Breaking the Cycle: Push Beyond Strategy Into Action

Have you started changing your “what ifs” to “what thens” yet? I know it might sound like a laughably miniscule shift, but take it from me: changing your internal monologue can totally transform your mindset. Even though we take them for granted almost every day, words are powerful. Language is life-changing. Just ask Susan B. Anthony or Martin Luther King, Brene Brown or Malala Yousafzai. The right words can change the world for the better. And that includes the inner world of your personal aspirations and ambitions.

@@ The right words can change the world for the better. And that includes the inner world of your personal aspirations and ambitions @@

Answers aren’t actions

If you’ve already committed to the forward-thinking, preparedness-minded language of “what then,” kudos to you! Right now, you may be digging into the work of releasing your fears and building out contingency plans ... OR you may be spinning your wheels. You have some rough ideas of how to answer those daunting questions:

If I can’t pay my bills this month, what then?

If I launch a program and no-one enrolls, what then?

If I raise my rates and no-one buys from me, what then?

But even with answers in-hand, you may still fear moving forward. If you can’t pay your bills and decide that your Plan B is to borrow from your retirement fund, you may dread how your partner or family may react. If you lose customers after raising your rates and choose more aggressive marketing as your solution, you may cringe at the thought of kicking self-promotion into high-gear. You’ve got answers now, and you’ve got backups. But you may still be frozen in place.

Strategy and beyond

Action that moves us closer to our goals requires strategy. You can’t just fling yourself at a goal and hope you’ll land on the bull’s eye, you’ve gotta have a plan. A plan with a series of logical steps, built-in community support, and research on expected outcomes. Not a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants plan, a thought-out, coach-or-colleague vetted, planful plan. (Need help with this step? I’m here for ya!)

@@ You can't just fling yourself at a goal and hope you'll land on the bull's eye, you've gotta have a plan @@

And, of course, crafting a fully fledged long-term strategy is a huge first step, but it’s not enough. Implementing this strategy requires intentional action. And I mean showing up every day and chipping away at the activities and changes you’ve identified as essential.

@@ Crafting a fully fledged long-term strategy is a huge first step, but it's not enough. Yoke energy to focus for more intentional action @@

But that can be scary. It pushes you to your growth edge - that uncomfortable place where you have to choose between the familiar and the future - and forces you to think about your business in different, challenging ways.

Fear can lead to avoidance.

Avoidance makes you to downshift into easy, brainless, maintenance tasks.

Piling on the little, ineffective actions drains your energy.

And then you’ve landed back to square one where you’re filling your days with busywork and studiously ignoring the big picture. Your goals sit in a corner, neglected and forlorn. And maybe crying just a little bit.

Accountability is the antidote

Nobody wants forlorn goals, am I right? We want our goals lively and vibrant and cheering us on at every turn. We want goals that excite and motivate us

And, as it turns out, a community of lively, vibrant people who cheer you on at every turn can help make just about any goal feel more achievable. Going it alone allows you to fall down endless rabbit holes of worry and fear, ending up in a state of analysis paralysis. Connecting with others can help you talk through your fears, break through to action, and make real progress.

@@ A community of lively, vibrant people who cheer you on can make just about any goal feel achievable. @@ 

Struggling to find a community in your own neck of the woods? The Kula is always open to new members, and a phenomenal place to practice accountability among open-minded, supportive e-friends. Won’t you join us?

Two words that can make or break your business.

Doing it all is overrated.

Focusing your efforts on strategic, key tasks is the only way to fly.

Buuuuuut ... let's take a moment to acknowledge that honing in on those key tasks and letting go of schedule-clogging, energy-sapping activities is daunting. After all, some of those schedule-clogging, energy-sapping activities are the ones you could do in your sleep, and others yield instant positive feedback. Work like this sometimes FEELS more productive than big-picture work because it's done in the moment and we see results in the moment.

The risk of keeping ourselves busy with these non-strategic tasks is that we get stuck. We end up treading water - sometimes very much on purpose - to avoid tackling bigger, scarier decisions and getting serious about growing our businesses. And when we finally start to dial in those strategic tasks? Fear shows up. Fear of risk and failure, waste and embarrassment, trashing all progress and having to start over from scratch. When fear climbs into the driver's seat, wrenching back control of the wheel can feel impossible.

