by Amanda Daniels-Allen | Sep 7, 2016 | Mindset & Inspiration |
I’m in my 2nd month of being part of a new mastermind group. This is a group of people who meet once every 6 weeks for a day and a half. We bring our business problems to the table to get insight, knowledge and expertise from our peers and business coach to enable us to make a decision there and then so we can move on to build a business we want. Walking away with actions and more clarity on what we are in the process of building.
Mastermind meaning – The concept of the “master mind alliance” was introduced by Napoleon Hill in his book from the 1920s, The Law of Success, and expanded upon in his 1930s book, Think And Grow Rich.
Mastermind is more about the personal growth than the financial growth for me. It’s about me going to the next level in business, making decisions (difficult or not), taking more risk and really understanding what I want from my business to allow me to do more with my life.
The reason why I ask are you hanging round with the right people is because if you are not, what are the opportunities and/or decisions that is not being made or taken because of that fact?
We all have that friend or associate (past or current) who is someone who has an answer for EVERYTHING followed by a “but”. They feel they may be helping with what they are saying although in actual fact they are either stealing your dream by not believing in you, constantly questioning you or just don’t understand where you are coming from. The reason for this is because they are not in the same head space as you.
That friend or associate could be a sibling, client, parent, friend or business acquaintance. Every time they call, you go out for a coffee or see the green light pop up on Facebook, you notice your physiology changing. Your heart goes a little faster or you just think…. “errgghh”. You start wondering what they want and how much time they are going to “sap” from you this time. And I say sap because that is EXACTLY what they are doing. They are either going to sap your time or your energy and maybe even both by complaining to you about their life or business. You know who I mean don’t you…
Now don’t get me wrong, everyone needs a rant or a person to talk to every now and again. I’m not talking about those people though. I’m talking about the ones that JUST moan and constantly say “yes, but…” or “it’s alright for you…”.
Hanging round with people who are on the same wave length as you builds you up, gets you excited and inspires you to take action and move forward. So what’s not to love?
I recently spent some time with a client who was a little down due to a number of things happening personally and business wise.
One of the questions I posed to her is “Are you the cleverest person in the room? Because if you are… you shouldn’t be in that room anymore.”
This is where I am with my Mastermind group… I am not the cleverest or smartest person in the room any more, which may sound arrogant but its true. I want to learn from people who have been there and done it, who have been through my particular struggle and come through it the other side. People who have so much passion, by just spending 10 minutes with them you are fired up and ready to take focused action and eager to do something.
I’ve personally been going through some tough stuff from the beginning if the year which I’m now seeing as a test of survival. NOW is my time to step up and move to the next level myself. Find out who I am and what I am made of.
I’m not here to be a “yes” women, although I do know plenty of those.
By me being my best for me, it will then spread onto the people I work with and for which in tern enables them to be the best at what they do.
Going back to the question are you the cleverest person in the room… I have two questions:
Which room do you need to leave?
Which room should you move onto?
I just want to assure you that the room you are leaving has got you to where you are and has helped you no end in getting clients, more confidence, introductions or whatever else. However! It’s not going to be the same room or the people in it that will move you to the next level.
The new room you choose should scare you and excite you at the same time (which is actually the same feeling just a different word). The new room is going to challenge you and make you think long and hard about HOW you want things to be in the future which I personally find NOT ONLY exciting, I now look forward to being taken to a place I’ve never thought I would be…
They say that magic and miracles happen outside your comfort zone and that you are the sum of the 5 people you hang around with the most.
The action I would like you to take…
… is to take a look in the next room where ever that may be… Go and see what it is about. It could be a new networking event, CDP Training like The Koogar Academy, club or organisation like a Chamber of Commerce or a new level with your coach or Mastermind group.
Just test the water because you never know where it could take you!
by Amanda Daniels-Allen | Jul 13, 2016 | Business, Mindset & Inspiration |
Imagine being invited to the world’s largest festival to perform on the Theatre and Circus fields with Liverpool School of Cantonese Kung Fu. Well I was… I’ve know the owner of LSoCKFu (James Roach) for the last 20 years and have performed in these fields twice before with him and others. However, that was over 8 years ago. This year I was invited again to be part of the crew.
We left the Monday morning before the start of the festival so we could have some time to ourselves before the public came in to rest and chill out. We camped in the performer’s area next to the 9 foot fence, watching other performer’s arrive during different times of the day over the next few days. Putting their tents up and practising their routines, juggling, singing, playing kazoo’s, being clowns, orchestrating massive puppets (from giraffes to seagulls) and becoming robots to name but a few sights that were seen.
