I get my hosting package and emails from 123-reg. I have done for years. All in all, they're pretty good for what I need. They're easy to work out, their customer services reps are good at what they do and I've not had any major issues with them.
Don't get me wrong i've been without emails a few times over the years but I was kept up to date with the problem via social media and all was well. No one died.
Earlier this month, my emails were wiped out for quite a while during the busiest couple of days of the year. It was The Business Show at London ExCel and I'm a little disgruntled. I couldn't access 123-regs site to ask what was going on so i sent them a tweet. Within minutes, I had a response. They knew there was a problem and I was assured they were on the case. 20 minutes later, I had my emails back.
As far as I was concerned the job was done, I was happy. After all, show me a perfect person or business and i'll show you a liar. None of us are perfect and we need to forgive little mistakes in life and business.
So whilst all this is going on, the vultures have started circling. Other "competitors" wanting my business. To take me away from my current supplier because of a hiccup. I wasn't impressed. I worked in the recruitment industry for YEARS so I know cut throat sales but I hate it. It will not work on me. If you or your staff are selling this way you should be ashamed of yourself.
Sales is a long game, just like networking, and business in general. By sending people "We can offer you a better service" tweets without - 1) Whats going on, and 2) What service I already have you're only going to get one response from me. A shaming live on twitter. If you're lucky i'll throw in a few tips and send you to a networking event.
Just don't be a sales vulture. There is no need for it and you'll just look like a mug. (<Proper East London term for you there)
Much Love
Miss Make It Happen
Website - Facebook - Twitter - Podcast - YouTube
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
Wednesday, 25 May 2016
Wednesday, 18 May 2016
Creative Constipation
Brain Freeze, Writers Block, Creative Constipation - we all get times when we just can't get the ideas from brain to paper.
It's all perfectly normal.
But how do we get passed these situations without becoming demotivated and getting caught in a circle of never ending negativity and being unproductive?
Well, first, you have to give yourself a break. You're not some massive failure, you probably just have too much on your mind and need to relax and get that in to order first. If you're in the UK, the weather is finally getting warm enough to go out side and have a walk. Go grab some fresh air and clear out the cobwebs. It'll do you the world of good. Trust me.
Another way to stop all of the above is stop leaving things to the last minute. Unless you're one of these lucky people who thrives under pressure then leaving your tasks to the last minute will not make it any easier for you. It needs to be done so get it out of the way now.
My final piece of advice, especially when it comes to writing content is write down all the ideas you have throughout the day. If you have a lightbulb moment then WRITE IT DOWN! You will not remember it, however good the idea and you'll be kicking yourself later when you need ideas and you need them quick!
Well that's it for this week.
Hope you all have a fabulous week and remember ... It's going to be ok.
Much Love
Miss Make It Happen
Website - Facebook - Twitter - Podcast - YouTube
It's all perfectly normal.
But how do we get passed these situations without becoming demotivated and getting caught in a circle of never ending negativity and being unproductive?
Well, first, you have to give yourself a break. You're not some massive failure, you probably just have too much on your mind and need to relax and get that in to order first. If you're in the UK, the weather is finally getting warm enough to go out side and have a walk. Go grab some fresh air and clear out the cobwebs. It'll do you the world of good. Trust me.
Another way to stop all of the above is stop leaving things to the last minute. Unless you're one of these lucky people who thrives under pressure then leaving your tasks to the last minute will not make it any easier for you. It needs to be done so get it out of the way now.
My final piece of advice, especially when it comes to writing content is write down all the ideas you have throughout the day. If you have a lightbulb moment then WRITE IT DOWN! You will not remember it, however good the idea and you'll be kicking yourself later when you need ideas and you need them quick!
Well that's it for this week.
Hope you all have a fabulous week and remember ... It's going to be ok.
Much Love
Miss Make It Happen
Website - Facebook - Twitter - Podcast - YouTube
Wednesday, 20 April 2016
It's a write off.
Did you know that we're all human?
Yep.
You, me, everyone!
I know we're meant to be strong, not show weakness, never be ill and god forbid if any of us actually moan about it but i'm fed up with it.
Over the last couple of weeks, myself and a fair few self employed people have been ill one way or another. There has been silent suffering, hospital visits, secret comfort sessions and of course - soldiering on.
