Are You Feeling It? The “it” being the expression of GRATITUDE. 

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” according to William Arthur Ward

Do you ever feel that you’re sailing through the busyness of daily life like a boat without a captain? You’re setting goals and making every attempt to achieve them. You’re paying attention to your health because you know you need to, and with all the commercials and focus on being healthy, you don’t want to appear to be a slacker! You know you need to spend quality time with your family and friends. And your calendar is already overflowing. You’re jumping from one thing to another non stop.

And then … you realize that your alignment with your Higher Purpose might be suffering neglect. Wowzers! How do you fit it all in?

And then…. you are encouraged to be grateful. Because November is National Gratitude Month. Be grateful for all your blessings.

Yes, we’re in the depths of challenging times, and it’s easy to feel like life is an endurance test. Are the people in your life who matter most, as well as your body and business, conspiring against you? When thoughts about throwing in the towel haunt you, it’s a powerless place to be. And certainly not a happy place.

There is one powerful thing that can break the chains of feeling like a victim, and that is gratitude. It’s a life-changing shift of your focus from heartache, frustration, isolation, sadness, distress, and just plain blahness… to recognizing all you have to be grateful for.  Take a 5 – 10 minute break and just breathe. Think of one – just one 1⃣- thing that you are grateful for today. It could be that check that came in the mail (happy dance!) or that your kid actually said, “thank you” for making dinner! Or your orchid is going to blossom! It’s the little things. And, it takes noticing and taking the moment to feel into the gratitude.

The journey from victim to empowered is through gratitude – gratitude expressed. Take the first step. Then the second and third steps will follow. Give the gift. It’s so worth it.

The post Are You Feeling It? first appeared on Lane Business Consulting.

Business success is about who you know and, more importantly, who knows YOU!

Planning, strategy, marketing, visibility, and innovation are the unnoticed engines that drive success; it’s relationships that make the real difference.

Why Business Relationships Matter

What was the last big opportunity that you experienced in your business? Was it an outreach that led to a business partnership? Was it a referral? A past client calling to ask to do business with you again? Or did a random connection introduce you to a fantastic opportunity? For most business owners, the most significant successes result from business relationships – not random chance.

Strong relationships open doors to:

• Referrals and WOM (Word of Mouth) marketing.
• Trust and credibility in you and your business.
• A supportive network.
• Collaboration and affiliations
• Opportunities for expanded business.

When you focus on building meaningful relationships, you aren’t just growing your contact list – you are creating an ecosystem of support and connections.

Key Ingredients for Strong Business Connection

Authenticity. You know the mantra: “People do business with people they know, like, and trust.” Show a real and genuine interest in others. 

Consistency. A one-time conversation at a networking event isn’t enough to build a relationship. The best business connections are a result of follow-up and staying in touch. 

Reciprocity. Share helpful resources, make introductions, support the work of others, and be generous in the giving. Asking before giving is a sure way to stop connections from happening!

Active Listening. Listen more than you talk. Learn to ask thoughtful questions and show that you value what others have to say.

Intentional Connections. Strong networks are built on connections with people who align with your values, complement your skills, and serve with .

A business card doesn’t equal a relationship! It takes intention and attention to convert contacts into connections.

• Follow up. Make it your practice to send a message mentioning something about your conversation.
• Stay in Touch. Be aware of the ways that you can engage. Whether it’s on social media or an invitation to meet for coffee or event, you need to take ownership to deepen your connections.
• BE a Connector. Look for opportunities to make introductions. When you bring value to your business relationships, your connections will reciprocate.

Reach out to someone in your network and ask if you can support them, celebrate a win with them, or simply reconnect. The ripple effects of this action can be transformative.  

If you’re up to the task, here’s my challenge to you: Build ONE Stronger Connection this week!

If you’re eager for MORE ways to create connections and attract clients..

Consider joining my Facebook group, Networking Ninjas, where we take networking seriously!

The post Connections Drive Success first appeared on Lane Business Consulting.

Would you be surprised to know that if you set more challenging and very specific goals, you are more likely to achieve them than if you set easily accomplished goals? Uncanny, right?

Goal setting is often considered a throw-away exercise, however, when given thought and appropriate deep work, it can be the difference between success and wishful thinking. It takes courage to declare challenging goals and do the work to achieve them. So, real and effective goal setting isn’t for the faint of heart!

