Personal Reflection/Book Group Discussion Questions ......©2016 Beth L. Buelow, PCC, The Introvert...

Personal Reflection/Book Group Discussion Questions

Resources Shared by Inaugural Book Groups Cutting Room Floor Bonus Content

Supplemental Materials

TheIntrovertEntrepreneur.com

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: “The Introvert Entrepreneur: Amplify Your Strengths and Create Success on Your Own Terms” Author: Beth Buelow, ACC, founder of The Introvert Entrepreneur, [email protected] Publisher: Perigee Books/Penguin Publication Date: Nov 3, 2015 ISBN-‐13: 978-‐0399174834 Amazon.com page: tiny.cc/IntroEntre Amazon.co.uk page: tiny.cc/IntroEntreUK Editor: Marian Lizzi, Perigee Books, [email protected] Publicity: Angela Januzzi, [email protected]

The Introvert Entrepreneur: Amplify Your Strengths and Create Success on Your Own Terms does what no other book on introversion or entrepreneurship has done: it explores a range of entrepreneurial topics from an introvert point of view, including how your personality and energetic type play a role in building a sustainable business. The Introvert Entrepreneur directly takes on the mistaken but prevailing assumption that entrepreneurial success belongs to the extroverts. This book shares the stories and lessons from introverts who have chosen to defy that assumption, built successful businesses, and created a way of life that honors their natural energy. Rather than seeing introversion as a liability (as most of society treats it), this book provides a road map for entrepreneurs who want to cultivate and amplify their natural, internal strengths. What many people, including introverts themselves, may not know is that the strengths and traits of the typical introvert—curiosity, desire for depth over breadth, comfort with going solo, thoroughness and introspection, love of research—lend themselves well to entrepreneurship. Written for those who own their own business and those who are “intraprenuers,” assuming an entrepreneurial role within a larger company, The Introvert Entrepreneur explores fears, mindset, failure and self-‐management; values identification; networking, marketing and sales; creating community; and partnership and expansion. Anecdotes and insights are offered from a range of introvert entrepreneurs, including Laurie Helgoe, Chris Guillebeau, Jadah Sellner, Mary Ann Radmacher, Susan Cain, John E. Doerr, and many others.

mailto:[email protected]

http://tiny.cc/IntroEntre

http://tiny.cc/IntroEntreUK



Personal Reflection/ Book Group Discussion

Questions


©2016BethL.Buelow,PCC,TheIntrovertEntrepreneur

The Introvert Entrepreneur Virtual Book Group Personal Reflection Questions for Call 2: Chapters 1 & 2

In considering these questions, let your thinking go to either your personal or professional life, whichever one feels most relevant to you right now.

The Reading

1. In general, which points resonated the most with you in chapters 1 and 2?

2. Which points did you feel didn’t fit you, or you’ve had a different experience?

3. Of the challenges listed on pages 17-21, which ones are the biggest for you? What has that kept you from doing that you want/need to do?

Your Energy

1. Where would you put yourself on the introvert/extrovert spectrum? 2. What activities, people, or situations energize you? 3. Which ones drain you?

Your FUDs

1. What’s the biggest fear, uncertainty and/or doubt that you’re feeling right now?

2. When was a time when you decided to “feel the fear and do it anyway”? How did things turn out?

3. What would be possible if that FUD wasn’t as big for you? Final Reflections

1. The first challenge I’d like to address is: 2. As I move through that challenge, this will be possible: 3. One thing I can do to be proactive about recharging my batteries is: 4. I am committed to:




The Reading



Your Voice

1. What do you know “for sure” about yourself/your work? 2. What are your top four core values, the ones that define who you are? 3. How do you complete these sentences:Through my business/work, I

will realize my vision of________________. The world will be different because________________. This business/work will give me the freedom to________________and to express________________.

4. How do you feel about taking risks? What’s the biggest risk you’ve take so far?

Networking

1. What kind of networking do you find most comfortable and productive?

2. In what ways do you already show up to, through and for other people? What are some other ways you can show up?

3. What’s your best networking strategy for before, during or after an event?

Final Reflections

1. My voice comes through most powerfully when I’m: 2. One networking strategy that will increase my

visibility/credibility/profitability is: 3. I am committed to:




The Reading



You and Sales

1. Besides the actual product or service that you sell, what else are you “selling”? (for instance: security, transformation, beauty, etc)

2. Who is your ideal client or customer? What are their pain points? What’s your solution?

3. What sales strategies have been most effective for you? What’s worked about them?

4. What would shift in your business if you were approaching every step in the sales process from a service and love-based perspective, rather than fear or scarcity? (Not to assume fear, but we all experience it on some level at some point!)

You and Your Peeps

1. Who is part of your community? Not just those you directly serve or sell to, but peers, lurkers and prospects, too.

2. What is the most effective and energetically efficient way for you to engage with your community?

3. Where are you currently not showing up that would be worth expanding into? (for instance: social media, content creation, speaking, podcasting, etc.)

Final Reflections

1. My sales superpower is: 2. One way collaboration would help move my business forward is: 3. I am committed to:



The Reading

1. In general, which points resonated the most with you in chapters 7 and 8? 2. Which points did you feel didn’t fit you, or you’ve had a different

experience? Playing in the Sandbox with Others (Ch 7)

1. Who’s part of your professional team? (employees, contractors, subcontractors, regular collaborators, coaches, accountability partners, etc.)

2. What’s an example of a partnership or collaboration that worked really well for you? What contributed to its success?

3. When have you experienced an unproductive or failed collaboration? What’s your biggest lesson learned?

4. In your experience, what’s the most challenging part of collaborating with someone? How do you move through that challenge? Alternatively, what’s the best part about collaboration for you?

Business Expansion (Ch 8)

1. In what ways have you and/or your business grown in the past 12-18 months? (consider tangible outcomes, as well as skills, knowledge, connections, etc.)

2. What’s your most important consideration when you think of expanding your business (whether that’s through people, products, services, etc.)

3. If you consider the ultimate manifestation of your entrepreneurial vision (that’s a mouthful!), what’s it look like? Remember: it doesn’t have to be BIG or making a GAZZILLION dollars. It’s a full expression of your vision, without the “shoulds” and comparisons.

Final Reflections

1. I know growth is happening because: 2. People I’d like to collaborate with or make a more regular part of my

business include: 3. I am committed to:


The Introvert Entrepreneur Virtual Book Group Personal Reflection Questions for Call 6:

Chapter 9 + Completion In considering these questions, let your thinking go to either your personal or professional life, whichever one feels most relevant to you right now.

The Reading

1. In general, which points resonated the most with you in chapter 9? 2. Which points did you feel didn’t fit you, or you’ve had a different

experience? You, Stretching, and Sustainability

1. What’s your relationship with your comfort zone? What are activities or choices that tend to stretch it? How do you feel being out of it?

2. What do you think of the idea of having a “capacity zone”? 3. Where do you feel most sustainable (time, money, health, alone time,

energy, relationships, work)? Least? 4. What do you consider to be your most effective sustainability

strategies? 5. What’s your personal “triple bottom line”? 6. What do you want to let go of in service of your business? Your

overall life? Final Final Reflections

1. The most important point/awareness/learning I want to remember from reading the book is:

2. The most important point/awareness/learning I’m taking away from the book group discussion is:

3. Over the next 12 months, what do I want to

a. Keep doing b. Start doing c. Stop doing

to move me and my business forward?

Resources Shared by Inaugural Book Groups

(2016)


ResourcessharedbytheInauguralVirtualBookGroups,Spring2016

LinksaccurateasofJune9,2016

GettingThingsDone:http://gettingthingsdone.com/

StrengthsFinder:https://www.gallupstrengthscenter.com/Purchase/en-US/Index

EntrepreneurStrengthsFinder:https://www.gallupstrengthscenter.com/EP10/en-US/About

360-degreeFeedback:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/360-degree_feedback

NozbeApp:https://nozbe.com/

Trello:http://trello.com

BreneBrowntalk:http://99u.com/…/…/brene-brown-stop-focusing-on-your-criticsTheCreativeHabitbyTwylaTharp:http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Habit-Learn-Use…/…/0743235266SwaybyOriandRamBrafman:www.amazon.com/Sway-Irresistible-Pull-Irration…/…/0385530609Quote:"Thereasonwestrugglewithinsecurityisbecausewecompareourbehind-the-sceneswitheveryoneelse'shighlightreel."SteveFurtick"Networkinginthe21stCentury"and"Networkinginthe21stCentury...OnLinkedIn,"bothbyDavidJPFisher"LinkedIn&SocialSellingforBusinessDevelopment"byBrynneTillman"YouCanHealYourLife"byLouiseHay(bookanddocumentary.Here’sthelinktothefulldocumentaryvideo!http://www.veoh.com/watch/v17030504WsgTbfQm)DawnaMarkovapoem:Iwillnotdieanunlivedlife.Iwillnotliveinfearoffallingorcatchingfire.Ichoosetoinhabitmydays,toallowmylivingtoopenme,

tomakemelessafraid,moreaccessible,toloosenmyheartuntilitbecomesawing,atorch,apromise.Ichoosetoriskmysignificance;tolivesothatwhichcametomeasseedgoestothenextasblossomandthatwhichcametomeasblossom,goesonasfruit.TheOneThing:www.amazon.com/ONE-Thing-Surprisingly-Extraord…/…/1885167776EntreLeadership:www.amazon.com/EntreLeadership-Practical-Business-Wisdom…/…/MypodcastwithArdenCliseaboutAccountabilityPartnerships:http://theintrovertentrepreneur.com/…/the-power-of-the-pro…/StrengthsFinder:https://www.gallupstrengthscenter.com/ThePowerofFocus:www.amazon.com/Power-Focus-Tenth-Anniversary-C…/…/0757316026VisitFinland:http://www.visitfinland.com/silence-please/

JeffGoins(writingandcreativity):http://goinswriter.com/

JimCarreycommencementspeech(excerpt):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5pgrnstX6wY(Google"JimCarreyCommencementSpeech"tofindthefullspeechandtranscripts)**VIEWERWARNING:dependingonyourmood,youmightwanttohavesometissueshandy!**

TheAdventuresofJohnnyBunkobyDanPink:http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Johnny-Bunko-…/…/1594482918

Fiverr(freelancers):https://www.fiverr.com/

TimeEtc(virtualassistants):http://web.timeetc.com/

CreatingAffluencebyDeepakChopra:www.amazon.com/Creating-Affluence-Z-Steps-Rich…/…/1878424343

TheOrganizedMindbyDanielLevitin:www.amazon.com/Organized-Mind-Thinking-Straigh…/…/0147516315

TEDTalk,"TheDangerofaSingleStory"byChimamandaAdichiehttps://www.ted.com/…/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_si…

"SomeLovingRemindersAboutFeedback"byTaraMohr:http://www.taramohr.com/…/some-loving-reminders-about-feed…/

Cutting Room Floor Bonus Content


©2016,BethL.Buelow,PCC,TheIntrovertEntrepreneur.NotforDistribution

TheIntrovertEntrepreneur:AmplifyYourStrengthsand

CreateSuccessonYourOwnTerms

byBethL.Buelow,PCC

CuttingRoomFloorBonusMaterial

ForVirtualBookGroupMembersONLY…NotforDistribution!

