When was the last time you heard someone talking about the proverbial “next level” in their business? Probably in the last 24 hours! Well, I don’t know about you... but I’m a little tired of hearing this phrase over and over again.
When I was in Las Vegas with my mastermind colleagues, we originally thought we were there to take our businesses to the “next level.” After all, isn’t that what mastermind groups are all about? Progress in your business! But, I soon began to notice something each time a colleague stood in front of the room to share... the realization of which leads me to third gift I received in Las Vegas.
Gift #3: The only “next level” is within YOU.
Colleague after colleague, each time someone stood in front of the room and started talking about where they were in their business, it became crystal clear that the only journey we were there to take was the journey within.
Many entrepreneurs (myself included) have made the mistake of thinking that business growth is something that you experience on the outside in terms of increased clients, more money, more web traffic, more referrals, more invitations to speak, more of whatever you desire in your business. And, yes, those things are all outward expressions of growth... but the only thing that SUSTAINS the external growth of a FULFILLING business is the internal growth of your soul. (Yes, this is why my new book is called The Freedom Formula: How to Put SOUL in Your Business and MONEY in Your Bank.)
Sustained, fulfilling growth does NOT come from what you DO in the external world; rather, it comes from the work you do on the inside. Sustained growth and the progress of your business’ evolution is less about the business than it is about YOU. As a conscious business owner, the only thing stopping you from all the success you desire is you, not your external circumstance.
Please forgive me if I’m coming on strong here, but I speak from my own experience. If you’ve been following me for any length of time, or have read my new book, you know that I have been through some very challenging times in my business... on the edge of bankruptcy and struggling to pay my rent. It wasn’t until I stopped TRYING to make my business work, (and started to INQUIRE WITHIN about where I needed to grow so that my business COULD grow)... that my business drastically changed for the better. So, now when I catch myself focused on the external aspects of my business, it’s a reminder for me that the growth isn’t going to occur “out there”, the growth is going to occur inside of me. Then, and only then, do I experience the results I desire on the outside.
So, the next time you find yourself wanting to get your business to the “next level”... it’s a sign that the time has come for you to go to the next level within yourself. Where do YOU need to go? What’s working? What’s not working? Why are you unfulfilled with the current state of your business? What would “light you up?” What old thoughts no longer serve you? It is this self-inquiry that leads you down the path to REAL, sustainable and fulfilling success.
©2008 Love Your Life, LLC
Want To Use This Article In Your Ezine or Website? You have my permission, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Christine Kloser, Author of The Freedom Formula®, publishes the revolutionary ‘Conscious Business Connection’ ezine. If you're ready to put Soul in your business and Money in your Bank, get your FR^EE tips now at www.LoveYourLife.com
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Conscious Business: How Vulnerability Helps Your Business Grow
If you’re reading this right now, it’s pretty safe for me to assume that you are (or want to be) an entrepreneur. You’re likely filled with creative ideas and numerous ways in which you want to share your gifts with the world while getting paid well. This, after all, is part of what makes you a conscious entrepreneur... you want to make money AND make a difference, big time!
One of the characteristics you may possess as an entrepreneur is strength. I know this is true for me. I’ve been through so much in my business that I have acquired a tremendous amount of strength, especially during the times of adversity. Let’s face it, it takes strength to wake up everyday and pursue your dream when the odds look like they’re stacked against you. It takes strength to stay focused on your goals when life throws you a curve ball. It takes strength to stay true to who you are, when other people pile their expectations on you. It takes strength to endure in what can be a very challenging and uncomfortable journey at times. But, as an entrepreneur, you wouldn’t have it any other way.
However, strength (as we commonly think of it) is an illusion. And, this is the next gift I want to share with you from Las Vegas.
Gift #2: Your strength comes from your vulnerability.
When I arrived in Las Vegas on May 2 my colleagues would never have guessed what was going on inside of me. On the outside, it was apparent that I’m experiencing a lot of success: my book The Freedom Formula was just released, my new website was launched, my clients are making great strides, I recently hired four new team members to help manage the growth in my business, I have a clear vision of the next phase of my company.... I’m living in the “sweet spot” where gifts are manifesting every single day in surprising and awesome ways.
You’d think my feelings of strength and confidence would also be at an all time high. You’d think I would have bound up to the front of the room when it was my turn to share and rave about all of the great things happening to and through me. Now, I certainly could have played that role when I was speaking to my colleagues, but something inside me knew I had to be brutally honest with myself, and with them. And, so I proceeded to share some of the “wins” I was experiencing... and then proceeded to be completely vulnerable (as I’m being right here, right now, with you) and share with them that my confidence felt like it was plummeting. After they picked their jaws up off the floor from the shock of my statement, they gently asked me to tell them more about what was going on. And, I did.
I shared the struggles, fears, doubts and challenges that were surfacing along with my victories and successes. I allowed myself to let go of any feeling of how I “should” be and showed up exactly how I was in that moment. And, as a result of being vulnerable with my trusted colleagues, we all engaged in a meaningful discussion about the common challenges we (as entrepreneurs) face. The challenges we discussed were not about the external aspects of our business like marketing, systems, websites, strategy, etc. Rather, the discussions were around our spiritual connection, mission, mindset, passion, purpose and our desire to EXPERIENCE ourselves at our best THROUGH our business.
