Looking for Sky In All The Wrong Places

Ever sit with a single puzzle piece of clouds and wonder how you will ever put the entire sky together? Life as an entrepreneur is often just like that-- lots of the little pieces, creating products, taking care of clients, wrestling with computers, finances, taxes, etc.-- and a whole lot of sky. The big open space where you create a successful and enjoyable business. There were many pieces of 'puzzle sky', I was drowning in an ocean of sky blue. After over a decade of struggling with my own company to fit all the 'pieces' together, I have finally put together the big business puzzle-- and it's not what I thought it would look like.

As a sponge for knowledge, I would constantly search for information to help me grow. Emblazoned in my mind was a quote that I stumbled upon by accident while researching William Shakespeare in the old, smelly, humid junior high library (thank goodness for the Internet). "Information is power" insightfully said by Sir Frances Bacon. At thirteen years old, I didn't exactly know what power was but I knew I didn't want to be a 'dork' or a 'druggie', like so many of my friends. So, I wanted power. So... I needed knowledge. I lived for it.

I became a "knowledge" junkie and didn't 'know' it. How ironic is that? I graduated from college with over twenty more credits than needed because I kept taking classes. A habit that carried into adulthood, waaay past college, anytime I tackle a new endeavor or head in a new direction... I take a class. A class-- the perfect place to get knowledge right? Yes, though I found I gave up something for that knowledge. And I didn't know it.

For me, every pursuit of knowledge was a piece of "puzzle sky." I was excited with the opportunity to learn something new. Exhilarated by the threshold of my un- dorkiness being expanded. Enamored with the teacher teaching me! Yet at the end of each 'learning' experience, something felt-- wrong. Yes, I had gained a piece of knowledge but felt empty and unattached. So, I would throw myself into another class, another learning opportunity-- ever on my quest for power. I had no idea that with each learning experience, I was instead seeking permission for the new undertaking-- and was sidetracked by the high I got from the experience of learning. (Gosh, I hope I'm not the only one.)

With more and more people leaving their cushy corporate job, there's an explosion of entrepreneurial workshops and seminars teaching you how to be more, make more, more, more, etc. With all these portals of power, how do you know what's valuable information? Every one of these workshops and the information they offer are a benefit to you-- ONLY IF it is part of your larger picture. So let me help you now... you don't need permission to "see" exactly what is inside you daring to come out.

To be successful you must dare to learn, surround yourself with knowledge, savor each individual learning experience, HOWEVER always hold it in relationship to your big picture-- your success sky.

You must have a clear vision of the sky... your sky. No one else's. You get to establish if it's blue or green. You get to establish is it's clear or cloudy. You even get to establish if it's up or down. The important thing is that you "see" it, establish it, create it by surrounding yourself with knowledge to supports that vision.

The next time you are considering taking a course or workshop for your business, ask yourself these three simple questions:

1. What is my sky?

2. Which piece of my "sky puzzle" does the course fulfill?

3. Can this knowledge help me "see" my sky better or help me create it faster?

Knowing the answers will ensure you get actually what you need.

After all my years of knowledge hunting, I'm amazed to find I am now in the knowledge-sharing business. Of course, I learned how in an incredible workshop :) (Email me at info@whybrandu.com I'll tell you about it!). I know you can accomplish whatever you want. It just takes the right individuals to remind you and expand your knowledge. I'm honored to have the opportunity to be one of them.

© Castle Montone, Limited All Rights Reserved.

Written by Kim Castle, the Co-founder of BrandU? - the home of only step-by- step process for developing your business as a brand from the inside out!

To get information on upcoming BrandU one-day workshops: http:// www.whybrandu.com/Public/events/workshop/index.cfm?semID=13

Get your Why You?!(sm) monthly ezine for easy-to-read tips and informative insights on branding. To subscribe: http://www.whybrandu.com/

"BrandU? - Big Business Success No Matter Your Size"

---

Sleigh Bells Ring...And Cash Registers, Too

During the holidays, folks everywhere shop many long hours to... Read More

Another Commercial? Dont Touch That Dial! Watch & Learn

When commercials come on the television do you get up... Read More

Why Smart People Dont Know How to Market

As an educated professional, your success is based on what... Read More

Referrals . . .The Secret Weapon

Are you getting referrals from you customers? If not, you... Read More

A Jack Of All Trades Is Often The Master of None

You've heard variations of that saying your entire life. Consider:... Read More

Great Marketing is Like Making a Great Movie

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCEThe Oscars will be handed out soon, and... Read More

Website Marketing: 10 Uncommon Bonuses That Will Help Make Your Product Hotly In Demand

Giving away free bonuses is an important website marketing secret... Read More

Getting Ideas for Your Postcards

If you're going to do postcard marketing on an ongoing... Read More

The Building Blocks to Effective Marketing

The Building Blocks to Successful MarketingIt's More than Sales and... Read More

At the Speed of Light

How many times has someone you've called said, "Why don't... Read More

Mortgage Originator Marketing ? Differentiate or Die

One of the best ways to attract more clients is... Read More

Assumption Based Marketing Vs. Fact Based Marketing

One of the most common mistakes in marketing is making... Read More

Direct Marketing: Overlooked, Underappreciated, and Unstoppable

Every business needs customers, but more importantly every business needs... Read More

Cause-Related Marketing

Altruism. Corporate responsibility. Philanthropy. These are often used to describe... Read More

10 Steps To Getting Paid For Your Marketing Materials

How many times have you heard the same sound bites... Read More

Marketing Strategy - Spell Out Your Unique Value

I attended a "Sales Focus" seminar a few years back... Read More

10 Simple Ways to Boost Your Sales IMMIDIATELY!

Alright you've got yourself a nice website with a great... Read More

Fern Reisss PublishingGame.com: Achieve Media Attention for Your Business

Do you want to be quoted by the national press... Read More

Developing the Unique Selling Proposition

The "Unique Selling Proposition" advertising campaign was developed by Reeves... Read More

Marketing Person You Think You Arent

Have you thought about starting your own business? Have you... Read More

Two Steps to Improving Your Marketing Success

Since the human brain seems to be able to focus... Read More

Business Marketing Strategy

The term business marketing strategy might sound like it is... Read More

8 Ways to Fill a Workshop in a Bum Economy

Yes, you can fill a workshop when spending is down... Read More

Good Marketing Pays for Itself

Most companies ask themselves this question: "How much will this... Read More

Give It Away Now - The More You Share, the More You Sell!

Give away your knowledge, and you'll make money. How does... Read More

Preventive Marketing Offers Small-Mid Sized Business Owners An Ideal Way To Maximize Their Results

As the owner of a creative services boutique - I... Read More

Online Magazine Subscription Services Make Shopping Online Fun For Magazines

If recreating the old experience of subscribing to magazines by... Read More

4 Alternative Ways To Gain Lifetime Customers

You will always have more people that turn down your... Read More

B2B Marketing Tips - Create an Interactive Online Experience for Clients

Business to business communications on the web are as stale... Read More

Ten Deadly Proposal Preparation Pitfalls

Let's face it, the name "proposal" is a great misnomer,... Read More

Creating Customer Value

The purpose of business is to create and retain a... Read More

10 Important Marketing Tips

Each of the following Ten Marketing Tips is based on... Read More

The Path To Your Prospects Wallet Begins At His Heart

You want your prospect to make the decision to buy... Read More