Long since forgotten words that’ll stick in your head

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

Those old English talkers sure had some weird words for stuff. Even if your native language is English, I bet you won’t recognize most these long since forgotten lyrics.

And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp!
And surely I’ll be mine!
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

Yeah, probably best that they’re long since forgotten.

But I bet you might recognize the more modern English version of them. Especially if you watched any old Christmas movies last week. Because there are lots of movies where people sing the same song on New Year’s Eve. And it goes a little something like this:

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And old lang syne?

(Chorus)
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

Uh-huh, that rings a bell. Right? And in a couple of nights from now, at the stroke of midnight to be precise, they’ll ring the bell again. And people all over the world will act like they’re singing along. Of course, a lot of them will be a little too tipsy to care whether they sing it right or not. But they’ll act like they’re singing it just the way it was written.

And the words were written a LONG time ago.

Robert Burns, a poet from the 18th century, wrote the poem.

And even though you’ll probably only ever hear one verse, he wrote five long since forgotten verses. Like this one:

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou’d the gowans fine;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,
Sin’ auld lang syne.

OK, I feel tipsy just trying to say those words out loud. How about you?

Of course, I didn’t share all this to give you a history of Auld Lang Syne or the poet, Robert Burns. I just thought I’d share a little back story of the music you might hear this coming weekend. And if you do, I hope you enjoy yourself, stay safe, and make it safely to 2024.

And here’s an idea for how to send off 2023 and welcome 2024 with a bang.

Get a copy of my RondaReady System Book. If you did something in the book, every day for the next year, it would cost you about 33 cents a day. And the information can pay for itself exponentially. My one-on-one clients paid lots more to plug into this information. So, what are you waiting for?

Here’s the unsexy link, in case text links don’t work for you:

(https://www.amazon.com/RondaReady-Online-Business-Coach-System/dp/1688796479)

Cheers for your Happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

Stay Ready,
R.O.N.D.A.
Your Responsive Online Nonstop Digital Assistant

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

I dare you to find a year in your life when you didn’t have any problems. Because if you live in the real world, you’re gonna experience real problems. And that’s in spite of the marketing messages that tell you how to “make 2024 your best year ever.” I hope those messages are true for you. There are no guarantees about it.

But I CAN guarantee one thing.

2024 won’t be your best year ever by accident.

And this last week of the year, typically the slowest business week, is a great time to build momentum on purpose. Because a lot of business owners and entrepreneurs just sort of let this last week fizzle out. And they figure everyone else is doing the same thing. And that’s your opportunity.

Because you can almost magically change this last week into the first week of your new year. And it only takes a mindset change and a few minutes of your day.

Have you noticed how your calendar app, on your preferred device, scrolls through the months like all the days are seamlessly connected. I think that’s pretty cool. Because all your days ARE seamlessly connected. Even those two days that end one year and start another.

So, connect your vision from this year with your focus for the new year.

And you can even adjust your vision and focus if necessary. Because this year might have thrown you some curves that require adjustments. But either way take time these last few days of 2023 to write down your plans.

That’s the easy part.

And here’s the part that’s not so easy. The part that most others won’t do. Don’t let what you wrote down sit in a file on your computer or on a page in your notes. Set yourself up some action steps. Because plans without action are just ideas. And even the best ideas tend to fade away without action.

I go over action steps (and a LOT more) in the RondaReady System book. Make it one of your action steps to get your copy today. Then, start doing what it says to do this week. Don’t wait till 2024 or “some day.” Because you can start to build your business better and faster today. I don’t guarantee 2024 will be your best year ever. But it CAN be better.

Your copy of the RondaReady System Book is just a click or a tap away. And it’s a small investment that can pay for itself over and over. My one-on-one clients paid lots more to plug into this information. So, what are you waiting for?

Stay Ready,
R.O.N.D.A.
Your Responsive Online Nonstop Digital Assistant

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

If you haven’t followed me for a while, you might have missed some of my poetic moments. And if that’s the case, somebody cue the sad music. Because some of them weren’t half bad. Like this one, which is one of personal faves, if I DO say so myself.

