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7 ways to create certainty

As challenging as these times may be, most of us still have ultimate control over our lives. Yes, there are certain restrictions that have been imposed on us because of the COVID-19 global pandemic but we are technically still very much holding the reigns here. 

The problem is that a lot of the time, it doesn’t feel like it.

And if you read too much media, you are likely convinced that you are not in control at all and this moment of uncertainty is here to stay. You will forever be uncertain.

Not true.

You can create certainty on a daily basis for yourself.

And not by changing the world outside. None of that has to change. I have been working on this and personally implementing these ideas to create my own sense of certainty over the last few months. It helps. It works.
You may not be able to change what’s going on out there in the world but you can rule your own world. You can take control and create certainty in your own life.

I want to share with you 7 strategies you can use to easily increase the feeling of certainty in your life. Many of them are small things that you can start right now, today. The great things is that you don’t have to do all 7, but of course, the more you can incorporate into your routine, the better.

Strategy 1: Have a plan
When we don’t have a plan, we drift with the wind and more significantly we don’t feel in control of our destiny. You can make a plan in uncertain times. Yes, you can. You may need to review it in a few month’s time to see if it’s still relevant, but you still should make the plan now.

Strategy 2: Make decisions
Again, one quick way to start to feel more in control of your world is to make decisions. Allowing yourself to stay in indecision because you’re“not sure what will happen” or“don’t have enough information” does not serve you. It will create more uncertainty. Even if you don’t want to decide something now, you can still decide to get further information and review it in a month with a view to making the decision then. Do you get where I’m going here? It prevents you from going back and forth over the“will I or won’t I” that makes us all feel so powerless. You can instead decide to forget about it for a month, get more info and then decide. Or, decide now.

Strategy 3: Take action- small things count
The idea is to think small here. Can you clean out one drawer in your home or office? Can you do one task off your to-do list? Taking small actions in a positive direction make a big difference. In particular de-cluttering will give you a sense of control over your environment. Just remember to do small bits at a time to avoid overwhelm.

Strategy 4: Strengths and gratitude
Gratitude helps you to look for what you already have and to acknowledge it. This helps you to see that you do actually have what you need. Focusing on this at least once a day and seeking out your personal strengths will assist in keeping the uncertainty at bay.

Strategy 5: Daily practices to anchor you
What habits or rituals have an anchoring effect for you?
These are the practices that rejuvinate you or keep you focused and feeling in control or confident and secure. Is it keeping up an exercise routine? Chanting, prayers, meditation? Patting your cat? Whatever restores you and gives you a sense of being  in control and secure can become an anchor for you on a daily basis.

Strategy 6: Boundaries- fear mongering and media
Use your boundaries. Don’t allow in too much uncertainty from other people(family included) and the news/social media. Stay informed but don’t let them tell you how uncertain or worried you must feel. 

Strategy 7: Re-frame the situation
Yes it’s been challenging and even at times confronting. Things seem to be shifting and life is not what it was 6 months ago. Sure, but try asking yourself these questions to re-frame this current situation:
What are some good things that have come out of this?
If there was an opportunity right now for me, what might it be?
What have I learnt about my real values in the last few months?

These strategies work and they will make a difference right away, so do start as soon as you can. Maybe try to implement one or two for a week and maintain consistency with those first. Then you can add more as you like.

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Guest Blog Post: 3 seconds for someone to buy you

It takes less than 3 seconds for someone to decide whether they like you, according to Jean Baur, Author and Career Coach widely known for her keen observations in business.

The bad news is, online it takes even less time to make that first impression. Customers visit your website to see if you can solve their problems. If they see a single thing out of place, they will move onto the next site and you won’t have a chance.

Many things send subconscious signals to a viewer that something isn’t right. They could include, outdated style, meaningless stock photos, ugly colors, or cheap looking design.

But I think the biggest mistake made by SMEs are poor quality photographs on the about page. Studies show that the about page is the most visited page after your home page. This is because people buy from people they like.

