​In today’s edition of “What’s On My Bookshelf,” I’m sharing something that’s found on my digital bookshelf – via my Audible account!

I’m a fan of audiobooks and podcasts because you can take them with you – on a walk, on a run, or as you take a few moments to enjoy the sunshine. How about you? Are you a fan of audiobooks and podcasts?

And yes, Audible has a great selection of books and podcasts – but they also have a wonderful array of meditations – and I love their sleep meditations.

I know some of you are saying, “I’m not a meditation-type, Nettie…” – but you really need to give it a try.

“Sleep Better” is my favorite sleep meditation – and it actually includes seven guided meditations (ranging from 10-29 minutes) that will walk you through breathing, releasing tension, visualization, and more.

I truly do sleep better when I take the time to listen to these at bedtime. And it’s my go-to for when I awake too early in the morning. I can usually sleep 1-2 more hours with these meditations.

This week why not check out “Sleep Better” and see how it affects your sleep? I’d love to hear if you notice an improvement! (All you need to do is hit “Reply” to this email and drop me a line!)
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​What role does mindset play in aligning and thriving in business and personal wellbeing?

When looking at mindset, the first thing we need is a healthy mind. A healthy mind requires nourishing, taking care of, food, and hydration. That’s the foundation. And where we will increase our bandwidth of what we can accomplish.

“Many people aren’t thinking, “healthy mind,” when they are thinking, “mindset.” They’re not thinking, “How can I make my brain, my mind my body healthier?” Instead, they might be thinking about the thoughts but not necessarily connecting how important it is to have a healthy mind as the baseline for healthy thoughts.”

Because of that, we have physical, mental resilience to take risks and make decisions when things are in a painful state of urgency, which we do in business.

Having that foundation of getting back to basics and taking care of our mental physical health is extremely important. I always like to mention that as part of the mindset.

There’s also the actual programming of our minds. On the survival side, which almost everyone is tapping into that at this point, when they’re stressed, when there’s chaos, when we’re supposed to return something quickly, if you’re a deadline, it actually triggers our nervous system.

Our nervous system gets a little flooded, and we start becoming reactionary. We don’t want to be constantly reacting because then we’re on the defensive and we’re putting out fires. Instead, we want to create this more intentional mindset that allows us to be resilient, respond, give ourselves a little bit of space so we can choose how we move forward.

How do we cultivate more focus and productivity and decrease feeling scattered in our work?

Focus on nutrition, hydration, sleep, exercise, blood flow to cultivate mental, physical health.

To tackle brain fog, take a five-minute walk. 75% of America is dehydrated, which causes those individuals to brain fog and headaches. Grab a glass of water, save the cocktail for later on as a celebration because you were intentional, and you accomplished a lot.

As for the business part, First, set up the intention. What are your areas of impact? Instead of booking ourselves all day long with to-do’s, think about, “How do I want to feel? What do I want to accomplish? And what matters most today?”

Many of us are working from home. For me, this morning, I had several things going on, but I picked three tasks intentionally, this interview being one of them.

Then my daughter woke up, and she did not feel good. Today, we have wildfires going up in Colorado. And it seems like she has some smoke inhalation. I had set those intentions so instead of thinking, “Oh, no, the day is ruined!” and allowing the negativity bias of, “How am I going to get all this done? There’s just no way!” I had cultivated a mindset of one inner calm with mindfulness practices. That was how I had decided to feel.

Second, before I got out of bed, I asked myself, “What are my three most important things I want to accomplish today?” Again, realistically, with some buffer time, just in case.

“Buffer time is often what is missed. It is the space between appointments in case something goes wrong. Without it, you may feel like you are moving from thing to thing such that when that emergency comes up, there’s no room for it.”
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What is one mindset shift that can make an impact on a daily basis?
I hear this all the time. “There’s not enough time to do everything I want.”

Almost everyone says that, it comes from a scarcity mindset. That mindset can be detrimental in business. Sometimes we also put that towards our money in our charging. Shift that over to an abundance mindset such as, “I have the time to get what’s important done.”

Today, I had this interview; I am revamping my entire website. And I had one other very important thing.

I paused to ask, “What is my intention?” Then I got up, I went for a walk, I made sure I had a great breakfast, I even did a dance class to get the energy moving. I’ve been taking care of my daughter, but having that priority list, I know what to keep coming back to.

