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.
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!