Choosing Hope

18 Jan

YOU ALWAYS HAVE A (1)Your situation may seem dark right now, yet you get to choose your perspective.

We are surrounded by negativity. Just turn on the news and you will see just how dark the world can appear.

Each morning as you wake up you get to decide what your outlook for that day will be.

Here are some ways to choose hope:

Hope Tools

Start and end each day with gratitude

Gratitude opens your heart to what is really happening in your difficult circumstances. If you have a difficult person in your life write down all the lessons you are learning. Change your perspective about them. Realize you may be their difficult person, as well, as you react to their negativity. Let them know why you are grateful they are in your life.

At the end of the day, gratitude sets your heart at peace about the things you were unable to control during that day. Creativity increases as you let go of your set way of doing things and embrace new options.

Focus on possible solutions

Eliminate complaints from your life. Have you ever heard someone complain about what they are doing? Most of us complain about the things over which we have no control. Focus instead on possible solutions. In any given situation, start brainstorming on the things that you control and how you can change that situation or relationship.

You may not be able to change the outlook of others but you own your choice to look on the hope side of life. You can choose hope every day. Your life will be transformed as you consistently choose hope.

Karen Sebastian is an author, blogger, corporate trainer and gifted speaker who transparently shares the hope she has found in the darkest times of her life. As an ordained minister, she served as co-pastor of several churches alongside her husband Bill who has now moved to heaven. She also founded HOPEpreneurs, a consulting firm dedicated to helping women succeed in the marketplace. Affectionately known as The Hope Lady, Karen takes every opportunity to inspire hope by sharing her rich life experience with others – engaging them in adventurous discoveries of the beauty of hope in a dark, cloudy world. Karen lives in Dallas, Texas, close to her children and grandchildren.

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Redefining Hope

14 Jan

The word HOPE has lost it’s oomph! I believe that it goes back to being told to be careful about “Getting your hopes up.”

Think about the last time you used the word HOPE. It might have gone something like this:

“I sure hope I get the funding for my business. I mean you never know about these things. I’ve heard it’s really tough and I want to be sure I don’t expect too much. After all, I am just a start-up. So keep your fingers crossed.”

So what is wrong with that dialogue? Several things. While you may be saying all of this because you want to avoid disappointment you are actually sabotaging your own efforts with a false concept of hope.

Confidence

It’s hard to start your own business. It takes lots of hard work. You are good at that part. Then have confidence in what you have done. Stand up tall and promote what you have done. You have not arrived yet but you are on the way. Others have no idea what you are about but will read your body language. This is not about false bravado to mask your insecurities. This is believing that you can make this happen. It will come through your words, your expressions and your position.

Expectation

As you move forward, you can not lose. The problem comes when you begin to see a course of action as the way things have to go. The expectation gets cemented and solidifies as the chosen course of action. The challenge comes when things fall apart and you are left picking up the pieces. So the hope outlook is that detours are good and part of the process. This creates a resilience that strengthens your resolve.

Good lessons

The best lessons often come from disappointments and what did NOT work. Still, we pick ourselves back up and adapt so that the next time we have included the improvements and insights gained from what did not work before. Besides, our best stories come from the struggles and second chances.

Excellent outcome

As you begin to apply a different definition of HOPE you can have the confident expectation of an excellent outcome. Someone has said that it’s interesting those who work hard seem to be really lucky. It is not luck. It’s confidence in the process and the ability to affect that outcome.  Here’s a HOPE declaration:

“I have diligently worked on putting together a great presentation in order to fund my business. I look forward to the process and meeting the decision makers in order to adapt our numbers. As a start-up we have a lot to learn and are excited about the future.”

Karen Sebastian (AKA The Hope Lady) is an author, speaker, corporate trainer and Hope Catalyst who delights in sharing her rich life experiences with others – engaging them in adventurous discoveries of the beauty of hope in a dark, cloudy world. To increase hope and make difference in your business, click here.

 

 

 

7 Inspiring Ways to Choose Hope

13 Jan

You can chooseThere are many signs that people are losing hope. All you have to do is talk to young people for a short while to realize that dreamers are discouraged these days. I say it’s time to rekindle some hope with these seven strategies.

