Written on Sunday morning:
This morning I stepped into my closet and realized, “Oh-oh, it’s gotten messy again.” The last few weeks have been incredibly busy for me so laundry has been ignored and clothes and shoes are strewn in a disorderly fashion over the bars - sans the hangers. Now I know what I’m doing on this Sunday afternoon!

As I stepped back after previewing the cleaning job that lies ahead, I realized that the closet holds a close similarity to the way my mind has been feeling lately. Cluttered and disorganized. I’ve recently begun a very exciting opportunity hosting my own show on Toginet radio, along with marketing my next coaching group, developing an affiliate program, and several other time-consuming projects. The ideas have been flowing – and so has the work - so my brain has been on overdrive. Whew! It’s time to de-clutter the closet and the mind!

It was fun to recognize that my messy closet represented something far more important than dirty laundry. Also, very interesting to realize how my outer world struck such a similarity to my state of mind. The closet is an easy, rather mindless project to tackle, but how to iron out the fabric of many creative processes moving about in my mind? With new projects and opportunities, balancing routine business and responsibilities, along with the personal life, can become overwhelming. If we don’t take the time to organize our thoughts, projects, and time, life can become one big messy closet!

Today’s awareness helped me realize that, while I have my projects well organized, I haven’t been following my regular practice of mind mapping and list making to allow my mind to release the big picture ideas associated with each of the projects. If we allow our thoughts, ideas, and challenges to pile up in our minds it leads to a sense of overwhelm and frustration. My closet reminded me that I may be well on my way to experiencing those burdensome emotions. So, I will declutter my mind today as well!

Here are a few ways I do that. I’d like to hear how you release your creative thoughts, ideas, and challenges so that your brain can function freely and keep your life in balance!
List making – I have a “master to-do” list and I update it daily. My projects and routine tasks are broken into categories with a list of action steps following each one. The more urgent steps are highlighted in red. I carry this list with me everywhere I go!

Mindmapping – This can be done on your computer or on paper. I like to connect my free-flowing ideas on an oversized piece of paper. Seeing how they connect to one another and feed off of one-another is stimulating and productive. I begin with my main focus written in the middle of the paper and surround it with ideas and steps, drawing lines to connect the related items. I love doing this because it incorporates right brain and left brain thinking so well.
Sticky Note Idea Building – This is another good brainstorming activity. I like to write my ideas on sticky notes and put them on a big empty wall. I then move the notes around to see how they relate to and feed into one another. As I work through the process, some get discarded, and new thoughts continue to flow.

Journaling – Stream of consciousness writing (writing without editing your thoughts) is a great way to expand on an idea or work through a challenge. Just allow whatever comes into your mind to flow freely through your hands onto paper or a computer document. You may be amazed at the solutions and ideas born of this exercise.

Brainstorming Sessions – When many ideas are floating about our brain expressing them verbally often solidifies the idea, bringing it to life. It’s also a great way to get grounded. Sometimes we may think we have a very achievable concept and our friends and peers can help us recognize the challenges and complications. The opposite is true as well. We may not be able to step back far enough when we are excited about an idea and expanding upon it may be difficult. Brainstorming is a wonderful way to achieve this.

Organization Charts – I like to organize my ideas and projects by category. It really helps me to stay focused on the things that will fit into my big picture vision and mission. The to-do list is one way of doing this, but I like to draw charts on my oversized paper (or you could use a white board). I create a piece of paper for each aspect of my business and put all of the pending projects on the appropriate page. I tack these onto a wall and take a step back to see how they all connect. As I study the picture I sometimes notice discrepancies or areas that I’m creating redundancies. This has saved me many a headache!

It looks like I have a busy, but fun day ahead. I know there are more ideas and solutions out there – let’s hear them!
Tuesday updates: Yes, the closet has been restored to its organized state and my state of mind is also much improved! Ah, the comfort of an allowing, peaceful state of mind....

This week I have the privilege of interviewing yet another amazing and successful man of our times, Sanjay Burman. Sanjay is a Master Hypnotherapist, film producer and director and publisher of motivational books now in 8 countries. There is simply too much to even begin to cover here so I am also interviewing Sanjay on the Million Dollar Mindset radio show on Monday, February 1st at 2pm ET. Be sure to tune in! It promises to be filled with fun, laughter, and truly candid conversion with this master of inspiration.

