Posts

,

TOP 12 Things I Learned Working in Magazines

Here are the top 12 things I learned working in magazines & how they can help you today!

I was in my early twenties. I didn’t know much about business except that I looooved magazines. I had come from working in an international advertising agency and I was looking for something more stable, more human. When an agency wins a contract it hires, and when it loses an account it fires! I loved the idea generation side of agencies, the dreamy side, but the rest just really wasn’t me.

I already knew I loved communication in all its forms: brainstorming to find ideas, promoting great products, thinking of promotions, public relations, finding new angles to get our editors media invitations, pitching, negotiating, and coaching the editors & journalists so they would excel once they were on air.

The world of magazines has changed a lot. Many magazines no longer exist, but I still use what I learned in the industry every day. It really was the best school for me – it has built my foundation as a communications expert, sometimes I even say as a communications addict!

Here are the top 12 things I learned while working in magazines:

1. Put your best content on the cover:

Put your best content on the cover where everyone can see it – this may seem like common sense, but it’s one of the most important things I learned in the magazine industry. My father, who was an amazing entrepreneur, used to say “If you want to sell something put it in the front window for everyone to see, don’t keep it in the back store”.  This tip is based on the same idea. Today the best medias are on the web, so show your products off with great pictures, videos & content!

2. Innovate, don’t follow:

As a matter a fact, the motto at the fashion magazine I was working on was ‘Dare’. We were ‘avant-garde’. Our editor Dominique was an ex-international model. She was simultaneously gorgeous, innovative & daring. She would test the waters with people in the building & then she would ‘jump’! We were the first magazine to have a pink ribbon on the cover for breast cancer. We had naked models saying how 90% of women did not like their bodies, including models! It was always done with taste – never tacky & very classy. If you want to attract attention you need to dare, take a chance, stand out.  This applies on social media & beyond!

3. One success does not last for ever:

When one issue of the magazine sold out, we were so excited we would jump up & down in the hallways, but we still had to work on the next one. We had to win over our readers & buyers with each issue, every three weeks! This is a great reminder that applies to magazines and other businesses as well.

4. Success is rarely the product of one person alone:

Yes, our editor Dominique was amazing. Her energy and her passion were catchy & invigorating.  You could almost say it was all her… almost. She still needed inspiration and would often get it from chatting with the rest of us in the office. She had an amazing editing team behind her – the graphic designers, the photographer, the journalists & columnist, the proofreaders, the promotion & PR team that would give her visibility. The production of a magazine is similar to that of a movie – when a film wins an Oscar, it’s usually the product of many passionate people.  This also goes to show that if you work alone, you shouldn’t hesitate to hire experts to help you out!

5. If you fail, learn from it & move on:

Sometimes, we had issues of the magazine that were great successes. Other times, they were not so well received. There were some hard hits. On these occasions we discussed what happened, tried to figure out what went wrong & did used this information to do better on the next issue. Learn from your mistakes and failures, but never forget! 

6. Competition is good:

We would always check what our competition was doing. I truly believe that if we hadn’t had such fierce competition, we wouldn’t have worked as hard. We wanted to be first & more often than not, we were. It’s not always good to compare yourself with others but sometimes it’s necessary to get to your destination faster! One thing that always pays is to be one step ahead of the competition, no matter what your product or service!

7. Stars attract attention & help you sell:

It’s no secret that when we would put an international celebrity on the cover, we did very well.  It’s always good to have a star or the modern take on one – an influencer talking about you or your product. People will think to themselves, ‘They like it, I trust their opinion, it must be good’ & this leads them to buy! Influencers are the new stars today. Get them to use your products & talk about it – this is one of the best ways to attract attention and help you sell, no matter what industry you’re in or media you’re using.

