer section. Ive recently discovered that my butcher has delicious soups premade, meatballs almost as good as mom’s and quite a few other premade meals all done!

Need an assistant. Ive been looking for 2 years. I finally found her. Well….she found me I suppose you could say. I mentioned I needed one while she was there, she then proceeded to tell me why I needed her! I hired her!

What is overwhelming me know? Don’t laugh!!! The thought of all the things I can actually get accomplished with a cleaning company, a butcher with premade meals and an assistant lifting my other loads!!

Time to do some breathing exercises I think!

What has you overwhelmed, what are you doing to alleviate the stress?

Categories : Business, Life
Comments (4)

What do you say?

May 11th, 2011 by Robin Wilson

….when “Thank You” feels inadequate.

This is a very big day. I’ve been down-playing it for quite a while. But in a few minutes I’ll be getting ready to accept an SBA award at the Buffalo Convention center.

I am overwhelmed by the emails and facebook notes and messages pouring in from all the folks who have supported me along the way.

When Thank You doesn’t seem to be enough….what do you say?

Some of you have seen me speak about things that really touch my heart. Especially when it comes to people who have helped me break thru barriers. The tears are very hard to fight back….so excuse the spelling mistakes since my screen is a bit blurry at the moment!

I could not have succeeded without the help of every single one of you! Great friends, good organizations and great family, amazing Facebook family and a Twitter family I wouldn’t trade for anything! It all fits together and helps us succeed.

I will never forget….

Thank you.

Categories : Business
Comments (4)

Accountability for a Procrastinator

February 21st, 2011 by Robin Wilson

Something I have fought with for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been one that works very good under pressure, but that pressure builds and the stress level peaks!

Do you procrastinate? Are you good at it? I’ve put things off for years!! (no I’m not kidding)

Do you have dreams?

Do you have goals?

Do you have a life plan for yourself?

Are you disappointed with your progress?

Have you asked yourself what is holding you back?

Have you asked yourself with brutal honesty what is really holding you back?

Are you blaming it on a spouse, the children, or the boss you think is a jerk for not giving you a raise or treating you like a nobody?

Let me ask again…..

Who is holding you back?

I’m holding myself back. Can you put the blame on yourself? Are you strong enough to admit that this really is all about “you”. Or in my case…its all about “me”.

Some of you have watched me grow and think….she’s flying! She’s doing great! But I still admit to procrastinating and holding back on some things I want to just jump into and tackle.

A dear friend has started an accountability group. A procrastinator’s nightmare!! But I’m going and they are going to chew me out if I don’t get done what I planned to get done for that week!

What are you doing to make yourself accountable?

Are you posting it in blog or forum?

Are you part of a group that is helping you move forward rather than just placating and enjoying coffee together once a month?

Get out from behind your computer screen, meet with folks who will help you!!

What are you waiting for?

Post in the comments something that you have been putting off. I’ll check back with you to see if you’ve finished it by the end of the week.

photo credit: eye of einstein

Categories : Business
Comments (1)

When to Cut Back on Web Habits

January 19th, 2011 by Robin Wilson

Would you consider yourself addicted to facebook or twitter or forums or chat rooms or just the internet in general?

Think back to this past Christmas morning. Where you posting play by play events on facebook about your family day?

Now don’t go thinking I’m against posting during certain days of the year. I posted Christmas morning myself! Can I justify my postings….of course I can. But we aren’t talking about me!

Seriously, think about it. Honestly ask yourself how much time you are spending on line doing anything other than work or research. No…surfing for porn isn’t research!

Are there days you walk away from your office and computer and think to yourself, “I’ve just wasted an entire day online and have gotten absolutely nothing done.” ?

That my friend is when it is time to rein in your web habits.

I’m online all day. Except when I’m at a meeting. Even then, if it is a teaching session….I’m online! However it is productive time. I will also admit, that time gets away from me and very little gets done.

Are you procrastinating on things that “need” doing because you are too busy online?

Have you been sucked into the online facebook games?

When was the last time you enjoyed some sunshine?

If you are starting to look a little pastie…even in this Buffalo winter, its time to walk away from the computer and restructure your day and your web habits.

What have you done to implement your own web restrictions?

Photo credit: alancleaver_2000

Categories : Business, Life
Comments (0)

8 Ways to Utilize and Work Your Networks

January 18th, 2011 by Robin Wilson

Do you utilize your networks?

If you are like me, you are part of many networking groups! I have over the years learned how to utilize these networks and amazing connections I’ve made!

I have made some powerful business connections and some wonderful new friends.

So, I would like to offer top ways to utilize your networks.

1. Be friendly (no brainer right?)

2. Look for the folks sitting or standing on the sidelines. They may not be the heavy hitters but I guarantee you will find some amazing connections on those sidelines. Remember even the most successful business person isn’t always good in a crowd of people or they hate mingling. Make it easy for them and make a connection.

3. Those “Heavy Hitters”. Treat them like everyone else. What ever you do, don’t come across as a giggling groupie!! (I’ve seen this in action and was actually embarrassed for the guy)

4. Don’t be afraid to cut someone’s chatter short. Especially if they are monopolizing your time and just selling their schtick.

