Clare Josa | Author And Keynote Speaker

UK's Foremost Imposter Syndrome Expert, International Keynote Speaker & 8x Author

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How To Beat ‘Blue Monday’ In Your Business

5MinuteBiz

Today is supposed to be the most miserable day of the year. We’re supposed to feel depressed, demoralised and generally down. Why? Because the weather is pants and the Christmas credit card bills are in and, frankly, who loves January anyway?

But there’s a problem:

You get what you believe.

If you’re feeling bombarded with ‘Blue Monday’ vibes today and you believe that Blue Monday is real, then you’re going to have a gloomy day. And if you’re running a business or looking to change the world, then your team and your customers will suffer. You’ll risk making lousy decisions, playing small on normally-exciting opportunities and going to bed tonight feeling like you had a bad day. Now that’s not what I want you to experience today. So here are five antidotes to Blue Monday – to maximise your chances of having a great day – today and every day.

1. Get Moving!

If you’re feeling down, then sitting at your desk and staring at your computer screen is VERY unlikely to shift your mood. Sure, there’s a chance that a cute kitten video will patter its way through your inbox or sneak into your social media feed, but that’s leaving your happiness to chance, isn’t it? Over the past 13 years as an NLP Trainer and now also a certified Yoga Teacher, I have repeatedly seen the value of movement, to change your inner state. How about trying it right now? (It’s ok if you need to hide yourself in the toilet cubicle to do this!):

  • Stand up and wriggle your shoulders. Then stretch your arms above your head. Stretch up, then to the left, then to the right.
  • Then bring your arms back down and shake them, as though the hand-dryer were broken and you need to flick the water off your fingers.
  • Then stand on one leg (you can use your hand against a wall for balance if you need it) and shake your lifted foot, then the ankle, then the knee, then the whole leg. Repeat on the other side.
  • Wiggle your butt and boogie – put on your favourite music.
  • Breathe deeply from your belly and smile.

This is an instant mood-lifter and the few minutes it costs you pay dividends in shifting your body’s stress hormones into endorphins and leaving you feeling more energised and positive.

2. Don’t Believe The Stories You’re Telling Yourself

Don’t buy into Blue Monday, unless you want to. We get what we believe. If you convince yourself that today is going to be a terrible day, then you’ll trigger the filters in your brain to spot things that confirm this belief. So it doesn’t matter how many fabulous things happen, what you’ll notice and remember is the rubbish stuff. The problem comes when we believe the stories our monkey minds tell us. Your body and emotions don’t care whether something you’re thinking about is happening live, or is a past memory, or a future worry: the same chemical reactions get triggered off as though it were actually happening. So you’ll end up feeling glum and tired and stressed. If you catch yourself telling yourself Blue Monday stories, press pause. Take a deep breath in from your belly and breathe out with an ‘ahhhh’ sound, releasing tension. Remind yourself that Blue Monday isn’t real. Seriously: it’s not! It was invented by a travel company about 10 years ago! So you have total control over whether or not you want today to feel Blue.

3. Two Little Words To Turn Things Around

When you’re dancing with the Blue Monday grumps, your mind gets stuck on the ‘complaining train’. It’s easy to go round in circles spotting everything that’s bad or going wrong. And that feeds itself, like a snake eating its own tail. There are two little words that can turn everything around for you, getting you off the complaining train and back towards feeling positive again.

Thank you.

If you’re feeling glum this Blue Monday, stop and ask yourself:

“What do I feel thankful for, right here, right now?”

Let something bubble up – no judgement – and really experience that ‘thank you’. Then think of another thing. Really feel the emotion of appreciation. And then another. Keep going for at least sixty seconds. Notice how your mood has shifted? You just changed your body chemistry – and the way you’re likely to feel at bedtime tonight – with the power of your mind. Cool, eh? Gratitude can be a magic wand on days like today.

