To plan, or not to plan? That is the question! Perhaps you can relate to my relationship with planning; typically, for the past several years, I'd review my year-end goals and set out a plan for everything I want to do the following year. And, year after year, there are always more goals than I can manage to achieve. You may find yourself in the same situation... with so many things you'd like to complete in a year, but not able to get everything done.
But, this year something different is happening for me. And, when I recently attended my mastermind meeting in Las Vegas, I saw my same experience echoed by most of my colleagues.
Let me offer you a little background... The members of my Mastermind group decided to work together to complete our One Page Business Plan, based on Jim Horan's book of the same title. This was the best planning tool I've ever used... it helped all of us narrow our focus and gain crystal clarity on what was most important for us and our business.
The One Page Business Planning process, I believe, is what allowed me to do something I'd never done before... which is the fifth gift I received from my Mastermind trip to Las Vegas.
Gift #5: Create space for miracles to appear.
With a realistic, attainable, inspiring and strategic business plan in place, I allowed myself to attend my mastermind meeting in Las Vegas with the freedom of knowing my business finally had a clear direction for the year. The interesting thing about having a written plan in place was that it allowed me to not plan for every last detail of what I wanted to occur for the entire year.
In years past, this would have "freaked me out" a little bit. But, what I realized during my Mastermind meeting in Las Vegas was that many of us hadn't planned our entire year in specific detail. Rather, we knew WHAT we wanted to achieve throughout the year, but we didn't try to determine exactly HOW those goals were going to be realized. Instead, many of us consciously allowed ourselves to create space for miracle to appear.
Now, you may be wondering what I mean when I say "miracles" especially since miracles aren't something you'll typically find in a business plan. Perhaps the best way to explain this is to give you an example from my own business.
One of the goals I had in my business plan was to increase my gross revenues to one million dollars this year. I knew I wanted to achieve this goal, but I didn't focus on exactly how it was going to happen. Instead, I told myself I would see what unfolds as a results of the plan I had in place for the first half of the year... which included the release of my new book The Freedom Formula, the launch of my 2008 Get Your Book Done publishing program, the release of my next book Conscious Entrepreneurs, and my 3rd Annual Conscious Entrepreneurs Tele-Summit.
I felt confident in surrendering the 2nd half of the year's plan and allowing myself to be guided toward what I was destined to do. As a result of allowing myself to remain open to what showed up, I was shown exactly what I needed to do for the rest of the year. I was supposed to create a LIVE event based on my book called The Freedom Formula Experience.
How did I know I was supposed to be doing this? Because it was fun, easy and effortless. Every resource I dreamed would show up... showed up! Including easily getting Neale Donald Walsch, James Twyman and Marianne Williamson to come speak at the event live! Believe me, if I hadn't created space for miracles to appear, I'm sure this wouldn't have happened with the ease and grace it did. I'm still pinching myself to ensure that it's real.
The most beautiful thing about this experience of 'creating space for miracles to appear is that many of my colleagues were also following the same inner guidance. One of them allowed for a void to bring forth his most valuable creative piece of work ever, another colleague cleared space and birthed a new program for her clients that is more aligned with her soul's calling (and an exciting new method for delivering her new ideas), and another colleague showed up without an agenda and left Las Vegas with a concept for a whole new direction for her business.
You see, when you allow yourself to stop 'forcing' and 'willing' your way through your plans, (and replace those behaviors with allowance, trust, openness and receptivity) you DO create space for miracles to occur; miracles that will guide you day by day and moment by moment to exactly where you're meant to BE.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Conscious Business: The REAL Meaning of a "Service Based" Business
How often have you heard the term "service-based" business? Pretty frequently, I'm sure. Usually when you hear people (perhaps
yourself) talk about a service business, they are referring to a service rather than a product that is offered to their clients. For the sake of business it is important to consider all of your products and services in your marketing mix. However, one of the most important things to consider is a much higher definition of the word "service" and clarity on how your business serves the greatest good of all.
