Why I Used to Hate Networking {Hint: It’s My Weight}

{The irony that World Mental Health Day and National Curves Day  are on the same day – inspired this post}

 

QUESTION:  Have you said “No” to a networking event because you felt insecure?

According to a recent survey by Marshall’s Department Store, more than 70 percent of women say that they have said ‘No’ to a social event or activity due to low self confidence.

 

If I’m being brutally honest.

I used to hate networking because I was embarrassed about my weight.

I felt ashamed by my weight.

I tied my self worth & my success to my body image.

I decided that I’m not good enough or worthy of success.

If something went wrong in my day, no matter how big or small, I felt anxious, I felt depressed which then lead to self sabotage.

So for me, self sabotage looks like (not taking care of myself).

Eating through my emotions.

Not showing up.

Not moving my body.

All things related to my weight.

 

Let me tell you a story:

AS A YOUNG GIRL, I would sit on the edge of my mother’s bed and watch her get ready for “date night” with my father.

I was fascinated with her cherry red lipstick and watched carefully as she applied it to her lips, “shmeared” it on her cheeks, and then rubbed vigorously.  It was magical.

In Seventh Grade, I got permission to wear makeup to school.  I jumped on my yellow ten-speed “Peugot” bicycle; that my father crafted for me in the basement, and rode to the shopping mall.  I broke the 8th Commandment (Thou Shall Not Steal), and stole a blue eye shadow, mascara and bubble gum pink lipstick from the drug store, and wore it to school the next day.

I didn’t even make it to lunchtime.  The boys in my class were brutal.  They laughed at me and called me a “prostitute”.  One boy pinched my neck and left a mark; it looked like a hickey.

I was humiliated, embarrassed and ashamed. 

I went to the nurse’s office to call my mom to come get me.  I broke Commandment #9 (Thou Shall Not Lie) and told my mom, “I had cramps”. 

 

This was the first moment I can remember allowing someone else’s opinion of me make me feel ashamed of who I was!

This was a significant emotional experience that resulted in self harm, binge eating, anxiety and full blown panic attacks.

 

IN MY ADULT LIFE, I was told, on more than one occasion, that I had a “pretty face”, but I would be so much prettier if I lost weight.

I’m Pretty FAT.

(I’m okay with that)

 

I don’t know what you’re dealing with today.

Whatever it is – it’s real to you.

 

Here’s an empowering reminder to celebrate yourself from head to toe.

Because while you should love what you wear, loving yourself is always the most important thing.

 

I BELIEVE my journey as an entrepreneur and possibly yours too, would be so much more exciting,

so much more rich,

and impactful,

if we were able to accept ourselves just the way we are TODAY and not allow other people’s opinions of us keep us from happiness, abundance and our purpose on this planet!

 

I’VE COME A LONG WAY since my first makeup nightmare.  TODAY I help women create success through personal development and entrepreneurship.

 

I BELIEVE this message found it’s way to you at just the right time.

Maybe it’s time for you too – to look at that one struggle – that one challenge that you just know is holding you back.

In the mean time… I’m here for you.

Pretty FAT.

Kisses!

PS – If this post was helpful, please LIKE it and SHARE it.

 

PPS – Are you a LIPSTICK BOSS?  I’ve created a community of female entrepreneurs called LIPSTICK BOSSES.  CLICK HERE to find out what Type of Lipstick Boss you are and to join the Private Facebook Group.

Source: Excerpts from The Fashionating Life Formula: How to Build Your Self Confidence by Nancy Joseph

World Mental Health Day (10 October) is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. … This day, each October, thousands of supporters come to celebrate this annual awareness program to bring attention to mental illness and its major effects on peoples’ life worldwide.

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How to Narrow Your Niche – The Perfect Elevator Pitch

Are you tired of being the best kept secret?

Have you ever had a friend, or someone from your networking group give a referral to someone else because they didn’t realize EXACTLY what you do?

Ouch!

When I first started going to networking events and giving my 30 second (elevator speech), I sounded like a drunk cowboy.

I uhhhhh… my name is…. ummmm, I help anybody….”

Honestly, the most painful 30 seconds of the day. (for me and I’m sure, for my audience)

Listen…I WANT to be my own boss.  I WANT to help people.

