Do You Have A Hard Time Saying No? READ THIS!
April 4, 2011
Take, for instance, my Mompreneur Mastermind Group. The MMMs (Mompreneur Mastermind Meetings) started because I needed advice so I called three of the most successful women entrepreneurs I’d heard of in my area and asked them to meet. (I don’t think these power women said “yes” because they can’t say “no”. Instead I like to think it’s my magnetic personality that drew them in. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.) Anyway, it’s now become an official mastermind group and each month we come to lunch with a topic and stay on task for our aloted two hours together. Well, that is until everything went all to hell in a handbasket at a recent meeting. In fact, I can’t even tell you what was the predetermined topic! No sooner did we all sit down before we were close to tears (well, I was anyway). We were flat exhausted and it’s no wonder: The kids, the husband, Girlfriends, and not to mention our entrepreneurial endeavors all NEED us. Then there are the school activities, church functions, charity events…. should I stop now?
It was at that point that the four of us just had a moment of silence and a knowing glance. So, we changed the topic and got down to the real business at hand. We needed to figure out how to say “no”. We bantered all sorts of ideas but finally came to a conclusion that made all of us smile. Here it is: Unless it helps my family, benefits me financially or makes me happy… then JUST SAY “NO”. So simple and yet it’s so on target. We constantly get caught up in what we “should do” instead of keeping our eyes on the prize. Decide what your prize is and don’t lose focus.
After that meeting, I began to make massive changes concerning my “no” filter. It worked great when it came to helping my family and making me happy (where the prize is obvious), but sometimes business deals are a tad more complicated. What if there’s promotional value to a deal or there’s long-term pay-off? Should I flat turn it down? Hmmmm… What to do? I needed more investigation.
I was relieved when a few weeks later the topic came up at a women’s conference in Boston. A bunch of us were sitting around the table talking about “over scheduling” our schedules. Meredith Leipelt, who mentors business owners, said she always uses the 24 Hour Rule. When she gets a business offer or deal, she ALWAYS says, “I’ll get back with you in 24 hours.” Not only does this keep her from saying yes to the wrong thing, it also keeps her from saying “no” to the right thing. Why not take the time to figure out strategically what’s the best answer? Brilliant!
So, it’s not just about saying “no”, but instead figuring out what’s right for you, your family, your business AND knowing that you’ve given it thought. After a couple of months under my belt, I’m living proof this one-two punch works. With some time and thought I know that YOU, too, will be able to say “no” or even “yes” with complete confidence.
“We can’t afford to renew your contract.” Those words from her news director changed Cindy Morrison’s life forever. Refusing to be labeled a “has been” because of corporate downsizing, the Emmy-winning TV anchor and investigative reporter reinvented herself in record time. Cindy’s honesty about her layoff and witty style of reinvention struck a chord across the country—and today she’s a sought after speaker and her book “Girlfriends 2.0″ sold more copies in just the first month than the vast majority of first time authors ever sell!
Now Cindy uses her powerful message and social media savvy to guide others to successfully reinvent themselves with her SOCIALVENTION programs. She coaches entrepreneurs to corporate executives to reboot, upgrade and reinvent by using powerful tools like social media, branding and video presence. Tory Johnson, the founder of Spark and Hustle and the workplace contributor on Good Morning America calls Cindy her favorite social media strategist and Stiletto Magazine named her one of the Top 25 Most Amazing Women in America. Cindy’s story has been featured everywhere from FOX News to CBS’s “The Talk” and The Wall Street Journal to the Times Square Gossip page.
Cindy is a member of the prestigious National Speakers Association and currently is the national spokesperson for Clear-tone/Sebotek.
Twitter @CindyWMorrison
Why You Need to Drop the Guilt
February 14, 2011
As I sat at my daughter’s rehearsal, I should have been all smiles and full of pride. But I wasn’t it. I wasn’t watching her steps and enjoying her smile. No… instead I was tense, preoccupied and frantically answering emails on my iPhone. Why? Well, I really didn’t have a clue that anything was the matter until the lights came up and all the other mother’s were applauding. (What?! Did I really just miss EVERYTHING! Oops…). As my eyes began to adjust to the bright auditorium, only one thing came to mind: Guilt. Yep, I felt guilty for working when I should have been playing. But hey, maybe I was working BECAUSE I felt guilty for playing when I should have been working. Did I lose you? Welcome to the world of GUILT.
This feeling is nothing new to me. I mean, I grew up in the South, where there is plenty of guilt to spread around! Let’s see… where should I start? Leave the house without lipstick? Guilt! (If you doubt that? Ask my Mom! Speaking of my Mom…) If I don’t call my parents in Texas enough. Guilt! Since I’m a People Pleaser, I can’t say no and I generally end up over-scheduling my schedule. Guilt! After all the stress of reinventing myself, I’m too tired for a little something-something with my husband. Guilt! But I thought my guilt of being a working mom would go away when I could “work the schedule around my kids” after my lay-off. Ha!
