Thrive'n Jive'n!

Tuesday's Thrive With 5 event at the Sleep Inn & Suites, 6915 I-40 West, was fantastic! If you missed Breaking Down Business Barriers, here are some key points myself and the other two speakers, Denai Vaughn and Carol Henderson, talked about...

I discussed how to overcome "I Can't" - Information, Communication, Act, Notoriety, and Truth. It's so important to evaluate the information we are telling ourselves. Is it positive or negative? Do you have an attitude of "I can" or an attitude of "I can't"? The first step in overcoming ICS ("I Can't" Syndrome, pronounced 'icks') is to recognize what kind of things are going on inside your head!
Highlights:
"In order to move forward we have to have information about where we're headed. We have to know where we're headed to get there."
"We can know all there is to know, but if we don't take action, nothing will ever happen."
"In order to see the truth - to live in it, claim it - you have to recognize the lies you might be telling yourself out of fear."


Denai, The Networking Queen, spoke on BRAND - Branding Basics, Recognizable, Advocates, Networking your Brand, and Discernment.
What are the basics of branding? Denai advised to choose a brand and an accompanying logo that people can easily identify you with. Also, prepare to be married to your brand! What you choose, you should stick with! Recognize your brand advocates - the people who have your back and will help you protect your brand!
Hightlights from Denai:
"Find what you're passionate about in that industry, find the continuity. Ask yourself, do I want to be branded by the company I'm with or by my passions?"
"If you have advocates they will love what you do because of how you do it. Hurting people, hurt people. You're gonna have some haters, you have to let them go."
"If you're networking your brand, (people) will want to imitate you, but they can't duplicate you."


Carol Henderson, a longtime successful business owner, spoke about budgeting. She talked about MONEY - Mouth, Options, Networking, Excellence, and You.
Carol said it's important to listen to the words you say, because what you say is what you get! When budgeting, options are very important. Pay attention to where you're advertising. What audience are your reaching by advertising in that particular area? Also, the ever-true statement, it's not what you know, it's who know. Get connected! It all comes down to you, Carol says. It's your choice to pursue excellence in your business and your budgeting.
Highlights from Carol:
"Try to bring more to the table than what you promised. Over-deliver."
"Excellence isn't perfection, it's doing the best you can with what you have."


If you'd like to read more about what each of us discussed Tuesday, let me know! We will start working on our Breaking Down Business Barriers online magazine soon (available in print, too). In it we'll have a more in-depth overview of the seminar, and some excellent insight from our four expert panelists. 


What are some of your expert tips about how to break down those barriers inhibiting your success in business? What have you overcome in the past and how did you do it? Share your story here, or email me at mdcoach@live.com for a chance to be featured on my blog!