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What if you teach about relationships, yet you don’t have the perfect relationship? 

What if you teach about money management, but you haven’t amassed a millionaire’s fortune?

What if you teach others how to market and build a business, yet you are still striving to achieve a certain income level?

Can you still help others if you haven’t “made it,” yet?

When I am working with my clients, inevitably, when they consider teaching others how to do something they’ve learned, and have had some success at doing, many times they still object to teaching others because they feel they haven’t “made it.”

In other words, they haven’t achieved a level of mastery they feel they should have achieved, to have the ‘right’ to teach others what they know.  They think if they do so, they’re a fraud.

I am here to tell you this is just not true.

First of all, who’s to say what destination you “should have” arrived at?  There are people out there right now who are looking for you, with your unique experiences they can relate to, and only two or three steps ahead of them.  And as a mentor, this is all you truly need to be to help your clients!

You don’t need to be the superstar coach in your industry.  There is plenty of room for co-stars to stand out, and become known for their unique offerings, and how they help.

Remember Fonzie from the T.V. hit show Happy Days?  He was not the star of the show, but he was still certainly a “hit,” and got plenty of attention!  The same is true for you, too.

If you teach about marketing, there are certain things you know, and ways of teaching that nobody else knows because your teachings are based on your personal experience. You can teach it in a way that nobody else can.

If you have something to offer, you simply cannot let the gremlins in your mind stop you from using your gifts.  What you have to teach others will change their lives forever, so don’t hold that back from the people you are meant to help.

If you’re still thinking you haven’t arrived, ask yourself, “What is the destination, anyway?”  Your life is a never-ending journey of growth.  As soon as you’ve arrived at one destination, there’s a new one to strive toward.  My point is you never arrive, because there’s always a new place to get to.

Another thing you must do is claim your expertise; this is really the bottom line.  No matter where you are on your path, claim your expertise.

My coach’s request of you this week is if you have any concerns about teaching what you know, because you feel you don’t know enough, have not arrived, will feel like a fraud, is to look at all your expertise, credentials, and unique experiences.  You can help others perfectly, today, right from where you are!

Problem: playing small, not shining, not being an example, keeps others and me small

Why the need to change: to be a model, help others grow, grow income, be self-sufficient, live out life purpose, fulfill dreams, and strive to achieve potential

How to change: recognize where you are playing small, and what the cost is to you, and what you are going to do to change

When faced with a must-change behavior we are doing, in a moment’s time it becomes apparent this behavior has to change.  The behavior I need to change is to stop playing small, hiding out, and keeping my success to myself.

Why?  Because if I am to be the leader I want to be, a ‘Leading Lady,’ I have to set an example for the women I want to help.  I have to be a model of success.  I have to show what I’ve achieved, so they can see it, believe it, and increase their own awareness the same is possible for them.

This past weekend it hit me like a brick falling out of thin air.  Because of a fear of people not liking me, thinking I am bragging, and generally not wanting people to be jealous of me, I’ve been playing very, very small.  This is my bare-all confession to you.

This weekend I decided I was tired of playing small.  I am going to step out, step up, and be the model of success and leader women entrepreneurs need to help them achieve success, too.

Part of my mission I deeply believe in is that women have the right to thrive and support themselves on their own terms, using their unique gifts and talents, and not having to conform to anyone else’s expectations of them, “shoulds,” and fears getting in the way.  The ONLY way I am going to be heard is if I step out, get this message out, and express it in my own being.

So, for me, becoming the Leading Lady of my own life means taking full ownership of my point of view, beliefs, and mission, and helping those I’m meant to serve.

To help you, I want to share ideas with you, that you, in turn, can model and step into.

I know I am a leader.  I have lived it, I’ve had amazing successes, I feel it in my bones.  It’s something I am, and am destined to be.  I can step up and be a stronger role model by expressing this to you, so you can follow me and achieve the same, rather than hiding out and keeping it a secret.

Here are ways I expressed hiding out so you can learn from them, know what it has cost me, as well as those people I was meant to help.

Not collecting enough testimonials for the work I do.  Cost:  People don’t know how I can help them, they don’t know the “whole story,” may have insufficient evidence, and not as many people hired me, which means I did not help as many people, and they didn’t reach the levels of success they may have.  It also hurt my income, too.

