What If You Could Breakthrough Whatever Is Holding You Back? For F.r.e.e.?

So last Friday where were you?

Were you joyfully humming that old tune, "Thank God It's Fri-day," out of appreciation for a week you were happy and proud of? Or were you looking forward to the weekend because you desperately needed a break and wanted to escape the frustration of your business?

Looking back on your week: Were you disappointed with how little progress you've made toward your goals?

Did you find yourself caught in the "Drama of Doubt" about your success?

Were you circling round and round second-guessing your decisions about that new program, website, or pricing?

Were you working on a never-ending "to-do" list while wondering if you're actually working on the things that will matter to your success?

Are you stuck? Maybe not sure if you are on the right path?

What if instead of feeling desperate, tired, and stuck, you could actually breakthrough all that and move into your Business Goddess Bigger Game?

Is it possible?

Absolutely.

I just spent three days helping women with big breakthroughs to help them truly grow a successful business filled with purpose.... and with changing others' lives in a big way.

You can have a breakthrough, too, and you don't have to wait for my next retreat! For the first time ever, I'm setting aside 90 minutes next week to coach YOU on wherever you're stuck and need a breakthrough.

Being stuck or overwhelmed keeps you playing small in your business.

There is another way - let me help you shift.

Join me on a brand-new, FREE teleclass, Business Breakthrough Open Coaching Call.

DATE: Thursday, March 17
TIME: 1:00pm eastern | 10:00am pacific | 6:00pm UK
LENGTH: 90 minutes

Find out more and register - it's F.R.EE!

You can attend and listen to the power as other business women breakthrough what's holding them stuck. Or you can take the courageous step and apply to be coached. (More details on how to apply right after you register!)

En-JOY!

Laura

P.S. Isn't it time to stop riding the overwhelm merry-go-round? Breakthrough what's holding you in place and get ready to move forward. Join me next Thursday, March 17th for shifts and powerful transformations!  Feel the Shift. See the Results.

 

Joy Infusion: Artemis, Business Goddess of Protection and Joy

A few months ago, I created a pilot deck of Business Goddess inspiration cards, and I've been beta testing them with clients and on teleclasses.  Everyone loves them, and I'm working on creating a the final published version so that everyone can pull a 
Business Goddess for inspiration!

But today, I'll pull one for you...

It's Artemis, Business Goddess of Protection and Joy, and her message today is Unfailing Courage.

What does that bring up for you?

Where do you already have unfailing courage that you need to acknowledge yourself for?

Where do you need more unfailing courage in your business?

Enjoy the messages and inspired actions that come from truly stepping into your Business Goddess!

En-JOY

Laura

P.S.  If you'd like more direction, Business Goddess-style, in bringing unfailing courage into your business, sign up for my Intuitive Strategy Consultation.  In 60 minutes, I'll help you figure out what's next for YOU in stepping into your business in a bigger way! Is it in the area of owning your gifts,  creating programs and products, or smart marketing strategies. You'll leave feeling more clear, more aligned, and sure of the next action step. To find out more, click here. 

 

FREE Teleclass: The Deep, Real Conversations We're Scared to Have

FREE Teleclass: The Deep, Real Conversations We're Scared To Have #2
It's Time to Take Back Your Power, Open Up and Connect with Each Other

Back in June, I held the first of the Deep Real Conversations call, and it was powerful and connecting. Very sacred - really just beyond words. What I know is that we are creating and leading a new way of being in business and being in our lives. Sometimes that means we put our heads on our desks and cry, and it’s ok to release. And we ask for help, and we do it collaboratively and in community. It’s not the traditional way of being in business and going through our lives... we are honoring our intuition, our emotional guidance, our spirituality and our values.

Part of why we as women entrepreneurs are feeling so frustrated is that we feel alone. We don't have the mentors and the models out there to help lead the way. We're yearning to connect with other women. To understand and validate that we aren’t alone in thinking about business that’s different from what the business books say.

Sometimes we can isolate ourselves, either where we live or through technology (the double edge is that we love the technology which allows us to do the work we're passionate about it easily and around the world). But it’s draining to feel alone, to wonder if we are only really bonding with our computer and iphones.