Somewhere in the middle of our deep conversation, I could feel my confidence and strength being restored. All I needed was to be authentic, honest and vulnerable with my trusted colleagues. And, allow myself to receive the abundant gifts that came forth from our deep conversation. What I discovered is that I wasn’t alone in my feelings of fear and doubt. And, that all of us (at one time or another) face these doubts in order to move through them.
I think where entrepreneurs get in a real “pickle” is when they feel they always have to show their strength; when they force themselves to appear like they “have it all together”; when they don’t have a space to simply BE and SHARE their truth.
So, I invite you to create safe and sacred relationships with colleagues you know, like and trust. And when your feelings of fear and doubt begin to surface, rather than willing or forcing your way through it, allow yourself to be authentic, honest and vulnerable. It is in THAT space where you’ll receive the abundant gifts that arise around and within you the moment you BE exactly who you are.
©2008 Love Your Life, LLC
Want To Use This Article In Your Ezine or Website? You have my permission, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Christine Kloser, Author of The Freedom Formula®, publishes the revolutionary ‘Conscious Business Connection’ ezine. If you're ready to put Soul in your business and Money in your Bank, get your FR^EE tips now at www.LoveYourLife.com
One of the characteristics you may possess as an entrepreneur is strength. I know this is true for me. I’ve been through so much in my business that I have acquired a tremendous amount of strength, especially during the times of adversity. Let’s face it, it takes strength to wake up everyday and pursue your dream when the odds look like they’re stacked against you. It takes strength to stay focused on your goals when life throws you a curve ball. It takes strength to stay true to who you are, when other people pile their expectations on you. It takes strength to endure in what can be a very challenging and uncomfortable journey at times. But, as an entrepreneur, you wouldn’t have it any other way.
However, strength (as we commonly think of it) is an illusion. And, this is the next gift I want to share with you from Las Vegas.
Gift #2: Your strength comes from your vulnerability.
When I arrived in Las Vegas on May 2 my colleagues would never have guessed what was going on inside of me. On the outside, it was apparent that I’m experiencing a lot of success: my book The Freedom Formula was just released, my new website was launched, my clients are making great strides, I recently hired four new team members to help manage the growth in my business, I have a clear vision of the next phase of my company.... I’m living in the “sweet spot” where gifts are manifesting every single day in surprising and awesome ways.
You’d think my feelings of strength and confidence would also be at an all time high. You’d think I would have bound up to the front of the room when it was my turn to share and rave about all of the great things happening to and through me. Now, I certainly could have played that role when I was speaking to my colleagues, but something inside me knew I had to be brutally honest with myself, and with them. And, so I proceeded to share some of the “wins” I was experiencing... and then proceeded to be completely vulnerable (as I’m being right here, right now, with you) and share with them that my confidence felt like it was plummeting. After they picked their jaws up off the floor from the shock of my statement, they gently asked me to tell them more about what was going on. And, I did.
I shared the struggles, fears, doubts and challenges that were surfacing along with my victories and successes. I allowed myself to let go of any feeling of how I “should” be and showed up exactly how I was in that moment. And, as a result of being vulnerable with my trusted colleagues, we all engaged in a meaningful discussion about the common challenges we (as entrepreneurs) face. The challenges we discussed were not about the external aspects of our business like marketing, systems, websites, strategy, etc. Rather, the discussions were around our spiritual connection, mission, mindset, passion, purpose and our desire to EXPERIENCE ourselves at our best THROUGH our business.
Somewhere in the middle of our deep conversation, I could feel my confidence and strength being restored. All I needed was to be authentic, honest and vulnerable with my trusted colleagues. And, allow myself to receive the abundant gifts that came forth from our deep conversation. What I discovered is that I wasn’t alone in my feelings of fear and doubt. And, that all of us (at one time or another) face these doubts in order to move through them.
I think where entrepreneurs get in a real “pickle” is when they feel they always have to show their strength; when they force themselves to appear like they “have it all together”; when they don’t have a space to simply BE and SHARE their truth.
So, I invite you to create safe and sacred relationships with colleagues you know, like and trust. And when your feelings of fear and doubt begin to surface, rather than willing or forcing your way through it, allow yourself to be authentic, honest and vulnerable. It is in THAT space where you’ll receive the abundant gifts that arise around and within you the moment you BE exactly who you are.
©2008 Love Your Life, LLC
Want To Use This Article In Your Ezine or Website? You have my permission, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Christine Kloser, Author of The Freedom Formula®, publishes the revolutionary ‘Conscious Business Connection’ ezine. If you're ready to put Soul in your business and Money in your Bank, get your FR^EE tips now at www.LoveYourLife.com
Monday, May 19, 2008
Conscious Business: How to Be a Business Leader Beyond Your Business
I recently attended a meeting of my mastermind group in Las Vegas. They're a group I've been meeting with for the past two years. Those meetings have always been a phenomenal experience for me... experiences that helped me catapult my business from struggle to success. This latest meeting, however, truly changed my life. I had the extraordinary experience of enjoying two days with like-minded colleagues in the most powerful, authentic mastermind I've ever attended.
So, you may be wondering what was so different about this one? Well, let me tell you.
This mastermind had no leader. It was the first one I’ve been to that was a result of a group of individuals coming together on their own accord to support each other. Nobody got paid; nobody was responsible for the group; nobody was “in charge.” And, it was pure magic... which brings me to the first gift Las Vegas taught me about business.
Gift #1: Show up as a leader.