Not raising my fees as high as what I am worth.  Cost: This has kept my income suppressed, I did not create the security cushion fast enough, that I needed to pursue my passion full-bore, I am not attracting enough of the type of client who will appreciate my work the most, and be willing to pay for it because they know I’ve “got the goods” to help them succeed.

Not speaking of my success.  Cost: Women have not been able to use me as a strong role model as they could have, because they didn’t know I wasn’t an “Average Jane.”  The cost to other women has been high, because they may not have sought my help, when I am the best one to help them.

Not speaking of my income and lifestyle.  The reason is that I don’t want to “brag.”  Cost: Inauthenticity, suppressing myself, not wanting to make others feel bad, where it could have been used to lift others up and bring them along with me.

The total cost to me over the last three years of keeping my gifts “hidden” is over $1,000,000 in lost income.  Shocking, isn’t it?  And, I have not helped as many women as I could have by staying small, which means their incomes have been suppressed, as well.

What’s the cost to you for not stepping out, and stepping up into playing the role of Leading Lady in your life?

I am declaring to you from this moment on, I am boldly stepping into being the leader of my business that I am.  How will you know?  You will see me open up more about my point of view, what I will “go to the mat for,” and expressing my beliefs.  I will be sharing my successes, and collecting proof of the transfomration my clients get by working with me.  And, I am going to be a leading example that you can model so you can grow with me, too.

No more playing small, the cost is too high to me, and those I am meant to help.  No more.

How many times have you wanted to invest in a coaching program, but the first thought that entered your mind was, “I don’t have the money”? This is an automatic response that usually has nothing to do with money. It usually has to do with thoughts of lack, scarcity, that there ‘won’t be enough.’

The problem with this scarcity thinking is it prevents you from making decisions and taking required steps that will move you and your business forward, keeping you stuck right where you are, and actually putting you in an even worse position over time.

The truth is you probably do have enough money in your world to invest in yourself (hooray!), and get the coaching, support, and accountability you need to move your business forward.

Here are 10 places to look to find the money you need so you can invest in you, and your business, and achieve your income goals.

1. Business loan

Even though banks aren’t lending business loans as freely as they once did for small business entrepreneurs, some lending organizations are. ACCION is a microloan lender, offering loans ranging from $200 to $25,000, even for start-ups. They also have very flexible payment terms, and will work with you to creatively “go the extra mile” above and what banks will do to finance your loan.

2. Business loan from family and friends

One of the best sources of startup or expansion capital. Think about people in your life who care about you, and want to see you succeed. Reach out to them, and share your business plan.

3. Part-Time Job

Getting a part-time job to fund your dream is nothing to shy away from, or be ashamed of. You’re “doing what it takes” to get the seed money you need to start or grow your business. ALL businesses need investment to start and grow. It is impossible to grow a business without investing money in it. Period.

4. 401ks and other investments

There may be ways to get money out of your 401k to fund your business without suffering a penalty. Do the research, and ask your accountant about the rules. Taking money out of your 401k is an investment in YOU.

5. Create a program and sell it

When I invested in a 5-figure program a few months ago, I was immediately motivated to create a program and get new clients. I can honestly tell you I may not have been as motivated had I NOT invested the money. The result: I created the most money I’d ever created in 5 week’s time—$28,000.

When you invest at a certain level, you can then CHARGE at a higher level immediately.  This is an immediate boost to your fees and income!

6. Low interest credit cards

Credit is not bad if it is managed properly. Low interest credit cards can be a very good way to finance an investment in your business. Again, have a plan to turn your investment into income, and pay back the loan as quickly as possible.

7. Sell your stuff

Do you have things you’re storing away and keeping that can be turned into cash? It’s not uncommon for people to sell old cars, jewelry, and other items on eBay.  You can always create the money for a new “stuff.” You can never get back time wasted and income opportunities lost.

8. Home equity line of credit

If you have equity in your home, this is another option to get the money you need to fund an investment.

9. Streamline your budget

Take a look at your budget, look at your current spending, and decide what can be shifted around. Redirect the money you’re spending to higher priorities, such as investing in yourself.

10. Say “yes” to yourself

Decide to invest in yourself. Once you do, the WAY about how you will make the money to fund your investment will become clear to you. Getting the coaching you need will help you find the way.

Get connected to the TRUE cost of thinking you don’t have the money to invest in yourself.