Connection with other women is key. That's why I started The Conversation - the real conversations, not just surface, how-are-you-doing-the-weather-is-great discussions.

During that June call, we talked a lot about being conscious with what's going on with us mentally, emotionally, and in our bodies. We're moving into something brand-new, the world is changing rapidly, women are leading the way, and yet we don’t have a roadmap for what that will look like. We are creating what our lives will look like in the future, and what our businesses will look like in a whole different way. And that can be scary. Building a community in our own patch of the world is important so that we're not isolated.

I decided I didn't want to do just one call and then that was it. I think these need to be a series of ongoing conversations - continuing to connect, have real conversations, go deep.

I'm leading another Deep, Real Conversations Call on Thursday, September 2, and I hope you'll join me.

It’s an open call. I’ll bring a loose agenda. I’ll share my stories and my learnings. I’ll share where my clients are. I’ll share trends that I’m seeing for what’s really working and what’s not working. I might do a little on the spot coaching, but mostly we’ll be sharing, questioning, wondering, validating (not complaining, but being curious and learning).

Won't you join us?

Thursday, September 2: The Deep, Real Conversations We're Scared To Have - And It's Time to Take Back Your Power, Open Up and Connect with Each Other

Time: 2pm eastern/ 11am pst / 7pm UK

Click to read more and to sign up now!

This is a free teleclass, and you won't want to miss this different kind of call where we have those deep, real conversations.

I'm looking forward to connecting with you... Join me…

PS: If this message is pulling you forward, opening your heart, or you feel the yes coming alive in you... you’ll want to be on our call live. Yes, we’ll record and you can sign up to receive the audio. And... We need to hear your voice too. I know this conversation is needed, and I’m honored to provide the space and the call to step in. 

Just Let Go

If you are like me, as a woman entrepreneur I know there are times in your business or in your life when you get yourself in a bunch, you start going in circles, chasing your tail, second guessing, doubting…. It still happens to me but with practice it doesn’t happen as much anymore.  I can get myself out of the “tailspin” quicker and usually with more grace. 

There are times where people have told me over the years. “Laura, just let go.”  Let go.  Let go and what?  Note:  If someone is telling you to let go – that means you are holding on tight.  It can be hard to just let go.  There needs to be a second part to “let go and ….”.   And then what do I do? (I know, you enlightened souls will say…let go and just be….but sometimes when you’re “in it” you need a more specific redirect). 

So here’s mine…( I share it so that it might help you..should you ever find yourself in the need)

Let Go AND…

*Stop Doing what you are doing

*Do Something Different

*Breathe – In and Out

*Do the Opposite of what you think you’re *supposed* to do

*Do Something Crazy, Fun, or Creative

*Go for a walk, take a nap or a shower (my 3 favs – insert yours)

*Ask your Higher Self:  “What would ______ Do” (I’ll ask Jezzie - she’s my Spirit Doll)

*Do what you think you can’t possibly do

*Take a Step and Lead

*Love Yourself

I hope this list will help you …in those moments when you need to let go and….

En-JOY!
Laura

Business Goddess Marketing Tip #2: Business Plateau Woes

Business Goddess
Audio Marketing Tip Series

Helping you market
like a Business Goddess...
from the inside out

Welcome to the Business Goddess Audio Marketing Tip series - my free gift to you to help you market like a Business Goddess - from the inside out.

Today's Business Goddess Audio Marketing Tip is about what to do when you have the Business Plateau Woes. It can be as simple and joyful as just saying YES.

Business Goddess Marketing is not just about the actions you take, but connecting to that deeper power inside that leads great marketing actions.

To listen now, visit http://www.joyfulbusiness.com/audiotip/tip2.html

EN-Joy

Laura

Are you fighting your Upper Limit Success Saboteur?

What I have noticed with business owners is that we have a unique way of sabotaging our business growth and success.

