Top Tips for Tough Times

Let’s talk about the top tips to thrive and succeed during tough timesnnFace your fears and financesnnSit down and be clear about your current situation. This is step one: you must know from where you start because it’s easier to solve the problem when you know exactly what it is, and from there you can create an action plan.n nAdrenal exhaustionnnThis is a common symptom and consequence of today’s lifestyle: lack of sleep, poor nutrition, lack of aerobic exercise, over thinking, over working, emotional stress. Adrenal exhaustion often includes low thyroid function. Some of the suggestions below help to alleviate the stress that leads to adrenal exhaustion. While I am not offering medical advice here, I do suggest reducing or cutting out sugar and alcohol, and plan to be asleep by 10 PM. It is said that 1 hour of sleep before midnight is more beneficial than 2 hours after midnight because of the body’s cycle and processes. Consult your doctor for advice.n nHumility and edificationnnMany of us are feeling extremely frightened, full of self-doubt and uncertain about the future. Take just five minutes each day to write a letter or make a phone call offering sincere appreciation, praise or compliments to someone in your life –personal or business. Seek to build others.n nGreater servicennOffer your customers greater service higher customer satisfaction by seeking ways that add value to their experience with you such as a personal message or dropping a standard fee as a way of giving back and instilling customer loyalty.n nNetworking nnBe wary of hiding in your comfort zone or feeling sorry for yourself. Attend networking events, make appointments, call people, even if it is a social nature or to brainstorm. Make productive use of any down time. Research online for events in your area – call the local chamber of commerce for leads to networking events and business associations. n nBuild relationships nnAvoid neglecting your friends, family and business contacts; emphasize maintaining and building your relationships. A friendly call with questions about the latest in someone else’s world, life and business can lead to new business for you. Recently, speaking with a friend I ascertained that she was open to new part time work and I jumped at the opportunity to pass onto her paid projects that had been sitting there for me. Simultaneously, a friendly call by me to a business acquaintance resulted in partnering in product sales via his corporate website.n nMore educationnnThis is ideal time to enhance your knowledge and learn more skills. Listen to audio books, podcasts, online business interviews, etc. With more education and additional skills, you will have more to offer in business or it listening to those tapes may also inspire you to enter a new field or find part time work in a non-traditional area for you. Also listen to uplifting and empowering CDs. n nNew filters – delete negativesnnBe aware of everything that feeds fear, doubt and worry such as fearful thinking, procrastination, delays in decision making or taking decisive action, pessimism in all of its forms. Instead read inspiring stories of other people who have conquered extreme challenges. Consider books such as Lance Armstrong’s “It’s Not About the Bike – My Journey Back to Life.” Lance is a world-class athlete nearly struck down by cancer, only to recover and win the Tour de France; this book is about life, death, illness, family, setbacks, and triumphs, but not especially about the bike: “When I was sick I saw more beauty and triumph and truth in a single day than I ever did in a bike race.”n nAttention and energynnStop and become conscious about where you are directing your energy and attention throughout the day. You get more of what you focus on. Are you focused on what you want or what you don’t want? It’s easy to fall into the trap of gossip and continually sharing and spreading bad news to others. Avoid people who drain your energy.n nTime for you – relaxationnnGive yourself permission to relax for at least thirty minutes a day and do some form of aerobic exercise for 20-30 minutes each day. Relaxing deliberately is also a message of hope to your subconscious mind because the message is “everything will be OK and it’s OK for me to have fun.” Unwinding via walking, reading a soothing book or some form or safe escapism helps to break the stress cycle.n nAsknnMost of us are afraid to ask for things in case we hear “no” or are rejected. But if you never ask, you can never receive. Ask for business, information, referrals, testimonials, help, feedback, and the opportunity to renegotiate a deal, sale or purchase. When asking, do so openly, honestly and confidently; avoid being desperate, needy or pushy. Recently, just by asking with open confidence, I was able to persuade two companies to forego high shipping charges on two of my large purchases and give me a sizeable reduction. n nSkin lovennIn my book “Soul Mates – Discovering, Sharing and Loving” – I explain the extraordinary significance and power of skin love – physical contact. Studies involving children who suffered love deprivation and lack of physical contact revealed that they were vulnerable to a host of diseases, their intelligence was lower and their rates of criminal behavior and mental illness were higher. Physical touch and hugs not only alleviate stress but help to instill a sense of comfort, reassurance and hope.