Time is a non-renewable resource. When it’s gone, it’s gone. Which means when you give in to scarcity-based thinking that you don’t have the money to invest in yourself, you are giving away your dream.

Say “yes” to yourself and create a 6-figure business in 12 months or less.  To inquire about private 1-on-1 coaching with me contact me at http://www.bonitarichter.com/contact.

Many women entrepreneurs have agonizing difficulty ‘asking for the money’ when having a sales conversation with a potential client.   By not asking for a money commitment to enroll in their program, it quickly costs them thousands of dollars in lost income.

Following are actions you can implement immediately to make ‘asking for the money” a graceful activity you will begin to enjoy in your business!

To start, it is vital to get in touch with specific situations you have difficulty asking for the money.  Then, you must become aware of the financial cost of “not getting a handle” on these situations.

Typical areas women have trouble talking about money are:

• Making an offer in a Discovery Session (they freeze when it comes time to state their fees)
• Taking payment immediately over the phone (they wait for a check that never arrives)
• Making an offer to a client currently enrolled with them to invest in additional services (fear of being “pushy” / greedy)
• Asking a client to get current with payments (boundaries issue)
• Making an offer when speaking or training (fear of thinking ‘what other people will think’)

To transform your mindset into one of empowerment when ‘asking for the money,’ look at the list above and choose one situation that repeatedly crops up for you.  You may think of another situation you struggle with, as well.  Write your chosen situation down on a piece of paper.

Now, with your chosen situation, identify what it is you are secretly fear will happen; I’ve listed common reasons below.  Write down the fears that resonate with you:

• Being rejected
• Being judged
• Not being liked
• Losing love / friendship
• Losing business
• Worried what people will think
• Not being approved of
• Other fears

To make a change, you need to get in touch with the cost of not correcting this problem and calculate the financial cost.

To calculate the financial costs do the following simple math:

A. How many clients a month do you typically lose by not ‘asking for the money’ to make a sale?

B. What is the dollar value of each client lost?

C. What is the monthly cost of this situation (Multiply A x B)?

D. What is the yearly cost of this situation (Multiply C x 12 months)

If you’re like many women, you are now picking your jaw up off the floor because this situation is hurting your income BIG time.  And for many, the amount represents more than their entire year’s worth of salary from their business!

For a simple solution to immediately change this situation ask yourself the following questions:

“What if being afraid of the situation noted above were no longer important to me?”  

“What actions would I take?”

These questions are an opportunity for a breakthrough, and begin shifting your mindset around why you must become comfortable, so you feel confidence, ease and grace ‘asking for the money.’

Keep in mind that you are offering a service that has tremendous value to your clients.  By not making an offer to help them, you are depriving them of your gifts, and helping them be more successful.

Do you want to learn strategies how to generate immediate income in your business?  Stay tuned!  I’m excited about a *BRAND NEW* program I’m creating that is ALL about accelerating your income generation.

To create major transformation in your business, new patterns, habits, and behaviors must be put into play.

You have to consciously make new choices at every moment and with every action you take so that you are moved continuously closer to your goals and dreams.

It is important to recognize ways of acting that hold you back, otherwise you may never get to the heart of the problem why you can’t move your business forward. Once you identify self-limiting patterns, then you can consciously “catch yourself in the act” and make the necessary shifts in behavior.

Here’s a list of common ways women “take themselves out the game” and keeps them playing small in their business:

Overwhelm. Caused by trying to do too much yourself, not getting help, confusion about how to do things, over-scheduling.

Remedy: Take a step back and look at it from an “outside” view. What would you advise someone to do in this position? Decide what needs to be done, make a list, get help with things you don’t know how to do, get into action!

Comparing yourself to others. Looking at what everyone else is doing, and inevitably “falling short.”

Remedy: Stop comparing yourself to others because you and your business are unique. Put you, your desires, goals, expertise, and who you want to serve front and center in your business. Build your business model, marketing and income plan around YOU; not someone else’s idea of their business.

Indecision. Waffling back and forth about a decision you must make, which wastes a tremendous amount of energy and time. Common “waffle” decisions revolve around “who’s your niche,” what programs to offer, pricing issues, what to write in your e-newsletter, and so on.

Remedy: Make a decision and move forward. Don’t be afraid of failure, because it probably won’t happen to the extent you visualize it in your mind.  Things may not go as planned.  And, you can always course-correct and change your plan.

