Want to do Meaningful Work? Own your Weaknesses.
"Focus on the positive," they say.
"You're so talented," they say.
"Hone your strengths," they say.
"You're flawed. Own it," said no one ever.
Until now.
We can fuel our HeartFire and incite action that will change the world, but even the most talented among us—the women that make you think "how does she do it all," will tell you that they don't do it all. (Assuming that they are authentic and human.) They own the light of their Goddess Gifts, but they also own their dark side.
You have a dark side, too. You're flawed. Imperfect. A Shadow hangs over you. Actually, a shadow lies within and around you. Sometimes it's even out in front.
I still love you and I want you to own your weaknesses. Be just as open about them as you are about your gifts because you can't be a light for others without first shining the light of inquiry on yourself.
There's another very good reason to get seriously honest. When you snuggle up to your shadow, it loses the power to captivate, distract or otherwise sabotage you. Knowing your mental defaults - the well-worn grooves in your thinking - is how you begin to unwind shadow's capacity to captivate.
(If you're thinking you don't have a shadow side, then you have even more inner work to do than the rest of us, so sit tight and keep reading.)
Are you...
Over-busy-ing?
I know, it's not really a word: but you know what I mean, don't you? Are you letting the endless To-Do's and task lists keep you a slave to achievement? Are you spinning your wheels trying to accomplish 20 different things in a single day? Are you feeling ungrounded, overwhelmed and unfocused?
Never satisfied?
You could solve world hunger today, but tomorrow you start at zero all over again. You're either trying to beat yesterday's accomplishments or trying to compensate for a lack thereof.
Procrastinating?
You haven't started designing/planning/selling because
The World Cup only happens every 4 years, you might as well watch.
Orange is the New Black
The phone rings, the baby cries and your Facebook feed beckons.
Whining?
Somebody already took your idea, you'll never be as good / pretty / wise as [insert your personal Shero] so why try?
You're too busy to do your creative work, it's too hot and you'retoo tired.
Any of these sound like you?
You may be feeling a little guilty at this point.
Let's not wallow in guilt.
After all, wallowing in your weaknesses isn't helpful.
May I suggest that you just own them?
Society has taught us to hide our flaws. Skin breaking out? "Slather it in concealer, cover that in foundation and top it off with powder" says the world. BUT, you and I both know, it's only when you let that sweet face get some oxygen and free it from that chemical funk, that the skin starts to heal. Beautiful skin comes from the inside and so does a beautiful, prosperous life.
You almost forgot we were talking about your real flaws (didn't you?)—not the ones we can cover up with makeup, but rather the ones that are preventing you from doing your best work in the world.
The only way to stop sweeping things under the rug is to get rid of the rug. Here's how you start:
: Be honest with yourself
If you struggle with procrastination (for example), ask:
How effectively are you using your time?
How rigid are you with your schedule?
Is that schedule working?
How often are you getting distracted?
What is distracting you from the work that is important?
: Return to the Present Moment.
When you find your thoughts have wandered far far away from the task at hand, evaluate. Stop strengthening the distraction habit, too, by doing one. thing. only. No more checking Facebook in the car line, talking on the phone in the grocery store, eating and reading.
One. Thing. Only.
Then, ask yourself:
Does what you are doing support your long-term, purpose-driven Life Vision?
If it does, than get back to it. If it doesn't, why you are making time for it in your life? Are you getting distracted because the tasks that you're filling your day don't align with the future you want to create for yourself? Stop wasting your time.
Yes, getting back to work is important. But getting back to the right type of work is much more valuable.
: Plan & Incentivize
There are planners and there is everyone else. And even the planners have their flaws. I can fill an 18 month calendar with beautifully patterned washi tape. I know when I start, where my mid point is and when I end every project for the next 5 years. But, even the most prepared, have their moments.
Keep yourself focused with little celebrations for your accomplishments. Live each day as close to your Ideal Day as possible while intentionally acting on the small steps needed to bring you closer to your future dreams. Keep your eye on the prize, but don't lose your intention along the way.