4. Deal With The Monday Morning Blues!

Not a one-off today? Then you need to deal with the Monday Morning Blues. “Tell me why I don’t like Mondays…” We all know the feeling: after a great weekend, the alarm goes off and realisation dawns: it’s Monday morning. Again. For many of us, it can trigger a sinking feeling of dread, as we take a deep breath and dive into another week. It can go on for years, feeling stuck in a rut and unable to change anything. Life is too precious to have a day of the week that you dread. And it doesn’t have to be that way! Believe me, I’ve been there. And – apart from the school run 😉 – I love Monday mornings now! Here are 7 survival tips to help you beat the Monday Morning Blues.

5. Do Something Amazing

To antidote the feeling of Blue Monday, how about stepping outside of your comfort zone – your usual routine – and doing something amazing today? It’s why my Dare to Dream Bigger Expert Series cranks up and goes live in the week of ‘Blue Monday’. That’s not a coincidence. It feels right to create something exciting, empowering and inspirational to antidote the January Blues. And each time I have run an event like this, it has been a game-changer, for those who took part. Expert entrepreneurs share their insider secrets for creating breakthroughs in the coming year. And it’s a pitch-free zone (none of that ‘3 nano-seconds of content and then 55 minutes of self-promoting fluff!). Here’s where you can grab your ticket for this year.

 

So there are five practical strategies to help you beat Blue Monday. And I’d love to hear from you:

  • Which of these resonate for you?
  • How does Blue Monday affect you?
  • And do you have any advice you’d love to share with fellow readers on how to handle Blue Monday and the Monday Morning Blues in general?

Let me know via the comments!

x Clare

Author of Dare to Dream Bigger

Today’s Tweetable:

Got #bluemonday affecting your #business? Here are five things you can do to wave goodbye to the Monday Morning Blues today.Click To Tweet

 

 

Why curiosity might have killed the cat, but it’s essential for your business success

5MinuteBiz

So curiosity might be a high-risk strategy for your average cat, but in today’s 5Minute.Biz video I’m letting you in on the secret of why it is essential, if you want to grow your business. I’m going to share with you the story of how a single question took me on a 25 year journey.

If you want to create breakthroughs in the coming year – or if you have had enough of feeling stuck and treading water – then today’s video is a must-watch:

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Tweetable:

Click to tweetWhy curiosity might have killed the cat, but it’s essential for your business success

Click To Tweet This

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So has this resonated for you today?

  • What could you allow yourself to feel curious about?
  • How might it shift your experience of running your business – and your life?
  • And what might you need to release, to give yourself permission to feel curious again?

I’d love to hear from you via the comments!

And here the summit I mention in the video:

www.DareToDreamBigger.biz/summit

I would LOVE to share it with you.

See you next time when we’ll be exploring why asking for directions is a vital CEO-mindset lifeskill. Time to brush up your map reading? 😉

With love, Namaste,

CJ Sig

P.S. If you’d love a quick reminder in your inbox to let you know when the next edition of 5Minute.Biz is out, make sure you register here – and you’ll get member-only bonuses and invitation-only membership of our private Facebook group 5 Minute Biz VIP, too.

 

Enjoyed This? Want More?

And if you enjoyed today’s episode, make sure you’re getting my weekly newsletter, for inspiration and insider secrets from 14 years of mentoring passionate world-changers. I’d love to share it with you:

Catch Each Episode:

I know you’re busy, but could I ask you to do me a quick favour, please?

5MinuteBiz

I wondered if you could spare a moment to do me a quick favour?

Our Dare To Dream Bigger business summit goes live on Sunday and our big dream is to reach thousands of small business owners, to inspire and empower them to grow to the next level over the coming year.

http://www.daretodreambigger.biz

By the end of the 2 weeks of this live, online Masterclass series, you will know how to:

  • have total clarity about your Big Vision for the coming year
  • reconnect with your passion and magnetise your dream customers
  • deal with the hidden blocks that could otherwise derail you
  • put an end to self-sabotage, so you can feel confident and excited, as you say yes to the opportunities you have been dreaming of
  • get life back in balance, so you can grow your business AND still see your loved-ones AND still find time for yourself
  • get into alignment so that your business flows and success comes more easily, instead of feeling like you’re pushing uphill & it’s all too much hard work
  • feel great about stepping up to the next level and making the difference you’re here to make

Could you help us to get the word out there?