For 20 years, I worked morning until night as a TV news anchor and investigative reporter. At a moment’s notice I was ready to leave because of breaking news and always had a bag packed. I’d spent nights at the station when major storms rolled in. And I thought I always had to be reachable 24/7. Uffda. (That’s a hat tip to my great Minnesota friends…) Being ready to leave meant a babysitter on-call. Spending nights at the station meant a fab husband. And being reachable 24/7? That meant I wasn’t always there for my kids. Was I a journalist or a Mother? Oh dear… more GUILT!!
That’s why I thought things would change when the economy took a turn and I got laid off. As an entrepreneur, I could structure my work around my kids, right? Seriously… How hard could it be? I’d be working from home, for goodness sake! Lol! I soon learned, beginning my “work” after they went to school and then stopping by the time they got home didn’t leave much time to write a book, create a business and market the whole dang thing by myself. Even my hubby (God bless him) wondered why I hadn’t cleaned house since I was working from home. Seriously?! DOUBLE GUILT!!!
What I finally realized today? We CAN’T do it all! Superwoman is a GREAT idea but that’s why she’s a cartoon character! The fact is, we are REAL women who are trying to do all the right things while going in a thousand different directions. So, let’s STOP the guilt, take a deep breath and try to do one good thing at a time. Hmmmm… maybe we could even enjoy that one thing while we do it! What a concept!
I vote we take an oath right now:
WE ARE *NOT* GOING TO FEEL GUILTY JUST TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING!!!!
Let’s say that all together…
WE ARE *NOT* GOING TO FEEL GUILTY JUST TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING!!!!
Yes, feel guilty when you do something you shouldn’t. Feel guilty if you screwed up. But DON’T feel guilty for trying to do it all, Girlfriend! Sometimes our personal lives and work collide. But as much as you can, give yourself permission to ENJOY life! For me? How awesome that my new “situation” means I can set my own hours! That’s right, I can enjoy spending time at my daughter’s rehearsal, even if it means staying up later to get work done. I don’t have to feel guilty because I’m not working during traditional work hours. Sure… I might get less sleep.. but it doesn’t mean I have to feel guilty! Create the life that works best for YOU!!
So, shed the guilt and live your life the way you want to live it! It doesn’t mean you have to do it the way your neighbor does it or the way your mother did it. Chart a new course and ditch the guilt! As long as you’re living life fully and trying to do what’s right for you, the word guilt shouldn’t even be a part of your vocabulary. I can promise you… the next rehearsal I won’t be checking my iPhone for work emails. Instead I’ll be using that cool gadget to take pictures because work will always be there. I now know there should be no guilt for doing what I need to do but also I’ll have no guilt for living in the moment. 
Cindy W. Morrison is the Emmy award winning TV Broadcaster who has successfully reinvented herself after the economy lead to corporate downsizing. Leaving a 20 year news career behind, Cindy wrote a book called, “Girlfriends 2.0” hit the speaking circuit and created her own consulting business. She now teaches people how to reboot, upgrade and reinvent through networking, social media and branding so they can make more money and live a better life. As a consultant, Cindy’s clients range from TV stations to major universities to heavy hitting corporations. Twitter @CindyWMorrison
Why the 24 Hour Rule Rocks…
January 24, 2011
By Cindy W. Morrison
I don’t know about you… but I have a hard time saying “no”. I’m not sure whether it’s because I’m a people pleaser or I’m just so darn happy someone is paying attention to me. I’m sure certain psychologists out there could have a field day either way with that one, but the fact is… my inability to say “no” isn’t just MY inability. Women tell me all the time they also say “yes” to too many things and end up exhausting themselves.
I brought this “issue” up in Boston while I was at a conference. A bunch of us were sitting around the table.. talking about “over scheduling” our schedules. I admitted I often push things over to my assistant to “make a decision”. It’s not all about her being the bad cop and me being the good cop (although that’s part of it), but it’s more about the fact that she really thinks something out before saying “yes”. She has the ability to keep her eye on the prize (her commission) so she weighs whether the event helps our immediate or future bottom line and based upon that she decides if it’s a good fit, something that will make me (us) happy and is there time in the schedule for it. (What a concept?!!) On the other hand, my decision-making is not so “thoughtful”. Remember, I was in TV for 20 years where snap decisions (especially during breaking news) were rewarded. And as a news anchor, so my main focus was on being “liked”, not whether I had time in my schedule for every dog and pony show. (This summer I double booked three events before Mandi took away my scheduling privledges. Lol!)
That’s why I love it when Girlfriends sit around and problem solve! While some of us had the same issue, others had great solutions. Meredith Liepelt hit the nail on the head for me. She said she always uses the 24 Hour Rule. When she gets in a business offer or deal, she ALWAYS says, “I’ll get back with you on that in 24 hours.” Not only does this keep her from saying yes to something she shouldn’t, it also gives her some much needed time to figure out strategically to what she SHOULD say yes (personally or professionally). BRILLIANT!
