Posted on

It’s Possible To Build Community Resilience Despite All The Coronavirus Updates

Unless you live under a rock, you’ve been following the coronavirus live updates, pretty much every other minute. 

If you’re an entrepreneur or business owner and want to stay connected and supported, keep reading! We have a series of online resources to support you!

In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott has declared a statewide public health disaster as community spread has hit and cases of the new coronavirus have emerged in the state’s five most populous regions. An increase in the state’s testing capacity could reveal that the number of people infected is higher than currently known.

State and local officials have called for social distancing, extended spring break for colleges and school districts, and prohibited or canceled major events. 

How Many People In Texas Have Coronavirus?

There have been at least 60 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, in Texas.

The largest numbers of cases have mostly been centered in the Houston area, in North Texas and at a federal quarantine site in San Antonio. But all five of the state’s most populous urban areas have cases.

In Austin, the number of cases keep rising. It all started with 3 cases but the number is coming up, based on the most recent news.

Small Business Owners Are Suffering Severe Financial Consequences

The timing of this chaos is far from perfect. Coronavirus outbreak is happening right around the famous SXSW Festival; an internationally known festival that attracts more than 100,000 participants and sprawls from Austin’s convention center to hotels, bars and restaurants nearby.

SXSW is concerned its losses could run into the “tens of millions of dollars,” president Swenson said, and it will be out of money by this summer if it doesn’t find additional sources of income, such as grants.

You might think that an event this magnitude would have taken all the necessary precautions to have the best coverage. However, SXSW didn’t have insurance coverage for cancellations triggered by “bacterial infections, communicable diseases, viruses and pandemics”. 

The losses from canceling SXSW are not just from the convention, but also from the local economy. Cancellation of the event is a financial gut punch for owners and employees of downtown bars, restaurants and concert venues, many of whom have come to rely on the influx of cash SXSW produces. For instance, SXSW’s estimated $356 million economic impact last year includes about $200 million related to spending by attendees — which equates to about 4% of Travis County’s $5 billion annual hospitality sector, condensed into an extremely short period.

The cancellation of SXSW was just the beginning of this major crisis.

A Calling For Community Resilience. But What Is Resilience?

When faced with adversity in life, how does a person cope or adapt? Why do some people seem to bounce back from tragic events or loss much more quickly than others? Why do some people seem to get “stuck” in a point in their life, without the ability to move forward?

Psychologists have long studied these issues and have come up with a label you may be familiar with: resilience. When faced with a tragedy, natural disaster, health concern, relationship, work, or school problem, resilience is how well a person can adapt to the events in their life. A person with good resilience has the ability to bounce back more quickly and with less stress than someone whose resilience is less developed.

When It Comes To Implementing Resilience, Puerto Rico Has A Mastery. 

On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria (category 4 with winds up to 155 miles per hour) made landfall just south of the Yabucoa Harbor in Puerto Rico.  This is about 30 minutes from where my family lives. 

According to the best estimates, nearly 3,000 people died. It’s hard to put in words the big massive devastation this natural disaster left in millions of Puerto Ricans.

I will never forget how everything happened, while I was in Austin, talking with my mom. We were in constant communication. Around 4 am she wrote me a text telling me that the winds were very loud and she was afraid. I replied and never got an answer back until 7 days later. Those 7 days were full of fear and anxiety. I found myself crying for no reason. It was devastating just to think of the idea that my family was in danger.  

I remember seeing images like this one and thinking about my Abuela having to go through this and not making it.

Just take a second to think about the last time your home ran out of power. You had no internet. No water… After a few hours, you start to get uncomfortable. Well, for Puerto Rico, this was their reality for almost 1 year for some families. Imagine 1 year with no access to power and water?  How can one survive? It’s resilience.

How Can Communities Build Resilience 

Everybody has resilience. It’s just a question of how much and how well you put it to good use in your life. Resilience doesn’t mean the person doesn’t feel the intensity of the event or problem. Instead, it just means that they’ve found a pretty good way of dealing with it more quickly than others. 

Let’s discuss some strategies that can activate your resilience mindset, starting today!

Number One: Be distant but not disconnected. It’s important to recognize that your reality is pretty much the same reality for your neighbor. Perhaps they have it even harder. While it’s not recommended that you go out and visit them now, finding access to your neighborhood website, Facebook Group or Facebook page is important. If you don’t have those, then access your next available community. Join Nextdoor and you will find it. Be active. If you don’t see any then create a Facebook Group!

Number Two: Find a cause and support it. A great way to focus in the positive is by finding a cause and supporting them. In my case, I support local business owners. All my attention has been directed to get to know how is everybody and how can we rise together as a family. Since we cannot gather in person, we are hosting online meetings to expand the connections and help each other.

Jessica Campos is hosting an online networking event for members of ATX Professionals & Entrepreneurs Networking, to help small business owners expand their connections from the convenience of their homes. Join the community and participate in our local events.

Number Three: Stay positive. When you’re reading the coronavirus updates, keep in mind that they have a responsibility to prevent the worse scenario. Can the worst-case scenario happen? Yes, absolutely. But… what if it doesn’t? What if you can just listen to the news and put your mind to think about a much better scenario instead of entertaining those negative thoughts.

When I finally called my mom after a week, they had no power. In fact, they didn’t get it for almost 4 months. We would talk about the situation and she would tell me “Jessica we are fine, we are alive and we will get through this. The power will come one day this is not permanent.”   My goodness! I was, from the other side, suffering, but they were just ok. 

Number Four: Think about healthcare providers and first responders.  Maybe you’re not in conditions to enroll as a first responder and work at the center for disease control, for example. However, it’s important to be aware of their needs.

