Last week I was working with one of my small business clients, a bright and dynamic woman who's passionate about positioning her artisan business for growth. We were talking about her financial picture and forecasting robust sales over the next three years.
As I coached her, she expressed excitement and eagerness to see her dreams turn into reality, yet somewhere, just below the surface, I sensed subtle resistance on her part to fully imagine the scenario we were painting.
I asked her about what she was feeling. After stopping for a moment to "feel into" my observation, she tentatively at first, then heartily agreed. Then she got very curious about her seemingly incongruous resistance to success.
"Sarah", I asked, "What is your 'rule', about financial success? In other words, what belief do you carry (deep down) about money?" It didn't take long for her to respond. "Well," she reported, "if you're financially successful, it means you have to give up on your values and your integrity".
Wow! By uncovering that one rule, Sarah hit pay dirt. She was now free to clearly see that one disempowering rule she had been carrying her entire life.
Taking a look at the rules that drive your thinking is a very powerful activity to help you grow as a person, especially as a business owner. Another wise client of mine once said, "There's no way to separate who we are from what we do". You can have the most empowered business plans in the world and if your inner life and dialog is disempowered?forget it. It's an up hill battle.
What are your 'under-the surface rules' that run your life and business? To explore, ask yourself: Where are you consistently stuck in your business? What are the things that always hang you up? What are the recurring thoughts or themes you could write the book about?
I invite your willingness to explore. You have only strength and success to gain.
Here are some examples of themes we all know too well:
I can't quite breakthrough to financial success
I default to fear and lack
I always feel overwhelmed and exhausted and out of time
Procrastination is my middle name
I walk up to the edge of a challenge and then back away
I avoid
I would suggest that behind every common theme, you have a rule. For example, if you're like Sarah and you can't breakthrough to financial success, you might have a rule that says, "People that make money, sell out." Or, if you are constantly procrastinating, you might have a rule that says, "If I succeed, I'll wind up alone." (Maybe you experienced a parent who worked a lot, and was unhappy and you concluded that success = unhappiness).
Explore where your rules came from by asking: When did the rule get created? What were the circumstances? Ask, if you were to change that rule, what would happen? Who would be upset? Who would get hurt or feel betrayed?
Take heart, you created your rules for a good reason. We all create meaning about life from our experiences and then create rules to keep us safe, secure and sane. The problem comes when we neglect to inquire or challenge the current validity of our rules.
You have the ability to move beyond your limited rules by becoming aware of them, disqualifying them, (if they don't serve you), and then by making new rules based on your current reality. I challenge you to give it a try.
As for Sarah, she created a new rule that says she can be financially successful, maintain her values, fulfill her dream and express her passion in the world. What's YOUR new rule?
It's your life?live it completely!
Helaine is a professional coach and writer, who has been featured in numerous publications, including "O" The Oprah Magazine. She helps entrepreneurs and professional women accelerate their professional success, while achieving a more complete and fulfilling personal life. For a free consultation, contact her at 603-357-8546 to discuss how she can help you accelerate your own success. You may also visit her website, http://www.pathofpurpose.com, or email your questions to helaine@pathofpurpose.com
It is only natural that when you start a business,... Read More
Becoming a successful entrepreneur in the online world is no... Read More
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to... Read More
Hey!Many of you might disagree and I'm prepared for that.Many... Read More
The morning sun sheds its brilliance and warmth... Read More
An entrepreneur is an innovator. She sees a need in... Read More
I love bargains. And there's no better place to find... Read More
When raising capital for a business venture, a company can... Read More
I told my family that I finally accepted that my... Read More
I had a health scare in December.As it turns out,... Read More
Sally and Jim have launched their automotive franchise business and... Read More
Once again the squeeze is on as renewed inflation worries... Read More
It's very important to get your business name right. You... Read More
Being an entrepreneur and running a successful home-based business is... Read More
Successful entrepreneurs have many traits in common. Here are ten... Read More
Identifying prospects has come a long way since the days... Read More
Women business owners are our only clients, so naturally we... Read More
If that sounds like you, here's what you may be... Read More
Widget sales are booming ? the competition is scrambling, demand... Read More
Q: I'm graduating this year with a degree in business... Read More
What would it be worth to you to receive a... Read More
James had an original concept and he needed an investor.... Read More
Print off this page, take the quiz and find out... Read More
As you have shown an interest in starting a business... Read More
Entrepreneurship is a great magnet to deliver new ideas, unique... Read More
Sally and Jim have launched their automotive franchise business and... Read More
At times all of us need a bit of inspiration... Read More
1. Isolating Yourself When setting up a business, you can... Read More
IntroductionKnowledge is the key resource that forms the institutional basis... Read More
EntrepreneurAn entrepreneur is a man who organizes and manages the... Read More
You should wait until you're older and have more business... Read More
You don't have to be rock-star famous before you are... Read More
Running a business is not an easy endeavor, it takes... Read More
Times are tough. The economy is in a constant state... Read More
Introduction:In a world where ideas drive economies, it is no... Read More
I hear it all the time. "What should I do... Read More
Let me ask you a question? Imagine I would offer... Read More
Adolescence brings with it many challenges ? for both parents... Read More
Bootstrapping a business startup does not necessarily mean that you... Read More
1) Go back to basics. Take a couple of steps... Read More
If you look at those Corporations in franchising today you... Read More
Bootstrapping in the context of business start-ups refers to the... Read More
Does the idea of running your own business sound exciting?... Read More
I just arrived back from the best seminar I have... Read More
With the growing number of franchise offerings recently it is... Read More
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to... Read More
One trait of franchisors and something you will find in... Read More
I sat watching a documentary on U.S. Navy SEAL Team... Read More
"Real champions believe in themselves even when no one else... Read More
About 6 years ago I started to notice that certain... Read More
Entrepreneur |