Judy Davis's Blog, page 9

Are You Committed to Military Life? Guest Post by Starlett Henderson

You know I love to shine the light on great inspiration and information here on the Direction Diva Blog, and today won’t disappoint!

I’m excited to share a blog post that was originally written by Starlett Henderson and shared on the ArmyWifeNetwork Website (which is a great place to go for tons of great info for navigating military life effectively)! Enjoy today’s post!

Military Spouse: Oath of Commitment

by Starlett Henderson:

I wondered recently how many spouses have read or asked about the promise our Soldiers have to make in order to join/rejoin the Army. To hear my husband tell it, there’s a lot of weight in those words. (I remember; I recited them once too.) We both did not want to flub them, and they were not taken lightly by anyone we knew. They’re on par with marriage vows in my opinion. All your earnestness is behind both.

What a commitment–the military life, splitting hairs between the military and the rest of your life.

So, I thought (for those who don’t know the Oath), it’d be good to read and ponder it.

ARMED FORCES OATH OF ENLISTMENT

 I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and

 defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies,

foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to

the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the

United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me,

according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

So help me God.

The emphasis is mine. This promise is that “blank check” you might have heard people talk about: A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The United States of America’ for an amount of ‘up to and including my life.’

More and more, there’s a sense that what is included in that “life” is a spouse, a family, a community. A Soldier doesn’t stand alone. They’re committing themselves and who or what makes them “them.” We (the spouse, the family, the community) are called upon to back that check and are invested in that Soldier. So, I wanted to put that into words. But, how? What would that level of commitment sound like? If I was called to swear an oath or make a promise to my Soldier, what would it include?

Here’s an attempt:

MILITARY SPOUSES OATH OF COMMITMENT



I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and

care for the incredible Soldier I believe in committing all that I am,

completely and freely; that I will stand by his side and boost his morale;

and that I will be candid and honest but check my attitude when he

needs my aid remembering we are on the same team through it all,

according to my marriage vows and the best life-path

we hope to have for each other.

So help me God.

That’s just one attempt. It means something to me, to be able to verbalize to my Soldier that we’re on the same team, that I “get” the level of commitment needed, and I understand the value of renewing that promise every now and again. I want him to know that I’m committed too. “We serve too!”

I know families (wives mainly) who struggle with feeling like “second fiddle.” So there’s a conversation to be had, if that’s the case. Steer the conversation towards what you are willing to do to make this military life work. Talk about marriage vows, enlistment oaths, and EXPECTATIONS, especially if all this is new to you. You may end up getting to areas on which you may have to agree to disagree, but having the conversation is a start. And, that conversation can extend to your battle buddies too. How do they balance the military and married life?

Writing your own oath with your ideas might be a good exercise to explore how you feel. I’d love if you share a few or reasons why the process might be hard for you.

Remember, the object is to love the Soldier, even if you don’t love the Life.

That can (and probably will) come later.

Starlett Henderson is an Army veteran and Army National Guard spouse.  She is the cofounder of Army Wife Network and coauthor of 1001 Things to Love About Military Life. 1001, a first-of-its-kind celebration of military life, takes an inspirational look at those who dedicate their lives to serving and illustrates perfectly why it is a profession and lifestyle to love.

Starlett has devotionals published in the Battlefield and Blessing series Stories of Strength and Courage from the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and stories in Stories Around the Table: Laughter, Wisdom, and Strength in Military Life as well.

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11 Realities The Military Community Needs To Remember by Judy Davis, The Direction Diva

Within the last couple of weeks there has been a huge issue going on within the military community. Some would say it started with an article written by an insensitive reporter who doesn’t get what it’s like to be a military spouse. Others would say it’s yet another attack on the  “dependopatomus” image.

Everyone has challenges no matter what they are going through and sadly too often instead of coming together we as a community are our own worst enemy. A few years ago I ran across these 11 “realities”. We need to remember and apply them to our lives because they are perfect for those times when we need a bit of perspective :

11 Realities the Military Community Needs to Remember:

1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.

4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don’t like you.

5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

6. You mean the world to someone.

7. You are special and unique.

8. Someone that you don’t even know exists loves you.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you take another look.

11. Always remember the compliments you received.. Forget about the rude remarks.

 

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Fire & Adjust Interview with Judy Davis, The Direction Diva

Because talking is my thing, you can imagine how excited I was when my fellow USAA influencer Ron Fugle invited me to be on an episode of Fire and Adjust. Ron has an amazing mission of helping his listeners save time, money, aggravation and possibly even your hair when starting their journey. And he’s providing this all to help and support the military community in a very tangible way.

