Break all the Business Rules...and Thrive?
Calling all Female Founders and Mindful Leaders: The rules don't apply for you because they were never meant to. You're a trailblazing change-maker who believes business is a vehicle for powerful good and world-changing ideas. Break the Business Rules to Thrive and join me in doing Business as Unusual | Kellie Adkins, Holistic Business Coach
The “Rules” of business-as-usual say…
Work long hours
Hustle harder than everyone
Be everywhere on the internet
Market with sleazy high pressure tactics
Launch crappy programs …
Then upsell when they don’t deliver results (cue the “from 6-to-7 figures expert advice”)
Sacrifice your talents to “prove your worth” …
Undercharge for your services to “stay competitive”
Undercharge because you’re a woman/minority/neurodivergent in business
I don’t want to live (or run my business by) those rules anymore.
TBH, those rules were never meant to apply to you or me.
There are more important things to prioritize than hustle culture.
Democracy is being threatened around the world.
Racist trolls are around every internet corner.
Misogyny seems to be the new(again) standard.
A history of violence against women is no longer a barrier to nomination (or election) to the highest levels of government in the United States.
No longer is it gauche to attack someone based on their beliefs, racial identity, or gender: online or in person.
Which is why NOW is not the time to play by the rules: their rules.
Now is the time to toss out the rule book and get rebellious.
Now is the time to be the change.
Mindful, yes.
Not quiet. Not demure.
Let’s ignore the rules and embrace business-as-Unusual.
Business as Unusual says…
Honor your body’s needs to build a business that doesn’t burn you out
Stay in your strengths to ensure optimal productivity
Be intentional and strategic with your online presence
Market with trauma-informed, ethical approaches that honor agency
Craft thoughtful programs that demonstrate your expertise
Invite a small handful of VIP clients to work with you at a deeper level
Price in a way that balances prosperity and sustainability
Encourage referrals and provide valuable free resources for accessibility
Own your place in the marketplace and begin to balance historical underrepresentation
Break all the Business-as-usual rules
Business as Unusual says your business (or mission-driven organization) is a vehicle for social good and commerce.
Business as Unusual says you get to decide how to structure your services, offers, and products.
Business as Unusual says Take. Up. Space. Especially in those spaces (IRL and in the digital sphere) where you, and those like you, are underrepresented.
Business as Unusual says toss the fear-based marketing and trigger-laden sales tactics: emphasize being of value and generating real connections with the people you can best serve.
Business as Unusual says you don’t need to do what everyone else is doing. Write a book. Develop a Course. Lead a Retreat. Start a Podcast. Start a Revolution. You’re the boss for a reason :)
Business as Unusual says there is a season for everything. Honor your seasons.
Business as Unusual = Permission to break all the rules and to ….
⚡️ Shine brighter & expand your business for the greater good
⚡️ Stop burning out by being all things to all people
⚡️ Cultivate the focus necessary to elevate your influence & reach more people
⚡️ Rise to your own, values-driven standards for success
⚡️ Break all the 'business rules' —except your own Rules for Business + Life Alignment
Is that a "Heck, yeah!"?
Fellow Rebel with a Cause, I’d love to invite you into Third Jewel Society —a catalyst and a community to support your exponential expansioh WITHOUT sacrificing your values.
Join your fellow Female Founders and Mindful Trailblazers who want to guide their next evolution with the power of intention, community, and strategic action next year: and do more work that matters.
Today is the last day to receive the early registration bonuses, and I do hope you’ll take advantage of the $3000+ savings and the annual payment plan.
(If you need a little more time to decide, you have it! We don’t officially begin until January 20, 2025.)
Third Jewel Society
With gratitude,
Kellie Adkins, MS, C-IAYT
Holistic Business Coach + Yoga Therapist
Use Intention to Fuel your Goal-Getting
How to Reach Any Goal
If you’ve ever set a meaningful goal then failed to reach it, you’re in the majority (and welcome to the human condition!). Goals require change —change in behavior, thoughts, attitude or actions (or all of the above). And change is hard.
