I love this question! Sometimes, we’re busy,off and running in a particular direction and if we stop, take a pause, and tell the truth,we discover that we’re not on our authentic path. Not following our own ‘calling”.

Sometimes it’s tricky to discern!

The key to planning ,designing  and LIVING a joyful personal and professional life is to course-correct. Regularly.

Let today be the  perfect time to take “stock” of what working well  for you  AND what isn’t.

One of my clients shared with me that her life and business are running at peak capacity. From the outside looking in, her life looks very,very good.  The catch? She feels like something is missing. She create a big and busy life, but truth be told, she said,”it feels like my life is running me”.

After listening deeply, together we identified all the various projects, commitments, and demands she was currently facing.  After getting everything on the table, it became pretty obvious. She had created her own “monster” and it was time to pare down to the absolute essentials. She began to see why she was exhausted and unfulfilled.

In what I like to call the “Aha moment”, she said to me in a hushed tone, “Is this where I was really going?”

“I don’t think so!”

It’s easy to get caught up in the “Millionaire Mindset Bootcamp” bandwagon and follow a model that promises you rock star status in your industry, full of  glitter and gold. If this is what you truly want and it gives you great joy to achieve it ,then it is clear. Go for it!

Alot of business owners I’ve met share that they feel like they’re  on a treadmill of working,working and working. To what end?  Often money goals are created out of  group-think.  Hey isn’t this what everyone wants and is working for? These goals are usually driven  to have more..such as ” I want to break  7  figures in my business. The illusion is that when they make their million dollars, then life will be sweeter and they’ll be happy,finally!  So the money goal is set and  they put their heads down and work like a dog to try to make that happen. Often they succeed,but at what cost?

With Julie, she was able to get the clarity about what was truly a priority for her and what was no longer truly profitable and/or energizing for her. She had the true clarity about what the important values where for her and this clarity allowed her to redesign her life and business in ways that were much more in alignment for her.

Her question transformed from, “Is this where I was really going?” to  clarity. She declared“Now I know what I want &  where I am going AND I’m committed to enjoy ALL my life.

What a  powerful place to be in. To know what you truly value and desire for your business and your life IS THE WAY to having it all!

Here are a  few powerful questions that can help keep you on YOUR path ( not someone else’s)

1.What do I really want? ( Be specific about what you really,really want.)

2.What activities/projects give you joy & fulfillment? ( integrate more of these into your life)

3.What activities/projects/clients take you OUT of your joy? ( let go of old committments that no longer fit or might even be toxic to your happiness)

The bottom line is that it can be easy to get pulled into over-committing, over-doing and over-achieving. The good news,though, is that you DO have choice and these simple questions can help to align your business and life plans so that they are an absolute 100% match to your unique-ness!

With so many layoffs occurring due to the current financial landscape, many are looking to supplement their income through additional sources. That “hobby” of yours suddenly becomes an interesting concept for a business plan. If you are looking to “launch” your business, the Business Breakthrough Series Program can be your lifeline. Co-creator, Meredith Liepelt, and I are officially opening the doors to this incredible program.

Please visit www.BusinessBreakthroughSeries.com to learn more about how we can help you to turn your passions into profits!

I look forward to helping you make the shift from the 80% who are lacking passion to the 20% that look forward to getting out of bed each morning!

To Your Success,

Diana Long

The Results Expert

Dames Bond Event

To Your Success,

Diana Long

The Results Expert

How we define our success is completely unique to us! True success is a recipe based on our own blend of ingredients. 

The mistake most entrepreneurs make is measuring their success by the Media’s Yardstick, which consists of fame and fortune. Wonderful measurements, to be sure; while these might very well be on your “list” of ingredients for success, there is more to this story…

I call it the “Big Why.” Why do you want a wildly successful business? If you want lots of money, I ask you why.

What will a boatload of money allow you the freedom to do?

“True Success” is directly related to our cherished values.

What is near and dear to your heart: Your significant other? Your children? Your spirituality? Your contributions to community? Your creativity?

Have you designed your business with your core values in mind?