I’m not getting distracted by voicemail or email, or other people’s emergencies. I know what I am focusing on today. And I have that buffer time in so that I can breathe. That’s abundance and expansiveness.

Instead, cultivating a dialogue of, “I got to do, I have to, I’m supposed to, I should,” which is heavy and takes away from being able to create. We can act with intention.

We don’t have to end the day feeling less than and judging and critical. I acknowledged that I completed what I needed to complete and nourished myself before the day went to hell in a handbasket. The food came my way. And I was able to be a good mom, take care of my daughter, and work from home. In doing so, we have learned to pivot.

When you have a healthy mind and body, you can take risks, handle stress.

3 Action Steps
1. Focus on your brain’s physical health first: hydration, good food, exercise, rest.
2. Start with intention. Decide what you want to feel and your 3 priority tasks for the day.
3. Shift to a belief that you do have all that you need to be successful including time.

Connect with Melissa Wolak at LinkedIn, or LinkedIn, or at Melissa Wolak, or click here for short audio downloads that will allow to just do five-minute reset breaks so that you can take charge.
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Let’s talk about Energy Management.

And no, I’m not talking about turning off the lights in your office at the end of the day or powering down your computer.

I’m talking about managing your own personal energy.

The energy that keeps you going throughout the day.

The energy that keeps you making good decisions.

The energy that maximizes your efficiency.

The energy that gets you to Friday without feeling exhausted or overwhelmed.

If you read that and thought, “Whoa! I need a little bit of help with my energy management…” – I want you to know that’s not uncommon. Many people associate tiredness and exhaustion with progress – and that’s not necessarily the case, is it?

The big question is, how do you go about managing your energy so you are moving forward and not just living for the weekend in hopes of a small respite? I want you to ask yourself a few essential questions.
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1. Do you know what zaps your energy?
When you think about what you do throughout the day, there are probably things that just drain you – whether it be mentally, emotionally, or even physically. It’s crucial to pay attention to what those things are in order to find ways to deal with them effectively. It may mean finding someone to assist you with those things or improving your systems and processes, so they’re not so taxing on you.

2. Do you have a daily routine?
The best leaders in the world will tell you that having a routine is beneficial to them for maintaining consistent energy. For most people at the top of their field, this routine starts from the moment they rise until they go to bed. Things such as a consistent bedtime, exercise, diet, etc., – along with how they structure their day – all contribute to their daily routine. If you don’t have a daily routine, now’s the time to start establishing one.

3. Do you work in some fun?
You know the expression, “All work and no play…” – Well, please don’t ever forget the importance of having fun! Sharing a laugh with someone, texting a funny meme, watching a hilarious YouTube video (of which there is no shortage), or taking your crazy dog for a walk can all be fun!

4. Do you take breaks?
Studies have shown that breaks reduce stress, help you maintain peak performance, reset your mood, and improve your well-being – and those are all the reasons you need to remember to take some breaks during your day. Five to ten minutes between tasks can mean all the difference in the quality of your work.

5. Do you pace yourself and prioritize?
I know that you have great ideas, and you want to implement them NOW! I get it! Sometimes it’s hard to hold yourself back, and you just want to go, go, go! But if that means burning the candle at both ends and making sacrifices in other parts of your life (for example, with family, friends, or your health) – then you need to learn to pace yourself and prioritize your tasks. Check out “How Do You Balance Both the Urgent and the Important?” to learn what Cat Stancik shares about your “Minimum Viable Day.”
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6. Do you know what replenishes your energy?We all have those things that seem to replenish our energy. It may be exercise. Gardening. Meditation. Time spent talking with a friend. Reading a good book. Preparing a healthy meal. Whatever it is for you – identify it and work it into your schedule.

I know that you have big goals for your business, but you need to manage your energy to make them happen. Without it, you’ll find yourself experiencing extreme fatigue – which could eventually lead to burnout – and nobody wants that!

However, by implementing a few simple things, you can do yourself a great big favor to keep you productive and moving forward to achieving your goals.

Please comment below. I would love to hear from you.

​There are lots of things I appreciate in life…and one of them is most definitely you and your support of my new book, “What Businesses Need to Know Right Now: Lessons Learned From Interviewing Businesses During a Pandemic.” In fact, I still pinch myself when I see it sitting on my bookshelf.