8. You need more than one media talking about you:

When I would negotiate interviews with different medias, I had a list of more than 20 TV shows, radio station & print outlets to call. If we wanted to be sold out, I needed to make all those phone calls & get many positive returns! You don’t know who is going to say yes, so you need to cast your line out for all sorts of fish. When you want to be seen on social media, you need to be present on more than just one platform and post often. When it comes to social media especially, consistency is key!

9. Content is king:

The cover of the magazine advertises what’s on the inside. When you open the magazine up though, the content has to be excellent. If not, people will just stop buying it. If you want to be present in the medias & have an impact, you absolutely need to have good content.  If you use social networks or use video, make certain the content has value for the people watching.

10. Listen & understand what people want:

When I was working in magazines, we often did surveys where readers would write to us. We took their feedback and kept it – and them! – in mind every time we worked on a new issue. If you don’t show an interest in your audience, you will lose them. On a psychological level, people want to know they matter. If you do a video don’t just talk about yourself – be sure to address your audience specifically.

11. Know your raison d’être:

I spent a lot of time working on a daring fashion magazine. Whenever we hesitated in doing something ‘grand’ we remembered why we started and what our message was. Before you create your website, flesh out branding or work on being more visible, make sure you know exactly why you started. Along the way we often forget this, but it’s essential to know your raison d’être and keep sight of it along your journey.

12. When you are not challenged, move on:

I honestly had so much fun working in the magazine business. I saw so many different sides to the industry – I worked on promotion, public relations, event planning & magazine launching. I learned so much but eventually it became routine and I wasn’t having fun anymore. So, I left. I loved magazines but it was time to discover new things & take on new challenges. I can wholeheartedly say I did this – the challenge of working for myself is an ongoing adventure! I love working with small businesses, entrepreneurs & solopreneurs to help them find their essence & see them transform from lamb to lion!

I wanted to share these lessons with you because the experiences I had are always alive inside me. When I work with clients, when I coach them to find their essence & create videos, these are the rules that I follow. These lessons are also alive & well every day as foundations of the communication & marketing world.

If you need assistance with your marketing foundation, whether it be finding your essence, producing your videos, or finding your elevator pitch & that 2-minute message that will attract your next clients, please contact me. I would love to speak to you and see how my services can help!

LiZ

/0 Comments/by
,

The Secret of Successful Entrepreneurs

Prior to February 2020 I, like many of you, saw my husband before the work day began and after he’d come back from the office, with no first-hand knowledge of what went on in between.

Now that we spend all day working out of the same home office, I get a unique window into his life at work and a company other than my own. I can see him going through several emotions in one day. He is alone at his computer but is rarely really ‘alone’ – long live Zoom! No matter what may be going on in the world, he is in constant contact with his team. Watching them, it became clear to me that there is a certain energy, a force and synchronicity that emanates throughout a good team. When people work with a shared goal, they are often stronger and more effective than if they were working alone.

Whether you are 400 employees across the globe or 2 employees working from home, the rule is the same.  You have to know how to surround yourself with people who have the same values, passion, and who care about the success of the company.

When you’re an entrepreneur, you think you have to do everything yourself.

The truth is that as human beings, we are rarely good at everything. Disney was amazing at drawing, telling stories and had an amazing vision for the future, but he was really bad at accounting and business. Thankfully, he had his older brother Roy. John F. Kennedy had his brother Robert, his assistant Kenneth Patrick O’Donnell and many close advisers. Oprah Winfrey didn’t run a show or television network alone, she had her producer Sheri Salata, her chief of staff, her assistant & a mega team. Celine had Rene & many collaborators. Mandy from ‘Mandy’s Salads’ (my favorite restaurant in Montreal!) works with her sister Rebecca,…

We often think that there is such a thing as a ‘strong man’ or a ‘strong woman’, but I prefer to say that we are all as strong as our support system. In many cases, we think that someone is doing it all themselves, but that’s usually because their ally or associate just doesn’t want attention and stays out of the Spotlight.

Who can be part of your support system?  It can be a partner, a coach, an effective assistant – someone who has your interests in the foreground, with a healthy enough distance to help you make the right choices.

