We have all been bombarded with news exposing us to gas prices, politicians being scorned , the war, the down turn in the economy, etc etc. Actually this has been a pretty dismal time in all of our lives. Everyday I hear fear creep into almost every conversation.

WE NEEDED THE OLYMPICS to remind us that we are the Greatest Country on Earth. WE NEEDED THE OLYMPICS to remind us that we are proud to be Americans as we watched our athletes represent our fine country.

I think a song that speaks the loudest for me about our country is GOD BLESS THE USA by Lee Greenwood.

Here is a verse from that song“I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free, and I won’t forget the men who died who gave that right to me. And , I’ll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today. ‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land…GOD BLESS THE USA” Let’s STAND UP and stop participating in this economic downturn chatter of gloom and doom…  let’s STAND UP next to each other and say “even with gas up, Real estate down…  isn’t this a GREAT country?”Live your life with passion
Patriciawww.patriciadrain.comwww.whatshouldibewhenigrowup.com

www.buildagreatbusiness.com

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 Hello Everyone,

I think there has been some confusion about networking your way to success in business.The other day I attended a business meeting with a group of business owners, when a gentleman came over to me saying, “I need to meet the famous Patricia Drain.” We casually talked about what he did in business. As he slipped his business card in my hand telling me not to lose it because it was very important to him, he was now looking over my shoulder to find another business owner to introduce himself to. As I watched him move quickly around the room I overheard him say over and over “I need to meet the famous (fill in the name), don’t lose my card it is very important to me.”A couple of days went by when I received a call from him, suggesting we meet, so he could tell me more about him and his business.I told him my brother-in-law did exactly what he did so I would not need his service.His next line was shocking.

“I can meet you at a coffee house by your house to tell you more about me.”

NO.

“I can come directly to your house if that is more convenient.”

NO.

“Give me a break Patricia.  I am just trying to do my job and tell you more about me and my business.” (have you noticed all the me’s and my’s).

My reply was, “Remember when I told you my brother-in-law is in the same business, so I will not be using your service?”

His response… ”I am just networking, I am sure you must have friends that could use my service.”

I am not sure if you have had a similar experience, but that is the reason NETWORKING has such a bad reputation.

To me, networking is about building relationships.

In fact, when I thought about it I came up with 4 simple rules about networking that would help any business grow and flourish consistently.

1. Ask questions about the other person’s business!
2. Listen to the person… I mean REALLY listen!
3. Learn to communicate with someone so they feel they are the most important person in the room.
4. Be authentic when building relationships because if you are not authentic I promise… You will get discovered.

What I know for sure (to copy Oprah’s column) about networking and building any business, anywhere, anytime, is if you just follow those 4 simple procedures your business will grow all by itself.

If the networking gentleman is reading this ezine, I hope you recognize yourself and realize there are BETTER ways to play the networking game.Patricia Noel Drain

• An out of control teenager.
• A tired, sick old man.
• A frustrated old maid.
• An excited child with no focus.
• A baby just learning to walk.

For all you business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs reading this, have fun filling in the blanks.What does your “baby” look like today?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      If your answer was right on track, profitable and fun, or that it is growing, then stop reading NOW. Please give the book to a friend or business associate who could use the information. This book is for all those business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders who need guidance and advice in their business.If your answer was right on track, profitable and fun, or that it is growing, then stop reading NOW. Please give the book to a friend or business associate who could use the information. This book is for all those business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders who need guidance and advice in their business.So how do you work ON your business instead of IN it?I can only tell you what I did. You will have to design your own plan that fits your style and your company’s. I did not quit running my desk overnight — that would not have worked in my situation. But I did decide to start taking the early mornings NOT to go into the office, but to stay at home where I had peace and quiet and could think about what I wanted this business to look like when it was finished.It bothers some business owners when I say “finished” because they think it will always be a work in progress. If you are considering selling the business, you should have a “finished” product to sell.That is when I wrote my first real business plan. Can you imagine starting a business and not having a business plan in place? If you are like the majority of business owners…yes you can.

I decided to write how my company would operate when it was complete and what it would look like if I ever decided to sell it. I didn’t realize at the time that this would be the start of a very solid business plan that my future buyers would be very impressed with.

I started with a marketing plan. I then attacked the accounting end of the business, and then public relations. I also addressed how the meetings would be run, how management would work, what computerized systems could be put in place, the kind of training I would emphasize, how the filing would be done, and how the organizational part of the company would work.

