As I wrote in my last post, I learned some very powerful lessons from the life-changing experience of caring for my dying father and I wanted to share some of them here.

I admit it's an exercise that's equal parts (1) grief therapy, (2) creative tune-up, and (3) compulsive teaching (I'm always looking for ways to connect the dots through story and example).

But it's also an exercise that comes from the heart. Caring for my father opened a doorway to my heart and now it wants to be more involved in everything I do. 

Over the past few weeks, as I've been paying more attention to what my heart has to say, it's telling me that after a long dry spell, it's time to get back to writing. Even if I still don't feel like it, I know it's right, so here I am.

I found that listening to my heart is actually a good thing. Like many entrepreneurs, I spend a lot of time in my head. Thinking about strategy, planning next steps, tracking my progress, and making adjustments. Do you do the same thing?

Even though most experts say we make decisions emotionally, then try to back into the logic, I believe that the inner voice I hear in my decision-making most of the time still comes from my head. Why do I think so? Because when I specifically ask my heart for advice, it sounds and feels very different from what I'm used to.

I did some work a few weeks ago with Randall Krause, a colleague of mine who runs Hym-la (Himalayan Yoga Meditation Society of Los Angeles). Over the phone he took me through an amazingly simple but powerful exercise for directly asking my heart for advice on an issue I was struggling with (or rather, my head was struggling with).

Within minutes, an answer came to me that I hadn't thought of, yet felt really good to both my heart AND my head. Confusion gone, ready to move forward.

When your heart is engaged, you can often get a more complete picture of what you need to do. It's like getting a second opinion from someone who can evaluate the situation through another perspective.

What areas in your business are you struggling with right now? What are you confused and feeling stuck about? What decisions are you holding back from making?

Take the situation out of your head for a moment and ask your heart to chime in. It might seem strange to think your heart could have an opinion about your business, but if you're stuck, what's the harm in asking? It's no different really than phoning a friend or business contact for advice, then listening to what they have to say. And because your heart wants the best for you, you might get some really interesting and relevant answers. 

You may have to put yourself in a different environment (outside in nature, for example) and/or get help from a coach or teacher to connect with your heart. But there isn't any real magic to it except the true willingness to do so. Be patient, be still and wait for the answers to come.

By Kathleen Gage

[Note: Keynote speaker, business advisor and Internet marketing expert Kathleen Gage is today's Guest Blogger on Smart Networking. She'll be here all day, Wednesday, February 17th to respond to your comments and questions on her post. Join in the fun!]

If you've been around the Internet for any length of time, you have likely heard you can make money through Joint Venture partnerships and affiliate programs. You may already be doing so, but not at the level you know is possible.

Without a doubt, partnering with the right people increases your market reach, credibility and revenue stream. It's a great way to do business. Unfortunately, many people attempt to do so without really understanding how to gain the greatest benefit for all concerned.

There are numerous types of affiliate and joint venture partner arrangements and relationships. There are those where as an affiliate you simply search out products and services that you think your market wants or with very little interaction between the you and the affiliate. Conversely, you have those who seek out your products and services for their market, but have very little interaction with you.

There are affiliate programs where no one really knows who is behind the product, you just know you might be able to make money by selling it; whatever it may be. Usually a widget of some sort.

Then there is the type of relationship where you do know who you are dealing with and your reputation resides in the quality of products and services you bring to your market. This type of relationship is quite appealing to many entrepreneurs. You do business with the affiliate because you know them, like them and trust them.

For the purpose of this conversation, we will focus on the relationships where either you bring an expert's information to your market or they bring your expertise through products and services to their market.

One of the most important things you must do is determine how you can make the relationship a win/win/win. Win for you, win for your affiliate or JV and win for the end user - the customer.

In the context of this discussion, developing affiliate relationships takes more than simply posting something on your website or blog where people can click and immediately become and affiliate. Sure, you can occasionally find great affiliates this way, but to really optimize the potential there is much more that needs to be done.