You may be wondering how my weekend in Las Vegas even occurred when nobody was in charge. Here we were; a group of 10 entrepreneurs from across the United States and Canada, sitting in a meeting room in Las Vegas having some of the most powerful conversations of our lives... and nobody was in charge. So, how’d it happen? How did we orchestrate such an undertaking if nobody was at the helm? The secret is... we were ALL leaders.
So now, you may be wondering... if we were all leaders, how did anything get done? How could we be productive with ten leaders at the helm? You’d think it would be mayhem. But, it was the exact opposite. It was easy, calm, fun and totally ‘in the flow.’
The key to this was that everyone showed up as a leader... but, not in the same role at the same time. For example, two people worked together to negotiate the hotel contract, another person worked on the agenda, I coordinated our “night on the town” (where we danced our hearts out until 4:00 in the morning), someone else kept time during the meetings, someone else conducted a round-table conversation about our accountability/buddy system, someone else brought the movie “The Moses Code” for us to watch together, someone else facilitated our closing, etc. Everyone contributed their piece exactly as it was meant to be. The whole experience was 100% perfect. We were all in charge... and we were all changed.
What I’m taking away from this, and what I want you to consider for yourself, is that you ARE a leader, even if you’re not in a designated leadership position. As an entrepreneur, you have built-in leadership skills, so use them outside of your own business. Be willing to step up, to chip in, to do your part as an individual... for the good of the WHOLE.
As I spoke with Donna (my Online Business Manager) for our weekly meeting, she asked me why it was such a profound weekend for me. And, the answer somewhat surprised me when I said it, but the most profound piece of the weekend was that as I experienced everyone showing up as a leader... everyone taking responsibility, everyone knowing when to step up (and when to step back)... I couldn’t help but imagine what our world would be like if everyone showed up as we did, as leaders working together for the good of the whole. We’d live in a different world if this were the case.
So, I invite you to take a look at the groups you belong to, the communities you participate in, the teams you’re a part of... and see if you can contribute more as a leader, not for your own sake but for the sake of the highest and best good of everyone involved.
©2008 Love Your Life, LLC
Want To Use This Article In Your Ezine or Website? You have my permission, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Christine Kloser, Author of The Freedom Formula®, publishes the revolutionary ‘Conscious Business Connection’ ezine. If you're ready to put Soul in your business and Money in your Bank, get your FR^EE tips now at www.LoveYourLife.com
So, you may be wondering what was so different about this one? Well, let me tell you.
This mastermind had no leader. It was the first one I’ve been to that was a result of a group of individuals coming together on their own accord to support each other. Nobody got paid; nobody was responsible for the group; nobody was “in charge.” And, it was pure magic... which brings me to the first gift Las Vegas taught me about business.
Gift #1: Show up as a leader.
You may be wondering how my weekend in Las Vegas even occurred when nobody was in charge. Here we were; a group of 10 entrepreneurs from across the United States and Canada, sitting in a meeting room in Las Vegas having some of the most powerful conversations of our lives... and nobody was in charge. So, how’d it happen? How did we orchestrate such an undertaking if nobody was at the helm? The secret is... we were ALL leaders.
So now, you may be wondering... if we were all leaders, how did anything get done? How could we be productive with ten leaders at the helm? You’d think it would be mayhem. But, it was the exact opposite. It was easy, calm, fun and totally ‘in the flow.’
The key to this was that everyone showed up as a leader... but, not in the same role at the same time. For example, two people worked together to negotiate the hotel contract, another person worked on the agenda, I coordinated our “night on the town” (where we danced our hearts out until 4:00 in the morning), someone else kept time during the meetings, someone else conducted a round-table conversation about our accountability/buddy system, someone else brought the movie “The Moses Code” for us to watch together, someone else facilitated our closing, etc. Everyone contributed their piece exactly as it was meant to be. The whole experience was 100% perfect. We were all in charge... and we were all changed.
What I’m taking away from this, and what I want you to consider for yourself, is that you ARE a leader, even if you’re not in a designated leadership position. As an entrepreneur, you have built-in leadership skills, so use them outside of your own business. Be willing to step up, to chip in, to do your part as an individual... for the good of the WHOLE.
As I spoke with Donna (my Online Business Manager) for our weekly meeting, she asked me why it was such a profound weekend for me. And, the answer somewhat surprised me when I said it, but the most profound piece of the weekend was that as I experienced everyone showing up as a leader... everyone taking responsibility, everyone knowing when to step up (and when to step back)... I couldn’t help but imagine what our world would be like if everyone showed up as we did, as leaders working together for the good of the whole. We’d live in a different world if this were the case.
So, I invite you to take a look at the groups you belong to, the communities you participate in, the teams you’re a part of... and see if you can contribute more as a leader, not for your own sake but for the sake of the highest and best good of everyone involved.
©2008 Love Your Life, LLC
Want To Use This Article In Your Ezine or Website? You have my permission, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Christine Kloser, Author of The Freedom Formula®, publishes the revolutionary ‘Conscious Business Connection’ ezine. If you're ready to put Soul in your business and Money in your Bank, get your FR^EE tips now at www.LoveYourLife.com
Monday, April 28, 2008
How to Achieve All of Your Goals
More often than not when people learn about all the projects I manage at once, and notice that I actually COMPLETE them... they always ask me the same question, “How do you get all this stuff done?” For me, it boils down to a simple process that I go through every time I set a goal for myself. Whether the goal is to get in better shape (like losing 4 pounds in the last 10 days), launch a new program, create a new website, meet a particular expert or publish a book... the process is always the same.