It took a lot of time and thought to create the systems that are needed to make a company not only survive, but thrive.

As I wrote out each section of the business plan, I continued feeling empowered. I started to feel like I was back in control of my life and my business once again.

Wishing all of you future success working ON your business.Respectfully,
Patricia Noel Drain

For more info, go to

www.patriciadrain.com

Receive complimentary weekly e-zines from Patricia Noel Drain to grow your business, find your career passion, and set new goals! Go to: http://www.buildagreatbusiness.com/

 Q  I think Goal setting is difficult. Sometimes it is impossible to get what you want

 A   Goals have different gestation periods. Sometimes we think we are ready for something but maybe emotionally, financially or mentally it would not be the best time. Just remember that goal setting is simple if you think of it as a process. Here are 5 musts in Goal setting:

1. Must be written

2. Must be attainable

3. Must have a specific Action plan

4. Must keep score

5. Must have a deadline

All of the musts are important but to me one of the most important is a Deadline. I have worked with many people over the years helping them attain their goals and sometimes they didn’t enjoy the moment of completion, celebrating the fact that they did what they set out to do.  Although they eventually met their goals, if they hadn’t set a deadline their sense of accomplishment was not nearly as significant in their minds.  Not only that, but by setting a deadline, it gives a person a sense of urgency, thus reaching his or her goals in a much more timely manner.

Because you are one of our faithful subscribers we would like to offer a free copy of our award winning HOW TO GET WHAT YOU REALLY WANT goal sheet.  This goal sheet will help you on your journey to getting what YOU want. To request the goal sheet, please contact publicrelations@patriciadrain.com

Receive complimentary weekly e-zines from Patricia Noel Drain to grow your business, find your career passion, and set new goals! Go to: http://www.buildagreatbusiness.com/

The following article Decide Today is dedicated to you Scott and Steven Drain for making good decisions your entire lives.

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Picture this: There are 4 business people sitting together at a business meeting. Someone at the podium announces “if anyone would like to come up to the podium to promote their company now would be the time”. One of the business owners turned to the others and said,“ I made the decision, to promote myself and my company so I am going to take advantage of the opportunity.”

QUESTION?

How many business owners are left at the table?

ANSWER

4 (FOUR)

Why not 3?

Because making a decision is only part of the process, important yes, but TAKING ACTION is the key.

So often we say things like:

I am going to lose weight.

I decided to join a gym.

I will do business differently this time.

Great decisions, but did we take the action necessary to make it happen? Did we make a firm commitment to change the way we were doing something, to make it better?

I recently had a client in my mentoring program say to me “I am stuck, I can’t seem to take my company to the next level.” When I asked her what she had been doing to accomplish that goal she said she had been thinking about new ways to make money, thinking about calling old clients to see if they would give her referrals, and also starting an email campaign.

Notice anything?

She was thinking about these ideas but had not taken action on one of them. After we spoke for an hour we came up with a clear, precise, step by step plan of action. She called me a week later to say how shocked she was with all the unbelievable opportunities that were coming her way. WHY? She took ACTION and the universe helped her get exactly what she wanted.What will your ACTION step be TODAY to make a difference in your life or your business? What will you do first, second, even third TODAY? Let me share 4 of my favorite questions that always motivate me to take action, maybe they will work for you also.

WHY?

WHY NOT?

WHY NOT ME?

WHY NOT NOW?

Great questions huh?

Put them somewhere you can see them daily and watch the universe help you get exactly what you want.

 Q  You talk a lot about mentors or coaches. Do you believe people need more than one? As a coach, what areas should I specialize in?

 A  We all have basically 10 areas in life. They are emotional, mental, physical, career, financial, social, educational, spiritual, family, and relationships. Most people don’t have the time or money for coaches to help in all areas.

The 2 top areas for coaching that can help direct a life are financial and career coaching. In fact career coaching has become so important that we offer a certification program on becoming a career coach following our WHAT SHOULD I BE WHEN I GROW UP format.

If you are interested please email patricia@patriciadrain.com for more information about this program, either as a full time business, or as an addition to your current business.

Also don’t forget about our one on one sessions that help people get clarity, direction, and a plan of action to move forward.

Receive complimentary weekly e-zines from Patricia Noel Drain to grow your business, find your career passion, and set new goals! Go to: http://www.buildagreatbusiness.com/