‘Twas the week after Christmas, and all through the land,
Business owners were sleeping ’cause their week was not planned.

(OK, fade out the sad music)

That poem didn’t describe you. Right? Because, if it did, then cue up the sad music again. And I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that you got a lump of coal under your Christmas tree.

Because this slow week after Christmas can help give you “the edge” over your competitors. But that “edge” doesn’t happen by accident. You gotta plan for it. And work that plan while those other business owners are only asleep at the wheel. With visions of sugar plum fairies still dancing in their heads.

Nothing against sugar plum fairies. But I’ve never seen a successful business owner who relied on ’em.

Sure, daydreaming has its place. But not necessarily during a slow time like the week following Christmas. Because that’s the week so many business owners and entrepreneurs drop the ball. They think everything’s gonna be slow everywhere. So, they slack off, too.

But I know you. And you don’t fall for such silliness. Right?

You understand the race is to the swift.

And to the prepared. And to the planners.

So, you’re probably all set with your computer fired up. And your leftover cookies by your side. And your RondaReady system book opened up to the next steps for your business.

What’s that? You don’t even have your own copy of the RondaReady system book? Cue up that sad music again. Because I can’t believe no one got you your own system book for Christmas. Well, not to worry. You can simply give yourself the gift that pays for itself over and over and over.

Let me help you make the most of this slow week after Christmas. My business building book can also help you blast into 2024 with momentum your competitors won’t have.

So, don’t just PLAN to get yourself (or someone you care about) a copy of the RondaReady System Book. Get it today. And make this coming year the one when you Get Ready to Be Ready and…

Stay Ready,
R.O.N.D.A.
Your Responsive Online Nonstop Digital Assistant

 

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

OK, by a show of hands, who here is old enough to remember Chubby Checker’s version of “Limbo Rock?” No one, right? Yeah, me neither. But apparently there WAS a guy with a song by that name. And it charted at number two in 1962. And he apparently said “How low can you go?” at some point during the song, and that became a popular slang phrase still used these days.

“How low can you go” referred to the Limbo dance.

The goal, in that dance, also known as “Limbo Rock,” is to see how low you can go as you bend over backwards and pass under a stick. Sounds like fun, right? No thanks. Sounds like knee surgery to me. Or maybe a visit to the chiropractor for a disjointed spine.

But they make the dance look like fun in old movies and YouTube videos. So, apparently there are some people who get their thrills that way.

And the reason the Chubby Checker song popped up on my radar was because I wanted to find out the origin of the word “limbo.” You know how you say when something’s on hold it’s in limbo? Well, I wanted to find out why that word is used.

Turns out Catholics use it to describe some place between Heaven and hell. But that doesn’t apply to how most people use the word. And you can find a lot of highbrow sounding information that also doesn’t seem to fit how the word is used.

So, I just looked it up in the dictionary.

Here are four definitions of limbo:

  • a place or state of restraint or confinement
  • a place or state of neglect or oblivion
  • an intermediate or transitional place or state
  • a state of uncertainty

And those definitions are perfect descriptions of this week for most business owners, entrepreneurs, and wannabes. They’re uncertain how to finish out the year since so many people are still in the “holiday spirit” and taking days off. So they’re neglecting their business or ideas. And the lack of action makes ’em feel restrained or confined.

But none of that has to describe you.

I mean, unless you wanna see how low you can go with your business, there’s plenty you can do even in a so-called “holiday week.” And believe me, I KNOW how this week can feel like total limbo.

Sure, I know your customers and clients might not be calling or coming by or buying your goods and services this week. But that can be a huge opportunity. Not a setback.

You can use the breathing room to catch up on stuff you fell behind in due to the holidays. And you set up your system, finally. Or, if you already have a system, you can tweak it. My guess is, there’s plenty of room for improvement. Because there’s plenty of room for improvement for every business.

My business building book can also help make those improvements. AND it can help you run your business better and faster. And the faster you can build it, the faster you can get to the things you love the most. Those things you saw in your head when you first started. Or maybe you see them right now.

