The Bright Shiny Object Project Cheri Ruskus

In the realm of business, sales are the lifeblood that keeps things flowing. However, many individuals fall into the trap of viewing sales through a negative lens. According to sales coach Liz Wendling, if you despise the very thing that sustains your business, you're headed for trouble. But fear not! In today's enlightening episode, Liz shares invaluable insights on how to become a successful salesperson by embracing your unique process and approaching sales with a fresh perspective.
To start your transformation, it's crucial to shift your mindset around what sales truly means to you. Rather than conforming to the stereotype of a pushy, aggressive salesperson, seek out the skills and techniques that work best for your personal style. You don't have to sacrifice authenticity for success. Instead, reframe your mindset to see yourself as confident and self-assured. Remember, clients are not drawn to individuals who are overly pushy, but neither are they attracted to those who come across as weak. Find the balance that allows you to confidently present your authentic self, undeterred by the fear of rejection.
Selling is undeniably a pivotal skill for achieving overall business success. Embrace the challenge, overcome the fear of rejection, and unlock your full potential as the salesperson you aspire to be.
Quotes
“If you hate the only thing that keeps you in business, you're in trouble.” (2:03-2:06 | Liz)
“Take your mind off of all the things you think selling is and start to declare what it is.” (4:29-4:34 | Liz)
“If you're putting yourself out there with a product and service, and someone says no, you just move on.” (6:48-6:55 | Liz)
“When you have a process that fits you because it's made for you, and you use it every day, that's the way that you can find success.” (14:13-14:21 | Liz)
“Stop making selling so challenging and difficult. It's not. It is a skill that can be learned, like any skill.” (45:12-45:23 | Liz) 
Links
Connect with Liz Wendling: 
Website: www.lizwendling.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lizwendling-sellingwithaut6011
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizwendling/
 
Website: www.businessvictories.com
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YouTube: www.youtube.com/@cheriruskus
Contact: www.businessvictories.com/contact
 
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“Creativity, as an entrepreneur, is the greatest tool that we have,” shares host and business coach Cheri Ruskus. When you think about imagination and the role it plays in your life, what comes to mind? For Cheri, imagination is the cornerstone of her creativity and the key to her vision and passion for her business, as well as in all other areas of her life. Use of the imagination is a skill that everyone has within themselves. Even if you do not think of yourself as a creative person, there are countless ways to tap into your creativity and boost your imagination. Today, Cheri discusses how to go about honoring your creative spirit and growing your imagination.
As a child, you likely used your imagination constantly without really having to think about it. This is why Cheri recommends thinking about your inner child when looking for creative inspiration. Think about what you used to enjoy doing as a child. What people, stories, and games fueled your imagination? The more you honor the inner child that still lives within you, the happier you will be. It takes courage to step into your creativity and leave behind fears of failure and judgment. By staying curious and trusting in your inner genius, your imagination will be free to flourish and lead you in new creative directions. 
Imagination is a critical component of creativity, innovation, and inspiration. Without it, you risk losing sight of your vision and passion for your business. Let go of restrictive beliefs about creativity, because there is no one right way to be creative. Instead of worrying about making mistakes, trust yourself and let your imagination guide you. 

Quotes
“The very first thing that you need when looking at your imagination is courage.” (5:47-5:53 | Cheri)
“The more we honor that child in us, the happier I believe that we will be.” (13:14-13:20 | Cheri)
“Let go of preconceived beliefs that you have about creativity.” (13:21-13:25 | Cheri)
“Curiosity is what keeps my creativity going, not only in my business, but in my garden and in so many areas of my life.” (21:47-21:54 | Cheri)
“Create for you and forget about those who might judge you.” (30:32-30:37 | Cheri) 
“Creativity, as an entrepreneur, is the greatest tool that we have.” (32:06-32:12 | Cheri)
 
Links
Website: www.businessvictories.com
Subscribe to the Victory Letter under Business Victories at www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny:  www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@cheriruskus
Contact: www.businessvictories.com/contact
 