So many people feel that they need to suffer in silence because they think people will not take them seriously if they show a sign of weakness. This is where we need to stop seeing business owners as machines and start treating them like people. We're all going to have off days, days that we want to curl up and hide. That's perfectly normal.
If you're going through a hard patch at the minute, don't be afraid to share the stress with someone. You're human and are entitled to have off days. Keeping it bottled up, feeling ashamed etc etc etc isn't going to do anyone any good.
Last Friday, it was decided that although the week had been somewhat productive work wise, we were going to write it off on a health level. Sometimes you really do just need to say "F*ck it and Forget it".
So remember, up until the point they actually turn you in to a Robo-cop type person, you're allowed to take a break and have a moan.
Nikki Butlin, www.NikkiButlin.com, has just written a great blog about 'Taking Time Out'. It kind of goes hand in hand with this one. Check it out and let us know what you think.
Until Next Time,
Keep smiling, It's going to be ok.
Miss Make It Happen
Website - Facebook - Twitter - Podcast - YouTube
Yep.
You, me, everyone!
I know we're meant to be strong, not show weakness, never be ill and god forbid if any of us actually moan about it but i'm fed up with it.
Over the last couple of weeks, myself and a fair few self employed people have been ill one way or another. There has been silent suffering, hospital visits, secret comfort sessions and of course - soldiering on.
So many people feel that they need to suffer in silence because they think people will not take them seriously if they show a sign of weakness. This is where we need to stop seeing business owners as machines and start treating them like people. We're all going to have off days, days that we want to curl up and hide. That's perfectly normal.
If you're going through a hard patch at the minute, don't be afraid to share the stress with someone. You're human and are entitled to have off days. Keeping it bottled up, feeling ashamed etc etc etc isn't going to do anyone any good.
Last Friday, it was decided that although the week had been somewhat productive work wise, we were going to write it off on a health level. Sometimes you really do just need to say "F*ck it and Forget it".
So remember, up until the point they actually turn you in to a Robo-cop type person, you're allowed to take a break and have a moan.
Nikki Butlin, www.NikkiButlin.com, has just written a great blog about 'Taking Time Out'. It kind of goes hand in hand with this one. Check it out and let us know what you think.
Until Next Time,
Keep smiling, It's going to be ok.
Miss Make It Happen
Website - Facebook - Twitter - Podcast - YouTube
Wednesday, 30 March 2016
Peaks and Valleys
I've been self employed 6 years this year. I took the big leap in 2010 and to say I haven't looked back, would be a lie.
I've looked back at the comfort blanket of PAYE on many occasions. The guaranteed wages, the set routine, the sick pay, holiday pay, office parties and work/family unit, some one to be accountable to, other than myself.
This last 10 days has been particularly tricky. I'm usually an optimist. I try not to look for problems or the bad in situations. There are no problems, just pending solutions. This week my little world went in to free fall, through no fault of my own. Sh*t started to hit the fan in my business and personal life. I knew who I could turn to but instead I rolled up like a hedgehog and hoped it would go away. I planned a pity party for one and I wanted to hibernate.
Thankfully I have some amazing friends, they sensed what was going on and rather than joining the pity party and feeding me chocolate, they put on their boots and aimed them at my behind. Within 12 hours I had gone from hibernating hedgehog to Sonic the hedgehog. I still had problems but I now also had ideas, solutions and 2 absolutely amazing opportunities. One as a writer and another from a Radio station.
I'm a big believer that things really do happen for a reason. My life had to start to fall apart so I could be pushed out of my comfort zone, change things and see the opportunities that I'd actually been creating for myself. Granted the two big opportunities were offered from outside influences but it was my hard work with my blog and podcast that got me noticed in the first place.
If things are starting to free fall in your world, please don't do what I tried to do. Embrace the change and look for the bright side and opportunities. You don't have to receive them from outside influences, you can use this time to try some thing new, launch a product, change your master plan. Things are falling apart anyway, you might as well try something risky.