This concept of REAL service quickly surfaced as the unplanned theme for a recent tele-summit that I planned, and I'm not surprised at all. Everywhere I turn more entrepreneurs are stepping up to claim that business is a VEHICLE to help in the positive transformation of our world. You see, the service your business offers goes FAR beyond the specific services you provide in exchange for money.
The true service of your business is not the offering you make to one particular individual; rather it is the service that your business (as a whole) offers to the world. When I interviewed Anita Pathik-Law for the tele-summit, she spoke of a collective urgency for entrepreneurs to serve. We got into an engaging conversation about the shifts going on in our world right now, and the rising energy of conscious entrepreneurs everywhere to do what they can to be of service in the highest way possible.
So, how does this (concept of serving the highest good for all)
relate to your specific business? There are two strategies I
recommend to help you connect this to your entrepreneurial endeavors:
1) Shift Your Perspective: Often in business it's easy to get wrapped up in the details of your day-to-day operations. You've got a new webpage to post, a new product to develop, client calls, an article to write, email to manage and phone calls to return... just to name a few things that are probably on your daily task list. And, when you're stuck in this kind of detail, it is easy to lose your perspective. All you can see is the task at hand and getting it done.
When this happens, I invite you to take a "time out" (for me, it's typically a day at the Chocolate Spa in Hershey PA... or quiet time in the hammock on my deck). This intention of your "time out" is to step away from the details of your business and reconnect with your higher vision. Chances are you didn't start your business to deal with details all day. You started it to make a difference in the lives of others, and to have a positive impact on the world. Too often, this gets lost in the mix of things to do. So, when you give yourself a break, take time to dream of the ultimate service your business (and YOU) wants to offer to the world. There is SOMETHING that YOU are here to do. There is a higher purpose you are here to serve. Allow yourself the time and space to connect with THAT level of service. It will be the driving force for all of your business and personal success.
2) Let the Universe Work Its' Magic: I love this strategy. It's been one of the most effective strategies I've implemented this year. And, that is, to not try to plan everything. Too often, as a business owner, you feel driven to plan for every last project that you've got slated for the year. This can be a big mistake. Because, in planning out every last project, you don't leave much room for the Universe to work it's magic and SHOW YOU what the next steps are for you and your business. I see so many entrepreneur struggling to figure out what to do next, when all they need to do is release their struggle and ALLOW "what's next" to reveal itself!
I know from my own personal experience, that when I allowed the space in my life (and my calendar) for the Universe to reveal my next steps, I was shown something that would never have surfaced if I had TRIED to plan it. And, what revealed itself was my service to the world through being a voice for conscious entrepreneurs.
So, on your journey of experiencing the REAL meaning of service-based business, I invite you to implement these two strategies (shift your perspective and let the Universe work its magic) so you discover exactly how you and your business are ultimately meant to serve the world.
© 2008 Christine Kloser
Would you like to use this article? You may as long as you include the following information along with the article: Christine Kloser, author of The Fre^edom Formula, helps small business owners put soul in their business and money in the bank. If you want to enjoy a purpose-driven business and a soul-satisfying life, send for my special report, How to Avoid the 3 Massive Mistakes Made by Most Conscious Entrepreneurs and my audio, 7 Strategies Entrepreneurial Authors Need to Know... Before Writing a Word, both of which you get (at no charge) when you request my Conscious Business Success Kit at www.LoveYourLife.com.
yourself) talk about a service business, they are referring to a service rather than a product that is offered to their clients. For the sake of business it is important to consider all of your products and services in your marketing mix. However, one of the most important things to consider is a much higher definition of the word "service" and clarity on how your business serves the greatest good of all.
This concept of REAL service quickly surfaced as the unplanned theme for a recent tele-summit that I planned, and I'm not surprised at all. Everywhere I turn more entrepreneurs are stepping up to claim that business is a VEHICLE to help in the positive transformation of our world. You see, the service your business offers goes FAR beyond the specific services you provide in exchange for money.
