The Mental Game

Firing Up Your Mental Crock-Pot

I love to cook. And for many home cooks like myself, it doesn’t get any better than autumn.
The cool, crisp air signals a return to stews, soups, chili and other hearty dishes — meals that require lots of time and patience to prepare.
You simply can’t rush a beef stew, a savory lentil soup, osso buco or standing rib [...]

Juice on a Stick…and the Power of Perseverance

Ever heard of Frank Epperson?
Sure you have. Epperson, at age 11, invented the “Epsicle.”
It all started one unusually cold night in San Francisco, 1905. Epperson had just mixed fruit- flavored powder into a glass of water, a popular kid’s drink at the time.
How, he wondered, would this taste frozen?
Epperson left the glass on the porch. [...]

Why You Must Get Clear

For most people, the notion of “clarity” is uncharted territory. Just try answering this “simple” question: What do you want out of your business or career?
It’s a tough question. But, if you want to be a successful freelancer, then you absolutely have to know, feel and be able to visualize the answer.

Want More Business? Invest in Your Personal Growth

For a freelance professional, business success and personal growth go hand in hand. You really can’t have one without the other.
If you aren’t in a continual mode of learning, then your life and business will stagnate — real fast. Clients will become harder to get. Work will become harder to do. Things won’t be fun [...]

No Track Record? No Problem!

If you’re an aspiring freelancer (or new to freelancing) and you’re down in the dumps right now, what I’m about to tell you will hopefully change the way you feel about the tough road ahead.
Here it is: When you’re starting out, what you lack in experience and track record you can make up by working [...]

The Power of Gratitude

I caught up with a good friend last week, someone I used to work with back when I was in sales. When I asked him how things were going (he still works with the same company), he wasn’t too cheerful.

“I’m miserable,” he said. “As a company, we no longer take great care of our customers. And I’m no longer empowered to fix customer issues, which makes it extremely difficult when you’re working hard to build customer loyalty.”

I feel for him. Yet it’s these types of stories that remind me of how good I have it.

As a freelance professional, I get to make the rules. I can provide excellent service and value to my clients. I don’t need to ask permission to make something wonderful happen.

Need an Energy Boost? Be a Finisher

Feeling a little drained? That’s not uncommon for busy freelance professionals. We have so much that needs to get done. Usually by an insane deadline. (No wonder we drink so much coffee!)
But…
“It’s not what we do that makes us tired,” says Steve Chandler in his book 100 Ways to Motivate Yourself. “It’s what we don’t [...]

Mentally Ready To Crush That Obstacle?
Take This 10-Second Test

The freelancer’s life can be a rocky road, and most of us who decide to go it alone do encounter our fair share of setbacks, rejection and disappointment.
What do you do when you encounter an obstacle on your path to success?
If you find you keep worrying about a certain obstacle, take this as sign that [...]