One of the things I most enjoyed in talking with this week’s Joyful Living podcast guest, Pam Wasley, is her willingness to discuss some of the trials and challenges she faced as she started her businesses. Too often, we only see the “pretty side” of the start-up process and don’t hear the “ugly.” But Pam has a unique view of the mistakes she’s made over the years – by sharing them, she can help those she mentors to avoid the same mistakes.

This is just one of the many wonderful tidbits Pam shared with me in our discussion. We started off talking about the many changes she has seen in being an entrepreneur over the years. Pam has been associated with several businesses over the years. A few of them have been larger companies that involved many moving parts.

Pam talks about the advancement of technology and how that has impacted growing businesses both small and large. And while she definitely sees the positives of mobile phones for communicating and automating business processes, she is quick to point out that we all need time to DETACH and UNPLUG from our phones. She says it’s important to give our minds time to rest without constantly bombarding ourselves with information and technology.

Sounds all to familiar, right?!

I’ve noticed this same thing, not only with myself, but also with some of the clients I work with. Many of those who work in the health field point to the growing issue we have as a society with getting enough sleep. Everyone seems to realize how important it is to get the proper amount of sleep – we take medications, eat or drink, and even read or watch television to try and help us “relax” so we can get to sleep. Imagine if we focused more on detaching from electronics and technology to help our minds slow down and relax!

I’ve heard Pam mention before that she often gets asked some of the same basic questions from those seeking her advice as they start their business. Some of these questions include:

• How do I actually start my business legally?
• What should I charge for my products and services?
• What’s the best way to get new clients?
• Which marketing techniques should I use?
• What paperwork/contracts do I need?
• Why do I lose clients?

Any of these sound familiar?

Pam has actually written a book titled “How I Fired My Boss and Made More Money” to address these common questions. In it, she shares the answers she’s discovered over the years, sometimes by making mistakes. It’s a passion of hers to not only learn from her experience, but to share it with others. That’s the inspiration for this book.

So here’s the best part…she’s actually sharing this book with Joyful Living listeners for FREE! You can go to her website and download a PDF version of her book right now! www.ceriusexecutives.com/joyfulliving

Awesome, right?! I know I have had some of these questions over the years and am so excited to have this fantastic resource available.

One last point I want to share…Pam said something that really stuck with me during our conversation: 

“You can work smart and still have a life.”

So true! And I honestly believe that having a “life” comes from taking the moments to focus on what brings you JOY. The big successes in your work and business will always feel great, but don’t let them overshadow the small and simple joys you feel each and every day. When you are able to recognize and appreciate those joys, you are truly winning!

PAM WASLEY // WWW.CERIUSEXECUTIVES.COM

Co-founder & CEO of Cerius Executives and Cerius Advisors, Pam Wasley is a serial entrepreneur with multiple decades of knowledge and experience. She has personally sold companies, led a management buyout, and advised hundreds of companies on strategies for growth and higher shareholder value. Pam has served on several private boards and is a highly sought after speaker. She’s been featured in prestigious publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, Fortune, and Bloomberg Businessweek on the topics of mergers and acquisitions, the workforce of the future, and global contingent workforces.

p.s. Stay inspired to live in greater JOY everyday by subscribing to the Joyful Living Podcast in iTunes, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio. Excited to cheer you on in living a life you love!