If you need help, ask!  We live in a world so technologically advanced that you can find the perfect expert at a click. Use the resources available to you! Ask around in Facebook groups or LinkedIn groups. Become a member of an RFAQ (Réseau des femmes d’affaires du Québec) or a BNI (Business Networking International) chapter. Look to your local Chamber of Commerce, PME Montreal, YES Montreal. You’d be amazed at how many people will offer help, especially in these difficult times.

The business world is not so different from our everyday lives. To be happy in life, you need a good support system. A  wife, a husband, a parent, a child, a good friend, a brother, a sister, a friendly neighbour… someone you can talk to, someone who believes in you without judgment and who can lend an ear and offer advice.

Batman had Alfred and Robin. Superman had Lois Lane.  Iron Man has Pepper. Obama had Michelle and Joe. Kennedy had his brothers and his team of consultants.

Who do you have?

We’re really stronger together.

If you need help with your message, your story, your videos, or your marketing, please feel free to send me a message. It will be my pleasure to see how I can help you!

If you need help with your website, social networks, graphics, sales figures, or accounting, I’m definitely not the right person but I’ll happily refer you to an expert or colleague who excels in the field.

Don’t be a stranger. 

Stay safe,

LiZ

/0 Comments/by
,

COVID Routine: TOP 15 Tips in my Lionzest Survival Kit

When I was a kid, I hated the idea of ‘routine’ and even just the word itself. I was afraid if I fell into a routine, I would stop being the passionate person that I am, which is the equivalent of happiness to me. Today, with this life storm we are facing, I’m incredibly thankful that I have a routine.

Although it is altered in some ways I feel as though if I didn’t follow this routine, I would not be myself – the girl with the lion inside, the girl with the pink glasses. Today, I thank God for routine!

So here are a few tips for getting through this crazy time. I hope I can help you see through pink glasses too:

TOP 15 Tips in my Lionzest Survival Kit:

 

1. Pet Therapy

I wake up and the first thing I do is pet my cat, which has been proven to be good for my health. Research shows that a cat’s purr not only lowers stress but can also lower blood pressure!!

2. Quotation inspiration

I grab my phone to find a quote that gives me a small boost. I like to share these quotes on my social networks to spread positivity to others. Check out my Lionzest Instagram and Facebook and let me know if any inspire you!

3. Accomplishment #1

I make my bed. If I don’t accomplish much (or anything) during the day, at least I know I made my bed! It also makes my room look cleaner and when I turn in for the night it feels like a little retreat.

4. Finding my zen

Meditation with the app “Let’s Meditate“.  I love it because I can do it in bed and the app lets you pick a theme and a duration. Go for 5 minutes, 14 minutes, 42 minutes…You decide! Some of the themes you can choose from are: Beginner’s Guide, Attract Abundance, Ease Urgencies, and Confidence. There is a theme for everyone! I find this lowers my stress, anxiety and helps me focus.

5. Better than coffee

I take a shower. I like to mix it up by starting with a hot shower and ending with a cold shower.  It wakes me up and keeps me from thinking about my troubles since I’m busy wondering if I’ll survive the shower!  That’s not all it does – it also improves circulation, helps treat depression, stimulates weight loss and strengthens your immune system. What’s not to love?!

6. Power suit

I get dressed. I feel more confident and ready to take on the day.  This is important to me because if not I feel depressed and will probably give off those negative vibes to others.

7. The great outdoors

I take a long walk with my dog. I smile and greet a lot of people. I even say “hello” to the drivers alone in their buses!  I feel the breeze on my face, stop at the park and take in all the beauty of the water, the birds, rabbits… I am in another world!  My dog is a good guide – if ever I pass a park or walk too fast, she stops, sits and looks at me.  She is 100 pounds so I have no choice but to listen and slow down. These walks outside help my body release endorphins (the happy hormone!) and increase my intake of vitamin D.  On top of it all, this is often where I solve challenges and get my best business ideas!