CutfromChapter4:

AllIReallyNeedtoKnowaboutNetworking,ILearnedfromMyDog

AboutfourmonthsafterhavingadoptedsweetGinger,whowasthenatwo-year-oldyellowlabmix,welearnedthatsheisrathershyandanxiousaroundherownkind.Withmosthumans,insmalldoses,she’sfine.Butotherdogs...notsomuch.(Theexperienceremindedmethatthereversecanbetrueforintroverts:we’refinewithanimals,butwithourownkind...notsomuch!)

TheplacewhereItookherfortrainingtoldmeshewasn’tquitereadyforovernightboardingorevendoggydaycare.MyheartbrokeforGinger;you’dhavethoughtsomeonetoldmethatmyfive-year-oldwasn’treadyforkindergarten.WhatshouldIdonext?Iasked.Scheduleherforsomethirty-minuteplaydates,theysaid,soshecouldbesafelyandthoughtfullysocialized.

Aftermyinitialdisappointmentworeoff,Igottothinking:SinceIobviouslywouldn’tthrowmyGingerintothedeependbysendinghertoovernightboarding,triggeringanxietyandinsecurity,whydoweintrovertsthinkwehavetodiverightintothedeependwhenitcomestonetworkingandothersocialevents?Whyshouldweexpectourselvesto“perform”andgeteverythingright,orfeelcomfortablethefirst(orsecond,orevenfifth)time?

Whatifwetooksomelessonsfromthesocializationofintroverteddogsandappliedthemtoourselves?

CrazyGinger


IspenttheentiredaywithGinger,takingherwithmeonerrandsandwhilevisitingafriend.IstudiedGingerandreflectedontheexperienceatthetrainingfacility.Andoverthecourseofseveralhours,sheenlightenedmewithafewtipsabouthowshewouldmostliketobesocialized.Itookcarefulnotes.

1.Easeintoit.Don’tstartoutbyputtingyourselfinaconversationwiththemostexuberant,chattyofallthedogs—Imean,humans.Gettoknowthelayoftheland.Findandfocusonsomeoneelseintheroomthathasasimilarorevencalmerenergythanyou.Seekoutafriendlyface.Startoutwithsmallergatheringsinmoreintimatesettings,sothatdistractionsareminimized.Allowthemtobeshorter“playdates,”onlystayingaslongasyouwant.

2.Engageincalmingbehaviors.

Dogsdoafull-bodyshake,yawn,orstretch.Theymightsniffthefloor,orinitiallyavoideyecontact.Theseactionscalmthemdown,aswellassendsignalstootherdogsthatthey’reopentobeingapproached.WhileIdon’tsuggestyoudoahead-to-toeshakeorsnifftheground(oranythingelse,forthatmatter),therearecalmingbehaviorsweintrovertedhumanscanadopttohelpusadjusttoapotentiallystressfulsituation.Beforewalkingintotheroomwhereyou’llbenetworking,trythesetips:Yawn.Rollyourheadaround.Shakeoutyourhands.Takeseveralslow,deepbreaths.Duringtheevent,stepoutasneededanddothesethingsagain(outofsight,ofcourse!).

3.Taketime-outs.

Newinteractionscanbeintense,especiallyforintrovertswhofeelthattheirenergyoutputisn’tbeingreplenishedfastenoughtobalancethingsout.InoticewhenGingerisabouttotakeaturnfortheworse;she’llsniffandcirclearoundwithanotherdog,andit’llbefineforamoment,butthenIseethefuronhershouldersandrumpstarttostandup.That’swhenIknowshe’sreadyforabreak.Forusintroverts,Isuggestwenoticeinourselveswhenourfurfigurativelystandsonendandwe’refeelingtenseortooemptytokeepgoing.Thesecouldbesignsthatit’stimetoquitwhilewe’reahead,beforewehitthewall.Orwemightjustneedatime-out...alittletimeawayfromthecrowd,sowecandoafull-bodyshakeifneedbe.

DignifiedGinger


4.Retreattorecharge.

SomedaysaresociallyintenseforGinger.Assoonaswegethomefromwhereverwe’vebeen,sheslurpsupsomewater,inhalesherdinner,andthencoziesdowninherdoggyden.That’sexactlyhowIoperateattheendofabusyorhighlyinteractiveday.I’mdrainedoneverylevel,andallIcanthinkaboutisthemomentwhenIcrossthethresholdofmyhouseandsinkintothecalm.Forthattohappen,Ineedtohaveaspacethatnourishesandcalmsme.Inourhouse,that’sourquiet/prayer/meditationroom.It’sourden,ourlittlehaven.Consideryourlivingspace:Where’syourden?Wherecanyougotobequietandrechargeafteraperiodofpeopleoverload?Andeveninthemiddleofanevent,istheresomeplacethatcanserveasyourden,whereyoucanretreatifnecessary?Aquietcorner,anemptyroom,orevenabathroomstall?Findaplacewhereyoucantakethattime-outandrestoresomeenergy.

5.Motivatewithtreats.

Gingerloveshertreats.Whenwe’rewalking,andshe’sbeingespeciallygood,Igiveheranencouragingyes.Hereyesautomaticallydarttomyleftcoatpocket,themagicplacewheretreatslive.Beingrewardedkeepshergoing.Thesameistrueforus.Whenwe’veextendedourselvessociallyorprofessionally,ithelpstoacknowledgeoureffortswithabitofreward.Itgivesussomethingtolookforwardtowhenit’sallover.Italsocreatesaritualorpracticethatremindsustocelebrateoursuccesses.Justonepieceofadvice:Sinceyou’renotadog,don’trewardyourselfwithfood.

Forinstance,beforeattendingalocalLinkedInevent,IlookedattheRSVPlistandclickedthroughtoafewprofilestoseeiftherewassomeoneIwantedtomakesureImet.Iwalkedintotheeventwithaboutfivenamesonapieceofpaperandproceededtofindthem.Itworkedlikeacharm;IfocusedonpeoplewithwhomIsensedI’dhaveaconnection,knewsomethingaboutthemthatIcoulduseasaconversationstarter,andIhadafeelingof“missionaccomplished!”whenitwasallover.

(Sidebar)

ThreeIntrovertEntrepreneurssharethemostunusualplacethey’vemetsomeonewhoeventuallybecameaclient.


“I'dhavetosayitwasanofficemate.IrentoutmyofficetwodaysaweektoawonderfulwomanwhoIneveractuallysee.WhenIcalledheronedaytoaskifIcouldtradeofficedaysforaspecialevent,itledtoadiscussionaboutherbusinessneedsandthenshehiredme.Justsharingtheofficeledtobuildingtrustovertime.”~ValNelson,BusinessandCareerCoach

“OnedayIwasinthecareerbooksectionofmylocalBarnes&Noble,browsingthroughthelatestjob-huntingself-helpbookstoseeiftherewereanyofferingnewwisdomorinsightsintothesubject.Anothercustomer,notingmyactions,commented,"Don'tbotherwithanyofthosebooks—theyalljustbasicallyrecyclethesameoldtireddogmafromWhatColorisYourParachute?"IthensurprisedhimbyrevealingthatIwasacareercoach,myself,andtotallyagreedwithhisassessmentofthegenre.Westruckupaconversationfromthere,grabbedacoffeeinthebackofthestore,andbeforeIknewithe'ddecidedhewantedtoworkwithme—andsignedupasaclient!”~MattYoungquist,CareerHorizons

“Iattendedaclassoncreatingcompellingwebsitevideos.AspartoftheclassIwaspairedupwithawomanandwewereeachgivenrolestoplay,whichtheotherdidn’tknowabout.Mypartnerwastoldtoactlikeareallyunprofessional,casualperson,andIwastoldtobemyself—anetiquetteconsultant.SheplayedherpartwellandIguessImusthavedoneagoodjobofhandlingthisunmannerlypersoninaniceway,becauseafewmonthslatershehiredmetocoachher.”~ArdenClise,CliseEtiquette

(Sidebar)

CreativenetworkingtipsfromsuccessfulIntrovertEntrepreneurs

“Havingateasamplestapledtomybusinesscardismybestnetworkingstrategy.Ittakesthefocusoffofmeandontothetea,whichissomethingIcantalkeasilyabout.”~AmyLawrence,AnAfternoontoRememberFineTeaandGifts

“Haveabusinesscardthatmakespeopletalk.Ihavea'friended'cardIhandtopeopleIwanttogettoknow.Itsays'You'vebeenfriended!'


ononesidewithmyFacebookaddressonit,andonthebacksidehasahostofreasonsIcancirclestatingwhyI'mfriendingthem(suchas'Youhaveacoolhaircut,''Youparkedinsidethelines,''Youwentthroughexpresscheckoutwithlessthantwelveitems,'etc.).Everyonealwayslovesthatcardandshowsitofftootherswe'restandingwith.Theneveryonewantsone.Also,someoftheoptionsmakethemaskme,‘Youplaypiano?’or‘Youlikeitwhenpeopletellyoutheendingofafilm?’"~NatalieNicoleGilbert,OnTimeTalent

