Stupid NO MORE!

Years ago, I knew I wanted to be a business owner, however I had always thought of myself as 'stupid.'  


When it came to academics, I struggled! I used creativity and a bubbly personality (which was often exhausting) to help me through challenging times like High School, College and Trade Schools.  When it came to learning out of a book or a class room I had all I could do to get by with a C.  Often times Ds and Fs were it for me.  I cheated and often leaned into friends and teachers that I thought could help me.   I felt 'less than' and hopeless.  


I was determined to go into business for myself.  I was unsure how or where to start the process.  A good friend suggested that I seek help from a Business Development Career Counselor, David Goodenough.   With a name like Goodenough,  I knew he was going to be helpful! 


Off I went to meet David at his office in Seattle, WA.  A miracle happened for me that day!  David did a few quick writing tests with me and said I probably have a learning disability, Dyslexia.  Growing up in the 70s and 80s this was not a common word, neither was learning disability.  I started crying.  


David told me of many others that share this disability including the late Albert Einstein.  I learned there are all different degrees of Dyslexia.  I could finally stop BEATING myself up and that there are people that can help me learn 'differently.'   The CRAZY self chatter could stop! I could begin to share with others that too may struggle with a learning disability that there is Hope!  My Creative side could finally be embraced and unleashed!  I could finally stop being that EXTROVERT performer that was so exhausting.  I finally could honor who I really am!  It was a life changing experience for me!  I continued to see David for many years off and on and will forever be filled with Gratitude for the gift he gave me!


I did become a business owner owning and selling one and still the owner of the 2 other businesses.  I never sought out a school for  Dyslexia however I have thought of it and know how to find them.  I have a kind and loving partner in life that knows how my brain works and helps me tremendously.  He GOT IT one day while showing me a picture Tee shirt

I could not understand why he was showing me this...then he said 'what do you see'....I said I Love Dyslexia!  He said look again...I could not see what it said until he showed me.  He GOT IT!  So often times I ask him to explain an article or something that I read.  Directions are often difficult - which was interesting for my employees of a Mobile Dog Grooming Business.   

I ask for help often and do not take myself so serious often which creates much laughter!

3 Posting 'Oopsie's'

Think about your Audience before you post ~

I have never been know to hold back my thoughts or opinions..and often this has resulted in loss of friendships as well as other unpleasantries in life.  I like to think that in my mid 40s I have learned a few great lessons, although I am still no where's near perfect.  Darn it!!!!

As I continue to learn Social Media and teach to others, I observe many people often cringing when  reading a posting. As I small child my mother taught me 3 important rules of etiquete that I struggled all my life to follow!  However, I take them to heart in my Social Promoting.  

I will always have opinions, that is part of being human, however certain opinions and beliefs I share only with those closest to my life.  I have a LARGE demographic of potential and current clients and do not want to single out a particular group by my opinions.  I also am not in a career that I need to let the world know certain opinions I have, example;  I am not a politician or Religious leader.  I understand other people are in careers that behove them to let the world know their opinions and beliefs.   So as I post these 3 Oopsie's remember only you know your AUDIENCE!!! 

I keep all my own opinions and beliefs of:

*Religion

*Politics

*Money

.....to myself!  There have been many many MANY times I have wanted to interject my thoughts on one of these topics.  I have had to shut my computer down many nights to 'get away from making an oopsy posting!.'  I remain true to my business mission.  My opinions of these 3 topics have no place in my business.

You may not agree with my opinion on this,  and that is ok.  Again, we ALL get to have opinions!  That is the wonderful part of Social Media!  We all get to create our own Digital Foot Print...and for that I am grateful!

Image from FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In Sync with the Universe

When do you feel the ALIVE?  Where do you feel 'RIGHT' with the Universe?  How do you honor those moments?


ALWAYS for me, it is when I am in Nature!  Often in the woods running or playing with Eddie.  I get to live in a magical place Anchorage, Alaska.  It is a place filled with outdoor adventures!  The scenery and wildlife in this State are breathtaking and always amazing! 

 I believe nature is a gift to all of us regardless of where we live.  When I remember to take the time to admire the gifts, I am filled with gratitude!  I am filled with a connection to the Universe.  A feeling of peace and contentment.  
Years ago, I got rid of my gym membership.  I knew that this would force me outdoors more often ~ and it has.  Granted when it is 10 below and DARK it is very difficult.  This past year I joined a Yoga studio and did a 30 day Hot Yoga Challenge which helped me get thru January.  I felt a connection in Yoga as well...different however from being outdoors.  So,  I continued braving the outside, playing and breathing in the connection.  It helps having Eddie, who has many sweaters for below zero days. He is always up for the outdoors and encourages me daily!


My hope is this blog helps remind you to stop through out your day and find your CONNECTION to the Universe!  To Pause, breath it in and be filled with PEACE!!!

Is Your Message Being Heard?

Socially Gifted? 

The Tipping Point

Is your Business, your Product, your Message getting heard?  Is it being sent to the right people to create a BUZZ? A Change?

  I recently stumbled upon Malcolm Gladwell's 'The Tipping Point', while looking in Wikipedia for words to describe my mission statement.

In Gladwell's book he states, "The success of any kind of social epidemic is heavily dependent on the involvement of people with a particular and rare set of social gifts."

 The book is about change and how ideas, products, messages and services spread like viruses to create a change, a message, a product, an epidemic!  Social Media Sites are one example of an epidemic.  Gifted Social beings known to have one of 3 types of personality are responsible for the change, delivering the message, creating the BUZZ!  