As a rather enterprising youth, Sanjay was asked to leave high school after selling the school to Pepsi without the consent of the principal. What? That’s right! That may have been the end of Sanjay’s negotiations with Pepsi, but it didn’t put the brakes on Sanjay’s enterprising spirit. He soon fell into representing children's books and, since he’d already produced a national television show for CBC Television at the age of 16, he applied his knowledge to produce the Cannes Award-winning, Spider.

Q. Sanjay, it’s clear that your creative mind has been working full time since a very young age. Sometimes such ingenuity can create chaos in the life of a young person – not to mention his or her parents - tell us about when it all started!

A. Life throws us many curve balls. We don’t always see them as kids, and don’t have to since our parents protect us. But then some of us get that major curve ball that changes our direction, focus and passions forever. This was what happened to me in Grade 3.
We had just moved from a small town in to the big city. I was behind in school, and realized if you were sick, got to sleep in the nurse’s office! What a concept! So every Friday like clockwork, a new disease, illness or un-researched virus would strike me. Off to the nurse’s office I would go and sleep for the afternoon. What I didn’t realize was that my principal, Mr. Fleming, was watching and one day called me into his office, along with my parents! He told my parents that I was a born actor and made a call to the local college for me to attend a summer acting program. This changed everything.

From there, I ended up carving my own path without knowledge of where I was going or what I was doing. I went on faith. I believe that something that lacks in most people today is faith in themselves. We listen to the media and the remarks of others, and in turn, question ourselves and our path. From selling my high school to Pepsi without getting permission first (obviously something I wouldn’t suggest) to producing an Oscar nominated movie by the age of 24, I had my failures, successes, mistakes and lessons.

Q. It sounds like you’ve had more than one curve ball Sanjay! How did you survive them and what does an entrepreneur really need to continue to survive these unexpected turns?

A. Entrepreneurs need two things to survive and become successful; passion and persistence. That’s it! It’s not about talent, money, contacts or luck. Those like Gates, Dell, and Turner have all pursued their dreams because it was what they loved to do and persisted through adversity and other people’s doubts. The idea of not being successful never crossed their minds. It wasn’t about IF, it was about WHEN. This is something that is hard to remember when you are in the midst of walking the long dark tunnel; it is those who have faith in themselves that know there is a light just around the corner. David Foster, the famous songwriter said ‘I have written 1000 songs. 100 were hits, which means I had 900 failures’. He never quit or second guessed himself. Like Babe Ruth, the hits made up for the misses by a long shot!

Q. Sanjay, do you believe that we’re not only influenced by our own belief system, but by those who surround us as well?

A. Yes! The other very important rule for a self-starter is to understand who you are and who you associate with. When I was entering high school, I was full of vim and vigor. I had written scripts, done plays, and read various books on working in Hollywood. Instead of focusing on my bigger goals, I started to socialize with the ‘cool’ kids who were very unhappy and destructive to themselves, and as I found out later, to me too. They were constantly dismissing my dreams, even going as far as to make fun of them. Without realizing it, I started to lose focus and lose sight of my vision for myself. By the end of the first year in high school, I was happy with just getting a job!

The people around you will define who you are to yourself. Winners are always with winners. You don’t have to be successful or achieved a huge milestone; you have to be tenacious and want to learn. The most successful people I know, love being inspired and motivated. They like high energy, ambitious goal-setting and proper intention. It’s those qualities that will allow successful people to come into your life.

Q. So we can attract what I like to call “like-minded” individuals into our lives, and that is important. But once you’re on that roller coaster to success, self-sabotaging behavior sometimes creeps in. How can that affect us and how do we keep it in check?

A. That’s right. Another common mistake is allowing ego and illusions to creep in. The downfall of every major historical figure can be traced to ego. Ego can be camouflaged as many other emotions and therefore hard to control or even spot! The smartest people I know are those who have left their egos aside and focused on the long term picture. Does it really kill you to say ‘sorry’ or give in once in a while? Actually, not only do you get close to your goals, but also earn the respect of others in doing so.

The illusions I refer to, are those that are in self sabotage cycles. They think they want more, they think they have high aspirations, but in fact have a hidden need to fail. This occurs for people who think they will end up looking foolish if they do succeed, or they will be laughed at if they try and fail, or if they have a bad interpretation about success. For instance ‘rich people are liars and selfish.’ These types of thoughts are very common. The trick is to stay focused on just the end result for yourself, and not the consequences of winning or losing.