“Becomeavolunteerandfulfillarole.It'sagreatwaytomeetpeoplewhiledoingyourvolunteerworkwithoutfeelinguncomfortable.”~DonnaGunter,OnlineBizU.com

“Onthewaytoanevent,listentomusicthatgetsyoupumpedupandthenworktheroomwithastrong,positiveattitude.”~JanSterling,RedThinking

©2016,BethL.Buelow,PCC,TheIntrovertEntrepreneur|NotforDistribution



byBethL.Buelow,PCC



CutfromChapter5:

FromFreetoFee

…Wecangetentirelytootrippedupbynotacknowledgingthatpartofwhatwewanttoachievewithourbusinessisfinancialsuccess.Wetreat“money”asifitwereadirtyword.Ifweadmitwewanttomakemoney–nevermindsayingwewanttomakelotsofit!–weareafraidpeoplewillthinkourmotivesareselfishandgreedy.Wegivemoneysomuchpower!Whenwegiveawayourpower,weareputtingourselvesintheserviceofmoney.Whatwouldhappenifweputmoneyinserviceofus?Iknowsuccessfulentrepreneurswhoinclude“abilitytopay”asakeytraitoftheiridealclient.Ifwe’reallhonest,we’dhavethataspartofourcriteriaaswell.…

(Teachothershowwewanttobetreatedstory):

Myownawareness(aboutwhatgoesintodetermingthevalueofanoffering)cameslowly,duringtheplanning,delivery,andaftermathofateleclassseriesI’ddeveloped.Oncetheteleclasswasover,Ireflectedonwhatwentwellandwhatcouldhavegonedifferently.Here’swhatIdiscovered:TheyearsIspentgivingthingsawaysentoutthemessagethatIandmyofferingcouldbetreatedcasuallyandwhatIhadtoofferwasnoturgentorworthpayingfor.Theinformation,whilevaluable,hadnocommitmentattachedtoit.Imadeiteasyforeverythingelseinsomeone’slifetotakeprecedence.


Inplanningtheseries,Ihadthoughtssuchas“ifIchargeforthisseries,thennoonewillregister”and“IfIframeitsothatbeingonthelivecallistheonlywaytoparticipate,thennoonewillregister.”Thesethoughtswerebasedonfear.IwasafraidIwouldn’tbeabletohandlerejection(i.e.low-to-noregistrations).

Whendeterminingthevalueofmyoffering,IassumedthatunlessIhadsomethinggroundbreakingtooffer,itwasn’tworthchargingfor.Ialsoassumedthatdespitesaying“youdon’thavetocallin,”peoplewouldhearandrespondtothesoftlyspoken“butIhopeyoudo.”

Inaddition,IsetmyintentionsaroundwhatIdidn’twant,ratherthanwhatIdidwant.Inthissituation,Ididn’twantpeopletofeelpressuredintobeingonthelivecall.Ididn’twantpeopletofeelputonthespotduringalivecall.Ididn’twantcosttobeabarriertoenrolling.ThesenegativelyframedintentionsmeantIbackeddownontheinvitationandthecommitment,andthereforethevalueoftheoffering.

Andlastly,Iletothersdeterminemyvalue.IsawsomanypeoplegivingawaytheirofferingsandfeltlikeifIcharged,noonewouldrespond.Afterall,whowasItothinkIcanchargeiftheywereofferingitforfree?Thiswasself-inflictedpeer-pressure,pureandsimple.

Freevs.Fee:ClarifyingYourValueWithoutknowingthespecificsofyourbusiness,I’monlyabletooffergeneralthoughtsonwhattochargeforyourproductsorservices.Clearly,productsareadifferentanimalthanservices;therearemoretangiblecomponentsthathavedollaramountsattached,socalculatingthepriceismoreblackandwhite.Evenso,youmayhavetogiveawayacertainamountofproductinapromotionalcontext.Factorthatintoyourcalculations,soyoudon’tendupliterallygivingawaythestore.Inadditiontotheactualcostsoftheproduct,consideryouroverhead,research,development,licensing,storage,distribution,marketing,andpackagingcosts.It’smorechallengingtoplaceavalueonservices.MycolleaguesandIoftentalkabouthow“squishy”servicesare,howhardtheyaretopindown.Wecantiethevaluetoclientoutcomes,butunlesswecanguaranteeaparticularresultandprovethatitwasconnecteddirectlytoourservices,it’sdifficulttosaywhichoutcomeswerebecauseofusandwhichwereattributabletootherfactors.Often,themostdifficultpartofdeterminingvaluecomeswhenwe’remakingtheleapfromfree(orverylowcost)tofee.MyJourneyfromFREE…Startingout,Iwasnewenoughinmyindustrythatmyprimarygoalwastocompletemycoach


trainingprogramwhileaccumulatingexperienceandhours.Clientsreceivedcoachingprobonooratarelativelylowfee,andIofferedfreeteleclassesandwebinars.Thisallservedtogivememoreexperienceandcredibilityasacontentexpert.Insteadofseeinganyfinancialgainduringthatfirstyear,myrewardwasvaluablefeedback,testimonials,experience,andincreasedunderstandingofwhatIhadtoofferasacoach.AndthenIhitawall.Iwastired–exhausted,really-ofgivingitaway.Gradually,myfeesincreased,andIstartedaskingformydesiredrate.Talkaboutempowering!ThefirsttimeIaskedforandreceivedmy“market”ratewasaturningpointinmybusiness.Therewasnogoingback.Idecidedthenandtheretomakefreetheexception,ratherthantherule.TOFEE…Afewyearsago,Ihadtheopportunitytobepartofanewventurethatincludedanunusualbusinessmodel.Theproductwasanaudiodownload(basicallyapodcast),andinsteadofseekingsponsorsoradvertisers,thecostofproducingitwouldbepassedalongtotheendlistener.Whileit’saproductpeopleareusedtogettingforfree,Isawitasakintousingafreeonlineservicethathasads,thenchoosingtopayasmallfeefortheservicetobead-free.Iknewthatthepay-per-downloadcouldslowdowngrowthofanaudience;thatsaid,itfeltimportanttoputastakeinthegroundandcreateanopportunityforamutualexchangeofvalue.Theofferingwasmeanttostand-alone(i.e.itwasn’tadisguisedsalespitchorteaser),andtheinvestmentof$1.99perdownloadfeltreasonable.Overthecourseofsevenweeks,twothingshappened.One,downloadnumberswereconsistentlylow.Reallylow.Iconsideredthefacts:5hourstoproduce30minutes,getting8downloadsat$1.99/eachresultingin$15.92,tobeexact.$3.18anhour.Ouch!Ididn’thavetorecallanycomplicatedformulasfromhighschoolmathtoknowthatthesenumbersdidn’taddupforme.ThesecondthingthathappenedwasarealizationthatIlovedprovidingthisoffering.Notonlywasitfun,butIwasproducingahighqualityproductthatwouldbenefitentrepreneursingeneral,andintrovertsinparticular.Itfeltdishearteningtoproducesomethingusefulandonlyhaveitexperiencedbyahandfulofpeople.So,Iaskedmyselfsometoughquestions.Whatweremyoptions?WasIdoingeverythingIcouldtopromoteit?Wasitthecost,theoffering,orboththatwasthechallenge?IfImadetheofferingfree,wouldIbegivinguptoosoon?Didthisamounttopullingthat“mutualexchange


ofvalue”stakeoutoftheground?WasIbeingimpatient?HowmuchtimeandenergywasIwillingtoinvestinthecurrentmodel,feelinglikeIwasswimmingupstream?Intrueintrovertfashion,Ispenttimeindeepreflectionandcametothefollowingconclusions:

1) Myintentionaroundthisofferinghadshiftedfrombeingrevenuegeneratingtobeingawarenessgenerating.Oneofmyobjectivesinthenextsixmonthsistowritemyfirstbook.Provingthemarketabilityofthatbooktomyself(ortoapublisher)requiresbuildingaplatform.Thatinvolvesacombinationofrevealingandcreatingacommunity–or,asSethGodinreferstoit,atribe–withinmyniche.Andatribeispassion-based,notprofit-based.

2) Thisofferingisavaluablechannelthroughwhichpeoplecanstarttoknow,like,andtrustme.Uptothispoint,mycirclehasbeenprimarilycomprisedofpeoplewhoknowme.Identifyingmyniche(introverts)hasbothfocusedandexpandedthatcircle.Nowtherearehundredsofpeopleconnectedtome,andwearerelativestrangerstooneanother.

3) Formostpeople,timeismorevaluablethanmoney.I’mforevergratefultoTshombeBrownforthisadditionalinsight:Ifyougivemeadollar,you’regoingtogetadollarbackfromsomeone,somewhere.Ifyougivemeanhour,you’renevergettingthathourback.Inthecaseofthisoffering,IwasaskingyouforyourtimeANDmoney,beforeyoucouldknow,likeortrustme.

4) Theentireexperienceclarifiedmyphilosophyonfreevsfee.IrealizedIwascoming

fromaplaceoffear:fearthatifIdidn’tcharge,theofferingwouldn’tbeperceivedasvaluable,orI’dresentthetimeI’dinvested,orI’dnevermakeanymoney.Ontheflipside,therewasfearthatifIdidcharge,noonewouldbuy(inotherwords,IfearedpovertywhetherIchargedornot!).