Not implementing. Usually caused by fear of failure, doubt, indecision, doing a lot of research about what others are doing, collecting data and information. All this causes your income to stay stuck.

Remedy. Make a decision. Put a time limit on the amount of time you spend on research. Remember, what you put together doesn’t have to be “perfect” or everything you know about a particular subject. Things WILL turn out okay.

Making excuses. Saying things like, “I’m not ready yet,” or blaming someone else or your coach for lack of results, being a victim, giving up your power.

Remedy: Take responsibility for results. Doing so restores power relinquished to others.

“Hiding out.” Not speaking up, not marketing enough, not being seen, hiding out behind computer, being the “best kept secret,” marketing churning (revising/refining materials, website, brand over and over and over again).

Remedy: Stop seeking perfection in marketing materials. Resolve to get out and meet prospective clients, network. Let your voice be heard in your e-newsletter, in meetings, on phone calls, group forums, etc.

Not asking for support. Not having a coach or community of people to support you in your growth, not being open to receiving help from others.

Remedy: Have people who support you in your realm. This could be a coach, a spouse, a coaching community, friends, family. People who believe in you and your potential, and will support you in your journey, provide you guidance. Anything great that’s been accomplished has never been done alone.

Over-scheduling. Being a “yes” person, over-committing yourself, never having “enough time.”

Remedy: Time block your calendar and don’t feel guilty about it. Time batch similar tasks together. Plan for creative and you time in your schedule. Say, “No” to requests that you don’t want to do or that won’t support you reaching your goals. Don’t let other peoples’ priorities and emergencies drive your daily schedule.

Perfectionism.  Working  and working it until whatever you’re doing is “just right.”  The result is you don’t get things accomplished quickly, delays occur, and your income suffers.   

Remedy: Striving for perfection is an unachievable task.  I’m not saying put low-quality work out, as this will hurt your brand image.  What you can do is strive for implementation—not perfection.  And when things aren’t perfect, try not to sweat it.  (I suffer from this one BIG time.  So, I know how hard it is.  Do your best, and keep moving.  Don’t “sweat the small stuff.”)

After reading this list you may come up with some of your own ideas how you self- sabotage your own efforts achieving success in your business.

My coach’s request of you this week is to take a look at this list and write down the ways that you are taking yourself “out of the game.” Which of the above topics resonate with you most?

Then, to make a positive shift and overcome these limiting behaviors ask yourself the following question—

“If I were to make a different choice in this moment, what would it be?”

By identifying your limiting behaviors and making better choices, you will overcome the very actions that are holding your business back on a daily basis. Once you do, your business will immediately begin to transform and beautiful things will begin to unfold for you!

When I mentor my clients on how to quickly raise their fees 20-50%, one of the very first things we work on is mindset.

A woman’s emotional mindset influences whether she will be able to successfully ASK for higher fees, or if she’ll cave into self-sabotaging limiting beliefs, such as “No one will pay that much,” “I don’t know enough,” “I’ll have to work harder and won’t have a life.”

To ask for higher fees, and GET them, you have to have a to-the-core-of-you belief that YOU are worth it. If you don’t feel this way, you’re prospective clients are going to “tune in” to the shaky vibes you’re emitting.

So, what can you do to embrace a state of mind that you are worth every penny you charge? Here are 3 ways to start:

1. Identify Self-Sabotaging Fears and Beliefs

Bring light to the negative internal dialogue you have with yourself to take the first step toward changing self-sabotaging fears and beliefs. By doing so you’ll identify what is holding you back from achieving your vision and goals.

For the next 1 to 3 days, carry a journal with you and write down any negative thoughts or beliefs about yourself that you say or think about yourself. This is the internal negative self-talk you want to banish. Pick ONE message you frequently have running through your mind and decide to shift it, right now. You’re going to feel so much lighter energetically, and empowered right away!

2. Up-level Your Internal Self-Talk

Now that you’ve chosen a limiting belief or fear to address, you want to collect “proof” that what you keep telling yourself is simply not true. What I want you to do is take that negative thought, and change it into a positive, the complete opposite of the negative thought.

For example, for the limiting belief, “I’m not ready yet,” change it to “I am completely ready right now.” To support this belief, think of legs of a table that can “hold” this belief up. Each of the legs is evidence or proof-positive that the empowering belief is true! Evidence of this belief can be 1) specific training you’ve received, 2) work experiences, 3) degrees/awards, and 4) noting all you’ve done up to this point to prepare.