Earn respect, don’t expect respect! ‘You don’t respect me’ says Tony Soprano to his Capo. Of course not! Tony lies, cheats and steals, why on earth would anyone respect him? Respect only comes when you respect yourself and treat others the same way. One of our executives says ‘I only respect those who respect me’. If this is your thought as well, then I advise you to read the paragraph above about ego.

Christina Aguilera was asked what she would be doing right now if she wasn’t a star. Her response was ‘I would be working to be a star’. If your answer would be anything other than that, then re-evaluate why you are not passionate about what you are doing, why you are holding yourself back and why you are in a vicious cycle that will only result in your losing out. Your time is now, not tomorrow. The world will be a better place if you contribute your vision to it. We are eager to see it, so what are you waiting for?

Today I have the honor of interviewing an amazing man with a truly inspiring story. So often, I hear from entrepreneurs who are experiencing setbacks in life and business, some are heartbreaking stories. But most often the lessons learned through these setbacks assist the individual in embracing a positive perspective and an understanding that nearly anything is possible for the determined mind and spirit of an entrepreneur. Our guest today personifies that belief and will hopefully inspire you to continue your march as the freedom-loving thought leaders of today’s society! He also offers some very sage advice for the solopreneur, so don’t miss this one!

Years ago, John Giordano reluctantly walked over the threshold of a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center after an intervention by friends and family. Today he is the author of “Proven Holistic Treatment For Addiction & Chronic Relapse,” and the founder president and of the prestigious G & G Holistic Addiction Treatment Center in North Miami Beach, Florida.

John’s journey prior to rehab lead to the loss of a successful business, luxurious lifestyle, and most significantly, his wife, children and many friends. Today, John’s life is committed to helping others conquer addiction and rebuild a life that has been lost.

Q. John, in spite of being in recovery from a crippling addiction, you persevered and started another business. What internal and external resources did you most rely on to find the strength and courage to do this?

A. My life has been blessed. I knew exactly what I wanted to do in life the day I walked into a dojo. I was fourteen at the time and I’ve been involved in Karate ever since. I’ve applied the lessons learned over the years to every aspect of my life – in both thick and thin times. I’ve found that what you think about, you bring about.

The first principle I live by is that you have to believe in yourself, because if you don’t, no one else will. The next step is commitment. You have to be completely dedicated to whatever it is you chose to do -- no matter what. In Karate you learn to visualize – see yourself connecting with a kick or punch before you throw it. In life, you have to see yourself being a success before you do it. And finally be passionate about what you do. Your passion will not only fuel you, but also others nearby.

My greatest external resource comes from the people surrounding me. My immediate family has always believed in me and been supportive of my pursuits. Additionally, I associate with people whose philosophies and direction mirror mine. There is no substitute for a positive and reaching outlook on life.

Q. The desire to help others is a strong driver for many entrepreneurs. What do you believe that reaching out to assist others satisfies in us?

A. It is simply our nature, it’s in our DNA. Everyone has a need to help others, but it’s stronger in some. Speaking for myself, I’ve learned so much that has improved my quality of life from so many, that I feel compelled to share what I’ve learned so that the people around me can improve their lives. Yet we have staff members who are motivated by something completely different. What we have in common is that we all believe we are contributing to a better world, a better society. Regardless of what inspires us, there is no greater reward that we share as individuals or a group than watching our clients succeed. It just makes you feel good about yourself and what you are doing.

Q. Many solopreneur practitioners who are in the helping field struggle with charging for their services. Do you have insights that may help rectify that?

A. The mind is a strange thing at times. I had the same problem before I went into rehab. Here I was a world champion and my self-esteem was so low that I could hardly bear to charge my students for their Karate lessons. Rehab did wonders for my low self-esteem, but I also learned another important and valuable lesson. If you don’t take care of yourself, if you don’t charge enough, you’re actually hurting more people than you’re helping. I’ve seen more people than I care to count, who were capable and very good at helping others, move into a different field because they could not live on what they charged. It’s sad when you consider how many people they could have helped if they just charged everyone a little bit more and stayed in the people helping business.

Q. Like so many determined entrepreneurs you started your business on a shoestring. Financing is one of the most difficult barriers experienced by business owners. What advice do you have for others who are facing the financial crunch, especially in today’s economy?