Are you a member of any business groups on social media? Do you have people on your newsletter who would love to hear about this?

You’ve been on the ‘receiving end’ of the way I love to work, with my courses and newsletters and video podcast, and I really hope it resonates with you. If it does, then you’re in for a real treat with this summit.

It’s a pitch-free zone, so you get pure inspirational actionable content – strategies, insider secrets and shortcuts.

http://www.daretodreambigger.biz​

Why are we doing this?

I was asked yesterday: “Why are you guys doing something that’s pitch-free, but also offering a no-cost ticket option? What’s the catch?”

Well, there isn’t one. We’re doing this because we have a Big Vision of inspiring and empowering thousands of small business owners, just like you, to make the Big Difference you’re here to create.

We felt fed up with Facebook feeds full of adverts telling you that ‘success’ is about whether you’re bringing in a six or seven figure income – or dependent on the jetset lifestyle you’re ‘supposed’ to be living.

We feel it’s about making a difference in the world.

But it’s so easy to get in your own way, with hidden blocks and fears causing you to self-sabotage, without realising it. All of the mentors in the Dare To Dream Bigger programme are the real deal – they have been where you are and got through to the other side. And in this summit, they want to empower and inspire you to do the same.

That’s why we’re giving you our time and energy – pitch-free and with a free pass option, if you need it – so that you can make the changes you need to make, to serve your dream customers more deeply and more widely in 2016.​​

So if you could spare a couple of minutes today, could you share the link to the registration page, so we can reach as many people as possible? Maybe you could tweet it? Or mention it in a blog or newsletter? Or post it on LinkedIn? Or tell people you’re signed up and excited, via your Facebook page or a biz group you’re part of?

Let’s spread a wave of positive change around the business world and get people excited about what they want to create in 2016!

Thank you for anything you can do to help.

With love, Namaste,

Clare x

http://www.daretodreambigger.biz

5Minute.Biz: Isn’t It Time To Invest In Yourself, To Grow Your Biz? And It Doesn’t Have To Cost A Penny

5MinuteBiz

Happy New Year! This week in our 5Minute.Biz video I want to talk to you about investing in yourself. You see, we’re great at investing in our businesses – whether it’s buying paperclips or software or any of the other myriad of costs.

But given that business success is about 20% based on what you do, but 80% based on your attitude, investing in that inside work actually gives you by far the best return. Yet so few of us bother.

So today I’m letting you in on the secret of why it’s going to take more than those super-popular glitzy journals and workbooks to create the year you’re dreaming of in 2016. And – as you’d expect – I’m spilling the beans on what the missing link is, so you can get the coming year off to an amazing start.

Here’s where to watch the video and make sure you’re not making the mistake that almost everyone else will be making with their 2016 biz goals:

Tweetables:

Want To Fast-Track Your Success?

One of the best ways to grow your business is to focus on gratitude for what you have already created, rather than what’s missing.

And if you’d like a helping hand, you could either get yourself a copy of my best-selling gratitude journal – A Year Full Of Gratitude – or grab yourself a place on my much-loved 21 day online gratitude course: Getting Started With Gratitude (some people have loved this so much they have taken the course 3 times already!).

Dare To Dream Bigger Summit

Here’s the inspirational summit I mention in the video. For those of you who grab tickets now, there’s still a zero-cost option, as well as a crazily-low-priced super earlybird VIP upgrade.

www.DareToDreamBigger.biz

Last Chance To Join Us

And it’s your last chance to join us live for the Best Year Yet Masterclass. The final round runs tomorrow evening (Tuesday 12th). Here’s where you can get your ticket:

www.dancinginyoursoulshoes.com/bestyearyetmasterclass/

And Finally…

  • How did today’s video help you? Any lightbulbs? Can you see how you might subconsciously sabotage your 2016 goals? And what are you going to do about it? Are you ready to invest in shifting those blocks?
  • And I’d love to know – via the comments – what’s your Big Vision for 2016? What would you love to create?

