Gabriella Goddard's Blog (author of "Gulp!: The 7 day crash course to master fear and break through any challenge"

In The Face of A Challenge...

I always have believed that challenges are good.  .They are an opportunity to grow and learn.  They force you to step outside your comfort zone and stretch your vision of what is possible in your life.  They make you confront what’s not working in your life and they push you to reevaluate your priorities and what’s truly important.

Whether it's a career change, a lifestyle move, a relationship shift or fulfilling a deeply held dream - challenging ourselves makes us look deep within.  This can be incredibly scary as we come face to face with the fear of the unknown, the fear of failure or the fear of rejection.

The key thing is to remember that:

1. We always have a choice.  Whatever the situation we’re facing, we can always choose how we react, what we think, what we believe and how we feel.

2. Deep down we know what to do.  We are all blessed with an innate sense of wisdom and knowingness.  We just need to connect with our inner sage.

3. The “impossible” can be possible.  When we extend the boundaries of what we consider “possible” in our own lives, miracles can truly happen.

That’s why at the heart of the Gulp! Philosophy is the importance of being able to calm the mind and build a strong inner core.  True inner power comes from your mind and body being aligned and in synch with your soul.

In the face of any challenge, this combination is formidable!

If you're facing a challenge at the moment and need a bit of wisdom, then think of a number between 1-30.  Go with the first one that springs to mind.

Next click here to discover your Wisdom Word.

What new thoughts does this spark?

Top Success Tips for Businesss Owners

In my globe trotting travels I've had the privilege of meeting some truly amazing people.  Megan Tobin is one of them.  Our paths first crossed when I was living in Mexico and she was our "big wig" New York Business Consultant.  These days Megan runs her own successful business consultancy and coaching company, and there have been many times when her straight talking advice has really made me sit up and pay attention. Here are Megan's "5 Business Success Planning Tips" to help you move you forward - fast:

1.  Get clear on your purpose and products, and pace yourself – Understand and be able to convey why you are in business, your vision and mission. Identify and plan competitive products/services to sell today and tomorrow. And, pace yourself.  This is not an overnight trip, so outline your milestones.

2.  Write it all down – Document everything along your business journey!  With good documentation, you will be surprised how much of the work will already be done when you need to share information for marketing, sales, financing, staffing or other business requirements.

3.  Validate your plan, share it and always be open to revising it – Share your findings and action results with “independent parties”.  Listen carefully to their reactions and recommendations. Be open to making revisions that will help you to be successful.

4.  Get help to develop and maintain your success plan to meet milestone commitments, and adjust your course as necessary – Working with a business consultant or coach can help you stay on track to meet your mark!

5.  Do the math – Think through (and document) the financial requirements for your business in the near, medium and long-term.

Use these tips to make your entrepreneurial journey more successful and rewarding! You can find out more about Megan at Time2Market where you can sign up for her newsletter and learn more about business planning.  Plus, to read Megan's complete article on "5 Business Success Planning Tips" click here.

1.  Get clear on your purpose and products, and pace yourself – Understand and be able to convey why you are in business, your vision and mission. Identify and plan competitive products/services to sell today and tomorrow. And, pace yourself.  This is not an overnight trip, so outline your milestones.

2.  Write it all down – Document everything along your business journey!  With good documentation, you will be surprised how much of the work will already be done when you need to share information for marketing, sales, financing, staffing or other business requirements.