A. Banks are just not lending right now so you have to look to the private sector. I got started with $300.00 dollars to my name and struggled for quite a while. Keep in mind I was involved with holistic addiction treatment which at the time was a blessing and a curse. It gave me a unique distinction above my competition, but at the same time not too many people understood what holistic was. This made it difficult to raise capital through conventional channels. At the same time I was wearing all the hats of a solopreneur – thus taking precious time away from what I do best, helping people. With all of this considered, I decided to bring in two investing/working partners: Jerry Goldfarb and Gerald Goldfarb. They handled the administrative and marketing aspect of the business freeing me up to do what I love the most, the clinical side. From that day forward G & G Holistic Addiction Treatment Center skyrocketed. As we grew exponentially everyone wanted to jump onboard and lend us money we no longer needed.

From my experiences and those of my friends, there comes a point in time in every solopreneurial business where you either raise capital and hire people; or take on an investor/working partner. I chose the latter so that I could do what I do best and find the most rewarding. Fortunately, it worked. If this option is not appealing to you, then you may want to consider private sector investors - they are always looking for a solid business to park their money. The best way to attract them would be with a good reputation, a proven track record and a real plan for future growth. If you’re not able to attract one investor, try breaking-up your financial needs into smaller bites and take on several investors. Do keep in mind that a partnership is like a marriage – you have to have common goals!

About 6 months ago I decided it was time to start an internet radio show. I thought it would be a fun way to reach people with information on attracting positive change and to share stories about people who inspire others to achieve their dreams. I was excited about the idea, but found myself in a “stuck” place as the excuses began to pile up. How would I attract listeners, who would I interview, blah, blah, blah. The idea got relegated to the back burner where it simmered at temperatures just hot enough to create that burning feeling of guilt over setting a worthy goal and not exploring it further.

Guilt, like other negative emotions, has a way of lowering one’s energy so I knew I had to do something about this idea; either let it go or take action. As I reviewed my 2010 “What Am I Going to Change” list I decided to put the internet radio show idea onto my vision board and let the Universe take care of it. I know, that may sound like inaction, but for me it’s a way of creating action.

Well, it didn’t take long. Weeks later, as a result of being a guest on Toginet’s Paying It Forward with Josephine Geraci, I was invited to create my own show for this successful radio network! Josephine and I had so much fun on her wonderful show that they wanted to do a spin-off on our conversation. Thank you vision board and thank you Josephine!

Since then, I’ve put out some queries for individuals who have achieved amazing things in life and credit positive thought, law of attraction, and other metaphysical/spiritual practices for their success. Wow! What heart-warming, inspirational stories are out there! But what I love most is how these people are, as Josephine says, paying it forward, by inspiring and teaching others to achieve success, wellness, and happiness as well.

So, I’d like to share with you that “The Million Dollar Mindset” will launch on Toginet next Monday, January 18 at 1pm CT, 2pm ET. Together with my guests I will share insights, tips and stories about unlocking the secrets to creating business success and a happier, more balanced life through abundant thinking and attraction power. This is an extension of this blog space, which I love! I hope you will join me there as well.

What wonderful changes will you attract into your life in 2010? Create forward momentum by sharing them here. Who knows? You may be my next guest on “The Million Dollar Mindset”!

NOTE: If you or someone you know has an inspiring story or mission to share please send their information to me at Marla@MarlaTabaka.com!

This is the time of the year when we see a lot of wonderful, inspirational posts and articles about creating new goals for the New Year. Being a coach, I’m a sucker for that sort of thing. Every year I map out what I call my “Ten Most Wanted List.” And, naturally, I aim for the sky. Needless to say, one year later I’m disappointed in myself when all of these wishes don’t come to fruition. So this year, I did something a little different.

I created a “What Am I Going to Change” list. I figured there’s a reason I’m not achieving all of my goals and I set out to figure out why. With that said, remember that I am a total believer in manifesting ones dreams and desires, so I like lofty goals. BUT, if you have internal blocks and strongly resist your goals they will probably never become a fait accompli.

I started my new process with a tough one. Last year, one of my goal statements was, “I will go to the gym 4 times a week.” Ouch! Just thinking about it hurts – that one never happened. This year I asked “what do I need to change about myself in order to introduce more exercise into my life?” This opened the door to exploration and open, honest communication between my left, logical brain and right, creative brain. You see, the logical side automatically goes to the most direct and logical solution: Go to the gym! But the softer, more creative side loves to explore all of the possibilities. After writing, thinking, and a bit of talking to myself, do you know what I did? I quit the gym! That’s right, au revoir, hasta la vista, adios to my dear friend, the gym.