I’d love to hear from you via the comments!

If you’d love a quick reminder in your inbox to let you know when the next edition of 5Minute.Biz is out, make sure you register here – and you’ll get member-only bonuses and invitation-only membership of our private Facebook group 5 Minute Biz VIP, too. 

See you next time when I’ll be talking about the incredible importance of curiosity in your business – and how a single question took me on a 25 year journey.

With love, Namaste,

CJ Sig

P.S. Remember: if you’re REALLY ready to dream – and create – bigger this year, then how about booking a VIP block-clearing day with me? Here’s where to apply: www.ClareJosa.com/vip-day/

We’re Hiring! Do You Know Our New Online Programmes Manager?

Articles

As our business grows and is able to inspire and empower even more people, it’s time for us to add a new member to our team – we’re so excited!

Online Programmes Manager

Contract basis: 5-10 hours per week, ideally split over at least 4 weekdays. Potential to grow the role to 10-15 hours per week in 2017.

Who Are You?

Responsible for managing the practical side of my online courses, podcast, newsletter, intensives and Masterminds, you’re the kind of person who loves making sure things happen, that nothing gets missed, and that deadlines are still met – ideally with everyone still smiling and enjoying the ride.

You’re confident in your organisational skills, without getting lost in the detail, and you enjoy spotting the smoothest route to delivering multi-faceted projects.

You are confident in:

  • time management and helping other team members make sure they deliver what you need, before you need it
  • learning quickly and spotting essential information from unnecessary detail
  • having good attention to detail, without allowing it to cause you to miss deadlines
  • handling customer enquiries via email (even remaining compassionate when someone asks how to reset their password for the fifth time… but also knowing when to say ‘no’ to an unreasonable demand)
  • providing basic tech support for customers using the Learning Management System (WordPress-based Rainmaker – some training available) – you will have access to the tech support teams for all of our software providers
  • liaising with our fabulous suppliers, where needed, including podcast audio editor, video editor, graphic designers and other wider team members
  • showing initiative and having a big heart
  • telling the team if something isn’t working or if there’s a way to improve things

You are generally positive, happy and easy to get on with. You have moved beyond the ‘victim phase’ in life and take responsibility for the experiences you create, in your spiritual journey. You’re happy about talking about words like ‘Soul’ and ‘conscious business’ and ‘authenticity’ and ‘compassion’, as well as discussing business strategy, Big Visions and bouncing marketing and product ideas around. You are happy working on your own, whilst being part of a virtual team.

Software you will be using:

  • It is essential that you are fully comfortable with WordPress for this role. (This position is NOT for beginners – we need you to have done your learning curve, please). You will need to be happy creating scheduled posts, embedding videos & embedding graphics and must be familiar with basic SEO, including how to use tags & categories. You will be using Salient theme and the Rainmaker Learning Management System platform (theme-specific training available).
  • Solid experience in email marketing and campaign management (we use ConvertKit – conversion training available). If you don’t know the difference between a follow-up message and a broadcast, or between a newsletter and a campaign, then please don’t apply. Sorry. xx C.
  • Use of Vimeo and YouTube
  • Use of Amazon S3 (simple to learn, if you haven’t used it yet)
  • WebinarJam for live online training (based on Google Hangouts)
  • Zendesk for customer support
  • Asana for project management
  • Edgar for social media management
  • Photoshop Elements and Picmonkey / Canva for creating graphics
  • Word or Mac Pages for creating workbooks for pdf downloads
  • Skype for team meetings

How To Apply

Please send a letter of application to hello @ clarejosa . com including:

  • An overview of your career history and qualifications
  • Specifically how you are an ideal candidate for this role, including examples
  • Examples of recent projects you have worked on
  • A summary of which of the software packages you are familiar with and at which level
  • Why you’d love to work with us
  • Salary expectations
  • When you would be available to start

Please note: this is a role where you will be given any essential software training on the more bespoke packages, but on the basic stuff you will need to be able to hit the ground running. Our 2016 projects mean we need an ‘old hand’, rather than having time to train up an apprentice. Please only apply if you are genuinely experienced in WordPress, email marketing, YouTube and at least some of the other packages.

