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Lori Bruton

Author | Writer | Lifestyle Blogger |Speaker

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Hi, I'm Lori.
Author, Speaker, Coach, Ghostwriter

Can I Bring Anything?

November 9, 2021 by Lori Leave a Comment

Can I Bring Anything?

 

Do you ever have holiday or social gatherings where each person or family is assigned to bring something? How does that work out?

One advantage is that the work is shared among everyone. Each person makes a contribution, which is helpful. Therefore, the work and expense doesn’t fall just on the host.

[Keep reading to discover 5 juicy solutions.]

What can be some downfalls?  The people who are chronically late offer to bring the appetizers. That is not helpful, because the meal is ready by the time they get there. No appetizers were served since you were waiting for them to arrive ahead of time so that everyone could enjoy hor d’oeuvres and mingle before the meal.

I had a family member who offered to bring appetizers and was always late. The lesson I learned was tell her no thank you and that she didn’t need to bring anything. That was the solution to politely decline her offer to bring a dish. I could have assigned her dessert, but I enjoy making the desserts.

When my mom served a meal, it was always on time. She didn’t penalize the ones who got there on time instead of rewarding those who were late. She wasn’t going let her hard work result in a ruined and cold meal by waiting for the latecomers. She was a wise woman.

Respect the host and be a good host.

What standards are you setting personally and professionally? Let’s say you are holding a webinar. What are your expectations? Once you have invited people and promoted your webinar, you expect people to show up on time, right? The attendees are investing their time and also expect you to show up on time as well. Yes, sometimes there are technical issues, but that aside, everyone needs to show up on time, especially the host.

Start. No matter who is on or not on the webinar, start on time. Those who are already there deserve to have their time honored. Anyone who jumps on late can tune in from wherever you are in your presentation. Maybe they can catch the replay for the part they missed. There are legitimate reasons why people could not jump in on time. That’s not the point. The point is that they will join when they can. It’s their responsibility to catch up. It’s our responsibility to start our webinars on time. It’s frustrating for those who are already there when you say, “We will wait a few more minutes for more people to join us.” Tick, tick, tick. Just start and honor your word.

Replays. Not everyone can tune in live. Thankfully, many people record and offer the replay. Different schedules and time zones make it challenging for everyone to tune in live every time. Important note:  When you promise a replay, be sure to deliver it. Keep your promises no matter how you think the quality turned out, people need that content.

What can you bring to your present and potential clients? Value.

I mentioned in my previous blog about your plate being too full. When you are juggling everything in your life, some of those plates will fall and break. That can result in breakdowns. Breakdown in communication, breakdown in completing and keeping up with all you have taken on, which may lead to personal breakdown and burnout. You don’t want to end up there.

Here are 5 recommendations:

  1. Value yourself and value your clients. Don’t let your overbooked schedule affect your clients. Look at what to keep doing and what is too much. That’s when you need to get help, have a backup, or remove some things to lighten your load.
  2. Be prepared. Are you taking time to be prepared for your meetings and webinars? We often forget to factor that in. We rush around and start a meeting without reviewing and preparing first. Our clients and prospects can tell.
  3. How can you be better prepared? If you are on Zoom, make sure your lighting and surroundings are good. Make sure all your equipment is plugged in and charged. Have water near you to drink as needed. Have all your notes and slides on hand and ready to share. Read through, review, and practice first so that it is fresh at your fingertips and fresh on your mind. Don’t try to run around and do errands or fit in something at the last minute that will cause you to be late to your own meeting. Make sure you take a bathroom break ahead of your meeting start time. Allow for connection time. Be in the Zoom Room a few minutes early, especially if you have it set up where you need to let people in the room.
  4. Hire a Holiday Helper. There are virtual assistants who can help you on a short-term basis, especially during the holiday season. That solution can turn into long-term assistance if you discover you need the continued help, which frees you up. Think about what tasks you can outsource. For example, maybe you need social media graphics and posts created or blogs and articles written. Do you need videos or audios repurposed? Do you need thank you notes written and sent out? Those suggestions should whet your appetite. Message me if you need a holiday helper as I provide VA services and know others who do as well.
  5. Hire a Holiday Shopper. Some things are nonnegotiable in your business and must be done by you. That may not leave you time to do personal things. For example, you want to give special gifts to your staff and colleagues, but you don’t have time or know what to get. Keep in mind that is a service I offer, contact me if you want to know more.

Now that we have reviewed the menu, what would you like to bring to the table? Remember you can assign some dishes to others. If you rather cook it all up yourself, I hope these tips were helpful.