After all, I’ve got tons of credentials, mad skills and a bubbly personality! ! !

I feel like EVERYBODY could benefit from my products and/or my services.

My problem… I was marketing to the masses, and it wasn’t until I narrowed my niche that I found my perfect clients, my confidence and constant cash flow!

So next time you are at a networking event, talking to a stranger in the grocery line (prospecting at Publix), or at a party and someone asks you, “What do you do?”,

Do This.

Say, ” Hi, My name is _________________(say it sllllooowly),

I help __________(specifically WHO you help),

_____________________(exactly WHAT you help them do)!

That’s it.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

Wait for their Reaction, Comment or Question.

Your Perfect Clients will Self-Select and your friends will know exactly what you do and they will be excited to give you referrals!

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My turn.

My name is NANCY JOSEPH.

I help aspiring and existing Makeup Artists turn their passion for makeup into a full time freelance career!

Pause……

(Waiting for your REACTION, COMMENT OR QUESTION)

 

 

 

 

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You are NOT meant to work with everybody! Networking Guide (eBook)

Maybe it’s time to give up and get a “real job”.

That was my first thought when I got home after a thirty minute drive from yet another speaking engagement with no book sales and no emails for my list.

I was about to text my mentor and tell her “I Suck. I Quit.” when all of sudden, I realized what I did wrong.

I spent half a day speaking to a group of people who were NOT my target market.  Fail.

 

It reminded me of when I used to go to networking events (before I created my personal brand), and wasted time, energy and money; because I was

  • prospecting everybody with a pulse and a pocketbook,
  • sharing my products and opportunity with everybody within a 3 foot radius;
  • and collecting business cards from everybody.

This is NOT how to grow your business or your brand.

You are NOT meant to work with everybody!

If you want to learn how to attract your ideal clients, make an impact and reach your income goals then you need this FREE ebook… FACE TO FACE: A Strategy Guide for Networking.

Click HERE or the Image above

YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO:

Build your Personal Brand

Attract your Ideal Customer

Create an Authentic + Magnetic ‘Elevator Pitch’

5 Ways to make a good First Impression

and much, much more!

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I INVITE you to SHARE this post with other independent self-employed women.  I love to see people happy and succeeding.

“If you’re your authentic self you have no competition”

PS – If you know of a group of women entrepreneurs who would like to prosper in business + life, please tell them about me and tell me about them.  Email me at nancy@nancyjoseph.com

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5 Reasons Why You Should Dress to Impress Everyday

Believe it or not, people judge you based on the clothes you wear.  I don’t care if you’re walking down the street or sitting in a networking meeting; people are constantly looking at what you’re wearing.

The absolute first impression you will make on someone will be through your clothes.

Do you know how to dress to create your best possible first impression?

A guy goes into a clothing store to buy a new suit, but he doesn’t want to spend too much money.  The tailor shows him a really nice suit for $400, but the guy says it’s too much.  Then the tailor shows him another suit for $200, but the guy says it’s still too much.  After showing him several others, he finally shows him one for $10.

“That’s more like it!” the guy says, and he goes to try it on.

He comes back and looks in the mirror and one sleeve is about two inches shorter than the other.

“No problem,” says the tailor.  “Just hunch up your right shoulder.”  So the guy hunches his right shoulder way up and the sleeves look OK, but the lapels are crooked.

“No problem,” says the tailor.  “Just stick out your left arm and rooster it like a bird’s wing.”  So the guy sticks out his left arm and the lapels look OK.  But then he notices that one pant leg is shorter than the other.

“Well, just keep that leg stiff” says the tailor, “and no one will notice.”

“I’ll take it!” the guy says.

So the guy leaves the tailor shop wearing the suit, walking with his left leg stiffened, one arm stuck out like a bird’s wing, and one shoulder hunched way up.  As he’s walking down the street he passes two orthopedic surgeons.  One of the doctors says to the other, “I have never seen anyone in such bad shape in my twenty five years of practice.”

“Me neither,” the other doctor says, “But he sure has a nice suit!”

Disclaimer:  You may have heard this anecdote before, it’s been around the block a few times. (Hehehehe!)

 

Well-dressed people are typically given more respect and attention than those who could care less about their looks.