Number Five: Have a list of all the resources handy. Here are some resources that might guide you to manage this crisis in one page.

EMS needs during coronavirus

Psychological First Aid (PFA)

Stress and the Threat of COVID-19 

Official Austin updates

Pandemic Preparedness Resources

COVID-19 and Animals

If You Are Sick

Aprender sobre coronavirus en Espanol 

Greg Abbot – Twitter

Resources for Small Business Owners

Community & Connections – Austin Networking

SBA to Provide Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19).

SXSW organized Stand With Austin, promoting several fundraising events to come along and bring relief to those in need. Stand with Austin fund. 

Keep in mind!  Your school’s website or small office websites might not be updated instantly. Follow them on social media which is where they most likely will announce their updates.

If you have resources to add to the list, please email me jessica@marketingforgreatness.com and we will gladly add them.

These are just 5 ideas. 

The key is to identify ways that are likely to work well for you as part of your own personal strategy for fostering resilience. 

Now I’m turning this over to you!

Posted on

Girl, Wash Your Dirty Laundry (How To Get Rid Of Anxiety In 6 Steps)

Ladies, it’s time to have a real talk and touch on a very sensitive topic: how to get rid of anxiety. As a mentor, I get to work with many entrepreneurs who constantly tell me “I’m overwhelmed,” “I’m anxious about my cash flow”, “I can’t focus on my business with so many things going on”. Very often, their levels of anxiety and depression blur their vision, and that’s when a marketing and sales strategist comes in handy!  

The struggle to keep yourself motivated, focused, and happy is real–especially when you’re a new entrepreneur. 

I’m glad you’re reading this article today because it’s filled with resources for people just like you. Keeping things real is one of my biggest goals with you. 

I’m sure you have read the book Girl, Wash Your Face, by Rachel Hollis. So I wanted to add my own secret sauce to get rid of anxiety by “washing your dirty laundry” (negative thoughts).

Disclaimer —-  I’m not a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. If you are experiencing sudden changes in your mood, please consult a doctor. 

Have You Ever Felt Like Your Passion And Hustle Are In Jeopardy Because Of Your Own Thoughts? 

I get it. This thing called entrepreneurship is like riding a rollercoaster, each and every day. 

Sometimes, you’re up and sometimes you’re down. And when you’re feeling down, anxious, or unhappy, it’s as if nothing can bring you back up again. 

I don’t want you to think that I’m a woman full of positive thoughts because my life is so simple. 

Girl, I’ve been through a lot. Raised in poverty, surrounded by alcoholism, suicide, family members in jail, and drug abuse. I went to an accelerated high school program so I could start college at age 15. You might say, “Wow!” 

I say, “Why not?!”  

I became an accountant (100% free because I received a scholarship from being Magna Cum Laude). Then I went to law school (not free, but graduated Magna Cum Laude). I thought that being a good person and having good grades was all you needed to make it in life. And just when I thought I was done with my struggle, my next season of struggles started. Divorce, major financial losses, car repo, house foreclosure, business losses … more than I can even write in this short article. 

Therapy and coaching weren’t as accessible as they are today. As a young girl dealing with adult problems, I had to endure and mature pretty quickly in life. And because of everything I have experienced and overcome, I’m writing a book about my systems to punch adversity in the face! 

So trust me here, when I tell you I know how it feels when life doesn’t give you too many breaks, I mean it. The Jessica you see today is a product of many hours of healing sessions and a lot of inner work. I’m happily married for 12 years now and have 4 children — ages 19, 10, 8, and 5.

When You’re Living An Unhappy Life 

According to MindBodyGreen, here are a few symptoms of unhappiness:

  • Feeling like a victim of your circumstances 
  • Feeling helpless, hopeless, or pessimistic
  • Comparing yourself to other people and never feeling good enough
  • Feeling depressed, anxious, or chronically worried

If you can relate to any of this, then it’s time to be honest with yourself and how you’re really feeling.  According to American psychologist Albert Ellis, it’s never about the actual thing or event that makes us upset, it’s how we interpret and perceive it. 

As entrepreneurs, our business empowers our lives. I’m sure you have big dreams for your business, so you can have a better life as well. 

It’s very important to keep our mental health in check. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 US adults–43.8 million, or 18.5 percent–experience mental illness in a given year. Entrepreneurs are at an ever higher risk than the average American to experience depression, anxiety and ADHD–only the top three of an extensive list.  

If all of this is a bit heavy to digest, here’s another way of looking at it. I invite you to think of your anxiety or depression as negative thoughts. Your negative thoughts are just like your dirty laundry. 

When you have dirty laundry, what do you do with them? Do you wear them or do you throw it in the wash so you have a fresh set of clothes? I’m going to assume that you picked the latter option. Your negative thoughts are the dirty laundry that needs to go through the wash cycle.

Change your thoughts and watch yourself shift from unhappy to happy. If you find yourself going down the rabbit hole of negative thoughts, you have to stop yourself immediately. The sooner you stop your pattern of negative thinking, the quicker you can begin to work towards a positive state of mind.  

Sounds easy, right? It’s not. And you will agree with me on this. Sometimes you can’t help it.

It’s very hard to break the habit of listening to our negative inner dialogue. We are conditioned to do the same thing over and over again. But why would we allow ourselves to continue to feel unhappy? Because we never truly attack the negative thoughts from another level of consciousness. 

Here’s my recipe to get rid of those negative thoughts in six simple steps. 