Now, before I share my process with you, let me assure you that “I” don’t get all this stuff done. I do some of it, and my fantastic (and growing) team does the rest. Many people are shocked to find out that I rarely work on Fridays, don’t work on weekends and still have plenty of time to go to the gym six times per week, cook for my family and play with my daughter (Hi-Ho-Cherry-O is her favorite game). And, I take at least two vacations a year not including a whole bunch of weekend family trips. For me, this is the only way to run a business... so that it doesn’t run you.
Anyway, let’s get into my five-step strategy to help you achieve all of your goals:
1. Know WHY You Want To Achieve The Goal.
Any goal worth achieving has to have deep roots in your heart. You’ve got to know exactly WHY this goal is important to you. Because, let’s face it. You’ll most likely hit a few stumbling blocks along your way to achieving this goal, and sometimes you may want to quit. But, if you are deeply connected to the reason WHY the goal is important to you, nothing can hold you back.
2. Be Crystal clear About Your Vision.
Once you know WHY you want to achieve the goal, the next step is to enjoy taking some time to clarify your vision of the goals. You want to ingrain your vision into your mind so it is there all the time, no matter what. Especially if you have a bad day, or hit a block, you’ll rely on your crystal clear vision to remind you of that which you want to achieve. The more vivid the picture, the more connected you are emotionally to the results you want to achieve, the easier they manifest in your life.
3. Don’t Worry About “How”
Ahhhh! This is a good one. HOW is absolutely none of your business! If you ever find yourself up against a big goal and you notice those voices of fear and doubt creeping in to say, “Yeah, but how are you going to do that?” Your job is to ignore them. If you focus on trying to figure out “how”... you will take your focus away from your goal. Remember, what you think about your bring about. Stay focused on the “what” and the “how” will reveal itself to you.
4. Put Yourself In Environments That Support Your Success.
I think this step is my favorite, because I THRIVE on being surrounded by like-minded people who believe in me and my dreams. The best thing about creating supportive environments around you is that they are there to remind you of your greatness. This could mean hiring a coach, participating in a mastermind group, listening to audios that uplift you, etc... these are all environments and a crucial part of the process to achieving all of your goals.
5. Have Faith... and Keep Going.
90% of the time, you’ll find me wearing a ring that says “when you have faith” on the outside, and “all things are possible” on the inside. I wear this ring as a constant reminder that faith is the key to everything. It’s impossible (or at least extremely difficult) to achieve your goals when you have no faith in the greater energy of the Universe/God. God wants you to have everything your heart desires... you wouldn’t have had the desire if you didn’t ALREADY have everything you need to realize it. (As Robert A. Russell says in God Works Through Faith, “the answer precedes the question”.) So, above all, have faith and know that if you keep going IN faith, everything you dream of is yours.
I trust that if you follow this five-step process every time you set a goal, you will achieve it. I know it sounds too simple to be true, but I assure you that any goal I’ve achieved in the past 5 years has been realized by using this process. I wish you much joy as you set (and achieve) your goals!
©2008 Love Your Life, LLC
Want To Use This Article In Your Ezine or Website? You have my permission, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Christine Kloser, Author of The Freedom Formula®, publishes the revolutionary ‘Conscious Business Connection’ ezine. If you're ready to put Soul in your business and Money in your Bank, get your FR^EE tips now at www.LoveYourLife.com
Now, before I share my process with you, let me assure you that “I” don’t get all this stuff done. I do some of it, and my fantastic (and growing) team does the rest. Many people are shocked to find out that I rarely work on Fridays, don’t work on weekends and still have plenty of time to go to the gym six times per week, cook for my family and play with my daughter (Hi-Ho-Cherry-O is her favorite game). And, I take at least two vacations a year not including a whole bunch of weekend family trips. For me, this is the only way to run a business... so that it doesn’t run you.
Anyway, let’s get into my five-step strategy to help you achieve all of your goals:
1. Know WHY You Want To Achieve The Goal.
Any goal worth achieving has to have deep roots in your heart. You’ve got to know exactly WHY this goal is important to you. Because, let’s face it. You’ll most likely hit a few stumbling blocks along your way to achieving this goal, and sometimes you may want to quit. But, if you are deeply connected to the reason WHY the goal is important to you, nothing can hold you back.
2. Be Crystal clear About Your Vision.
Once you know WHY you want to achieve the goal, the next step is to enjoy taking some time to clarify your vision of the goals. You want to ingrain your vision into your mind so it is there all the time, no matter what. Especially if you have a bad day, or hit a block, you’ll rely on your crystal clear vision to remind you of that which you want to achieve. The more vivid the picture, the more connected you are emotionally to the results you want to achieve, the easier they manifest in your life.
3. Don’t Worry About “How”
Ahhhh! This is a good one. HOW is absolutely none of your business! If you ever find yourself up against a big goal and you notice those voices of fear and doubt creeping in to say, “Yeah, but how are you going to do that?” Your job is to ignore them. If you focus on trying to figure out “how”... you will take your focus away from your goal. Remember, what you think about your bring about. Stay focused on the “what” and the “how” will reveal itself to you.
