Debbie LaChusa

I don't know about you,but I've always been a Type A personality ... a driver. When I want something I work my butt off to make it happen, often to the point of burn-out. Thankfully, I learned this lesson the hard way a few years back and I can now recognize the signs and stop myself before I reach the breaking point. Knowing this, one of my coaches recommended a book called "Do Less, Achieve More" by Chin-Ning Chu . It's a great little book that addresses this issue head-on. After reading it, and studying the Law of Attraction and the concept of Manifestation, I've come to realize that doing more does NOT always lead to achieving more. What it usually leads to is overwork and frustration.

I have learned that if I take the time to step back and take a break, and yes, do less, that I often do achieve more. In fact, I often joke with my business colleagues and friends that whenever I leave town or go on vacation, I tend to make more sales and have more new business opportunities come my way. I've come to realize that if I fill every waking moment I'm not leaving room for the universe to manifest success for me. I do admit that I am still a very hard worker. But I am beginning to realize that if I balance that hard work with time off, my perspective is healthier, I am happier, my business is more successful, and wonderful things start to happen that I could never have created on my own.

I read Seth Godin's book, "Purple Cow" on a cross-country flight last week. What is a Purple Cow? It's something that truly stands out, just like a purple cow would. Think about it, if you saw a purple cow ... wouldn't you tell everyone? Of course you would. And, that's the idea.

Godin believes that unless you create a truly remarkable business, product or service, you won't be successful marketing.

He explains that marketing is NOT something you just slap on top of your existing product or service. But rather, it is an integral part of your product or service development.

I totally agree! That's why my 10stepmarketing System focuses so heavily on identifying (or creating if necessary) a uniquely valuable aspect to your product or service that absolutely fills a need or solves a problem your ideal clients have. It's the ONLY way to be successful in my book.

In my opinion, "Purple Cow" is a must read for every small business owner.

I just finished reading The Attractor Factor by Joe Vitale. Vitale is known as a metaphysician and a marketing consultant - interesting combination! He has written books for organizations such as the American Marketing Association and the American Management Association. He is also one of the teachers featured in the movie, "The Secret." And openly shares that he was at one time homeless and broke.

The Attractor Factor was originally published as an Ebook under the title "Spiritual Marketing." And while it is not a traditional marketing book by any stretch, it is filled with excellent advice for creating more success in your business and in your life. All through the practice of the Law of Attraction.

If you've been reading this blog or my 10stepmarketing Ezine for awhile you know I am a firm believer in the Law of Attraction. While it is imperative to the success that you understand some basic marketing steps, you need more than that knowledge to successfully market and grow your business. You also need the right mindset.

Most of us have limiting beliefs that affect our ability to successfully market ourselves and our businesses. On some level we may believe that we have to work really hard in order to be successful, or we may believe we don't deserve success. Whatever these deep-seeded beliefs are they serve to hold us back from true success.

The Attractor Factor is a practical hands-on book that shares a simple, 5-step process you can use to overcome these limiting beliefs so you can start achieving the success you really want. It's a quick, easy read and I highly recommend it.

Have you read The Attractor Factor? If so, I invite you to share your comments about this book.

Have you heard of "The Dip"? It's a book by Seth Godin, bestselling author of Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable (which is a great marketing book if you haven't read it). The Dip is about "when to quit and when to stick." I recently picked up the audio version of this book and it had some great insights that I thought I'd share. If you're an entrepreneur who has ever faced a challenge in building your business, I know you will relate to this.

In any business, or just about any endeavor, results typically follow the same curve. You get immediate results and you get excited, but after that you very often go into a "dip" and your results stagnate or fall off. Picture a dip - that's pretty much what it looks and feels like. According to Godin, The Dip is where most people quit. Things get tough, and they give up.

How many times have we heard success stories that include tall tales of everything that person had to go through before acheiving success? But how many of us quit when the going gets tough?

According to Godin, the difference between success and failure comes down to one thing: when you quit. He advocates that if you stick it out through the dip, you've got a shot at becoming the best in the world.

But he also says that sometimes you need to quit. So how do you know when to quit and hen to stick? That's what this book is all about. Bottom-line you have to consider if you have reached a dead-end, or if you are still making forward progress.

So, has your marketing plan hit a dead end, or are you just experiencing The Dip? It's a valid question. This book helped me see the answer more clearly, maybe it will help you, too.

If you want to check out The Dip, you can pick it up here.

The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)

A few months back I interviewed Debi Silber, who has branded herself "The Mojo Coach" because she inspires unfit, overweight and overwhelmed moms to "get their mojo back" through gradual lifestyle change!

I was so impressed with her ability to brand herself, I even included her as a prime example of branding in my 1-Hour Branding System.

Debi, who is a Registered Dietitian, Personal Trainer, Whole Health Coach, Lifestyle Expert just for moms just let me know that she has published a book called, The Lifestyle Fitness Program: A Six Part Plan So Every Mom Can Look, Feel and Live Her Best.

If you struggle in any of these areas, as many working moms and busy solo-professionals do, I encourage you to check out her new book or one of her coaching packages. She's motivated thousands of moms in the past to find the right balance between motherhood and womanhood. So I know she can help you.

You can learn more about Debi and her new book here.

Or, you can order her book directly through Amazon using the link below.

I wanted to let you know about a special book promotion that is happening today only. The book is by my friend, Sheri McConnell and is called Smart Women Create Membership-Based Businesses. Sheri McConnell is the Founder and President of two national organizations, National Association of Women Writers and the International Association of Web Entrepreneurs.

One of the reasons I wanted to you to check out Sheri's book and take a look at www.smartwomenbook.com is because of all the bonuses her team has put together for you. These bonuses are in line with Sheri's overall mission to help women!

When you purchase Sheri's book today, June 25th, 2008 at www.smartwomenbook.com, you will receive thousands of dollars worth of bonuses for women and by women ... including one from yours truly!

And if that weren't enough, the book itself is "pure gold" for anyone wanting to create their own membership-based business! I should know, I was lucky enough to receive a review copy prior to publication and I couldn't put it down!

Sheri knows her stuff and I highly encourage you to check out this book and all the free goodies you get when you purchase it today, June 25, 2008 at www.smartwomenbook.com