Change your behavior
But as humans we crave change: novelty lights up different regions of the brain, change is challenging and shifts in perspective inspire new insights. So it’s natural that change is something to move toward —in business and in life. Setting goals is a function of change and is a worthy pursuit in business, especially as a conscious entrepreneur with big dreams, powerful work to share, and many passions.
Setting goals is a function of change and a worthy pursuit in business, especially if you have BIG dreams.
But setting goals and actually reaching your goals are very different things.
If you want to make big things happen, you have to commit to taking mindful action that both aligns with your intention and supports your long term vision.
If you want to make BIG things happen, you have to commit to taking mindful action
You can expand your goal-getting powers by using an intention to align your priorities and your daily actions. That (plus a little strategy) equals your business goals, conquered.
INTENTION + STRATEGY + ACTION = GOALS, CONQUERED.
Consider the following examples...
EXAMPLE 1
Jane sets a goal to grow her massage therapy practice by 100 clients this year. She first sets an intention to expand, then takes mindful action each week to identify new clients, reach them with her message, and invite them into her practice.
EXAMPLE 2
Cathy sets a business goal of packaging her expertise into a training, product or program this year. Cathy sets the intention of reaching more people with her message, then carves out 2-5 hours a week to develop her program, host a beta offering and learns how to market your signature offer.
In each of the above examples, the goals are specific, realistic and time-sensitive. Each goal-getting plan includes a set of actions (goal-supportive actions and behaviors) that bring Jane and Cathy closer to their goal. Both Jane and Cathy set an intention and use that intention to fuel their commitment to achieving their goals. Finally, both Jane and Cathy are laser-focused.
First, Commit to focus
You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again:
You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.
What is the “anything” you will do —this year, this month or this week? That’s where focus is required. And as a result of this level of focus, you are better able to identify the supports required and to take the specific actions that will move you toward meaningful goals.
Next, identify the support required
What supports are necessary for you to reach your goal? For Jane and Cathy, those supports were a set of actions and behaviors needed to get different results in their business. Jane had to reach more people with her message —which required upleveling her marketing and being specific in her networking.
Cathy needed to learn about course development, the ins and outs of marketing her signature course, and the technology behind delivering her material. In your own goal-setting practice, the supports required become clear when you are able to articulate (and focus in on) the specific goal.
Next, develop your meaningful goals
Develop your meaningful goals by ensuring they are ….
specific (grow practice // package expertise)
measurable (by 100 clients // into a training, product or program) and
time-sensitive (within a year)
As in the examples above
specific (EXAMPLE 1: grow practice // EXAMPLE 2: package expertise)
measurable (EXAMPLE 1: by 100 clients // EXAMPLE 2: develop a training, product or program) and
time-sensitive (EXAMPLE 1 + 2: within a year)
Finally, take action!
Remain intentional in your daily actions and avoid any behaviors, habits or attitudes that distract your from your focus. Keep taking tiny steps forward every day and if you get stuck —reach out for support.
If you are stuck turning your intention into meaningful goals, take some time for self-reflection. Rather than being distracted by the "you've got mail" sound and the impossible-not-to-click headlines floating through your social feed, visualize laser-focus on your most fulfilling projects, dreams or life goals.
Get out your journal and answer these questions…
What do I want to more of —in life or in business?
What do I want to create?
How do I want to show up in the world?
What is my grandest vision for my business / life / sacred work?
Bottom line: if you want to turn your goals into reality, stay mindful and apply focus to align your intentions and your actions.
If you struggle to develop, set or reach your goals, accountability could be the missing link. Loads of loving accountability (and hand holding) available right here.
From Vision to Execution: How to Stoke Your Motivational Fires
While those around us are indulging in holiday-season nostalgia, we heart-centered entrepreneurs tend to look forward instead of back. And while I encourage all business owners to make the most of the current year before it ends, I also know that we’re neck-deep in prime planning time.