4. Put Yourself In Environments That Support Your Success.
I think this step is my favorite, because I THRIVE on being surrounded by like-minded people who believe in me and my dreams. The best thing about creating supportive environments around you is that they are there to remind you of your greatness. This could mean hiring a coach, participating in a mastermind group, listening to audios that uplift you, etc... these are all environments and a crucial part of the process to achieving all of your goals.
5. Have Faith... and Keep Going.
90% of the time, you’ll find me wearing a ring that says “when you have faith” on the outside, and “all things are possible” on the inside. I wear this ring as a constant reminder that faith is the key to everything. It’s impossible (or at least extremely difficult) to achieve your goals when you have no faith in the greater energy of the Universe/God. God wants you to have everything your heart desires... you wouldn’t have had the desire if you didn’t ALREADY have everything you need to realize it. (As Robert A. Russell says in God Works Through Faith, “the answer precedes the question”.) So, above all, have faith and know that if you keep going IN faith, everything you dream of is yours.
I trust that if you follow this five-step process every time you set a goal, you will achieve it. I know it sounds too simple to be true, but I assure you that any goal I’ve achieved in the past 5 years has been realized by using this process. I wish you much joy as you set (and achieve) your goals!
©2008 Love Your Life, LLC
Want To Use This Article In Your Ezine or Website? You have my permission, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Christine Kloser, Author of The Freedom Formula®, publishes the revolutionary ‘Conscious Business Connection’ ezine. If you're ready to put Soul in your business and Money in your Bank, get your FR^EE tips now at www.LoveYourLife.com
Monday, March 31, 2008
The Secret of Giving
I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, ‘Give and you shall receive.’ But, have you ever stopped to really examine this phrase and implement it into your life? I know I’ve heard this concept over and over again, but hadn’t understood the immense depth of its simple, yet powerful promise... until this month.
You see, two weeks ago, I got to spend the day with Neale Donald Walsch, author of Conversations with God. One of my girlfriends and I joined an intimate group of people for Neale’s 1-day discussion about his new book, Happier Than God. I’m not sure if it was the power of Neale’s words, the combined energy of the people who were there, or the beauty of the live music that was shared throughout the day... but the stage was set for me (and everyone) to “get” what we came for.
So, it was nearly three-quarters through the day when Neale talked about giving as the key to receiving. And, for some reason... a light bulb went off in my mind (and my heart) when I heard him speak about this topic. It was unlike any other time I had heard this “secret.” Let me explain.
Now, I’m not sure how much you know about me, but if you’re familiar with my story then you’re aware of the fact that I had some significant financial challenges in a few of my past business endeavors. I was driven to the point of near-bankruptcy and faced some extraordinarily lean years. In those years, I wasn’t as aware as I am today, and I let feelings of fear, doubt, worry and lack direct some of my behavior. What ended up happening to me over those years, as a result of my fear of financial ruin, is that I focused mostly on what I needed to get (to survive) rather than what I could give.
This mindset of focusing on what I could get, rather than what I could give became my default mode of operation. All the while, I knew that it was in giving that I would receive. Thankfully, the more I learned, grew and understood... the more I would remind myself to focus on what I could give, rather than what I could get. And, what do you know? When I started shifting my focus to be more about how I could help and give to others, the more I received (more happiness, more fulfillment, more referrals, more creativity, more opportunities and more money)!
So, I went to Neale’s discussion with a pretty good understanding of this concept, but what I walked away with was how much more there was to this simple statement of, ‘Give and you shall receive.’ What I learned about this statement that “hit” me BIG time is that it is literally in the MOMENT of giving that you receive. It doesn’t happen after the fact, it happens instantly! And, Neale encourages us to identify what we wanted more of. Some of the examples people gave were: wanting more love, more acceptance, more money and more connection. And, we were guided to embrace the truth that if we wanted more love we needed to GIVE love, if we wanted more acceptance we needed to GIVE acceptance to others, if we wanted more money we needed to GIVE more money and if we wanted more connection we needed to GIVE connection to others.
I know this sounds like a simple concept, but I tell you, the depth at which I “got it” was profound. And, in the past two weeks I have GIVEN more than I ever have before, and I’ve also received more of everything (connections, opportunity, money, creativity and support) than I ever have before.
The real secret of giving is that you cannot give anything that you don’t already have. So, if you give love it means you have love in the moment you give it... for it would be impossible to give it if you didn’t already have it within you. And, that goes for anything and everything you want more of. Give to others and you’ll instantly have the experience of receiving. It’s impossible not to.
I invite you now, to identify something in your life you want more of. Get clear on what that is. Then, make a conscious effort to give that which you want to receive. And, notice how it feels to realize that the moment you give it IS the moment you have it for yourself. Have fun with this... it is pure magic!
©2008 Christine Kloser
Want To Use This Article In Your Ezine or Website? You have my permission, as long as you include the following blurb with it: Christine Kloser, Author of The Freedom Formula publishes the transformational Conscious Business Connection ezine. If you want to enjoy a purpose-drive business and a soul-satisfying life, you’re in the right place! Get your FR^EE tips now at http://www.ConsciousBizRreport.com.
You see, two weeks ago, I got to spend the day with Neale Donald Walsch, author of Conversations with God. One of my girlfriends and I joined an intimate group of people for Neale’s 1-day discussion about his new book, Happier Than God. I’m not sure if it was the power of Neale’s words, the combined energy of the people who were there, or the beauty of the live music that was shared throughout the day... but the stage was set for me (and everyone) to “get” what we came for.