Wishing you the Best and much Success,

Lori

Author, Copywriter, VA

Filed Under: MY BLOG Tagged With: appetizer, appointments, article, assignments, assistance, blog, business, clients, colleagues, content, contentcreation, copywriter, delegate, deliver, dessert, dishtopass, entrepreneur, expectations, gifts, help, holidaygatherings, holidayhelp, holidayideas, holidayshopper, ideas, investment, menu, offers, pie, prepare, promise, promotion, recommendations, recording, replay, repurpose, schedule, shoppingservices, socialmedia, solutions, standards, table, time, tips, VA, value, VAservices, virtualassistant, webinar, work

6 SOLUTIONS FOR WHEN URGENT MATTERS KNOCK YOU DOWN

February 20, 2021 by Lori Leave a Comment

At any moment, urgent matters may arise. Immediate action is required. It can throw you into emotional turmoil. You may feel like life is spinning out of control. Or…

You can put your own spin on it. Choose to transform urgent matters into living life with urgency. Allow those challenges to awaken a new way and a new you.

Imagine what it looks like beyond what’s happening now. See yourself conquering every challenge. What does it feel like to get to the other side and find a way to achieve your goals and dreams?

Sometimes stress and change can knock you down, but don’t let it knock you out. Like Les Brown says, “When life knocks you down, try to land on your back. Because if you can look up, you can get up.” 

Your situation may seem impossible, but God has a comeback for every setback and a new beginning for every ending. –Oola

Do you feel like you’re in too deep? Overwhelm and procrastination can keep you stuck and scattered. I know saying goodbye makes me cry. There is loss but you can turn it into a gain and treasure the moments you shared with people and places. You may feel lost while you watch others succeed. You are happy for them. For you, maybe you see no way out. What’s happening in your life that feels heavy and looks impossible to handle?

 

Here, with me, you won’t get beaten down. This is a safe place. Has anyone ever said to you: “You’re not special,” Or “It could be worse,” Or “You’re not tough enough,” or “You can’t do that;” Really? I don’t know about you, but those words tend to be critical and discouraging not understanding and encouraging.

Let me encourage you and help you get back up with these 6 solutions:

  1. U = UNDERSTAND. Understand there are unprecedented times and that whatever has happened may be new to you; you’ve never experienced it before. It’s a big adjustment. You don’t have to conform but instead transform. Disregard people who compare or make it seem insignificant. It’s significant to you. As I write this, we are living in unprecedented times. Then when you add your personal circumstances it compounds. Breathe. First, just breathe. Be present in the moment. You don’t have to figure it all out right now. If one day at a time seems too much, break it down to one minute at a time. Everyone has a different pace. Honor your own pace and don’t feel pressured by anyone else. Know that you are greater than your circumstances.
  2. R = REST & REFLECT. Break. Take a break. Did you think I meant breakdown? That’s okay too. Shedding tears is cleansing. It’s healthy. Keeping everything inside can be toxic. Handling urgent matters may mean letting go and taking a break from other things for now, even a job. Ask yourself, “What’s most important right now?” Will you wish you worked more when you look back? Not likely. Take time to take care of you. There may be more going on than just emotions. Maybe you need to take a nap, soak in the tub, and eat good food to refuel and refresh.
  3. G = GIFTS. Believe. Accept the change and believe it will be okay. Get a new perspective and see the gifts this urgent matter brings. You may experience a wave of emotions and face challenges. Ride the wave. It’s okay. God promises to work everything together for good. Be grateful for the gifts.
  4. E = EVALUATE. Assess the situation. Explore new possibilities. What can you do to move forward? Where do you want to be? What do you want to be doing? Who do you want to do it with? Picture it in your mind. You don’t have to let any situation “infect” you and keep you feeling stuck, sad, and hopeless. Allow this new thing to “affect” you and transform you into having a better life. You get to choose. Are you living for other people and not living the life you were born to live? You were made for more.
  5. N = NECESSARY. It’s necessary that you work on yourself and develop yourself despite disappointments and setbacks. It’s necessary to surround yourself with quality people who believe in you and lift you higher. Remember, when things go wrong, don’t go with them as Les Brown would say. Not just when things go wrong, but when major change happens give yourself grace to shift into a new gear, adjust your sails, enjoy the new journey.
  6. T = TRUST. Trust the process. No matter how it looks now, know the best is just ahead. Take a risk. You don’t need to grab the next branch before letting go of the one you’re holding onto now. Don’t let yourself get buried alive. Don’t let your dreams die. Do a new thing that makes your heart sing.

There you go. Implement these 6 steps and live life with urgency. No more procrastination, settling, or giving up on your dream and the life you were born to live. No more putting off the passion that burns inside you. Maybe it’s writing a book, traveling, starting a business, speaking, creating a new invention, or moving to a different area. What is it for you?

I have a better understanding of it’s hard but worth it. You’ll be okay. Get excited and embrace new adventures. We can evaluate together if you like. We are created for a purpose. Let’s explore where you are now and where you want to be so you can get more out of your life.

Text URGENT to this text only number:  844-394-4798.

Peace and Love,

Lori

Creator of The LORI Factor, Author, Speaker &

Certified Oola Life Coach

Filed Under: MY BLOG Tagged With: assess, author, awaken, belief, believe, blog, breathe, challenge, conquer, dreams, emergency, encouragement, entrepreneur, evaluate, faith, gifts, goals, God, gratitude, hope, hopeless, inspiration, left behind, loss, love, move, necessary, oola, overwhelm, personal development, personalgrowth, procrastination, reflect, rest, speaker, stress, transformation, trust, understand, urgent, urgent matters, victory

You Rather Not Write, Right?

