After55:

In my previous blog, I mentioned the two After 55 additional entrepreneurial challenges–expectation and time. Today I want to look at expectations.

Let’s face it, by our age we have been around the block maybe more than once. Now we have an idea for a new business–or maybe it is a consuming passion. Like all entrepreneurs, we would like the instant gratification of quick success, but the truth could also be that we expect a little quicker return because we have so much life experience and perhaps even business experience. Prior experience of any sort may prove to be of enormous help, but I think our hard-earned wisdom may prove most beneficial in unexpected ways: patience and a sense of the ebb and flow of life.

Now, patience is definitely not my strong suit. I want what I want (or what I think I want) now! Yesterday might have been soon enough. And yet, I am also slowly coming to believe that, within reason, things happen as they should. Notice how many qualifiers there were in that sentence.

Another one of my daily quotes (this one from TheDailyGuru.com) last week had this to say:”Don’t think that you’ve lost time. There is no shortcutting to life. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time.” — Asha Tyson

On days or weeks when it seems we are barking up the wrong tree, we have the wisdom to know that there will also be times when everything seems made to order to make us happy if we can just hang on. Very few Gen Xers, Gen Yers, Millennials–or whatever label is attached–know this as we do.

By now you have figured out that I love thought-provoking quotes. Yesterday, this one appeared in my inbox from Heartmath.com:

“The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps–we must step up the stairs.” — Vance Havner

As women entrepreneurs, particularly After 55, we must have the courage to step up the stairs. What a beautiful phrase. All the thinking, planning, consulting, networking and visioning are only lovely exercises unless we put our foot on the stairs and step up. Remember that babies try to go up the stairs, rock back and forth, fall back, watch, try again and again and then get up one stair. With more practice they get up more stairs until, within a few months, they handle the stairs as though they have always done it. Eventually they may learn to take two stairs at a time, slide down the bannister and venture all other permutations, but they always know how to go up the stairs.

I think we Women of a Certain Age have two additional challenges to face squarely in addition to those faced by all entrepreneurs: the feeling that because we have our life experience we should be able to accomplish our goals faster and the concern that we may have a limited time horizon. I’ll take a look at each of these in the next two messages.

Today I am writing this message from Israel, nearly halfway around the world from my home. I usually encounter absolutely no problems when I travel, but the first half of the trip has been full of surprises. My seat assignment on the first leg of the trip had no relation to the seat I actually occupied (the last row, window–glad I’m not claustrophobic!), I did not have an assigned seat on the overseas leg, and one of my two checked bags did not accompany me on my flight. I guess these are not unusual situations nowdays, but they were new to me.

In each case, I had a choice about how I would handle it. Over the first seat assignment I tried everything, to no avail.  I smilingly told the flight attendant that I was not a happy camper but assured him I was not going to be a complainer. This gave him the opportunity to give me outstanding attention and service.

The second leg of the trip was a bit tougher. I was given the choice of the last row of the plane (Oh no! Not again!) or middle bulkhead, with the warning I would probably be surrounded by kids. I chose the latter in hopes I could change it at the gate. There I was told the plane was totally oversold and there was no hope. I went off and ate some chocolate, then returned to the gate and another staff member. I said with a smile that I knew insanity was trying the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, but I laid out my situation for her. I got a far forward aisle seat!

Before we landed I was asked to identify myself–what could I have possibly done? That is when I learned my luggage was not with me. Fortunately, my clothes and laptop were carry-ons, but the luggage was full of gifts for my grandchildren. I smilingly told the lost and found attendant about my plight. He told me only one had not made it and quickly made arrangements to have the errant bag delivered to me as soon as possible. It arrived in under 24 hours in perfect shape.

Each time I received a very nice response. Had I ranted and raved, berated and complained would I have received the same service? I don’t think so. Everyone, and particularly those in the airline industry, craves acknowledgement, understanding and a kind word. Everyone appreciates a partner in the solution of problems. Front-line people may not have ultimate decision-making power, but they do have the power to make a difference. Our power is to make others feel appreciated and valued. The very best first step is a smile.

