I remember as child of about nine years old, I wandered off from my parents at the Illinois State Fair as the lure of some smooth and sing song “Carnival Caller” mesmerized me with their rhythmic call,  “Be a winner. Yes, you. Come on, now. You can do it. One straight throw and the BIG  bear is yours. There’s a winner every time.  No one goes away empty handed.”

Loud and crisp the voice called out. I strayed to the voice and did not even notice that I no longer could see my mom or my dad. I wanted what the caller offered. I wanted to see the BIG bear. I wanted to throw the ball. As I came up to the booth where the caller was, I realized he  was not really  speaking directly to me; he was just calling out to anyone who would listen. It was at that moment fear gripped me like a mighty vice and  I realized that I could not see my mom and my dad. I instantly began to cry. I did not know how I would find my way back to them. It was only a matter of seconds that I cried, and then my dad was right there in front of me as if by a miracle. I was glad that I was back with my parents where I felt safe.

Have you ever been lost in your business quest; gotten off track, wandered far from your love and passion? Have you ever been lured away from your true calling by the sing song chant of the employer who promises a dollar for your minute of life?  Did you hear the chant ? Were you mesmerized? Did you wander?

Don’t worry if you  have had this happen to you. We have all been lured. We have all thought we should head a different direction than we were going. We have all looked for safety in stale places…at least once  on our business journey. What matters most though, is not being lost; it is finding your way Back; Back to the path of income source that makes you happy. Back to a safe place that allows you to be creative. Back to work that helps others while supplying a living for you. If you are lucky a true friend will come take your hand and rescue you. That is the mark of a real friend; one who cares enough to throw out the life line and bring you back to the “pasture of peace”.

Coming home is always good. It feels right and easy. The hard part is leaving the land of the lost…and finding your way back. Just know that the trip is more than worth it as you do that which you love everyday.

Blessings of a straight path home!

Jennifer

        We have all heard the expression: Readers are leaders. Some folks might say it the other way around, Leaders are readers. Regardless of the order of the words the wisdom of its meaning remains apparent. People who read, grow personally and intellectually, and eventually develop the characteristics of a leader. Of course, this is only the case when WHAT is being read is of high quality and leadership material.

       I recently attended a meeting with other entrepreneurs who were interested in growing their businesses. Everyone shared great insight to their business success. Many of these entrepreneurs had been business owners for decades. Some were “newbies” and others were mid -stream start ups. The common thread I noted as I sat and listened to the discussions, was that everyone present believed in learning..always..everyday. The means by which they learned varied. I heard some talk about books they were reading, others talked about seminars and conferences they attended. Regardless of their age, they all strived to gather more “nuggets” of information, “gems” of wisdom, and “golden” strategies and tips of significance and most importantly, IT SHOWED in their character.

       I have not stopped thinking about what I saw in those entrepreneurs since that meeting. I loved seeing it, being a part of it, and I loved those people for having the spirit to share with everyone. What beautiful people; what admirable learners!

       What are you learning today, this year, and during this time you are alive; called life?  Are you reading, taking classes, studying, attending seminars? are you striving to stretch yourself and your brain? As you stretch your brain..YOU yourself grow.  WOW! now that’s a thought isn’t it?

       Go learn something new today! You have everything to gain…including a “few inches of personal growth”….Be a learner and lead strong!

Blessings of great life discoveries,

Jennifer

       Treasure hunts are great fun and can produce amazing finds! I am never sure if the fun originates from the hunt or from what is found. Regardless of which is which, the results are great! A great find of some value is the end result of the time and effort spent.

       It surprises me to think that in many businesses practicing the death producing feats that create mediocrity and stagnation,  there are “golden nuggets of GREAT value”  buried beneath the blanket of “usuality”( a term I have made up to describe that which never changes even when it would be in the best interest of all, if things would only change).

Gold nuggets that produce financial increase. Gold nuggets that create more clients. Gold nuggets that make business productive and more lucrative. Gold nuggets that create a “buzz” of excitement that ignites the flame of desire to have that which your business offers. Yes, those are the gold nuggets that every business owner hopes to find. The funny thing about many business owners though is that they “think” they are too old, too tired, too sophisticated, and just too business serious to be a Treasure hunter. In fact, many people will not even read this post because to them it is not related to owning a business or making money….If this is you, I ask you to think again. There IS buried treaure in EVERY business. The gold or hidden treaure of your business can ONLY be found if you participate on the HUNT.

      What hidden treaure do you have buried in your business?

* Your business has a product/service available that you never promote because you THINK it will not be a BIG seller, yet when you offer it to the next three customers, ALL THREE buy it! 

*Your business is founded on a tangible product, but when your fifth grader films a short clip of YOU actually MAKING your product (the process) to show as a science project, EVERY attending adult at the science fair asks you,  ”WHERE CAN I  BUY that. I want to learn to do that”, you discover that people are wanting to pay for that which you do everyday.

* Your business makes money selling cardboard boxes. Your customers think of you everytime they want or need a box. PERIOD. You are content with this “branding” But the first time your sister works the desk in your business when you have to leave for the day, she does not know that ALL you sell is boxes. She offers the customer things to PUT IN the BOX and WOW!! … Hidden Treaure is found!

Be a pirate on the seas of sales. Get your map out to track the journey. Gather the materials to “pick” the cliffs you must climb. Put on your brightest “head lamp” to light the way as you DISCOVER th HIDDEN treaures your busienss has available to he who takes on a good hunt.

Happy hunting!

Blessings for the greatest business that you desire!

Jennifer