I belong to various list serves and online groups, one of which just started a discussion regarding how to manage the stress of the economy. I suggested the importance of turning off the television to manage stress.
Of course I have blogged about that before, and I continuously remind people of the power that media has over how we feel, what we believe, and ultimately how we act. We must be very mindful of what we allow into our awareness.
Need some proof, or more reason? About six or seven years ago, a research study was published analyzing the role of television viewing on mood and emotions. Without getting into boring details, it asked participants to record on an remote device their mood at various times during the day. This data was then transmitted to the researchers.
Guess what? Watching television was associated with a mood equivalent to mild depression, independent of the subject matter being watched.
Now, did the television viewing produce the mood, or vice versa? Likely it was indeed the viewing that "caused" the depressed mood because of the statistics that were used in the study.
The moral of this blog entry? Turn off the TV! Even when the economy starts to rebound!
To Your Continued Prosperity,
Anita
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
WAHM Talk Radio Spot
Here's a link to a spot I did on WAHM Talk Radio in November. It's about easy steps to put fitness into your life.
http://www.wahmtalkradio.com/blog/work-at-home-moms-talk-radio-247/
http://www.wahmtalkradio.com/blog/work-at-home-moms-talk-radio-247/
Thursday, January 29, 2009
More Tips to Manage Stress
Still need ways to keep your stress level down?
1. Find ONE stress management tip that you will commit to doing for at least one day. And then follow through.
2. Have trouble following through? Get someone to help you. You are not an island, you don't have to slay the dragons all by yourself. Reach out and tell someone what you are trying to do. Publically stating goals increases your committment to them. Plus you'll have someone to hold you accountable to them.
3. Be honest about managing stress. Sometimes people resist making changes in their lives that will decrease stress because they secretly hope that something external to them will happen, magically making all the problems go away.
Do you fantasize that you wake up tomorrow and the economy will be fixed? That more business will just roll right in, and that your spouse will effortlessly find a better job?
Functionally, this wishful thinking becomes a distraction. You "hope" for things to get better, and then put aside the relative inconvenience of developing a new habit, even if it's one that will help you feel better.
4. Have faith in yourself. Know that you have whatever it takes to pull you and your family through tough times. You may not always know what to do or how to do it. But if you can read these words, then you have what it takes. Just have faith and keep moving forward. You might shock yourself with how far you can go!
5. Change your scenery. Sometimes just a change in your surroundings can lower your perception of stress. Sure, it'd be nice if you could wisk away to some Caribbean island for a weekend. But it doesn't have to be that dramatic. Eat lunch in a different place (especially if you tend to eat at your desk). Take a 5 minute walk right after lunch. Pull yourself out of the space that you associate right now with feeling overwhelmed.
And let me know how it works for you! Post your successes or your struggles, and I'll respond!
1. Find ONE stress management tip that you will commit to doing for at least one day. And then follow through.
2. Have trouble following through? Get someone to help you. You are not an island, you don't have to slay the dragons all by yourself. Reach out and tell someone what you are trying to do. Publically stating goals increases your committment to them. Plus you'll have someone to hold you accountable to them.
3. Be honest about managing stress. Sometimes people resist making changes in their lives that will decrease stress because they secretly hope that something external to them will happen, magically making all the problems go away.
Do you fantasize that you wake up tomorrow and the economy will be fixed? That more business will just roll right in, and that your spouse will effortlessly find a better job?
Functionally, this wishful thinking becomes a distraction. You "hope" for things to get better, and then put aside the relative inconvenience of developing a new habit, even if it's one that will help you feel better.
4. Have faith in yourself. Know that you have whatever it takes to pull you and your family through tough times. You may not always know what to do or how to do it. But if you can read these words, then you have what it takes. Just have faith and keep moving forward. You might shock yourself with how far you can go!