Today you are You, that is truer than true.
There is no one alive who is Youer than You.
Dr. Seuss

This quote appeared in my inbox this morning (thanks to AsAManThinketh.net/Daily Insights). Being a huge fan of Dr. Seuss and his wild creativity, both visual and verbal, I chuckled and then started to think.

Questions as you go about your work today:

1. Are you putting all of you into your enterprise?
2. Do your customers feel connected to you?
3. Does your passion for your business come through?
4. Is there something holding you back or is it you?
5. If you could do anything, what would you do?

One of the best parts of being an entrepreneur is doing something you think is worthwhile and trying different ways you think it should be done. This is one of the things that sets you apart.

So today what can just you do?
No one can make your business youer than you –

My apologies, Dr. Seuss, but I couldn’t resist.

Do your customers think about you? Sure, they buy from you, but do they think about you as you would like them to? The quickest–though not the easiest–way to keep in touch with your customers is an informative, reliable, regular e-mail or newsletter.

Make it informative by letting them know about one of your services they might not be using, an issue they may not be aware of or a new product that can help them. Ensure that it’s reliable by doing your homework so you know the information you are sharing is true and helpful. Keep it regular so they will come to expect hearing from you. That is one of your goals : to become a trusted resource.

The content needn’t be long or in depth, particularly if writing does not come easily to you. What’s most important is that you bring something of value to your recipients. Your sincerity will shine through. And use Spellcheck to make sure you are putting your best foot forward.

You probably already know about Constant Contact, a widely used program for just this purpose. Constant Contact will help you design professional looking missives easily. The company’s support is excellent. Sending a crisp simple e-mail will also work, but it’s not as eye-catching.

Like we tell our kids–keep in touch. The rewards are great.

I’ve been thinking a lot about balance this week. It’s a usual entrepreneurial week with website changes, interviews, financial considerations, taxes to be done and on and on and on. Adding to the mix this week are family interests–my daughter and oldest grandson are visiting for five days, and my husband is leaving for an overseas business trip, the first since his major surgery. Late every evening I try to assess what I got done or didn’t. It is at this time that my wise coach’s words come back to me, “Bonnie, balance is not a noun, it’s a verb. You will constantly be adjusting priorities and tasks. Sometimes you will be spending much more time in one area, notice you are neglecting another and adjust. That’s just the way it is.”

We After 55s, who have expected we can do it all, lose sight of this wisdom. We cannot only focus on one area at a time, but we can forgive ourselves when we get out of kilter. Take a few minutes, step back, assess your situation and make adjustments.

It seems NCAA March Madness is gripping much of the male population. I am fascinated by the excitement and focus the playoffs generate. Since I am not much interested in sports, I have been wondering what I could learn from all this activity.

It’s all about the numbers: Since the first quarter is nearly over, it’s a great time to check our corporate benchmarks. Is the business meeting the goals you have set?

Intense focus for a short amount of time: This sounds like a sales promotion to me. What could you offer your customers to help them focus on your area of expertise or products?

Practice, practice, practice: The end of the first quarter is a good time to review your marketing–promotional materials, website and media–to make sure you are putting your best foot forward.

Rewards and awards are wonderful: This is a great time to recognize staff, vendors and customers. Everyone says thanks at the end of the year. Stand out from the crowd and award and reward now!

When March Madness is over, you will be in a great position to enjoy a terrific spring.

Earlier this week I attended the funeral of a man whom I knew over the years, but it would be presumptuous to say we were close friends. It was a great funeral and I continue to think about the lessons I learned as I listened to the various eulogies.

