Signs, jetlag and celebrating 15 years in business

Sometimes you get signs. You know what I mean. You’re thinking of someone and they call, or decide to catch the train to work to find out later you missed massive traffic jams.

This happens to me too. I was thinking about treating myself to a safari to celebrate 15 years in business. (Yes. 15 years. Crazy. What a ride it’s been).

I got caught up with life and I didn’t organise anything. I was thinking it’s all too hard…and then I got an invitation to the DELL Women’s Entrepreneur Summit in…wait for it…Cape Town, South Africa.

Crazy hey? So of course I went to the Summit and it was incredible, and then I went on my safari which was a dream come true.

Coincidence? I’m not sure. But I do know it’s about making the most of opportunities. As my Dad says, “You just make it happen and reap the rewards of being one of those free spirits.”

And that’s what I think about with my last 15 years. Being in business can be hard. You don’t make the 15 year mark by cruising along, you’ve got to make it happen.

And you get signs too.

It’s been two years since I released my book, From Unknown To Expert, and launched the online business associated with the book. While I was away I was wondering what my next move will be. Does anyone even read my emails I spend so much time thinking about and writing? Do people still find my book useful?

Then when I got back home I went shopping with my sister (actually we went to the playground with my nephew, and accidentally went clothes shopping on the way. Oops!).

We were trying things on, chatting away and Jo said “Catriona, do you like this dress?”. The shop assistant said “You’re not Catriona Pollard are you?”…. “Um yes”…. “I didn’t recognise you, but I recognised your voice and name.”
(Didn’t recognise me? Unwashed hair in messy bun, no makeup, no sleep for a week from insane jetlag…and dressed for the playground. Not really my best look!).

We had a wonderful conversation. She shared with me how often she has used my book, shares it with people, loves my emails, watches my videos and interviews. So thank you Anna Franklin. You were my sign to keep telling my stories and sharing my expertise.

So here’s to wonderful people, beautiful experiences, spotlight moments and listening to signs. I’ve learnt so much about myself over the last 15 years, and of course, about running a business. The future is so bright.

Tweetable: Signs, jetlag and celebrating 15 years in business @CatrionaPollard http://bit.ly/2avI7ol

Business, By Catriona Pollard, Thought Leadership

Be in the moment and turn off autopilot

My parents visited me the other day. Often we go for lunch or coffee, but it was a beautiful Sunday afternoon so we went for a stroll. As we walked my parents remarked on houses, and fences, and trees…a running commentary on our walk.

I have walked past these houses, fences and trees many times but no longer notice them. Through my parents’ eyes, I looked at them and saw them in a different way.

It made me think. How much in our lives do we no longer notice? I decided to test this idea.

Walking backwards
On the bush track I walk most days I decided to do my circuit in the opposite direction. Do you know what happened? I got lost twice. Seriously! I couldn’t believe it. I missed the start of one section and had to double back.

At one point I was standing looking at the entrances of two tracks and simply couldn’t figure out which one was my track. In fact, I never even knew there were two tracks in that section. Astounding!

I realised that often I’m lost in my thoughts while walking – which is not a bad thing as it’s my time to problem solve and come up with new ideas – but clearly I’m not taking notice of my surroundings either.

Turning off autopilot
How often are we on autopilot?

Have you ever driven to work and got to the car park and completely not remembered the drive?
Do you constantly check your emails on your phone, even though it states, “Last updated 2 minutes ago”?
Are you just so in your routine you rarely do anything spontaneous?

It’s really interesting to consider these questions. Even though I don’t consider that I’m living a life on autopilot, clearly at times I am. Now I’m trying to notice if I’m simply following a routine, and if possible, to snap out of autopilot and be in the moment instead.

What about you? Maybe it’s time to ditch your personal sat nav and think about achieving some new goals…such as stepping into the spotlight.