Application Deadline: 22nd January 12:00 UK time

My dream candidate will feel excited at the prospect of working together, becoming part of a team that is dedicated to making a hugely positive difference in people’s lives.

If that’s you, then I can’t wait to ‘meet’ you! With love, Namaste, Clare x

Want To Give Gorgeous Christmas Gifts, But Your Budget Won’t Stretch? Here Are Some Ideas.

Inspirational Messages

Welcome to your De-Stress Your Christmas Advent Calendar count-down – day 18.

Today we’re looking at finding a solution to feeling broke – but still wanting to give people fabulous Christmas gifts.

It’s that all-too-familiar feeling – knowing you want to splurge to show people how much you love them, but also knowing you don’t want to wake up with a massive financial hangover in January.

The shops are overflowing with beautifully-packaged gifts and glitzy websites promise your loved-ones instant happiness, if only you click the ‘add to cart’ button and let them ship you yet another expensive must-have.

Resisting the temptation can feel hard.

So here are some ideas to help you – and I want to start with a ‘duh!’ moment reminder:

If anyone judges you for the gift you give them, it says more about them than about you.

Some quick tips:

  • Are areas where you could cut back without anyone noticing, so you can more easily afford those special treats?
  • Could you manage people’s expectations? And remember: “failing” to “keep up with the Joneses” is less embarrassing than having the extreme of those same neighbours seeing a bailiff pop round, come the spring…
  • Could you set yourself a budget to help you get more creative and get maximum value for your money?
  • Could you make some of the gifts, instead of buying them? You don’t have to be super-creative – and the internet is full of ideas.
  • Could you come up with ideas that don’t cost cash – for example a voucher for a baby-sitting evening? Or an offer to clean the car once a month? Or a voucher for a home-cooked candlelit dinner? Or a voucher for an afternoon of gardening? You know who you are giving to – I’m quite sure there would be things they would love that wouldn’t cost you physical cash. And it might mean much more to them than an impulse-buy from a shop shelf.

A simple gift, chosen with love and given from the heart, will mean more than a glitzy gift, once the Christmas fuss has died down.

It’s Not About How Much You Spend.
It’s about the love that goes into choosing the present…

Try not to get trapped in the stress of “but I’ve given so-and-so something worth that much and I now have to buy something for their partner, worth the same amount.”

It’s not a competition.

Buy your gift (or make it!) with love and forget about the price. It’s the love that counts.

And if it doesn’t for that person, you probably shouldn’t be buying them a present anyway…

I’m curious: how could you find a way around this? Are you stuck in the not-enough-budget trap? Whose expectations have you been trying to fulfil? Here’s where to share:

Click to share your answers on Facebook

Being cheeky – how about helping them to change their life?

arrow-no-bgI’m being really cheeky here – but I’ve written some books that people tell me have helped them to really create shifts in their lives – and that is one of the most potent gifts you can share with someone.
Books really pack a punch on the value-for-money scale. Here’s where you can find mine – and there’s still time to get them delivered before Christmas: Clare Josa’s Books
If you enjoyed this article, then here’s where you can find the rest of your Advent Calendar – and scroll down to register for a free quick reminder, so you catch each instalment – AND a gift copy of my book: 101 Ways To De-Stress Your Christmas.

I would LOVE to hear how you got on with today’s message, via the comments.

See you tomorrow with Day 19!

With love, Namaste,
CJ Sig

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