Let’s Wash That Dirty Laundry 

First Step: Mental Cleansing

Second Step: Name That Emotion

Third Step: Environment

Fourth Step: Focus On The Solution, Not In The Problem

Fifth Step: Your Best State of Vibration

First Step: Mental Cleansing

Sixth Step: Write A New Life Contract Where You Accept 100% Responsibility

These days, people do juice cleanses, and liquid detoxes to cleanse the body. Why don’t we do the same thing for our minds and our emotional baggage? 

The first step is to release and cleanse your mind of resentment, anger, and clutter that is keeping you from your happiness. Holding on to grudges and events from your past, make it that much harder to live in the moment. 

So how does mental cleansing work? First, take stock of all the things that are cluttering your mind. Ask yourself, “What is bothering me right now?” Identifying your “what” is crucial in changing the story that you’re telling yourself. 

When you know what’s upsetting you, or making you frustrated or sad, you can then bring it out from the darkness into the light. Awareness is key here. 

This is your opportunity to let it all out. Don’t hold your emotions back. Don’t filter yourself. In order to move forward from whatever baggage you’re holding on to, you have to get clear on what you haven’t let go of. You can practice this by writing it out in your journal, by yourself, or with a trusted friend. 

Some key thoughts to ponder:

  • ✔️Be sincere with what happened
  • ✔️Write down “the what” 
  • ✔️Read and reflect 
  • ✔️Has this happened before? Is there a pattern? 
  • ✔️Are you reacting by default? 

Second Step: Name That Emotion

Putting a name to your emotions bridges the gap between your thoughts and feelings. Being honest with yourself about how you feel, rather than saying, “I’m fine, no big deal,” will allow you to gain self-awareness and a better understanding of the root cause.  

While naming your emotions isn’t the end goal, it does open up the door to calm your emotions down. If you want to reduce anxiety, for example, instead of saying I’m anxious, I’m afraid, you can say I’m concerned about ___. 

Another word that is overused is overwhelmed. It means defeat completely. Do you really feel like that? Let’s find another word to describe that emotion. Be specific. You can say I’m overbooked or overworked and need a break. Or as simple as I’m feeling tired. Notice how just by renaming the emotions you feel different?

Giving a name to your emotion also allows you to identify your triggers. According to Psychology Today, when you can identify what is triggering your emotional reactions, you give yourself the chance to feel differently (if you choose to do so). 

We are washing our dirty laundry. We better be transparent here or else we won’t get what we want. It’s like washing your laundry with softener instead with detergent. You will think your clothes are ok but they are never fully washed and clean. 

Some key thoughts to ponder:

  • ✔️Am I offended? If yes, why?
  • ✔️What were my expectations?
  • ✔️Is my ego in the middle of my emotions?
  • ✔️Is there a way I can take a look at this situation by putting myself in the other’s shoes?

Third Step: Environment

Take a look around you. Is your environment clean, or filled with clutter? Do you have people in your life that uplift you, or bring you down with their drama and toxicity? Are you getting enough sleep for you to wake up energized? Do you feel like you’re being productive, or dragging throughout the day? We spend most of our day working so it would make sense that we enjoy and find meaning in what we do. 

The state of our mental and physical state has a direct effect on our emotional state. 

There are many things we can’t control. When it comes to a few things in our mental and physical state, we 100% have control over it. 

Consider these small subtle shifts:

  • ✔️Finding a new group of friends or connecting with good old ones
  • ✔️Joining a gym
  • ✔️Decluttering your drawers
  • ✔️Cleaning your car out
  • ✔️Getting to bed early
  • ✔️Staying hydrated throughout the day
  • ✔️Trying something new and fun

I’ve been told that the 4th step is where the real transformation happens! So get ready!

Fourth Step: Focus On The Solution, Not In The Problem

It can feel difficult to move forward and focus on a viable solution when you’re feeling unhappy. In particular, when you are going through the pain. 

Think about the results that you want. Anxiety means a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. You want to create the outcome you want with your thoughts. Yes, you have the power to do so! 

In my opinion, many people confuse the Law of Attraction and start writing affirmations, while missing a very important element: The Law of Vibration. When I understood this Universal Law, everything made total sense! 

Bob Proctor states that attraction is a law, but it is a secondary law. The primary law is the Law of Vibration. It is the basic law which states that everything in the Universe is moving. In Bob’s own words, “The law of vibration is one of the basic laws of the universe. It decrees that everything moves, nothing rests, and we literally live in an ocean of motion.” This is because everything is made of energy. Your body is made of cells, and cells are composed of molecules and atoms. What created atoms and molecules are the energies vibrating at different frequencies.

You activate your brain cells, and you set up a vibration in your body. When you move your eyes to read this sentence, you activate your brain cells to do it. This also means to say that the vibration you are in, will dictate what you attract into your life.

If you are constantly worried and troubled, you will attract a lot of negative energy. And what you fear will come to you. This is why people often say, “You will become what you think about most of the time.”

If we apply this concept to our dirty laundry, taking the time to think about the results you want is like using your favorite laundry detergent. You want a certain fragrance, don’t you? You can take your mind to think about that outcome. The same thing happens in real life!  

Some key thoughts to ponder:

  • ✔️What do I really want to happen?
  • ✔️How will my life change once this problem is solved?
  • ✔️If it’s about cash, how much exactly do you need?
  • ✔️Is there a conversation you need to have? 
  • ✔️What are the resources that you need to get what you want? 

Fifth Step: Your Best State of Vibration

Ultimately, you want to make sure that after the mental cleansing, naming your emotions (which can feel draining), and focusing on solutions, you replenish yourself with plenty of self-care. Your goal is to get rid of that brain fog by self-inducing joy! 