A number of us caught up over camp fires and walks though the fields, up to the big sign and over to see the dragon. Watch stand holders set up, stages and displays being built and public dribbling in from the car parks carrying pot noodles and cider in wheel barrows and prams for the week ahead. The mud at this point was at its lowest but that was soon to change.
If you have never been I would highly recommend going! It is something out of this world…
Glastonbury, once up and running is a small town with 180 thousand people with welly’s, cagoules, face paints, beer and all they’re looking for is a good time.
This was my 5th adventure in Glastonbury (3rd time as a Performer) and there were a number of things I noticed during my week there.
Communication
The mini bus arrived on Monday afternoon and our tents had already been put up by a couple of people who headed off 4 hours before we did. But when we got there, there were already so many people building, camping and setting up home for the week.
Traffic cones lining the small roads, police and volunteers guiding people to the right gates and it was 4 days BEFORE the public were due to arrive. To get this festival together a monumental amount of communication needs to happen between thousands of people ensuring everyone has the same agenda, in the places they need to be, doing the jobs they were hired to do.
Which made me think, what communication levels do you have in your business? Does EVERYONE know what is happening, what they need to be doing, when they need to have it done by and who to speak to if things don’t go according to plan?
Comfort zone
Miracles and magic happen outside your comfort zone! By Sunday I had completely and utterly had enough of the mud. It was warm but you needed rubber shoes to keep you from getting covered in thick mud, which meant your feet and ankles started sweating. It was hard walking in the mud to various different fields and areas. It was like walking with weights around your ankles. It wasn’t comfortable in the slightest so imaging carrying a Chinese dragon and lions in it and doing 3 shows a day.
What opportunities are you missing because you are not in your comfort zone, or Are you a perfectionist and waiting till everything is puurrrfect? Richard Brandon says – Say yes and work out how later!
Fun
To be fair it would be very difficult NOT to have fun in Glastonbury because of the amount of weird and wonderful things you get to see, hear, touch and taste that you wouldn’t usually experience anywhere else.
Most people in Glastonbury were having amazing conversations, seeing and listening to things they’d not seen or heard before, laughing, joking, smiling and looking forward to what they were going to see next.
Are you having fun in your business because if you are not, it’s probably not the place for you! How could you have more fun or what are you doing that you could give someone else you are having fun and enjoying what you do. People buy from people who are passionate and excited about their business NOT from people who are board or grumpy with what they do.
Try something *NEW
You couldn’t help BUT try something new whether it be food, drink, listening to a band or a comedian, walking to the healing fields and getting a massage, watching a band you wouldn’t normally go to see.
Trying something new with your marketing, your clients, the way you do something could actually change the way you do business… What have you ALWAYS wanted to do?
Exit Strategy
The key to leaving Glastonbury was to get up and out EARLY! And your early is never earlier than someone else’s early. I went down with the minibus but was going back in a car. Pete and I left Monday morning at 7am to walk back to the car which took 52 minutes. After trudging through mud, up and down hills, through cattle grids and gates. Maybe travelling an additional mile because some parts were blocked off.
We got the car, in a muddy field with hundreds of cars and wellingtons left in the muddy grass. People were not taking the welly’s home, they were just leaving them were they stood to get into the car. Wellington boots scattered everywhere and left to probably be picked up by the volunteers to be washed and resold for next year’s adventures.
What is it that you ultimately want out of your business? It may not be something for right now but we all need a plan, a goal something to strive for… What is your exit plan? Have you got one? If not, do you need to think about working on something?
On the first night one of the rules set around the camp fire was “what happens in Glastonbury stays in Glastonbury!”
The week was amazing. I met new people from the Kung Fu School and made some new friends. Old faces were just fabulous to catch up with, as if we had never been apart and most importantly we did have fun.
by Amanda Daniels-Allen | Apr 13, 2016 | Mindset & Inspiration |
You (and I) are not taking ENOUGH action and this is for a number of reasons! Here are 9 that I have heard from Business Owners recently –
REASON – There are so many people out there that are pushing themselves harder than I am
ANSWER – Pushing doesn’t make them better or more successful just pushier
REASON – Others are taking action even when things are not perfect
ANSWER – Perfection IS overrated. Done is better than perfect!
REASON – I’m a perfectionist
ANSWER – We all are, well most of us, some of us, one or two of us, ok only me then?! As above.
REASON – I’m not sure I’m as good as them
ANSWER – STOP comparing yourself to anyone else! Be the very best YOU can be in other words… Will it make the boat go faster?
REASON – Overwhelmed by the amount of information I’m receiving and what I SHOULD be doing
ANSWER – Do ONE thing at a time and do it WELL!
REASON – Wondering if people actually want to hear from me? i.e. Email Marketing
ANSWER – Until your unsubscribe rate is into double figures – assume they do!