While those around us are indulging in holiday-season nostalgia, we heart-centered entrepreneurs tend to look forward instead of back. And while I encourage all business owners to make the most of the current year before it ends, I also know that we’re neck-deep in prime planning time. The year is ending! SOON! And very few of us are so organized that we can sail through December without pausing to formulate a few key strategies for January and beyond.
But it can be overwhelming to contemplate those strategies without guidance and structure. So today I wanted to share a simple but effective checklist that can help you sort through your priorities and begin taking action on them!
Let’s dig in, shall we?
Create a vision
If action is the finish line, vision is the starting line. And you can’t have one without the other, so begin by letting your creative juices flow however they flow best. Whether you use an art journal, a vision board, or good old-fashioned pen and paper, creating a vision for your business is essential for crafting your plan.
Before goals, before action, before anything else, you need a vision for your business.
Think about how you want your work to impact your own life, your community, and the world. Think about what you love doing, and how you can do more of it while still making a profit. Think about what you’re best at, and which aspects of your business naturally thrive. Think about who you want to help and why. Think about the standard of living you’d like to maintain or achieve. Think about the things you do that make you feel proud and accomplished and just plain good about your work. Do your best to incorporate as many of these things - plus anything else that rises to the surface as you ruminate - into your vision.
Want help?
Have a plan
After the vision, comes the plan. You need to outline the steps you’ll take to bring your dreams into fruition, and refine any steps you’re currently taking that aren’t proving productive. You need to create something that makes many holistic entrepreneurs tremble in their shoes: A business plan. (Dun dun duunnnnnn!) I PROMISE that crafting a business plan doesn’t need to be traumatic or dull or overwhelming. It can be an enlightening, invigorating, even enjoyable process, if you let it! And if you just feel ill-equipped to tackle the task on your own, there are several free tools available around the web to guide you, including my own free resources and the Holistic Business Blueprint. Take your time, and imbue your work with the care and love it deserves. A business plan is an organic, living and breathing thing. You are free to change things as needed and your plan should allow you to be responsive—rather than reactive—in business.
Want help?
Turn amorphous dreams into time-sensitive goals
The jump from plan to action can feel like a giant one. Tackling action a bit at a time by setting small-to-medium, concrete, time-sensitive goals will make the transition feel more seamless. But be aware: as humans, we often underestimate how much we can accomplish in a year and overestimate what we can accomplish in a day. Narrow down your focus to your annual achievables then begin dividing those into quarters, months, weeks, then, finally, days. (You’ll be amazed how manageable your business plan suddenly feels!)
As humans, we often underestimate how much we can accomplish in a year and overestimate what we can accomplish in a day.
And remember that what you focus on expands: focus is practical magic. What do you truly want to create in your business in the coming year? You can do anything you want, but you can’t do it all at once. Prioritize your business dreams, decide when you’ll do what, and carefully select your focus for the coming months.
Use time-chunking to tame your to-do list
Still feel like you’ve got more to do than time to do it? There are many, many secrets to crafting productive work-weeks, but time-chunking is one of my all-time favorites. If you tend to overload your to-do list and find the weeks flying by with little progress toward your long-term goals, consider using this strategy yourself.
Time-chunking is using the same timeslot each week for the same task. So blocking off 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Tuesday to create your digital content, allotting two hours every Friday to populate your social media scheduler, scheduling a weekly payroll review on Monday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. This only works if you actually block off the time in your calendar! Don’t just make a mental note, create a repeating event in your calendar of choice. With reminders.
Time-chunking is an effective method to schedule business growth tasks that propel you toward success in the coming year.
Turn vision into action through discipline, dedication, devotion and determination.
If you’re a yogi, you’ll recognize that those are the four D’s of Ashtanga yoga. What works on the mat works in business, too. The most admirable vision and carefully crafted business plan in the world will fall flat if you don’t adjust your mindset. Set tasks and stick to them. Constantly recommit to your goals and vision. Pause every day to remember why you do this world-changing work. And never, ever, EVER give up on yourself, your dreams, or your ability to help people live more fulfilling lives.
Want help?