Thebottomline?The$1.99hillwasnottheoneIwantedtodieon.Andbackagain…Wheredidthatleaveme?Withacleardecision(converttheaudiodownloadstoafreeoffering)andanewapproachtofree.Whatdoesthatmeanforyou?Ifyou’rewrestlingwithdecidingifcertainservicesorproductsshouldbefree,considerthesedifferentapproaches:There’sfear-basedfree…Thisresultsfromnotcompletelytrustingyourselforthevalueofyourservices.Youalsomaybeinfluencedbyyourpeers;ifnooneelseischargingforaparticulartypeofoffering,it’seasiest


togowiththeflow,evenifyouresentit.Thistypeoffreealsocancomefromnotbeingclearaboutwhatyouwant,orbeingafraidtoaskforwhatyouwant.Yourdecisionismostlybasedonfearofrejection,fearofnotbeingaccessibletopeoplewhomightbenefit(you’reassumingtheycan’taffordit),orfearofbringingmoneyintotheequationatall,becausethatmeansyouwillhavetotalkaboutit!There’srealisticfree…Weareoftentooquicktogiveuponourvalue;wethinkwehavetorespondto“Ican’taffordit”byloweringourfeesorgivingitaway.Thosetwoshouldnotbeourdefaultresponses!AndIpersonallydon’tlikeitwhenentrepreneurswhohear“Ican’taffordit”fromsomeonesayorimply“well,iftheyreallywantit,they’llfindthemoney,”or“thatperson’sjustnotreadytoplay‘big’.”

Scarcitythinkingisrealandpowerful.Allofuscangetintoscarcitymode,thinkingthere’snotenoughandwehavenothingtogive,wheninreality,theresourcesAREthereifwelookforthem.Thatsaid,thestatement,“themoney’sjustnotthere”isanabsolutetruthformanypeople.Asawomanrecentlysaidtome,“Ifit’snotcomingin,it’snotgoingout.”Fairenough.Aswithsomanysituationsweencounterasentrepreneurs,thisisanopportunitytobecomecurious.Askafewquestions,beingawareofthefactthatmoneycanbeverytouchyforsome(most?)people.Findoutiftheotherpersonisoperatingfromscarcitythinkingorstone-coldreality.DecideifYOUareoperatingfromscarcityorreality.Here’swhatSethGodinwroteinablogpostaboutittitled“Ican’taffordit.”Thefinalparagraphread:

Oneresponsetorepeatedcriesof"Ican'taffordit"istoloweryourprices.Abetterresponseistotellabetter,moreaccuratestory,andtotellittotherightpeople.Thebestresponseistomakesomethingworthpayingfor.

Hispoint?Iftheysay“Ican’taffordit,”youhaven’tmadeyourcase.Or,it’snotagoodfit,foreitheroneofyou.Orthepersonisn’tquitereadyyet—butwantstobe—butthemoneycan’tgooutifit’strulynotcomingin.

Andthere’sstrategicfree…Whenyou’rebeingstrategic,youacknowledgethatyourtraining,expertise,andexperienceareworthsomething.Youbelievewhatyouhavetoofferisofhighvalue(ifyoudidn’tbelievethat,


whywouldIwanttohireorbuyfromyou?).You’reinbusinessbecauseofpassionANDprofit,togainpersonalANDfinancialfreedom.

Fromthisvantagepoint,youexpectanexchangeofvalueforyourofferings.YoudesireappreciationANDcompensation.It’snotaneither/orsituation;it’sboth/and.Youalsorecognizethatvaluecomesinmultipleforms:money,time,mindshare,referrals,testimonials,bartering,criticalfeedback.

Ifyoudecidetooffersomethingforfree,youprobablyshouldhaveoneoffourmotives:

1) Youfeelsecureinthefactthatbysharingsomethingvaluableforfreeinfrontofyouridealaudience,otherswillwanttolearnmoreaboutyourproductsandservices;

2) Youareofferingclearandintentionalopportunitiesforotherstobegintoknow,likeandtrustyou;

3) Youaregivingitintheserviceofresearchanddevelopment,withanexpectationthatyouwillreceivefeedbackthatwillhelpyouimprovetheproductorservice;or

4) Youaretrulyunattachedtotheinformationandwhatotherswilldowithit.5) BONUS:YouareNOTmotivatedorswayedbypromisesof“exposure”ifyouoffer

somethingforfree.Thatexposurerarelyyieldsresultsthatwouldmatchorexceedanyfeeyouwouldreceive.

Intheend,it’saboutbeingstrategicandintentionalaboutbuildingbothyourbusinessandyourcommunity.You’renotofferingitforfreebecauseyou’reafraidtoaskformoney,orbecauseyoudon’tfullytrustinthebenefitofyouroffering.You’reofferingitbecauseyou’vedecidedtogiveitfreelyandsettheintentionthatotherswillwanttolearnmore.It’sfreebydesign,notbydefault.Remindyourselfasyougenerateyourofferingsthattimeismoney.Byapplyingmyhourlyratetothetimespentcreatingaproposalorinformationproduct,I’veinvestedanywherefrom$600toatleast$3,000inmybusiness.That’sachunkofchange!IfIdecidetogiveitaway,itmeansthatIexpecttogeneratethatmuchormoreinreturnforfutureservicesthatyouandothersmaypurchasefromme.Theworkwouldbeameanstoanend.

AbsoluteBottom-Line:Isyourchoicetogivesomethingawayfear-basedorlove-based?Andthismightsoundharsh,butisyourfree(ordiscounted)offeringcomingfromconfidence,orcowardice?Bestrategic,askforwhatyouwant,andtrustthevalueyouhavetoofferothers.




byBethL.Buelow,PCC



CutfromChapter7

Note:avariationofthisinformationappearsinthechapter,butit’sshortenedandnotfirst-person.Thiswasatthesuggestionofmyagent…onethingthat’sdifferentaboutwritingabusinessbookthanablogoronlinepostisthatit’slessfirst-person,andmoresecond-andthird-person.JustoneofthemanyinterestingthingsIlearnedduringthepublicationprocess!

AccountabilityPartnerships

Forinstance,here’swhatmyaccountabilitypartnerandIhavedoneforthepastseveralyears:wehaveastandingcalleveryMondayandThursdaymorningat9am.Iinitiatethemorningcall.Weshareourprioritiesforthedaythatwewanttobeaccountableforfinishing.Thenweagreeonatimetocheckbackintheafternoon.Mypartnerinitiatestheafternooncall,andwediscusshowthingswent,includinganyobstaclesorwinsweexperiencedduringtheday.OntheMondayafternooncall,wesometimeswillsharewhatwe’llbefocusingonforTuesdayandWednesday.Thisencouragesustothinkaheadandplanforthosedays,sothattheyaremorefocusedandproductive.IfwehavetimeonThursday,wemightdebriefhowthingswentonTuesdayandWednesday,inadditiontooutliningthatday’sgoals.

Ourcallsrangeanywherefrom5to30minutes,dependingonhowmuchwehavegoingonthatday.ThesecallshavehadanaddedbonusthatIdidn’tanticipatewhenwefirststartedourpartnership:aswe’vedevelopedtrustwithoneanotherandlearnedmoreabouteachother’sbusinesses,we’vecometorelyoneachotherforfeedbackandadvice.We’vetalkedabouteverythingfromhowtonavigateachallengingclientsituationtoouranxietyaboutmaking


prospectingcalls.Sincewe’rebothintroverts,wehaveanunderstandingabouthowdifferentlywemightapproachthingsthansomeonewho’snotanintrovert.

Here’sanexample:webothdislikefollowingupwithpeopleonthephone,sowetalkthroughitwithoneanotherandcomeupwithopeningsentencesorquestionsthatwillhelpusfeelmoreatease.Wealsogiveoneanotherencouragementandsupport.There’sageneralsensethatneitherofusisalone.Andwecanremindeachotherofprevioussuccesses…aswellasreflectbackadviceoneofushasgiventheotherwhentheshoewasontheotherfoot!

Thebenefitswe’veexperiencedaremany:Structure–therearecertainbusinesstasksandideasthatnooneknowsaboutbutme,sotheycancontinuetoberecycledontheto-dolist.HavingregularaccountabilitycallsgivesmeastructureanddeadlinesforthoseprojectssoIcanmoveforwardinsteadofspinningandthinking,“well,nobodyknowsaboutit,soitdoesn’thavetohappentoday…"Feedback–ArdenknowsalmostasmuchaboutmybusinessasIdo,andviceversa.Weoftenprovidesolicitedfeedbackaboutwhatwenoticeabouttheotherperson’sprioritiesandstrategies.Wetrytomeetinpersonquarterlyforplanning,andbesidesgoalsettingandvisioning,eachofuswillsharewhatweseetheotherpersondoingreallywell,notdoingenoughof,ordoingtoomuchof.Problemsolving–whetherit’snegotiatingwithanewclient,makingaprospectingcall,ordealingwithastickysituation,weareasoundingboardforeachotherandcanofferdirect,informedadvicebasedonourintimateknowledgeofoneanother’spersonality,businessandgoals.Learnaboutworkhabits–we’vebothlearnedeverythingtakeslongerthanwethinkitwill.Thishasimprovedourabilitytocreatedailyagendasthataremoreproductiveandrealistic,sothatwehaveafeelingofaccomplishment–insteadofoverwhelm–attheendofeachday.AcknowledgmentandEncouragement–becausewe’vebeentogetherforseveralyears,wecanseethelongarcofourprogressandremindeachotherofhowwellwe’redoing,especiallywhenoneofusgetsdiscouragedorlosesfocus.Wecelebrateourwinstogetherandgrieveourlosses.Itallhelpstokeepthingsinperspectiveandfocusedonthebigpicture.


Focus–toprepforeachcall,we’reeachcommittedtotakingtimetothinkaboutwhat’smostimportanttoaccomplishthatday.Motivation–knowingI’llbetalkingtoArdenlaterintheday,Ihavemoremotivationtocompletemytasksinsteadofstretchingthemoutovertoolong.ThisisespeciallyimportantonthedayswhenIhavenoappointmentsandjusttimeintheoffice.Bigblocksoftimeseemlikeagreatthing,butcanoftenbecomeblackholesforproductivity.Connection–bothofusareintrovertsandsolopreneurs,andthere’sarealriskofisolationonaday-to-daybasis.Notonlydoourcallsconnectus,butweshareprofessionaleventswe’regoingtoandwilloftenbenetworkingpartners.Thatencourageseachofustobreakoutofourbubbleandgetoutintheworldmoreintentionally.




byBethL.Buelow,PCC



CutfromChapter8:

AreyouaFoxoraHedgehog?

