Article Contributed by Lisa Cherney
Being in my 12th year of business now (wow, 12 years! I feel so blessed!), I can actually reflect and see how far I’ve come. I’m seeing the patterns now, the cycles that have defined and shaped my business – and it has changed so much in the past year! It is so different now than when I first started. Back then, I had a vision of what my dream business looked like. I was driving home with my career in a box on the passenger seat of my car, after having just been “kicked out” of the corporate world, and I could see what I wanted for my future. But I didn’t know – yet – how to get there.
So I started my business with the same corporate mentality that I came from, and found myself trapped – again. Only difference was, the boss was me this time! Ask yourself this: Does my business feel the way I want it to feel? This may sound illogical, but you don’t need to work 80 hours a week to make the kind of money you want. I want you to claim the peace and prosperity that I have for your own business, but first you have to let go of this mindset that so many of us have- that we have to work those kinds of hours to achieve the success we long for. So here’s the first reason it took me so long to start making big money, and doesn’t it sound familiar??
Reason #1: “You are used to being unhappy or compromising.”
It’s true! Old habits die hard. The people that I’ve coached might have had success in a job, a corporate career or someone’s business, maybe even their own, but it wasn’t really their passion. They just kind of fell into it, but deep down they knew it wasn’t what they were meant to do. Now, I know you truly want your dream business, but you’re used to being unhappy… you don’t allow yourself to enjoy it fully! You trade one awful situation for another.
Are you living the lifestyle you want? Don’t settle for anything less than you deserve! Life is short, so you need to develop a low tolerance for being unhappy. And you can start right now by taking pen to paper and ask yourself this question:
What are you tolerating in your business or in your life that you are no longer willing to tolerate?
This question will lead you straight to Divine Juice Principle #1 – Make sure you are doing what you love every minute.
Crazy, huh? What areas in your business – and consequently your life – need to change for you to enjoy and LOVE what you’re doing? Make a list of what you’re no longer willing to tolerate. For myself, I needed a really good reason to change – my daughter. I made some tough decisions, and actually eliminated a whole division of my business. Working 80 hours a week just wasn’t an option anymore, so I worked toward a part-time business model. I want you to take some time today and go through this 3-step exercise, either on paper, or at the very least, in your mind
1. How are you marketing, and who are you marketing to? Are you working with your Ideal Clients? Or are you spreading a net so wide that you’re taking filler jobs?
2. Re-think your business model – how many hours you’re putting in, how much you’re earning, etc… Is it working for you? What works and what doesn’t? Maybe you’re not charging enough. Do you even have a business model?? Figure out what items you can begin to tackle, and start making those changes today. It might be a complete overhaul, or it could mean just tweaking those areas to make them fit. After all, this is your dream business! Make it work for you.
3. Really analyze the services you’re providing. What exactly is it you are doing that’s making you happy, and making you money? Are you taking on work that you don’t really want or love because you need the money?
How you’re marketing, your business model, and the services you’re providing – this is where you start re-defining your future. This isn’t easy. But it can make the difference between doing what you love – and just doing it because you have to. Members of my Divine Juice Inner Circle have learned this, and it feels like such a luxury when you move from “I have to do this because I need the money” to “I want to do this”. Use the 1 to10 scale as a filter. Do the 10’s! Start saying no to the 6’s and 7’s that have a paycheck attached to it. Saying no to the 7’s allows you to pursue your dreams. It’s not overnight, but you can work toward the 10’s every day. Starting today!
About the Author
Lisa Cherney, a.k.a. the Juicy Marketing Expert, founded Conscious Marketing 12 years ago to help small business owners find their authentic marketing voice, attract their ideal clients and increase their sales. Following her own Stand Out & Be Juicy program, which centers on owning your unique self and laser-focus marketing, Lisa has tripled her income while working part-time.
Prior to Conscious Marketing, Lisa worked with many Fortune 500 companies, including AT&T, Lipton, Nissan, Blue Cross and Equal. She is a highly sought after speaker and often shares the stage with experts such as Jack Assaraf (The Secret), Jack Canfield and Jill Lublin. Learn more about Lisa at www.consciousmarketing.com or call 887-771-0156.