Tweetable: It’s time to stop running on autopilot and achieve new goals @CatrionaPollard bit.ly/1TaaU1i

Creative, Thought Leadership

Why copying isn’t cool

I opened my Facebook feed the other day and saw an image of a sculpture. Instantly I was taken aback as it was identical to one of my own unique pieces. Someone had copied my exact design, and was selling them on her website. I know the person quite well, and was shocked that she had done this.

Of course this has happened before. I’ve seen LinkedIn summaries virtually word for word the same as mine. The same with articles and even strategies I’ve created for clients.

So is copying a form of flattery or should we call the person out? And how can you protect yourself from people copying you?

Is it a compliment?
You’ve heard it before: ‘You should consider it a compliment when someone copies you’. I get this sentiment, but I don’t necessarily agree with it. Sure you can get inspiration, but I think it’s pretty rude to blatantly copy someone else’s idea or work.

Be the real deal
We all have experiences, expertise and passion that we have developed over the years that makes us original. I don’t think anyone can copy the heart and soul of your personal or business brand. For me, I’m constantly innovating and re-strategising; growing and expanding my ideas; and trying new things. No one can copy that.

Focus your energy on you
When I saw that image, the first thing I wanted to do was put a “please explain” comment on the Facebook post. But I held back because I wanted to be calm in my response. If they are a copycat, it will be pretty hard to appeal to their good nature! So pick your battles.

Protect yourself
Do everything you can to protect your ideas and work. If you are having a conversation with anyone about an idea or sensitive business information have them sign a Non-disclosure Agreement. Get trademarks and add copyright symbols to all of your work.

Don’t do it yourself
If you are outsourcing any writing use Copyscape to check for online plagiarism before you publish (as you are responsible). Obtain permission to reproduce photographs and articles and clearly note the copyright owner.

There is so much content available to us now and with the social media “comparison” game this can lead to a compelling environment to take others work and ideas. Find muses and inspiration, but don’t copy.

Be original; be your amazing self.

Tweetable: Why copying other people’s work and ideas is bad news @CatrionaPollard bit.ly/1NjYEMd

Branding, By Catriona Pollard, Personal Branding, Thought Leadership

Let me tell you a story about the word YES

A friend of mine is finishing off her Yoga Teacher Training Diploma, and the other day she had the decision whether to say YES or NO to a spotlight moment.

While she has done yoga for years, she has never professionally taught it. Needless to say it’s pretty daunting to teach people something where they may get injured – and she has never had to stand in front of people to teach anything before.

Oh, and did I mention, she is over 60 years old, and learning with a bunch of young things. Amazing!

So the other day she went to a yoga class and the teacher didn’t turn up. Someone who knew she was finishing off her Diploma said: “Kathryn, you should teach the class.”

These are the spotlight moments I talk about all of the time. You can say yes or you can say no.

So imagine her situation. She has very little experience in teaching yoga, and only practiced teaching with a small group of friends. Here were 18 people staring at her, waiting for her answer.

She had done no prep, so if she said yes, she would have to think on her feet. If she screwed up it would impact her confidence and how the people in the class thought about her.

What do you think her answer was, yes or no?

When she recounted the story to me, she said my TEDx talk about “Being open to Yes” flashed in front of her eyes. Even though I wasn’t there, I was willing her on. She thought – I’m going to say YES!

Filled with trepidation, a bit of anxiety, and huge amount of bravery, she walked to the front of the class and taught her first yoga class. And when it finished, she received a round of applause with people asking her to run more classes.

If she hadn’t said yes, she would still not know her capability as a yoga teacher or have the opportunity to share her beautiful energy with the class.

In my experience saying that first yes is like letting the genie out of the bottle. It can lead to many yeses that are full of magic and wonder.

Yes can open up opportunities you never even dreamed of. So I’ll leave you with a question. What are you going to say yes to today?

Tweetable: How the word YES can change your world @CatrionaPollard – http://bit.ly/1mTTIRP