Women Entrepreneurs, NOW is the Time For Change
I launched my business as holistic business mentor to make waves. I wanted to empower my clients to empower their clients to live happier, healthier lives using the principles of conscious lifestyle. And I’ve dedicated the last 10 years of my life to that mission. I believe in change. I believe in the power of a tribe, a dedicated and motivated group of people on a shared mission to transform the world in actionable, concrete, lasting ways.
I launched my business as holistic business mentor to make waves. I wanted to empower my clients to empower their clients to live happier, healthier lives using the principles of conscious lifestyle. And I’ve dedicated the last 15 years of my life to that mission.
I believe in change. I believe in the power of a community, a dedicated and motivated group of people on a shared mission to transform the world in actionable, concrete, lasting ways.
I hope you'll agree that the world needs more of your voice. More voices speaking up for tolerance and speaking out against tyranny, more voices banding together, more voices supporting one another. But also more voices sharing the messages of conscious lifestyle, connection, healing, and harmony. Messages of renewal and self-care, consciousness and wide-open worldviews that are so essential during times of great upheaval.
And that's where you come in.
Whatever your specific modality, your work is transformation. As a healer, a helper, a coach, a guide, a mentor, a teacher, or a leader, you work for change and you believe change begins with you.
I believe that, too.
And for too long, I've kept silent about some of the real challenges facing female founders + holistic entrepreneurs who want to earn a meaningful living doing the purpose-fueled work of transformation. In no particular order, I’ve seen brilliant, gifted, driven women entrepreneurs grapple with:
Fear of worthiness, prominence, and power
Lack of trust in their abilities (and its cousin, Imposter Complex)
Difficulty setting boundaries and saying, “No”
The energetic toll of work that supports clients with deep-seated emotional needs
Fear of visibility, and of the intolerance that often comes with being a visible woman
Uneasiness with marketing
Distaste for self-promotion
Limiting beliefs around money
Choosing comfort over the discomfort of bold, intentional action
Putting others’ needs and desires first, letting business take the back-burner
I've worked with clients deeply in debt or on the verge of bankruptcy who were still under-charging, convinced they couldn’t ask clients for more money for their transformative services. I've witnessed despair and exhaustion in women entrepreneurs 10+ years into building their businesses, burned out and with no tangible assets to show for their hard work. I've listened to stories of women walking away from their heart-driven work because their ethics and their bank accounts felt misaligned. I've heard from hundreds of women entrepreneurs working in the transformative arts, eager to build sustainable incomes doing what they love … but failing to first learn the basics of business.
And I’m over it.
I want you to get a little mad. I want you to use the energy of that anger to reshape the reality of being a female entrepreneur in the business of personal transformation. I want you to get revved up and prime yourself to make some tough changes.
Because the world needs your work now more than ever. This is your moment. Our moment. And we need to embrace it with both arms.
Every single one of you who feels like you’re stuck in a tape-loop of repetitive suffering in your business, it’s time to break free.
Every single one of you who’s ready to effect real change in the world—and who feels driven to do that by sharing your purposeful work—it’s time to step up.
Every single one of you who’s ready to break through to better business—ethics intact—it’s time to push forward.
There’s no time like the present. Let’s do this.
Together.
Supporting each other every step of the way.
If reading this lit your inner flame, but you're not sure what to do next, I'm here to help stoke that intention into a fire of action. Apply here for a complimentary Breakthrough to Clarity coaching call and I'll listen, process, and advise. I promise to find ways to unlock phenomenal personal success while simultaneously continuing the work you do to heal our world
Keep Business Sweet, Simple (and Sustainable) for the Holidays
We holistic entrepreneurs and small business owners know that the winter holiday season can be rough. Hectic. Overwhelming and incredibly hard to manage. It’s meant to be a time of celebration and relaxation, but many of us opt for worry and stress instead. We get anxious over year-end numbers, scramble to throw together customer appreciation events, pressure ourselves to add new offerings, and gradually pile more items onto our already-full plates until we’re ready to keel over.