Finish out 2023 with a copy of the RondaReady System Book. And make 2024 the year you Get Ready to Be Ready and…

Stay Ready,
R.O.N.D.A.
Your Responsive Online Nonstop Digital Assistant

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

If you’re like most business owners, entrepreneurs, or wannabes, you’re probably getting your plans to prosper ready for 2024. Right? And if you’ve followed me or worked with me for any time at all, you know I’m big on planning.

But here’s the thing about your plans to prosper.

None of them work on paper.

Sure, you gotta get your ideas out of your head. But those ideas you write down better turn into action. So, you gotta stop planning on planning. And start doing.

Here’s a quote, from William Clement Stone, that shows you why that’s true: “If you employed study, thinking, and planning time daily, you could develop and use the power that can change the course of your destiny.” Mr. Stone was a successful businessman and self-help book author.

And that means, stop planning to do. And DO.

By the way, that’s probably the only time I’ll advise you against planning.

My clients know how I repeat myself about time management (which I call schedule control). And how important it is to trade non-productive, time-sucking habits for habits that’ll save you more time, more money, and give you more freedom.

You’ve probably heard the old saying that goes something like: “Plan your work and work your plan.” Right? It’s not just a clever catchphrase. It’s vital to the health of your business as well as your personal health. And one of the key habits for a successful life.

Regardless of what business you run or hope to run, without a plan, certain disaster is probably ahead.

There are over 75 sections in my RondaReady System book. And in one way or another, they’re all connected to planning. That’s how important it is. And the best part of that is, you don’t have to figure out how to change all your habits and plan out your business by yourself.

I love to hear the success stories of my clients and customers.

How they got back so much of their time. Or how they increased revenue by tens of thousands of dollars. And how they feel more in control. And how they didn’t just plan to prosper. They prospered!

You can be, and should be, one of those success stories, too. Let me help you plan your work and work your plan. My business building book can also help YOU build AND run your business better and faster. And the faster you can build it, the faster you can get to the things you love the most.

So, don’t just PLAN to get yourself (or someone you care about) a copy of the RondaReady System Book. Get it today. And make 2024 the year you Get Ready to Be Ready and…

Stay Ready,
R.O.N.D.A.
Your Responsive Online Nonstop Digital Assistant

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

I know it’s that time of year for presents, cookies, and just about anything besides reading business humbug stuff. Right? But someone asked me to share a story I share a few years ago. It was about this crazy little guy who showed up at my door a couple of nights before Christmas.

He was only about 4 feet tall. And he had weird ears and bells on his shoes. And when I opened the door, he immediately started rambling off something about business ideas for the new year.

(See? Like I said, business humbug!)

But hear me out. Or, I should say, “Read on!”

Being a business coach I had been thinking about business ideas for the new year, too. And I can come up with some wild and crazy stuff. But seeing a little guy in red was weird, even for me.

So, I asked the little guy who he was. And get this. He said he was a messenger from Santa! Yeah, right. Even though the little guy could see my skepticism, that didn’t stop him from sharing his story.

Apparently, Santa’s not as quick as he used to be. And he’s worried about keeping up with everybody now. He told his assistant how it bothers him that everyone has smartphones. I guess he’s always been able to keep everybody’s Christmas wishes in his head. But now everybody’s so spread out, on social media, and making lists of their own.

So, Santa’s feeling the numbers crunch of just keeping up with all that extra digital data. The little guy at my door said there needs to be more elves. But Santa doesn’t have an efficient way of bringing more on board. And the work is really stacked up. Hmm, maybe even Santa’s feeling some business humbug.

Anyway, the little guy said Santa wanted my advice.

Can you believe that? He wanted me to give him some business management tips he could take back to Santa. And he hoped it would help them have a successful trip this Christmas, too. I hated to tell him how I doubt they could change things that fast. But who am I to say Santa couldn’t get ‘er done?

Of course, being the system savant I am, I did more than tell the little guy some tips he could pass on to Santa. I gave him a copy of my business building book.