Maybe for you, joy means to take a warm bath. For someone else, it could be to go on a long walk.  For me, it’s about playing a song I love and singing and dancing! Self-care allows you to fill up your cup before you can pour into others. Do what sparks your joy! Your happiness starts today by smiling and visualizing you rising all the way to the top.

Once you find yourself in a better vibration, you might want to check in with your vision board! Don’t have one? Make one! Here’s a video when I’m explaining vision boards:

Some key thoughts to ponder:

  • ✔️Is there a way you can do a rehearsal of you- being that NEW person? 
  • ✔️Do you need to remove yourself from places or people?
  • ✔️Givers gain! How can you put yourself in a position to give so you shift some of the energy that is keeping you from joy? 

Sixth Step: Write A New Life Contract Where You Accept 100% Responsibility

At this point in the cycle, you have identified your emotions, identified what is the solution you want, and have a vision of the life you want to live. The last step is as important as the very first one. It’s about your life contract.

You can’t change what happened to you, but you can change how you respond to it.  

If you haven’t, I recommend you reading Don Miguel Ruiz’s The 4 Agreements. 

The 4 Agreements is a great formula to live by. Honestly, every time I feel offended, betrayed, or let down in any way, I review these agreements and always find one where I could have practiced a bit more. This helps me to take 100% responsibility for the situation and move forward with a new life lesson.  

My Puppy Summer Died From A Heat Stroke 

In case you missed this update, my puppy Summer died a few months ago. I was devastated. The process, from the time we took her to the ER to her very last breath, felt like a knife was inserted in my chest, and the doctors kept stabbing me deeper and deeper.  

I needed to put my pain through this cycle that I’m sharing with you. I was feeling guilty, depressed, and thinking about what I could have or should have done. I needed to call her doctor and requested a scientific explanation of a heat stroke. This helped me to accept the facts and getting conscious about our loss. I needed to take some time to internalize it, forgive myself, and make an agreement of what happened. 

My version of the story before this cycle: My puppy died apparently of a heat stroke, but everything was so fast that I’m not even sure what happened. I think I should have told the vets to go all in and treat her and maybe she would be alive today.  

My version of the story today: My puppy Summer died from a heat stroke. I wasn’t aware of how dangerous the heat was until this happened. Sometimes you get to learn lessons in a painful way, but at least I have Leo (our other dog) and for sure this won’t ever happen again! I am enjoying Leo, playing with him out of Texas’ heat!

Picture of Summer (and I’m full of tears writing this)

If you notice in this example above, I needed to come into a new agreement with myself and rewrite my story. Notice how the new version of my story has eliminates the references to resentment. That was the emotion I needed to clear. By switching from a resentment state of mind to a forgiveness and acceptance state of mind, I am able to heal faster. 

I did the same exercise with my feelings towards my failed marriage. It helped me rewrite my story in a way that I don’t feel like a failure or a victim of infidelity. I invite you to use this process with every situation that is hurting you so you can experience some healing.

Some key thoughts to ponder:

  • ✔️Can you say what lesson you learned from your situation?
  • ✔️Can you identify where you may have breached any of the 4 agreements?
  • ✔️Moving forward, how will you interpret and share this story?

Closing Thoughts

Our mind is a magnet and attracts more of what we’re thinking about. We all have those days when we wake up and don’t feel our best. 

Try to go through these steps as soon as possible. Your business needs YOU! Your calling and life purpose NEED you. Not being present, happy, uplifted, and full of joy is a disservice to your gifts! 

I’m not a life coach, but I am a heck of an activator. If you ever need to speak with someone who is in a happy mode, I’m here my friend! My promise: serve you as an inspiration while being real and raw! 

The steps above will help shift your mindset and mood. The next time you feel unhappy, remember that when you consciously aim to change your perspective, you will be happier. 

 

Posted on

4 Ways To Stay Motivated To Build Your Business

Getting and staying motivated is vital, whether you’re striving to reach a business goal, starting a new venture, or managing the day-to-day operations of your business. Loss of motivation can chip away at your confidence and hurt your potential for success. The more motivated you are, the more forward-moving momentum you will create and the easier it will be to tackle ambitious goals and reach higher levels of success in your business.

Follow these tips to get motivated, climb out of the slump, and position yourself so you can reach each and every one of your targets.

1) Stop Comparing Yourself To Others

They say don’t compare your first chapter with somebody else’s 15th chapter. It’s impossible not to compare yourself to others. Even if you feel like a million bucks.

It will happen.

One day, you will be feeling like a rockstar and you get plenty done, and then bam, you get an email or hear a comment that destroys your self-confidence. Your mind goes into fear, guilt, resentment. You feel anxious. You convince yourself that you’re not good enough and nobody believes you. And you behave like you don’t deserve anything. You can’t stay motivated.

When you start comparing yourself to others, your mind goes to a dark zone, like a hidden cave and it gets lost. It’s a labyrinth and you have no idea how to get out. That’s a problem.

What you don’t realize when you’re comparing yourself to others is that you are not on the same chapter as them. Of course, there are people better than you and they are doing all those incredible things. We can’t hide that.  But even those people who are better than you, they’ve had tons of downsides and rejections and lessons learned from the past 14 chapters.

You are just starting your story. You don’t have the same experiences as them. That doesn’t mean that you’re less amazing as them! It’s just that you are only starting so you shouldn’t expect all the things that are happening to them to just happen to you overnight.