Redefine HOPE

Hope is in short supply these days. In fact, the very use of the word hope is now used in a very hope draining way. When someone says, “I hope that everything will work out okay,” they usually mean that they have no assurance that it will be okay. They feel powerless because the circumstances are out of their control. Here’s my definition of HOPE – A confident expectation of good results regardless of the circumstances.” You determine your own hope quotient.

Realize you always have a choice

Your situation may seem dark right now, yet you get to choose your perspective. We are surrounded by negativity. Just turn on the news and you will see just how dark the world can appear. Each morning as you wake up you get to decide what your outlook for that day will be. I have learned to start and end each day with gratitude for exactly what is happening in my life. You may not be able to change the outlook of others but you own your choice to look on the hope side of life. You can choose hope every day.

Remember hard times

You may wonder how remembering the difficult periods of your life can inspire hope. Did you survive? Are you stronger? As I look over the panorama of my life, the times when I struggled are my best stories to inspire others to keep moving toward their goal and purpose in life. Memories of the strength found in caring for my precious late husband make me realize what a treasure our family has in his loving legacy. You are stronger than you realize.

Reflect on good times

Pleasant memories are like a fire on a cold day. They can warm your heart and inspire you to choose to do the things that only you can do. Some of the things that create the best memories are: spending time with family, writing your memoirs, creating an honoring slide show for someone you love, explaining why your family has the crazy traditions each holiday, etc. Pull out the pictures and tell the stories of how you ended up where you are today. You are richer than you think.

Recognize current challenges

A hope perspective does NOT mean that you ignore the challenges you face today. Instead, it means facing the difficult and trying details of your life today. Hope says that you can confidently look the ‘enemy’ in the eye and determine a strategy to overcome. You ask others you can trust to help you get through the trials. You look for solutions that can, in turn, help others. You are more creative than you were before this happened.

Respond with confidence

You will be paralyzed if you wait until you are no longer afraid. It is time to stop asking everyone else what they think you should do and take action. Be firm, bold and courageous. You will get the “butterflies in your stomach” feeling. That’s okay. Take a deep breath and get them to “fly in formation.” You have solutions that others need. Do your homework and ask for the funding for your dreams. You are more confident than those who shrink back.

Recommit to forward movement

This is more than just a pie-in-the-sky exercise. There is something to be said for passion in your life. When you look forward to something you act differently. Move forward and learn from any mistakes you make. You do not have to wait until you have a perfect plan to launch your start-up. Use what you have in your hands right now. Take a step at a time. Celebrate forward movement. You are moving forward every day.

Speak these affirming words every day to increase our HOPE Quotient.

Karen Sebastian (AKA The Hope Lady) is an author, speaker, corporate trainer and Hope Catalyst who delights in sharing her rich life experiences with others – engaging them in adventurous discoveries of the beauty of hope in a dark, cloudy world. To increase hope and make difference in your business, click here.

Entrepreneurship Redefined

30 Sep

Discover your passion and you will always be motivated - quote from Karen Sebastian of HOPEpreneurs.

One of the hardest things to maintain as an entrepreneur is why we started our business. What is your purpose in being an entrepreneur. Sometimes the details and pressures of running a business can get in the way. Take a few minutes today to revisit your vision statement. As you start the fourth quarter of the year look again at the goals you set out on January 1st. Revamp and rearrange them. Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect in order to work.

Author, speaker, corporate trainer and Hope Catalyst, Karen Sebastian enjoys sharing her rich life experiences with others – engaging them in adventurous discoveries of the beauty of hope in a dark, cloudy world. To increase hope and make difference in your business, click here.

The Rise of the Woman Entrepreneur

26 Aug

There is an increase of women entrepreneurs all over the world. There are many qualities that women bring to the table that can set them up for success in this arena. What do you think is the greatest advantage that women entrepreneurs have as they start their businesses?

Believing in Your Dream

5 May

Believe in your dream

When you close your eyes and think of a perfect life – what do you see? I’m not talking about a fantasy where you have more money than Bill Gates and the body of your favorite actress? This is your own picture of what you want your life to become. What do you want your life to look like?

Dreams start with possibilities and opportunities that are currently before you. It may be the seed of an idea inspired by what others are doing. Women are starting businesses every day. Many start strong yet do not succeed because they put that dream on the back burner to take care of everyone else.

Dreams are important because they motivate and set apart our efforts. In fact, while working on certain projects you lose track of time and the effort that you are putting forth. You can get in the ‘zone.’ This is a wonderful place to be.

