If you are still struggling to get enough clients, have positive cash flow and be successful, you could be getting in your own way and not even realizing it.  Or maybe you do realize it but you don’t know how to change it. Even if you did know, you might be too scared.

I talk to people everyday who call me for help with their marketing or business focus. They know things aren’t working. We talk and begin to peel back the layers and by the end of the conversation they  hesitantly admit that they are scared to really face their fears and self-doubt. Have you ever felt like this?

•  Worry if you charge a too much people will feel they’re not getting their money’s worth.
•  Not good enough to work with high paying clients.
•  Uncomfortable having a vision that’s too big.

You really have only three choices:

1. Do nothing, keep struggling and envy other people who seem to be doing well.

2. Quit your business and get a job where you don’t have to deal with your inner demons. The steady paycheck has it’s value.

3. Decide to do whatever it takes to move out of your comfort zone, stretch, grow and be willing to trip, fall and then get up again.

What makes one person grow a lucrative business and another one stay stuck. It’s that decision to step into number three and do whatever it takes to become a leader of your business, develop a much larger vision of what you are creating and overcome your inner fears that hold you back.

If you are reading this and thinking that you are an exception and have no inner demons, you are wrong.  Even the wealthiest, most successful people have them.  It’s the parts inside that gravitate to staying comfy.  Everyone has a default that is set at “comfort zone.” It’s like your comfort food that you like to eat when you are feeling vulnerable.

My comfort default is deadly for my business. It’s the part of me that says,  “You’re tired, you’ve had a full day so just go to sleep and you can write this later.”  My inner leader says different. I need to keep this deadline because what I am writing tonight is part of a bigger marketing strategy and a much bigger picture.

Are you ready to see your larger picture?
Are you ready to face your fears and go for it anyway?
Are you worth the investment of time and money?

If you say, Yes, yes and yes, good for you!
And here are two opportunities.

Awaken Your Money Stream 6 month seminar.

Unleash Your Visionary Leader Mastermind for Women Entrepreneurs.

If you are saying yes, the important thing is to make a change. You are so worth it!

Some small business owners get into a state of panic at the end of the year, but I see it as a powerful time and a window of opportunity.

If you are like most solo-business owners I know, you have worked hard all year, faced countless internal  demons and overcame many obstacles. You may be beating yourself up because you still don’t have the cash flow you want, however I think it is a good time  to focus on what you have accomplished.

Here is a short and empowering process that you can do this week as  we move to the year end and year beginning. Follow this three part process to begin your next year with more focus and empowerment.

1. Vision Sit down in a quiet place and take a some time to envision where you want your business to be at the end of 2011. Small solo business owners need to have a clear vision and this is much more important than a written business plan. Your vision needs to be based on your long term picture and realistic as to how you want your business to grow. You can create a vision board for the year if you are a creative type.

2. Intention Be specific about clear intentions. The more specific the better in terms of what you want to accomplish. Imagine the success you will feel and  how meeting these intentions will affect your overall business in 2011. Being able to focus in this regard will  help you to overcome any inner confusion as well.

3.  Empower What can  you do to empower your intentions?  Putting it in writing, talking to your mentor or mastermind group or  do a ritual to move this forward. All these things will help you to overcome any fear or self doubt.

This is a great process to do with other business owners and a powerful way to walk into the new year. I hope some of you will share here. I would love to hear  from  you.

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No one in their right mind would start a new business if they really knew what they would need to face in themselves. You just wanted to help people and get paid for it. Really simple and yet not so simple.

You have probably found yourself spending most of your time trying to figure out how to run your business and get more of those wonderful clients to help. It has probably pushed you right to your edge and more than once you have wondered if you should just quit!

I just watched this wonderful video of Bene Brown. Although she is a social worker and not talking about small business at all, some of her ideas totally relate!

You began your business of helping people for connection and wanting purpose and meaning. You wanted to make a difference.

When your business has struggled and not enough clients come through your door, you began to feel shame and not worthy. ( at least I did!)

A natural reaction to shame is to wanting to hide and not be seen. If you do that your business won’t grow and you will stay small and constricted. ( I could get an award for shame!)

In order to develop worthiness, it is necessary to be vulnerable, and know that being vulnerable is real and authentic! It takes courage to do that, but from that place, you will be able to stay tapped into to your original purpose of wanting to connect and help people. If you are busy hiding, that’s where your energy will be- hidden.

Once you are ok with being vulnerable it is way easier to be seen. And you know what? People trust people way more when they are real, authentic and vulnerable.

A very important part of marketing is “telling your own story.” If you stay hidden  no one can connect with you and you separate yourself from your clients. Your own story of struggle, pain and overcoming obstacles will allow people to see you.

Special- for women entrepreneurs- connect with other women, overcome your own tendency to want to  hide and learn how to tell your story and lead your business from that strong place.

I love my friend Michael Beck’s quote “People are attracted to you by who you are, rather than what you do…”

So, be real, authentic, vulnerable and make your business decisions from that place!

That term, “Unique Selling Proposition,” popped up early on learning about marketing and I struggled to figure out how I was unique. It is a jargon-like phrase and I don’t like it.

Here is a simpler way to understand what it means.  In a way, your USP is your businesses footprint. It is what and how you offer whatever it is you offer, in a way that your niche market’s antennae  perk up and  they pick you, because you are offering exactly and precisely what they need.

Your footprint is unique to you. When you walk on the wet sand on the beach, no one else’s  footprint will look exactly the same as yours. Your niche market will be attracted to your footprint because it is emanating this uniqueness and it speaks directly to their need.

If you want to stand out and be recognized by your potential  clients make sure you make your footprint sharp and clear!  Your message needs to be about your niche clients and what they need. Your specialty  is in helping them and how you do that is your unique way.

The best way to figure this out is to ask some of your happy niche clients, how you were unique in helping them. Listen to their words and you will have an aha moment.

Follow this template below and fill in the blanks for your business then feel free to share it below in the comments. Here is mine as an example:

1. Who is your niche: Solo serviced based business owners.

2. What is their emotionally compelling problem:
Overwhelmed and struggling to turn their service into a prosperous business.

3. What is your USP ( footprint) :
Clear Your Focus Grow Your Business

These three things above make up your core marketing message.

It’s hard work running a business, and  like the ocean tide, it is normal for energy to ebb and flow, but it  still can be challenging when those low times hit!

Can you relate, and what do you do to shift your energy?

Especially if you are a solo-business owner, it can feel like its all up to you to keep things going and stay on track. Some days you wake up and just don’t feel like it!  You wish  you could win the lottery and quit, or just take a long paid vacation.

Even if you love your business and it’s fun, there are still days you feel like this and yet you need to stay focused and on track.  Here are some things that might help.

1. Find your community and share. Isolation just makes it worse. Being part of a group you can connect with, can give you energy immediately.

2. Listen to how it is for other people when they feel this way. Again- this will help you feel less alone and more normal!

3. Create your goals for the week and tell someone.  Once you begin, your energy and focus will start to flow again. Accountability also helps  you to stay on track.

What do you do to motivate and inspire yourself when your energy is lagging?

Are you ready to find a community that works for you?  Does this question speak to you? Wouldn’t it be great to find a place you can respond to this question and connect with others as well?

Go to the Awake Business Teahouse Inner Circle. This question was just posted this morning. You can respond and be part of the discussion immediately!

There are only be committed entrepreneurs present. Only $1 to join so don’t let that stop you. If you are reading this, you are exactly the kind of person we are looking for.

Find out more about the Awake Business TeaHouse and how it can support  your business success.