One of my Mastermind members, Debbye Cannon, recently had a huge breakthrough in her business plan and growth when she connected to her “Big Why”. Debbye’s business, BusinessMomMentor.com, helps business owners (who are moms) organize their lives and offices for business and life success. One of Debbye’s core values is giving back to her community. She is especially passionate about supporting underprivileged mothers and children. By embracing her “Big Why”, Debbye discovered a powerful force within herself; she immediately decided to allocate a portion of her business profits to an organization that supports women and children. Her business plan now has “Soul” and Debbye is re-energized!

So here’s the Big Question for you: Have you designed your business to honor yourself and your core values? 

I promise you that connecting to your “Big Why” will revive your passion, which will fuel and inspire your work. When that happens, we all win.

Don’t hold back; give it all you’ve got. Let me know your results!

To Your Success,

Diana Long

The Results Expert

If you’re merely surviving and not thriving, I challenge you to Raise the Bar in your life and in your business. When I think of this phrase, Raise the Bar, I’m reminded of my high school boyfriend, who was “the” Pole Jumper on our high school track team. He taught me that the way to excel in this sport is to consistently “raise the bar” . This strategy works! Inch by inch, he would literally “stretch” his capacity and create new outcomes, which, in this case was jumping higher!

Did you know that human beings (and animals too) are motivated by challenge and growth. It’s perfectly natural for us to go through growth cycles in work and in life. What can happen though is getting caught in a comfort zone. We tend to “hang” out here longer than we should. We hold back from trying new ways to do things.

I’ve been blessed with two incredible kids and through their lives and interests I have the opportunity and have made a commitment to stay current with trends and continuously learn new things.

I also committed to raising the bar in my life often. Not just occasionally. How could you raise the bar in your business? What about in your personal life?

Maybe it is partnering with a top notch coach who will coach you to get outstanding results for your business and life.

Maybe it’s setting a financial goal that scares your socks off but excites and motivates you. Maybe it’s committing to a network more effectively or becoming an outstanding presenter. What will it be for you? Drop me an email, I’d love to hear how you are raising the bar in your life!

To Your Success,

Diana Long

The “Do-Big-Things” Results Expert

Let’s connect on Facebook and Twitter!

What do out- of- this- world, successful entrepreneurs like Oprah,Tiger Woods, and Martha Stewart have in common?

How do they stay the course, overcome obstacles and create big wins?

If you read any of these superstars biographies, what you will discover is this: all of them know the power of having a clear vision. Oprah, Tiger and Martha each have utilized the power of their crystal clear vision to catapult them to certain successes. A Vision is literally the lifeblood for your dreams, goals and aspirations. Success in any endeavor must start with the Vision. Period.

Here’s a case in point. For years, I wistfully dreamed of becoming a good dancer, as I would watch from the sidelines. I especially loved watching the dramatic Latin forms, the salsa, cha-cha and the samba.

One day, I made a bold decision. I decided to stop daydreaming and wishing. In that instant I created my bold Vision-for-Success, to learn to dance well,to compete and to win! I anchored my vision with a 5 step process that I teach all of my clients who want to achieve great things. This past month I competed in my first dance competition, placing 1st in 8 out of 10 catagories.Not bad for a gal who just got started!

A powerful Vision is the key to every success you want to experience and enjoy.

To Your Success,

Diana Long

The Business and Life Results Expert

One of my own personal values is a commitment to continuous life-long learning. I believe that a commitment to personal and professional development is a crucial factor to designing and executing a business that is profitable and on “purpose”.

What key players in any industry know is that there’s always more to learn. It makes good common sense to learn from the “Masters” in your field or related industries. By being the best in your field, being privy to the most current information and being a “progressive” business person, you and your business will stand out from the crowd!

Are you taking the initiative to learn and grow? Is it in your business budget? If not, it needs to be! Attending live events should definitely be a part of your marketing strategy. I advance my “business skill set” with a minimum investment of well over $15,000 a year by attending a wide variety of business, marketing and advanced success strategy seminars, as well as my participation in a Mastermind group.

This practice of investing in my personal and professional development has paid me HUGE dividends. By attending live events, I have the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals and make valuable connections that help me to achieve my business goals. I also advance my knowledge base and skill set, which allows me to stand out in a field where there is a lot of “competition”.

I’m curious to hear from you. How has investing in yourself, both personally and professionally helped you to be more successful?