You would think that easier goals would produce better performance But… research says otherwise.Here are a few other goal-setting facts that you’ll enjoy:

• 48% of successful goal-setters report that they always write down their goals.
• A whopping 90% of the time higher performance is a result of setting specific and challenging goals.
• 80% of adults in the United States set personal health or fitness goals. I couldn’t find statistics that indicate whether or not these goals are reached. 
   

The four stages of goal setting are as follows:

1. Preparation
Preparation is the foundation for successful goal setting. This stage involves self-reflection and understanding the “why” behind your goals. Begin by evaluating your current situation: where you are now and where do you want to be? 

To properly prepare:

• Assess your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis).
• Identify what motivates you and what challenges could stand in your way.
• Gain clarity on your core values and align them with your goals.
• Ensure your goals are meaningful and relevant to your long-term vision.
• This is also the time to gather necessary resources, knowledge, or tools you’ll need for success. Think of it as clearing the runway before takeoff.

2. Goal Setting
Once you’re clear on your purpose, it’s time to define your goals. This step turns your vision into something concrete and actionable. The key here is to make your goals SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. 

During this phase, consider:

• Write down your goals to solidify commitment.
• Break larger goals into smaller, more manageable milestones.
• Make sure your goals are challenging enough to inspire growth, but realistic enough to be achievable.
• Visualize the desired outcome to create emotional connection and motivation. 
   

3. Planning
After defining your goals, the next step is to create a detailed roadmap for achieving them. A good plan serves as your guide, helping you stay on track and adjust course when necessary. Incorporating tools like calendars, task management apps, or accountability systems will enhance this process. 

To effectively plan:

• Outline specific actions or steps required for each goal.
• Assign deadlines to each milestone to maintain momentum.
• Anticipate potential obstacles and plan strategies to overcome them.
• Prioritize tasks to focus on what matters most.
   

4. Follow-Up
Follow-up is the critical, often overlooked phase that ensures your goals stay alive. Consistent follow-up builds momentum and ensures that your goals remain a priority rather than fading into the background.

This step includes:

• A regular review of progress to celebrate wins and identify areas for improvement.
• Adjustment of your plan or goals as circumstances evolve. Flexibility is essential for long-term success.
• Seeking accountability through mentors, peers, or groups to stay motivated and focused.
• Reflection on lessons learned from successes and setbacks to refine your approach.

While all of that may be challenging… Joining one of my MasterClasses on Business and Self Promotion is EASY! 

You’ll learn how to show up so you are really seen by potential clients. Once you are visible, you’ll need a strategy to convert that visibility into clients! Then you’ll make the magic happen.  

Register here at the following link: https://my.lanebc.com/boyb-selfpromotion

The post Goal Setting – It’s Not For the Faint! first appeared on Lane Business Consulting.

As a business owner or entrepreneur, most likely, you’ve set countless goals—some you’ve crushed, others you didn’t quite hit. 

But here’s a thought: Did those goals have vision?

Simon Sinek says, “Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress. Working hard for something we love is called passion.” 

Vision gives your goals that passion. Without a clear sense of why you’re working toward something, even the most ambitious plans can feel like an uphill battle.

This month, we’re diving deep into goal setting and vision at the Master Class on January 28th (4:00 pm EST). It’s not your usual “S.M.A.R.T. goals” talk—we’re flipping the script. 

Here’s a taste of what we’ll explore:

• How to tap into your growth mindset (inspired by Carol Dweck) to redefine success.
• Why starting with your “why” (thank you, Simon Sinek!) turns ordinary goals into unstoppable missions.
• Practical tools and handouts to align your goals with your unique vision.

Want to feel energized and clear about your next steps? Join us for a conversation that could completely reshape the way you approach your year—and your business.

Save your spot now and invest in your vision.

Register for the Master Class Here

The post Do Your Goals Have Vision? first appeared on Lane Business Consulting.

When you think about the “North Star” for your business, you would be referring to your business vision. This is the guiding influence or inspiration for you as you build your business.

The term “North Star” refers to Polaris, which has been used for navigation for centuries because it is fixed in the night sky. The north star symbolizes a constant reference point that helps you find your way. In other words, it serves as a GPS for your business.

Your vision statement is more than a sentence—it’s the guiding light for your business. It communicates where you’re headed and why you’re in business, serving as inspiration for you and your customers.

Take a moment to ask yourself: 

• Where do I see my business in 1, 3 or 5 years?
• What actions will I take to get there?
• What impact do I want to create?

For example, a bakery’s vision might be: “To bring joy to local families through handcrafted, sustainable, and delicious baked goods.” A well-crafted vision statement helps you make decisions, stay focused, and keep your team aligned. When challenges arise, revisiting your vision can remind you of the bigger picture and reignite your passion. 