1. He was always the same person–whether his role was as a leader, counselor, friend, brother, husband or father. Lesson: Let the real you be present in all that you do. You will derive great benefit from being authentic.
2. When later thanked for a piece of wisdom or good counsel, his response was generally, “I said that?” eliciting a chuckle. Lesson: Be humble. It draws far more people to you than tooting your own horn.
3. Every time he spoke to a group, he wrote it out and practiced it at least twice. His listeners always thought he was a fabulous, extemporaneous speaker. Lesson: Prepare. You’ll always look better, and you can concentrate on what others are doing and saying.
4. He held his position for 34 years and loved it. Of course, it was not without challenges, but he knew what he wanted to do and the scope within which he wanted to work. Lesson: Find the joy in what you do.
5. Each person spoke movingly, and also with great hilarity, of the bond he or she had with this man. Lesson: Communicating your genuine regard, respect and pride is a gift to the recipient and has lasting worth.
6. He smiled at everyone he liked; and those he didn’t like as much–he smiled at them, too! Lesson: A smile is the cheapest gift you can give, and you will never know how much it means to another.

Not particularly complex lessons, but the impact on our business of life can be profound.

Lately I am hearing a lot about an old idea: Mastermind Groups. In his landmark book Think and Grow Rich, originally published in 1937, Napoleon Hill devoted an entire chapter to Master Mind Alliances, a small group of carefully selected colleagues for the purpose of helping you reach your Definite Purpose. Barbara Sher had a similar concept in the late 1970s that she called Success Teams. They were not quite as particularly selected but more a general business success support group.

Today, this idea is as vibrant and important as ever. One of the great difficulties of being an entrepreneur is a sense of isolation as we wear many hats and many times live in our head under those hats. A qualified, supportive (no Negative Nellies or Normans allowed!), committed group of people dedicated to helping you achieve your dreams for your business could be just what the doctor ordered.

If you haven’t read Think and Grow Rich, do! The section on energy is definitely dated, but the rest has made a difference in countless millions of lives. See what it can do for you.

I had the fun of interviewing Nell Merlino today. I told you about her Make Mine a Million $ Business in January, but something she said today really struck a chord. When I asked her what one thing she really would want me to say in the Spotlight article, she thought a second and said, “Don’t Settle for Small!” What fabulous words to hear. How many times have we been told not to be too pushy, not to look too smart, not to bother with big dreams at our age? Plenty of times. Nell went on to say she wants women to know how much fun it is to have a million dollar business. To date, 14% of M3 winners are After 55s! Just a reminder, if you are anywhere near Phoenix, get yourself over to Make Mine a Million on Tuesday, March 4. Both Nell and I will be there. Come on down! Let’s make yours a million dollar business!

On Wednesday I went to a delightful business luncheon. One of my tablemates said she could almost join SilverVixens because she is 53, though not really happy about it. Fortunately, I stifled the old saw, Think of the alternative. We “After 55″ women entrepreneurs MUST get the word out that being older than 55 is great fun, is energizing, and we are not on the slide to a boring life! If we look at the women I have written about over the months, every single one of them has started a thriving business after the age of 55, and many of them have started several. We have a “bad rep”–let’s start a conversation about how to change our image to reflect the truth: We are vital, vibrant and accomplished. What are good ways to get this started?

Happy Valentine’s Day. One of the many wonderful aspects of being “After 55″ is being able to follow our passions. At this time of life we are also able to express our passions in terms of our work–starting and building a business that expresses our creativity and commitment to running a business the way we think it should be done.

As I talk to “women of a certain age” entrepreneurs around the country, I hear excitement in their voices. We are captivated by bringing our product to the attention of the marketplace. We delight in the connections we are making with others. We hum with the electricity of problem solving. Okay, sometimes we are also tired and frustrated, but that is part of the process that brings out the best in us. We enjoy the stories of our trials, tribulations and triumphs.

So, today let’s do a “passion check”–Do you love what you are doing? Is it worthy of your affection? If your answer to either of these questions is not a resounding “yes,” give thought to what needs to be done to get it there.

Here’s to passion!