No matter how successful I am, I want to step it up and take my success to the next level.
Nikki Arnold JP, is an author, speaker, coach, and director of ‘Inspired Living International’ which is based on the nineteen (19) billion dollar industry within the self-development market sector (just think of the phenomenon of ‘The Secret’ Movie and DVD).
Nikki is happily married to Durban for 18 years with two beautiful, healthy children. Nikki and Durban started with nothing. Durban had only been in Australia for a few years after arriving from Zimbabwe and was a bar-man and a university student at the time of their marriage. Nikki was an Executive Assistant for over 22 years significantly contributing to the effectiveness and success of high profile CEO’s in addition to Principals of Independent (Private) Girls’ Schools whilst working long hours, having no flexibility, paying high taxes, and in some instances building someone else’s wealth.
Nikki and Durban both had dreams of a better life, goals to further their careers, a desire to live a life of financial freedom, and most importantly provide their children with an excellent education and future. Using the skills, confidence, resilience, positive thinking, and action that Nikki learned in her prestigious career in business and education, Durban, a very capable, competent, quick learning and hardworking man achieved his career goal to become a CEO himself at a very young age. They have gone from having nothing to applying their skills after life-long lessons to build an incredible, very fortunate, blessed life for themselves and their loved ones; creating an extraordinary life without limits.
Nikki’s passion is sharing her many insights/learnings with others to help them also live their best life possible. “It’s amazing once you have planted that seed and given someone more knowledge, resilience, confidence, and self-belief, helping them to remove baggage, self-doubt and pre-determined thoughts to change their situation, follow their dreams/goals and live a more fulfilled life”. Nikki is a mentor and life coach to a number of people however she wishes to share her learnings/insights beyond the people she is physically able to coach.
Nikki is the author of the International Amazon Bestselling book ‘PositiviThink: How to Thrive, Not Just Survive’ which aims at helping others become more positive and learn new tools to go after what they want and create a better life for themselves.
Where did the idea for Inspired Living International come from?
I did not like that I spent most of my day at work away from my family, especially my children. I wanted to be there for my family and work around them and their needs. This motivated me to establish a home-based business founded on the nineteen (19) billion dollar industry within the self-development market sector as I am passionate about personal development and I can also help others achieve the same goal.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
My typical day includes many calls with potential business associates in addition to those that I coach. I segment my day so that I can also focus on marketing to obtain brand awareness and brand recognition. I visualize/focus on my goals and spend at least 30 minutes each day on personal development. I do this with a positive mindset, an expectation of leadership, and a feeling of gratitude being grateful for the many blessings in my life. Working from home allows me time freedom so I choose what hours I work and when to schedule a free time to focus on my family and do things outside of the office.
How do you bring ideas to life?
1. WRITE DOWN my Idea.
2. RESEARCH my Idea (Ask “What, when, and how?”).
3. SET a Realistic Deadline (not one that’s impossible to meet).
4. BREAK it down / Set a Timeline (work backward).
5. TELL someone about it (become accountable).
6. MAKE time for my Idea / START— don’t worry about what my first step should be; it doesn’t matter. Start anywhere. Adjust my approach as I go, just like adjusting the sails if the wind changes direction.
7. FOLLOW THROUGH until completion.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The incredible popularity of social networking / social media means that by publishing great content and advertising on social media sites you engage with your TPOP (Target Population) and you are well on your way to success. Marketing is at the heart of business success and thanks to cheap and free marketing opportunities available on social media you can attract more clients, and more income, in ways that don’t cost you a small fortune.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
I use a DMO (Daily Method of Operation) spreadsheet to set my schedule and then stick to it / follow it through to completion.
What advice would you give your younger self?
You don’t have to have all the answers straight away. That can be daunting and could be what’s preventing you from taking your very first step. Once you’ve taken your first step and are closer to your goal, it will seem easier and more attainable. Just keep taking one step after another (just like learning to walk). Each step you take leads you to the next. Just one step at a time, don’t get ahead of yourself, and soon enough there will be no more problems to solve and you will have achieved your goal.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on?
It is actually a blessing when we experience some hurts, disappointments, loss, and negativity in our lives (although some losses are far from being a blessing). When ‘bad things’ happen in our life, it often makes us stronger, more resilient, compassionate, and more determined. When we are suffering, we realize what brings joy and meaning to our lives and what is worth fighting for. It often takes a great loss, a huge setback, or hitting ‘rock bottom’ (later identified as a ‘turning point in life’) to give us that intense hunger to finally pursue our ultimate goal or passion with an attitude that nothing’s going to stop us.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Invest in myself, my personal growth, learn and seek to become the best version of myself whilst backing/believing in myself all the way. I read personal development books, listen to audio books, and work through the products that are available in my business and attend live personal development events.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.
Not to remain stagnant. No matter how successful I am, I want to step it up and take my success to the next level. I am constantly thinking of new marketing ideas / ‘legs’ and a number of different ways to engage with my TPOP (Target Population). It is important to think big and move fast taking the next step/action as quickly as you can with velocity and immediacy.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
I lacked self-belief for a number of years and I was self-sabotaging myself without even realizing it. As soon as I started to move forward in my business, for some reason I would get scared, and then stop taking action; the very action that was bringing me success. After attending a live event, this very topic came up. I had an ‘Aha moment’ where I challenged myself not to self-sabotage in this way and learn to use my fear to push through and come out on the other side more successful than I was previously.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
One business idea that I believe will take off is one where a team of capable ‘virtual’ professionals comes together to provide a complete solution to every business-based need. More and more people now are either working remotely or from home. With the introduction of VA’s (Virtual Assistants), I believe that the door will open to additional ‘virtual’ roles. VA’s typically assisting with administrative tasks (emails, research, typing and editing documents and presentations in addition to website updates). This business could be further enhanced by adding a ‘virtual’ Accounts Service, a ‘virtual’ I.T. Support Service and a ‘virtual’ Events Coordinator. Bringing a team of capable, professional entrepreneurs together, with different skill-sets and networks of people, would save organizations a significant amount of money on office space rental and also allow for the lifestyle benefits of being able to work from home or remotely.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
The best $100 I recently spent was on a tour of Phuket, Thailand with my daughter. My daughter, who is 12, and I had our first ever mother/daughter trip and whilst in Thailand, we went on a tour to visit various sites of interest and it was an amazing, special and memorable experience to share with her.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use Podio to organize my work and projects, while also communicating with my team for full transparency and to keep on track. Podio is especially helpful when you are not located in the same city or country as your team.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey. Successful people have successful habits. As we are told to follow what other successful people have done to achieve similar results to what we are aiming for; this book will tell you what successful people do and if you start doing it you will see your life start to change.
What is your favorite quote?
“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve”– Napoleon Hill, Author of Think and Grow Rich.
Key Learnings
• You don’t have to have all the answers straight away. Just keep taking one step after another (just like learning to walk). Each step you take leads you to the next. Just one step at a time, don’t get ahead of yourself, and soon enough there will be no more problems to solve and you will achieve your goal.
• Use a diary, calendar or DMO (Daily Method of Operation) to keep track of your schedule and commitments so you know where you are spending your time.
• Follow what other successful people have done to achieve similar results to what you are aiming for.
• Marketing is at the heart of business success and thanks to cheap and free marketing opportunities available on social media; you can attract more clients and more income in ways that don’t cost you a small fortune.
Connect:
Inspired Living International on Facebook:
Nikki Arnold on Twitter: @nikkiarnoldjp
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.