Sometimeswe’retemptedtogrowforgrowth’ssake.We’rebored,we’rerestless,we’redriventodomore,more,more.Isthatreallyagoodreasontoaddmorefueltotheentrepreneurialfires?

I’vefoundametaphorpresentedin“GoodtoGreat”(JimCollins,2001)tobehelpfulinthinkingthisthrough(it’salsochangedthewayIseeotherbusinesses,sometimesfeedingpredictionsaboutacompany’snewstrategy).Thestoryisaboutthefoxandthehedgehog.Thefoxisquickandcunning,movingfromplacetoplacewithseeminglylittleforesight.Thehedgehog,incontrast,isslowandpokey,“mindinghisownbusiness.”Thehedgehogconsistentlyoutsmartsthefox,becausewhilethefoxhasallsortsoftricksupitssleeve,thehedgehogdoesonethingverywell:itrollsupintoapricklyballanddaresthefoxtotouchit.

Collinshastakenthisstoryandexpandeditintoaprinciplethatseparatesgoodcompaniesfromgreatcompanies.Thehedgehogcompanieswerefocused;thefoxycompanieswerescattered.

Outofthiscame“TheHedgehogConcept.”Thisisaunifyingconceptthatisdefinedbytheanswerstothreekeyquestions(whichresultinthreeoverlappingcircles,likeaVenndiagram;seeendofdocumentforimage):

Whatcanyoubethebestintheworldat?

Whatareyoudeeplypassionateabout?

Whatdrivesyoureconomicengine?


Thesequestions,andthisconcept,arenotonlyapplicabletolargercompanieswithmillionsatstake;theyarealsorelevanttothesolopreneurwhoisaskingcriticalquestions,suchas“What’smyniche?”and“Isthisagooddirectiontogrowin?”

Determininganiche–oratargetmarket,idealcustomerorthecenterofyourbrandbull’s-eye–isoneofthemostimportantthingsanentrepreneurcandotobreakawayfromthegoodpackandentertherealmofgreat.

Withoutaniche,yourbusinessislikethefoxinourstory:chasingafterbrightshinyobjectsthatsometimesturnintopricklymesses.

Withaniche,you’reoperatinglikeahedgehog:sharp,focusedandstickingtothat“onebigthing”thatyoudobest.

InadditiontotheHedgehogConceptbeingapplicabletofindingone’sniche,itspromiseisgoodnewsfortheIntrovertEntrepreneur.DiscoveringandimplementingyourHedgehogConceptrequiresdepthoverbreadth.Itcomesoutofreflection,curiosity,debateandcommitment.StickingtoyourHedgehogConceptmeansyouareabletofilteroutandremovethebrightshinyobjectsandfocusonwhatyoudobest.Alloftheserequirementstapintonaturalintrovertstrengths.Wecancutthroughthenoiseandgodeep.

Here’stheHedgehogConceptinanutshellandhowyoucanapplyittoyourbusiness.

Whatcanyoubethebestintheworldat?

Thisissomethingyoufeelinyourbones.It’sdiscernedbylookingcloselyatyourstrengths,anddeterminingwhatyouCANdo,notwhatyouSHOULDdo.Being“goodenough”tomakemoneyorattractclientsisn’tgoingtogetyouthere.Lookatwhatyoucanpotentiallybeordobetterthananyoneelse.Avoidthe“curseofcompetence”;justbecauseyoucandosomethingdoesn’tmeanyoushould.Embracewhatyoufeelborntodoandchannelyourenergytowardsmakingitthebestitcanbe.

Whatyouaredeeplypassionateabout?

Thisdoesn’tmean,“Ilikeit”or“It’sOK”or“Icouldlivewithit.”Thisis“I’monfireaboutit!”It’saboutwhatyou’regoingtobeeating,sleepingandbreathing…writingabout,speakingabout,facilitating,becomingago-toexpert.AnimportantpointCollins’raisesis“Thisdoesn’tmean,however,thatyouhavetobepassionateaboutthemechanicsofthebusinessperse…Thepassioncirclecanbefocusedequallyonwhatthecompanystandsfor.”Imaynotbepassionateaboutthelogisticsofclientschedulingandtracking…butIampassionateaboutwhatitsupports:introvertslivingempowered,authenticlives.


Whatdrivesyoureconomicengine?

ForthecompaniesstudiedinGoodtoGreat,thisusuallyboileddowntoone“economicdenominator.”Fortheentrepreneur,ittranslatesas“profitperX”or“cashflowperX.”Thequestiontoaskis“Ifyoucouldpickoneandonlyoneratiotosystematicallyincreaseovertime,whatXwouldhavethegreatestandmostsustainableimpactonyoureconomicengine?”Noticethatword“sustainable.”Thisisnotaboutfastcashorquickprofit.Andit’snotaboutgrowthforgrowth’ssake.Identifyyourbread-and-butter,orthe“handthatfeedsyou,”andmakeitassustainableandsolidaspossible.

YourHedgehogConceptliesattheintersectionofthesethreecirclesandistheideathatfulfillseachofthesecriterion.Whenthisfilterisapplied,yourmodelisbasedonadeep-seatedknowingofwhat’spossibleandsustainable,ratherthanwhatwillfeedyourego(andweallhaveegos!).LivingyourHedgehogConceptisalong-termcommitment.RevealingyourConceptisaprocess,notato-dolistorone-timeevent.Itwilltaketimeinreflectionanddeepconversation.Luckyforusintroverts,welovetodoboth.

Imagesource:http://primarygoals.com/teams/diagrams/hedgehog-concept/




byBethL.Buelow,PCC



CutfromChapter9:

TheOther“F”Word

Fearisn’ttheonly“f”wordthatentrepreneursoftenavoidtalkingabout;failureisanotherthatisshunnedlikefruitcakeatChristmas.It’soneofthebiggest(ifnotTHEbiggest)reasonpeopledon’tfollowtheirdreams.Theysaytheyhavea“fearoffailure,”andallthatentails–embarrassment,being“wrong,”havingtoregroup,restartandre-energizethemselveswhentheonlythingtheywanttodoisslinkoffintoacaveforafewyearsuntileveryoneforgetsaboutthefailure.

Theextravulnerabilityfortheintrovertentrepreneuristhatbystartingourownbusiness,wearemakingtheinternal,external.It’snotthatextrovertsaren’tdoingthesamething,butit’smuchmorelikelythatthey’vespendtimeprocessingtheirideaswithotherpeopleandmakingthempublic.That’sstillvulnerable,butitcomesmorenaturallytotheextrovert.

Formostofusintroverts,we’llcarryaroundanideainourheartsandmindsforalongtimebeforeweevenalludetoitwithsomeonewetrust.Itdoesn’tmatterhowconfidentorpositivewefeelaboutourselvesorouridea.We’remorecomfortableteasingapartandputtingbacktogetherthethoughtsinourheadsandonlysharingoncethey–andwe–feel“ready.”Whenthatiswillbedifferentforeachperson.Wejustknowthatonceweexternalizeourthoughts,theytakeonalifeoftheirownandbecomesubjecttotheunpredictabilityofthepeoplewhoknowaboutthem.

Thingsfeelsafeaslongasweholdthemclose.Bringingourdreamsandvisionoutintotheopenchallengesthatsafety,andtherefore,itchallengesus.


Butunlessyou’resomehowabletokeepyourbusinesscompletelytoyourselfuntilafinishedproductisproduced(andIcan’tthinkofanytypeofbusinessthatcandothatandbringsomethingviabletomarket),you’regoingtohavetotellsomeoneaboutiteventually.Thatrequiresembracingnotonlythefearwetalkedaboutearlier,butalsotheopportunityforfailure.

Yes,Isaidopportunity.It’snoteasytobelieve,andoftenwedon’twanttobelieve,butfailureisanopportunity.You’veheardthisbefore,maybeevenasachildworkingonaschoolprojectortryingoutforasportsteam.“It’snotwhetheryouwinorlose,it’showyouplaythegame.”We’retaughtthatfailureispartoflife,atleastwhenitcomestotakingsmallrisksthatdon’thavelife-changingconsequences(notgettingpickedforvarsityinhighschoolfeltlife-changing,butweknownowthatitwasjustablipontheradar).ThankstotheApollo13spacemission,“failureisnotanoption”hasalsoenteredourcollectiveconsciousness.ThosewordsweremanufacturedbyscriptwritersbasedoninterviewswithGeneKranz,theApollo13missioncontroldirector.AndIwillgrantyou,inalife-and-deathsituation,failureisdefinitelytobeavoidedatallcosts.

Theunfortunatethingisthat–atleastinpublic–manyentrepreneursembrace“failureisnotanoption”morethantheylivebythebeliefthatfailureisnotonlyanoption,butanopportunity.

Ithinkwhatallentrepreneursneed,introvertsornot,istobeabletosay,“Iscrewedup.”IappreciatethewisdomofDaleCarnegieonthissubject.Hewrote,“Ifyoumakeamistake,admititquicklyandemphatically.”WhatI’daddtothatis“andmoveon.”Hisprimaryintentionwastoencouragepeopletoadmitmistakesincommunicationorrelationshipssothatnegativefeelingsdon’tfesterandleadtodysfunction.Ithinkthestatementisjustasapplicabletoourbusinessesandhowwesharewithothers.

Icanguesswhatyou’rethinking:“Whatabouthavinga‘gameface’?”or“Ican’tappearvulnerable.IfpeopleknowI’mscaredorfailinginsomeway,theywon’tbuy/hire/investinmybusiness!”

Thetruthisthatwithoutfailure,therewillbenosuccess.Therewillbenolessonslearned,nofeedback,nonewinformationthattellsuswhat’sworkingandwhat’snot.It’sbeensaidmanytimes:ifwearen’tfailing,we’renottakingrisks.We’renotgrowing.Chancesare,we’replayingitsafe.Forintroverts,thatoftenmeansthatwe’rekeepingourbigideasinside.