We holistic entrepreneurs and small business owners know that the winter holiday season can be rough. Hectic. Overwhelming and incredibly hard to manage. It’s meant to be a time of celebration and relaxation, but many of us opt for worry and stress instead. We get anxious over year-end numbers, scramble to throw together customer appreciation events, pressure ourselves to add new offerings, and gradually pile more items onto our already-full plates until we’re ready to keel over.
We’ve already chatted about maximizing your time during the holidays to fill offers and secure new clients, and I certainly don’t want you to abandon those tactics! But today, let’s look at the all-important flip-side: Simplification.
If—like many of us—your stress levels creep ever higher the closer we get to singing “Auld Lang Syne,” then clearing the decks, paring down your activities, AND planting seeds of intention for the new year are all beneficial practices. Let’s talk details.
Create a DON’T List
We all have time-sucking tasks that creep in when we’re avoiding harder or more complex work. Plust tasks that we enjoy and justify as important, even when we secretly know they’re non-essential. So if you’re someone who’s subject to Holiday Inundation Syndrome, force yourself to make a DON’T list of projects and activities that can be temporarily abandoned.
MICRO: List out three things you will NOT do today. Either make a new list each day, or enforce a single list throughout the season. (You’ll know what will work best for your specific business model … and bad habits!)
MACRO: Take a hard look at your business now that we’re rounding out the year. What worked? What didn’t? Slash what didn’t work, and you instantly have more bandwidth to build on what did work.
EXAMPLE: Streamline your offers to reduce the amount of confusion (for your clients) and overwhelm (for you). If you have multiple offers, packages, or services but several of them aren’t performing, now is the ideal time to slash the ones that don’t generate income. Train your focus on your top performers, and let the rest go.
Get Back to Basics
After you’ve considered what to put on hold or jettison entirely, ponder your non-negotiables. And I’m not talking about “paying the rent” or “making a profit,” I mean higher-level goals and deep-seated needs. Think back to why you love your work, and which aspects of it feel utterly essential. Then force yourself to simplify.
MICRO: Ask yourself, “Which self-care needs must be met for me to feel the way I most enjoy feeling—in business and in life?” Find ways to meet those needs every single day. Seriously.
MACRO: Ask yourself, “Which basic business practices MUST be in place for me to have a happier holiday season?” If you need help keeping those practices humming along, prioritize finding that help.
EXAMPLE: To give yourself more breathing room for self-care and the energy to focus on essential practices, front-load some of the promotional and back-of-office processes that need to run in the background. Pre-write blog posts, pre-schedule social media, automate your billing and invoicing, hire an assistant, do whatever it takes to ensure you can pare down your activities without missing a beat.
Take Baby Steps Toward World Domination (for the Greater Good)
As the year draws to a close, we all end up doing some goal-setting for the year that approaches. But typical resolutions don’t always work for conscious entrepreneurs. So instead, I’d encourage you to gaze into the (near) future by portioning your big visions and dreams into achievable action steps. And challenging yourself to take action on one thing every day.
MICRO: Define your primary purpose in this world for more inspiration and energy. Take time to journal, self-study, or reflect on what you feel you are truly meant to do. Try boiling it down to a single mission statement or summary. (Mine is “I am here to be the person I needed.”) Stuck? Try this formula: I'm a ___. I help ___ [do]___ so they can _____.
MACRO: Once you define your big dreams for your business (and life), the next step is putting a timeframe around them. What aspects of your Big Vision will fit into the span of a single year? How about 2 years? 5 years? 10 years?
EXAMPLE: If your goal is to help as many people as possible heal their relationships with their bodies, make a list of organizations doing similar work and connect with them via email or social media, one per day. When you run out, research individuals doing similar work, and connect with one per day. Soon you’ll have a robust network of like-minded healers, and the ability to reach and help a much larger pool of people.
It’s so easy for me to command you to simplify your practices, and far more complicated for you to actually DO it. I know, and I want you to know that I know. But here’s the thing: If you want to make it through this holiday season with less stress, more focus, and a mindset that will prime you for a truly amazing year to come, simplification is the only way to fly. And I hope these suggestions will help you do just that.