When you believe in your dream you are basically believing in yourself. Keep believing no matter how long it takes to reach your dream. Don’t let anyone rob you of that dream. Hold on to it and adapt it to the current season of your life. Describe it fully and picture it vividly. And also guard it carefully because there are those who will want to help you stay in touch with reality. There is always time for that as you move to the next step to success which is to write down a clear vision.

Author, speaker, corporate trainer and Hope Catalyst, Karen Sebastian enjoys sharing her rich life experiences with others – engaging them in adventurous discoveries of the beauty of hope in a dark, cloudy world. To increase hope and make difference in your business, click here.

5 Keys to Success for Women Entrepreneurs

30 Apr

Women entrepreneurs in Botucatu, BrazilI had the honor of traveling to Brazil to speak to women entrepreneurs who live in Botucatu, a city that is a three hour drive from Sao Paolo. Silvia Sasaoka, founded Instituto Botucatu a place where women can learn design skills and gain business acumen. The women in this training program were chosen because they are serious about the success of their endeavors and came eagerly to learn and network with potential mentors. They enthusiastically embraced the following keys to success:

 

Believe in your dreams

You start a business because you have a dream that excites and motivates you. Too many women tell everyone in the early stages about their dreams. Many do not understand and may even try to talk you out of your idea. There is a time to get realistic input about the challenges ahead and we will address that in a moment. Now is the time to believe in yourself and what you want to accomplish.

Write down a clear vision

This is the stage where you gain clarity around the implementation of your dream. What does it look like in the near future? What does it look three years from now? What are the next steps that you need to take to get traction and movement in the right direction? In a sense you put feet to your ideas and begin to work it out.

Take risks

Too many women hesitate when it comes to taking calculated risks in their businesses. Often there is the fear that the risk will be too high. To succeed you need to be willing to move forward consistently. Don’t let your business take the back seat in your life. Get the funding you need to take your venture to the next level. Begin to look at risks as opportunities to expand and grow your business.

Ask for help

One of the greatest hindrances that women face as entrepreneurs is the lack of examples and mentors. One of the exciting part of the session in Brazil is that potential mentors attended the networking breakfast and the keynote. During the workshop that afternoon, I had the women who are starting the training program think about specific areas where they needed help. A strong network is essential to growing a thriving business endeavor. You need to reach out of your comfortable network to expand and grow connections.

Own your future

Ultimately, you need to own your future and how you implement your dream. Taking full responsibility to move forward consistently empowers you to overcome barriers and view them as challenges. This is no time to put your plans on the back burner. Take steps every day toward making the vision of your dream a reality. Ask for help as you take calculated risks. If you don’t believe in your dream, who will?

Author, speaker, corporate trainer and Hope Catalyst, Karen Sebastian enjoys sharing her rich life experiences with others – engaging them in adventurous discoveries of the beauty of hope in a dark, cloudy world. To increase hope and make difference in your business, click here.

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Implementing a Hope Strategy

23 Mar

Never lose hope that your dreams will come trueLately I’ve heard several people say not to use hope as a strategy. This gave me pause to reflect about the name of my company – HOPEpreneurs. Is it a mistake to embrace hope as a you implement your business plan?

Redefine your words

Your words establish your atmosphere. Many use the hope as a desperate, helpless approach to the unattainable. What if, instead, you begin to put action and strategy behind the deepest hopes and dreams in your heart. In that context, you will become much more focused to reach what others may not be able to accomplish because of their negative belief system. The HOPEpreneurs slogan is “Where passion meets purpose.” When I had the inspiration for the name of my company I began to research HOPE and the possibilities of a HOPE Strategy for success. Many start with a strong passion for what they want to do but then give up when delays and difficulties crop up.

Clarify your thought process

“My experience has been that almost every defeat I’ve been through starts in my mind, i.e. how I think. I believe people can’t succeed without hope. But not the weak, wimpy way we use the word – I hope this happens or I hope this other thing doesn’t happen. The word ‘wish’ might be more appropriate in that context because there is no belief or faith being applied to the situation. True hope means a faith or belief in something or someone. Your basis for action is grounded in and propelled by that belief.” Janis Sizemore (A HOPEpreneur)

Crystallize your vision

Where are you headed and what do you want to see in the future? You shorten the road to success when you nurture the sense of a positive future outcome. Even more importantly is having a firm conviction that your choices today are taking you in the right direction to accomplish what you have set out to do.