5. Change your scenery. Sometimes just a change in your surroundings can lower your perception of stress. Sure, it'd be nice if you could wisk away to some Caribbean island for a weekend. But it doesn't have to be that dramatic. Eat lunch in a different place (especially if you tend to eat at your desk). Take a 5 minute walk right after lunch. Pull yourself out of the space that you associate right now with feeling overwhelmed.
And let me know how it works for you! Post your successes or your struggles, and I'll respond!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
More Anti-Stress Tips
1. Turn OFF the TV! Nothing more has happened today with the economy that will directly impact you. Act as if nothing has changed.
2. Take regular, deep breaths. When stressed, your body is deprived of the oxygen it really needs. Your muscles tense up as a result and your shallow breathing compounds the situation. Let loose and BREATHE!
3. FAKE it until you make it. It's easy to be dragged down by the news of the day and the events swirling around you. But really ask yourself, if all of those issues were magically resovled TOMORROW when you woke up in the morning....what would you do differently? Probably not much. And if there ARE things you'd do differently, DO THEM anyway.
4. Exercise. Haven't blogged about this in a while, but exercise must become a regular and consistent part of your lifestyle if you expect to have a quality, meaningful life. Find ways to be active, to move your body. They don't have to be dramatic or involve a gym or equipment. You just have to move your body.
5. Work your business. Don't just "do" what people hire you to do - think bigger and go just a little bit farther. Advertise your name/business in one more place today than you normally do. Small steps evolve into big results.
6. Write out THREE main goals for this next month. Make them attainable, measurable, and realistic. Then let me know what they are!
Following these tips will help you increase your sense of control over your life, which will help decrease stress and anxiety (no matter the economic situation!).
To Your Continuing Prosperity,
Anita
2. Take regular, deep breaths. When stressed, your body is deprived of the oxygen it really needs. Your muscles tense up as a result and your shallow breathing compounds the situation. Let loose and BREATHE!
3. FAKE it until you make it. It's easy to be dragged down by the news of the day and the events swirling around you. But really ask yourself, if all of those issues were magically resovled TOMORROW when you woke up in the morning....what would you do differently? Probably not much. And if there ARE things you'd do differently, DO THEM anyway.
4. Exercise. Haven't blogged about this in a while, but exercise must become a regular and consistent part of your lifestyle if you expect to have a quality, meaningful life. Find ways to be active, to move your body. They don't have to be dramatic or involve a gym or equipment. You just have to move your body.
5. Work your business. Don't just "do" what people hire you to do - think bigger and go just a little bit farther. Advertise your name/business in one more place today than you normally do. Small steps evolve into big results.
6. Write out THREE main goals for this next month. Make them attainable, measurable, and realistic. Then let me know what they are!
Following these tips will help you increase your sense of control over your life, which will help decrease stress and anxiety (no matter the economic situation!).
To Your Continuing Prosperity,
Anita
Monday, January 26, 2009
A Consistent Message
While there was more news of layoffs this morning, I managed to get two new clients in just one day. I have never confirmed two new clients in the same day before, so it marks an interesting milestone for me.
Then I started thinking - wonder why the economy is sending us mixed messages? I have certainly heard the adage that "fortunes are made during recessions," but this just seems different. People who have nothing to do with traditionally recession-proof businesses continue to do very well.
Without denying the royal mess that major segments of the economy are in, I do have to wonder about how we assess and determine the health and sickness of the economic situation.
Maybe the way in which we view the traditional exchange of goods and services is outdated, or at least incomplete. Could it be that, with our educational system pumping out worker for the industrial age, the breadth and scope of the new economy is being obscured?
So many women now have home based businesses. They may not make tons of money, but it represents dollars that aren't being spent elsewhere.
And, in broad terms, home based businesses require less working capital than brick and mortar stores, reducing their need for bank loans.
Perhaps the message is what this great land of ours has traditionally represented - carve out a niche for yourself, and do it in the most creative, cost effective way that you can.
Drilling that message consistently and continuously may help keep some parts of the economy afloat.