8. Drugged with music

I listen to my music on full blast while I walk and sometimes in the kitchen while I make my morning shake. Ideally what I listen to is upbeat and full of happiness! Some of my favourite tunes are Happy, Sun is Shining (Axwell & Ingrosso), Say a Little Prayer, Faith (George Michael) and Love Generation.  What’s on your Spotify playlist?

9. Rendezvous with Frank

I have a daily “rendezvous” with François Legault, our Premier, just to know if this whole thing is over yet. He’s live every day at 1 p.m. to give an update on what’s going on. The TV goes OFF immediately after, around 1:30 p.m. If not, welcome to the abyss of fear and what could happen. Then I wouldn’t have the energy to do anything and I’d probably get that ‘it’s the end of the world’ feeling.  So, the TV goes on at 1pm and off at 1:30!

10. Comfort food

I eat!!! A little too much 😊 – except in the morning, when I take my protein shake with all my vitamins. I’ve tried many shakes and this one (Whole Earth & Sea, made in Canada) is my favourite of all. Lunch is often a salad. In the evening it’s really important that the three of us eat together as a family and have the chance to talk about all kinds of things. I make desserts – there have been a lot of banana breads coming out of my kitchen lately, along with reminders of my childhood (fudge, rice krispie squares, pouding chomeur)!!! I love and need to cook for my family.

11. Reaching out

I make daily calls to friends and family to make sure everything is okay with them. I think most people are in their own little bubbles and afraid to reach out. Maybe they’re scared to disturb people or to hear bad news and not know how to react. My sisters are used to my calls so for them it’s just a nice part of their daily routine. As for my friends, the first thing they always say is: “I am so glad you called”. I hear the gratitude in their voices and in return, it makes me feel good. By taking a small and simple action, I feel as though I have made a difference.

12. Giving back & having purpose

I work, which gives me purpose and helps me feel useful.  I’m currently working on my “Survival Show” video series and I’m having so much fun doing it.  When I’m not helping a client with videos and their image, I feel as though I’m making a difference by introducing amazing people and giving advice on how to survive this ‘thing’ we are all going through.

13. Relaxation time

In the evening: long live Netflix!!!  I’ve finished all the shows I was watching and now I need inspiration – do you have any suggestions for me? For you, here are some of the shows I was hooked on: Modern Love, Peaky Blinders, Morning Show, Last Kingdom, Self Made, The Crown, The Witcher, The Hunters (Al Pacino is amazing!), Unorthodox, David Letterman: My Guest Needs No Introduction, The Bodyguard, Grace & Frankie (hard to believe they’re 80!!), and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (probably inspired by Joan Rivers). Let me know if you give any of them a try!

14. Perfect sleep formula

To set myself up for a good sleep, I make a big cup of ‘Sleepytime’ chamomile herbal tea (the box with the teddy bear on it!), and I also take a good quality Magnesium supplement. This is my magic recipe – I sleep like a baby afterwards and forget whatever is going on to dream of a better tomorrow!

15. The power of positivity

I try to stay positive all day long.  I think that my positive attitude, music, family and the other tips mentioned above have truly been lifesavers for me!

 

So, the next time you see me radiating bubbly happiness and you wonder if it is all in my DNA, now you know: it’s not, I get a little help every day!

 

Need more help?  I hear you.  I have been working on a series of video interviews to help you get through this.  They are short and will introduce you to amazing, talented experts who will share their stories and their tips.  Please come watch on Facebook & Youtube. Like, comment & share – you might even help brighten someone else’s day!

 

We’re going to be okay. Now that I’ve shared mine, I’d love to hear what your routine is to help you get through this!

 

Are you ready for the world to see your business with fresh eyes? Contact Lionzest to discuss how we can energize your business and make you shine.

 

/3 Comments/by
, , , ,

Do you believe in miracles?