So, it was nearly three-quarters through the day when Neale talked about giving as the key to receiving. And, for some reason... a light bulb went off in my mind (and my heart) when I heard him speak about this topic. It was unlike any other time I had heard this “secret.” Let me explain.
Now, I’m not sure how much you know about me, but if you’re familiar with my story then you’re aware of the fact that I had some significant financial challenges in a few of my past business endeavors. I was driven to the point of near-bankruptcy and faced some extraordinarily lean years. In those years, I wasn’t as aware as I am today, and I let feelings of fear, doubt, worry and lack direct some of my behavior. What ended up happening to me over those years, as a result of my fear of financial ruin, is that I focused mostly on what I needed to get (to survive) rather than what I could give.
This mindset of focusing on what I could get, rather than what I could give became my default mode of operation. All the while, I knew that it was in giving that I would receive. Thankfully, the more I learned, grew and understood... the more I would remind myself to focus on what I could give, rather than what I could get. And, what do you know? When I started shifting my focus to be more about how I could help and give to others, the more I received (more happiness, more fulfillment, more referrals, more creativity, more opportunities and more money)!
So, I went to Neale’s discussion with a pretty good understanding of this concept, but what I walked away with was how much more there was to this simple statement of, ‘Give and you shall receive.’ What I learned about this statement that “hit” me BIG time is that it is literally in the MOMENT of giving that you receive. It doesn’t happen after the fact, it happens instantly! And, Neale encourages us to identify what we wanted more of. Some of the examples people gave were: wanting more love, more acceptance, more money and more connection. And, we were guided to embrace the truth that if we wanted more love we needed to GIVE love, if we wanted more acceptance we needed to GIVE acceptance to others, if we wanted more money we needed to GIVE more money and if we wanted more connection we needed to GIVE connection to others.
I know this sounds like a simple concept, but I tell you, the depth at which I “got it” was profound. And, in the past two weeks I have GIVEN more than I ever have before, and I’ve also received more of everything (connections, opportunity, money, creativity and support) than I ever have before.
The real secret of giving is that you cannot give anything that you don’t already have. So, if you give love it means you have love in the moment you give it... for it would be impossible to give it if you didn’t already have it within you. And, that goes for anything and everything you want more of. Give to others and you’ll instantly have the experience of receiving. It’s impossible not to.
I invite you now, to identify something in your life you want more of. Get clear on what that is. Then, make a conscious effort to give that which you want to receive. And, notice how it feels to realize that the moment you give it IS the moment you have it for yourself. Have fun with this... it is pure magic!
©2008 Christine Kloser
Want To Use This Article In Your Ezine or Website? You have my permission, as long as you include the following blurb with it: Christine Kloser, Author of The Freedom Formula publishes the transformational Conscious Business Connection ezine. If you want to enjoy a purpose-drive business and a soul-satisfying life, you’re in the right place! Get your FR^EE tips now at http://www.ConsciousBizRreport.com.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Why (and How) Speed Matters
You may be asking how to walk this fine line between creating a hugely expansive vision, and not having it bring up negative emotions. I want to share a principle here that will help you walk this line with ease, trust and joy. This is something I learned walking through my own challenges along the entrepreneurial journey. Because, let’s face it, it’s not easy to create a whole new and exciting vision for your business (and your life) when you may not know where our next month’s rent (or sometimes your next day’s meal) is coming from.
The principle is that of speed. Often, when you think of speed, you think of executing an action in the physical world. The speed in which you make a follow-up call, gather information, get a product to market, make more money, build your website, etc. It’s all about the physical, tangible world of “making things happen.”
But, the speed I’m talking about here, to keep you energized and inspired about your vision, is the speed in which you reconnect to your Source when the feelings of fear, doubt, despair or lack creep in. When you’re able to raise your awareness to the infinite supply of the Universe and to the Divine Perfection of your life, you’ll see that whatever is happening in the moment is part of the Divine Plan. You’ll be able to manage the negative emotions more easily and rise back up into the higher emotional states much more quickly.
No matter how difficult a challenge you may be facing, the ability to connect with Source quickly is the key to moving through it. This principle really showed itself to me when I experienced a miscarriage with my second baby. I had wanted nothing more than to bring another child into our family. So, you can imagine my despair when I miscarried the day after Christmas in 2006 (after having announced the pregnancy as a gift to our families on Christmas day). I remember when the loss finally hit me on a deep emotional level four days later; I simply crumbled into a pile of tears on the cold tile floor in my bathroom. I sobbed uncontrollably at the depth of the loss I experienced in miscarrying.
But, during my intense and cathartic cry, I somehow made my way to my journal and began to write about what I was experiencing. Through my writing, I was able to reconnect with Source and the feeling that somehow, this too, was happening in alignment with my Divine Plan. I shifted how I related to my loss and despair and gained a new perspective in which to move through this experience... right in the middle of the moment I was feeling it the deepest. The speed in which I consciously connected to Source was integral in the rapid and radical transformations I made in my life and my business as a result of this loss in my life.
I trust you’re beginning to see how it is possible to create a vision larger than anything you’ve dreamed of before, while being able to manage any negative emotions that come along with that vision. You maintain a conscious awareness of the infinite abundance of the Universe/God.