Enough about flaws for now (you're not off the hook though), let's celebrate your gifts. Hop over to the Kula and share - we want to celebrate you!
Enjoy,
Is Passion Enough?
Around these parts, I talk quite a bit about building a business guided by your passions. My own passions guide all my business endeavors, so I’ve got room to talk.
But here’s a little not-so-secret: you shouldn’t start a business just because you’re passionate.
Maybe it’s surprising to read that, especially from me.
Notice the loophole?
You shouldn’t start a business JUST on your passions.
Which begs the question above: is passion really enough?
Passion is the fire energy, the driving force, the heartfire in your business. The fire of passion burns bright and strong. But passion is not enough.
Like it’s kissing cousin Desire, Passion eventually cools.
That’s the nature of time and transformation. All things pass …and fire expedites the transformation process.
In order to keep the flame of your passion alive in business, you need to get used to hard work (over a long time, without wavering).
True, the work will be enjoyable, rewarding and ultimately more fulfilling than most standard 9-to-5’s, but let’s be clear: it’s still work.
The entrepreneurial life involves a deep dedication to learning the tools of the trade. Not YOUR trade: the trade of business.
If you’re a conscious creative type with big dreams and a desire to do meaningful work in the world, the cold hard reality of business know-how is daunting.
Then you have the day-to-day operations. Now you are not only a passionate creative / artist / healer / helper, you are a business owner! Congratulations on your new (business) baby!
This is a wake-up call …even if you’re a seasoned business owner.
Let’s call on our friend, Curiosity, shall we? As the mother of Creativity, Curiosity invites us to remain open, playful and inquisitive. Curiosity keeps you asking the questions you need to answer in order to be successful in business.
Curiosity + Passion are still not enough.
You need to develop the drive to keep going and the will to do what must be done. Self-discipline gets us to do the not-so-fun things in our business: like systems, launching, strategy, vision and planning. All of these tasks are fundamental to the long-term success in your business. If you aren't willing (or able) to streamline and strategize, your passion-fueled business will fail.
The very good news is that the extreme form of self-discipline, grit, is easier for those of us in the passion-and purpose-centered community to develop. Grit is “the combination of very high persistence and very high passion for an objective.” (Seligman, Martin P. Fluorish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being, p. 118)
While passion isn’t enough, you can combine the high passion for your meaningful work with a lion’s share of persistence to get grittier.
For the intentional entrepreneur, grit is self-discipline for the greater good. You have amazing work to do the world: creative, healing, empowering work.
Amp up the grit— in your service-centered business— for the greater good.
There's a final element that must be aligned for passion-fueled business success: Purpose.
If your passion-fueled business is misaligned with your purpose, it's time to start shifting that NOW. Your path to prosperity (and your ability to serve the world best) depends on it. Aligning who you are with what you do with your sacred work in the world is the focus of one-on-one coaching and group programs with me. It doesn't matter how gritty you are if the business you're building is misaligned at the core level.
xo,
P.S. Don’t fret if your grittiness isn’t where you’d like it to be. Grit increases with age and education. I’d also add that grit increases with intentional practice: habits. And if you're as fascinated with Grit as I am, you'll love this Ted talk by grit researcher, Angela Lee Duckworth. She literally coined the term. And she's pretty gritty herself!
Make Money Like Magic In your Conscious Business
Positive cash flow in your business is a signifier that you are in alignment —and when you are in alignment, you make money like magic.
Why? Because if your business is solving the right problems, for the right people, and you are doing so in alignment with your soul’s purpose and sacred gifts —then you will thrive at all levels (including the financial level).
And that thriving will feel effortless —like it's magic.
Of course it takes more than a burning desire to help people in a purpose-fueled business.
It takes well-crafted offers, authentic marketing and a profit-centric business model that takes into account your lifestyle desires, your values and your financial well-being.
Let's hover for a moment on the financial well-being part. In business, financial wellness is the result of a profit-centric revenue model. Financial wellness also encompasses the values and desired lifestyle that encouraged you into business in the first place.