You know in fairy tales how there are genies, magic wands, fairy godmothers and any number of beings and items that can make whatever you want magically appear in an instant? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had one of those in real life?

But, of course, we all know life doesn’t happen that way… or do we?

When clients contact me, they want success. They want clients calling them from everywhere, ready to buy. They are looking for the quick fix. The magic wand. The miracle worker.

And I don’t blame them… because I am the same way!

I am always looking for that magic, quick result. Part of my brain knows it doesn’t make sense, but another part wants to believe.

I start a diet and after one day of salad, I jump on the scale anticipating the number will have dropped. I start a workout and when my muscles are sore the next day, I have a quick 10 seconds of believing I have transformed. I try a new mascara full of promises and before looking in the mirror, I am convinced I’m going to look like Meghan Markle or better!!!

We all do this, so… why would our brains be any different in business?

I once had a client who believed in “magicians”.  He had a great store with great products, but those products were expensive, his location was terrible and he had no consistent messaging.

His brain was also stuck on the “Big Wow”. He had everything to succeed but right there in his store, but kept looking for outside solutions. He wanted magic, THE quick fix.  Continuity takes time. Who has time?

It seemed every occasion I saw him he was hiring a new person. Each time it was, “THIS is it. HE is THE one.”

Every new hire seemed to have their own magic wand.

One was a PR person. She was going to make him famous because she was so well connected. She organised a beautiful event full of beautiful people. Some bought products, some discovered the store and came back, but there was no big “Hoopla”.

Next, it was a marketing guy who was going to make him famous by building him a fantastic website. This guy was “the best”. He had worked for big designers in Paris such as Burberry and Gucci. A few months later, my client had spent $25,000 on a website. The website was nice, but very slow. My client was happy at first. It was such a beautiful website, full of bells and whistles! But after a few days of people saying they could not find him on Google and the site was too slow, he was very unhappy. The magic bullet had missed its mark.

Then he associated himself with a fashion icon. Now, she was going to put the store on the map. She had great clients and would share that clientele. But, once again, the result did not meet his high expectations.

Finally, he hired a new rep. This woman was great at selling. The best. She was going to bring her clients from her previous store. It was going to be big! She did bring in some business, but it was far from the tidal wave my client was expecting.

What was missing every time? Consistency. Also, reasonable expectations. But consistency was the big one.

You will hire people. They might not bring the big parade you were expecting, but good people will continually bring you closer to the next level, step by step.

Be wary of big promises. A true expert has the experience and wisdom to know that there is no “big bang”. There are no miracles. There is patience and there is consistency.

Learn from each step forward. Take notes and keep going. Keep hustling!

Success is built on hard work, not miracles.

There is no magic. There are no saviors. You have to do the work yourself. You have to hustle, every day. An Olympic medalist doesn’t simply show up and win gold. They work at it, hard, every day. Great musicians don’t just pick up a guitar. They practice and experiment every single day.

If there is any magic bullet, it is routine. Repetitiveness, consistency and patience are what create “miracles”. As the championship golfer, Gary Player, once said, “The harder you work, the luckier you get.” Funny how that works, no?

I like to think that I bring a bit of magic to what I do. I help people bring out the “why” of their business and shine that light, brilliantly, through incredible videos. But I also work hard, work consistently and coach my clients on how to consistently get their brilliant, amazing message out there, continuously. Even pixie dust needs someone working hard to spread it around.

Do the work to ensure your message gets out there, every day. Be visible. Post pictures, quotes or better yet have a video series. Be present every day and the miracle will happen!

Barbara Eden

/0 Comments/by
, , ,

First Impressions Matter More Than You Think!

 

Are we that superficial? Yes we are!

When you watch the Oscars or flip through magazines at the grocery store, is your first instinct to check out (and comment on) the clothes, hair and makeup? Of course! We all do it.

So… why would it be any different when people visit your company’s website

Let’s make one thing clear: the most powerful marketing and sales tool available today is video.