I’ve heard many of his interviews and there is always so much wisdom and advice to gleen from the guests and himself. So I wanted to make sure you knew about what he is doing and had an opportunity to listen in to our show!

Interview with Judy Davis, The Direction Diva on Fire and Adjust:

Some of what you will hear in the show:

Life is always going to happen, its how we handle it that matters
We all have a Story to tell that can change someone’s life
Being a good listener is 90% of a good conversation
We are more connected than ever but also lonelier than ever
We need to Balance the Change and Challenges we face daily
Have you ever said its just typical teen behavior ?

 Listen Now:

Resources from the Show

Right Side Up: Find Your Way When Military Life Turns You Upside Down
Stories Around the Table: Laughter, Wisdom, and Strength in Military Life
Warning Signs: A Parenting Guide: Is Your Teen at Risk For Suicide Ideation, Depression & Addiction?
Twitter: @FireandAdjust

 Visit Ron and learn more about Fire & Adjust HERE

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3 Simple Tools to Instantly Improve Your Blog Quality by Judy Davis, The Direction Diva

Being a lifestyle blogger means that I have to juggle lots of tasks. From planning and writing to marketing and analytics there is always something to be working on. Lately though, I’ve been burning the candle at both ends which has forced me to find tools that help me work smarter not harder. As you know, transitioning to life as a technology goddess has been a huge help thanks to my Verizon Buzz friends (read more about how I use tech, Twitter chats, Hotspots and Mastering the Cloud to be more productive).  And I’m always learning more. In fact in the last couple of months I’ve taken to utilizing 3 simple tools to help improve my overall blog quality and wanted to share them with you!

3 Simple Tools to Instantly Improve Your Blog Quality

Canva: With the explosion of Pinterest and Instagram, images are more important than ever. They distinguish you and your brand and help you stand out from the masses. My favorite image creation tool is Canva.com. It is an online service that makes image creating a breeze! It is a free service that you can enhance with paid images/effects as needed with each image. What I love is that many of the frequently used sizes (ie. social media profile & banner images)  are preset and there is also the ability to customize an image size. The limitations stop at your imagination and creativity.
Evernote: While there are so many different ways to use Evernote, my go to tool is the ability it gives me to record audio on the go. It is perfect for traveling and it helps me capture my thoughts whenever an idea pops.  Then I can access these thoughts when I have a moment to write. It’s really simple and so effective and allows me so much flexibility. Here is a simple getting started tip sheet to give you the basics of how to use the audio portion of Evernote and don’t be surprised to see your blog quality improve. Play around see how simple it is and never lose an idea or perfect title again.
Write Better Titles: Headline Analyzer by Co-schedule is another lifesaver in blogging content creation. It helps me write engaging titles that inspire readers to click. All you do is type in a title and hit the button. You receive a “grade” that is based on headline type, word & character count as well as keywords and overall sentiment. It’s a great tool to help you increase traffic!

The best part of each of these 3 tools is that I can utilize them from my Verizon Droid Turbo Smartphone. It’s like having a portable office on the go that I can access anytime I need to. Technology is such a lifesaver and the speed and accessibility of having it at our fingertips is only limited by our ability to learn about new tools. Every day there are new apps and programs that can meet your ever need, so be sure to take the time to stay in the know! My favorite way is to participate in the Friday #VZWBuzz* twitter chats that happen at 3pm EST – you can get more info here!

Let me know what you use to make life easier as a blogger by posting your tech tip in the comments below!

 

 — Judy Davis, the Direction Diva is a motivational speaker, author, and military lifestyle blogger as well as the co-founder of LivingThruCrisis.com. Her books Right Side Up  and Warning Signs: Is Your Teen at Risk are go to resources for military families and her website is filled with tips, inspiration and resources for military families. Connect with Judy at TheDirectionDiva.com

*As a member of the #VZWBuzz team I receive various devices and accessories and provide Verizon Wireless tips for military spouses. No additional compensation was given and all opinions stated are my own. As always whenever I talk about products you will get the real scoop not something someone asks me to write

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20 Reasons Why Turning 50 Rocks! by Judy Davis, The Direction Diva

In case you missed the ground moving or the fireworks lighting up the sky…on Saturday I turned 50. Yes I Judy Davis, The Direction Diva am 50 years old, half a century the big 5-OHHH! Some people would be sad, but I did that at 35…no 50 this birthday I am excited about.