I’m on your site because I’m already interested in your services.Before I contact you, I want to check your profile. I need to see if you’re trustworthy, whether I can rely on all the things I’ve read so far. At this point I’m a step away from buying. Right now 4 things can happen.

Maybe there’s no photo. There’s a wall of text that I’m unlikely to bother reading. I’m wondering why you’re hiding. Most of your competitors will have a headshot in 2019. I don’t know if this person’s genuine. It may even be just an offshore business and template website with no real local staff. I might keep you in mind, but I’m going to keep looking.

Maybe there’s a selfie, or an awkwardly cut out group photo from a social gathering. It’s dark, unflattering, unprofessional. I wonder if you’re a brand new business, and just hired someone to make a website, and even write all the words for you. Right or wrong, it’s hard to imagine you solving my problem when you present yourself so inappropriately. If anyone calls you, they’ll assume you’re cheap, because surely you can’t cost as much as your competitor who wears a suit right?

Maybe you have a headshot, but it’s a bit awkward. Some people have dark eye sockets, look like a stunned deer in headlights, or look angry or generally uncomfortable. I’ll trust you probably know what you’re doing, but it’s probably just not the right fit.

Hopefully you have a professional headshot, that shows the right level of friendliness, competence, authority, and trustworthiness. It connects with the client, and I immediately feel confident you can solve my problems. You’ve just validated everything I’ve seen on your website as truthful, and I’m ready to make contact.

So basically there are 3 ways to drive potential clients to your competitors, and one way to encourage them to contact you. The key is to look professional, so that they can imagine you solving their problems competently.

So how do you know whether you’re sending the right message with your headshot?

Think about your ideal audience – specifically your best clients. What do they they seek in a service provider? Do they want someone with presence and authority? Someone who’s approachable? Someone knowledgeable? Each profession is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all.

Next is, how do you show each of these qualities? Is it by what you wear, the style of lighting we use, the colors? It’s usually a combination of all of these.

That’s why you can’t just “take a headshot”, at least not one that’s useful. It’s through guided questioning that we help you discover the right qualities for your headshot so that it has impact and connects with your clients. Sometimes we even find you have different types of clients who are looking for distinctly different things. We’ve found this exercise very useful not only for us to learn about your business, but to help you deliver your message more conveniently to your customers.

Do you wish you could show off your brand more professionally? Image is everything in the visually connected world. Make a bad first impression, and you won’t get a second chance.

My business, Valent Lau Photography, specialises personal and brand photography, crafting images that connect with your audience. I’m offering you a free ebook filled with easy to follow Pro Tips that make your Business Stand Out from the Crowd! Just click below!

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A Guide To Developing Rapport With Your Clients

Let’s start with a definition of rapport: “a close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other’s feelings or ideas and communicate well.” Who wouldn’t want to experience this with their client (or any other human)? Such a relationship builds mountains of trust and a deeper relationship.
Here’s how to develop rapport with your client:

Listen more than you talk
There are two parts to this: 
1. Make sure that they are the ones doing most -if not all- of the talking. 

2. Listen carefully and pay attention. Don’t allow yourself to get distracted by the things around you, your phone or wondering off on your own train of thought. Stay focused on what they’re saying.

Be authentic
Don’t try to be perfect or put on a front. People can see through that and it will not generate feelings of trust with your client. Be real, be comfortable being yourself and they will respond to your authenticity.

Be genuinely interested
Put plainly- care about your client. Be interested in what is going on for them, what they are currently dealing with. Be curious. Ask questions as if you care (because you do) and show your interest in them as a person.

Be upfront & honest
Never try to deceive your client to get a sale or to look “better” than the status quo. You must be upfront and honest with them, particularly when it comes to selling your product or service. Don’t exaggerate. They will value your ability to be upfront with them about your products and what they can do for them.

Match their interaction style
You can make your client feel as if you really “get” them simply by matching their communication style. If they’re talking fast, excited and loud, respond by doing the same. Do they speak more slowly and measured, with pauses for effect? Match that style of speaking. This not only makes them feel more “heard” but also increases the effectiveness of all communication between you. You will both feel like you’re on the same page. This is a win-win.