I've seen many clients go to a workshop. Perhaps this has happened to you. You go and get clear about the next marketing strategy for your business. You can't wait to get started. You get really excited about your newfound business clarity. Once you get home, you take a few steps toward creating a project you are excited about and then... Boom! Everything stops. It falls apart. For some reason, you get irritable and procrastinate or find all these "emergencies" arise that require your attention.

There is a very good chance you are bumping up against your Upper Limit of Success.

Here's what that might look like: you keep telling yourself (and others) that you never follow through with projects. Then, even though you are really excited about a project, you'll find some way to sabotage your success. It might be kids who need your attention, an emergency with your home, or suddenly you've just got to volunteer and be more involved in your child's school.

One of my favorite books about this concept is The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks. He talks about how we all have a thermostat setpoint when it comes to love, success, joy and abundance. (Actually, I added joy as I find that most of us feel guilty when we really start enjoying something whether it's a business success, a creative project bursting forth, or for some of us, even laughing out loud from a place of joy can feel dangerous.) We're so afraid of what others will think, or that we are afraid others will feel bad if we are happy & successful or that somehow we aren't worthy enough to enjoy success bigger than whatever we have experienced before.

Our inner thermostat is the comfort level we unconsciously set for ourselves. For example, let's say that for the last two years you've made $100,000 in your business. You say you are ready to grow bigger. You say you want to double your income, but you've only ever made $100,000. It's not that you can't. It's that unconsciously you have a comfort level around that lower amount. It's amazing how you will find ways to keep yourself from allowing the success in. Maybe you've experienced a big, juicy, ideal new client contacts you and you procrastinate getting back to them.

What do you do now?

The first step to changing a belief is always awareness. You have to be aware of your repetitive thought, belief or action. From that awareness you can shift most beliefs. Just shining light on it will allow you to consciously shift your energy, start new conversations, make a new choice and take a new action.
I have a lot of clients who are writing books. Funny how everyone seems to be writing a book these days! What I notice is that some of them are always still in the writing process. I think there's an Upper Level Success Saboteur at work. You have to be able to imagine yourself as a published author, see yourself at book signings, knowing without a doubt that the time you spend writing is worthwhile -that people are there in the world who need to hear your message. It's easy to get caught in the "Who am I do write this?" attitude.

YOU are the one to deliver it to them.

Here's another example from a client who said she wanted to hold a workshop and kept getting frustrated that people weren't signing up for the workshop. Turned out she hadn't booked the hotel suite or her flight yet. She wasn't committed to her own decision. No wonder things were slow. As soon as she shifted, the enrollments started coming in!

The world is waiting for you to get out of your own way!

Notice how you say you are ready for a new project, to launch a new marketing strategy that will put you in the spotlight, or raise your prices and see how you find ways to pull yourself back into your comfort zone. Be compassionate. Notice and then laugh as you recognize what's happening. Then keep taking bite-sized action steps forward. Keep noticing when things like friends, family, emergencies seem to get in the way of you taking forward action.

And then make new choices. Take new actions. And raise that Upper Limit of Success to allow more in.

En-JOY!

Laura

If you would like to use this article in your newsletter or blog please feel free to do as long as you include our credit information: Written by Laura Howard West, Center for Joyful Business, http:/www.joyfulbusiness.com I would also appreciate it if you'd send us a copy for our media files. ©Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.

Laura West is an award-winning online entrepreneur and president of The Center for Joyful Business. If you are ready to shift your marketing and mindset for more success with joy and ease, get your free report: Business Attraction Success Kit

Does Your Money Sign Say “Do Not Disturb”?

You’re set and ready to grow your small business: you’ve packaged your product and service offerings, your marketing strategies are rolling out, and you’re excited about the transformation you’re going to help your clients achieve.

And yet, you feel stuck. The money isn’t coming fast enough. You don’t even want to admit this, because “it’s not about the money” – so you hesitate to acknowledge how frustrated you really are. What in the world is wrong here?

It’s possible that your “money sign” – or the money vibration you’re putting out in the world – might be saying “Do Not Disturb.”

I compare this to being in a hotel room. You say, “I’m starving!” and order room service – but then you put out your “Do Not Disturb” sign. No wonder the things you want – the right clients, satisfying work, and yes, MONEY – aren’t rolling in the door!

