This is, hands down, my favorite video of the holiday season. First of all, it will just leave you grinning from ear to ear. And secondly, there are so many great lessons to take away from it: the joys of giving, the positive power of business, and – my favorite – the reminder to dream big and ask for what you really want. Enjoy the video, and have a wonderful holiday season.
Archives for December 2013
Inspiration from “What Not to Wear”
Years ago, my sister got me hooked on the TV show “What Not to Wear”. If you’re not familiar with the premise, two fabulous New York stylists help women ditch their frumpy, inappropriate, outdated wardrobes, and not only overhaul their closet, but also confront issues of self-esteem and body image.
This show is junk food for the mind, and I watch it to unplug. But without meaning to, I received a moment of inspiration while vegging out recently.
In every episode, the hosts review the guest’s wardrobe and proceed to throw away every article of clothing in it. It’s often quite emotional for the guest to let go of their familiar yet ill-fitting clothes. In one episode, the hosts asked their guest if she was having a hard time with this process of letting go, to which she replied, “I guess you can’t get something better if your hands are full of something else.”
I found this image so clarifying: hands full of some grubby old sweatshirt, safe and familiar, but ultimately no longer in alignment with who she is and what she wants.
So as you set your goals this year, I highly recommend you also root out your own version of the cruddy sweatshirt. Make room for something truly stunning!
Lost in the Shuffle: The Bottom Line
I’ve spoken with a lot of people lately, and I hear the same frantic questions and concerns…
“What is my marketing plan? Who is my ideal client? I think I need to do search engine optimization. I have to incorporate social media. Should I brand myself? How do I control my email? I need to network more often. How do I generate more referrals?”
In all of this spinning and worrying, do you notice one factor that is not mentioned? Money.
We can get so tangled up in the strategies we make the mistake of overlooking whether or not money is flowing into our businesses. Trust me on this, I know what I’m talking about. At one point in my entrepreneurial career, I got so caught up in finding the perfect strategies, branding, and systems for my business that I forgot how to stay in business.
Confession time: I got so caught up in the chaos I went bankrupt. Literally.
I don’t share this story often, because it is painful and embarrassing. No one likes to admit they totally screwed up in the money department – especially not a business coach. But it’s so important to understand how taking your eye off your income can lead to being out of business, out of your home (yes, I lost my house, too), and totally demoralized.
What are some reasons business owners take their eyes off money? They –
- Don’t want to be seen as greedy
- Are so focused on serving others that they forget to take care of their own needs
- Think if they build it, clients will come
- Are afraid of the reality of their situation
- Confuse busy-ness, recognition, and involvement for profitability
The last reason is the worst offender, and the one I see most often. What can you do to combat this confusion and lack? In 2014, look your cash flow squarely in the eye and…
- Let go of what isn’t working
- Look for additional income streams
- Keep track of the money coming in
- Tie your goals, strategies and actions to income
Let me help with the last reason. I’m giving away free passes to my class “How to Set Dynamic, Income-Producing Goals”. If you want a pass, just email me and I’ll set you up!