I discovered that I don’t need to change anything about myself except my thinking. The truth is that I really do enjoy some forms of exercise and in order to introduce more of it into my life I need to look forward to it. Reframing from a goal to a question about change helped me to look the problem right in the eye and find a solution. Problem: I simply don’t like going to the gym. Awareness: Exercising is fun if it’s something I enjoy and that’s convenient. Going to the gym takes hours out of my day, to fit it in I have to replace my morning routine at the coffeehouse, which is productive and enjoyable. And at the gym I’m surrounded by a 100 bodies that are in far better shape than my own! Why would anyone want to torture themselves like that? So I asked myself the next question: “How can I increase my exercise in a way that I really enjoy and look forward to?”

Solution: Yoga, my Nordic Track and free weights, and more walks in the woods with my dogs. I love walking in the woods. It’s more like a reward than exercise. I love yoga too, so I asked Santa for a yoga DVD for Christmas. And the Nordic Track is convenient and I can blast my music and sing at the top of my lungs if I want to. Yay! I really like this plan! And, it’s working. OK, I know, it’s only been a week, but I’m optimistic. Most importantly, I feel a weight off my shoulders because my “Ten Most Wanted List” isn’t a “Ten Most Dreaded List” anymore. It’s filled with fun, uplifting activities that will change my life in some very significant ways.

Do you want or need support in achieving your dreams and goals? Join my affordable group coaching program! The next group begins in February. Check it out!

So what will you change? How can you reframe your goals and turn them into something that excites you and will not lead to disappointment in a year from now? Please share!

One of the deepest gray areas for solopreneurs seems to be the creation of a marketing message that creates an impression and hits home for the consumer or prospect. It’s exciting and tempting to tell your potential customers all about yourself: what an expert you are, what your background is, how your product or service is the best there is in a 100 mile radius and so on. And these are important observations, but let’s face it – people want to know what’s in it for them. They’re asking themselves questions like, how will your service impact my life? How will your product solve my problem? “After all,” the consumer in all of us says, “I’m the one spending the money so it’s all about me!”

And rightfully so. Whether we’re out to purchase a new website, a new filling for an aching tooth, or an e-book to fill us in on the latest facts about global warming, we want to make our purchase with full confidence that our money is well spent and our needs are met. If you use valuable space on your marketing material to tell your prospects how fabulous you are, they will leave your website or toss your brochure aside without feeling fulfilled, inspired to buy, or truly informed.

Take a look at your primary marketing materials. Do they tout your greatness or do they identify with your prospect’s problems? Does your marketing message show a strong understanding of your prospect’s needs and concerns? Does your content speak to them in a language they will understand, or does it seek to impress with the use of highly sophisticated jargon? The latter will most likely lead to a feeling of overwhelm and frustration for your website visitor and may even intimidate them, prompting them to move on in search of a more comfortable match.

Let’s take a look at some examples. These are all quotes from websites found by a Google search of my geographic area.

If you were looking for a therapist to help you through a difficult time, would you opt for therapist A or B?

a. "We offer a variety of psychotherapy services and evaluation and management, based on your needs."
b. "Are you experiencing an emotional block, a difficult time in life, or feelings of sadness or overwhelm? We can help."

If you were looking for a someone to build a website would you choose company A or company B?

a. "A total solution website development and internet marketing firm and leaders in the industry. From basic websites to high caliber, image driven, custom e-commerce and database tools."
b. "Expand your income! With an ABC website design there is no limit to your success. We make it easy for your prospects to find you!"

How about a chiropractor to help your body deal with stress? A or B?

a. "We are experts in the removal of nerve interference caused by spinal misalignment."
b. "Is your life stressing you out right now? Chiropractic care and massage therapy will help you build a healthier, happier you. Learn more!"

Well, you get the picture. I think most of us would choose example B in all of the above. They all seem to understand that it’s all about me, the consumer. Here are some basic tips to to use if you feel the need to revise your marketing content.

• How many times do you count the words I or we in your marketing content? Try converting them to sentences that include the word you instead.
• Use bullet points and questions, fewer words, and try to step into your customer’s shoes when you write your content.
• Pretend you know very little about your industry and write your content from a point of view that offers a solution to a problem or a need. Be as specific as possible.
• Ask friends and colleagues who are not in your field of expertise if your new content speaks to them and entices them to want to learn more.
• And of course, don’t forget the very important call to action. Invite your prospects in with a free report, a complimentary consultation, or a video download.
• Be user-friendly and let your prospect know that you understand their needs and that it really is all about them!