Regardless of what people say about not judging a book by its cover, people’s first impression of you are the ones they’ll take away with them.

Here are 5 Reasons Why You Should Dress to Impress Everyday

1 – It makes a good impression

2 – It will give you confidence

3 – Getting compliments on your outfit feels awesome!

4 – It will keep you productive

5 – You never know who you’ll run into

Never underestimate the power of your personal image.  When you dress in a way that lets people know you have a sense of confidence, and present yourself in a professional manner, it makes a huge difference.

Everyone makes snap judgments about the people they come in contact with everyday.

In other words, Your Image Impacts Your Income and Your Outcome.

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If yes, I would love for you to receive my FREE ebook on First Impressions and Networking.  Please SIGN UP on the top right hand side of this page and I’ll send it to you!

PS – If you want to take things to a new level with your wardrobe The Fashionating Life Formula will teach you how to dress to impress so you can attract your ideal clients and make more money!

PSS – If you need an entertaining Guest Speaker at your team meeting, conference or training, please consider me!  Thank you and make it a beautiful day!

Source: The Fashionating Life Formula: How to Build Your Self Confidence by Nancy Joseph

 

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How To Avoid Autopilot And Live A Fascinating Life – Struggles of a Solopreneur

Are you selling yourself short and living your life on autopilot?

Every day we choose how we live our lives, whether we’re conscious of it or not.  And choosing to live a fascinating life doesn’t have to be complicated.

The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.

John Maxwell said, you will never change your life until you change something you do daily.

Have control of how your day starts and ends.  Have a routine for both.

RISE & SHINE and SWEET DREAMS

Start with your goals in mind and design your behaviors and routines accordingly.

RISE & SHINE

I was inspired by The Miracle Morning and my morning routine starts at 6 am.  It includes the six principles stated in the book. (S.A.V.E.R.S.)

Silence(meditation), Affirmations, Visualization(vision board), Exercise, Reading and Scribing (writing in journal).

I recommend you create a routine that is styled unique to you.

SWEET DREAMS

I was inspired by The Compound Effect and my evening routine consists of reading at least ten pages of an inspiration book before going to sleep.  Evidently, the mind continues to process the last information consumed before bedtime, so I want to focus my attention on something constructive and helpful in making progress with my goals and ambitions.

Every so often interrupt your routines.  Otherwise, life gets stale and autopilot takes over.  Look at your routines.  If something that used to energize you has become same-old/same-old, or is no longer generating powerful results, switch it up.

It’s difficult to predict what will show up in the middle of your workday, but you can always control how your day starts and ends.

*For solopreneurs, having a starting and ending time for your business day will give you greater life balance, help with focus, and allow for personal time, so you don’t feel like you are working all the time.

GET UP! DRESS UP! SHOW UP! and NEVER GIVE UP!

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PS – Do you feel uncertain about the way you look?  Are you going through the motions and calling it living?  Does fear keep you from taking chances and living a more authentic life? If you answered YES to any of those questions, The Fashionating Life Formula:  How to Build Your Self Confidence is a book for you.  Discover how to identify and develop your personal image, build your self confidence and your bank account.

PSS – If you want to grow your business and learn 5 Ways to STAND OUT and be OUTSTANDING at Networking, SIGN UP for the FREE ebook. 

Source:  The Miracle Morning, The Compound Effect

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How to Make Your Brand Stand Out From The Competition – Struggles of a Solopreneur

How can you make your brand stand out?

One of the biggest challenge facing solopreneurs is consistency.

They begin a blog, social media presence, e-newsletter, or networking membership and are active for a few weeks or months but then disappear when life gets in the way.

Can you relate?  

I’ve done every one of those things!   And the truth is…

Results only happen when you’re consistent.  

Consistency shows others that we’re dependable, credible, and serious in our intentions.

 

We don’t have to do ALL of those things.  Just pick ONE and stick to it.

 

Quote by Robert Kiyosaki:

F.O.C.U.S.

Follow. One. Course. Until. Successful.

 

STAND OUT by being consistent, because most people aren’t.

 

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Please COMMENT below if you’ve had a WIN with consistency.  I love success stories!

PS – If you want to CONNECT with us and join our community of women entrepreneurs who make their brand stand out from the competition, please SIGN UP here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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