I believe thoughts compel behavior.

I believe we can change our thoughts.

In changing our thoughts, we can change our behavior.

Really, I believe in the power of language.

There are two words that can make or break your business.

What if.

What if I don’t make it?

What if I can’t pay my bills this month?

What if my website gets hacked?

What if I launch a program and no-one enrolls?

What if I raise my rates and no-one buys from me?

What if I spend 3 months writing a book and no-one wants to publish/buy/read it?

@@ There are two words that can make or break your business. What if. Stop what if-fing yourself to death @@

Instead of what if-fing yourself to death, hit the pause on this disturbing thought train and choose a more productive line of inquiry.

What then?

If I don’t make it [this time], what then?

If I can’t pay my bills this month, what then?

If my website gets hacked, what then?

If I launch a program and no-one enrolls, what then?

If I raise my rates and no-one buys from me, what then?

If I spend 3 months writing a book and no-one wants to publish/buy/read it, what then?

What then may have a similar end clause to what if. The difference is in the result.

What if leaves you grasping for straws, what then leaves you prepared to take your next steps. Building a thriving business is not the path of least resistance. In order to thrive, there are so many lessons that we need to learn.

And in changing your thought process from what if to what then, there are two very important lessons.

@@What if leaves you grasping for straws, what then leaves you prepared to take your next steps @@

(1) Let Go of Fear

The unknown is innately terrifying. And what if, takes us deep into the terror—creating worst-case scenarios and forcing us to stew in that fear. But we all know that fear doesn’t serve us.

Fear holds us back from success by preventing us from even trying. Fear causes us to guard our hearts—keeping us from showing the very vulnerability that makes us human (and in turn develops trust!). Fear keeps us from making investments in our businesses and in our education—what if I don’t make my money back on this investment?

Guess what? The fear never goes away. We just get better at letting go of it and acting anyway.

@@What if takes us to a place of fear. The fear never goes away. We just get better at letting go of it and acting anyway.@@

(2) Always have a plan B (and maybe a C & D)

Let’s get very clear on something—letting go of fear does not mean being reckless. It does mean letting go of the negative thought patterns, beliefs and behaviors that are keeping you from deeply trusting yourself – and your mission in the world.

Stop playing the what if game with yourself, because you’re only feeding a fear-monster that doesn’t serve you. BUT don’t ignore the fact that things do not always work out as we would like.

The possibility of failure is huge—especially for new entrepreneurs who are just starting to build a following.

Prepare for any outcome by changing your language from what if, to what then.

Knowing how you are going to pick up the pieces and move forward is invaluable. It has the power to reduce anxiety and reduced anxiety will increase confidence and, in turn, increase your potential for success.

@@Prepare for any outcome by changing your language from what if, to what then.@@

Your Dream Clients can sense your confidence or lack thereof—even if they can’t quite put their fingers on it. Amazingly enough, boosting your confidence is as simple as changing just two words. Those two words are the difference between being scared and being strategic.

To more sacred strategy,

Being Good Isn't Good Enough: How to Push Your Edge

You’ve done it all … but you still feel stuck and frustrated.

You’re doing it all … but not getting the traction you’re striving for.

You’re following all the rules … but still feel like you’re reinventing the wheel every day.

You’re the absolute best at what you do … but that prowess and expertise isn’t reflected in your current business or brand.

Every entrepreneur must eventually face the fact that although she’s stellar at what she does, she must also learn the craft of business in order to thrive. Being good at your vocation isn’t enough. You also need to get used to marketing/visibility, strategic planning, collaboration, selling your products, programs, and services, delegating tasks, and growing into the next phase of business. Your services are the foundation of your business, but it’s essential that you build upward from that foundation. Tending to a healthy, thriving business requires taking action and that means there will be days when you end up in unfamiliar (and terrifying) territory.

Bottom line: The skills required to do your transformative, helping or healing work are separate from those required to build a profitable business. And both of those skill sets require responsibility and pushing your edge.

I’ve worked with countless clients who’ve eventually entered a mental-emotional space that I’ve dubbed the “growth edge.” When you enter this space, you feel pushed to your capacity and forced to make the choice between comfort and change. You’re stretched thin and frustrated, but also locked into a familiar routine. Step toward the growth edge, and you find yourself thinking, “I want to earn more, build my client list, and create new offerings … but am I ready to take a big boatload of risks in order to accomplish those things?” It can be tempting to just stay put, shirking perilous changes in favor of remaining stagnant but comfortable.