You are amazing. Please say and write, “I am amazing”. There is a reason why you were born, the date you were born, the place where you were born, from the mother and father you were born. Claim your uniqueness and recognize your progress, removing all kinds of references of where you are supposed to be. That doesn’t exist. Everyone has their own journey.

2) Get Used To Feeling Uncomfortable

Finding your way to claim your success story feels scary since there is no written path that guarantees you’ll pass this class.  Some days you feel like a rockstar and other days you feel like you’re at rock bottom.

I have good news and bad news for you. Which one do you want first?

I will start with the good news.  The good news! You are not in school anymore. Big news! There’s no class you need to pass. You see? The adulting thing … remember when you were in high school and you wanted to turn 18 so badly to do whatever you want? Aha? That also included paying bills and you were SOOOO NOT ready! I wish I could turn the clock for you but we can’t. So we have to get used to certain things, even when they feel uncomfortable.

If you want to achieve success, you will have to take on greater than normal risks. This is why it feels scary; because it should be scary.

I personally think so many entrepreneurs lack planning for their long term goals. They are good at thinking about the short term. They set up themselves for disappointment because they simply have the wrong expectations. They mostly assume that things will go smooth and easy and when obstacles hit, they are not equipped adequately. They struggle with staying motivated.

If you find yourself with lack of motivation especially during difficult times, rather, learn to live with the anxiety that comes along with starting something new or the fear that will always be there when you are pushing out of your comfort zone. Feel those feelings but do it anyway.

Afraid to speak in public? Do it anyway. Afraid to get rejected? Ask anyway. Afraid to look terrible on camera? Do it anyway! What you’re not realizing is that- all those stories that you tell yourself- are only on your head. Nobody is thinking about that. This sounds terrible, but most people are just pursuing their own agenda. They are not thinking about you! So you just do the thing that scares you, even when you’re afraid and you will quickly realize “you’re not that bad”.

3) Stay Motivated Daily

I’m assuming you want to live a life full of joy. No boss. No limits. You control your schedule, the people you work for, and your financial goals are endless. Am I right? Maybe, maybe not. The answer will depend on what motivates YOU. If there is something we need to figure out is your desire.

Desire is a strong wish to do or have something.

It’s impossible to stay motivated as an entrepreneur if you don’t understand your desire. What takes you out of bed or turns on the fire alarm so you become unstoppable? What makes you work the extra mile?

And we aren’t talking about the desire to make money – everyone wants to be wealthy. What is your true desire? It could be the desire to give your kids a better life than you had, or to buy your parents a home. Maybe it’s the desire to travel the world and not worry about the cost. Perhaps you want to retire at 40 so that you can coach your kids in sports.

Motivation without desire is hollow. You might think you’re motivated, but you’re faking it. Once you discover your desire, you won’t have any trouble moving forward – even during rough patches.

How bad do you really want it? Motivate yourself every day. It is important to read, listen and watch motivational material. Feed your brain with stuff that inspires you. Surround yourself with anything that reminds you of why you have to keep trying.

A few things that help me:

  • Making my bed as soon as I wake up. Makes me feel accomplished.
  • Going to the gym before starting my work agenda. Makes me start with a fresh mindset.
  • Take more breaks and naps during the day. Don’t miss to take your personal time.
  • Keep my space organized. It helps me stay focused.
  • Do a list of 6 things to complete each day. I love when it’s 1 pm and I’m almost done.
  • Plan my days considering my energy budget.
  • Soround myself with like minded people.

4) Adopt A Non-Quitting Strategy

More than intelligence or wealth, what separates the truly successful entrepreneurs from the rest is the fact that they never give up. They never give up no matter how they started or how many times they have failed in the past. We would not be enjoying Harry Potter, Disneyland or even Windows today if the founders decided to quit early on.

“Winners never quit and quitters never win.” – Vince Lombardi

Never giving up sounds so cliché, but the repetition is justified because it’s the only choice you have if you want to get ahead. To master this art, you have to form habits which will become a lifestyle.

People quit more often than they have to because they fail to be honest with themselves and everyone around them. Dishonesty builds walls around individuals and opportunities. Be honest with who you are, what you want and how you feel. If you need help, ask!

Do you really like the way your business is doing right now? Or do you pretend you like it because of what everyone around you expects? If you don’t, don’t be surprised when you find yourself exhausted and wanting to give up most of the time.

Every time you fail in doing something, remember that only your actions failed but you are not a failure. Be objective, examine why it didn’t work and find a way to make it better. As long as your heart is beating, there is always a chance to try one more time. Don’t take failure personally. You’re here for the long term and you have a big-picture mindset. You fall, you stand up.

I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was 24 years old. Never looked back. I’ve seen it all: the good, the bad, and the ugly. One thing that has kept me going when things get sour is the mindset. You gotta learn how to shift your mindset. Winners win; never quit.

If these ideas don’t successfully help you get you motivated, spend some time exploring what gets you excited and ready to get the work done. Everyone has a trigger that will push them into productive mode. It may take a little trial and error to find, but it is there if you take the time to look.

Find me on Instagram! If you’re in Austin, check my upcoming events. 

Jessica Campos, BBA, JD

Jessica Campos Social Media Marketing trainer, author, recovered attorney passionate about Forensic Marketing and Social Media Marketing. Jessica is known for breaking the record as the first Hispanic woman reaching the highest rank with Beachbody and helping thousands of individuals achieving physical and financial success. Her success systems took her to start her own Marketing Agency and her own Tribe of Professionals & Entrepreneurs. Austin’s #1 Networking Happy Hour.

 

Posted on

3 Weird Sales Strategies That Produce Guaranteed Clients

Finding new people to buy your product or service is an important part of the entire sales process. Do you have a great product but aren’t gaining the right customers to buy it? Do you offer amazing services but you’re having a hard time getting people to say yes to your offer?

