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Archive for Business Coaching – Page 3

Procrastination Can Be Costly

By Elena · Comments (6)
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

I was in a panic this morning as I realized I had been putting off registering my son for summer camps.  Luckily there were spots still available.  (Not getting in would have cost this working mom her sanity.)

Later on, I was talking to one of my mastermind buddies when it suddenly hit me.  I’ve been talking and talking the last two weeks about all these programs I’m creating, and want to create…that I actually haven’t done anything at all.

I’ve been procrastinating on getting anything started.

Procrastination is a common human behavior, but it can be also be very costly.  Read More→

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Categories : Business Coaching
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Your Money or Your Life

By Elena · Comments (3)
Thursday, May 27th, 2010

We all know what to do when a robber asks us “your money or your life,” right?  But if you look at how you spend your life on a daily basis, what are you really choosing?

Especially in tough times like the recession we’ve had over the last couple of years, money is a hot topic.  This article won’t tell you how to save money, or how to invest your money.  Rather, I want to tackle some of the internal issues we all hold about money.

Over the years, I’ve worked with clients that have had money issues in one way or another.  Some examples include:

  1. Turning down money because it felt wrong – a client struggling to pay her bills already had a profitable business, but didn’t feel entitled to pay herself a small salary until the business “really takes off.”

    2. Read More→

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Categories : Business Coaching
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It’s Hard Being Perfect

By Elena · Comments (6)
Thursday, March 25th, 2010

I’m a perfectionist. I have to have things “just so”. Everything has its place, there is only one way to do things – my way – and my standards of excellence are extremely high.

It’s been a strength that has served me well in business, as I push relentlessly for both quantity and quality with my clients. However, perfectionism can also be a weakness that can easily throw off work-life balance if left unchecked.

I have wasted so much time agonizing over perfecting a sentence in a proposal or tidying around the house that I have missed out on having fun with family and friends, which if I examine my values, are more important to me than new business or a clean house.              Read More→

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Categories : Business Coaching
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10 Ways You Can Say No (without the guilt)

By Elena · Comments (11)
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
bright picture of young woman making stop gesture

I find it extremely difficult to say “No”. First of all I’m a Libra and like to keep things in harmony (often at the expense of my own well-being). In business, I tend to have the shiny-object syndrome – you know, where everything looks cool and so I get worried that I may miss an opportunity if I say no. This ends up taking a lot of my time and scatters my focus.

Tell me if this sounds familiar – you’re asked to do something you don’t really want to do or have time for, but you would feel guilty if you said No. Whether it’s a church fundraiser, a committee at your child’s school or participating in a project, it’s important to learn to say No if you don’t want to get overwhelmed, stressed or resentful. It’s about self-protection – people who are able to say No have more free time, energy and feel more in control of their lives.
Read More→

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Categories : Business Coaching
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Get Off The Island of Someday

By Elena · Comments (2)
Friday, February 12th, 2010
empty chairs and umbrellas on the beach

There is a crowded little island that everyone in the world has been to several times, including you and me – and it’s called “Someday”.

It’s so appealing that many people who go there never return.

“Someday I’ll have the family, house, luxury car and 2 dogs and then I’ll be happy. Someday this current misery will end, the venture capitalists will understand my genius and I’ll figure out what I really want, and then I’ll be happy. Someday I’ll retire financially independent – just wait and see – I’ll be really happy then.”

The problem with living on this island is Read More→

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Categories : Business Coaching
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Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

By admin · Comments (22)
Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Last week, Steve Jobs and Apple launched the new and eagerly anticipated iPad. Over the years I have admired Apple for their branding, product launches and product innovation.

This post is a more personal glimpse at a much-respected and innovative thinker. I thought I’d share with you a speech by Steve Jobs where he shares three very powerful stories. It never fails to inspire me.

Read More→

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Categories : Business Coaching
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The 3 Mindsets for Successful D-I-Y PR

By Elena · Comments (15)
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

When I first started my career in PR 18 years ago, I had graduated at the top of my class, was recruited by the largest PR firm in San Francisco and had my senior thesis published in an industry magazine.

Mindsets for DIY PR

But when the day came that I had to start contacting the media for the agency’s clients, I was shaking-in-my boots terrified.

Palms sweaty, heart beating so loud I couldn’t think, and memorizing scripts, facts and figures over and over again so I wouldn’t make a mistake.

I was representing really large clients and didn’t want to ruin their reputation, and I was going to talk to hardened, cynical reporters who get pitched hundreds of times a day by more seasoned pros than a recent graduate like me.

“They’re going to think I’m ignorant, stupid and wasting their time.”

“They’re going to eat me alive,” I thought.

If you’re an entrepreneur, mom or small business owner doing your own PR, that may be how you’re feeling. If you’re fearing doing your own PR because you might face a grumpy reporter or be rejected by a blogger, chances are, you are stuck and not trying to get any publicity at all.

Read More→

Comments (15)
Categories : Business Coaching
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How to Set Unrealistic Goals

By Elena · Comments (5)
Thursday, January 14th, 2010

In a recent post, I wrote about How to Create a Personal Vision. In order to make your vision a reality, you’ll need to tie it into specific goals. Otherwise your vision will remain a daydream.

Other benefits of goal setting include:

* Using your mind and talents fully
* Making better decisions
* Being more organized and effective
* Having greater confidence and self-worth
* Being more enthusiastic and motivated
* Accomplishing uncommon or “unrealistic” projects

Setting unrealistic goalsI’m particularly intrigued by this last point about Unrealistic projects because one of the most popular systems out there about setting goals proposes they should be S.M.A.R.T. – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely.

I’d like to propose a version called S.M.U.R.T – Specific, Measurable, Unrealistic, Resonant and Timely. Here’s what it would include:

Read More→

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Categories : Business Coaching
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How to Create Your Personal Vision

By Elena · Comments (25)
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

2010 visionNote: A longer version of this article appears in Working Mom Magazine

In the last four years, I’ve been in a constant state of re-invention.

One year we sold our house in the city and moved to our dream house on an island – population 3500. The next year my husband and I started a quirky Internet business, which got so much attention we got bought out in less than a year. Then we had our second child and we moved countries.  And then I started this website, PR in Your Pajamas. Who knows what’s next?

Some decisions may seem drastic but were consciously planned, and some decisions were more spontaneous but still purposefully aligned with my values.  Every year began with a personal vision, which have led to numerous incredible and often unforeseen experiences.

So it seemed fitting as I write this at the beginning of 2010 to help YOU explore and define your personal vision for the coming year.

Read More→

Comments (25)
Categories : Business Coaching
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How to Be Productive: Leave Your Office

By admin · Comments (5)
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009


Today I had to renew my passport. With such tight security at the embassy, I was asked to leave my cellphone and computer behind at the front desk.

I was horrified! What will I do while I wait? Fuming, I grudgingly took out pen and paper and started making notes. In 90 minutes here’s what I achieved:

1. A clearer vision of company directions, products, status and next steps
2. A revised PR and Marketing plan for the next 30 – 60 days
3. Two blogposts written
4. One press release written
5. Most importantly, clarity on the bigger picture.

I’ve been stuck on a few things and having the time away without distractions of emails, calls, Twitter and my kids running afoot made space in my mind for ideas to come through and connect in a different way.

In terms of boosting productivity and time management, I learned sometimes the office is NOT the most productive place to get things done, especially as a WAHM.

I’ll be scheduling a “get out of the office day” with just pen and paper at least twice a month and looking forward to letting my brain “work out of the box”.

Won’t you join me?

Comments (5)
Categories : Time management
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