Diana

Here is a 3 point process to access more of your own vast potential. First begin visioning each and every day. If you aren’t clear on what you want, you aren’t going to get there. Visioning is an activity that lets you bypass your “issues” and go straight to possibility. Your dynamic, crystal clear Vision will pull you forward to the success you desire.

Second, design and place yourself into dynamic environments that both support and pull you forward. Your environment can make, break or keep you static. Choose wisely. Environments that challenge and stretch you are vital to your own growth and success.

Human beings are more fully engaged and successful when they consistently set goals that are slightly out of reach. What about you? Are you growing or stagnant? In what ways will you stretch yourself this month? Will you: Assume a leadership position? Enroll in the MBA program you’ve talked about for years? Finally upgrade your technical skills? Go for it!

Third, identify and emulate role models who are wildly successful. Recently, while in my power yoga class, I attempted to execute a difficult posture. (It wasn’t pretty.) I glanced up and saw a woman in the row ahead of me elegantly and powerfully assume the posture in a way that absolutely defied logic! I never dreamed the human body could actually do what I saw this “yogi” do. Seeing her do this amazing feat instantly helped me to reframe what is indeed possible. Had I not seen what was possible, I might have continued with a very limited, narrow perspective on what my own body is capable of.

My challenge to you this month is seek out those who are 10 steps ahead of you. Observe and learn from them. Perhaps it is time for you to enlist a mentor or coach? As Ralph Waldo Emerson so aptly said, “What lies behind us or ahead of us are small matters compared to what lies within us!” Awaken your potential and step into your greatness.

To awaken your potential now … check out my all-new Business Breakthrough Series!

This article is available for reprint as long as the entire article is included along with the following copyright information and Bio.

Copyright 2007 Diana Long

Success Coach and Speaker, Diana Long, is the President of the Life Design Institute. Diana can help you transform your dreams into reality and give you the shortcuts to success with her variety of life-changing programs and products. Learn more about Diana and receive your FREE Report, “3 Huge Mistakes People Like You Make to Sabotage Their Success & How You Can Completely Avoid Them!” and FREE subscription to “Life & Work Design Secrets” e-newsletter, please visit www.DianaLong.com.

I am very partial to coaching.

I believe everyone should have a coach!

The world would be a much better place.

Here’s why:

Coaching works incredibly well. Various research studies reveal the positive impact that coaching can have for people. There are significant, distinct and measurable results. It’s no secret that major corporations have integrated the use of coaching into their companies. It’s not just for high-powered executives anymore.Coaching is widely gaining appeal and is a postive trend that is here to stay. I recently learned that Nationwide Insurance is utilizing professional coaches to train key personnel to learn coaching skill sets, so that the entire culture has a new way of being at work. The results include elavated morale, improved communication, increased productivity and much more.

So you might be saying to yourself, “well,that’s nice, but what does that have to do with me?” Before I answer that, I’d like to share something with you that might make some of my readers gasp. As a firm believer in the power of coaching, I as a coach, have a my own coach to whom I happily pay 1,000.00 a month.

Now it wasn’t that way when I wrote that first check to my coach. I literally was “teetering” in my high heels ( and had to drink an extra cup of “calming” tea to quiet my jangled nerves)

Here’s something else interesting…

My income doubled within 1 month of working with my new coach. Is my coach good? You bet! But there’s more to it. By stretching myself, and because I hired a really great coach who know’s her value, I set myself up to “win”. I invested in myself and my personal and professional dreams. Because I have vested interest in this coaching relationship, you better believe I am being accountable to achieving my goals.

I am amazed at the number of people that I know who have big dreams but don’t have a coach! I know, I know, I am partial to coaching but…

Coaching works.

Plain and simple.

It is the Fast Track to greater life satisfaction, fulfillment and success ( success as defined by you!)

Is it time for you to invest in the power of you? I hope so! I believe the world becomes a better place every time that someone dedicates themselves to living their dreams!

Diana Long, The Results Coach, is the founder of The Life Design Institute, LLC. — a compay which provides coaching, consulting, and programs for busy professionals, small business owners, and entrepreneurs. Co-creator of the Business Breakthrough Series, Diana’s innovation and exceptional insight are highly sought after. For more information: www.DianaLong.com.