In the world of high performance sports training they do something called speed drills, where the sole focus of the exercise is to consistently increase speed. Consider this your own personal speed drill. It may take a while to strengthen your speed “muscles” because they may have become atrophied over time. Right now you get to recondition those “muscles” to respond to heavier and heavier loads. The “load” in this case is the size of your vision, and the negative emotions that may surface when you’re scared of it. The more expansive your vision is, the heavier the load is which means you have more resistance to work with. The beauty of this is that it’s an oppor^tunity to delve into your spirituality and connect with Source more deeply than ever before.
©2008 Christine Kloser
Want To Use This Article In Your Ezine or Website? You have my permission, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Christine Kloser "The Conscious Business Coach," publishes the revolutionary ‘Conscious Business Connection’ ezine. If you're ready to transform “what is” to “what’s possible” for your business, get your FR^EE tips now at http://www.ConsciousBizReport.com
The principle is that of speed. Often, when you think of speed, you think of executing an action in the physical world. The speed in which you make a follow-up call, gather information, get a product to market, make more money, build your website, etc. It’s all about the physical, tangible world of “making things happen.”
But, the speed I’m talking about here, to keep you energized and inspired about your vision, is the speed in which you reconnect to your Source when the feelings of fear, doubt, despair or lack creep in. When you’re able to raise your awareness to the infinite supply of the Universe and to the Divine Perfection of your life, you’ll see that whatever is happening in the moment is part of the Divine Plan. You’ll be able to manage the negative emotions more easily and rise back up into the higher emotional states much more quickly.
No matter how difficult a challenge you may be facing, the ability to connect with Source quickly is the key to moving through it. This principle really showed itself to me when I experienced a miscarriage with my second baby. I had wanted nothing more than to bring another child into our family. So, you can imagine my despair when I miscarried the day after Christmas in 2006 (after having announced the pregnancy as a gift to our families on Christmas day). I remember when the loss finally hit me on a deep emotional level four days later; I simply crumbled into a pile of tears on the cold tile floor in my bathroom. I sobbed uncontrollably at the depth of the loss I experienced in miscarrying.
But, during my intense and cathartic cry, I somehow made my way to my journal and began to write about what I was experiencing. Through my writing, I was able to reconnect with Source and the feeling that somehow, this too, was happening in alignment with my Divine Plan. I shifted how I related to my loss and despair and gained a new perspective in which to move through this experience... right in the middle of the moment I was feeling it the deepest. The speed in which I consciously connected to Source was integral in the rapid and radical transformations I made in my life and my business as a result of this loss in my life.
I trust you’re beginning to see how it is possible to create a vision larger than anything you’ve dreamed of before, while being able to manage any negative emotions that come along with that vision. You maintain a conscious awareness of the infinite abundance of the Universe/God.
In the world of high performance sports training they do something called speed drills, where the sole focus of the exercise is to consistently increase speed. Consider this your own personal speed drill. It may take a while to strengthen your speed “muscles” because they may have become atrophied over time. Right now you get to recondition those “muscles” to respond to heavier and heavier loads. The “load” in this case is the size of your vision, and the negative emotions that may surface when you’re scared of it. The more expansive your vision is, the heavier the load is which means you have more resistance to work with. The beauty of this is that it’s an oppor^tunity to delve into your spirituality and connect with Source more deeply than ever before.
©2008 Christine Kloser
Want To Use This Article In Your Ezine or Website? You have my permission, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Christine Kloser "The Conscious Business Coach," publishes the revolutionary ‘Conscious Business Connection’ ezine. If you're ready to transform “what is” to “what’s possible” for your business, get your FR^EE tips now at http://www.ConsciousBizReport.com
Monday, February 4, 2008
Be Open to Receive
For many of conscious business owners, you're very used to giving, serving and being there for others. Receiving, on the other hand, doesn’t come as naturally. To give you an example, recall a moment when you received a genuine compliment from a friend. What did you do? Chances are you down played whatever they acknowledged in you. Compliments are rarely received with a simple, “thank you.” There’s usually something attached to it to diminish the significance of that which you’re being complimented on.
Perhaps it comes from a society that told you, “don’t be too full of yourself,” “it’s not nice to brag,” and the list could go on and on. Culturally we are not raised to hold our heads high and say “thank you,” I appreciate your acknowledgment and I agree with you. Whatever the reason for this dismissal of receiving compliments doesn’t matter. What matters is that you become aware of how you personally stand in this regard and begin accepting compliments in a completely new way.
So, why are we talking about compliments, and how to accept them? Because it’s a lesson in Receiving 101. How you receive a compliment is indicative of your overall ability to receive. The next time someone gives you a compliment, whether it’s for your fantastic shoes, a stellar speech, or your ability to listen and support, practice simply saying “thank you.” And stop there! Do not justify, do not explain how you got the shoes on sale, or didn’t really think your speech was very good, or that it was “nothing” to be there for a friend. These are all ways to show the Universe that you are not ready to receive... anything. How can you receive money, love, or fame, whatever you desire, if you can’t receive a compliment on your new shoes?! Think about it.
Another fantastic way to exercise your receiving muscle is around the good green stuff. No, not wheat grass... we’re talking about money, here! Have you ever done this? You receive a payment for one of your products or services, and rather than expressing your deepest gratitude for receiving the money (even if it’s only a $20) you dismiss the money with an instant thought of how it’s not enough. Well, what kind of message are you sending to the Universe when you do this? How can you expect to attract thousands of dollars, perhaps millions of dollars, if you have no appreciation for $20?