Support your positive belief, and walk into any fear you feel. I assure you, what you want is on the other side of your fear.

3. Clean Up Your “Money Stuff”

Because you’re working toward up-leveling your fees and attracting higher-paying clients, it’s time to get how you handle money in order, because more of it is going to be flowing to you.

Cleaning up your “money stuff” can be overwhelming, so here’s a simple place to start…

Begin to track EVERY bit of income that comes to you, every day, to the penny. Everything counts, including your partner’s money, interest income, reimbursement checks, stock dividends, and of course all the money you bring in! The reason it all counts is because every bit of it influences your lifestyle, and adds to your net worth.

These three steps are a powerful first step to transform your sense of your own value, and prepare you to allow the flow of greater income into your life. When you value yourself FIRST, others will follow, and you’ll attract higher-paying clients!

I just learned the definition of “mojo” last Sunday when looking online for local spa products, inspired by comfort foods (like cupcakes and martinis) from Mojo Spa, in Chicago.

Mojo is one of those words that I ignored because it sounded ‘slangy’ to me, kind of like a cross between chocolate and coffee, maybe a word having an identity crisis with java.

Well, I finally looked up the definition and was pleasantly surprised, because the sound of the word is nothing like what the word means.

Your Positive Personal Spirit

Mojo is a noun and means “a magic charm or spell” (I like this!), and more commonly, nowadays refers to a “talent based on personal appeal.”  Your mojo is the positive personal spirit that is on the inside that radiates to the outside for others to see, and feel.

So, why am I writing about mojo?  Because having your mojo working for you IS part of the magic of you that can be oh-so-powerful an attractant to other people to want to work with you.

As Austin Powers said, “You got to have mojo baby, yeah!”

Mojo is that special something that melts away personal objections people have to potentially working with you.  It radiates a powerful positive energy that makes people want to be with you.

Mojo energetically pulls others to gravitate toward you, rather than slinking away at a mere sighting of you.  So, to get new clients, you definitely want to have your mojo working for you!

Can everyone have mojo?  Absolutely.  The ingredients of mojo are a magical combination of positive attitude, energy, enthusiasm, and that ‘special something’— a brilliance that sets you apart from every other human being on the planet.

What is Nojo?

The opposite of mojo is “nojo,” as coined by author, Marshall Goldsmith, and means an “air of negativity about a person.”   You know the type of person that has nojo working for them, because you’ve met them one place or another.  They exude the opposite of positive radiance.

Do you have mojo?  Use the table below to do your own self-assessment, and determine if you have your mojo—or nojo working for you.

Getting your mojo on feels good to you, AND makes others feel good in your presence, too.  Having mojo means you’re in alignment with your brilliance, who you are meant to be.  And, this, my friends, is a powerful attractant to creating desire in those who want to work with you, which will help you get more clients, increase your income, and achieve success.

Do you want to build momentum quickly in your business, but can’t seem to quite do it on your own?  I am creating a new program where I will give you daily support to create oodles of cash flow in 30 days or less… so you reach your new client, income, and list-building goals.  How awesome is that!  Many of you have been telling me this is the type of support you need to move your business forward, and create momentum that is critical to create success.  Look for details very soon!

How do you know when you are over-giving and self-doubting yourself and your abilities?  And, if you do find yourself over-giving to please, how do you stop?

Over-giving is a common problem with women, because we want to help, provide high value, and be of service.  These are all great things to strive to deliver to our clients.

But, if this desire is rooted in the shadow beliefs of self doubt, “not being good enough,” or fear and insecurity about our talents and knowledge, this over-giving cycle will wreak havoc in our emotional lives.  And, we’ll “give away the farm,” which affects our incomes, too.

Over-giving is a reflection of the “money mirror” of deservability, of being unsure we are doing enough to receive whatever is good we get in our life.

The self-doubt of being deserving shows up in your business as cramming a lot of “stuff” into your packages and programs, giving away extra services (more than what’s paid for) without charging, or making yourself too available (like after-hours or weekend phone calls and emails from demanding clients—and you respond to them).

The recurring theme behind the “money mirror” of being deserving is “never enough”, and the emotional undercurrent is a driving need to please.