The true service of your business is not the offering you make to one particular individual; rather it is the service that your business (as a whole) offers to the world. When I interviewed Anita Pathik-Law for the tele-summit, she spoke of a collective urgency for entrepreneurs to serve. We got into an engaging conversation about the shifts going on in our world right now, and the rising energy of conscious entrepreneurs everywhere to do what they can to be of service in the highest way possible.
So, how does this (concept of serving the highest good for all)
relate to your specific business? There are two strategies I
recommend to help you connect this to your entrepreneurial endeavors:
1) Shift Your Perspective: Often in business it's easy to get wrapped up in the details of your day-to-day operations. You've got a new webpage to post, a new product to develop, client calls, an article to write, email to manage and phone calls to return... just to name a few things that are probably on your daily task list. And, when you're stuck in this kind of detail, it is easy to lose your perspective. All you can see is the task at hand and getting it done.
When this happens, I invite you to take a "time out" (for me, it's typically a day at the Chocolate Spa in Hershey PA... or quiet time in the hammock on my deck). This intention of your "time out" is to step away from the details of your business and reconnect with your higher vision. Chances are you didn't start your business to deal with details all day. You started it to make a difference in the lives of others, and to have a positive impact on the world. Too often, this gets lost in the mix of things to do. So, when you give yourself a break, take time to dream of the ultimate service your business (and YOU) wants to offer to the world. There is SOMETHING that YOU are here to do. There is a higher purpose you are here to serve. Allow yourself the time and space to connect with THAT level of service. It will be the driving force for all of your business and personal success.
2) Let the Universe Work Its' Magic: I love this strategy. It's been one of the most effective strategies I've implemented this year. And, that is, to not try to plan everything. Too often, as a business owner, you feel driven to plan for every last project that you've got slated for the year. This can be a big mistake. Because, in planning out every last project, you don't leave much room for the Universe to work it's magic and SHOW YOU what the next steps are for you and your business. I see so many entrepreneur struggling to figure out what to do next, when all they need to do is release their struggle and ALLOW "what's next" to reveal itself!
I know from my own personal experience, that when I allowed the space in my life (and my calendar) for the Universe to reveal my next steps, I was shown something that would never have surfaced if I had TRIED to plan it. And, what revealed itself was my service to the world through being a voice for conscious entrepreneurs.
So, on your journey of experiencing the REAL meaning of service-based business, I invite you to implement these two strategies (shift your perspective and let the Universe work its magic) so you discover exactly how you and your business are ultimately meant to serve the world.
© 2008 Christine Kloser
Would you like to use this article? You may as long as you include the following information along with the article: Christine Kloser, author of The Fre^edom Formula, helps small business owners put soul in their business and money in the bank. If you want to enjoy a purpose-driven business and a soul-satisfying life, send for my special report, How to Avoid the 3 Massive Mistakes Made by Most Conscious Entrepreneurs and my audio, 7 Strategies Entrepreneurial Authors Need to Know... Before Writing a Word, both of which you get (at no charge) when you request my Conscious Business Success Kit at www.LoveYourLife.com.
Conscious Entrepreneur: Your Greatest Business Asset... that Doesn't Cost a Dime
What do you think about when you hear the words “business asset.” You may start thinking about your business, physical property (computers, equipment, inventory, etc.), the money you have in the bank, your client list, your database of subscribers, equity you may have in a building or a number of other “tangible” assets. No matter how many assets you can think of like this, none of them are your most valuable asset.
Your most valuable asset is invisible. It’s not something you can touch or feel, nor is it a number on a bank statement somewhere. As a conscious entrepreneur, the greatest business asset you own is your FAITH! Now, don’t get me wrong here. I’m not talking about anything that has to do with a particular religion. This is not about religious faith.
The type of faith I’m talking about is faith in your Divine Plan, faith in yourself, faith in the purpose you’ve been given to fulfill, faith in the Universe conspiring for your highest good (even when it appears like the opposite), faith to invest in yourself when you don’t know where the money is going to come from and faith that KNOWS no matter what, you’ll be OK.