If you haven’t picked up your copy, I encourage you to do so! You can grab a digital version or paperback version on Amazon – and check out all of the great interviews that occurred during the height of the Pandemic.

The lessons shared, advice given, and tips, tricks, and actionable steps contributed make this a book that you’ll want to keep right on your desk!

Bruce M. Casner (Morgan Casner Associates) said, “Nettie Owens has compiled a treasure trove of wisdom from a diverse group of interviewees. Asking the right questions to experts in several fields, she has uncovered and cataloged valuable insights that will help the reader adjust to the world of COVID-19. Readable and relatable, this book will be useful long after the Pandemic is consigned to distant memory.”

If you’ve already received your copy, I’d love to hear your thoughts! You can reply to this email or share a review on Amazon.

BONUS: If you have your copy and would like access to the bonus resources page send me a photo of you with your book or your receipt and I will send the bonuses along. Right now the bonuses include templates, assessments, access to training and consultations with experts that can help you apply what you are learning.

Thanks again for your tremendous support!
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​What is one thing business owners can do to work smarter, not harder?

I’d say the most important thing you can do is declutter your desk and office each night before you go to bed or before you close down the office for the day – whatever time it is.

There are studies that show that if you declutter your desk, it raises your brainwaves from beta to alpha. Alpha is power. So, if you have a clean desk and beautiful surroundings, you have a very good flow. In three seconds, you can raise your brainwaves to alpha. So that’s pretty important. You want to stay focused on your goals.

“So often, at the end of the day, if you’re tired, you just get up from your desk, and everything from that day is still left on it. But what if you cleared it off? How would your morning start the next day?”

What is one Feng Shui tip business owners should keep in mind when setting up their home or business for abundance?

You want to situate yourself so that you’re sitting facing the door and you’re facing one of your good directions. Facing where the energy is coming in will bring you more abundance.

There are stories of writers, and they wanted to find inspiration, but they were facing outside and looking out the window. And, as beautiful as that is, changing the direction they were facing brought them inspiration.

A very famous person made this change, and now he’s a prolific writer and has written quite a few bestselling books. But it wasn’t happening before – so it’s very effective.

“A change in perspective is good for everyone – even if it’s something as simple as changing the direction your desk and chair are facing.”

What is one thing to be careful of when setting up an office for more success & abundance?

One of them is the placement of mirrors. That’s a very important thing to be aware of. If you have a mirror on the side and you’re looking at yourself while working, you will double the work that you have to do. And you will do this because it’s telling the universe that there are two people there, so you’ll get the work of two people.

But you won’t have enough energy to do all of that because there’s only one of you. So, it’s not a good idea to have a mirror reflecting you. At least not so you can see it. There are other angles that might work. That’s something to be careful of.

There’s also something that is perhaps not as well known. And that is, there is some negative energy flow that comes into areas of the world every year. And they’re very nasty. For example, one is called the “disaster star” – and it was in the east, which was the cause of this pandemic. I won’t say it was the cause, but the energy was there. The potential was there for something worldwide to happen on a disastrous level.

There are things that we can do in our homes to help. I’m just going to share one of them, and that is to put a lush, green plant in the east to protect your family from getting sick, in addition to normal precautions. That green plant is symbolic of healing. And having green in that particular area is particularly important this year.

Even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can put an artificial plant. An artificial plant will work, but the energy is stronger in a live plant. A large plant or a small tree is what’s recommended – even something like a money tree. You want something so green as it’s the color that’s doing it for you. But since it’s healthy energy, I would suggest living.

3 Action Steps

1. End your day by decluttering your desk so you start fresh each morning.
2. Set up your office so that you and your desk are facing the door so that energy can come in and bring you abundance.
3. Place a large green plant in the east to protect your health.

Connect with Connie Knudson on YouTube, LinkedIn or at Connie Knudson.
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This week it’s all about…GOAL SETTING!

I can see the glint in your eye as you read “GOAL SETTING” because if there’s one thing I know about high achievers, it’s that you set lofty goals – and you work extremely hard to make them happen!

In fact, it may be one of the things I love most about working with high achievers! Those goals you set are so inspiring, and seeing your determination is exciting.