Who inspires you? Is there anyone you admire and whose actions touch you or motivate you to move forward, even in difficult times? This person may or may not know that they’ve touched your life in some way. They may be a famous leader in business, a politician, or spiritual figure. It may be a person who you model some of your values after; someone you emulate in ways that are significant to you.

It’s a good time of the year to think about who those people are for you. A time to send thanks to these individuals, be they dead or alive, and recognize the ways that they have inspired you. I’ve been thinking about it since Thanksgiving, when my sister paid me a visit, so I'd like to articulate those thoughts.

Sure, I’m inspired by Henry Ford, Jack Welch, and many other amazing leaders of our time. But my sister Janine? Now she’s a true inspiration. Janine’s personality and spirit is a simple reminder of how we tend to needlessly complicate our lives with worry and fear. You see, Janine doesn’t worry much, and there’s not much that frightens her either. Janine has Down syndrome and life for her seems to be nearly perfect in every way. She keeps it simple and uncomplicated. And she enjoys every minute of it.

Years ago, when my husband passed away, Janine was the one who knew exactly what to say. Janine was the one who made me laugh amidst my tears. As my children were growing up, Janine was there to remind me of what a great job I was doing as a single mom. She would point out only their most wonderful qualities and loved my girls unconditionally. Janine has a memory like a steel trap and you can count on her to light up the room with tales of the past, long ago forgotten by most. She can bring tears to my eyes and make me laugh - all within seconds. Janine has the wonderful ability to walk into any room and instantly engage in conversation, even among strangers. On this most recent visit I consistently tried - and failed - to put Janine’s leg brace on her, but it just wouldn’t stay in place. Instead of expressing frustration, Janine consistently reminded me that I was doing my best and that I “did a good job” of trying. She walked the malls without her leg brace and never once uttered a word of complaint. Her words and actions reminded me that the guilt I was feeling was MY choice, certainly not placed there by any of Janine’s expectations, but by my own. I was able to let it go and enjoy that precious time with my kid sister.

Janine shares an apartment with Diane, her roommate of 20 years. The two are inseparable and in spite of spending day in, day out together for years you will never hear Janine utter a single negative comment about her dear friend. They protect and watch out for one another in a way that is precious beyond words. They have a schedule and routine that would make a type-A organizational freak sigh in envy – and they stick to it! Janine will not miss a day of work or put off doing the laundry, but she always makes time for friends and fun.

In Janine’s world, there are few problems. Imagine that. Going through life with what most of us would consider a handicap and enjoying life like many of us don’t. Yes, Janine is a true inspiration and I would like to thank her from the bottom of my heart for being there for me – always.

Take a moment if you will, and share with us your story of inspiration. Sharing verbal recognition and thanks raises your energy and lifts your spirit. Give it a try! And thank you for listening to my story!

I’d like to end this post with a very appropriate quote:

Do you remember the things you were worrying about a year ago? Didn't you waste a lot of fruitless energy on account of most of them? Didn't most of them turn out all right after all?
-Dale Carnegie

This is a story of exploration and discovery. I hope that it inspires you to explore and discover whether or not anything is standing in the way of your dreams – a great way to enter into the new year!

Allow me introduce you to Annette. (Although I have permission to share this story, names have been changed to protect the successful!) Annette came into coaching as the owner of a very successful company, but with the knowing that both she and her company held so much more potential. She is a deeply spiritual woman, with greater than average intellect – and a PhD - yet felt lost and confused about what she was meant to achieve in her life and business. Annette’s goal was to break the million-dollar mark after being stagnant at $350,000 (gross) for more than 7 years. With already high operating costs escalating, Annette was fearful that her company could not move forward.

Annette’s company was most definitely a replicable model but she wasn't replicating! After spending time with her evaluating her company’s infrastructure and her marketing goals, I asked a question that led to quite a revealing path. “Annette,” I said, “you’ve got a great business model here, but why do you serve only one division of one large company?” I felt that Annette had all of her eggs in one basket, but figured there was a very good reason. The answer that Annette shared was that she really didn’t give much thought to expanding to other divisions because it felt overwhelming to her and she wasn’t sure how she could achieve it. Clearly, Annette’s business was in need of a growth strategy that she could embrace. It was time to get to work!