I understand that faith doesn’t typically arise in a conversation about business assets, but yesterday I was blessed with having a profound conversation with a few of my mastermind colleagues about the necessity for this asset in business. We were supposed to spend our call talking about list-building strategies, but somehow ended up talking about what it really takes to succeed. Specially, one of my colleagues asked me how I’ve been able to get to this point in my business… on the eve of launching my biggest event ever (The Freedom Formula Experience) and sending my book to best-seller status on Amazon.com.
My answer to her was “faith.” And, from there our conversation grew and I realized how important it is to openly talk about this asset as a necessary part of your business. For me, faith is about laying EVERYTHING on the line, getting rid of your “back doors” and being willing to say YES to the opportunities that resonate with your soul. In the incredible movie, The Moses Code, Michael Beckwith said, “God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called.” And, this is exactly what I mean when I think about how faith has played a part in my success. I heard my call and said YES to the experiences that were my “qualification.”
The same is true for any conscious entrepreneur. So, the next time an opportunity shows up for you that resonates with your soul, and you’re petrified to TAKE ACTION (believe me, I know how scary it is to take action when you have no logical reason to do so), I invite you to take a leap of faith and say YES to yourself! This tangible demonstration of faith is the quickest way to tell the Universe you are SERIOUS about getting out of your comfort zone and doing what it takes to fulfill your greatest dreams.
© 2008 Christine Kloser
Would you like to use this article? You may as long as you include the following information along with the article: Christine Kloser, author of The Fre^edom Formula, helps small business owners put soul in their business and money in the bank. If you want to enjoy a purpose-driven business and a soul-satisfying life, send for my special report, How to Avoid the 3 Massive Mistakes Made by Most Conscious Entrepreneurs and my audio, 7 Strategies Entrepreneurial Authors Need to Know... Before Writing a Word, both of which you get (at no charge) when you request my Conscious Business Success Kit at www.LoveYourLife.com.
Your most valuable asset is invisible. It’s not something you can touch or feel, nor is it a number on a bank statement somewhere. As a conscious entrepreneur, the greatest business asset you own is your FAITH! Now, don’t get me wrong here. I’m not talking about anything that has to do with a particular religion. This is not about religious faith.
The type of faith I’m talking about is faith in your Divine Plan, faith in yourself, faith in the purpose you’ve been given to fulfill, faith in the Universe conspiring for your highest good (even when it appears like the opposite), faith to invest in yourself when you don’t know where the money is going to come from and faith that KNOWS no matter what, you’ll be OK.
I understand that faith doesn’t typically arise in a conversation about business assets, but yesterday I was blessed with having a profound conversation with a few of my mastermind colleagues about the necessity for this asset in business. We were supposed to spend our call talking about list-building strategies, but somehow ended up talking about what it really takes to succeed. Specially, one of my colleagues asked me how I’ve been able to get to this point in my business… on the eve of launching my biggest event ever (The Freedom Formula Experience) and sending my book to best-seller status on Amazon.com.
My answer to her was “faith.” And, from there our conversation grew and I realized how important it is to openly talk about this asset as a necessary part of your business. For me, faith is about laying EVERYTHING on the line, getting rid of your “back doors” and being willing to say YES to the opportunities that resonate with your soul. In the incredible movie, The Moses Code, Michael Beckwith said, “God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called.” And, this is exactly what I mean when I think about how faith has played a part in my success. I heard my call and said YES to the experiences that were my “qualification.”
The same is true for any conscious entrepreneur. So, the next time an opportunity shows up for you that resonates with your soul, and you’re petrified to TAKE ACTION (believe me, I know how scary it is to take action when you have no logical reason to do so), I invite you to take a leap of faith and say YES to yourself! This tangible demonstration of faith is the quickest way to tell the Universe you are SERIOUS about getting out of your comfort zone and doing what it takes to fulfill your greatest dreams.