No matter how much you give away your time, services, or expertise, somehow it’s never enough. And because what you really want is acknowledgement and acceptance, you’ll bend over backwards to get it. The problem is it’s never enough, creating a vicious cycle of burnout, exhaustion and resentment.

One of the big ironies of the “money mirror” of deservability, is it attracts more deservability.  In other words, you’ll tend to attract clients who take an “it’s not good enough” stance when it comes to your services.  This is a vicious cycle you definitely want to side-step!

The best way to know if you’re over-giving is to do a simple “check in” with your surfacing fears, energy, and state of mind around your work.

Are you working really hard? Is the energy behind “giving more” a genuine desire to create value (which you can do without working yourself into a frenzy and overwhelming your clients).  Or, do you harbor a fear that what you give “isn’t enough,” “isn’t good enough,” or you are fulfilling a driving “need to please?”

Most importantly, check your level of satisfaction and happiness; are you at peace, and feel happy?  Are you deeply satisfied that what you do for your clients IS enough?   If not, it’s time to face up to the reality that you are giving away too much of yourself, at a very high energetic, emotional, and financial cost to you.

My coach’s request of you this week is to try this simple action to stop over-giving:

The next time you find yourself doubting your deservability, or are over-giving, ask yourself, “What is the fear I have that is surfacing?”

Then, give yourself the gifts of acceptance, acknowledgement, and love.  Love of yourself, and knowing you are deserving is much greater and larger than fear and self-doubt.

You are perfect, right now, just as you are.  And, your clients will thrive being in your presence when you claim your true value.

This year has been a big growth and expansion year for me – inbusiness (biggest year ever), life (children moving out of the home) and on “the inner planes,” stepping into my calling.

And, it’s getting even bigger this year.

I’ve been working with my mentors, and was reminded by one of them again of the sometimes super-frustrating reality that to say YES to your life’s work in your heart, doesn’t necessarily mean your head—with all its doubts, fears, objections, and shenanigans—is going to go willingly.

There is a book titled, The Big Leap, by Gay Hendricks. In this book, he talks about “the one problem that holds you back.” Here it is in a nutshell…

Whenever you start to experience a level of success that’s outside of your comfort zone (what you’re used to), you’ll sabotage yourself in some way to bring yourself back down. Gay calls this the Upper Limit Problem.

We all have the Upper Limit Problem. So like me, my mentors, and everyone else in the world, there’s some part of you that secretly fears success.  Think about these questions:

• What will happen when you finally reach for your dream and say YES to the work you’re meant to do in the world?
• What will happen when you decide to claim the abundance that is waiting for you?
• What will happen when you decide to be happy no matter what the circumstance?
• What will happen when you decide to invest in yourself and your future?

I can tell you exactly what will happen – your Upper Limit Problem will creep up and burst onto the scene with a big roar.

For me, the Upper Limit Problem has manifested itself in my life over the past few months.  And, I will admit I had some fearful times.  But, once I faced up to it head on, I could focus my attention on doing activities that increased my capacity to expand, rather than keep me contracted, and fearful.

I’d bet you already have some idea of how the Upper Limit shows up in your life…

… Maybe it’s arguing with your spouse…

… Maybe you shy away from reaching out to your peeps with a new offer….

… Or maybe it’s the common experience of dreaming up thoughts that make you feel really bad about how things may not work out.

My coach’s request to you is to make a decision about how you’ll handle it the next time the Upper Limit Problem appears in your life, attempting to sabotage your success.

If you are in a growth stage in your personal life and business, or ready to embark on one, it WILL pop up. 

Then, you can say, “Hey, there it is again… and I know what to do.”

Perhaps you can talk with a mentor or supportive person, or decide on taking actions to break through whatever is manifesting in a way that is holding you back.

Have a brilliant and prosperous week.

I want to hand you my system how to get new clients quickly.  It includes Done-For-You templates, scripts, checklists, and more.  There’s still time to register for my 3-part telecourse training series, Breakthrough Secrets – How to Become Irresistible to Clients: Proven Strategies to Enroll 1, 3, 5, 7, or 10 Clients…Whether You’re a Seasoned Entrepreneur or New in Business.  The kickoff class is Saturday, April 16, 2011.  You’ll get your ROI with less than 1 new client!  Register now at http://bonitarichter.com/getnewclients-2/.