Not because of my wrinkles or laugh lines, not because of my gravity-challenged body parts and DEFINATELY not because I creek and pop a little more than I used to. Being 50 is awesome because:

1.  I have skills that keep me from doing stupid stuff all over again.

2.  I can say I’m sorry and mean it.

3.  I am able to admit to my short-comings with complete unapologetic  acceptance.

4.  I know how to change what I can and let go of the rest.

5.  I don’t have to know everything.

6.  I am not afraid to ask for help.

7.  I have loved, lost , battled back and rose up only to realize that I really can handle whatever life throws at me.

8.  I’ve come to realize that one can be selfish and selfless all at the same time.

9.  I really am stronger that I ever knew I could be.

10. I’m no longer afraid to take a risk or try something new.

11. I am free from worrying about what others think about me.

12. I know that true love and a happy marriage take lots of work. (And trust me it’s worth every tear, frustration and difficult moment)

13. I realize that the little things REALLY do matter.

14. I learned that making someone smile is the best remedy for a tough day.

15. I “get” that every moment of every day is an opportunity if I let it.

16. I realize that I can choose the path I take rather than letting someone else choose it for me.

17. I understand that putting myself first is critical to my health and well-being.

18. I know that close family and friends make the hard times a little easier.

19. I don’t care if everyone likes me because I like me.

20. I’m blessed because I have people in my life that love me unconditionally.

Turning 50 feels like a right of passage.

A permission to be myself; faults and all. No more worry about what people will think, just transparency and an understanding that I can move onto this next phase of life without the insecurities and inhibitions that used to hold me back. 50 brings with it a confidence that I’m more than enough; in fact I’m strong enough, capable enough and yes sassy enough to utilize the wisdom and lessons I’ve come to know.

And that’s why turning 50 ROCKS!

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PTSD & Identity: 4 Ways to Begin Healing

PTSD & Identity: 4 Ways to Begin Healing

by guest blogger Michele Rosenthal

A military spouse once said to me, “PTSD is like a stranger that sneaks into the house and hides in the shadows. For a while you can feel there’s a new presence but because you can’t see it you think maybe you’re just imagining the change. Then something happens; a light shines in the shadows and someone you don’t recognize steps forward.”

This description brilliantly captures the assault on identity that posttraumatic stress disorder causes. Many survivors describe it as a distinct “before” and “after” self. They notice that priorities and values change; interests and activities shift; and desires and objectives alter. When you ask a survivor to explain the transformation he often has no answer. The changes are driven by subconscious needs; survivors watch as detached observers while their lives, relationships and careers experience upheaval and disintegration.

Although there isn’t any one-size-fits-all recovery process there are many ways to heal PTSD. At the center of each unique process lies one universal element: a renegotiation of the self.

The Post-Trauma Identity Crisis

PTSD activates (and then doesn’t allow the deactivation of) the sympathetic nervous system. On a neurophysiological level this alters survivors all the way down to each individual cell. From dysfunctional brain structures to habituated survival responses PTSD puts in place disruptive and addictive behaviors designed to establish a sense of safety and control. Though many survivors are aware of the negative changes they feel powerless to stop them. Here is the core of the identity crisis after trauma: You’re not who you used to be in the past; you’re not who you’d like to become in the future; and you are powerless over much of who you are in the present.

This sensation of powerlessness often leads to self-hate, plus feelings of being less than, uselessness (i.e. unable to protect oneself or loved ones), and an inability to professionally perform with reliability and skill. The light shines in the shadows and suddenly a proud soldier turns into a person he no longer feels good about.

Attempting to heal while experiencing a sensation of self-loathing, loss or confusion makes it even harder to feel safe and in control. There is, however, a way to restore a positive sense of self: A healing process with identity reconstruction as a central theme can help turn your soldier back into your partner in ways that are grounded, deliberate, genuine and authentic.

Four Ways Trauma Affects Identity

When it comes to PTSD recovery it’s easy to identify avoidance tactics, hypervigilance rituals, re-experiencing cycles and frequent mood swings. Beneath these visible manifestations lies a less detectable transformation. Alterations in the following four areas dramatically affect identity after trauma:

Beliefs (concepts we hold to be true): We all experience the world through a belief system that helps us interpret what we see, feel, think and do. In the wake of trauma beliefs related to safety (and especially self-efficacy) realign toward the negative. Since beliefs inform 100% of our behavior and lead to habits that create 98% of our daily actions the effect of what a survivor accepts as truth is critical to how he experiences each day.