You’re caught in the “yes but no.”

Money is an area that challenges many small business owners, especially women. You may feel that it’s wrong to mention money, as if it’s taboo. You might avoid talking about how much you make, perhaps you hide purchases or even lie to yourself about how much you’ve spent.

Somehow, you’ve forgotten the most important money principle:

Receiving money is a signal that you are being of service to the world.

In fact, receiving more money is a signal that you are being of more service! I often remind my coaching clients that whether you are reaching more people or charging more for your services, receiving money is another type of energetic exchange demonstrating that you are sharing your gifts in the world. Any mindset that has you believe that receiving money is wrong, bad or you are being too big… only holds you small and has you keep your gifts to yourself. Remember that the world works on the idea of creative expansion. Open up and allow in the flow!

Is it possible you’ve hung a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door of your small business? What areas of your business may be sending these signals to potential clients? Is it easy to work with you? Are you excited about what you offer, but hesitate to charge enough to support a growing and sustainable business? What do your customers ask for that you don’t currently offer? Where is your courage to package your passion. 

En-JOY!

Laura

If you would like to use this article in your newsletter or blog please feel free to do as long as you include our credit information: Written by Laura Howard West, Center for Joyful Business, http:/www.joyfulbusiness.com I would also appreciate it if you'd send us a copy for our media files. ©Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.

Laura West is an award-winning online entrepreneur and president of The Center for Joyful Business. If you are ready to shift your marketing and mindset for more success with joy and ease, get your free report: Business Attraction Success Kit

Change on the Horizon: Feeling the Fear?

I recently hosted a teleclass in which a participant shared a story about how, after running her own successful small business for many years, was joining forces with a peer she admired. While she felt excited and positive about the change overall, she was wrestling with feelings of fear and sadness at the same time. She even apologized for crying on the call.

After reassuring her that crying was more than okay (after all, you are releasing energy), we talked about how, when we are facing big changes – like when you’re shifting your small business (or letting a piece of it go, like my caller was) – it can feel like you’re letting a piece of yourself go. And that can feel a little scary.

To work through that fear, I’ve found it’s helpful first to grieve for what you’re leaving behind – because even though you know the impending change will bring you good things, it helps to acknowledge the passing of what will no longer be. And whether you grieve by crying or some other method, I think that sometimes we just cry because there is a yearning inside that is so strong that it creates energy. That energy vibrates on a level that we label as the emotion of sadness. It’s healthy to let the energy move.

The other invaluable tool for dealing with fear and change is to work with a coach or a mastermind group. Everyone deals with fear on some level – even when the change you are creating in your business is overdue, or you’re positive it’s right on target. At some point, those little fears can start to creep in – and that’s a sure sign that you could benefit from some belief work with a coach or mastermind, to help you work through it. Remember, doing it alone is the hard way!

Now this is what I love about our interactive teleclasses: much later in the call, another woman piped up with some wonderful words for the first woman whose time as a solopreneur was coming to an end. She said, “Think of it as your child going off to college. You’re moving to another place in your life, which is wonderful. But letting go of your child is scary.”

Then came the kicker: “But you will be you wherever you go, and you’ll bring your gifts with you,” she said. I love it!

Bottom line, we all have fears to overcome. And rather than keeping your head down and trying to blast through it, it can be helpful to stop and “acknowledge and release” the energy behind your fears. Remind yourself of why you’re in business, and of the unique gifts you bring to the world. Remember that the world needs you!

Have you been putting off making a necessary change in your small business? Do you think fear is playing a role in that decision? Are you ready to let go of what was, and embrace what will be?

En-JOY!

Laura

If you would like to use this article in your newsletter or blog please feel free to do as long as you include our credit information: Written by Laura Howard West, Center for Joyful Business, http:/www.joyfulbusiness.com I would also appreciate it if you'd send us a copy for our media files. ©Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.

Laura West is an award-winning online entrepreneur and president of The Center for Joyful Business. If you are ready to shift your marketing and mindset for more success with joy and ease, get your free report: Business Attraction Success Kit