I can only share this with you because I’ve been guilty of this myself. There have been times when I would attract even thousands of dollars, and the first thought in my mind was, “it’s not enough, I need more.” Rather than, “thank you!” It was like a magnet with a negative force that repelled money away from me. And it will for you, too. I’ve even learned to stop and pick up pennies I see lying on the ground (thanks to T. Harv Eker), with the awareness that those pennies remind me to acknowledge my gratitude for receiving even the smallest amount of money.
So, now I ask you to take an honest assessment of how your receive money. Do you receive $1,000 differently than $10? What do you need to do to have the same feeling of gratitude no matter what the amount is? This is your exercise. Begin looking for pennies on the ground, and picking them up with a feeling of gratitude, as if it’s a “God wink” especially for you. If you receive checks, when you endorse them write the words “thank you” on the check. Chellie Campbell taught me this strategy several years ago, and it works.
If you have an Internet based business and you never physically hold the money, but simply see a receipt that a deposit has been made to your bank account, take a moment, when you get the receipt, to acknowledge receiving that money as if it were handed to you. You can simply say the words “thank you” out loud as if you were talking directly to God for sending the money to you. If you’d like you can add a statement like this, “I gratefully receive the money you have sent to me. I acknowledge this money as a Divine gift and accept it with joy and gratitude.” Notice the difference between this statement and the words, “It’s not enough, I need more.”
Now, make a conscious choice to appreciate every dollar (every penny) that you receive. Trust that the Universe hears you loud and clear... and will send plenty more money to you. And, be thankful in advance for receiving that which is coming your way!
©2008 Christine Kloser
Want To Use This Article In Your Ezine or Website? You have my permission, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Christine Kloser "The Conscious Business Coach," publishes the revolutionary ‘Conscious Business Connection’ ezine. If you're ready to transform “what is” to “what’s possible” for your business, get your FR^EE tips now at http://www.ConsciousBizReport.com.
Perhaps it comes from a society that told you, “don’t be too full of yourself,” “it’s not nice to brag,” and the list could go on and on. Culturally we are not raised to hold our heads high and say “thank you,” I appreciate your acknowledgment and I agree with you. Whatever the reason for this dismissal of receiving compliments doesn’t matter. What matters is that you become aware of how you personally stand in this regard and begin accepting compliments in a completely new way.
So, why are we talking about compliments, and how to accept them? Because it’s a lesson in Receiving 101. How you receive a compliment is indicative of your overall ability to receive. The next time someone gives you a compliment, whether it’s for your fantastic shoes, a stellar speech, or your ability to listen and support, practice simply saying “thank you.” And stop there! Do not justify, do not explain how you got the shoes on sale, or didn’t really think your speech was very good, or that it was “nothing” to be there for a friend. These are all ways to show the Universe that you are not ready to receive... anything. How can you receive money, love, or fame, whatever you desire, if you can’t receive a compliment on your new shoes?! Think about it.
Another fantastic way to exercise your receiving muscle is around the good green stuff. No, not wheat grass... we’re talking about money, here! Have you ever done this? You receive a payment for one of your products or services, and rather than expressing your deepest gratitude for receiving the money (even if it’s only a $20) you dismiss the money with an instant thought of how it’s not enough. Well, what kind of message are you sending to the Universe when you do this? How can you expect to attract thousands of dollars, perhaps millions of dollars, if you have no appreciation for $20?
I can only share this with you because I’ve been guilty of this myself. There have been times when I would attract even thousands of dollars, and the first thought in my mind was, “it’s not enough, I need more.” Rather than, “thank you!” It was like a magnet with a negative force that repelled money away from me. And it will for you, too. I’ve even learned to stop and pick up pennies I see lying on the ground (thanks to T. Harv Eker), with the awareness that those pennies remind me to acknowledge my gratitude for receiving even the smallest amount of money.
So, now I ask you to take an honest assessment of how your receive money. Do you receive $1,000 differently than $10? What do you need to do to have the same feeling of gratitude no matter what the amount is? This is your exercise. Begin looking for pennies on the ground, and picking them up with a feeling of gratitude, as if it’s a “God wink” especially for you. If you receive checks, when you endorse them write the words “thank you” on the check. Chellie Campbell taught me this strategy several years ago, and it works.
If you have an Internet based business and you never physically hold the money, but simply see a receipt that a deposit has been made to your bank account, take a moment, when you get the receipt, to acknowledge receiving that money as if it were handed to you. You can simply say the words “thank you” out loud as if you were talking directly to God for sending the money to you. If you’d like you can add a statement like this, “I gratefully receive the money you have sent to me. I acknowledge this money as a Divine gift and accept it with joy and gratitude.” Notice the difference between this statement and the words, “It’s not enough, I need more.”
Now, make a conscious choice to appreciate every dollar (every penny) that you receive. Trust that the Universe hears you loud and clear... and will send plenty more money to you. And, be thankful in advance for receiving that which is coming your way!
©2008 Christine Kloser
Want To Use This Article In Your Ezine or Website? You have my permission, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Christine Kloser "The Conscious Business Coach," publishes the revolutionary ‘Conscious Business Connection’ ezine. If you're ready to transform “what is” to “what’s possible” for your business, get your FR^EE tips now at http://www.ConsciousBizReport.com.
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