Meaning (significance we give to an idea, fact or experience): The meaning we ascribe to an event imbues it with emotional resonance that becomes encoded with the memory. Often, the meaning given to traumatic events reverberates with negative associations from lack of self-worth to larger disruptive concepts about the world at large. Healing benefits from assigning meaning to the past that 1) respects the traumatic experience, 2) includes a larger perspective than trauma alone.

Story (narrative of events): There are many possible stories to tell after trauma. The narrative throughline that a survivor creates illuminates his belief system and affects the trauma’s meaning. While it’s important to honor the events it’s also important to ensure that the story encompasses more than just the negative, powerless perspective. Every remembered trauma also includes survival; positive and negative intertwine and both deserve to be recognized.

Self-concept (personal definition): Trauma alters how survivors see themselves. If before they felt effective and able to handle adversity now they may question their ability to respond to or live in a world in which their survival (or that of loved ones) is not ensured, or in which they feel they didn’t deserve to survive. Rather than recognize the whole self many survivors exist solely through the perspective of perpetual danger. A core concept and central theme in constructing post-trauma identity includes a survivor’s learning to redefine who he is with a full perspective outside of trauma as well as within it.

Some survivors face recovery head on as a battle to be waged, others treat it like special ops and shroud the process in secrecy; still others deny there’s any problem at all. Gently introducing the concept of identity into any approach and working these four elements can help create a shift from survivor to post-trauma identity in a way that causes a transformation from powerless to powerful. In a world of no guarantees this single action roots a recovery process in something that feels stable, dependable and trustworthy—three qualities that introduce sensations of safety and control that enable a survivor to reclaim and redefine his personality not only as someone who has experienced trauma but who has conquered it too.

For more from Michele I recommend purchasing a copy of her new book:

 

Michele Rosenthal is an award-winning PTSD blogger, award-nominated author, founder of HealMyPTSD.com, host of Changing Direction radio and author of Your Life After Trauma: Powerful Practices to Reclaim Your Identity (W. W. Norton).

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What Do You Stand For? by Judy Davis, The Direction Diva

The importance of taking care of ourselves is not only something I blog about regularly but it’s something that I believe is key to living my best life. One of the ways I stay positive and focused is by subscribing to various newsletters & quote of the day services, so I can start my day off on the right foot. It get’s my “juices” flowing and inspires me to push thru the yuck and live each day to the fullest.

A while back I received an email from Rick Itzkowich of quoteactions.com, that I just had to share! It challenged me in a way I hadn’t thought about before, and what I love about his stuff is that he always gives you an action to take. Here is what he shared…

“Don’t believe that winning is really everything. It is more important to stand for something. If you don’t stand for something, what do you win?” by writer, Joseph Lane Kirkland

Your action for today is to reconnect with something you stand for and then take some action that supports it. Enjoy an extraordinary day!

The Action is what got me going… I know I am passionate about what I’m doing, especially my work with teen suicide prevention, and I like to win. But when I started to wrap my mind around the question “What do I stand for?” I really didn’t know. [Tweet “What actions are you taking to make a difference in something you stand for?” ]

Have you ever felt that way? Like you are moving along and things are clicking and then WHAMMO, something like a simple email has you questioning your moral fiber. After some time, I realized that this email was a reminder about how important to believe in and act on something that is bigger than yourself. It is important to have the courage to do what it takes to turn an idea into reality no matter what obstacles stand in your way.

So in answer to the “ACTION QUOTE” what is it that I believe in or stand for… I came up with the following:

I stand for making a difference in the lives of others, and helping them be the best that they can be. I believe that it is my purpose for being here, it is the thing that drives me to get up in the morning. No matter how difficult it may seem, it is worth it to stand up for myself and all I stand for.  I can make a difference as long as I continue to take action that supports this ideal.

People wonder if this Direction Diva walks the walk and I will tell you that I do. It’s simple really, because if I don’t I lose my way. I write blog posts like Kick Stress to the Curb or Priorities: What Really Matters and talk about ways to stay focused as a reminder to myself more than anything. And I work at it – each and every day.

So my challenge to you:

Ask yourself “What do you stand for”,

and are your actions in alignment with those ideals?