Personally,Iwouldn’twanttogettooinvolvedwithabusinessthathadn’texperiencedsomefailures.Itwouldbetoorisky(ironic,yes?).Withoutknowinghowthebusinesswouldrespondwhensomethinginevitablywentwrong,it’sagambletoinvestanytime,moneyorenergyinit.


Youraverageclientorcustomermightnotbeawareofthis;however,justasyoucanfeelnegativeenergywithoutanyoneshoutingorbeingovertlyangry,youcansensewhensomeoneisholdingbackorlettingfeardictatethemood.

It’simportantthatweintrovertshonorourneedtoallowideastogestateadequatelybeforewebirththem.Thetrickisnotlettingthemsitfortoolong.Otherwise,wemightjustthinkourselvesrightoutofagoodidea!

Sohowcanwefeelthefearanddoitanyway,“it”oftenbeingriskingfailure?Ithinkthekeyisinreframinghowwethinkaboutfailureandactuallyacceleratingtherateatwhichwefail.Thefasterwefail,thefasterwesucceed.

ReframingFailure

“Ihavenotfailed.I’vejustfound10,000waysthatwon’twork.”ThesewordsbyThomasEdisonremindusthatfailureisanecessarystopontheroadtosuccess.Wemightknowthisinourheads,butdowefeelitinourhearts?DowerememberitwhenfailureisarealityforUS,notjustTHEM?

Entrepreneurscanbeespeciallyvulnerabletotheconsequencesoffailure;afterall,wesinkorswimseeminglybyourowndoing.ButasintrovertsEdison,SteveJobs,AlbertEinsteinandothervisionarieshavetoldus,failuresaren’twhatstopus.Whatstopsusisnotpickingourselvesupagainwhenwefall.

Ofcourse,wecanplayitsafeandmakesureweneverfall.Colorinsidethelines,playbytherules,followtheinstructionstotheletter.

Theproblemisthatbuildingabusinessdoesn’tcomewithasingle,clear-cutinstructionmanual.

Aswithfear,it’scriticalthatweshiftourrelationshipwithfailureanditsfallout.We’regoingtotakealookatthepowerofhavingnoregrets,leapingbeforeyoulookandacceleratingyourrateoffailure.We’llexplorewaysyoucanreframefailuresothatit’sawelcome–andeveninvited–eventinyourbusiness.Bythetimewe’redone,you’llbeeagerlylookingforyournextopportunitytofail,andfailBIG!


IwanttostartwithaquotethatresonatesdeeplywithmewhenIthinkaboutfailure:

Wemustbewillingtoletgoofthelifewehaveplanned,soastoacceptthelifethatiswaitingforus.~JosephCampbell

Hedoesn’tusethewordfailureorsuccess,butCampbellisspeakingdirectlytotheheartofwhatbringstheideaoffailureintoourlives:attachment.

Beforeshiningthelightontheattachmentissuesweallexperiencearoundourbusinessandourideas,let’slookathowfailureshowsupinourentrepreneurialandprofessionaljourney.

It’shavinganideathatdoesn’tworkoutthewaywethoughtitwould.

It’slosingaclientorcustomertothecompetition.

It’sgivingapresentationormakingapitchthatseemstofallondeafears.

It’snotmakingourrevenuegoalsforthemonthoryear.

It’shavingtocloseupshoporstartalloveragain.

It’shavingtotellsomeonewerespectandcareabout,“Iscrewedup.”

Andwhatdoalloftheseopportunitiesforfailurebringup?Fear.Fearthatwe’llnothaveenoughorbegoodenoughtobesuccessful,howeveryoudefinesuccess.

Aswithmostthingsinlife,there’sgoodandbadnewsaboutthepresenceandroleoffailureinourbusiness.

First,considerthebadnews.Thebadnewsisthatfailureisanundeniable,unavoidablepartoflife.Wearegoingtomessup.Wearenotgoingtomeetourownhighstandardsorexpectations.Wearen’tgoingtomeetsomeoneelse’shighstandardsorexpectations.We’regoingtoembarrassourselves,feelrejectedanduselessandgenerallybedeeplyintouchwithourflawedhumanity.

Inshort,failurestinks.

Thegoodnewsisthatthere’sabigdifferencebetweenexperiencingfailureandbeingafailure.Justbecausesomethingdoesn’tgorightdoesn’tmeanthatweareinherentlydesignedanddestinedtofail.Butwecanoftenmakethatleapinourdarkestmoments,especiallyasintrovertentrepreneurs,becausewearesoconnectedtoourbusinesses.Wethinkthatif


someonedoesn’twantourserviceorproduct,theydon’twantUS.Orthatifsomeonedecidesnottoworkwithus,thatwe’renotagoodcoach,orconsultant,ormassagetherapist,orartist,orwriter,orwhateveritisthatyouareinsanelygiftedatbeing.

//

Thebottomlineisthatmakingmistakesisnotonlyokay,it’sessential.I’veknownthisintellectually,yettrustingenoughinmyhearttoletmistakeshappen…thattrustisjuststartingtohappen.

“Thegreatestmistakeyoucanmakeinlifeistobecontinuallyfearingyouwillmakeone.”~ElbertHubbard

Abouttwoyearsago,Iwasconsultingwithmyimprovcolleagueabouthowtoincreaseplayandengagementinmyworkshops.OurconversationwasfocusedonmyLivingYourVision®offering;however,wecouldn’ttalkaboutplaywithouttalkingaboutmyfearofit.Myfearofbeingpubliclyvulnerable,lookingridiculous,freezingupandsinkingintoaholeintheearthwhenIgoofed.Hisadviceonthisfearwassimple:MAKEMOREMISTAKES.Takemorerisks.Trustotherstoacceptandhavecompassionformymistakes,asIdofortheirs.

ThesamemessagepoppedupafewdayslaterwhenIattendedaneventfeaturingEricLiu,authorofImaginationFirst.Hearinghimspeakwaslikedéjàvualloveragain.Heofferedthatvulnerabilityisessentialtoimaginationandcreativity.Bybeingopentomistakes,we“createpermissionforpossibility.”

SomeoneintheaudienceaskedLiu,“Whatdoyoudowhenyou’rebeingstretchedbeyondwhatfeelscomfortable?”Hisadvice:Decidetoembracethediscomfortanddouble-downintoit–throwyourselfintotheexerciseandbewillingtofailspectacularly.Afterall,what’stheworstthatcanhappen?

Myimprovfriend,Leif,hastaughtmeandothersthatwhenwemessup,toextendourarms,takeabigbow,andexclaim,“Thankyouverymuch!”It’swhatclownsdointhecircuswhentheytrip,fallorotherwisegoofup.Claimit,don’tshameit!Don’tshrinkbackorfallintoaself-createdshame-shapedhole.Don’tletothersdefinewhat’spossibleforyou.Acknowledgethefear,decidetomovethroughit,releasethedesireforperfectionandcertainty,andallowtheexperiencetogiveyounewinformation.

Ilovethisquotefromthatgreatphilosopher,anonymous:Neversay,“oops.”Alwayssay,“Ah,interesting.”


Goingfrom“oops”to“interesting”requiresthatwereframefailuresothatit’sawelcomeopportunity.

IcansumuphowI’vebeenabletoreframefailureinonesimplephrase:Iamopentooutcome,notattached.

Readthatagain:Iamopentooutcome,notattached.

Ifyouwantto“avoidfailure,”don’tgettooattachedtohowsomethingisgoingtoturnout.Ifyoucanreleaseattachmenttotheoutcome,youareessentiallyremovingthe“success”and“failure”labelsandreceivinginsteadinformationandlessons.Notonlyshouldyoureleasethelabels,youshouldcelebrateandacknowledgeboththefailuresandsuccesses,especiallythe“failures,”becausetheyaresignsyou’retakingrisks,learningsomethingnewandmovingclosertowardsfulfillmentofyourgoals.Thatadviceto“beopentooutcome,notattached”ispowerfulandnotnecessarilyeasy.Well-meaningadvicetellsus:haveaplan...worktheplan...staythecourse.Andthere'satimeandplaceforaplan.Justlikethere'satimeandplacetotakeamatchandturnthatplantoash.I’vefoundthatintrovertsoftenfindcomfortinhavingaclearplan,eveniftheyconsiderthemselvesateasewithspontaneity.Afterall,havingaplanisawayofhavingcontroloverthingsthatweoftenfeeloverwhelmedby,suchasopeningyourbusiness,launchinganewserviceorproduct,hiringyourfirstemployee,makingnewprospectingcalls.OurwishisthatA+B+C,andta-da!,youreachD!Theplanningprocesscangiveustheneededstructuretobegin.Whathappens,though,whenwe'renotmeanttostopatD?OrifweneedtodoEorFbeforeDevenbecomespossible?Ifwemovelock-stepthroughourplan,nosetothegrindstone,eyesontheprize,chancesarewe'llmissatleastone-ifnotdozens-ofopportunitiestostretchintoanewpossibility.Beingattachedtocertainoutcomesisdifferentfromwantingtoachieveagoal.Beingattachedmeansthatwewantnothingless,moreordifferentthanourdesiredoutcome.Weperceiveanythingelseas,youguessedit,afailure.Beingopentooutcomes,however,meansthatwehaveagoalinmindwhilebeingopentotheunpredictabilityofthejourneyandhowwegetthere.Wearemoreinlinewithourintention(howwewanttofeel)thanthefinished"product."


AtdifferenttimesI'vefoundmyselfclutchingtightlytoideasaboutwhatmylife"should"looklikeandwhatmypath"should"be.IthinkI“should”bemoreoutgoingorvocalwhenIgetintopublicsituations.IevengettangledupinwhatotherpeoplewillthinkifIdeviatefromwhatIperceivetheyexpect(and/oraccept?)ofme.I’vebeeninandoutofthatplaceofattachmentmanytimesoverthepastfewyears–heck,thatvacillationcanhappeneveryfewdays!Isometimesdon’tevenrealizeI’mattacheduntilsomethingdoesn’tgothewayIwanteditto,andthenIfeelanunexpectedpainandsenseoflossthatcatchesmebysurprise.It’sonlythenthatIrecognizethatIhadsetmysightsonsomethingandjudgedacertainoutcomeasgood,anotherasafailure.I'vegraduallyloosenedmygripandallowedsomeairandlighttoenterintomythinking.AndasI'vereleased,I'veletgooftension...attachment...limitingbeliefs.I'vemaderoomfornewpossibilities.IamacceptingthatthelifewaitingformejustmightbebiggerandbrighterthanIevercouldhavemeticulouslyplannedformyself.