November 2, 2020 by Lori Leave a Comment

What should I write?

Everyone has different likes and dislikes. I like to write, but not everyone does. Does writing provoke joy or stress for you? Maybe you just don’t have the time, or you don’t know what to say. If writing isn’t one of your strengths, then find someone who is gifted in that area.

Content creation can be mind boggling and time consuming. However, you need to get your message out there. Your services and products need to get visibility. What you have is what people need, but if no one knows about it then no one wins.

How can I help you fill in the blanks to get your thoughts flowing to write emails, blog posts, or social media posts? Would it be helpful if you had a template where you literally fill in the blanks to get your creative juices flowing? Or would you rather hand it off for someone else to do?

I know coaches, speakers, authors, and business owners want to spend their time doing what they do best. It helps lighten their load to delegate the tasks they don’t enjoy or don’t have time to do. The investment is well worth the return.

Creating the right atmosphere makes all the difference. For example, since I am a writer my favorite place to write is by the water. I created a tagline of Lori’s Stories by the Water. It’s all part of The LORI Factor.

Today, I want to talk about the “I” in The LORI Factor. “I” is for INVEST in yourself. Look at your goals and dreams. Decide if how you’re spending your time is serving you well. Is it giving you the freedom to present your greatness and gifts to the world? Or are you getting bogged down by the extra tasks that are draining you and eating up too much time?

Think about your Goals

I help people lighten the load. First and foremost, I am a writer and author. There are things I need to do behind the scenes to write books and blogs like choose a topic, research, edit, and proofread, for example.

Imagine re-purposing your speeches, audios, or videos into a guide, eBook, or workbook. That could add huge value to your audience. Your clients and customers will come back for more.

A key component is seeing the value in with whom you decide to co-create. Everyone wants to be valued and appreciated, but many still want “the blue light special” deal. I had a potential client who needed my services and I even asked about his budget. I gave him a proposal below his budget, and he said that was way more than he could afford. Really? Okay, no problem.

Sow into quality people. It will be worth it. Many people want others to buy into what they have but are not willing to purchase quality from others. Keep that in mind. Remember that U.S. based business owners are not able to offer third-world country rates. What’s it worth to you? Of course, it’s your choice. All I know is we reap what we sow.

I would be delighted to help you reap amazing results. Share your needs with me and let’s see if working together would be a good fit. Message me or text my text only number:  844-394-4798.

Here’s to your success and may all your dreams come true.

In Gratitude,

Lori

 

 

 

Filed Under: MY BLOG Tagged With: atmosphere, audience, audios, author, benefits, blog, books, clients, coach, content creation, customers, delegate, dreams, ebook, entrepreneur, flow, freedom, gifts, goals, ideas, investment, life coach, loribruton, lorisstories, lorisstoriesbythewater, message, products, reap and sow, repurpose, ROI, services, social media, speaker, stress, support, thoughts, time, value, videos, virtual assistant, visibility, worth, write, writer

Lori’s Stories — Listen to the Voice that Matters

April 29, 2020 by Lori 9 Comments

Listen to the Voice that Matters

By Lori Bruton

They say, “Be still” but what about all the bills?

Isolated and quarantined; how can you show up and be seen?

Does it matter? Will anyone care or will there just be silence and blank stares?

Too many questions, not enough answers; one minute you think you know what to do,

But then are you to cease and desist… or continue to persist?

Feeling unqualified and out of date can leave you in a compromising state.

You know feelings lie; but when do you feel them and when do you say goodbye?

This world is in a crazy state, which can mess with your mind and perspective.

That’s when it’s time to shut off the noise, breathe, and be reflective.

You thought you found your voice to finally speak up,

Is anyone really listening? Or, should you just shut up?

Where did your gifts go? Are they still in sight and you wonder if you are meant to write?

People say, “You should know the answer.” What if you don’t for real?

Trying to figure it out makes you weary. I know how you feel.

There is no rescue in sight; you do your best to continue to fight.

Now enter Gideon, who didn’t think he was capable. He felt weak and discouraged.

God sent an angel who called him a mighty man of fearless courage.

That is not how Gideon saw himself, God saw his potential and called him what he could become.

Okay, now this poem is done. I need to run.

Why? Because I AM a writer with messages to share,

Even though not everyone will care.

The moral of this Lori Story is delight in your weaknesses and difficulties,

Because where I am weak, He is strong and so are you.

Choose to BELIEVE what God says about YOU.

 

(Read 2 Corinthians 12:10)

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: answers, author, believe, breath, confusion, courage, covid, fear, feelings, gideon, gifts, God, help, lies, listen, message, noise, poem, quarantine, reflect, rescue, speak, speaker, story, strong, trust, voice, weak, world, write, writing

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Hi, I'm Lori!

I'm a copywriter, blog writer, and ghostwriter, with a focus in the inspirational and travel niches. Need custom copy that motivates? Learn more about what I do!

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