As we worked on Annette’s growth strategy the pieces began to fall into place – yet Annette wasn’t taking the steps to implement them. “Hummm, I know what’s going on here,” I thought. Annette was afraid of something – we just needed to find out what and push through it! Annette didn’t know that she was afraid of something yet, but I was confident that soon we’d figure it out and push toward that next milestone.

So, I simply asked (and you might ask yourself this same type of question – just for fun.) “Annette, what would happen if you expanded upon your business model and began serving 20 or more clients?” The exchange went something like this:

“Well, I’d be rich!” she replied.
“Rich is awesome!” I said. “What else?”

“I’d be able to hire other people to do all of this work.” Annette replied eagerly.
“I like the sound of that,” I said, “is there more?”

“Well, I guess I’d have to do something else with my time.” (Now we’re getting there.)
“What else would you do Annette?” I asked.

“Something that’s very important to me, yet I don’t do it. I wonder why?” Annette replied. (Now Annette was asking herself some questions, that’s good.)
“What’s that Annette?” I prompted.

“I would like to inspire other female business owners so they know that they can achieve their own dreams.” Annette said in a passionate tone.

“Wow Annette! That’s amazing. It’s a wonderful dream, and it would have an incredible impact on so many entrepreneurs!”
Then I asked, “What would you have to do to reach all of these women?”

Now, we hit our big stumbling block, the massive wall on the other side of Annette’s comfort zone. It was clear in Annette’s tonality, when she replied, “I would have to speak to them, perhaps in a large audience or even on the phone.”

Long pause and then she added, “I really don’t have anything important enough to share. I don’t know if they’d want to hear what I have to say.” Said Annette in a quiet voice.

Me: “Annette, have you ever heard a successful female business owner speak at a conference or seminar? Have you ever left a room feeling inspired by the words of another female entrepreneur?

“Of course!” she said, “All of the time. But this would be different; it would just be me speaking.”

Well, you know where we went from there. As we continued coaching Annette learned to embrace the value of all that she had to share and to get past her fear of public speaking. Today, about 2 years later, Annette has broken the 8-million dollar mark! She stays in touch and remains in a humble place; yet she’s reaching out to countless female entrepreneurs in a way that only Annette could. She has achieved not one, but several of her life-long dreams – much to the benefit of others.

Do you feel a fear related to achieving higher levels of success? Simply ask yourself, “what if” and listen for a response that doesn’t feel so good. Your discovery may open the path for you as it did for Annette.

You want to become a full time business owner. It’s important enough to you that you’re willing to leave the security of your full time job, benefits package, and your daily commute all behind. Let me guess: it’s about freedom, right? It’s about the freedom to do what you want, when you want, and to make all the money that you desire (and deserve). It’s also about the freedom to work at the nearest coffee shop instead of a stuffy office and to take the kids to school and be there when they get home. And don’t forget the freedom to help others in your own way and make a difference in the world. That’s what it boils down to for most entrepreneurs, and yes, it can be like that – but be careful that you’re not leaving one job to create another job with no benefits, lower pay, and more hours than you’ve ever worked in your life.

So, how can you build the business of your dreams and satisfy that all-important thirst for freedom? Timing, planning, and a realistic view of your financial resources; these are the most important pieces. So, if you think you’re ready to leave your job, or want to know when the time is right, use this checklist as your guide.

1. Do your research and create a plan? How have you tested your prospective business model? How do you know that you have a viable product or service? Do some market research. Research your competitors; how long have they been around? What makes them successful? What will you do differently and better? What makes your business special? I know that YOU make it special, but not everyone knows you. How will you stand apart from the rest? Test your model with a panel of friends, peers, and total strangers. It’s best to ask a third party to be responsible for this focus group testing so that people will provide honest feedback; your friends will most likely tell you what you want to hear. Research the cost and effectiveness of marketing and advertising venues as well. How will you market and grow your business? The “Build it and They Shall Come” belief-system is great if you’re a true believer in Law of Attraction, but I like to say that the Law of Attraction is nothing without action. What is the big picture action plan?
2. Do a Breakeven Analysis: If you don’t know how, go to your S.C.O.R.E. office and get help. It’s critical to have this guideline to know how long your financial resources will last and what your targets are in terms of client base, sales and numbers.
3. Money, Money, Money: Have enough of it to fund your marketing plan, your business needs, and to live on for AT LEAST one year-but preferably three years. Even though we all like to believe that our business will be the exception, under-capitalized businesses almost always fail. Depending on the business model, you may not achieve your breakeven point for 2-3 years.
4. Are You an Entrepreneur or a Technician? Depending on your financial situation, it may be important to perform much of the nuts and bolts work yourself. But remember, you must know how to market your business AND implement your plans for growth. You can’t do these things if you’re behind the desk all day providing a service and updating your website. Get contractors in place even if money is tight – invest in your business. Hire someone to do the books and a virtual assistant to do administrative work. Your investment will come back to you ten-fold if you spend that time marketing, strategizing and growing as an entrepreneur and a business.
5. Build in a Budget for a Babysitter: If you have small children you may fantasize about being available to them 24/7 when you begin to work from home. Think about what’s best for them, you, and your business. It’s critical to have a steady schedule of uninterrupted time to grow and maintain your business. Sit down as a family and decide what’s best for all of you. Will your kids will be happier playing with a babysitter or going to pre-school and spending QUALITY time with you after your working hours? Sure, schedule time to do the fun stuff and enjoy the flexibility of working from home, but give your business the attention it deserves as well.