Look forward to catching up with you soon
Until then,
Much Love
Miss Make It Happen
Website - Facebook - Twitter - Podcast
*YouTube coming soon*
I've looked back at the comfort blanket of PAYE on many occasions. The guaranteed wages, the set routine, the sick pay, holiday pay, office parties and work/family unit, some one to be accountable to, other than myself.
This last 10 days has been particularly tricky. I'm usually an optimist. I try not to look for problems or the bad in situations. There are no problems, just pending solutions. This week my little world went in to free fall, through no fault of my own. Sh*t started to hit the fan in my business and personal life. I knew who I could turn to but instead I rolled up like a hedgehog and hoped it would go away. I planned a pity party for one and I wanted to hibernate.
Thankfully I have some amazing friends, they sensed what was going on and rather than joining the pity party and feeding me chocolate, they put on their boots and aimed them at my behind. Within 12 hours I had gone from hibernating hedgehog to Sonic the hedgehog. I still had problems but I now also had ideas, solutions and 2 absolutely amazing opportunities. One as a writer and another from a Radio station.
I'm a big believer that things really do happen for a reason. My life had to start to fall apart so I could be pushed out of my comfort zone, change things and see the opportunities that I'd actually been creating for myself. Granted the two big opportunities were offered from outside influences but it was my hard work with my blog and podcast that got me noticed in the first place.
If things are starting to free fall in your world, please don't do what I tried to do. Embrace the change and look for the bright side and opportunities. You don't have to receive them from outside influences, you can use this time to try some thing new, launch a product, change your master plan. Things are falling apart anyway, you might as well try something risky.
Look forward to catching up with you soon
Until then,
Much Love
Miss Make It Happen
Website - Facebook - Twitter - Podcast
*YouTube coming soon*
Take the leap, it could lead to success.
Wednesday, 23 March 2016
Second Chances
I'm not usually one for second chances. I am however one to hold a life long grudge, even if it's to my own detriment. It's not a quality that I admire in myself and to be honest i'm working on changing my outlook on chances and grudges.
I think i'm going soft in my old age. That or i've just started to realise that not everyone is perfect like me, and you might just make mistakes every now and then ;) My gramps was one for a grudge. If you got put on his naughty list, you stayed there. If i'm honest, I think I might have got it from him. I've got a lot of myself from my Gramps.
So, back to second chances. Recently, I was put in a position that made me think and question my own reasoning. A long time ago I put my trust into someone and I got burned. It was bad enough that my friends also carried the burden too. Years later our paths crossed again and I realised how much of a grudge I was carrying. I also realised 2 other things. 1) How heavy this burden had been to carry for all these years and 2) how much I didn't want it any more. I was done with the grudge, the hate and if i'm honest, I wanted this person back in to my life.
A friend of mine had recently lost her husband, someone who I considered a friend too. Scrap that, they always have and always will be like family to me. It made me realise, at least reinforced, my belief that life is too short. So we made the decision there and then, after visiting J's grave, that I would contact the person and we'd talk it through. Before we met up, I contacted the friends that were there to pick up the pieces the first time. It wasn't a great conversation but they agreed that it was my choice and whatever happened they had my back.
I also carried out a basic online survey. 50% of people said Yes, They give second chances. 14% said Nope and 36% said it depended on the situation. Thats 86% of people who would give, or at least consider giving someone a second chance. I was a bit shocked it was so high.
So, I bit the bullet and hoped I wasn't about to make another big mistake. Turns out there really are 3 sides to every story and after long discussions, honesty and a bit of a laugh the past was finally buried and boy does it feel good.
I'll be making a conscious effort to spot the grudges i've been holding for too long from now on. I'll either talk to the person or just let them go.
No one wakes up in the morning and decides they'll intentionally hurt someone. sometimes a mistake is just a mistake. Surely, everyone deserves a second chance?
I'd love to hear your thoughts on second chances.
As Always,
Much Love
Miss Make It Happen
Website - Facebook - Twitter - Podcast
*YouTube coming soon*
I think i'm going soft in my old age. That or i've just started to realise that not everyone is perfect like me, and you might just make mistakes every now and then ;) My gramps was one for a grudge. If you got put on his naughty list, you stayed there. If i'm honest, I think I might have got it from him. I've got a lot of myself from my Gramps.