Thinkaboutthis:theONLYwaytofailistogiveupandnotlearnanythingfromyourexperience.Andthat’snotinyourDNA,notifyou’vechosenanentrepreneurialpath.Youhaveinvitedriskintoyourlife.Youunderstandthatnoteverythingisgoingtoworkoutperfectly.Andyoutrustthatwhateverhappens,youcanhandleit.Theonlythingyoucandoisgetoutthereandgetyourhandsdirty.Messup.Accelerateyourrateoffailure.AsRayBradburysays,“jumpoffthecliffandbuildyourwingsonthewaydown.”

Supplemental Materials


Presentation/PieceTitle:

Audience:

Location/Environment/Length:

Intention:InspireMotivatetoactionInformInfluencePersuade

Objective:Whatisthebottom-line,coremessageIwantpeopletounderstandorremember?Whatisthecurrentreality?Whatistheaspiration?

OpeningLines:

ContentKeyPoints:1.

2.

3.

4.

Presentation/ContentPlanningWorksheet

ApplyingtheSUCCESsPrinciples(Adaptedfrom“MadetoStick”byChip&DanHeath)1. Simple(Aconfusedmindalwayssays“no.”):Findthecore,thesinglemostimportantthingforpeopletoremember.Use

soundbites,visualsormetaphors.Thinkintweetablecomments–140charactersorless

2. Unexpected:Gettheirattentionwithasurprise(fact,idea,image),holdtheirattentionwithinterest(createamystery,

exposeaknowledgegap,revealonepieceofinfoatatime)

3. Concrete:Helppeopleunderstandandrememberusingconcretedetails(fables,context,associations,commonground).

Scalecompareandcontrastexamplestoberelatableinscope(forexample,wecangraspwhat20ofsomethinglookslike;wecan’tquicklygraspwhat20millionwouldlooklike)

4. Credible:Usereliablesources,makestatisticsaccessible/relatable

5. Emotional:Makepeoplecarebyappealingtoself-interestandidentity

6. Stories:Usestoriesassimulationandinspiration.Lookforstoriesthatinvolveatleastoneofthreeelements:challenge,

connectionorcreativity

SummaryofKeyPoints(TheBottomLine):

CalltoAction:

ClosingLines:

Presentation/ContentPlanningWorksheetCreatedBy:BethL.Buelow,Founder,TheIntrovertEntrepreneurwww.TheIntrovertEntrepreneur.com,©2014-16

©2013-16BethL.Buelow,PCC,TheIntrovertEntrepreneur

LEADERSHIPRESOURCESFORENTREPRENEURS

Theseresourcesareapplicabletopersonal,professional,andentrepreneurialleadership.It’sbynomeansanexhaustivelist;theintentionisthatitwillsupportyourcontinueddiscoveryofnewandinspiringresources.

Podcasts:

CoachingforLeaders,DaveStachowiak:http://coachingforleaders.com/podcast/

TheBossShow,JimHesslerandSteveMotenko:http://thebossshow.com/

OfftheCharts,NathalieLussier:http://nathalielussier.com/off-charts-podcast

StanfordEntrepreneurialThoughtLeadersSeries:http://ecorner.stanford.edu/podcasts.htmlLeadingEffectively,CenterforCreativeLeadership:http://www.ccl.org/Leadership/podcast/listing.aspxOfficeHours,DanPink:http://www.danpink.com/office-hours/

Websites/Organizations:

CenterforCreativeLeadership:http://www.ccl.org/Leadership/index.aspx

TheLeadershipChallenge:http://www.leadershipchallenge.com/leaders-section-articles-stories.aspx

AmericanLeadershipForum:http://www.alfnational.org/(myintrovertedhusbandparticipatedinthisprograminTacoma,WA,andhadafabulousexperience)

TheNewYorkTimesinLeadership:http://nytimesinleadership.com/


Books:

Youcanaccessalistofmyfavoriteleadershipbooksonmywebsite:http://theintrovertentrepreneur.com/resources/store/(clickon“MyFavoriteLeadershipBooks”)“25ofthebestleadershipandsuccessbookstoreadinyourlifetime,accordingtoAmazon”fromBusinessInsider:http://www.businessinsider.com/amazons-top-25-leadership-and-success-books-2016-2

Top10LeadershipBooksof2015:http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/top-10-leadership-books-of-2015.html

LeadershipQuotes:

The100BestLeadershipQuotesofAllTime,Inc.com:http://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/the-100-best-leadership-quotes-of-all-time.html

38oftheMostInspirationalLeadershipQuotes,Entrepreneur.com:https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/244674

100BestQuotesOnLeadership,Forbes.com:http://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinkruse/2012/10/16/quotes-on-leadership/


LEGALRESOURCESFORENTREPRENEURS

Herearesomeselectedresourcesthatprovideinformationaboutthelegalconsiderationsofformingaformalbusinesspartnershiporrelationship.

Note:Inclusionofaresourceinthisdocumentdoesnotimplyendorsementorlegaladvice.Thisdocumentisforeducationalandinformationalpurposesonlyandshouldnottaketheplaceofseekingouttheadviceofanattorney.Notethedateofeachsource,sincelawsmayhavechangedsincetheinformationwaswritten.

FromEntrepreneur.com’sSmallBusinessEncyclopediaarticleon“Partnership”:

Partnership:Alegalformofbusinessoperationbetweentwoormoreindividualswhosharemanagementandprofits.Thefederalgovernmentrecognizesseveraltypesofpartnerships.Thetwomostcommonaregeneralandlimitedpartnerships.

Fullarticle:https://www.entrepreneur.com/encyclopedia/partnership

“EverythingYouNeedtoKnowAboutBusinessPartnerships”

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/244632

PartnershipArticlefromInvestopedia.com

http://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/partnership.asp

Internet-BasedBusinesses


http://www.hawthornlaw.net/an-overview-of-business-entities-that-every-internet-entrepreneur-must-be-aware-of-part-1/

“NotStartingOffwiththeRightBusinessType-LegalIssuesforEntrepreneurs”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/aj-agrawal/not-starting-off-with-the_b_9276390.html

LegalResourcesfrom“FromAtoZ:200EssentialResourcesforEntrepreneursBuildingaBusiness,”https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/247505

StartupDocuments-“generatesandstoreslegaldocumentsforearlystagecompanies”

Orick’sLegalDocumentsforStartups-containscontractsandotherlegaldocumentsthathavebeencuratedbyanonlinecommunity.

LegalZoom-legalsolutionsforstartingandrunningabusiness.

Nolo-sharelegalformsandconnectsyoutoalawyerifneeded.

PandaDoc-eSignyourimportantdocs.Knowexactlywhenandwhattheyarelookingat.

LegalResourceGuideforStart-upEntrepreneurs

https://www.fenwick.com/publications/Pages/Legal-Resource-Guide-For-Startup-Entrepreneurs.aspx


FromChapter5of“TheIntrovertEntrepreneur”:

Hereareafewexamplesofcontentthatyoucouldbedeliveringonbehalfofyourmessage.Don’tsimplypullouttheobviousanddismissthemoreunusualchoices;consideronebyonehoweachstrategycouldsupportcreativelyreachingyourprospectsandclients.Consideralsowhichideasenergizeyouandwhichfeellikethey’regoingtodrawdownyourresources.(Thislistispresentedinnoparticularorder.)

1. Books:writingandpublishing(selfortraditional)abookisanessentialelementofyourbusinessifyouhaveadesiretobepaidtospeakorbepresentedbyothersforconferences,workshops,andotherprofessionalgatherings.

2. eBooks:inexpensivetoproduceanddistribute,youcancreateaneBookbasedonblogposts,nichedcontentthat’spresentedasasingleorseriesofbooks,orexpandedcontentonathemeyou’vewrittenalotabout.

3. eCourses:usingaudio,videoand/ortexttoleadyourclientsthroughaspecifictopicoveraperiodoftime(daysorweeks).Couldbereal-timeorself-directed.

4. SpecialReports/WhitePapers/CaseStudies:shortdocumentsthatpresentaproblemandoffersolutionstohelppeoplemakedecisions.Theyoftenmakethecase,directlyorindirectly,thatyourservicesarethesolution.

5. Home-StudyCourses:self-directedcontentforyourclientsthatallowsthemtouseonlineresourcestoworkattheirownpace.

6. Retreats:facilitatedexperiencesthataregenerallyheldoverafewdaysatan“off-site”location,focusedondeliveringinformationinahighlypersonalized,experientialmanner.Youcouldalsocreateavirtualretreat

7. SpecialtyNewsletters/eZines:newsletters(email,orprintifthat’sappropriateforyouraudience)thatfocusonaverynarrowtopicforatargetedaudience.Forexample,your


broadnichemaybehealthcareprofessionals,andyouproduceanewslettereverymonthespeciallyforregisterednurses,anotherforhospiceworkersandanotherforoccupationaltherapists.

8. Teleclasses:contentdeliveredoverabridgelinetoparticipantsseekinginformationinaverylowcommitment,efficientformat.Canbelecturestyleorinteractive,oracombination.Recordingsareoftenmadeavailabletoregistrantsfordownloadaftertheclass.

9. InterviewswithExperts:findexpertsinyourfieldorexpertsinyournicheandinterviewthemforablog,vlog,radioshow,podcast,orarticle.

10. LinkedIn,Twitter,orFacebookStatusUpdateSeries:setupaseriesoftips,quotesorquestionsthathaveacommontheme.Posttheminapremeditatedseriesthatpullsthereaderfromoneposttothenext,encouragesinteraction/response,andiseasilyshared/retweeted.