As you move through 2025, make sure that every goal and initiative you pursue aligns with your North Star.  

And while you are at it- Join my Facebook Group: Networking Ninjas | Facebook where we take networking seriously!

The post The North Star of Your Business first appeared on Lane Business Consulting.

Are you feeling that “ I should” pressure to dive into resolutions, goals, or intentions because it’s a new year?

Everywhere you look, there’s this unspoken expectation: If you don’t set big goals, you can’t be serious about achieving anything this year! Maybe that’s why you didn’t overachieve last year? Guilt! Guilt! Guilt!

January has become the month of BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals)—the time to dream BIG, pile on the ambitions, and declare: This is my year! In a very loud voice! Blogs, articles, and posts bombard you with a familiar subtext: You’ve been slacking off, and now it’s time to step up. Put on those “big boy” or “big girl” pants, and let’s hustle. Rah! Rah! Rah!

Here’s the reality: You’re not going to wake up an hour earlier every day just because it’s January 1st, nor will you magically become hyper-organized if you’ve spent the past two decades drowning in chaos. So… what if you take a different approach this year?

Instead of forcing and squeezing yourself into someone else’s vision of success, take some time to explore what truly energizes you. What lights you up? What goals align with your authentic self—not the version you think you should be?

Stop trying to follow someone else’s map. Create your own. Follow your GPS.

If you’re ready to break free from the guilt and the “I shoulds,” I’ve got something for you: 5 Action Steps to Activate Your Inner Wisdom and design a plan that works for you. No pressure. No guilt. Just clarity.

Send me a message with “2025” to get your copy and start the year your way. Sound good?

Make Every Day a Great Day…Because You Can!

The post Feeling the Pressure to Set Goals? first appeared on Lane Business Consulting.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” according to William Arthur Ward

Do you ever feel that you’re sailing through the busyness of daily life like a boat without a captain? You’re setting goals and making every attempt to achieve them. You’re paying attention to your health because you know you need to, and with all the commercials and focus on being healthy, you don’t want to appear to be a slacker! You know you need to spend quality time with your family and friends. And your calendar is already overflowing. You’re jumping from one thing to another non stop.

And then … you realize that your alignment with your Higher Purpose might be suffering neglect. Wowzers! How do you fit it all in?

And then…. you are encouraged to be grateful. Because November is National Gratitude Month. Be grateful for all your blessings.

Yes, we’re in the depths of challenging times, and it’s easy to feel like life is an endurance test. Are the people in your life who matter most, as well as your body and business, conspiring against you? When thoughts about throwing in the towel haunt you, it’s a powerless place to be. And certainly not a happy place.

There is one powerful thing that can break the chains of feeling like a victim, and that is gratitude. It’s a life-changing shift of your focus from heartache, frustration, isolation, sadness, distress, and just plain blahness… to recognizing all you have to be grateful for.  Take a 5 – 10 minute break and just breathe. Think of one – just one 1⃣- thing that you are grateful for today. It could be that check that came in the mail (happy dance!) or that your kid actually said, “thank you” for making dinner! Or your orchid is going to blossom! It’s the little things. And, it takes noticing and taking the moment to feel into the gratitude.

The journey from victim to empowered is through gratitude – gratitude expressed. Take the first step. Then the second and third steps will follow. Give the gift. It’s so worth it.

The post Are You Feeling It? first appeared on Lane Business Consulting.

Have you ever found yourself scolded into feeling grateful? Urgings from mothers, dads, teachers and other wise ones who preach that gratitude is the key to happiness , and we must express it. But the real magic of gratitude comes not from coercion, but from its honest and natural expression.

At its core, gratitude is alive when it flows freely and naturally not when it’s forced. It’s about finding appreciation in the simplest of things, not because we’re guilt-tripped into it.

Forced gratitude is inauthentic. Others have it worse so stop being an ingrate! Coercing ourselves or being coerced into the state of gratitude doesn’t reflect our genuine feelings and awareness.

I recall my early resistance to my mother insisting that I say “thank you” and express gratitude to my grandparents or other relatives for their gifts. The “thank you” was rote, and didn’t come from my heart . Not that I wasn’t grateful, but the “thank you” was not really mine.

It wasn’t until I consciously began to notice small joys like the sensation of raindrops on my face, the rustle of autumn leaves as I walked to school, the smell of bread baking in the local bakery, or the taste of my mom’s apple pie – precious moments that sparked real gratitude in me. I didn’t have to be scolded into those enriching experiences.