Conversely, don't assume that simply because you think what you have to offer is the greatest thing since sliced bread affiliate marketers will too. Your job is to search out those affiliates who have a great market match for your product and/or service. This can take time, effort and money to position correctly.

Here are some simple guidelines you can follow that are sure to open many doors for you.

1. Know what your market wants when you offer affiliate products.
2. Understand the needs of the experts you approach when offering your product/services for them to take to their market.
3. Do your homework when it comes to commission rates. A very simple way to do this is join forums where other affiliates hang out. Which forums you select depends on your industry. You can also do research at locations such as ClickBank. As one of the largest locations to find affiliate products to sell and to post your own products you want others to sell, you can easily determine what you need to offer and what to look for when you are selling for someone by spending time on ClickBank.
4. Nurture the relationships with those who are your top performers. Truth be told, only a small percentage of those who become affiliates actually do much of anything to sell your products and services. Then there are those who will sell and sell and sell. Rather than trying to get the low performers to raise their own bar, do what you can to support your high performers. This could be in the way of higher than average commission rates (sometimes even 100% commission for some products), surprise bonuses, a phone call or thank you card that is delivered by other than email, and special acknowledgements.
5. Find out your high performers preferred method of communication. If you know they are on Twitter a great deal, sending direct messages to them through Twitter is better than a standard email. If you know they like to talk on the phone, take the time to occasionally pick up the phone to call them. If they like Facebook, private message them this way. If they like public recognition, blog, tweet and post on their Facebook wall to give them praise. You will be amazed at how far this can take things.
6. Make being your affiliate an easy process. Provide the tools they need to promote your products and services. In other words, give them blog postings, articles, tweets, samples to give to their market, etc. Develop a private affiliate page where they can access this information. This can make all the difference in the world.
7. Be a good pay. Don't ever, ever, ever shortchange your affiliates. Pay them when and how you say you will pay. And pay with gratitude. It's amazing how someone will be thrilled to get affiliates but when it comes time to pay them, there is resistance to writing the check or sending their commission to their PayPal account. Energetically, you are shutting down the flow of future sales if you do this. Pay with extreme gratitude. 

The bottom line is treat your affiliates and joint venture partners how you want to be treated. With the right partnerships you can build an extremely viable revenue stream and business a lot faster than if you try to do it all on your own. In today's world of business collaboration is the way to go.

About the author
Kathleen Gage is an Internet marketing advisor who works with spiritually aware speakers, authors, coaches and consultants who are ready to turn their knowledge into money making products and services. Find out how you can learn from Kathleen on how to build a successful business using the Internet through her Street Smarts Marketing VIP Club.

I recently re-read the book, "The Power of a Positive No," written by William Ury.  His book offers great advice and tips for how to say "No" with grace and effect.

In his book, William offers the following specific phrases you can use to say NO to the demands of others in a manner that is respectful and that flows naturally and sincerely:

• A simple "No" or "No Thanks." Directness has its place, but it can also be expressed gracefully.  Adding the work "thanks" to your "No" shows respect and care for the relationship.

• A statement that "I Have a Policy." Examples include, "I have a policy to never lend money to friends or family members." ....or "I have a policy to never make significant purchases without first speaking to my wife (or husband, or partner)."

• "I Have Plans." (or "I Have Another Commitment"). A great concrete everyday phrase that can affirm your interests as well as you power without spoiling your relationship is "I already have plans," or "I have another event I've committed to that evening." 

• "Not Now."  Maybe another time.  Softens the blow of a "No" and leaves the door open to a future request.  "Not Now" should only be used in those cases where there does exist a real possibility for addressing the others' needs in the future.

• "I Prefer to Decline Rather Than Do a Poor Job."  When you decline rather than do a poor job, you are not only affirming your own interests but also paying attention to the relationship.  You would BOTH be worse off -- and so would your relationship -- if you say "Yes" and then a job that turns out to be much less than satisfactory.