Sandra Martini's Success Strategies

I'm just not gonna take it anymore. . . #fb

Have you ever put up with things, tolerations as it were and then, finally, you have enough and refuse to deal with it anymore?   


That's exactly where I am with the design of my email newsletter.

I just don't like it anymore.

And while a new one is currently being designed, I couldn't bring myself to send out even one more issue with the design I've been tolerating.

So. . .there's no standard ezine this week.

Instead, a few questions for you to ponder:

1. It's midnight and you're answering client emails. Is this a boundary issue or are you working on your terms?
2. You're in the office Monday through Friday, from 9am - 5pm, have you created a J O B for yourself or are you maintaining boundaries?
3. Are you working when you THINK you should or when you're most productive?

So what are you tolerating and, more importantly, what are you going to do about it?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the above -- please comment below and let me know what you think.

Is it time to hire yourself?

Turn up your speakers and click PLAY to hear my audio newsletter! (If you don't see the audio play button, Click here to listen. . .)

Have you heard the story about the cobbler whose children had no shoes? Or the auto mechanic whose cars desperately needed attention?

The same is true for business owners.

We're often SO caught up in caring for our clients and managing the day-to-day of our businesses, that we can neglect to give our business the same care we would a paying client.

After my recent private client retreat, I realized that while I certainly have written plans and goals for my business and systems in place so that things operate more efficient- and effectively, it's been a while since I've taken my business through the "break it down, build it up" process we went through.

And so I hired myself.

Internet Marketer or Online Business

While internet marketers have online businesses, not all online businesses consider themselves internet marketers.

I was recently introduced as an "internet marketer" and was surprised at the immediate feeling of "oh no, not me" that welled up inside.

Before I ask whether you think of yourself as being an "internet marketer" or having an "online business", let me share the definitions as I see them:

Is your affiliate program turning away clients and affiliates?

Turn up your speakers and click PLAY to hear my audio newsletter! (If you don't see the audio play button, Click here to listen. . .)

Affiliate programs are meant to be a win for everyone involved:

• a win for the client who is given exposure to something she may not have known about otherwise
• a win for the affiliate who gets to share a great product or program with her readers and possibly earn a commission for doing so
• and, of course, a win for the product or program creator as they get more exposure, and potentially make more sales in both the long, and short, term.

So with so many “wins”, why are affiliate programs ticking people off and costing you both money AND your reputation?

How far has online marketing fallen?

I received yet another sales pitch email from a very well-known marketer the other day and this one got me curious so I clicked over to the sales page and what a surprise to see that the first testimonial was from "John C" and John lives in my tiny town of Lakeville.

Intrigued, I called a friend in South Carolina and asked her to bring up the same link -- "John C" with the same exact testimonial also lives in the small town of Moncks Corner, South Carolina.

AHA moment while walking my dog this morning

It all started by my shutting down earlier than usual yesterday and not going through my regular process of setting things up for the next day -- what am I doing, when am I doing it, how much time will it take, etc....

As Sasha (big lab/rotti mix) and I went for our "Mommy and Me" morning walk this morning (Sasha's MUCH less demanding than my shepherd or llasa apso and so I'm sure to get this focused time in with her), I was thinking about everything that I "had to do today":

• Grocery shopping after being gone for over 2 weeks (thank heavens for PeaPod!)
• Finishing information page for new group program
• Sending "CONGRATS" gifts to everyone who completed 30 Day Blogging Challenge (gifts just arrived from Amazon!) -- this is something I wanted to do myself given the great accomplishment
• Planning menu (& get ingredients) for band's practice tomorrow night (something more than appetizers, but not as much as a dinner)
• Creating affiliate materials for upcoming program launch
• Complete and send "Online Essentials" info page to Team to get up on site
• Hosting Nancy Marmolejo's Women of Impact Implementation call this afternoon

There are several more, but you get the idea...

And as a slight feeling of overwhelm started to creep in from the "had to do today", I tweaked the words a bit to "wanted to get done today" and instantly felt a sense of relief.

I wasn't "doing", I was "done'ing" -- these things were going to be completed and I WANTED to do them, I didn't HAVE to do them.

That shift in verbiage created a HUGE shift in how I felt about the day.

The next time you feel a little overwhelmed, check out which words you're using to describe what you're doing and see if you can't tweak them a bit.

MAKE it a great day! :-)

7 Strategies Guaranteed to Increase Your Productivity

Have you ever felt exhausted at the end of the day, knowing you worked your butt off and yet wondering what the heck you actually accomplished toward your goals or, worse yet, wondering why nothing has been crossed off your “to do” list? It’s more than a little frustrating to say the least and can lead to a feeling of overwhelm.

Here are seven "implement today, let's get things moving" strategies guaranteed to increase your productivity!

Celebrating #30DayBlog Challenge Completers/Finishers

CONGRATULATIONS to everyone who signed up for the 30 Day Blog Challenge!

It's tough to commit to doing something every day, especially when life interferes and things seem to conspire to take you off course.

Of those who officially registered, the following achieved their goal of blogging 30 times in 30 days:

A lifestyle business for real people

Just a week ago, I drove down to South Carolina to spend a few days helping my Mum settle in to her new home near Myrtle Beach -- well, that and drive her four pets down with me (here's a picture of Mini). 

The original plan was for me to leave last Tuesday for the 900-mile trek home (gotta love audiobooks and recorded teleseminars!), but Mum still needed a few things to feel at home.

No biggie...call the hubby and let him know I'll be driving home on Saturday (today).

My clients may know I'm here based on my tweets and Facebook posts, but otherwise have no idea, nor do they need to.

Then one of Mum's mini pinschers, Mini, got sick.  I found a vet and took her in.  It seems she's eaten something toxic and we're currently in a wait-and-see mode and giving her a combo of meds.

For obvious reasons, I didn't want to leave Mum without family in the area when we're not sure what's going to happen.

Once again, I called the hubby and told him that Mini goes back to the vet on Wednesday and I'll be leaving on Thursday.

A quick email to my Team and we're all set.

Can you imagine if I had a regular 9-to-5pm job?

For me, this is what a lifestyle business truly is -- being there for my family and friends when needed, the extra vacations are just a bonus. :-)

Isn't this reason enough to be sure YOU'RE business is a success?

It's time to face the facts!

I don't know about you all, but I've had enough with receiving emails with subject lines of "this one will work", "the secret pill", "do this and thrive", "are you good enough", "you're an idiot if you don't do this", etc.

While helping my Mum settle into her new home, I've been checking emails a lot less than usual and so am seeing more of the above types of subject lines all clustered together.

The above all came in within the last 2 days (and I've been unsubscribing at a record pace).

It's really very simple. You want to succeed?