I’m asking about your computer backup because a lot of coaches put “backing up their computer” in the same category as “flossing their teeth.”
They understand the importance and benefits, but the activity doesn’t happen as regularly as it should!
If you can relate, this email is for you…
There are the 2 main ways to backup your computer:
LOCAL BACKUP – This is when you use backup software (included in Windows and the Mac OS) to copy your files to an external source (such as a DVD, flash drive or external hard drive). This is a good approach as long as it is done regularly.
REMOTE BACKUP – This is when yourfiles are backed up online and stored remotely. Once you get your online backup system in place, it runs automatically so there is nothing you have to remember to do.
I recommend – and personally use – a combination of these strategies.
REMOTE BACKUP SYSTEMS are great because it happens automatically and if there is a catastrophe (flood, fire, earthquake, etc.) or your computer is stolen, all of your documents, pictures, music, applications and other files will be safe. If you are only going to implement one backup strategy, choose the remote backup.
I use CrashPlan.com as my remote backup system. It’s highly recommended, very affordable and super easy. (Unlike Mozy.com which was a pain because it requires that you keep your computer on and connected to the internet during the set-up, which can take days if you have a lot of data.)
LOCAL BACKUP SYSTEMS are great because when you want and need to access your backup files,
they are right there. There is no ongoing fee, so it’s less expensive. Plus, if you use something like an external hard drive that you keep connected to your computer, you can schedule automatic backups.
HINT: If you are doing local backups and it’s not set-up to happen automatically, create and follow a backup schedule or system. For example, pick a specific day of the week to do your backup or combine it with another regular activity, such as paying the bills. Or if you travel a lot, be sure to do your local backup before a trip.
So, since you are still reading this I bet that your current computer backup system could use an upgrade.
Am I right?
Okay, here’s the plan…
1. Decide whether you want to do a local backup, remote backup or both.
2. Get your computer backup system running by next Thursday 3/17/11.
Are you in?
If so, leave a comment stating your commitment to get your computer backup system in place by
March 17, 2011.
Then, after your computer backup system is up and running, come back to the C&GR blog and post another comment announcing your accomplishment.
To help make this a bit more fun, I’m going to sweeten the deal…
*** Post a comment here by Thursday 3/17/11 that you have your computer backup system in place and be entered to win a private, 30 minute, business strategy session with me! ***
Okay, if you don’t currently have an effective computer backup system in place, now’s the time to make it happen.
Go do it, let me know by leaving a comment and if you win, it will be great to connect with you 1-1 during your business strategy session.
P.S.
If you have a hard time making decisions, start with online remote backup using CrashPlan.com.
P.P.S.
Last year my husband’s computer crashed and he did NOT have a backup system in place. When
all that was going down, he was NOT fun to be around. If you are thinking of putting this off, don’t. Do it for yourself, your business AND your loved ones.
P.P.S.S.
Do you want to know why March 17th is a great deadline for handling your computer backup system?
March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day and there is an expression about the “Luck of the Irish.” It’s good to feel lucky… It’s even better to create your own luck. Backing up your computer is an excellent way to create your own luck.
“During the Group Coaching Success program I started a year long coaching group for former clients. I also created 2 other group programs and a weekend workshop that will happen in the next few months. Thank you Michelle for this inspiring program and to all the other participants for their helpful feedback.”
“My coaching business before the Coach & Grow R.I.C.H. system wasn’t really working, especially with my approach to services. I didn’t have a clear strategy on marketing, packaging and pricing my services. The materials helped me to narrow my business focus and my target market. I feel more confident talking about my business and working with others now. The Packaging and Pricing module and the Client Consultation components really helped a great deal. It also gave me the confidence to charge more for individual coaching and to create some lower-priced/ shorter-term coaching products.
“I took Michelle’s training somewhat desperate to generate five clients quickly for my upcoming coaching certification program. I was not only impressed with how many marketing tools I received, but also how many practical ways and examples to apply them. I chose to start with “Grassroots Marketing” and to my elation, I was able to generate 11 clients (better than a 50% return) by just applying a couple of the techniques she shared. I found Michelle to be an extraordinary teacher, who is wholeheartedly committed to helping her students create financial success and freedom.”
Hi Michelle,
I was on vacation, arrived back on March 18. Just before we left for holiday bought and used an external hard drive. I appreciate your warning. Just happened, that two of my friend’s laptop was stolen. One of them used a back up system, unfortunately the other one loosed “all his life”, as he said, application, projects, photos etc.
Thanks for reminding us, that awareness is so important in every minute of our life.
Eva, Hungary
Hi this is Kim Adams. I'm part of the Coach and Grow R.I.C.H. team and Michelle is currently at Brendan Burchard’s Expert Academy so she asked me to randomly select and announce the winner of the "C&GR Computer Back-Up Challenge."
First, let me say you are all winners because you now have your computer backup system in place. Give yourself a high five!
Okay, so the winner of a 30 minute Private Strategy Session with C&GR President and Head Coach Michelle Schubnel is…
Cheryl A. Pullins !!!!!
Congratulations Cheryl! Email admin@coachandgrowrich.com and we'll get your session with Michelle scheduled.
Hi Michelle. This is such an important topic. I worked in high tech for years, and it took me several hard drive failures where I lost EVERYTHING to get into the habit of backing up regularly. Now, instead of just backing up my documents, I have a dedicated hard drive that has Apple's Time Machine on it. Not only do I have a backup of my entire system, I can go back in time to files that I THREW AWAY and get them back. Thanks for your timely reminder to back up now. Thanks!