REASON – Am I targeting the right client as no one is buying from me?
ANSWER – What are they currently buying? Are you selling what they are buying? Review products and services ALL the time!
REASON – What is it that I’m actually good at?
ANSWER – When are you in your flow what are you doing or what is your Genius?
REASON – How do I help people?
ANSWER – That’s a long new list and it’s probably not how you think you help them
These are some of the things going through Business Owners heads’ on a daily basis and they are VERY unhelpful comments about yourself, your life, your situation at home, who you are, where you want to be, what you want to do. Things are starting to seem a little alien to you and you are not moving forward. Instead you are getting more and more overwhelmed into a state of in-action!
You just want to be able to help people by answering their questions, making them feel more confident with what they are doing. You’d like to be happy every day with who you are and what you stand for but at the moment you are just annoyed with yourself.
Taking one step and even doing one job in the business is taking you SO LONG to do. Feeling like you are getting nowhere and that no one wants you or what you do. Wanting to hibernate forever and not do anything…
Another thought that pops up every now and again is…
Running a business is difficult and I’m not sure I one of those. It is more like a job with no boss and no direction…
THOUGHT – Being an entrepreneur is difficult and I’m not sure I am one. I feel like a fraud!
ANSWER – Great NEWS. Neither does anybody else!!!!!
Just know the current situation isn’t forever, your feelings are not forever and things will improve but you may not YET be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I could be to do with the lack of self confidence… So the question is…
What can you do to get out of this rut and this life you currently have? ONLY YOU HAVE THE ANSWER!
What are YOU afraid of?
FEAR – I’m afraid of change but know things are going to change… things have to change
CHOICE – Learning to embrace change is difficult but necessary within us all. It’s a changing world, dinosaurs became extinct because the world changed and they didn’t change with it
FEAR – I’m afraid of getting things wrong
CHOICE – Edison taught us it was never wrong, just a prototype for getting it right
FEAR – I’m afraid of success probably because I don’t know what it looks like and assume that thing will encompass me and take over my life. Maybe that I will end up being a bad person that everyone hates
CHOICE – Back to being liked. This is nothing to do with success. Success could be being liked!!! Success is what YOU chose it to be
FEAR – I’m afraid of putting myself out there and what people will say
CHOICE – Anything people say is positive, for even negative comments are learning improvement points! Embrace change!
The probelm we all have is our own mindset!
How can YOU change this situation?
- have a plan – What is it you want from life or this business?
- take a step TOWARDS your plan EVERY day
- have a routine
- look after yourself – Eat properly, exercise, have YOU time
- think positively and change your mood – Listen to music or a podcast, watch your favourite film or go for a walk
- have the right friends and peers around you – You are the sum of the 5 people you hang around with the most!
- express yourself and your opinion to be YOU!
Believe me this stuff goes through EVERYONES head at some point of running a business and every now and again it comes back but to change the situation you MUST change what you are doing…
If you’ve always do what you’ve always done,
you will ALWAYS get what you’ve always got!
Believe in yourself!
What do you do to help you change the situation, the feeling and thoughts that run through your head? Feel free to leave a comment…
by Amanda Daniels-Allen | Jan 6, 2016 | Digital Marketing Speaker, Koogar, Mindset & Inspiration |
Amanda Dodd, Founder of the Koogar marketing agency and a popular speaker on digital marketing topics, is now a Professional Member in the Professional Speaking Association (PSA). Amanda regularly attends her PSA region in Manchester, Northwest.
Amanda speaks frequently to business owners, marketing managers and a variety of industry groups on such topics as Social Media, Engagement and Marketing (Digital and Traditional).
“This is a great honor and goal I wanted to achieve” said Amanda. “After speaking for several years, it is gratifying to become a professional participate in such a prestigious society of speakers.”
Amanda has been selected for the “Professional Member” of the PSA. This level is only available to speakers who have given a minimum of 10 presentations, talks, speeches, webinars, training workshops, teleseminars, or other communications for audiences during the previous 12 months.
Audiences have praised Dodd for delivering entertaining, knowledgeable and effective presentations. She often speaks at 6th Form College’s and University groups as well as Conferences. Amanda can offer bespoke presentations on many different digital marketing subjects.
“I attended a talk with Amanda at a Forward Ladies event. I didn’t expect to learn much, as I’ve been learning about social media as a businesswoman with a largely online business for years. I was expecting “more of the same”. I was wrong – Amanda seriously knows her stuff. I was so impressed by the depth of her knowledge and her professionalism. I left the workshop feeling that I had met someone I could recommend to my own clients who often ask me about website services. This woman conveys a high comfort factor – the impression I got was that I would be in safe hands if I handed my website or social media strategy over to Koogar. She’s now a name that is firmly in my virtual Rolodex!”