Embracing Gratitude

I appreciate Arianna Huffington’s words, Living in a state of gratitude is the gateway to grace.

Moving beyond the scold to embrace gratitude as personal awareness and discovery of the beauty of everyday moments, and to express gratitude with heartfelt sincerity, makes life truly blessed.

Thank you for reading.

Our theme for November is Gratitude and our monthly workshop takes place on November 28th at 4:00 pm  (ET).  Click here for the ZOOM link.

Make today a great day…because you can!

Lorraine

The post Learning to be Grateful Without Having to be Scolded! first appeared on Lane Business Consulting.

If you’re like more than 60% of people in one study, you feel anxious and overwhelmed at this time of year. There’s the likelihood that you overextend and over promise and just over and over and over…

Sure it’s an exciting time and there’s a tendency to put yourself aside to accommodate others. But when you sideline your own self-care, there’s a great probability that you will experience illness, depression, anxiety, and even substance abuse. 

Here are five implementable tips to more fully enjoy the holiday season: 

1. Be more mindful. Anxiety interferes with joyfulness. Take the time to enjoy the season. Let the music, decorations, and get-togethers bring you comfort and joy rather than pressure and dread. Remember what you love about the holidays.
2. Choose wisely. There are many opportunities to say, “yes” to party and event invitations. When you fill your calendar with an overload of commitments, you increase your stress levels, too.
3. Ask for help. Baking, decorating, gift purchasing and wrapping, shopping, decision making, and more takes a toll on the mind and soul. Share the holiday preparation with loved ones who are willing to help if they are asked. That’s the secret… ask for help! 
4. Make appointments for you. When you find yourself wishing for some “me time,” that’s a sign that you need to take time to care for yourself. If you don’t make time to self-nurture, you’ll become resentful. And that’s not fun for you or anyone else around you. Whether it’s a massage, a nap, a hike, a walk, or a movie, do it… just do it!
5. Know your limits. The holiday season provides the temptation to engage in activities that will bring pleasure to families and friends, and  push your commitments into overdrive and overextension. You want to make everything wonder-full for everyone else and tend to forget about the time investment. Sign up for what you know you can do without piling on too much to do. 

“The Joy of brightening other lives, bearing each other’s burdens, easing each other’s loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of the Holidays.”   W. C.Jones

I wish you and your loves ones bright, beautiful and magical Holidays.

The post Make Your Holidays About YOU first appeared on Lane Business Consulting.

There’s no better time to network than the holidays! The abundance of parties, get-togethers, and events makes it easy to connect and socialize. Here are some tips for expanding your networking during the holidays!

Play the Host

Arrange “thank you” lunches and coffees with key clients or customers. This should be a year-round practice, but it’s especially important at this time of year. 

Who are the people who are key business partners? Who gives you referrals? Who are you grateful for?

If you’re grateful and you know it, let it show! (Now you won’t be able to get that kids song out of your head!)

Schedule Parties

It’s impossible to meet one-on-one with everyone in your network over the next few weeks but … you could bring everyone together!

Parties don’t have to be complicated or fancy affairs. Be a connector and host. An Open House or hors d’oeuvres and drinks at a local restaurant work great. And there’s no cleanup on your part!

Be a Guest

If you’re invited, RSVP with a “yes” even if you attend or show up for a limited time. We’re all busy, but don’t use “busy” as an excuse to be invisible. Attend as many events as you can without stressing out.

Give Back

Giving back through volunteering is a service that isn’t to be overlooked. Contributing to your community through donations with cash and hours of service is part of being a good business owner.

Holiday Networking and Marketing

This isn’t the time to go into lengthy detail about your work or business. If someone wants to know more, set up a separate time for you and the interested party to talk, and get back to the real party and holiday celebration. 

One way to market your business is to send handwritten cards. Add personal notes and invitations to meet in the New Year. This amazing networking tactic produces results. One of my clients personally designed a lovely card and wrote a poem of gratitude that generated many phone calls and e-mails in response. She booked coffees and lunches for weeks after the holidays as a result of her invitation. 

Plan Ahead

As you reflect on the past year, ask what worked and what didn’t. Is there someone whom you’ve lost touch with? What marketing paid off? What was a waste of time and money? What produced great results?

Look at your networking activity. Is it paying off? Do you need to tweak what you’re doing and where you’re spending your time? 

Develop a plan for 2023.

Happy Holidays! 

The post Are You Taking Advantage of Holiday Networking Opportunities? first appeared on Lane Business Consulting.