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Quitting: Save Your Small Business (Part 3) – A Series by The Direction Diva

In an earlier post in the Save Your Small Business series I talked about planning. Before that I spoke about tips and strategies for finding success here and here. Today I want to talk about quitting. In the small business world I see a lot of people give up the minute the water gets a little choppy. They started their journey dipping a toe in to test the waters and when the reality of being in business for yourself isn’t all warm and welcoming they run for the hills in hopes of finding something that is easier to find success with.

I  wondered what would happen if we had that same attitude as parents? What would it be like if the minute little Johnny paid homage to the porcelain God’s with your favorite necklace caused you to walk away in search of a kid that was easier to parent? Not going to happen, right? Instead of running, we regroup, rally the troops, educate ourselves and find solutions.

From the moment my children were born, I knew that no matter how hard things got, I wouldn’t ever give up on them. I knew that we were in it for the long hall and that we could get through anything, and honestly we’ve been through some difficult times. But from the start I knew that there would be times I would have to be innovative, patient and do things that I really didn’t want to do. I knew I would cry and I knew I would laugh. But most of all I knew I would never quit on them.

When#SmallBiz owners approached their biz like they do their role as parents its a win! #Focus…
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The result was that every obstacle and every difficult situation was met with an open mind and a quiet determination, and most of all there was a knowing that we would find a solution that would make everything ok.

So this brings me to the question, what could we accomplish, what could we do and where would we be if each “opportunity” were met with the same mindset.

What if quitting wasn’t an option?

What would you be willing to do in your business if you believed, with the conviction of a mother, that you would never quit?

Would you pick up the phone?
Would you try something new?
Would you walk through the fear?
Would you do whatever it took to find a better way?

The best way to save your small business from closing it’s doors is to have the mindset of a mother and commit. Commit to yourself, to your “baby” and to the future; And do whatever it takes to approach every challenge with the same determination.

To succeed in your #smallbiz every obstacle must be met with an open mind and quiet determination
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— Military spouse and advocate Judy Davis-the Direction Diva is a motivational speaker, author, and  lifestyle blogger as well as the co-founder of LivingThruCrisis.com. Judy’s books Right Side Up  and Warning Signs: Is Your Teen at Risk along with her websites are go to resources filled with tips, strategies & inspiration. Connect with her at TheDirectionDiva.com

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A Simple Tip to Fight Winter Blues by Judy Davis, The Direction Diva

I don’t know about you, but lately I’ve been feeling a little confined and blah. Ok maybe I have the winter blues. Perhaps it’s the record cold temperatures, snow or all this pent-up winter energy but I find myself wanting to hibernate and find excuses to stay inside my house. Shocker I know, but Judy Davis, the Direction Diva has to work to beat the winter blues especially when the temps are in the single digits. And then as if someone was tapping me on the shoulder saying, get it together I ran across an old email from Ariane de Bonvoisin that inspired me so I had to share it…

Fly Like an Eagle

Does a bird think about it before taking flight? No. He just feels an impulse inside his little bird brain: “There’s that cute bird from the shrubbery—now’s your chance!” or “Skewer that field mouse—I’m starving!” Basically his actions are spontaneous. If you’ve been feeling a little itchy or tied-down lately, try being a bit more bird-like.

Give yourself permission to take spontaneous flight. Hop in the car or on a plane, (or take a bus, or boat or train) and spend some time somewhere, anywhere, as long as it’s away from home. Don’t have a job? Even better—you won’t have to take time off. No money? Take the car and stay with a friend. Or find some friends to travel with and share expenses. Where there’s a will, there’s always a way. A change of scenery is just the thing for gaining a brand new perspective.

Could the answer to beating the winter blues really be as simple as getting out of the house? I think it can… In fact, this simple tip really changed the mindset I had and I haven’t even gone anywhere yet! Rather than stressing about what is on my list of things to do and dreading heading out to do some much-needed grocery shopping, I find myself thinking about possibilities and wondering how I can shake things up a bit. I’m contemplating ways to “take flight” and be spontaneous, where an hour ago I wasn’t motivated to start my day!

I always find it amazing how the right saying, or piece of information can change my mood or the direction of my thoughts in an instant. Just goes to show how much truth there is to the “Mind your Mind” philosophy. When we change how we think about something, our outlook on life takes on a whole new meaning. Just thinking about being spontaneous makes me want to take action. So if you are like I was, feeling “cooped up” and bear like, take a moment to think like a bird. You’ll be glad you did!

How do you find inspiration?