© 2008 Christine Kloser
Would you like to use this article? You may as long as you include the following information along with the article: Christine Kloser, author of The Fre^edom Formula, helps small business owners put soul in their business and money in the bank. If you want to enjoy a purpose-driven business and a soul-satisfying life, send for my special report, How to Avoid the 3 Massive Mistakes Made by Most Conscious Entrepreneurs and my audio, 7 Strategies Entrepreneurial Authors Need to Know... Before Writing a Word, both of which you get (at no charge) when you request my Conscious Business Success Kit at www.LoveYourLife.com.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Time Management: How to Give Yourself the Sacred Gift of Time
Ask any entrepreneur what their most valuable commodity is and, they’ll probably say it’s their time. Unlike money, resources, ideas and faith (which can all increase) time remains constant; no matter whom you are or what you do, there are only 24 hours in a day to live your dreams and goals. So, why do entrepreneurs often struggle with time? Especially, taking time for you?
As a conscious entrepreneur, you most likely have an abundance of creative ideas you want to implement in your business. And, it’s not unreasonable for you to stay up late or perhaps work on weekends to pursue the passion that wants to be expressed through your business. Taking time to pursue your dreams in this way is part of the entrepreneurial journey (as long as you’re not working late every night).
But, what about sacred time for yourself? Time for you to reconnect with your spiritual essence, time for reflection, meditation, contemplation and insight; time to pray, journal and ask for God’s guidance? This is the most valuable time you’ll ever experience, and it has a direct effect on your bottom-line.
With the accelerated journey I’m on after the release of my book (The Freedom Formula) on Amazon.com, I’m remembering how much of a priority it is to give myself the sacred gift of time… it’s as essential to my success as my marketing is. And, it is for you, too.
Recently, I’ve been shifting into some new ways to enjoy the sacred gift of time to simply be with myself, and with God. I’d like to share two of these with you right now in hopes that you, too, will commit to enjoying more time taking care of your heart and soul.
1. Journaling. One of my favorite ways to connect with my soul is through journaling. I love how the words simply flow from my pen. Sometimes I’ll write about those things I’m grateful for; sometimes I’ll write about a specific issues that hasn’t been resolved and ask for the solution to reveal itself to me; sometimes I’ll write about a recent success and everything I learned through that experience; sometimes I’ll simply begin by writing, “today I feel…” and take it from there; sometimes I write about the miracles that show up in my life everyday. Your journaling options are truly endless.
One of the most joyous things I’m experiencing in my recent journaling is that I’m writing in a journal I created myself. With the guidance of some creative friends at the Evolutionary Women’s Retreat, I took a simple composition book and proceeded to decorate the cover (and every single page inside) with beautiful words and photos I cut from magazines. Now, when I open my journal, I receive a unique message on every page… sometimes that message alone is the prompt for my journal entry.
So, I encourage you to take a look at your own experience with journaling and if you haven’t done it in a while, or simply need to shift the intention for your journaling, now is the time. Enjoy this sacred time to communicate with the essence of who you really are.
2. Mindful Walking. This is another one of my favorite ways to connect with myself and embrace some time to simply BE, and remember my Divine nature. Often I find my mind becomes still when my body is in motion, so mindful walking really works for me. With this activity, I have changed my usual cardiovascular exercise routine (on the elliptical with techno music playing on my iPod) to a glorious morning walk around my hilly neighborhood listening to inspirational songs by Karen Drucker.
The beauty of mindful walking is that you simultaneously take care of your physical body, while nourishing your soul with the nature that surrounds you and the gift of inspirational music that lifts your spirit. I’ll often find myself singing along, “When I start my day with love, that’s what I get more of, is love.” And, you can’t help but have a glorious day when it begins like this!
One of your responsibilities, as a conscious entrepreneur, is to do what you must to stay connected to your soul. You have a huge mission in the world and so many lives to touch through your work; giving yourself this sacred gift of time needs to be a priority so you can stay inspired, grounded and fulfilled as you pursue your entrepreneurial dreams.