But let’s define comfort, because comfort isn’t always comfortable. Comfort is the expected, the familiar, the well-worn tracks. The expected could be an expected failure, the familiar could be the familiar pain of the feast-or-famine cycle, and those well-worn tracks could be the road to financial ruin. None of those options are preferable (am I right?), but if they reflect a past experience or a set of present beliefs, they are comfortable because they confirm what you know of the world.

Growth, on the other hand, requires leaping into the terrifying expanse of the unexpected, the dark canvas of the unknown, and the new neural pathways that lie beyond the edge of your vulnerability. It means abandoning the perceived safety of sameness and taking a chance on change. It means trusting yourself and being brave and putting yourself out there.

Growth requires change, courage, and commitment.

Business requires the same things.

Pushing your edge isn’t just a best practice—it’s how you live your message of transformation.

Conquer Your Business Goals in 4 Simple Steps

Even non-writers are familiar with the concept of writer’s block; That agonizing, empty-headed feeling of staring at a blank page and believing you’ll never again have a single worthwhile thought to share.

I want to talk about entrepreneur’s block; That dizzying, overwhelming feeling of staring at a meticulously crafted business plan and believing you’ll never, ever in a bajillion years be able to accomplish the tasks outlined therein.

I’ve been there, friends.

Breaking through the block and making headway on business objectives is actually quite simple. Not easy, mind you, but simple.

Implement the following four techniques to achieve your goals.

Focus

It can be hard to channel your energy into long-term goals when you’re constantly scrambling to keep up with the day-to-day. But remember that what you focus on expands: When you carve out the time and energy to work toward those long-term goals, you create space for them to grow and progress and thrive. When you don’t, they stagnate. And so do you.

So choose a point of focus for your business — 1 month, 3 months, 9 months, whatever feels like a reasonable time-frame for your specific goal — and prioritize accomplishment. Make space for expansion, and expansion will happen. Right before your eyes.

Dedicate Yourself to Strategic Action

Moving beyond planning and into action is tough for some … but making that transition is so vital, especially for women entrepreneurs. Once you’ve created space, time, and focus around your goals, nudge yourself toward thoughtful, intentional action. Commit to forging ahead, find ways to make steady progress, and be mindful but agile. If you get sucked into the doubts, the fears, the procrastination, and the overwhelm, seek support. Join the Kula, my Free Coaching Community. Remember, action needn’t be huge. Action can mean ...

Small Wins Every Day

“Slow and steady wins the race” has got to be the least sexy business cliche in the universe. But it’s true. Anyone who looks like an “overnight success” from the outside has undoubtedly put in a decade of blood, sweat, and tears backstage, out of sight, while the world was distracted by other shiny things. Small actions taken daily matter more than frenzied action that leads to burnout. Figure out what small wins you can maintain on the regular, and make them a part of your schedule. I mean it. Put small actions that move you toward huge goals on your calendar. Make them a priority, and do them every day. (I identify my top 3 tasks for the day the night / day before and that’s where I begin first thing).

@@ Put small actions that move you toward huge goals on your calendar. Make them a priority, and do them every day. #growthcatalyst@@

Stay the Course

Distraction kills goals, especially big, bold, far-reaching ones. And again, I totally get that putting out tiny, daily fires keeps your business from burning to a crisp. But when you eliminate distractions and stamp out overwhelm, you prime yourself for success. Doing so can mean delegation, prioritization of tasks, creating a goal-driven daily schedule, or limiting your social media time. (You can watch tiny hamsters eating tiny burritos after the day’s work tasks are complete. And you should. Because they’re hilarious.) Find personalized, effective, sustainable ways to stay the course.

Love these concepts, but need some real-time support? You’re in luck! Join the Kula.

Self Care is a Business Strategy

Self-care is a strategy for business success

As a healer or helper, you hold the space for healing and transformation on a daily basis.

The energy of holding that space takes a toll.

If you aren't filling your own self-care tank, overwhelm takes its toll and burnout is sure to follow.

On top of providing the space for your healing work, you also have the business-side of things to manage.

Managing your coaching, healing, or helping business requires strategic planning, quarterly assessments, monthly targets, and weekly maintenance tasks to keep business operations running smoothly.