Keep moving forward, the potential within you is great!
To Your Continuing Prosperity,
Anita
Then I started thinking - wonder why the economy is sending us mixed messages? I have certainly heard the adage that "fortunes are made during recessions," but this just seems different. People who have nothing to do with traditionally recession-proof businesses continue to do very well.
Without denying the royal mess that major segments of the economy are in, I do have to wonder about how we assess and determine the health and sickness of the economic situation.
Maybe the way in which we view the traditional exchange of goods and services is outdated, or at least incomplete. Could it be that, with our educational system pumping out worker for the industrial age, the breadth and scope of the new economy is being obscured?
So many women now have home based businesses. They may not make tons of money, but it represents dollars that aren't being spent elsewhere.
And, in broad terms, home based businesses require less working capital than brick and mortar stores, reducing their need for bank loans.
Perhaps the message is what this great land of ours has traditionally represented - carve out a niche for yourself, and do it in the most creative, cost effective way that you can.
Drilling that message consistently and continuously may help keep some parts of the economy afloat.
Keep moving forward, the potential within you is great!
To Your Continuing Prosperity,
Anita
Friday, January 23, 2009
The Best of Women Owned Businesses
Got back from my presentation today. I always feel so energized after speaking to groups of people, and when the groups are full of amazing women doing awesome things, it just makes the whole experience more than I hoped for.
Thanks, ladies, for an inspiring afternoon of motivation, excellent questions, and networking!
No one in the group spoke to me about constraints from the economy. I realized that as I was driving out of the parking lot. What could have become a time of, "Oh no, how are we going to keep our businesses afloat," instead focused on refining our internal beliefs about what is possible and probable.
Obviously outside factors influence business. But when it comes down to it, having the confidence in your capability to grow your business keeps us all more than afloat - it helps us thrive when others are fretting.
The ability to be creative, think about alternative ways of marketing and promotion not only solidifies your foundation, it is good for your brain!
Mental flexibility leads to the best ideas, and keeps people from feeling trapped and victimized by circumstances out of their control.
You can surf through this storm!
To Your Continuing Prosperity,
Anita
Thanks, ladies, for an inspiring afternoon of motivation, excellent questions, and networking!
No one in the group spoke to me about constraints from the economy. I realized that as I was driving out of the parking lot. What could have become a time of, "Oh no, how are we going to keep our businesses afloat," instead focused on refining our internal beliefs about what is possible and probable.
Obviously outside factors influence business. But when it comes down to it, having the confidence in your capability to grow your business keeps us all more than afloat - it helps us thrive when others are fretting.
The ability to be creative, think about alternative ways of marketing and promotion not only solidifies your foundation, it is good for your brain!
Mental flexibility leads to the best ideas, and keeps people from feeling trapped and victimized by circumstances out of their control.
You can surf through this storm!
To Your Continuing Prosperity,
Anita
Women business owners are the future.....
Just getting ready to give a presentation to a wonderful organization, the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at our local community college.
This particular group emphasizes women-owned businesses, and since many of them tend to be home based, it has a special place in my heart.
In doing some research for this presentation, I came across a wonderful resource link that I'm passing along to you.
http://womenentrepreneursgrowglobal.org/about/
The links this woman has on her blog are incredible, and show the strength and power of women owned businesses.
Looking forward, the ability of women to recognize their talents and skills will truly transform the economy.
Now is the time.
To Your Continuing Prosperity,
Anita
This particular group emphasizes women-owned businesses, and since many of them tend to be home based, it has a special place in my heart.
In doing some research for this presentation, I came across a wonderful resource link that I'm passing along to you.
http://womenentrepreneursgrowglobal.org/about/
The links this woman has on her blog are incredible, and show the strength and power of women owned businesses.
Looking forward, the ability of women to recognize their talents and skills will truly transform the economy.
Now is the time.
To Your Continuing Prosperity,
Anita
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