Are you not sure how to approach your customers or have a confusing sales message?

Use these 3 strategies to get people buying your products or services:

Charge for normally free advice

Pricing your products or services can be a difficult task. Luckily, research will save you a lot of time and efforts. If you have been offering your prospects free consultations, free templates, free strategies, and unlimited time to chat with you, chances are that your sales are not at the level that you expected. The solution: prestige pricing.

Prestige pricing occurs when a higher price is utilized to give an offering a high-quality image. Some stores have a quality image, and people perceive that perhaps the products from those stores are of higher quality.  I am sure that you have plenty of examples in your mind.  Starbucks, Apple, Victorias’ Secret, just to name a few.

People have certain prices they are willing to pay. Especially if your marketing materials show them clearly how much time they will save, how quickly they will experience results, and how satisfied your customers are. Testimonials are great for this!

Price Anchoring is another winning pricing strategy.

What’s the best way to sell a $2,000 watch? Right next to a $10,000 watch!

Why?

A common cognitive bias called anchoring is the culprit here. Anchoring refers to the “human tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information offered when making decisions.”

This bias is why a $2,000 watch almost seems like a bargain next to a more expensive watch but would seem like a super-premium purchase when placed next to a $49 Timex.

By placing premium products and services near standard options you can create a clear sense of value for potential customers, who will then view your less expensive options as a bargain in comparison.

The exclusive deal

You will be surprised here. Deals are associated with happiness.

In 2012, Coupons.com commissioned a study led by Dr. Paul J. Zak, professor of Neuroeconomics at Claremont Graduate University, to learn how coupons impact people’s happiness, health and stress. Together, they discovered that coupon recipients who got a $10 voucher experienced a 38 percent rise in oxytocin levels and were 11 percent happier than those who did not receive a coupon. Furthermore, their respiration rates dropped 32 percent, heart rates decreased by 5 percent and sweat levels were reportedly 20 times lower than their peers. Consequently, they felt more relaxed and less stressed.

Instead of creating a $0 Freebie, giveaway a BONUS with the purchase. Incentivize those who take action!

In 2012, The Economist published a post titled, “Something Doesn’t Add Up.” In it, the author explained that researchers from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota conducted an experiment to learn more about how consumers reacted to discounts and freebies. The conclusion was, “Shoppers… much prefer getting something extra free to getting something cheaper.” Sadly, the explanation for the behavior is less than flattering. “The main reason is that most people are useless at fractions.”

As emotional creatures, people are more inclined to accept free offers than discounted ones. The results speak for themselves. “The researchers sold 73 percent more hand lotion when it was offered in a bonus pack than when it carried an equivalent discount.” Whether they are right or not, shoppers believe they get a better deal when they walk away with something for free instead of spending less on their overall purchase.

During your sales call, take the time to go through your proposal, discussing pain, solutions, pricing, and bonuses for those who take quick action.

The “I am closing your file” email

If you have heard any of these statements from your prospect:

  • “I need to confer with other managers here.”
  • “I need more time to decide.”
  • “Call me in about a month.”

Then this strategy will flip your prospects into clients immediately. You just need to be corageous because it will sound a bit rude.

If you’re selling, you’ve likely heard these and other variations of the put off and the postpone. You’ve turned yourself into a wolfhound that pursues and pursues until you get your teeth into the meat. Come what may, you’ve been determined to close the sale no matter what. Nice intention. Poor approach.

Why is this a poor approach? Because these responses are just another way of saying, “No.” And “no” 30 days from now is still the same as “no” today. If you settle for these responses, you’re letting your pursuit instinct take the lead from your thinking mind.

Your prospects need to see you as the expert. You need to show them that you don’t have time to waste, as there are many people that can benefit from your services or your products. Writing a clear email asking “should I close the file?” will allow you to get a response that will end the “I need more time” phase. Try this and let me know!

To your success and beyond, we go!

 Jessica Campos, JD, BBA

Forensic Marketing Expert | Influencer | Conversion Strategist for Marketing Agencies & Business Owners

#marketingforgreatness #moresales #marketingforresults

 

Posted on

8 Important Lessons I Learned From Growing Up Poor

If there’s something I’m passionate about is the topic of poverty. Growing up poor gives me a particular perspective; in particular in the USA. I’m a first-generation professional. First-generation professionals are the first in their family to attend college and secure a white-collar job.

I never felt like a “hero” until I came across to this fact: 90% of low-income, first-gen students don’t graduate on time.   This was shocking to me. Then I kept reading more articles and realized that I defeated all of the odds.

I know for a fact that there was a special level of ambition and drive for success, ever since I turned 13 years old. I knew that I wanted to accelerate. I applied to a special high school program where students take college classes and for that reason, I started college at the of 15.

This month, in particular, I have done a lot of internal work, trying to refine my goals and making sure that I am driven and motivated for the right reasons. It’s one of my favorite things to do around my birthday.

One thing about me: I wake up excited every day.

I love my business, my people, and everything that I do to make it work.

Where does that unlimited motivation come from? How can I be so excited? What exactly is my recipe to be a high-performer?

I am convinced that growing up poor is related to the way I do things.

I believe that successful people don’t do different things. They do things differently.

Lesson 1: You Must Shift Your Paradigms

Maybe you don’t realize it, but you have paradigms that are holding you back. Those ideas about a new business that you can’t ever execute. Those conversations that you mean to have and, when the time comes, you can’t get it done. Those conversations with yourself when you say “I’m not good enough” or “I’m not like that.” All of those are paradigms.