So, back to second chances. Recently, I was put in a position that made me think and question my own reasoning. A long time ago I put my trust into someone and I got burned. It was bad enough that my friends also carried the burden too. Years later our paths crossed again and I realised how much of a grudge I was carrying. I also realised 2 other things. 1) How heavy this burden had been to carry for all these years and 2) how much I didn't want it any more. I was done with the grudge, the hate and if i'm honest, I wanted this person back in to my life.
A friend of mine had recently lost her husband, someone who I considered a friend too. Scrap that, they always have and always will be like family to me. It made me realise, at least reinforced, my belief that life is too short. So we made the decision there and then, after visiting J's grave, that I would contact the person and we'd talk it through. Before we met up, I contacted the friends that were there to pick up the pieces the first time. It wasn't a great conversation but they agreed that it was my choice and whatever happened they had my back.
I also carried out a basic online survey. 50% of people said Yes, They give second chances. 14% said Nope and 36% said it depended on the situation. Thats 86% of people who would give, or at least consider giving someone a second chance. I was a bit shocked it was so high.
So, I bit the bullet and hoped I wasn't about to make another big mistake. Turns out there really are 3 sides to every story and after long discussions, honesty and a bit of a laugh the past was finally buried and boy does it feel good.
I'll be making a conscious effort to spot the grudges i've been holding for too long from now on. I'll either talk to the person or just let them go.
No one wakes up in the morning and decides they'll intentionally hurt someone. sometimes a mistake is just a mistake. Surely, everyone deserves a second chance?
I'd love to hear your thoughts on second chances.
As Always,
Much Love
Miss Make It Happen
Website - Facebook - Twitter - Podcast
*YouTube coming soon*
Wednesday, 16 March 2016
It's not always an attack
Did you know that it's not always a racist, sexist, homophobic, religious attack?
Some people are just arseholes and deserve a kick in the butt!
Why on earth do we always have to look for an excuse for someone being bad? Maybe the man or woman is just a bad person. It has nothing to do with their race, religion, colour or geographical location.
We all know - White men can't jump or every black guy is going to mug your gran, right? wrong!
We've started to build these stupid social stereotypes that make everyone seem the same as their similar looking counterpart.
I'm from East London. In my little corner of London we joke that if you're 30, have a job and no kids, then you are weird. Jeez, If you hit 20 without getting knocked up you're doing well. It's not the greatest of places any more but wow, does it come with a lot of history.
Anyway, back to my point. Why do we need to put people in to a group before hating on them? It is our stupidity of doing this that allows our media to scare monger. If you sit and think for 2 seconds before declaring all Muslims terrorists, you'll realise how ridiculous it all sounds.
Lets all make a pact right now, if someone is an arse - you can say mean stuff. If they are not - Then don't. Actually, don't be mean to anyone, it only fuels their idiotic behaviour and creates ripple effects for other people.
If we're all nice, the world will improve. Not only for us, but for future generations.
Think before you start to tar people with the same brush. Not all white people support the KKK, not all germans are nazis, Not all muslims are terrorists, etc etc - you get the picture. If you have to judge, judge a person on their direct relationship to how they treat YOU.
Until next time
Much Love
Miss Make It Happen
Website - FB - Twitter - Podcast
Some people are just arseholes and deserve a kick in the butt!
Why on earth do we always have to look for an excuse for someone being bad? Maybe the man or woman is just a bad person. It has nothing to do with their race, religion, colour or geographical location.
We all know - White men can't jump or every black guy is going to mug your gran, right? wrong!
We've started to build these stupid social stereotypes that make everyone seem the same as their similar looking counterpart.
I'm from East London. In my little corner of London we joke that if you're 30, have a job and no kids, then you are weird. Jeez, If you hit 20 without getting knocked up you're doing well. It's not the greatest of places any more but wow, does it come with a lot of history.
Anyway, back to my point. Why do we need to put people in to a group before hating on them? It is our stupidity of doing this that allows our media to scare monger. If you sit and think for 2 seconds before declaring all Muslims terrorists, you'll realise how ridiculous it all sounds.
Lets all make a pact right now, if someone is an arse - you can say mean stuff. If they are not - Then don't. Actually, don't be mean to anyone, it only fuels their idiotic behaviour and creates ripple effects for other people.