© 2008 Christine Kloser
Would you like to use this article? You may as long as you include the following information along with the article: Christine Kloser, author of The Fre^edom Formula, helps small business owners put soul in their business and money in the bank. If you want to enjoy a purpose-driven business and a soul-satisfying life, send for my special report, How to Avoid the 3 Massive Mistakes Made by Most Conscious Entrepreneurs and my audio, 7 Strategies Entrepreneurial Authors Need to Know... Before Writing a Word, both of which you get (at no charge) when you request my Conscious Business Success Kit at www.LoveYourLife.com.
As a conscious entrepreneur, you most likely have an abundance of creative ideas you want to implement in your business. And, it’s not unreasonable for you to stay up late or perhaps work on weekends to pursue the passion that wants to be expressed through your business. Taking time to pursue your dreams in this way is part of the entrepreneurial journey (as long as you’re not working late every night).
But, what about sacred time for yourself? Time for you to reconnect with your spiritual essence, time for reflection, meditation, contemplation and insight; time to pray, journal and ask for God’s guidance? This is the most valuable time you’ll ever experience, and it has a direct effect on your bottom-line.
With the accelerated journey I’m on after the release of my book (The Freedom Formula) on Amazon.com, I’m remembering how much of a priority it is to give myself the sacred gift of time… it’s as essential to my success as my marketing is. And, it is for you, too.
Recently, I’ve been shifting into some new ways to enjoy the sacred gift of time to simply be with myself, and with God. I’d like to share two of these with you right now in hopes that you, too, will commit to enjoying more time taking care of your heart and soul.
1. Journaling. One of my favorite ways to connect with my soul is through journaling. I love how the words simply flow from my pen. Sometimes I’ll write about those things I’m grateful for; sometimes I’ll write about a specific issues that hasn’t been resolved and ask for the solution to reveal itself to me; sometimes I’ll write about a recent success and everything I learned through that experience; sometimes I’ll simply begin by writing, “today I feel…” and take it from there; sometimes I write about the miracles that show up in my life everyday. Your journaling options are truly endless.
One of the most joyous things I’m experiencing in my recent journaling is that I’m writing in a journal I created myself. With the guidance of some creative friends at the Evolutionary Women’s Retreat, I took a simple composition book and proceeded to decorate the cover (and every single page inside) with beautiful words and photos I cut from magazines. Now, when I open my journal, I receive a unique message on every page… sometimes that message alone is the prompt for my journal entry.
So, I encourage you to take a look at your own experience with journaling and if you haven’t done it in a while, or simply need to shift the intention for your journaling, now is the time. Enjoy this sacred time to communicate with the essence of who you really are.
2. Mindful Walking. This is another one of my favorite ways to connect with myself and embrace some time to simply BE, and remember my Divine nature. Often I find my mind becomes still when my body is in motion, so mindful walking really works for me. With this activity, I have changed my usual cardiovascular exercise routine (on the elliptical with techno music playing on my iPod) to a glorious morning walk around my hilly neighborhood listening to inspirational songs by Karen Drucker.
The beauty of mindful walking is that you simultaneously take care of your physical body, while nourishing your soul with the nature that surrounds you and the gift of inspirational music that lifts your spirit. I’ll often find myself singing along, “When I start my day with love, that’s what I get more of, is love.” And, you can’t help but have a glorious day when it begins like this!
One of your responsibilities, as a conscious entrepreneur, is to do what you must to stay connected to your soul. You have a huge mission in the world and so many lives to touch through your work; giving yourself this sacred gift of time needs to be a priority so you can stay inspired, grounded and fulfilled as you pursue your entrepreneurial dreams.
© 2008 Christine Kloser
Would you like to use this article? You may as long as you include the following information along with the article: Christine Kloser, author of The Fre^edom Formula, helps small business owners put soul in their business and money in the bank. If you want to enjoy a purpose-driven business and a soul-satisfying life, send for my special report, How to Avoid the 3 Massive Mistakes Made by Most Conscious Entrepreneurs and my audio, 7 Strategies Entrepreneurial Authors Need to Know... Before Writing a Word, both of which you get (at no charge) when you request my Conscious Business Success Kit at www.LoveYourLife.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