Great seeing all the comments and other suggestions.
We'll be announcing the winner of the 30 minute strategy session on Friday 3/18.
Congratulations to everyone who has taken on the C&GR "Computer Backup Challenge" so far.
In addition to all the comments here, I received a lot of emails from other coaches who got their backup system in place. Woo Hoo!
One of my big goals for 2011 is to get my business running like a well-oiled machine. So I'm investing a lot of time, energy and money in systems, technology, consultants, training, etc.
I prefer to focus on serving and connecting with my customers and clients, but it sure feels good when things are organized and systems are in place.
Good article, Michelle and a great prompt! I have used off-site back up for several years (you only have to learn that hard lesson once, and I'll spare you the sob story, LOL!). I use Carbonite and love the "no brainer" aspect.
But you've got me thinking about a secondary local back up. I will look into that.
I actually do a third task, which is that I routinely archive old client files to local storage (CDs), which I keep in an archived hardcopy file for that client. Part of my business includes graphic design and such — lots of large files that I don't want hanging around on my hard drive forever. But it keeps my HD pretty clean and "forces" me to weed out other unnecessary electronic documents.
Thanks Michelle! I actually do back up both my computers regularly, but over the last month I've ignored the system reminders. So, when your email came I knew I just needed to do it! Thanks for the kick in the b—!
Namaste~
Toi
Thank you Michelle! I've been thinking about backing up my computer for the last month. I also appreciate the nudge and the info about CrashPlan. I thought I'd go with Mozy and wondered about the multi-day initial backup. It sounded like CrashPlan was easier. So the files are being backed up as I write. This definitely improves my hard drive Foundation and eliminates a toleration :) Best, Leslie
Here's my funny story.
The power supply on my laptop which is less than two years old started acting up. I thought I could just replace it and move on. But nooooo, the technician says you don't want to pay to have this fixed, it isn't cost effective. Well, okay I will just go get a new laptop but the battery on the current one was just about out. How in the world was I going to get my documents off my laptop with no battery?
So frantically a week ago this past Sunday I went researching backup and file storage..etc etc. I finally decided on Carbonite for my off-site back-up and dropbox to store some of my files.
Whew!! After a week of the automatic initial back-up….I am good to go and so is that laptop.
Thanks Michelle- that was the reminder I needed to take action on this, and providing a link to a trusted provider of backup solutions made the difference.
I set up CrashPlan right after receiving your email and have been backing up my computer ever since.
Vincent j Kellsey
http://www.QuantumSuccessGroup.com
Thanks for the timely reminder, Michelle. Given that I work with the tech & start-up community, it would look really bad if I didn't take care of this ;-)
Sadly my main computer just had a bad case of indigestion…so you had better believe I have learned my lesson about backups. I have to get my harddrive restored and then…it will be done. The laptop backup is being set up as we speak!
It is important at the eutsot for the group to have stated what the agreed commitment of the members is and what are the agreed expectations.As a coach, I would ask the group how the participants feel it is doing as a group, what is it doing well, and where could it improve? If the issue isn’t raised, I would ask a further question is there any way the group could improve its effectiveness? . If the issue still isn’t raised, it would appear that the two missing people aren’t missed so maybe it is not an issue in terms of the work of the group?
Hi Michelle. I'm a big believer in back-up. Since I'm a Mac user, I bought a Time Capsule when I bought my last laptop 1 1/2 years ago. It's great. It backs up hourly without me doing anything. It not only protects me against crashes, but I have used backed-up files several times to pull out an old version that I wanted to look at again. HOWEVER, your post made me think about off-site back-up. What about the unlikely event of fire, etc.? My computer and Time Capsule sit right next to each other when I'm in my home office. Sooooo… I decided to go off-site with a second back-up. As a Mac user, I also have a Mobile Me account (Apple's server that syncs devices, allows you to publish a website, etc.). So at no added cost, I backed up my computer to Mobile Me. The only downside to it was that it took 31 hours to do the back-up of about 10 GB to Mobile Me! Fortunately, the back-up worked in the back ground, so I could use the computer during that time. But no shutting it down or putting it to sleep!
Great to see so many people taking action on my computer backup challenge!
Thanks Bev for the DropBox suggestion. I use (and LOVE DropBox) for file sharing with my team, my husband and my clients. For backing up my entire computer Crashplan is more economical for me.
omg, Michelle! It's Lydia, here… I love you for posting this. Backing up my computer is something I've actually got in place! …and, like you, I use Crash Plan. Your posting has given me opportunity to acknowledge myself for doing something right at this time that I'm feeling a bit ineffective in the growing pains of developing my biz. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! YOU rock!
Yep – I religiously back up my computer on an external hard drive – had a lousy experience a month ago when I lost hours of work simply because a program crashed, causing it not to save the work and getting lost forever.
In fact, now, each time I finish a project, the first thing I do is save it in Google docs and copy it to the ext.hard disk.
Nice article!
Hi Michelle, great email you got me into action and I've been meaning to do it for months! Plus with the devastation with earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan you never know what is around the corner – so being prepared is the best you can do! Thanks so much
Hi Michelle,
Just backed up my computer using your loving and clear nudge. Thank you! PS March 17, St Patrick's Day is my Birthday…a backed up computer is a great gift…so are you! I met you at the San Diego Professional Coaches alliance a few years ago. You are doing great work! Warm regards, Kathy Fleming PCC
Yay Molly. You rock!
Thanks Michelle. I did what I've been putting off for years! It really helped that you provided the link to crashplan. All it took was your posting to nudge me over into action!