11. YourTopic101Series:developacontentseriesofverybasicinformationforyourniche.Deliverviateleclass,articles,blog,etc.Remember:basicsaregood.Noteveryoneknowswhatyouknow,andiftheyknowit,theyusuallyappreciatenewperspectivesonoldinformation!

12. Workbooks:combinationofauthor-createdcontentandspaceforthereadertoprocessthecontent.Itbecomesalivingdocumentforthereaderthattakesthemthroughanideaforeasierimplementation.

13. Speaking:everydaybringsopportunitiesforpublicspeaking.Seekoutchancestospeaktoalocalserviceclub(Rotary,Kiwanis,etc),localprofessionalassociations,hostyourowneventthroughMeetup,joinToastmasters.Develop3-4strongtopics,createaspeakersheet,andstartintegratingthefactthatyou’reaspeakerintoyourcontentandmarketingmessages.

14. Workshops/Seminars:between1-6hoursinlength,thesearein-personofferingsthatbringtogetheryourcurrentandprospectiveclientsforaspecifictopic.Theformatcanbeacombinationoflecture,discussion,smallandlargegroupexercises,andindividualwork/processing.

15. Radioshows:somelocalstationsoffershowtimeslotstohostsforafee.Aneasierrouteistoseekouthostswhoselistenersareinyournicheandseeifyoucanbeanon-airguest.Note:someshowschargetheirguestsforbeinginterviewed.


16. InternetRadio:UsingBlogTalkRadioorotheronlineformat,produceashowthatairsataspecifictimeandisavailablefordownload.Youhavecompletecontroloveryourshow.Thesecanberevenue-generatingifyouseeksponsorships,haveadvertisersorchargegueststobepartoftheshow.

17. Podcasts:shortaudiofiles(usually10-40minutes)thatfocusonaparticulartopic.Thelistenercanlistenanddownloadforfreeonanynumberofplatforms,includingiTunes,Stitcher,orthepodcasthost’swebsite.

18. Blogs:shortonlinepostings,posteddailyorweekly,thataregenerallymorecasualandpersonalinnaturethananarticle.Blogsareaneffectivewaytocommentonwhat’shappeninginthenewsandtieitbacktoyourbusiness/audience.Easilysharedandcommentedon.

19. TipSheets/Booklets:simple,bulletedlistsofsolutions,ideasandtipstosolveaparticularproblemforyourtargetmarket.Canbeprintedorelectronic;someusethemasgiveawaysateventsorworkshops,oroffercustomizedversionssothatotherscanpurchasethemfromyouandusethemasgiveawaysfortheiraudience.

20. Vlog:abloginvideoformat.Veryshort,nomorethan5minutes.It’simportantthatproductionqualityisacceptable(clearvisuals,nodistractions,goodsound).Itdoesn’thavetobeslick,fancy,orperfect.Butdotakecarethatit’sprofessional.

21. Webinars:deliveringcontent(audio,stillsandvideo)throughanonlinewebinarplatformtoyourparticipants.Takesplaceinreal-timeandcanbehighlyinteractiveandmulti-mediarich.Youcanalsorecordthewebinarandmakeitavailabletoyournewslettersubscribers,clients,prospectsorotherselectedaudiences.


Creatingconsistent,highqualitycontentcantaxeventhemostcreativepeople.Ifyou’relookingforinspiration,hereareafeweverydayresourcesthatwillhelpyoubecomeanideafactory:

1. ClientsandCustomers:youarewitnesseverydaytostories,breakthroughs,insights,andinteractionsthatgiveanintimateviewofyourwork.Usestoriesdirectlywithpermissionand/orcredit,ordrawontheirexperiencesforinspirationbysharinganonymouslywithidentifyingcharacteristicsaltered.

2. Newsstories/Headlines:usecurrenteventsasahookintoyourspecificmessage;behonestthough;“baitandswitch”tacticsareannoyingandarelikelytocausesomeonetomistrustyouandyourcontent.

3. Quotes:lookforinspirationamongyourfavoritequotes,plusonesthatareprovocative,applytoacurrenteventorofferastarklycontrastingopinionorperspectivetoyours.IlovebrowsingquotesonGoodreads,sincetheytendgobeyondthetypicalquoteseveryonehearsallthetime.https://www.goodreads.com/quotes

4. LessonsLearned:yourownlessonsand/orthoseofothersinyourfieldoramongyourclients

5. Responsetosomeoneelse’sblog,book,quote:youcandoareview,postanopposingopinionoralternativeyetagreeableperspective.Hint:onewaytobuildreadershipandawarenessofyourownmaterialistocommentonothers’.Intheprocess,youlearnwhatotherpeoplearewriting,canseehowpeopleareresponding,andbegintoestablishyourselfasaknowledgeable,thoughtfulresource.Besureyouareaddingtothediscussionandnotbeingblatantlyself-promotional;remember,you’reontheirturf!

6. Holidays/Anniversaries:Checkinwithhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Holidays/Calendar-forinstance,didyouknowMay4isStarWarsDay,andMay6is“NoPants”day?Thinkofthepossibilities!


7. Personalexperience:Drawonexperiencesinyourpersonal,notjustprofessional,life.Sharingastorywithheartandinsightconnectswithpeopleinameaningful,memorableway.Insomecases,youareaskingpeopletotrustyouwiththeirstoriesandlives,soitmakessensetosharepiecesofyourselfwiththem.

8. GoogleHotTrends:signuptoreceivehourlye-mailsonthemostsearched-fortermsonGoogle.Thiskeepsyouup-to-datewiththe“latestandgreatest”andifyoucanmakeacompellingandappropriatetie-intoyourcontent,youmightincreaseyourabilitytobefoundbythesearchengines.http://www.google.com/trends/hottrends

9. TwitterandFacebookTrendingTopics:similartoGoogleHotTrends,thisinformationtellsyouwhatthemostpopularTwitterandFacebooktopicsareatanygivenmoment.HashTags(#)arealsohelpfulinidentifyingtrendingtopics(thesetendtobefleetingandsometimessilly–butstillmightprovideinspiration).

10. GoogleNewsAlerts:GoogleAlertsareusefulformultiplereasons.Setoneforyournameand/orbusinesstoseewhenmentionsaremadeonline.Choosekeywordsapplicabletoyourbusinessorclients;lookatthekeywordsthatareusedtofindyourwebsiteforideas.Ihaveanalertseton“introvert,”soIreceiveane-mailwhenevertheword“introvert”isusedinanarticle,blogornewsitem.IthensharetheseitemsonFacebook,Twitter,LinkedIn,etc,andusethemascatalystsfororiginalcontentcreation(see#5,above)onmyblogorothersocialmediaoutlets.

11. PopularBooks,MoviesandTV:specificepisodes,themes,andcharactersallmaketimelyandaccessibleconduitsthroughwhichyoucanshareyourmessage.

12. SocialNetworkingpostings,statusupdates,comments,articles(Twitter,LinkedIn,Google+,YouTube,TEDTalks,Facebook):makeahabitoflookingatwhat’sbeingpostedinyournetwork.Oneofmyfavoritearticleswasinspiredbyafriend’sFacebookstatusupdate,whenshewrote,“Justhitsend.”Thearticlefocus?Perfectionism.Myfriendactuallymeantthatshehadsentoffherdoctoraldissertation,soshe’d“justhitsend.”MymindinterpretedhercommentinthesamewayIread“Justdoit.”Evenmisinterpretationscanresultinfabulouscontent!

©2015-16,BethL.Buelow,PCC,TheIntrovertEntrepreneur.AdaptedwithpermissionfromLivingYourVision®

Compassion Vitality Artistic Discovery Solitude Transformation Partnership Playfulness Alignment Accuracy Clarity Focus Synthesis Serenity Peacefulness Power Accomplishment Altruism Creativity Gratitude Touch Tenderness Romance Question Awareness Beauty Devotion Individuality Boldness Action Realization Resilience Choice Community Entertainment Mysticism Abundance Augment Unity Understanding Enlightenment Excellence Influence Leadership Authenticity Encouragement Thinking Spirituality Contentment Congruent Health Performance Competition Completion Will Wholeness Drama Control Hope Planning Contribution Contemplation Commitment Space Exhilaration Educate Justice Recognition Delight Dream Achievement Strength Imagination Dependable Movement Responsibility Elegance Information Attainment Uniqueness Fun Freedom Prosperity Spirit Empathy Expansion Bliss

Holistic Honesty Reflection Superiority Expert Feeling Candor Ingenuity Image Risk taking Truth Guidance Integrity Enjoyment Judgment Perseverance Self-expression Acceptance Honor Persuasion Connection Intimacy Intentionality Stimulation Autonomy Mastery Sensuality Direct Magic Inspiration Trust Divinity Patience Calm Inquisitive Orderliness Originality Vision Family Intuition Adventure Faith Professionalism Laughter Comfort Grace Love Awe Forgiveness Satisfaction Perception Aesthetics Harmony Nurture Courage Humor Preparation Process Balance Openness Personal Growth Discernment Independence Radiance Refinement Assistance Invention Reverence Energy Perfection Religious Safety Bravery Magnificence Privacy Flexibility Integration Sincerity Service Empowerment Respect Relationship Glamour Loyalty Spontaneity Thoughtfulness Conformity Pleasure Security Improvement Nature Thrill Vulnerability Dedication Quest Wealth Learning Sensation

Values Identification

Spend some time reviewing the following list of qualities and values. Which ones resonate the most with you? Which are most important in your personal and professional life? Select as many as you want. Add any words to the list that are important to you.

Of the values/qualities you’ve selected, which are your top ten most important? Of those top ten, which are the four MOST important, “couldn’t live without” values? Once you’ve identified those four core values, define them. Where are they most active in your life? Where there’s tension or conflict in your life, can you trace it back to being out of alignment with one of your values? What would it mean to apply that core value to that situation?

Personal Reflection/Book Group Discussion Questions ......©2016 Beth L. Buelow, PCC, The Introvert...

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Transcript of Personal Reflection/Book Group Discussion Questions ......©2016 Beth L. Buelow, PCC, The Introvert...