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“Emotional intelligence is an important way to understand yourself, understand others, and really open yourself up to other people's perspectives and what will lead to a happier, healthier, better you,” explains Dr. Gloria Miele, executive coach, leadership trainer, facilitator and professional speaker. In addition to her work in leadership coaching, Dr. Miele was the troop leader for her daughter’s Girl Scouts troop all the way from 2nd grade through their senior year of high school. All of this experience combined has proven to Dr. Miele the true value of emotional intelligence and empathy in leadership. Today, Dr. Miele speaks with host Cheri Ruskus about how leaders can begin to work on their own emotional intelligence and set an example that others will follow.
Self-awareness is critical for emotional intelligence. When you are aware of who you are and what is important to you, then you can better decide how to manage your time and where to put your energy and focus. The more you understand yourself, the more you can begin understanding others, which is the foundation of empathy. To be an effective leader, it is important to be able to view things from other peoples’ perspectives. This empathy for others will help to cut through any implicit biases you may have that could have otherwise influenced your actions as a leader. 
In a world that is so divided, empathy and emotional intelligence are skill sets that all effective leaders need to have. When you truly understand yourself, then you can begin to better understand other people and lead from a non-judgemental place that centers everyone’s best interests. 
Quotes
“The more you're aware of yourself and how you can manage all of the many things that are on the table, then you can understand where you want to be putting your energies and your focus.” (16:55-17:07 | Dr. Miele)
“One thing that we're really missing in leadership in some areas, is another piece of emotional intelligence, which is empathy.” (18:04-18:14 | Dr. Miele) 
“Studies show that it really is taking another person's perspective, taking that pause to understand what's going on outside of you, that can short circuit bias, short circuit those implicit automatic thoughts that we have.” (20:23-20:41 | Dr. Miele
“We are all leaders. We need to remind ourselves of that, that wherever you are on your journey, whether it's professional, whether it's in your family, whatever it is, you are a leader.” (31:16-31:30 | Dr. Miele)
“Emotional intelligence is an important way to understand yourself, understand others, and really open yourself up to other people's perspectives and what will lead to a happier, healthier, better you.” (32:01-32:17 | Dr. Miele)
 
Links
Connect with Dr. Gloria Miele:
Website: www.strongerleader.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriamiele/
Watch Gloria's TED talk, "What I've Learned from Being a Girl Scout."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_rra9AHRCk



Website: www.businessvictories.com
Subscribe to the Victory Letter under Business Victories at www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny:  www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@cheriruskus
Contact: www.businessvictories.com/contact
 
Thinking about starting a podcast? Use my code “shiny” for 50% off your first month with HiveCast.fm

“It's the leadership that allows for all to be heard that makes the greatest positive impact,” explains host and business coach Cheri Ruskus. Everyone has a different idea of what it means to be a leader and the most effective leaders are the ones who create an environment where everyone has the freedom to speak their truth and show up as their authentic selves. Today, Cheri shares responses from readers of her weekly Victory Letter to the question, “What does freedom mean to you?” Afterward, she guides listeners through a leadership meditation to encourage people to begin thinking more mindfully about their own personal interpretations of leadership and how to be a leader in a way that enables others to experience freedom.
When leaders are mindful of what freedom means for them and their team, they can create a work environment that aligns with everyone’s values. Everyone wants to feel that they are valued and appreciated at work, especially by those in leadership positions. One way to ensure that people feel heard is to learn what freedom means to them and then lead with those things in mind. Although ideas on freedom vary, the overarching response from readers showed that for the majority, freedom means the ability to speak and live your truth without fear of repercussions. 
As a leader, you set the tone for your work culture. When you lead mindfully from a place of respect for everyone’s personal values and ideas of freedom, you create a healthy, more productive and positive work environment for all. 
Quotes
“It's the leadership that allows for all to be heard that makes the greatest positive impact.” (0:06-0:12 | Cheri)
“Breathing is a beautiful thing. And anytime you get tense or uptight, there's just something about taking an intentional breath.” (15:09-15:16 | Cheri)
“When we can connect our mind and our heart, it's a powerful thing.” (27:01-27:06 | Cheri) 
 
Links
 
Website: www.businessvictories.com
Subscribe to the Victory Letter under Business Victories at www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny:  www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@cheriruskus
Contact: www.businessvictories.com/contact
 
Thinking about starting a podcast? Use my code “shiny” for 50% off your first month with HiveCast.fm