Money is a necessity —but we holistic entrepreneurs don't do the work for the money.
Agreed? Good.
Because if you’re like most purpose-driven souls, it's this aspect of loving what you do —but not loving the money — that leads to misalignment at the financial level.
Maybe this expresses in your business a chronic sense of overwhelm —you're doing okay financially, but you never have enough time for you, for your family, for your self-care, for hobbies or for ease.
Maybe this expresses in your business as consistent under-earning —you're charging less than you need to be for your services or products and are living in lack, or debt, or are constantly scrambling to keep up with bills.
Maybe this expresses in your business as inconsistent income or clients —you're on a roller coaster of ups and downs in business where, at times, income and clients are sufficient and other times, not.
Which is why, dearest, you probably have some money wounds that need healing in order to keep your business thriving.
Keeping the money energy flowing in the right way is part of your responsibility as the leader of your business. And that requires deep exploration into the patterns, beliefs and behaviors you as an entrepreneur (with a purpose-driven soul) have around money. The good news?
Once you are aware of the patterns, beliefs and behaviors, you are able to change them. In my coaching practice, I encourage my clients to begin at the beginning: developing laser-sharp clarity on their own financial wellbeing amount, what I call Financial Ease.™
Once you arrive at the amount your business must earn in order to adequately meet your own lifestyle needs and desires, your relationship with money becomes much clearer and you are able to confidently move forward with the actions necessary to meet your financial metrics.
One of my yoga teachers used to share an anecdote in his classes: in order to love something, you must touch it.
In business, the same is true —and how we "touch" something is by giving it our attention. Giving your attention to the pursuit of financial wellness in business is a worthy cause that results in your ability to help more people. (Because your business exists to help people, right? All good businesses do.)
The natural next step in this process is to ask: how do I earn that? Meeting your income goals and remaining in Financial Ease™ is as easy (and as challenging) as setting a clear financial target, doing some mindful reverse-engineering, and committing to the actions necessary to reach those goals.
The practical magic of turning your financial goals into actual, tangible income involves more than desire —it takes action, baby —but once you are clear on how to leverage your skills, reaching your financial goals is easier than you think.
Ready for the practical magic?
1. Identify your Financial Ease™ amount
2. Leverage your skills with a best-fit package, product or course that meets a specific need for a specific person (your perfect fit client)
3. Price your package, product or course to align your service goals and financial goals
Although there is a little bit of math involved, it isn't too much and I promise you’ll enjoy it! Let's look at a tangible example, then complete your own version using the guidelines below:
Example:
Monthly income target: $5000
High value package rate: $1000
Needs: 5 clients / month at $1000 rate
SAMPLE Actions to Take:*
a) Personally invite 10 clients per month into the high value package, product or program (50% conversion rate = 5 new clients at the $1000 level)
b) Run an advertising campaign to reach 500 new leads (at a 1% conversion rate = 5 new clients at the $1000 level)
c) Develop a workshop, webinar or live talk that shares a bit about your high value product, or program and share it 1x / month for 25 people, then follow up with everyone in attendance and invite into larger package (25% conversion rate = 5 new clients at the $1000 level)
*Want some support on these actions and how to effectively use these strategies to support your business? That's exactly what I do.
Apply now for a complimentary 15 minute session —it it's a good fit, I promise to let you know exactly how I can support your business' wellbeing at all levels.
Now it's your turn!
Monthly income target: $XXXX
High value package: $XXX
Needs: # of clients
Actions to take = Actions to take that will result in # of clients needed
Now that you have a clear target, you are better equipped to establish clear weekly and monthly goals for your business efforts to ensure you remain in alignment at all levels.
But what if —like many of my clients —you don't have a high value package yet?
One of the easiest ways to increase your income is to fold the BEST of what you offer into a package or series of services that your dream client needs (and will value). If you are currently focused on selling one-to-one services, consider the clients that keep coming back.
:: What do they enjoy about working with you?
