No one succeeds all by him/herself. If you're still spinning your wheels or wondering why you haven't gone much father by now than when you started, ask yourself who you need to ask for help. Is it time to outsource? Partner up? Revamp the biz model?
Worth repeating: You have to ask yourself, when it’s time to grow, expand, raise your rates, refine your specialties, etc. – not so much “who I’m leaving behind,” but “who I may need to consider serving differently?” You can’t serve the same people forever in the same capacity. You’ll outgrow them, and they will also, hopefully, outgrow you.
You don't have to choose between being broke and helping people.
Your business should serve people. If people are serving your business, you’ve got it backwards. This doesn't mean undervaluing yourself or undercharging. But it does mean that you're living your purpose without using people or being used by people.
My goal is not to grow a big company. My goal is to enjoy my life. What's yours?
There's a reason it's called a 'comfort zone.' Because it's comfortable. If you want more, you might have to push outside of that. Be ready for the resistance. Cheer yourself on. Let people know you're moving forward and accept their support.
Having a success partner is crucial to going far in your business. No one gets successful holed up by themselves. Masterminds take you only so far - find someone you can cry with, freak out with, who will slap you into shape and hold you accountable, someone who's got your back no matter what. And then hang on tight.
Are you a good client? Do you respect your fellow professionals' office hours? Rates? Services and skills? Schedules? Do you hold up your end of the bargain? Do you pay on time? What else makes a good client worth going the extra mile for?
When we say, "I'm not big/good/credible/smart enough to share my expertise with others," I believe that this attitude distracts us from connecting with the people who would value us and our offerings the absolute most; the ones whose lives we stand the best chance of impacting and influencing for the better.
Evaluate the contract(s) you offer to clients at least four times per year. What got left out? What should have been worded better? Continue to tighten them up and close any loopholes. You don't just write it once and forget it! Your service agreements need updating like everything else in your business.
Are you investing in you and your future? Are you working to get to the next bill? What's one thing you'd like to change for the better in your life or business right now?
A great snack that boosts focus while being good for you? Dark chocolate chips+peanuts. Simply combine the two in a jar, and snack whenever you desire. Protein+antioxidants and a touch of yum will brighten any slump.
It's not about becoming a giant. It's about giving others some shoulders to stand on. Teach, show, share. Charge what you are worth. Grow. Expand. Learn. Rinse and repeat. You serve others best by treating your business with respect.
Celebrate your progress and embrace the fact that you’ll be better able to contribute to people in the future than you are today.
Still trying to do everything yourself? Why would you do that to yourself? Spinning your wheels is no way to grow a business. Think you can't afford it? Get the rates for the service you want, and then book however many clients you need in order to pay for it. It's that simple.
Organize your web pages from the get go by creating all the folders in your bookmarks bar. Then, make a habit of bookmarking articles, company pages, etc. as soon as you get there. If it's not an urgent read, FILE IT! And simply go through your bookmarks during 'reading time' to catch up. Then, either keep the page for future reference, or get it out of your folder.
If your family does not 100% support your business ventures, you've got to get right with them. They can bring you down faster than any cheapskate or taker client. If they can't get on board, you find a success partner or three to fill the gap.
"Having faith" that you'll get clients isn't enough. You need to get proactive - or you'll just get by.
How much do your beliefs about money affect your business? Answer: GREATLY. You'd be surprised at how little you know your money attitudes. I highly suggest (and use) a Money Coach to keep you on a prosperity path and on friendly terms with money and revenue.
For me, becoming productive sometimes just requires that I SIMPLY GET STARTED. Doesn't matter on what, doesn't matter how insignificant. Often I'll find that in the course of doing one or two things on the project, I can hit my zone and really start knocking stuff out. Sorry, Facebook.
Believe it or not, there are people who will exploit you for their own benefit. Be watchful of attracting people who do not value you. Start by valuing yourself, and don't back down.
We want to engage with people who have positive things to say about the brands they love and constructive things to say about the brands they don’t love today. If you’re using your Facebook account to yell at people, your Twitter account to throw things and your blog to be an unfounded-bully, you’re killing your credibility with nastiness.
Stretching & drinking a glass of cool water boosts energy, thought, and focus. Drink plenty of water. Take a 5 minute stretch. Here's your reminder.
Many entrepreneurs insist on juggling all the fire extinguishers and wonder why they keep choking on smoke. What can you do to spend most of your time on your passion and less on the upkeep (even if it's a small step)? Do you enjoy doing it ALL or can you start putting things in motion to outsource - or even eliminate - some of the daily tasks that keep you from living your purpose?