When I go back to my childhood memories, I see money as an issue most of the times. I am forever grateful that my family did the impossible to give me a good education. However, we lived very limitedly. My grandfather would pick me up at school, walking. We took a bus every single day and some other days we walked. If I wanted new clothes, we needed to do a law-away plan where my grandma would add $5 every other week. The list can go on and on. But there’s something I learned that helped me shift my paradigms about the way I grew up.

You can’t control where you were born and the circumstances. Your parents did the best they could with the resources they had, PERIOD. Instead of resenting them, you shift your paradigm by accepting that you have options. It’s up to you to break the patterns that hold you back.

Lesson 2: You Must Be An Independent Thinker

Imagine that you have 20 friends and you’re the only one who wants to dream big, move out of your country, form an independent life, and soar. Your friends don’t know any better. They will try to convince you that you’re crazy and it’s your duty to arrive at conclusions following your intuition. That’s the only way you can break the patterns.

Lesson 3: You Are An Overachiever By Default And That’s A Problem

Everyone’s baseline is different and this is why success isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” philosophy. The lower the baseline, the harder you need to push to get out. A potential issue for someone with a lower baseline is to suffer from burnout. They only know that they have to move from point A to point B, so they work and work and work.

I had to refine the way I see myself. I’m not an overachiever. Instead, I’m a high-performer. I learned how to draw boundaries to reach my goals while having a life. It didn’t happen overnight (I wish!).

Lesson 4: Your Life Is Multicolor, Not Black & White

When you grow up in a poor environment, as a child, you are exposed to things that make you behave like an adult at a much younger age. I can’t be shocked at anything. I believe I have seen plenty in life; either from personal experiences or from my clients and I love it.

Your experiences give you contrast! You see the world with thicker lenses and that enables you to make decisions under the most difficult situations. You have thick skin.

Lesson 5: Avoid A Poverty Mindset

I put a lot of intentionality to avoid getting my mind to poverty thinking…

I learned that a scarcity mind can’t attract an abundant lifestyle. I avoid saying things like “I can’t buy that is too expensive.” “I can’t afford it.”

Do you want something? Make it a goal and get it. Never shrink your goals to the size of your banking account. Instead, keep them big and make a bigger list of brave movements! You will be surprised!

Lesson 6: Indulgence Is Necessary; Especially Education

I give myself permission to get indulged, in my way. Everyone has a different taste on that. Some go shopping for $1,000 shoes. Some get fancy cars. Others love living in a fancy mansion. That’s a personal decision. All I know is that you can’t be cheap with yourself; ESPECIALLY with personal growth and education. I’m not cheap in anything related to education, mentors, coaches. I’ve invested to work with the best and I’m not ashamed of that. (Keep that in mind if you and I work at some point, my brain is quite expensive !!!).

Education is the only thing that will give you 100% ROU. Education has been my obsession ever since I was a teenager. It paid off. It opened plenty of doors. Don’t go cheap here!

Lesson 7: Never Forget Where You Come From

When people go through hardships in life, they often become resentful and frustrated for having struggled more than others. Even when they make it big, they are selfish, arrogant, boastful, disrespectful, and so on. It seems that on the way to pursuing a better future, their hearts were hardened by the circumstances they had to endure.

Don’t be ashamed of your family background and cultural roots: Our world is so diverse, and no nationality is better than another. Not having had the best parents, the ideal childhood and the most prestigious academic education are not reasons to feel embarrassed about your life. You are at a better place now than you were yesterday, this is what counts. Do not let other people define who you are because of where you come from. No one has had a perfect family nor has had the perfect cultural and educational experiences.

Embrace your roots and your hardships by staying humble.

Lesson 8: Your Reputation Is Your Currency

Your actions plus what others say about you equals your reputation. This small formula is the most powerful leverage you have in business — and in life. I learned this lesson at a very young age. When you’re not the daughter of ____ or the niece of ____, you better build your reputation!

  • Do what you say you’ll do.
  • Go out of your way to help others reach their goals.
  • Make other people look good.
  • Go a step beyond what is expected.
  • Act with integrity.
  • Get engaged with your community.
  • Be likeable.

I have so many lessons that the list can be longer. For now, in closing, let me say that “poor” is such a subjective term. You can have all the money and still be poor. You can have little money and be rich. It’s the small things that really matter.

In fact, the most fulfilling things in life ARE FREE! Think about it! 

Posted on

Can We Really Be Happy All The Time?

It seems like our society is obsessed with decoding human behavior; in particular, happiness.  Minimalism, essentialism, and awareness are pretty much trends that try to create a path of happiness for us.  Can we really be happy all the time?

Realistically, no, we can’t be happy all the time.

Personally, I believe we can use strategies to surf those sad waves that life brings us. I consider myself a happy person. Does that mean that I have an easy life? Heck no! I’ve been through a divorce, losing a parent, losing a job, losing close friends, having no money, and dealing with multiple family crises. I’ve never dealt with depression but that doesn’t mean that I never had conditions that could take me to a depression. That’s why I am sharing with you single rules that could help anyone to be happy most of the time.

Einstein’s theory on happy life

In 1922, Einstein was at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, where he was on a lecture tour and had recently learned that he had won the Nobel Prize. When a bellboy delivered a message to the physicist, he fished in his pocket for some change to tip him and came up empty.

Instead, Einstein offered a tip in the form of his theory on how to have a happy life.

“A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness.”

He wrote in German on a piece of hotel stationery.