:: What benefits are they gaining from your work together?
:: What else do they need (or want) that you can provide?
Once you answer the above questions, explore folding together everything you offer into one high value package (or service, or program) that a small percentage of your dream clients will say YES to.
If you easily get hung up on the "it's too expensive, no one will purchase it" limiting belief, remember the Pareto principle applies here: 20% of your efforts will provide 80% of your outcomes.
That applies to clientele, too: you only need 20% of your current clientele to say YES in order to make the package / service / product a valuable revenue stream.
Because let's face it: your business needs to earn money. If your business is not earning money, it becomes a costly, time-intensive hobby and a serious energy drain.
Instead: let's turn your business into a magical and meaningful money-making enterprise.
START HERE.
To your success,
Kellie
P.S. Want to take a peek at my own solution-centric package? It's right over here.
Do you understand your numbers?
Do you have your head in the sand when it comes to numbers in your business?
As a healer, helper or coach, it is easy to get caught up in wanting to be of service to your clients, and put financial need on the back burner. But you are running a business not an expensive hobby, so if you’ve been avoiding this aspect of your business, let’s take a small action together now.
Step 1
Status Update (AKA Profit + Loss)
Set up a income and expense tracking process . Wave is a free software which is easy to use, there is also Freshbooks, Xero and many more.
Hire a CPA
Enter in all your transactions for this financial year - you can do them by month if easier, start this month and work backwards.
Work out your current financial position
Step 2
Set Financial Goals
Write down your quarterly, six monthly and year 1 , 2 goals.
How much income do you need and want to receive?
How many hours do you need and want to work to achieve these goals?
By answering these questions you can start to put a plan in place
Step 3
Action: 1, 2, 3
List everything that needs to happen to acheive those gaols. BIG Braindump.
Review your list thoughtfully, then select the top 3 Action-oriented items. These are the three things that must happen to get you on the path toward your goal.
Set a timeline to complete those three tasks
Get support and accountabiilty to maintain that committment.
Once you have worked out what you need to do work out a plan on how to achieve these goals: maybe you need to…
Book more clients each week
Raise your rates
Create a high-value product / package / service
.Launch an online course
Develop a series, training, or certification
Get comfortable with selling
Increase your visibility
Come share your top 3 Action Items with us in the Kula — and get some support, too!
Want to skip right to customized strategy? Head over here.
Money a taboo topic?
Have you been programmed to have a negative mindset towards money? Maybe you grew up in a home where money was a touchy subject and there never was enough. Maybe you have or still are struggling with money in your own personal life, and these experiences are now reflecting on your business.
Fear grows in the dark - avoiding tough conversations about money (or anything really), escalates fear around the topic and results in more stifled feelings and —you guessed it —even more fear. It becomes a much harder, bigger, more scary conversation when it stays in the dark. Shining light on the topic is THE best way to relieve fear so today, right now, let’s shed some light on the conversation - and gently begin to talk about money.
@@ "Let’s start the conversation on money #womeninbusiness @@
I am here to tell you, it is okay to talk about money. It is okay to focus on your finances and it is okay to want to be financially abundant. Beginning the conversation is the hardest part. By starting, we can re-write the scripts that have been playing in your mind and start to take control of your money situation.
What is money on a spiritual level?
Money is a form of energy. Balancing this energy opens up paths to receive it in return. If you are holding this energy (money) tight from a fear of losing it or not having enough, energy blocks form. These blocks then impede the inflow of money.
@@ Money is a form of energy. Clear the energy to open up paths to receive it in return #womeninbusiness @@
Often, money is associated with success so instead of focusing on the word money, shift your focus to what success actually means for you. Once you define “success” for you ,the positive steps to take bring you there become clear.
Where your focus goes energy flows. So here are a few questions to start focusing on “success” on your own terms (financial or otherwise!) :
What are your financial goals for your business?
What are your service goals for your business?
Do you set weekly / monthly / quarterly “success lists”?
How was your week in business?
Did you have productive / successful week? If so, why was it productive?