 The Connectors:  people that are acquainted with people in all social circles and have an ability to connect one another.  They are extremely Social and love bringing others together.  They are enriched by making connections. 

The Mavens:  they love to pass information and knowledge onto others.  Particularly information regarding the marketplace.  They love to solve problems and have an amazing gift of communicating.  

The Salesmen:  they are gifted in persuading others to agree with them.  They are terrific negotiators and very charismatic individuals. 

Do you possess one of these traits? If not, you may find it to be a struggle getting your message, your brand or your product to your community.  Hire one of these types of personalities as an employee or contractor/marketer.  They will make your life much easier and help your business to skyrocket!

I will now be ordering Malcolm's book to continue my INSPIRATION as inspired as a Connector!

Alaska Tracy here to INSPIRE and Coach you to your Desired Goals!!!

Social OVERLOAD?

It can be daunting the amount of stimulation received daily from Social Media. As a Coach, the biggest complaint I hear is 'I AM OVERWHELMED!!!!!'


The 2nd complaint is TIME! Business owners continually tell me, 'I do not have the time to learn how to be effective with 'Social Media.'  I have too many other tasks as the owner than to keep up with Social Media."   

Secrets to Over Stimulation & TIME Management: 

• Start with one Social Media Avenue ie; Facebook (FB).  Learn it, and build a Community that you are engaging with. 
• Create your company Business Page and FAN Community.  Do NOT jump ship on FB until you are engaging with your community ie; getting feedback on your comments.
• Learn another Social Avenue such as Twitter, Linkedin, Pinterest, or one of the endless other Social Media Avenues out there.
• Use an Alarm (check out Google Chrome Web Store -Alarms) and a Calendar (paper is best so you can SEE it daily).
• Calendaring 2-3 times per day - 15-30 minute blocks to 'Socialize' with your community.
• Allow fun time in the evening (or when works best for you) to read other people's posts and just have fun being Social.
• Hire an expert to teach you Social Media (hint;  Alaska Tracy).
• Learn the basics and then hire a Media Expert (Beacon Media & Marketing or Bloom Brand Strategies to handle inputting your content daily).
• Watch Businesses that are engaging with their fans and their community ~ pay attention to how they engage.
• Keep it SIMPLE!!!!

Alaska Tracy ~ Happy to share tips for Socializing that you can use TODAY!!! 

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SOCIALIZE!!!

We are SOCIAL beings!  Many of us think we are 'loners' however we are all Social Beings!  


Conversation is a large part of the way human beings communicate.  When you see someone you know do you say 'hi, how are you doing?'  Conversations are a connection to one another.


Social Media is just a connection to other Social Beings.  It is a way to communicate and explore others.


What is your perception of 'Social Media'?  Are you 'clueless?'  Do you watch others growing businesses using Social Media and wonder how they are achieving their success?  You can do it too!!! It is just about being Social and communicating with others.


Here are THREE easy, simple tools that you can start using today to start connecting via Social Media, ways that are proven to GROW your Social Community.


1.  Start engaging with your community.  Go to your friends profiles say hello,  see what they are doing.  Ask them questions about their life.  Pay them a compliment!


2.  Promote others!  Most people love to be told how wonderful they are...so promote your friends and other businesses on your Personal Newsfeed and your Fan Page!  Tell your Community about others!!!


3.   Tag others when posting.  Use tags often to get responses.  When commenting on a post tag!  When you have wonderful service tag that business and  brag about how awesome they are!  Let the world know they are amazing!  They will notice you!


Have fun Socializing with your Social Community today!


Alaska Tracy here to INSPIRE you to Grow your Biz thru Social Media tools and tricks!


  

Achieve the LIFE You DESIRE

As I watched Nik Wallenda walk across Niagara Falls on a Friday night in June,  I think to myself this guy is CRAZY!!!  What would possess someone to do this? Ego? Money and FAME?  

Later I watch interviews and learn of Wallenda's background.  His family dates back to 1780...a Circus troupe family consisting of acrobats, jugglers, clowns, aerialists and animal trainers.  Performing is in his blood.  So when he dreamed of walking across Niagara and was told NO WAY from both the USA and Canada he was more determined to make this a reality.  TWO years later he did it as millions watched!


Wallenda speaks at schools encouraging children to listen to their heart, to follow their dreams to dream BIG!  That anything in life is possible!  He speaks all over the world encouraging people to pursue what is deep with in them.  Listening to him talk, I felt a connection to him.  He seems so real, honest and genuine.  I get the feeling that he is trying to help others to achieve their goals and that many do because of him.


Not all of us aspire to walk across Niagara Falls, however, do you  picture living a different life than the one you currently have? Do you day dream about writing that book, opening that business, traveling the world, or maybe having more time to do what you want to do?  What is HOLDING you back from this life?  Maybe it is money? Maybe it is listening to others tell you this is as good as it gets?  Only you know what keeps you in present situation.


I encourage you to look within today.  Ask yourself if you could do anything in LIFE today, what would it be?  Then ask yourself WHAT is holding you back?  Life is so very precious and goes by so quickly.  Life is an adventure!  Ask someone that you admire how they have gotten where they are today ask them if they would mentor you.  Follow people on Social Media that are living their dreams.  Watch what they do ask them questions.  GO FOR IT!!! Take the steps today to LIVE the LIFE you DESIRE!!!


* Picture from LA Times: http://lat.ms/Lo0Wu6