Since the early 1990’s I have been focused on a couple areas that really interest me personally - those being - the Internet and its impact on small businesses, small business growth strategies and making money. In fact, I have run three companies - two which I have successfully sold - so actually all three of my passions go hand in hand - basically I have the entrepreneur bug.

However, with every success comes the mistakes behind making that success - I have wounds from my days on the battlefield - but I can say that I have had more successes than failures over the years. I have had some great mentors, past and current, and I currently mentor some young entrepreneur’s whose time will be coming shortly.

So what I plan to focus on with this blog are the areas that I help young entrepreneur’s develop, information that I consult on for small businesses and in general some that I have a passion for. Those subjects will range from Internet marketing strategies, the Yellow Pages directory business, making money online, how to maximize your personal and small business finances, and introduce you to some of the bloggers who I respect and admire and probably more. I will attempt to keep this blog informative with just a little dash of humour.

Am I an expert, I don’t think so, some people believe I am - so I encourage you to challenge what I post and hopefully we can create an exciting dialogue that benefits other readers.

I look forward to serving my readers,

Darby Sieben

First, I know the irony of telling clients to maintain their blogs, when I have not done the same for nearly 6-weeks. The reason, and which I believe will ultimately lead to a better blog, is that I have taken a position with Yellow Pages Group as their Senior Manager for Traffic and Distribution for their eDirectories. That has involved me moving to Toronto from Calgary and setting up show in TO. I am recently settled in my 2nd fully furnished suite and have a dedicated high-speed Internet connection that allows me to continue with educating small businesses how to use the Internet effectively.

So, thanks to everybody for their emails and their encouragement to keep this going and I look forward to posting more relevant local business marketing ideas, strategies and trends.

To all my clients at KS2 Solutions Inc., the business relationships I formed in 2005, friends and family, I wish you a festive holiday season and a prosperous New Year.

Now I want to share a good laugh with you. I received this in my email box and it made me laugh as well as think about the great year 2005 was.

Comparison of life in 1975 vs. 2005

1975: Long hair
2005: Longing for hair

1975: KEG
2005: EKG

1975: Acid rock
2005: Acid reflux

1975: Moving to California because it’s cool
2005: Moving to Arizona because it’s warm

1975: Tryin to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor
2005: Trying NOT to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor

1975: Seeds and stems
2005: Roughage

1975: Hoping for a BMW
2005: Hoping for a BM

1975: Going to a new, hip joint
2005: Receiving a new hip joint

1975: Rolling Stones
2005: Kidney Stones

1975: Being called into the principal’s office
2005: Calling the principal’s office

1975: Screw the system
2005: Upgrade the system

1975: Disco
2005: Costco

1975: Parents begging you to get your hair cut
2005: Children begging you to get their heads shaved

1975: Passing the drivers’ test
2005: Passing the vision test

1975: Whatever
2005: Depends

Just in case you weren’t feeling too old today, this ! will certainly change things.. Each year the staff at Beloit College in Wisconsin puts together a list to try to give the faculty a sense of the mindset of this year’s incoming freshmen.

Here’s this year’s list:

The people who are starting college this fall across the nation were born in 1987.

They are too young to remember the space shuttle blowing up.

Their lifetime has always included AIDS.

Bottle caps have always been screw off and plastic.

The CD was introduced the year they were born.

They have always had an answering machine.

They have always had cable.

They cannot fathom not having a remote control.

Jay Leno has always been on the Tonight! Show.

Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave.

They never took a swim and thought about Jaws.

They can’t imagine what hard contact lenses are.

They don’t know who Mork was or where he was from.

They never heard: “Where’s the Beef?”, “I’d walk! a mile for a Camel”, or “de plane, Boss, de plane”.

They do not care who shot J. R. and have no idea who J. R. even is.

McDonald’s never came in Styrofoam containers.

They don’t have a clue how to use a typewriter.

You were about to leave a place of mental and emotional safety. You were putting your skills on the line and taking a risk. If you were successful, there could be great reward. However, self-doubt was trying to discourage you.

Confidence is essential in our lives; without it, we will not make the first attempt to do what we really want. Confidence allows us to move forward despite temporary discouragement. So where does confidence come from, and how can we become and remain confident? Here are seven actions that will help to develop unshakable confidence.

1. Expand Your Knowledge

Gaining new skills for any endeavor - personal or career - is the first step toward confidence. Identify key areas where you need more confidence to be successful. Then expand your knowledge by taking courses, reading books, and attending learning events. Tele-classes are enjoyable and convenient for learning and discussing ideas with a peer group. Continuous learning is essential for maintaining a high level of confidence.

2. Experience Small Successes

Confidence also comes from experiencing small daily successes. They are like rewards for putting knowledge into action. They may not be the final goal. Yet they are important. Even a pat on the back from a colleague or a compliment for a job well done will boost a person’s level of confidence. Keep track of each small success you experience. You will begin to feel your confidence grow day by day.

3. Exercise Passionate Faith

Confident people have faith that the Creator has a special plan for their lives. They appear to know inherently that when they follow this plan, they will be successful. If you want to achieve something, you absolutely must believe that it is possible for you. You must believe firmly in your potential. A passionate faith will lead you to find and follow that purpose.

4. Enable Firm Resolve

There will be disappointments and set backs. It is natural to become discouraged at times. However, disappointments are not the end of the road if we view them as learning tools.

Faith in your abilities will lead you past discouragement into a firm resolve. Resolve overcomes obstacles because it displays patience. Instead of giving up, you will meet challenges by continuing through difficult times. Keep your mind on your intended outcome, not on the obstacles. Think of reasons why you can, not reasons why you cannot.

With time, talents develop and abilities grow. Then you will get a taste of what is possible — a measure of success that leads you forward with enthusiasm. Enthusiasm keeps you fired up to achieve more of those small daily successes.

5. Enlist Expert Help

Enlist the help of experts in areas where you need more confidence. Experts can be found though books, articles, videos, seminars, or via a phone call. A professional coach will help you stay focused on your objectives and hold you accountable for taking the necessary actions to complete your plans.

Confidence also attracts more confidence. Experts will support your plans and offer to help you in tremendous ways if you are enthusiastic and believe in your goals. Moreover, when you show confidence in others, they will show confidence in you.

6. Envision Confidence

Envisioning confidence begins to make confidence real in your experience. Imagine how you will feel and act if you already had the confidence you need for a specific situation. See yourself in your mind’s eye, acting with courage and conviction. Hold that picture in your mind, and your vision will start to become real.

7. Expect to be Confident

Expectation is faith in action. Now that you have imagined how confidence will feel, act as if you were already confident. Move assuredly and energetically as you go for your goals. You are now seeing, feeling, and acting in a confident manner. You will achieve what you expect. Expect to be confident, and you will become confident.

Give yourself time to increase your confidence by using these actions during the next several months. Get a sheet of paper now and write down how you will apply each of these actions. They can make a tremendous difference by allowing you to move more quickly and assuredly toward your objectives. Today, you can begin developing an unshakable confidence that will bring you joy and success in every area of your life.

© Copyright 2005 by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve is a professional life success coach, motivational author, and the editor of Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, a popular mini-zine bringing great stories, motivational nuggets, and inspiring thoughts to help you achieve more in your career and personal life. Get the next issue by visiting http://AchieveEzine.com

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