It’s a heavy energetic load...especially if you are high on the sensitivity scale.

My best advice?

Sacred energy management: for you and for your business. Energy management is learning to manage your energy at all levels, including the energy of your business.

Sounds simple enough, until you start to seek that balance.

Balancing your time, business activity and finances is a juggling act, especially when paired with your actual healing or helping work. But there are a few simple remembrances that can help to keep you in the flow.

Put yourself first —because without you, there's no business.

This means time for precious self-care is non-negotiable. Committing to your restorative practices shows commitment to your business's success. Nourishment and rejuvenation are essential.

Go ahead, eat something nourishing.

Or put your feet up. Take a savasana. Your business (and your ever-expanding to-do list) will be there in 10 minutes. And the more you nourish yourself, the better off your business will be.

Practice a Restorative yoga sequence for a treat at the end of your day or to unwind before bed.

Make friends with your finances

In order to "make it" in business, you must focus on earning a profit. More income, and / or fewer expenses are requirements for your business to earn a profit —and to remain in a positive energy balance. If you're close to overwhelm (or burned out —again), then it's time to heal some energy leaks. If you're in a service-based profession, time is money, so let's start with what hurts: money. If your current financial situation is dire, take a look around at the places money energy is “leaking out” —maybe it’s your billable or non-billable hours — and stop the leaks! Then decide how much money you ACTUALLY do need to remain in financial ease .

Once you know that, it’s easier to….

Guard your time

Your time is sacred, precious and finite —use it effectively by truly staying focused on the services, offerings, tasks, hobbies and causes that light your heart fire.

Anyone who has time to bingewatch [insert your favorite series] on Netflix has time to build a sustainable business.

Seriously, though, get strategic about how you are using your time —in business and in life.

Could you sacrifice that weekly energy drain and use the time you save to develop a higher value service: like an online program or signature workshop series? Absolutely.

Could you give up one night of Netflix every week to spend a couple hours working on that book?  Sure.

The thing is that you do really have the time: it's a matter of shifting the focus to the tasks and goals that will leverage your business success. But if you burn through productive hours or busy-busy weeks without a measure of thoughtfulness, you will continue to end up frustrated, overworked, and overwhelmed.

Building a sustainable business is a supreme act of self-care because it allows you to be mindful and attentive to where you spend your vital energy. It allows you to manage energy at all levels: subtle, financial and physical.

With a few simple shifts in your business and self-care practices you will find a path to prosperity —that allows you to take precious care of you. Want some guidance?

Kiss Burnout—and Overwhelm —— Goodbye

This month I'm participating in a speaker series called Kiss Burnout Goodbye—a 21 Day Global Virtual Retreat for Service Oriented Professionals.

I went back and forth on whether it would burn me out to expend the time and energy to participate (and promote!) this series. And I finally settled on YES.

Even though there are a thousand to do's on my list and a million ideas in my head, I chose to create time to talk about kissing burnout goodbye.

I did it for you! Because I want you—and all of our kula—to know that you can live out your passions profitably and without feeling overwhelmed. BUT, it does take some effort.

I've often talked and written about the state overwhelm that entrepreneurs—and even more so conscious entrepreneurs—inevitably find themselves in.

It's not just about the tremendous amount of pressure that we put on ourselves. Or the budget constraints that force us to wear all hats. It's also about the laundry that has to get done and the family that has to get fed.

@@ The entrepreneurial spirit is fierce, because it has to be!@@

I am REALLY serious about avoiding burnout and overwhelm. Some people believe that it comes with the territory. But I believe that we can learn from the lessons of conscious entrepreneurs who came before us. (Read: Don't make the mistakes I made, because I'm literally telling you how to avoid them.)

@@Overwhelm IS, in fact, Avoidable.@@

In fact, I've been telling you how to avoid it, all along!

Check out these archives for tips for you to start pulling yourself out of overwhelm and into something more vibrant.

• Set effective goals so that you know where you're heading and you won't be distracted by those pesky distractions that lead to overwhelm.
• Own your weaknesses! This allows us to seek help where we know we need it
• Create Systems. That help that we know we need—because we own our weaknesses—won't need to be micromanaged, if their actions are detailed out for them.

And don't forget to join the Kula—because we have to stick together...for the sake of support and sanity.