  — Judy Davis is a motivational speaker, author, military lifestyle blogger and co-founder of LivingThruCrisis.com. Her books Right Side Up  and Warning Signs: Is Your Teen at Risk are go to resources for families. Connect with Judy at TheDirectionDiva.com for tools, inspiration and perspective for a better life.

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Planning: Save Your Small Business (Part 2) – A Series by Judy Davis, The Direction Diva

As a small business owner you may be frustrated with various aspects of your business. You may feel as though you are working harder with no results, or perhaps it’s  gotten to the point that you are on the brink of closing your doors. I totally understand that owning a business can be frustrating, but the best part of entrepreneurship is that you have the power to change things. With a few tips, a bit of hard work and some sound advice, it’s possible to turn things around – and that is what this series is about. In part 1 of the Direction Diva’s Save Your Small Business Series we talked about the importance of having marketable products; today we go back to the beginning and focus on the importance of planning.

Truth: Successful businesses have a plan that they follow and adjust regularly.

I think this is the place where I eat my humble pie because when I began my blog, I didn’t really have a plan. I started blogging to stay in contact with groups of military spouses that I was the speaker for at various events. No thoughts as to how I would engage with new followers; I didn’t think about creating a contact list or setting up my website to work with sponsors or advertisers. I also didn’t have any products to sell nor did I have a clue when it came to tracking, hosting and development. To make matters worse I didn’t have a plan.

Successful businesses have a plan that they follow and adjust regularly. #smallbiz #advice
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Spontaneity and putting out fires was my methodology and while there is something to be said for going with the flow and capitalizing on last-minute opportunities, spontaneous business operations don’t get you very far. Having a plan does.  Formal or not, understanding how you will reach and interact with your customers takes a focused and planned effort.

Just like you wouldn’t attempt to build a home without blue prints, don’t try to build a business by winging it.  It doesn’t have to be formal or elaborate but if you want to succeed at any level you need a plan that answers the following:

What is your product or service. Clearly define (and be able to explain – like you would to a child) what product or service your business sells. If it’s to complicated to explain in a simple sentence no one will see the value.
What makes it different or better than what is already out there? There are lots of mommy blogs and military spouse bloggers so be different. Think about what you can do better than anyone else, then DO THAT!
What is the problem that you are solving?  The most successful businesses are the ones that provide a simple solution to a problem that exists. People are willing to spend money on something if it makes their lives better.
How will you make money? What are the income streams? If you don’t have a tangible good or service that you can sell then you don’t have a business, you have a hobby.

If you don’t have a tangible product or service you don’t have a business, you have a hobby….
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Who is responsible for running the business? This seems like a simple question, but it really needs some thought because owning a business is so much more than just hanging out a new shiny “Open ” sign. Have you considered whether or not you are the best person to handle all the roles? Are you an accountant, sales person, web developer etc? The running of a business is complicated and we all have our strengths. Do what you do best and hire out the rest.
How will the business run on a daily basis? Outline the daily tasks that must be completed for your business to run and grow, and then determine what you will be responsible for and what you need to hire out. How will you handle social media engagement, marketing and outreach? What must happen when a sale is made? How will you distribute the product/service and how will you follow-up with your customers? What is your plan for keeping up to date with new technology? Thinking through and planning your daily operations is crucial for long-term success, and those who do so grow at a much faster and more stable rate.
How much will it cost to run your business? What are the daily, weekly, monthly and yearly expenses? Understanding these numbers will help you develop and create the income streams that will not only cover the cost of operations, but help you to become profitable.
What is your overall marketing & outreach strategy? How will you let people know you exist and what steps will you take to prompt them to buy your product or service? When starting out many new business owners take a “build it and they will come” approach, and then are disappointed with lack-luster sales. Create an overall marketing strategy and tweak it based on actual results.

With the internet making it easier to run a small business, it also makes it harder to be successful at it. Planning is an important part of long-term success and there are many ways to create a plan that works for you. Take some time to answer these questions and share with us where you are at in your planning process!

Stay tuned for part 3 of

SAVE YOUR BUSINESS where we will discuss

Authenticity and why it’s important to your success!

Missed Part 1? Click here for instant access!

In the meantime take a moment and create a plan for your business and let us know how it changes the way you look at things!

 

— Judy Davis, the Direction Diva is a motivational speaker, author, and military lifestyle blogger as well as the co-founder of LivingThruCrisis.com. Her books Right Side Up  and Warning Signs: Is Your Teen at Risk are go to resources for military families and her website is filled with tips, inspiration and resources for military families. Connect with Judy at TheDirectionDiva.com

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