5. Give your business card only to those that ask for it.

6. Someone from another network is also part of a 2nd or 3rd network you belong to? Be sure to introduce them to others. You never know who the others know and may be able to help.

7. Share your networks with folks trying to break into or learn how to network.

8. Crowd source your network!!! Have a problem? Need a plumber? Need an opinion? Ask your network! Most people are only too happy to share and pass information on to those who need it. They don’t know you need it unless you ask.

Then there are our social media networks…….

photo credit: schlusselbein2007

Categories : Business
Comments (1)

Why Are You in Business?

December 15th, 2010 by Robin Wilson

When you read the title of this post, what was the very first thing that popped into your mind?

Was it to make money? Or was it to help people? Maybe you are in business because this is something that is expected of you or it’s an inherited business. Maybe not. Passion is the new buzz word, but it’s also a truth. Are you working your passion and just happen to make money at it. Are you doing something that you would be doing anyway?

When I first read that I thought….which business?

The Wilson Edge is the result of my desire to see other people succeed in their businesses. I was helping and telling folks about facebook and twitter long before I started teaching it for a profit. It was promptings from any connections in my network that told me I needed to do this. There is a whole lot more to this story…but I’ll get into that another day.

Why do I want to see you succeed? I’ve been there. I know how hard it is to run a business on a shoe string budget! See….the thing is, you can do it! You can have $25 in the bank and start up your own business, market it for nothing more than your time. I knew that. You can be scrabbling to pay the rent and the phone bill for your shop one month, then breath easy the next because you managed to get your name out there. Why? Because I helped you! THAT is why I want to see you succeed!! I love to see businesses thrive and grow. Especially after I’ve seen that little light go off in their head and they are off and running!

I truly believe that once you take the dollar signs out of your eyes and focus on helping people. You will succeed further than you’ve ever dreamed possible. I’m already there, I’m not sure what to dream next…but I’m enjoying the ride and loving every minute of it!

So? Why are you in business? Have you taken the dollar signs out of your eyes? What are you doing to help your customers? Tell me in the comments below.

Categories : Business, Social Networking
Comments (2)

Biggest Business Lesson I’ve Learned

November 10th, 2010 by Robin Wilson

Hello Everyone!!

Today I gave a quick presentation to a group of fabulous women at a Women In Networking group! This was a very emotional presentation for me this afternoon, because the woman who has helped me thru these “road blocks” was there. When I speak about how much she has helped me, I end up with tears in my eyes. So!! Here is how my presentation should have gone!

This wonderful woman I speak of is Nancy Rizzo, she is a life coach here in Buffalo NY. However she doesn’t care where you are….she can help you.

Have a watch and listen….then leave a comment and share with me and everyone reading what your biggest lesson is you have learned in your business or professional life. Maybe you don’t have roadblocks, but hiring a business coach or mentor was the smartest thing you have done for yourself. Share….we all want to learn from each other.

Get out of your own way <~~~ click here to watch. (then click it again) I’ll get it figured out yet.

Or you can check it out on YouTube.

Categories : Business, Life
Comments (2)

Are You Worthy & Deserving?

September 29th, 2010 by Robin Wilson

photo credit: r.f.m ll on flikr

Does that question strike a cord with you?

Are you worthy & deserving?

When we are building a business we have this little voice in our heads that like to cut us down. Telling us we can’t do it, telling us we are out of our minds for doing this during an economic down turn….and so many other nasty things that we can’t seem to shut off. Living in our heads can be very dangerous!

When you have your little triumphs and successes, remember that you worked hard for those. Never discount what you have done or where you want to go. When you see something that just lit up your whole being….tell someone!! Even if its me!! Drop me an email (robin@robinsedge.com) and share it! I promise I will be so incredibly excited for you!! What you don’t want to do is to tell that person that really isn’t interested. They will bring you down. When you see something that makes you pump your fist in the air and yell “YEAH!!!” if its online, take a screen shot of it, print it out and put it up on your success board! I had one of those the other day!! Completely made my day!! If there isn’t anyone close by to share it with, then be sure to share it with yourself. Your constant reminder that you are awesome!! You are doing it!!

You are worthy and deserving of all it. A very dear friend reminds me of this often. When I get stuck Nancy says to me “Robin…you are worthy & deserving”. Which is usually followed by my tears. Because I know she is right. When you work as hard as we do to build our business, we forget ourselves. We are not crazy for wanting to make a go of it, because we have a vision. We are working toward that vision. We just need reminding that its ok. Some don’t have a problem with this…that’s great. But some of us need reminding that its ok to succeed and acknowledge it.

Some days it’s just a leap of faith. Put one foot infront of the other and you just “go”. Buffalo’s economy is what it is. It pretty much stays the same and doesn’t suffer the severe fluctuations that the rest of the country does. Knowing that, we work with it. We make our businesses work. We keep our doors open.

…..and we remember

I am worthy and deserving.