Reframe the problem

When you focus on the positive outcomes from difficulties and problems, something shifts in your brain. You can begin to come up with creative solutions rather than dire predictions of failure. Many of the most popular products on the market were invented as a solution to a problem the inventor was experiencing. Find something to be grateful for in the even before the problem is solved. This one shift will keep you going and make you stronger.

Take action

It’s very important to do something every day toward your goals for your business. Consistent small steps taken in the right direction are more effective than occasional attempts to leap forward. If you are feeling overwhelmed, prioritize the goals and take action accordingly.

Celebrate progress

As you reach a goal, be sure to take the time to acknowledge its completion and to celebrate with your team or family. This process of honoring yourself those who helped you accomplish a milestone makes the effort seem more worthwhile. Part of the strategy could be to plan ahead of time how you will celebrate. This one approach will increase performance because the next time you are feeling like you are not making progress you will look forward to the celebration.
Karen Sebastian - #thehopelady
Author, speaker, corporate trainer and Hope Catalyst, Karen Sebastian enjoys sharing her rich life experiences with others – engaging them in adventurous discoveries of the beauty of hope in a dark, cloudy world. To increase hope and make difference in your business, click here.

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Discovering the Secrets of Organized People

2 Mar

Secrets to Super Organized People

I’ve always wished I was more organized. As I look around my desk right now I see the notes for all the projects I’ve been working on in disarray on my desk. On the other hand, I also love being creative. Here are a few secrets I have learned from the super organized folks I’m around.

Don’t keep so much stuff

Paper is my main weakness. As an educator, I love books, notebooks and the notes I have taken. I am in the process of cleaning out my notebooks. I plan to scan certain ones so I can refer to them in the future. What can you get rid of in order to declutter your work space?

Identify your work style

Many times I have felt that something was wrong with me because I tend to spread out all the papers on my desk when working on a project. That seems to be part of my creative process and work style. That is fine as long as I come back and rearrange it periodically. Have you given yourself permission to work the way that is best for you?

Keep projects separated

You may mentally shift gears quickly but your paperwork will not move as quickly. Have a system so you can separate the items you need for specific projects. It can be as simple as a file folder. In fact, don’t make it to complicated. As you get ideas, put your notes all in one place. This will save you lots of time in the end and keep the amount of papers manageable. Where are you going to place the notes, etc. for each project?

Focus on keeping file folders on your computer

Despite what my desk looks like, I learned a long time ago to be very careful to create file folders and keep my electronic files where I could easily access them. If you are saving everything to your Desktop, it’s time to take a few hours to set up file folders and transfer the most important files to where you can easily find them. What electronic filing system do you have set up?

Schedule specific cues to stop and straighten up the clutter

One of the challenges of working from home is that work and pleasure at my computer tend to merge. I set an alarm to take a break in between. Before I can start my evening routine I clean off my desk in the same way I did when I worked at an office outside my home. What cues are you going to set up in order to know when to transition to personal time?

What suggestions do you have for me?

Author, speaker, corporate trainer and Hope Catalyst, Karen Sebastian enjoys sharing her rich life experiences with others – engaging them in adventurous discoveries of the beauty of hope in a dark, cloudy world. To increase hope and make difference in your business, click here.

 

 

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Taking Steps to Build Community

26 Jan

Building Community

Build your community

One of the most difficult areas of entrepreneurship is finding those who will help you move ahead. Often, those who are closest to you do not understand why you want to do the things that you do. It may feel that they are trying to get you to ‘settle’ for less than you know you can accomplish in life. Seek out those who will encourage and mentor you.

Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

  • Look around for successful business women and set up a time to meet for coffee or lunch
  • Prepare your list of questions to ask before you meet
  • Connect with business owners online
  • Remember etiquette – send a thank you note and keep in touch
  • Expand your network every week

What suggestions do you have to build a strong community of Hopepreneurs? What help do you need to succeed in your business?

Author, speaker, corporate trainer and Hope Catalyst, Karen Sebastian enjoys sharing her rich life experiences with others – engaging them in adventurous discoveries of the beauty of hope in a dark, cloudy world. To increase hope and make difference in your business, click here.

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