If we're all nice, the world will improve. Not only for us, but for future generations.
Think before you start to tar people with the same brush. Not all white people support the KKK, not all germans are nazis, Not all muslims are terrorists, etc etc - you get the picture. If you have to judge, judge a person on their direct relationship to how they treat YOU.
Until next time
Much Love
Miss Make It Happen
Website - FB - Twitter - Podcast
Monday, 15 February 2016
Commercial Sheep & Valentines Day
My last proper relationship was for 6 years. During that time we didn't really buy in to all the hearts and flowers of Valentines Day. We'd usually get each other a card but thats about it. It wasn't a big deal and we didn't waste money because society and the commercial giants demand it.
I've been single, 4 years next month. (Wow time really does fly when you're having fun!) and I've realised that as a single person I spend more time, energy and money on celebrating Valentines Day. how weird is that?
A day that was designed and aimed at couples has created a sub culture for the singletons. When I was in a relationship I wouldn't have been thinking about ValDay but this year, it's taken 3 of us, several conversations to plan a whole day dedicated to being single.
Seriously, it all feels a little bit weird if you ask me. I'm off to spend the day wandering around London, getting involved with Chinese New Year parade, other random London related stuff and then off to our favourite Chinese for a romantic, or not so much, dinner for 3.
Now, I like spending time with my friends, I just kind of wish we'd do it another day. One of the other 360 odd days this year that doesn't have a "couples" related theme.
Until next time....
Much love,
Miss Make It Happen.
Monday, 8 February 2016
You're not always right.
On Tuesday 26th January I had an accident. Well, technically I had two related accidents.
Firstly, A car door slammed shut on my head in a wind related accident. Then after a 4 hour journey home, I got in to bed and knocked myself out for 14 hours by hitting my head on a wall.
For the next few days I just got on with the headache. A few friends asked me to go to the hospital as I wasn't getting better and they were worried due to me being epileptic. I knew best, I was fine... I don't need the hospital.
7 days in, I was still not myself and I cannot shift the headache. I ended up in hospital being passed between nurses and doctors for 7 hours. 5 hours in and we're pretty sure it's a bad case of concussion until two doctors decide to to swap notes or whatever doctors do.
"I've just spoken to the the doctor you've just seen and we need to get you up to have a CT scan ASAP."
*confused look from me* at this stage I thought I was on my way home.
"For the possible bleed on your brain".
oh.
Within 30 minutes I had my head in a CT scanner and was willing my brain to be ok. It already goes through enough and neither of us need this.
Luckily, my scans came back clear for any bleeding and I was sent home with the diagnosis of bad concussion that I can expect to be reminded of for a while yet.
The point i'm trying to make is - I was wrong not listening to my friends. It's quite scary to think that if I had had a bleed on the brain, I could have been left a lot worse off than a concussion.
When people are offering you advice, think to yourself WHY they are. Sometimes, just sometimes they could be doing it for the right reason, because they care and who knows...it could save your life
On that happy note
Until Next Time
Much Love
Miss Make It Happen
Facebook - Twitter
Firstly, A car door slammed shut on my head in a wind related accident. Then after a 4 hour journey home, I got in to bed and knocked myself out for 14 hours by hitting my head on a wall.
For the next few days I just got on with the headache. A few friends asked me to go to the hospital as I wasn't getting better and they were worried due to me being epileptic. I knew best, I was fine... I don't need the hospital.
7 days in, I was still not myself and I cannot shift the headache. I ended up in hospital being passed between nurses and doctors for 7 hours. 5 hours in and we're pretty sure it's a bad case of concussion until two doctors decide to to swap notes or whatever doctors do.
"I've just spoken to the the doctor you've just seen and we need to get you up to have a CT scan ASAP."
*confused look from me* at this stage I thought I was on my way home.
"For the possible bleed on your brain".
oh.
Within 30 minutes I had my head in a CT scanner and was willing my brain to be ok. It already goes through enough and neither of us need this.
Luckily, my scans came back clear for any bleeding and I was sent home with the diagnosis of bad concussion that I can expect to be reminded of for a while yet.
The point i'm trying to make is - I was wrong not listening to my friends. It's quite scary to think that if I had had a bleed on the brain, I could have been left a lot worse off than a concussion.