If you can't afford or don't want to replace yourself, then hire a consultant for a few hours at a time. They can help you streamline and stay on the right path, while still allowing you to be in control, deal with your trust issues, or just manage your budget.
What are you 'enduring' in your business right now? How can you eliminate it so that you do more of what makes you feel alive? How can we help encourage you?
Being compensated properly for your gifts is the Universe's way of keeping the flow going - through you. Don't disrespect that. People are out there who are willing to value you, and compensate you in exchange for helping them move forward. Prosperity and serving do not have to be independent of each other. They can and should work together.
What can you do to minimize and simply? Your life, your home, your business? Do you really need ALL those commitments? Does every idea HAVE to become a to-do item? Does every piece of paper HAVE to stay in your filing cabinet?
Worth repeating: “One of the beauties of maturing is that you learn new ways to contribute to others. In my own case, I often regret that I couldn’t help people in the past the way I can today. I also know that I’ll feel that way in the future.” - Charlie Gilkey
Be aware of when you are done with something and let yourself move on to things that are more alive for you. And be cognizant of when that time is. I myself won't do WordPress sites forever. i probably won't do them much at all after 2011. :)
Better time management might just be eliminating 80% of the tasks you think are important, but don't actually forward your progress - or won't actually hinder you if you toss them off your list. Ideas don't have to automatically turn into projects.
My prosperity does not detract from anyone else’s. The Universe is an abundant place and I am grateful to receive
Are you sabotaging the deal? Are you getting in your own way of closing a deal or making a sale? After each opportunity, really sit and look at how it went. If it didn't go well, what baggage are YOU bringing to the table - and how can you unpack it? It's amazing how often we'll choke the deal because of internal conflict, not because we aren't good salespeople.
What can you do to help 5 other people today with nothing expected in return? Can you write a testimonial on their fan page? Answer a question they've posted? Ask your client list if they need a service like theirs?
We have a tendency to think that purposeless things are idle and guilty pleasures. But sometimes the things that seem purposeless on the outside, create the most internal value. You can then see how it’s important to drop the outdated, factory and quota-driven definition of productivity.
Don’t settle for “living a little.” That’s the path to weakness. Be 100% in everything you do, including your business.
Part of having a successful business is honoring that business and what that business protects - you, your family, your dreams, your lifestyle. Select your clients accordingly and make sure that the people you're serving are also letting you serve your purpose.
Surround yourself with people who think bigger than you. It's key to expanding your mind, your horizons, the possibilities. Changing seats at different tables is to be expected. If you're making sure you save a seat for others that are dear to you, then you can move forward with integrity.
Sometimes just closing the GMail or Outlook box is all you need to get out of inbox prison. End of day? Click the X!
If you're trying to get rich quick, I'm here to burst your bubble. When you approach a new offering or product creation with the intention of serving people, you'll find abundance will come. Maybe not tomorrow, but definitely for the long-term. Charge what you're worth, but your offerings should always serve to help others, not just your pocketbook.
Take time once a month to acquaint yourself with your core. Who are you? What's your passion? Are you helping the right people? Is it time to grow? Is what you're doing now aligned with the legacy you want to leave behind?
"Your playing small doesn't serve the world." - Marianne Williamson
What is the point of your business? Seriously...what is it? Is it YOUR point - or a point you think you should meet? Growth growth growth? Freedom? Time for the fun stuff? Spare cash? Get right with the point, and you'll get right with your purpose.
Desperation marketing is visible from a mile away. More visible than you realize. When people see you as too eager to make the sale, too eager to discount, you attract the very people who would exploit you for their own gain. You can't serve the right people when you're breaking your bad for the wrong ones. Have faith. Stand tall. Be willing to let go of the deal.
Whose life can you impact today? How deeply can you impact it?
Fear is normal and natural on our journey through entrepreneurship. Push through. Learn from it. Embrace it. That discomfort you feel is usually growth trying to break through. You can do it!
What's the most valuable thing you've learned so far in being an entrepreneur?
Working less isn’t lazy, in fact I’d like to argue that working MORE is lazy. Why? Because if you work for eight hours just out of habit, you aren’t making tough choices in order to maximize your business and get things done. What say you?
A state of play is where the best ideas and problem solving come into...well, play. TAKE A BREAK - and engage your brain muscle by letting yourself play. Do a crossword. Watch the birds. Play I Spy. Take time each day to let your mind wander, play, create.
I wear many hats in my business. But 'Banker' is not one of them. And it shouldn't be one of yours, either. Work only with clients who pay on time, pay in full, and pay respectfully. After all, you are helping them generate revenue - they should return the favor in kind.