And I told him, If he needs more advice and help, he should book a call with me. Wouldn’t that be something? Instead of me whispering in Santa’s ear what I want for Christmas, he’d be talking to me to find out how to automate and delegate more of his workload. How cool would that be?

I also mentioned to the little guy how my business coach CRM system has already done all the “heavy lifting” for him. So, it’s a fanSantatastic way for him to build his Christmas delivery business much better and faster.

It’s like this. If he plans his work and works his plan (the way my system will help him do), he won’t have to lay off 50% of the elves! Because there’ll more work than ever since the business will be running smooth as figgy pudding.

Anyway, that’s what I shared with the little guy.

And I won’t know until sometime on Christmas, or maybe around New Year’s Eve, if Santa was able to get more done in less time this year. Hopefully he’ll pay attention, read the book, implement the strategies, and you’ll find your presents under the tree.

Or maybe you’re reading this after Christmas and it’s already happened. If so, way to go Santa!

Wanna get the same great info I sent to Santa? My business building book can also help YOU build AND run your business better and faster. And the faster you can build it, the faster you can get to the things you love the most. Sweep out the business humbug.

Give yourself (or someone you care about) a copy of the RondaReady System Book. And make 2024 the year you Get Ready to Be Ready and…

Stay Ready,
R.O.N.D.A.
Your Responsive Online Nonstop Digital Assistant

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

Let’s talk about your emergency fund. Sounds like fun. Right? The reason I’m bringing it up is because this morning I remembered a conversation I had with a financial planner client of mine. And we talked about, you guessed it, saving money. And he shared his simple top 3 reasons for saving money.

The first reason was an emergency fund.

And the way prices have jumped up, on just about everything, in the past couple of years, it’s easy to see why an emergency fund would be so important. Because emergencies have a way of popping up at the worst possible times. So, it only makes sense to put a chunk of money aside to be Ready.

The second reason to save money is for purchases.

It’s kinda like creating your own credit card. Except you don’t have to pay interest to a bank. Because you ARE the bank. When you put money aside for some of those higher dollar items, you save tons of money in interest charges. And those savings add up a lot more than you might even imagine.

The third reason the financial planner mentioned was supplemental income.

He said when you’re focused on what’s important to you, it’s easier to come up with ideas for adding more income. And sometimes it could be to just some extra money to “give away.”

And that conversation got me thinking about how I can help you focus, too. So, I want to share some reasons to build your business better and faster.

Think hard and serious about your top three reasons for building a foundationally secure business. A business that sustain you day in and day out. If you only have one or two, that’s OK. But, seriously, think about them right now. Because when you keep them in focus, they’ll be your your guiding light to help you achieve your dreams and goals.

My family. Financial security. And working on my own terms.

Those are my reasons. And, no matter what your reasons are, it’s crucial to never let them out of your head. If your reasons don’t spill out of your head and mouth right this very minute, stop reading this. Put everything else down, too. Except a pen or pencil and paper. Stop whatever you’re doing until you write down your reasons and read ’em out loud to yourself.

And don’t let frustration or challenges blur your vision.

I know how easy it can be to do that. I’ve been there. We all have. But keep your eyes on the prize.

Owning and running your own business is hard work. But your reasons can help turn the hard work into the work you love. Then, before you know it, you’ll have your emergency fund or purchase fund or philanthropy fund. And it’ll be awesome.

My RondaReady system book can help you build AND run your business better and faster. And the faster you can build it, the faster you can get to the things you love the most.