When people are offering you advice, think to yourself WHY they are. Sometimes, just sometimes they could be doing it for the right reason, because they care and who knows...it could save your life
On that happy note
Until Next Time
Much Love
Miss Make It Happen
Facebook - Twitter
Monday, 7 December 2015
The many faces of self-employment
I'm lucky enough to know a lot of people all over the world for various different reasons. Friends, family, work, acquaintances etc etc etc
I want to focus on a rather special breed of people today - The Self Employed.
After a conversation with a good friend of mine recently (who also happens to be self employed), I got thinking. Ouch.
Out of all the people I know, self employed people wear the most masks. They are the most two faced people on the planet. Now, before you go organising a hate campaign against me, let me explain what I mean.
If an employed person feels ill and they don't go to work the company / team / office cover the job and the world continues turning.
If a self employed person calls in and can't work. hahahahahahahaha sorry that doesn't happen. Self employed people will put on a mask and just get on with it. We're a different breed. If we stop, the world stops with us. or at least our world does. unless we're lucky to have a business partner or the like.
So why do these situations make us two faced? Well the definition of two faced is "someone who is insincere or who acts one way in certain situations and then in a contrary manner in others." (Thanks Google).
A self employed person will tell you everything in the world is perfect, they'll plaster on a smile, get your work done and soldier on. You'll not see the other side of things where they're exhausted and just haven't got the energy to go on any more. These people will stand at shows and events for 10 hours, smiling at you and making you feel welcome, answer your questions and you wouldn't be able to tell that they are in mental and physical pain, they're exhausted and all they want to do is curl up and sleep.
The self employed don't have the luxury of a clocking off time or a set weekend. Not really. If it seems that way to the outside world it's probably because the self employed person has just pulled a 90 hour week so they could enjoy a rare long weekend. They'll then have to do it all again the following week just to catch up.
I've been thinking about the mask of a self employed person for a very long time and it's nice to see, after talking with other self employed people that i'm "normal". You will not hear me saying that very often.
So, this Christmas season, why not give a self employed person a hug. Because I guarantee they'll need it, even if they are smiling and laughing. They will be wearing a mask, because that's what they do. They will tell you everything is ok - not because they want to lie but it's easier that way.
Much Love
Miss Make It Happen
Twitter - Facebook
I want to focus on a rather special breed of people today - The Self Employed.
After a conversation with a good friend of mine recently (who also happens to be self employed), I got thinking. Ouch.
Out of all the people I know, self employed people wear the most masks. They are the most two faced people on the planet. Now, before you go organising a hate campaign against me, let me explain what I mean.
If an employed person feels ill and they don't go to work the company / team / office cover the job and the world continues turning.
If a self employed person calls in and can't work. hahahahahahahaha sorry that doesn't happen. Self employed people will put on a mask and just get on with it. We're a different breed. If we stop, the world stops with us. or at least our world does. unless we're lucky to have a business partner or the like.
So why do these situations make us two faced? Well the definition of two faced is "someone who is insincere or who acts one way in certain situations and then in a contrary manner in others." (Thanks Google).
A self employed person will tell you everything in the world is perfect, they'll plaster on a smile, get your work done and soldier on. You'll not see the other side of things where they're exhausted and just haven't got the energy to go on any more. These people will stand at shows and events for 10 hours, smiling at you and making you feel welcome, answer your questions and you wouldn't be able to tell that they are in mental and physical pain, they're exhausted and all they want to do is curl up and sleep.
The self employed don't have the luxury of a clocking off time or a set weekend. Not really. If it seems that way to the outside world it's probably because the self employed person has just pulled a 90 hour week so they could enjoy a rare long weekend. They'll then have to do it all again the following week just to catch up.
I've been thinking about the mask of a self employed person for a very long time and it's nice to see, after talking with other self employed people that i'm "normal". You will not hear me saying that very often.
So, this Christmas season, why not give a self employed person a hug. Because I guarantee they'll need it, even if they are smiling and laughing. They will be wearing a mask, because that's what they do. They will tell you everything is ok - not because they want to lie but it's easier that way.
Much Love
Miss Make It Happen
Twitter - Facebook
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