“The number one thing I want readers to walk away with is not getting stuck in doubts,” explains Joseph Bennett, life coach and author of a variety of books including, Rest – the Art of Doing Less and his brand new release When in Doubt. In this episode, Joseph joins host Cheri Ruskus to talk about how a person’s money story influences them, the ways capitalism systemically encourages debt accumulation, and his own experiences as an expat living in a creative artist colony in Mexico City.
Every culture approaches money differently. Here in the United States there is a big emphasis on keeping up with the Joneses and a lot of pressure around what people do for work. Joseph explains that he has experienced quite the opposite during his time in Mexico City. His neighbors do not seem to be as caught up in the comparison game, and the first question asked at gatherings is about family rather than work. If you have doubts around managing your money, look to those who have already been successful. Give yourself permission to learn and to ask for help.
Coaching can be a really great means of learning how to manage your personal finances. It is okay to have debts or to not know very much about investing or how to get yourself out of debt. That is why professionals exist who have already been through it and who can help guide you. Don’t let your doubts and the taboo around talking about money keep you from seeking guidance. 

Quotes
“Debt is the big dream killer.” (2:13-2:16 | Joseph)
“We are not broken if we have debt. We are not broken if we don't know about investments, or about compound interest, or about how to get out of debt.” (2:47-2:59 | Joseph)
“I follow the philosophy, change your story, change your life. And that has absolutely 180 degrees changed for me what's possible.” (5:17-5:31 | Joseph)
“Even something that we do mindfully and not getting distracted with bright, shiny objects, that too can be a meditation.” (21:17-21:25 | J
“The number one thing I want readers to walk away with is not getting stuck in doubts.” (25:50-25:53 | Joseph)
Links
Connect with Joseph Bennett:
https://www.josephbennett.org/
https://www.sanmiguelretreats.com/
 
Website: www.businessvictories.com
Subscribe to the Victory Letter under Business Victories at www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny:  www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@cheriruskus
Contact: www.businessvictories.com/contact
 
Thinking about starting a podcast? Use my code “shiny” for 50% off your first month with HiveCast.fm

“Acknowledging your money mindset at the ABCs is saying, I am ready to create a new money belief system. Because you can't make the change until you're ready for it,” explains host Cheri Ruskus, founder of Business Victories, an organization dedicated to the success of small business owners. In this episode, Cheri talks about money energy and does a deep dive into the ABCs of money leaks. 
As entrepreneurs, having a healthy and positive money mindset is vital for the success of a business. Sometimes when entrepreneurs get down about money, they think just getting a regular job will solve everything. In truth, this solves the cash flow challenges, but not the underlying issue of getting to live the life they desire. Even after experiencing bankruptcy, Cheri realized that she came out of it okay overall. Money was surely important, but it was not everything. And that understanding helped to foster an abundance mindset around money. In order to get a handle on your money mindset, it is important to acknowledge where you currently stand with money and ask yourself what is your current financial system for your business? Cheri dives deep into the ABCs of money leaks, explaining how to determine and acknowledge your money mindset, how to bring strength into your money system, and competitively planning for future money growth.
Money energy can be the difference between being a successful entrepreneur and giving up entirely. If worries about money are keeping you from doing what you love or are causing a lot of stress for your business, you may need to adjust your money mindset.


Quotes
“Money is the energy that fuels business and subsequently our lives. Without money, business simply doesn't happen.” (2:43-2:52 | Cheri) 
“The thing they loved to do, they no longer love to do because money just sucked the joy right out of it.” (17:11-17:17 | Cheri)
“What are your top two money strengths that you are good at? Because we all might not be good at all of it, but we're good at certain pieces of it.” (18:25-18:34 | Cheri)
“Acknowledging your money mindset at the ABCs is saying, I am ready to create a new money belief system. Because you can't make the change until you're ready for it.” (19:02-19:16 | Cheri) 
Links
Website: www.businessvictories.com
Subscribe to the Victory Letter under Business Victories at www.businessvictories.com/victoryletter
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny:  www.businessvictories.com/growplanner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorygirl/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@cheriruskus
Contact: www.businessvictories.com/contact
 
Thinking about starting a podcast? Use my code “shiny” for 50% off your first month with HiveCast.fm