But let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of setting goals that you can attain.

We’ve all heard about SMART goals by now. SMART stands for:

Specific

Measurable

Attainable

Realistic or Relevant

Time-bound

Yes, using these ideas to help you set goals is smart, but can we make them smart-er?

I think so!

When It comes to making those audacious goals you set for yourself a bit smarter, I encourage you to:

Set long-term, mid-term, and short-term goals. Start with the long-term goals and work backward! This allows you to see the big picture for your business – and then set smaller goals to help you get there.

Decide on the value of your goals. One thing that often gets overlooked when setting goals is the value of that specific goal. You may have a goal to share two blog posts per week on your website. But is that a valuable goal? What will it do for you? For your clients? For potential clients? Weigh the value of your goals.

Keep your goals simple. Why is it that we always tend to make things more complicated than they need to be? And when you do this, we experience overwhelm and frustration – and, in turn, that has a negative impact on you and your business – maybe even causing you to throw in the towel. Instead, keep your goals simple with actionable steps that allow you to see the progress.

Tell someone about your goals. Do you want a little accountability when it comes to your goals? Then you need to share them! Tell everyone about your goals – and ask them to check in with you regarding their progress.

Implement habits that support your goals. This is such an important one – and vital to getting things done! Do you need to make prioritization a habit in order to get the important things done? Then do it! Do you need time to work on your business rather than in it all of the time? Then create a routine to make it happen! Good habits definitely bring success!

Don’t give up. At times, we all encounter stumbling blocks…and they can throw us for a loop. But remember – you don’t quit on a bad day! You might need to modify and adjust – but not quit!

So, are you ready to make your goals a little smarter? Take a look at your current goals and spend a few minutes revising them as needed.
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​After the success of Momentum Live Virtual, a few of you noticed that I shared in the Momentum Network some of our new members of Momentum Insiders.

And then a few of you reached out to me and asked, “What is Momentum Insiders?”

Ah, excellent question – so let me just share a little bit about it!

Momentum Insiders is a program for those of you who are working to get to the next level. Notice I didn’t say “want to get to the next level” – I said “working” – because if you are “working” for it, then you have the drive and ambition that are needed – but you just might need some help to get you there.

And that’s where this program comes in.

It’s designed to help you focus, give you guidance, bring you understanding, and hold you accountable for all that you’re working on – so that you get to where you want to be!

I’m going to be honest…it’s not for everyone. I definitely strive to hold your “feet to the fire,” as the saying goes – but if you think it’s for you – I encourage you to read more here! You can see exactly what this program provides you, what you can expect, and hear from some of the people involved.
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​Why are a vision and mission statement important for a business?

As we have seen with organization direction, it helps make sure that everybody’s on the same page and that they understand the entrepreneur, the CEO – and the goals, desires, and wishes. It helps articulate, engage, and unify stakeholders, both internal and external. And it really represents the basis for making decisions.

We’ll make sure that the company is in line with its stated purpose.

“When you have that vision, then you know your destination, and it’s just a matter of lining up against it on a day-to-day or moment-to-moment basis. That makes decision-making so much easier.”

What’s the difference between a vision statement and a mission statement?

I think we make it really simple when we talk with clients about vision and mission statements.

The vision statement to us is a statement about what you are when you have achieved success. So, it should be clear, and it should be concise. It should be future-oriented and inspiring. It can be mystical, and it can be spiritual, but it really says what you all know when you are successful.

For example, our vision statement is that we are the marketing partner of choice with companies that want to grow and survive in any business environment or any marketplace.

The mission will be in alignment with the vision statements.

For example, Southwest Airlines’ vision is to become the world’s most loved, most flown, and most profitable airline. That’s future oriented.

Microsoft, at its founding, wanted a computer on every desk and in every home. That’s the future – that shows what success looks like when they have achieved their goals.

IKEA is to create a better everyday life for many people.

So those are examples of vision statements. And I think that when companies can do that, particularly something that’s very short, but really defines their success, it’s helpful.

“I think when business owners are in early stages, or if they get frustrated with where they are, they might try and do something like create a vision statement that says we’re a million-dollar company, or we will sell this many things, and they tie themselves to one way of achieving that vision.”