On a second sheet, he wrote, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

Einstein told the bellboy, according to the auction house, that if he was lucky, the notes might become more valuable than a regular tip. His words, befitting a man who had transformed our comprehension of the universe, were prophetic.

Einstein’s theory of happiness was sold by Winner’s Auctions and Exhibition, based in Jerusalem, for $1.56 million, adding him to the pantheon of the world’s most generous tippers.

We all can have a beach life

Many of you know that I am a Caribbean lady! In fact, I come from an Island that has been ranked in the top 20 happiest countries in the world. I’m not kidding! Read the article here. When I moved to NY-CT area, one of my biggest obstacles was the level of stress that people had.

They live a fast-paced life. I don’t blame them. They have to move fast. You have to catch a train at the exact hour and the exact minute. We don’t have that kind of pressure in the Caribbean. There’s no train! There’s no massive transportation.

Everything must be scheduled, or it won’t happen. Going to dinner with your family runs on a tight schedule. That was a big change for me. Where I come from, you can just show up at your friend’s place and start a party! Abuela (grandma) will always have food prepared, just in case people show up. Your neighbors knock on your door to invite kids to go outside and play. There is no play date for kids. That’s how I grew up, anyway.

Perhaps you are used to living a fast-paced life that you don’t know how it is to live without being a slave to your clock. You might even have a smartwatch (I find that excessive, by the way). If that’s the case, chill, relax, flow! Trust me, you will have more happy moments!

The Pursuit of Happiness

Einstein said, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”  Remember the movie The Pursuit of Happiness?

Happiness is a task that we all should have on our to-do lists. People who consider themselves unhappy, typically refer to external circumstances that are happening in their life. Whatever it is happening in your life, don’t let it define YOU.

You are not your bank account. If you are having a financial crisis, that doesn’t mean that you are a terrible person.

You are not your marriage. If your marriage is in conflict, that doesn’t mean that people don’t like you.

Read next: 4 Secrets To Take the Plunge into Entrepreneurship

Some experts say that people who are depressed are too selfish. I tend to agree. I actually asked a doctor if there were tests to diagnose depression and found out that there are not. Doctors prescribe medication for depression based on interviewing their patient. We hear about chemical imbalance, but there are no specific tests for those. It’s all about based on what the doctor perceived when they see the patient.

Your mind is very powerful. If you believe that you are in a certain way, you will act in a certain way. That’s why fears stop us. Especially 2 fears: 1) fear of not being liked and 2) fear of not being good enough.

Can you take your mind to believe that you are in a happy state of mind right now? Perhaps the word happy might be intimidating. I call it harmony.

What is my secret to being in harmony?

1) Getting to know me. My reactions. My responses. My thoughts. My values. Even genetics! 

This year I wanted to know more about my ancestors and found out that I’m more European than Native American. I was told that I was a mix of Spaniards, African, and Native Americans. See what the DNA results revealed.

Getting to know yourself is a process. Start with your belief system and then your values. Everything that we do is ruled by those 2: what we believe and what we consider important. If happiness is in one of your top values, you will do what it takes to be happy (or to be in harmony).

For example, if you have a tendency to be negative, then, adopt a new statement.

2) Taking full control of my time.

That’s a big deal. We either use our time or we will be used. Your calendar needs your “happy time”.

3) When something is out of alignment, I stop. I clear what it is, and move on.

Your emotions give you a clue. Take inventory of them. If you are mad, sad, afraid, anxious, pause for a moment and reflect on it. What is causing you to feel that emotion?

4) I never hold a state of hyper-emotions for over 24 hours.

If you’re upset, mad, disappointed, over excited, over-emotional, don’t make any decision in that state of mind and don’t go over 24 hours in that state of mind.

When something is not going well, you can always reset and restart. Try it, it works! Especially with your kids.

5) I’m intentional with what I allow in my brain. Relationships are a big part.

I didn’t grow up with a tv. For many years I was embarrassed every time someone talked about a celebrity and I didn’t know who they were. I find impressive those who know celebrities, sports players, their family, their entire bio… you name it! There’s no space in my brain for that kind of data. Instead, I invest time in things that help me to be a better person. But that’s just me. You don’t have to stop watching tv. However, you can control which content gets in your brain!

I love Netflix, but I rarely watch a show without doing something else. For instance, I’m writing this article with Netflix on. A good way to multi-task, in my opinion.

If you are unhappy, you might want to review who is unhappy around you. You should invest time in people who lift you up and who influence you in a positive way.

Start with small changes and remember that everything compounds. Let’s say you go for a walk for 30 minutes, 6 days a week. That’s 156 hours a year. In average, you will burn an extra 300 calories per hour, which means 46,800 calories burned. Losing 1 pound is -3,500. Therefore, you will lose about 15 pounds that year, just by walking 30 minutes 6 days a week. Everything compounds.

Happiness is in the doing not in the thinking. Get yourself to do things that bring you joy.

Your circle of influence

When I decided to break the patterns and become a first-generation entrepreneur woman, I needed to find a new circle of influence. During that process, I found a Mastermind that was my safe place to ask questions, get ideas, and build relationships with like-minded individuals. It is powerful what we can achieve when 2 minds get together.

To this day, I lead Mastermind Circles monthly. I am passionate about connecting individuals who want to thrive in life!  If you want to find out more about what I do, check this page.

In closing

Happiness is a task that we all should accomplish daily. The more we chill, the more we flow. Invest your time in doing things that make you a better person. Surround yourself with people who accept you, trust you, and believe in you. It’s magical!

This is my theory about happiness. I hope I can inspire you in any way. Now it’s your turn! What do you believe about happiness? Post in comments!