Was it internal energy or external energy that impacted on your goals?
Actively participate in this inner conversation. When you focus on ways to define success, and to grow your income from that place, you are on the right path.
You also need to remember that people value money very differently, but that doesn’t mean that one person’s value is better than your value. There is no right or wrong way when it comes to money and your goals.
@@ Where your focus goes, energy flows #womeninbusiness @@
By starting the conversation and supporting your friends, peers and family you are helping to empower them. Focus on lifting each other up, this will help you on your own money path.
Start the conversation now, join us in the Kula.
Feeling Stuck in your business? Rewind to your why!
Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the noise on the internet …
about entrepreneurship, about business, about upleveling, and about marketing to the masses?
It’s difficult to find values-centric business support, especially as you grow into the next phase of your business.
Growing a business takes diligence and focus: there is so much to do and an overwhelming amount of information designed to support you. But sometimes the business of business overwhelms you, then analysis paralysis sets in, then you wonder why you are in business at all!
Breathe with me … inhale deeply….
And exhale.
Let’s get back to the dream you had about starting your own business —- the awareness that you have something wonderful to share with the world and your clients and that it was time to start a business that would allow you to do just that.
Find a tool or a few tools to help you remember why you started doing what you’re doing and create something that will help remind you about this on a daily basis because when things get hard - and they will - you’ll need something in your physical space that will signify the importance of what you’re doing.
Not every tool will work for everybody - some people love writing, listening, talking, moving, journaling, meditating - find the tool that will work for you. Some type of activity that you can do that will help you get back to why you started your business.
Here are a few to try:
1. Vision Boarding
Did you create a vision board when you started? If so, dig that out, does it still resonate with you? If it doesn’t, change it. If it does, take some time to breathe and honor the work that you put in to create that board and get back to those feelings that you felt as you were doing that work - the excitement of dreaming.
If you are creating a new one, hop over to Pinterest and pin to your heart’s conecnt. Or, go old school and cut out images from your favorite magazines. Need another suggestion? Try this online tool like fotor where you can drag and drop on to a board to create your collage.
It’s important to take action after creating the vision board - the action of placing it in an area that you’ll see every single day. Your office wall, your refrigerator, your screen saver, your phone background.
2. Mantras
Using a daily mantra helps to program your brain on a subconscious level to bring abundance into your life and bring you closer to your why. Saying mantras out loud allows the universe to hear and feel your energy vibrations and start working in magical ways to bring you abundance. Remember everything that you say after “I am …” is true. Coming from a heart full of gratitude will allow you to receive abundance easily. Create your own matras or repeat the below mantras on a daily basis:
My purpose is clear, I am on the correct path.
I am open to receive abundance.
@@My purpose is clear, I am on the correct path. #womeninbusiness @@
3. Gratitude Journaling
Think about your favorite client or that activity in your business that feels like you’re in the zone. You know that activity where it seems that time stands still, your face gets a little flushed, you can feel that you are making a difference in the universe. That space … that feeling … write about that.
This is forcing your mind to focus on the positive things and brings about positive energy. Too often when we are feeling stuck and resistance we gravitate towards a negative mindset and by focusing on things that are working or going right in our lives and business (even small things) really helps move you into a positive and pro-active mindset. Changing our mindset which is what we are doing is going to help bring about more positivity and clarity into our lives.
4. Reminisce with a friend
If processing things out loud with someone helps, have tea with a friend and ask if you could talk about why you started your business. Having those words come out of your mouth about your why can help you get back to that feeling you had as you were starting out. When reminiscing about this with a friend, staying in that space - give no energy or attention to all of the outside noises and all of your to do’s. Just talk about why you’re doing what you’re doing. It may help to record this, listen to it later and pick out a few key words or phrases that you say and put use them as your screensaver, or create a picture with the words - put it someplace visible to have instant, visible reminders about your Why!
These are just a few tools to help you rewind to your why.
What is your favorite way to get unstuck? Share some – others may need some help to get unstuck – your experience could help someone else!