Amanda Alexander – Courage and Confidence for Talented Women
“I attended Amanda’s Future of Social workshop at the recent North West Women’s Enterprise Day. The workshop was recommended to me by someone who had attended Amanda’s earlier session. I’m really glad I went! Amanda has a professional yet authentic delivery style and shared some valuable and thought-provoking pointers. Clearly a leader in her field.”
Jane Washington – Management and Business Consultant (Congleton)
You can see more reviews on;
Koogar’s Freeindex Profile
Amanda’s Linkedin Profile
For more information, visit www.koogar.co.uk/digital-marketing-speaker.
by Amanda Daniels-Allen | Dec 30, 2015 | Koogar, Mindset & Inspiration |
I thought I would share our reviews and reflections for 2015…
Personal Goal: Rowing
At the end of 2014 I was determined to do something I have always wanted to do which was Rowing as a team sport. Rowing on The Dee in Chester specifically and this year I have been in a brilliant squad, raced a few times, got fit, made some new friends and am having a great time!
If you’ve always wanted to do something don’t put it off! Get on and do it, even tell a friend so they can spur you on when you need it.
I’m proud to say I’m in the Novice Women’s Grosvenor Rowing Club Squad and my intention is to race at Henley in 2016!
Business Goal: To understand what we are really good at!
In marketing we (as businesses) are consistently trying to stand out amongst others so that customers pick us.
It’s very difficult to know why you are different, what your USP (Unique Selling Point/Proposition) is and I think we have finally found it and we’ve written a page on it called “What is Koogar’s Genius?”
Let us know what you think!
Films: Everest and Meru
As many of you know I’m a bit of a film buff! Love them, can’t get enough to be honest and I think the film of the year for me is going to have to be Everest and this is down to mind set and how that team just kept going when things got REALLY tough!
Everest then lead me on to find out about a film called “Meru” – Meru is the ultimate mountain to be climbed. I watched this Documentary Film to see what their mindset was like as this was filmed as they climbed the mountain NO CGI or special effects!
And one of the final lines from the 3rd team member was “I just have to do it!“
Book(s)
One of my goals for 2015 was to read more and by reading more I discovered I’m better at listening so I now have an account with Audible and I have listened to a number of books:
- The Chimp Paradox – which is about how your brain works and why you think the things you do
- Blink – which is about thin slicing and looking into peoples behaviour
- The Big Leap – which is about your Genius, what is it you REALLY love to do and you are good at
Happy New Year to you!
I’d love to hear about your reviews and reflections of 2015 so please feel free to comment below on this post and let us know what you have achieved and what you hope to achieve for 2016!
All the best from The Koogar Team!
by Amanda Daniels-Allen | Mar 4, 2015 | Mindset & Inspiration |
The other day I was taking my husband to work. On the way there is a large roundabout that’s usually busy all times of the day. It was 7:42am; a frosty and damp morning.
As we started on our journey we talked about work and what we were both doing during the day. There is a short dual carriage way on route to Andy’s place of work and within 5 minutes we were at the in front of the queue at the roundabout (in the outside lane turning right), our conversation just made our journey seem to go that little bit faster.
Whilst looking to see when I could make my entrance onto the roundabout, next to me was a LARGE white seagull stomping its feet on the wet grass on the central reservation, presumably calling worms to the surface by pretending it was raining (which I think is a rather clever trick).
I watched the seagull stamp in the same spot for about 6-8 seconds and then stop for a few seconds to look down at its feet, waiting for the worms to appear. I suddenly remembered I was in the car and Andy’s voice stopped being muffled and in the background to becoming louder and in the foreground (to his normal tone) saying “… or shall I just speak to myself”.
I did say “Sorry! I was distracted by a seagull…” (and that wasn’t the first time).
It made me think, in business we can get distracted by lots of things? What takes our focus away from the task at hand? You know the time when you really need to get something done. Social media notifications, emails pinging and then appearing in the right hand corner of your desktop or telephone calls to name but a few…
I’d like you to write down your distractions and then next to it write down how you can get away from it, stop it from happening or make a system/process to deal with it better.
Let’s get back to the task at hand and do more business or actual work. Delegation could be something that you could do to stop the extra distractions you don’t need OR creating a list with a maximum of 6 things that NEED to be completed by the close of business. Lists that consist of 12 things or more just don’t get done and or can become overwhelming.
As they say, the early bird catches the worm, so let’s get focused on the task at hand!
Leave a comment to share your tactics with me. I’d be interested to hear how you deal with distractions.