Give yourself (or someone you care about) a copy of the RondaReady System Book. And make 2024 the year you Get Ready to Be Ready and…

Stay Ready,
R.O.N.D.A.
Your Responsive Online Nonstop Digital Assistant

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

If you’re like a lot of Americans (and probably other people around the world), you’ve seen and heard this little rant. And you probably know it isn’t just about better customers:

“Just a minute – just a minute. Now, hold on, Mr. Potter. Just a minute. Now, you’re right when you say my father was no business man. I know that. Why he ever started this cheap, penny-ante Building and Loan, I’ll never know. But neither you nor anybody else can say anything against his character, because his whole life was — Why, in the twenty-five years since he and Uncle Billy started this thing, he never once thought of himself. Isn’t that right, Uncle Billy? And he didn’t save enough money to send Harry to school, let alone me. But he did help a few people get outta your slums, Mr. Potter. And what’s wrong with that? Why…here, you’re all businessmen here. Don’t it make them better citizens? Doesn’t it make them better customers?”

Yeah, it was George Bailey talking about better customers.

The George Bailey from “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Remember him?

And his little rant was directed at mean ol’ Mr. Potter. And it shows how much George cared about people. Because it was when the Building and Loan board of directors met, after his father’s death, to decide the fate of the company. Mr. Potter was in a hurry to dissolve the Building and Loan.

It was sort of ironic how George Bailey spent most of the first half of his life trying to get away from his little hometown of Bedford Falls. But circumstances always pulled him back in. And it wasn’t just because he had no other choices. It was because George cared about people. His friends. And neighbors. And, of course, all his Building and Loan customers.

He understood the crucial importance of investing in relationships. Because it comes down to real people interacting with other real people. And nothing gets made without people.

And nothing gets bought without ’em either.

What are stocks, bonds, and commodities? And what are products, services, customers, and clients? They’re all forms of relationships between and among people.

In my RondaReady system book I talk about and share lots of information about building and maintaining relationships. And the best part is, the system helps serious business owners and entrepreneurs stay on top of the whole process.

Because when you get that kind of control going for you, it’s a wonderful life.

Give yourself (or someone you care about) a copy of the RondaReady System Book. And go get a lot more of those better customers and clients in 2024.

Stay Ready,
R.O.N.D.A.
Your Responsive Online Nonstop Digital Assistant

Wanna talk about it first? Book a free call.

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

It was 1946. And according to interviews, memoirs, and other recorded documents, they had to overcome a lot of challenges. Because they wanted to release their movie in May. And that’s because the head of Fox Studios, Darryl F. Zanuck said that’s when more people go to the movies. And the Christmas theme was supposed to be a secret.

The Christmas theme was for the movie “Miracle on 34th Street.”

And their challenge included getting Maureen O’hara to come back to United States to be in the movie. Apparently she had recently moved back home to her native Ireland just after the end of World War II.

And then, they had to market the movie to not look like a Christmas movie. So, the movie promo posters made it look like more of a love story with O’hara and John Payne in the forefront.

Then, there were all the logistics. It’s not easy to film a major movie without drawing attention to the theme.

Records show that Arthur Jacobson, the assistant director, used nine cameras at the same time to film the Macy’s Parade on Thanksgiving morning.

And Maureen O’hara, in her memoir, talked about those outside shots, too. They were filmed during the actual 1946 parade. She said, “It was a mad scramble to get all the shots we needed. And we got to do each scene only once. It was bitterly cold that day, and Edmund and I envied Natalie (Wood) and John Payne, who watched the parade from a window.”

And they used real crowds to speed up production.

Besides the Macy’s Parade, they also filmed Edmund Gwenn and Natalie Wood in a scene where they were in the actual Macy’s Department store cafeteria line. And it was right in the middle of a weekday lunch.

Plus, they filmed Maureen O’hara during a shopping spree with “real” people around. I bet that was no small task.

Then, for promos of the movie, they used a “fake” producer who walked around the studio backlot. And he’d casually and “accidentally” bump into stars who were at work. Of course, they said wonderful things about the upcoming Miracle on 34th Street movie. But I’m sure they had to be sure there weren’t any Christmas theme props or costumes.

When you consider all those planning details, behind the scenes, it’s almost a miracle things went so well.

I read that even the house, at the end of the movie, is a real house. And it’s still around. Not just one of those fake Hollywood facades. So, think about it. Somebody had to find the “right house” and figure out the best time to go by and film those scenes.