Are you committed to doing whatever it takes to create the lifestyle and income you crave? Or, areyou ”involved” in trying to do well in your business?

My husband had an old boss who used to say about the morning breakfast of eggs and bacon (in comparing it to the level of commitment of employees in the workplace)— “The chicken was involved.  But, the pig was committed.”   What a difference!  And, I think you get where I am going with this…

What this analogy brings to light is there is a HUGE difference between being committed, versus merely being “involved.”  And, the level of success you achieve in business is most certainly determined by the degree of your commitment.

Are you doing everything you can to create forward momentum in your business?  Are you really committed to doing what it takes? 

I’ve compiled a list of things I do in my business that I believe demonstrates my commitment to achieving my personal and business visions of success.  Many of the things I have listed require me to step into a place of discomfort… and even fear… on an almost daily basis.  None of these tasks are easy for me to do.

And, I do them, because what I have learned is it is necessary to push through fear to grow; I must become comfortable with the feelings of discomfort and fear.

To me, I demonstrate being committed in my business by…

• Investing $15,000+ in my business for coaching, training, and seminars each and every year.
• Hopping on a plane and taking time away from my personal life and work life (there’s so much to do!) to attend multi-day seminars and retreats.
• Writing a newsletter on a weekly basis, even when I may not feel like doing it (though I love connecting and helping!).
• Pushing myself and feeling lots of discomfort, at times, to get over my old and sometimes still nagging fear of “being pushy,” being rejected, and being afraid of “what others might think” in order to master the critical skill of authentic enrollment conversations. (I still worry sometimes, “Did I offend anyone?” though I approach every conversation with the intention of being of service.)
• Choosing to move forward in the face of uncertainty, and in some cases paralyzing fear, wondering if people will sign up for my programs, or will I be embarrassed if no one signs up? (Someone always signs up, but I still worry about this.)
• Sending many emails (this is what it takes) promoting my programs and services, knowing some people will unsubscribe from my list, even though I know what I am offering will help them be more successful.
• Balancing the demands of my community college service and operating my own business; I work more hours than the typical ‘6-Figure’ mentor because of this dual commitment, meaning many evenings and Saturdays I am devoting time to my business.
• Having to set boundaries, especially around money, when dealing with clients and service providers. (The people-pleasing part of me wants to always give more, and even pay for services I may not have adequately received to avoid conflict; fortunately, the savvy business woman inside of me has a strong personality.)

There are more “inconvenient” things I could have listed here.  But, I think you can see from the list above, none of these items are easy to do.

Most, in fact, place me in a place of discomfort to some degree.  Yet, all of them are absolutely required (like fine-tuning my selling skills, for example).

None of these things are particularly convenient. But, I do them with fervor and intention to keep moving my business forward.

“Doing what it takes” can sound exhausting. But, “Doing what it takes” doesn’t necessarily mean doing more. Rather, it means stepping through fear with grace, and getting help with tasks that don’t support getting our brilliance out into the world.

Doing what it takes also means repeatedly investing in yourself and your business, to get the skills and the support you need, to create the income you desire and the lifestyle you crave.  No solo entrepreneur (or any entrepreneur, for that matter) can do it alone.  It does not matter if you’re a “one-woman band” or operate a multi-million dollar business.

This includes investing when you feel you’re “not ready,” or you’re not quite sure if you’ll get the return-on-investment you’re seeking. (Really, do we ever know that what we invest in will pay off?)

So if you’re not satisfied with your business, lifestyle, or income right now, my question to you is this:

Are you “interested” in success?  Or, are you doing what it takes to achieve your desired level of success?

Action Item

Write down a list of activities you do in your business, that you believe demonstrates commitment.  Look at it with a critical eye.  Are you doing enough… are you “doing what it takes?”  If not, course-correct now, to create forward momentum in your business.

I want to hand you my system how to get new clients quickly.  It includes Done-For-You templates, scripts, checklists, and more.  There’s still time to register for my 3-part telecourse training series, Breakthrough Secrets – How to Become Irresistible to Clients: Proven Strategies to Enroll 1, 3, 5, 7, or 10 Clients…Whether You’re a Seasoned Entrepreneur or New in Business.  The kickoff class is Saturday, April 16, 2011.  You’ll get your ROI with less than 1 new client!  Register now at http://www.BonitaRichter.com/getnewclients.