There’s more, much more to do to build a solid foundation for your new business, but the 5-points above are a good start. When you have these things in place, and a good business model is ready to go, you may be ready to say good-bye to the 8-5 commitment. Just remember, building your business may be more than an 8-5 commitment. If you do it right, you’ll work fewer and fewer hours as time goes by and that’s worth working toward. It’s a wonderful experience and a dream come true. First it needs roots and a foundation and then you and it will flourish!

I was chatting with a friend this weekend and she asked, “Hey, what ever happened to that great idea you had a couple of weeks ago?” My initial response was, “which one?” After all, I’m an entrepreneur and a coach; ideas show no shortage in my life. But follow through on ALL of them? Well, that’s another story.

A few months ago I wrote a post about my “system” for implementing or filing ideas. Today, I thought we’d chat about the danger of holding on to all of your ideas and how that could negatively impact you and your business.

I’d like to point out that if you are in business for yourself, odds are your wheels are constantly spinning. And you most likely attract people who are much the same. It's probably not uncommon for you and your friends or peers to get lost in the excitement of a new venture. That’s just who you are; that’s the creative mind of an entrepreneur. However, no matter how excited you may feel in the moment, the majority of these ideas probably never come to fruition. How do you feel about that?

Here’s a common scenario: Creative Mind A meets Creative Mind B. Together they come up with a great, money-making concept or an idea to launch their current businesses to new levels. It suits their values and skill sets beautifully and it just needs a little work. They promise to “make it happen” and well - it fizzles. The most disturbing piece is that it doesn’t feel good to let these ideas slip through your fingers and it may feel like you’re letting yourself, and possibly others, down. You might experience guilt, a sense of lowered self-worth, or an added pressure as your task list grows out of control. All of this excessive energy has a negative impact on your body, mind, relationships, and your business. So how can you continue to enjoy expressing your creative self and keep the negative fall-out at bay?

First remember that it’s important to prioritize. Otherwise, none of your concepts will take shape. Make sure that the critical pieces of your current business model are in place before launching into another project. Be careful of the commitments you make, or solicit from others, when you’re in one of your impromptu brainstorming sessions. Making commitments and not following through can cause us to feel bad about ourselves – or others.

After masterminding a “great idea” I like to take a “cooling off” period. Sure, these ideas may sound brilliant and simple in the moment, but within 24 hours or so I begin to recognize the challenges. Some are worth tackling, others simply aren’t.

Watch your commitments. Prior to making a commitment toward the next steps you might take a look at your calendar and to-do list. Identify the next steps and schedule them into your calendar – don’t over promise! You might even try something like, “I love this idea and I want to be fair to everyone involved. So, let’s think about it and talk on Wednesday.”

Communicate. If you realize that you don’t have the time, energy, or finances to follow through on your next steps, or you need to postpone taking action, it’s important to communicate to yourself and/or the other party (if there is one) that you are “filing” this concept for now. Feeling like you’ve let yourself and others down is a big emotional drain. This realistic approach may be disappointing for a while, but in the end it relieves you of the burden of guilt or embarrassment. If there is another party involved and they are not communicating with you try to let go of any resentment or ill feelings. These negative feelings are also a huge energy drain. You cannot control anyone else, only your reaction to them.

Most importantly, not all of your ideas need to go to the wayside. Take the time to evaluate and explore the real gems. If it’s an idea worth pursuing, your wonderful, creative mind will find a way!