But if you put that video on a website from 2012, that video alone will not convince anyone to buy from you. Your favourite celebrity can have their hair and makeup on point, but if their dress looks like a #ThrowbackThursday post come to life? Nobody’s buying what they’re selling.

Why? Because first impressions matter. Once you have someone hooked, of course they want to dig deeper and find out more.

But feeding that first, superficial impression is critical.

Cupcakestop

Your website is your storefront.

Because as they say, you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.

So take care of your image. As strongly as I believe in the power of video, video is not magic. Nothing is. You need to address the whole package.

Here’s an example. A friend of mine owns a dessert store that is heavenly on the eyes and stomach. I love everything he makes and have been a happy customer for 10 years!

A while back, he told me he was closing his downtown store to open an exclusively online store. That sounded great! As long as I could still buy the goodies I love, I was happy.

So one day, I start craving something decadent. I do a search and find both his website and Facebook page.

“Oh no!” was my first thought, “That can’t be him. That is not the product and company I love.”

What happened??? Turns out, he had recently spent $3000 on a website with tons of text… and no pictures. SO what….The French and English text were all cluttered on the same page and there were no tempting images of the delicious desserts I remembered.

Looking at it, I wanted to pull my hair out!  Totally LOST opportunity for anybody who lands on this website. It is life and death for his business. It is thousands of dollars, it is PR opportunities. Or people who would call him for a “cupcake wars” show…

Yes, we, as customers, are that superficial. First impressions count, even for customers who know your product. They can have doubts if what they see doesn’t reflect the quality they expect or remember. The last thing you want your POTENTIAL clients to have…is any doubts…they are already analyzing if they want to give you their money or not…and there are other people who can help them solve their problem, put EVERYTHING on your side.   Your image is the equivalent of your product. When you can not be present in person, your website, social networks and videos do the work for you. If you don’t look good, sales won’t look good either.

Your website is your storefront!

Life moves fast, fast, fast. People’s eyes move even faster. What you present to the world has to be visually attractive and has to make people want to buy from you in that moment.

Here’s my advice to you: Yes, your client is that superficial. Accept it. Cater to it. Put your best foot forward on your website and social media profiles. Show off! Don’t be shy to look your best or make the mistake of thinking it doesn’t matter that much. It matters SO much!

Invest in some amazing images, reduce the amount of text on your homepage, use a nice font, put some thought into your colour scheme and post some engaging, quality videos that make your company come ALIVE!

Sometimes when you are “in it” it’s difficult to see from the outside. That’s normal. That’s why people like me exist! 😉 With 25 years of PR experience, having been responsible for cultivating that critical first impression for clients to show the world, I know what to look for and I know how to make you shine.

On our first meeting, I listen closely to what you have to say about yourself, your business and your goals. I take a good look at your image: website, social networks, elevator pitch… all of it.

From this deep dive, I create a video concept to present to you. Something that truly makes you shine. But it’s more than a video. It’s a basis for your image, your first impression. Once you are happy with your image, I coach you to be the best that you can be on camera

The end result is a powerful tool to boost your visibility and attract your next clients. It’s a fast and easy process where you sit back and I do all the work!

Don’t put your business’s image in the hands of someone just because they are family, friends or have done a few websites in the past. Do what you have to do to make certain your product and company look their best!

Tell your story, use video as a way to stand out & do the selling when you are not there!

We are superficial. We will run to your store if you show it off and make it shine. But we will also turn away if we aren’t drawn to what we see. Call me. Let’s make you shine!

 

Cupcake image

image is everything

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSave

/0 Comments/by
, ,

10 THINGS I LEARNED ABOUT LIFE, BUSINESS & PUZZLES!

I am a fast paced person. I like when things are exciting and dynamic. It’s why I love working with video. You can create this super short, but super impactful piece of media that delivers facts and feelings quickly and has an immediate impact on the viewer.

But in life and business, it can be good to switch gears from time to time. It helps you get a new perspective, gain clarity and be at your best.

