Savor the Success - The Premium Business Network for Women Entrepreneurs.

When I blog on Savor, I always write original content.

But today, I am breaking that personal rule and sharing a blog post I just added to my business blog.  I feel compelled to share it with all of you because I KNOW I am not alone in these thoughts. In fact, I've already received so many messages and comments from Savor members just from posting it on my blog.

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I cancelled my cable.

Yes you heard me. This television enthusiast (kind way of saying "addict") has cancelled her cable.

Okay, let me take a few steps back.

When the Lenten season came around this year, I decided to participate in a way I had not for many years- by following the tradition of sacrificing something – in my case something very decadent and superfluous in my life-Unnecessary television.

Now of course, I had a whole formula for what “unnecessary television” looked like. It was so complicated that a friend of mine who was also trying to fo [...]

Are you reading this blog post because you are procrastinating?

Oh procrastinating business owner, does your “to-do” list include things such as:

• Sign more clients (umm… yeah!)
• Identify places to speak (if they could just hear my message…)
• Find prospects (where are they hiding?)

Do you look at your calendar and realize that you have no meetings with key influencers or collaborators or … yikes… potential clients/customers? Is that why you are procrastinating today?

There is simple connection tip that works to solve this dilemma every time.

Get out from behind your computer and go meet someone face to face.

I’m not kidding.

Not a phone call. Go outside and meet them.

Don’t get me wrong, there are so many amazing connections made every day via telephone but there is something extra special about sitting across from another person. Challenge yourself to put one- just one- face to face meeting on your calendar for this week. Show up engaged and asking for referrals [...]

Pick a number. Write it down.

It is just that simple.

I use a post-it note.

You can use your planner, your Google calendar or a good old-fashioned to-do list.

Each week, pick a number of Savor connections you intend to make.

Who should you choose?

• Did you like a blog post you read on the site?
• Was there a comment on a discussion thread that interested you?
• Use the “find a member” feature (found under CONNECT in the navigation) and search by industry, zip code, etc. and find some Savor members with something in common.
• Does someone have a business similar to your and you are thinking she might make a great collaborator?

Identify your 2 or 5 or 10 Savorites and reach out.

You can connect with them on Savor. Send them a personal message. You could email or call (all that info is in their profile). So many options.

Start connecting! Isn’t this what Savor the Success is all about?

Bryn spent 20 years in Corporate America as a passionate leader of high-pe [...]

Everything is changing.

I am on the edge. The edge of that beautiful cliff at sunset.  Do I stand here and watch the sunset until the opportunities fade into the horizon or do I free-fall? Trusting I will be caught. I will be cared for.

Free-falling is the answer.

That is how it feels. Beautiful sunset surrounding me. There is so much more faith than fear but wow… this is uncharted territory. I do not ever remember being suspended in life this way before.

Sound familiar? Are you on that cliff with me?

Over the next few months watch for some big announcements. Changes in business. Changes in life. Changes in perspective. Changes in team, collaborators and partners. Nothing is safe from change in my life right now apparently.

But why play it “safe”?

I could have stayed in Corporate for that!

Bryn spent 20 years in Corporate America as a passionate leader of high-performing teams and endless multi-million dollar projects at powerhouses like Monster.com and MetL [...]

Yes. I had a cold.

Just a plain old miserable cold. Complete with red nose, hacking, sneezing, runny nose and headache.  Or at least that is what I thought. Now I realize it is more than a cold.

Instead, I realize that the entire last week of being sick was the learning opportunity I’d been waiting for. The lessons. So rich in lessons.

This is what I heard loud and clear: 

Take care of yourself, Bryn.

Seriously. You are sick. Get in your pajamas and favorite socks and stop running around. There is not “one more thing to do”. Sleep. Rest your voice (you don’t have one anyway.) Take cold medicine. Drink tea. Put Vicks on your chest.(It’s not sexy, but it works!)

Prioritize, Bryn.

What is more important than your health? Put that “out of office” notification on. Reschedule your amazing clients. Cancel those connection calls (you still have no voice anyway) Put the “to-do” lists down. Turn off the television and sleep. Put yourself first this time. Really.

Receive [...]

Research leads to small talk leading to a direct connection you can use to begin rich and detailed conversation. 

Research the people you want to connect with at an event or people you are meeting for a connection coffee. The result is that you can say you:

•               Follow them on Twitter.

•               Saw the person speak at another event.

•               Have a mutual friend.

•               Read their book.

•               Know their sister.

•               Have a client who once used their services.

NOTE: If someone made the connection/introduction for the two of you, be certain you have some follow up info on the person who connects you in the triangle (what they are doing today, current projects, last time you saw the person, etc.) to continue the conversation rather than just dropping this information-plunk. Give the person you have approached a minute to pull it all together in their mind- to make the triangular connection themselves. And t [...]

We’ve talked about Throwing Your Own Party while networking. Your own party to turn a big, overwhelming event into a manageable, enjoyable series of conversations. It’s flowing so smoothly. You are in the zone. Walking around your little networking party. And then BANG- you realize that the next step in the process is to start small talk with utter strangers. Strangers with whom you are trying to meet and make a memorable impression. PRESSURE! YIKES!

Breathe. You actually have everything you need to start an engaging conversation with someone and move that conversation forward into the start of a relationship. Really, you do.

Yes, I agree. The people you are targeting for connection in this room are potential friends, joint venture partners, clients, collaborators, dinner partners and sources of key information. But when I think of people in this way, I start to get nervous: “Will I say the perfect thing?”, “Do I have enough small talk in me to have a conversation that las [...]

Here are some things to think about when scheduling PERSONAL time in your calendar!

Personal Tip: Insert one hour of unscheduled time into your week. Don’t panic! It is just one hour. The only planning this hour requires is getting it on your calendar. And then do… well… whatever you want to do or are called to do in that hour. Go with the flow. Fill the time based on your instincts in that moment. This is one of the most important tools I have to get “unstuck” in my life and my business. My clients hate the assignment and love the results. It stirs up so many “shoulds”- I “should finish that chapter”, “I should clean out the pantry”, etc. Instead, do what feels good at the top of that hour. 

Insider scoop: I do this "unscheduled time" activity at least once a week- sometimes more when I need a dose of creativity.  I have been known to nap, take a walk in Central Park, read a few children’s books for inspiration, sort though my yarn to design my next knitting project, call a [...]