So I came back to Tulsa fully prepared to say, “I’ll get back with you on that in 24 hours.” My first big hurdle came within days. I was walking my dog when a customer called to say they could only pay half of our agreed upon price for an event already signed, sealed and delivered. WHAT?! I was blindsided and mumbled something inaudible before Meredith’s advice came back to me: 24 HOURS. That’s what I needed! The old me would have been grateful for any amount of money. The new me realized I didn’t need to make a snap decision when I wasn’t in work mode and felt blindsided. After much thought, we passed on the reduced offer and ended up booking something else that turned out to be a better opportunity with more money. It could have turned out differently, but I felt confident in our 24 hour decision because we’d reach it with thought, planning and the big picture in mind.
So, when your feeling overwhelmed and asked to do something or you’re cornered by someone… just stop and say, “I’ll get back with you on that in 24 hours.” Are deals going to be made or broken in that period of time? Doubtful. But chances are… with some time and thought YOU will make the best decision for YOU.
Good luck!!
Cindy W Morrison is the Emmy award winning TV Broadcaster who has successfully reinvented herself after the economy lead to corporate downsizing. Leaving a 20 year news career behind, Cindy wrote a book called, “Girlfriends 2.0” hit the speaking circuit and created her own consulting business. She now teaches people how to reboot, upgrade and reinvent through networking, social media and branding so they can make more money and live a better life. As a consultant, Cindy’s clients range from TV stations to major universities to heavy hitting corporations. Twitter @CindyWMorrison
Introducing Cindy W. Morrison, Author, Consultant and Speaker
February 3, 2010
Some people say you can’t have everything, but obviously those people haven’t met Cindy W. Morrison. With an amazing career as a former journalist and now as an author and consultant, Cindy is sharing her wisdom in her new book Girlfriends 2.0. How do women upgrade their life personally and professionally? The answer is simple: surround yourself with positive girlfriends and watch yourself soar!
We are pleased to present Cindy W. Morrison, our newest Fairy Godmother at StartupPrincess. Enjoy!
Hometown: Lubbock, Texas
Current Residence: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Education: Graduate of the University of Oklahoma
Professional Background: Emmy award winning journalist spent 20 years as a mainline TV news anchor and investigative reporter. She worked in Oklahoma City and Tulsa earning an Emmy, Peabody and Gracie Allen award. After a layoff because of the economy in 2009, Cindy successfully reinvented herself by hitting a speaking circuit, writing a book and creating her own consulting business. She now teaches people to reboot and upgrade through networking, social media and branding so they can make more money and live a better life.
What you wanted to be when you grew up: TV news anchor/Journalist
What you are: Former anchor who’s using those talents to help others.
Brief Summary of your Start Up: Helping people reboot and upgrade their personal lives (Girlfriends 2.0) and their professional lives (Reinvention 2.0)
Company Website: www.CindyWMorrison.com
What inspired you: Not letting the economy be the end of a career, but instead the start of an awesome adventure.
How long have you been in business: Since July 1st, 2009
How did you fund it: Stopped spending and started believing.
Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? That’s what my book “Girlfriends 2.0” is all about – how you MUST surround yourself by the best Girlfriends possible to not only survive but thrive our changing times. Fairy Godmothers are everywhere, you just have to open your heart.
Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups: Absolutely! I belong to my local Chamber of Commerce as well as the National Speakers Association, but of course social networking is king!
Current Business Challenge: Finding time to get to everything. The emails, meetings and demands can be overwhelming, but I’ve found it helps to prioritize and take a deep breath.
Favorite motivational quote: “Winners, I am convinced, imagine their dreams first. They want it with all their heart and expect it to come true. There is, I believe, no other way to live.” -Joe Montana
Family? I’ve been married since 1991 to a wonderfully supportive man. We have two young kids – a boy and a girl.
If so, how do you balance family and business? Ha! My kids remind me there’s a balance every day! Honestly, I didn’t have much balance when I was working at a TV station 60 hours a week and often at night. Now I work my schedule around my kids. I work like a maniac until 3:30 then take a break when they come home. Then I usually go back to work when they go to bed.
Favorite book? “Girlfriends 2.0”, of course!
What do you do to relax? Sleep! I wish I didn’t love sleeping, but I’m someone who definitely needs to recharge her batteries.
What do you want to change most about your world? I want to empower women to upgrade their lives personally and professionally. We truly can have it all, it just takes a village to do it and working smarter, not harder.
What are you most proud of? I’m the most proud that I didn’t curl up in a ball when I found out my TV station could no longer afford me. Being a news anchor was all I ever wanted to be and assumed I would do that through at least two face lifts. Lol! But I’ve learned change isn’t a bad thing. Suddenly taking charge of my life has shown me a strength I never knew I had and talents I’d never tapped.
What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Believe in yourself because many people are more than happy to tell you why you can’t succeed. In my book “Girlfriends 2.0”, I tell women to dump Suzie Sabotage, Helen Hater and Negative Nancy and instead make sure they surround themselves with people who will pick you up when you fall and help you keep the faith.
Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource): Social media! This is a great way to become an “expert” in your field and even set you up for TV interviews and build customer loyalty.
If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Diamonds! They go with EVERYTHING!