But you know why all those details worked out and the movie was a big success? Because the people in charge had their famous Hollywood system for production. They knew what they needed. And they knew how to delegate to the right people.

And that’s gotta be even way more important now. I mean have you seen how many people it takes to make a superhero movie?

But, maybe you think that’s Hollywood and that you couldn’t do such things on your tiny budget. They’ve got the big bucks to hire anyone they need. But that’s not the point. Because even with big bucks, you gotta have a system to find, contact, and hire the right people.

And, if you own a business, that goes for you, too.

Good news is…you don’t need a Hollywood blockbuster budget. Because you can get my RondaReady system. It’s not a Christmas theme for your business. It’s for every day of the year.

Plug into the best system going.

And get your very own R.O.N.D.A. – Responsive, Organized, Nonstop, Digital Assistant.

And you don’t even need a miracle to get my system. But you might make a miraculous change in your business, when you get this easy-to-follow book. You just gotta do what it says so you can build your business better and faster. And for a lot less than my many clients paid me to learn this information.

Give yourself (or someone you care about) a copy of the RondaReady System Book. And start 2024 in the direction YOU wanna go.

Stay Ready,
R.O.N.D.A.
Your Responsive Online Nonstop Digital Assistant

Wanna talk about it first? Book a free call.

 

Business Hub Consultant in Colorado Springs Posted on by

Hard to believe, but it’s almost time to watch “The Bishop’s Wife” again. What?! You haven’t seen it?! Wow, you’ve really missed out. And it’s easy to find on lots of channels. So, even though it’s a very old movie, you still won’t need a plug in adapter to watch it. Because modern devices and platforms serve up easy files.

Before I explain why I mentioned the plug in adapter, here’s the movie outline.

Cary Grant’s character, in “The Bishop’s Wife,” was an angel sent to Earth to help a family (especially the head of the household, the bishop) figure out what’s important in life. And at the start of the movie, you follow Dudley (the angel o a mission) as he walks through a wonderful little town full of hustling, bustling shoppers. They all scurry around in the snow to get those “last minute gifts.”

It’s important to keep in mind how this was a Golden-age-of-Hollywood version of the perfect town during the best time of year. So, pristine white snow is everywhere. Little kids sing carols. And other kids, with their faces close to the shop windows, are mesmerized by electric trains and dolls and animated displays. Somewhere, Santa rings a bell.

Lots of moving parts as Cary (the angel) walks through it all with a smile and a helping hand when needed.

And when I watch that movie now, I think about how Dudley is so in control. Even as others around him struggle to stay on track. So, what’s his secret for staying calm and cool? Because he’s on a mission. So, he’s focused.

Of course, it’s only a movie. So it’s only natural Dudley knows just what to say or do…or how to help. Because his lines are in the script. But the script also showed how he had to adapt to the earthbound humans, too. (that’s why I mentioned a plug in adapter earlier)

But just imagine how it could be, if you could be like Dudley.

Not an angel. But someone who has just about everything under control during Christmas week. And every other week. And I only say “just about everything under control” because some things in your business and personal life can’t be controlled.

No, that would take a real guardian angel. Your own personal Dudley.

But the next best thing to a guardian angel, especially for business owners and entrepreneurs, is the RondaReady system. It can help get that Dudley kind of focus on what’s important in life. Your mission.

And when you plug into the RondaReady System, you don’t need a plug in adapter, and you don’t have to start from scratch.

Because I’ve already done it for you. Yeah, this system is the best one going. Because, as I keep saying, it’s got something no other system has.

Me! Your very own R.O.N.D.A. – Responsive, Organized, Nonstop, Digital Assistant.

Whether you believe in guardian angels or not, get my system. It could be the best Christmas gift you ever got. Because when you get this easy-to-follow book, and do what it says, you can build your business better and faster. Just like my many clients who paid me lots more to learn this information.

Your copy of the RondaReady System Book AND your vision are both waiting for you. What are you waiting for?

Stay Ready,
R.O.N.D.A.
Your Responsive Online Nonstop Digital Assistant

Wanna talk about it first? Book a free call.