For me, I like to “get away from it all” by doing something really slow, once a year. I try to cut out all electronics and do something that takes patience and time. This activity is something that really isn’t… ‘me’.

I do puzzles.

Yes, you read that right. Me. The woman who can never pass up a party, who loves to take on exciting new challenges, who moves at the speed of light… I do puzzles.

This year, I chose a 1000 piece Beatles puzzle.

Now hear me out, because you would not believe how eye opening puzzles can be! Working on puzzles allows me to explore a part of my brain that I don’t use often and to exercise my patience muscles. I almost feel like I’m using a different set of eyes. Just by putting a puzzle together, I begin to see life and business with a whole new perspective.

Here are 10 lessons from puzzles that have made me better at life and business:

1. When things look chaotic, take a deep breath and just start

When I first dumped 1000 puzzle pieces on the table, my sister, husband and son all quickly reminded me that it was “too much”.

In my own head, I was thinking, “Maybe they’re right! What was I thinking? OMG! Can I return it? Where do I even start??”

But then I just started. I flipped all the pieces right side up and began sorting edges with edges, blue with blue, white with white… pretty quickly that big mess started looking more manageable. More possible. And most importantly, I was doing it. Slowly, and literally piece by piece, I could see my small, deliberate actions having an impact.
I remember once coming out of a meeting with a potential client thinking how much I wanted that client. But the project came with so many challenges: the story, the décor, the coaching… where would I even start? I got every idea on paper, organised it piece by piece, and it quickly became manageable.

In puzzles, life and business, just dive in and get organised!

2. Success = timing + patience

Ok, so there’s more to success than that. But timing and patience are a big part of it.

Sometimes I would get into a “groove” of finding and connecting pieces amazingly fast. Other times the groove slowed down. It is so exhilarating to have one success after another, but when it slows down it is not as easy to continue.

Don’t give up. Sometimes I would try a piece so sure that it would not fit, but to my biggest surprise it did. Try things. Take chances. Have patience. The pieces will come together if you stick with it.

3. Sometimes you have to let the pieces go and keep your eye on the big picture


I had been working on the puzzle for a while. I was almost finished. But the last pieces were hard. There were no more colors, just black and white. I had gone from rapid success, finding one piece after another, to finding nothing. I was discouraged.

So I let it go. I left my project on the table and avoided it for a few days.

But I knew I had to finish. I did not want to hear, “I told you it was too big!” So I took a walk in front of it. No pressure. No commitment. Just looking at it from a distance. No more sitting in front of it.

To my surprise, I could see things from a distance that I could not see up close. I started to find new matching pieces. I was on a roll again!

At work, when I get a creative block, I go for a walk or a workout (or chocolate!). When I come back and can see things from a distance, my creative flow is back again. When you feel stuck, you are not stuck. You just need to step back and see the big picture. Let the pieces go. Step away. Take a walk.

4. Sometimes it’s the big picture, other times it’s the pieces

Not surprisingly, John and Paul’s heads were pretty easy to put together. As were all the other “big picture” parts – the colours, the tickets, the edges, the Fab Four… it all came together nicely.

It was at the very end, when I was left with a large white space to complete, that I struggled. The pieces all looked the same at first. When I started to look more closely at the unique shapes, to see that some were more rounded, others heart shaped and so on, it helped so much.

In business, we often say the details will kill you. I usually start my videos with a storyboard. I put it aside then come back and add to it, bit by bit. I constantly add details to ensure nothing is overlooked. Promotional text can be rewritten, but it is expensive and time consuming to redo a video. The details are critical.

Details will only kill you if you do not pay attention to them. Hurray for details!

5. The right partner can complete you (or your project)

When you’ve done the biggest part of a project yourself, sometimes you need someone with a different eye. You get tired of seeing the problem and the more you look, the bigger it seems. Or maybe you are a big picture person and need someone detail oriented to step in.