Need help finding more concrete examples of how to pare down your practices? Come on over to the Conscious Kula and hit us up for ideas!
How to Stay Proactive When Life Gets in the Way
“Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.” - John Lennon
Eloquent words from a modern poet-prophet, to be sure. But sometimes, life isn’t limited to the swirl of activities on the sidelines of your work and ambitions. Sometimes life actually monkeys with the plans you’ve made. Life can be hurricanes and broken legs, busted carburetors and cancelled flights, sick kids and lost dogs. Sometimes life is an unexpected mini-disaster that brings everything to a grinding halt. Sometimes life is the hulking bully who runs down the beach to stomp all over the exquisite sandcastle you’ve been building all day long.
You can be meticulous and careful, have capable staff on-call to help in emergencies and a half-dozen backup plans … and still get screwed by natural disasters, germs, or planned obsolescence. No matter how diligent you are in your business plans and entrepreneurial actions, sometimes life steps in and derails you.
I watched this happen to a dear friend of mine just last week, so it’s top-of-mind for me now. And I realized that many of you lovely readers could likely benefit from the advice I gave to reassure her that all was not lost. (And to prevent her from constantly hyperventilating.)
Here are some simple, smart actions you can take when life throws roadblocks onto your path to success:
Simplify your business plan
Remember: 80% of your income is the result of 20% of your efforts. Your top-performing classes or offerings are always exponentially more profitable than less popular ones, so when life gets hairy, cut the dead weight. Identify that uber-profitable 20%, and simplify your business to that / those offers. Even if this is just a temporary switch, it can make life in emergency mode SO much more manageable. Need support identifying that 20%?
Choose one point of focus per week / month / quarter
Conscious entrepreneurs are chronic multi-taskers., and we tend to try to do everything ourselves. It’s a risky way to operate, but many of us make it work right up until the studio floods or the server crashes. When that finally happens, we are forced to focus. Focus is practical magic and the more you can laser in on the things that need to happen to move your business forward, the easier juggling everything else will become. Separate the day-to-day operations tasks from the growth tasks, and assign out the former to trusted employees. Pick a single item from the latter group to tackle each week, month, or quarter. Just one. That’s plenty. And focusing on it will help you feel productive and forward-looking even when you’re functioning in the wake of catastrophe.
Stay narrow and strong
Which of your regular responsibilities, roles, or offers are causing your now-limited energy to dissipate? The more you stay in your strength zone—your zone of genius where your unique magic lies—the less of a drain your business will be. And it’s essential that you conserve and manage your energy in times of crisis. Not sure what your zone of genius is or how to identify your unique magic? I’ve got you covered right here!
Let it go
Let’s be real: Sometimes life happens and you absolutely have to breathe into the holes that it creates in your business. Let it go and ride the wave: this too shall pass. (Even if it feels like it never will.) Remember to be gentle with yourself as you put the pieces back together. Ease yourself back into the swing of things when you can, but don’t apply any undue pressure.
Self-care is a business strategy
Speaking of which, never forget to listen to your needs and ask for help when catastrophe comes a’callin’. You are the beating-heart center of your business, so self-care is absolutely a business strategy! Identify three or four self-care practices that encourage you to feel vibrant, healthy, capable, and strong. Then stick to those come heck or high water. Promise me!
Find a community
If you’re in the throes of a business-derailing disaster right now, I sincerely hope some of these tips feel do-able to you. But if not—or if you could use an extra shot of support and empathy—come join us at the Conscious Entrepreneur’s Kula. Don’t go thinking this is “just an online community.” This amazing group knows how to help, heal, and nourish its members, and we’ve always got room for one more.
Crises can teach us essential lessons and illuminate what’s most important in our lives. But that doesn’t make them any more fun to live through. The next time life gets in the way of your plans, use these strategies to keep yourself moving forward.
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.
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.
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!)
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.
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.
So, we've talked about how "doing it all" is overrated. And it absolutely is! 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 can be 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.
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?
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.
(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).
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.
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!