“I like to say that if your vision is monetarily defined, you’re thinking too small. There’s so much more that you can create when you’re futuristic, and you bring in this mystical or spiritual drive to it. You can create something that’s truly inspiring.”

The mission statement is something that says why you’re in business, it’s the essence of your company, the products and services that you provide.

And you can’t just put it up on your website and not follow a mission statement. You really need to find why it is that you’re in business.

Ours is to create results-focused communications content powered by marketing, meaning outreach, and support services to help companies achieve their growth goals.

But there are a lot of different companies that have very strong mission statements, too. For example, Google is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and easy. That’s a strong mission statement. It says what they’re in business to do.

Who are the key players that need to be involved in creating a vision and/or mission statement for your business?

I think everybody should be involved in the process. So, it’s not only those who sit at the CEO table, but marketing, sales, customer service, supply chain, product development people – give everybody an opportunity to contribute their ideas.

“When you give people an opportunity to collaborate, they’re more likely to buy into the decisions that are made, especially when it comes to vision and mission statements.”

3 Action Steps

1. Understand that your vision and mission statements are important for the success of your business.
2. Create a vision statement that is future-oriented and defines your business when it has achieved success. Create your mission statement so that it aligns with your vision statement and says why you are in business.
3. Involve all members of your business in the process of creating vision and mission statements so that they are truly engaged in your business.

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Connect with Gerri Knilans on LinkedIn or at Trade Press Services for the Marketing Insights Newsletter.

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​Did you not just love Casey Moore’s interview on Tuesday about productivity? Her 12 factors about productivity are SPOT ON! And I so appreciated her reminder to practice mindfulness when it comes to boosting your productivity.

It got me thinking.

Last week, the first of the basics in our productivity series was time management.

And yes, everyone needs time management skills. It’s what gives you balance and keeps your life from being skewed and a little chaotic.

But closely related to the ability to manage your time is…the ability to prioritize.

In  “What Businesses Need to Know Right Now” (Volume 1), I interviewed  Scot MacTaggart of Pitchwerks, and he said, “One of the most important secret weapons to be aware of right now is the ability to prioritize – and that’s FREE.”

A FREE, SECRET WEAPON sounds good to me – how about you?

Unfortunately, when you have your own business, prioritization can be challenging – because it ALL seems important. (Does that sound familiar?)
But this week, I want you to take that to-do list, the never-ending one…and I want you to prioritize what’s on it.

“Nettie…help me out! Give me a few tips to help me with prioritization!”

I GOT YOU!

· Create your to-do list. Yes, one big, giant to-do list. A list that has it all. And then break it down into daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly goals.

· Now find the urgent tasks – and separate them from the important ones. Urgent tasks are those that need to get done in order to move forward, avoid missing deadlines, or prevent your business from experiencing negative consequences. Urgent tasks come first.

· Then, take your important tasks and look at what value they have for you or your business. High-value tasks move to the top of the list.

· If all of your important tasks seem relatively equal in importance, figure out how much effort and attention each of them requires – and start with the one that requires the most. (Knocking off these high effort tasks can be a real motivator!)

· Remain flexible. We all know that change happens – and sometimes, it’s out of our control. So, if you experience some changes – know that your priorities may shift – and it’s okay. Readjust your focus and get back to it!

All right, who’s ready to make prioritization a focal point this week? Send me a before and after screenshot of your to-do list, and let me see how you handled prioritizing everything!
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​“Summertime, and the livin’ is easy!”

Or is it?

When you’re a business owner, it can seem that things never get exactly easy.

But maybe they can get easier!

And who doesn’t want that?

When I designed the Productive Profits System, it was my intention to make not only my life easier but your life easier, too – and that’s why I want to share it with you.

The Productive Profits System is a way to leverage your expertise, simplify your business, and maximize your revenue. It’s the system I use – and the system that so many of the people I work with use – and I want you to have it, too.

To get you started, I’ve put together a series of three videos (really short videos) that map out how you can get started!

Video #1 – What’s Holding You Back from Your Next 6-Figure Income Stream?

Video #2 – How to Leverage Your Expertise and Experience

Video # 3 – How to Make the Productive Profits System Work for You

Who’s ready to make the livin’ a little easier this summer and still have a consistent stream of revenue coming in? Then  check out the Productive Profits System today and let me know what you think!
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