One part of the puzzle had an image of green and orange tickets. And I was stuck. My husband walked by to see how I was coming along. He can be a bit competitive and happened to pass at just the right time to help with the orange tickets. I welcomed his help and competitive mind. It was exactly what I needed in that moment!

A while ago I met a guy at a business event. He introduced himself saying he did video. I almost left, thinking he was competition. Good thing I listened to his elevator pitch because we have been working together ever since! We each bring unique perspectives and strengths and complete each other so well. We end up producing amazing videos together!

Embrace partnerships. The right mindset can complement your own in incredible ways.

6. You can’t be #1 ALL the time

I love being at the top of my game. Sometimes I would get on a roll, fitting so many pieces together, feeling like nothing could stop me. Other times, it would take an hour just to get one piece.

But it’s ok.

When you’re on a winning streak, you’re on adrenaline. It doesn’t matter if it’s a puzzle, a marathon, or a business deal. It’s like a drug. And you cannot be on it ALL the time. Just accept that that is the way life goes. When things slow down, you get to appreciate your little successes a lot more and take time to plan for your next winning streak.

Appreciate your winnings, learn from your losses and make the most of the slow downs.

7. Go ahead… try the weird thing!

I sometimes found myself ready to give up. So much time would pass without finding a piece that fit. Then, all of a sudden, success!

All it took was trying that weird piece that looked like there was no way it would fit anywhere.

Take chances. So what if the piece doesn’t fit? At least you tried. Sometimes “the weird thing” will surprise you by just how well it fits.

I like to go to networking events to meet new clients. Certain events have such great branding, I get excited just thinking about going. Once there, the potential clients are nothing like I imagined. Yet, we fit perfectly! They need a video, I make video, and when we start working together, I realize their business is so much more interesting that I expected, and we end up making amazing things!

8. Have a vision

I once tried a puzzle without a picture to reference. You had to guess what the image would be as you assembled it. Pas evident! Needless to say, I never finished it.

With my Beatles puzzle, I could always look at the picture on the box to see if I was on the right track. It’s essential!

In life, as in business, you have to have an image in mind of what you want to accomplish. A goal. An objective. An end result you can visualize. The clearer you see it, the better your chances of achieving it. It could be a house, a job, a trip, anything. Have a clear vision to reference as you work towards it.

9. Take things one piece at a time

Too often, we look for quick fixes or magic wands. People start a Facebook business page and expect clients to pour in. They make one video and expect huge, instant results.

Life and business do not work that way. It’s consistency that creates results. It’s picking up one piece at a time, trying each one on its own, and not giving up. You cannot attack 1000 pieces at once. There is no secret technique to instantly sort them all into place.

It’s like I tell clients. You cannot create one video and expect it to solve everything. Create a series. Publish them at intervals. Post to different outlets. Try different approaches. Take it one piece at a time, consistently. If there is any “secret”, that’s it.

10. Dream big and shut out negativity

When I first started the puzzle, I had doubts. I was in love with the image and the colours (and the Beatles, of course), but was reminded again and again by those around me, and myself, that this was not a 300 or 500 piece puzzle. This was 1000 pieces!

For someone who only does one puzzle a year, that’s a lot. But who cares? I did it!

I am someone who dreams big, in all aspects of life and business. I visualize success a lot and I am an idealist. Why was I letting negativity give me doubts? Well, I shut out all that negativity – both outside and in – and I finished my puzzle.

Now? Now I have big plans for Lionzest. I know the mind works in mysterious ways. When I set my mind to something, really believe it, my mind and I make it happen. Don’t let negativity hold you back from your big dreams.

Takeaway:

I strongly believe that different experiences and activities can help you gain new perspectives and see your life and your business in a refreshing way. It allows you to approach problems with fresh eyes and tackle challenges with new motivation. What do you do that opens your eyes?

Are you ready for the world to see your business with fresh eyes? Contact Lionzest to discuss how we can energize your business and make you shine.

 

/0 Comments/by