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

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.

Friday, January 4, 2008

4 Simple Steps to Set Your 2008 Intentions

At the beginning of the year, you may find yourself stuck between celebrating the success of last year, planning for the New Year and perhaps overwhelmed by everything you have on your full plate. You’re not alone. Most conscious entrepreneurs go through this type of celebration, anticipation and yes, sometimes even overwhelm. That being said, the beginning of a new year is the perfect time to take some time to get laser-focused on what you want to experience and manifest this year.

For the past 5 years, my husband and I have always spent New Year’s Day clarifying and writing our intentions for the New Year. This ritual is a highlight of the year and one that continues to catapult growth on all levels, and help me fully prepare for the year... mentally, emotionally, practically and spiritually.

You’ve probably heard that the most powerful thing you can do to manifest your goals is to write them down! There is something about putting your goals in writing that begins to align the Universe to help you realize them (or something better).

The following four step process is one of my personal New Year strategies. I hope you’ll print this out and get started with your intentions today!

Step 1: Complete

The first step to setting clear intentions for the New Year is to feel complete with the events and experiences of the last year. To do this, simply reflect on the past year... beginning back in January. In your mind, run through the year noting the accomplishments, challenges, successes, growth, opportunities and gifts that you experienced. Once you’ve taken time to reflect on the past year, allow yourself to release anything that you may be hanging on to. Take several deep relaxing breaths as you envision completing the year and become fully present to this moment and all the potential that lies ahead for this year.

Step 2: Celebrate

Next, take out a pen and paper and write a list of everything you have to celebrate from the past year. Focus on all areas of your life, including spiritual (connection to God, meditation, spiritual practice, spiritual community, trust in Divine plan, etc.), personal (health, relationships, fulfillment, family, friends, community, love, etc.), financial (overall financial health, income, debt reduction, investments, money management, etc.), business (new strategies, marketing programs, joint ventures, products and services, client successes, gross income, profitability, support, etc.). Take time to complete your list thoroughly and review it to fully embrace your success and evolution this past year.

Step 3: Focus

Once you finish completing and celebrating, now become focused on all that you want to manifest this year. Simply create the picture of this coming year in your mind’s eye, getting a clear vision of what you intend to manifest and experience (don’t write anything down, yet... just envision it in your mind and feel it in your heart). Again, as you did in Step 2 “Celebrate”, be sure to include the areas of spiritual, personal, financial and business.

Step 4: Commit


The last step is to commit your intentions for the year by putting them in writing. This is the most powerful step of the journey; it’s the beginning of taking the vision in your mind and bringing it into reality. There are two different methods I recommend for writing down your intentions for the year, choose the one that feels like the right fit for you: 1) write a description of your year from the standpoint of January 1, 2009 including all the details of what has transpired during this year... be grateful in advance! 2) Write a bullet point-list of your intentions for the year in each of these 4 areas (spiritual, personal, financial and business). You can write your list on index cards putting one area of your life on a different card.

Once you complete this four step process (hopefully you’ve also listened to the guided meditation on this process), there is one last BONUS step to include with all of your writings. And, that is to write “this or something better” at the bottom of the paper. Because, as expansive as your intentions and vision for this year are, God/The Universe sees so much more for you. There are gifts waiting for you that you cannot begin to imagine. So, enjoy being clear and energized about this incredible year knowing that you also leave space for miracles to occur.

© 2007 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.

Friday, December 14, 2007

How to Find the "Sweet Spot" in Your Business

Imagine the feeling of having everything in your business flow easily, effortless and abundantly.... where your ideal clients are happy to pay you for your products and services and you are having a blast in your business. You feel the energy and anticipation of everything coming together and your hard work and disciplined mindset are paying off in the results you experience every day. This is when you know you’re in the “sweet spot” of your business.

Being married to a baseball fanatic and author of Stepping Up to the Plate, this is one of the few times I can actually share a baseball analogy and know what I’m talking about. Ha! If you’ve seen a talented batter hit the ball in the exact right spot, at the exact right time with the exact right speed, you can tell by the cracking sound of the bat that it hit the “sweet spot”. And, the batter KNOWS, without out a doubt, the ball is “gone”... a home run!

Now, a batter practices swinging a gazillion times to learn how to hit the “sweet spot”. But, how can you find this “sweet spot” in your business? What can you (as a conscious entrepreneur) be doing, thinking and intending to find this zone for you and your business? I’ve been hearing this question from clients and colleagues lately as they’ve witnessed my transformation from a challenging, struggling business to a solid, expanding business.

So, let me share my secrets with you. These four components are explored more deeply in my forthcoming book, The Freedom Formula: How to Put Soul in Your Business and Money in Your Bank (February 2008), but I want to share the basics with you here because they are ESSENTIAL for your conscious business success.

1. Make Money

To find the “sweet spot” in your business, you always need to have your bottom-line in mind. Now, for conscious entrepreneurs this can be a challenge (at least, I know it was for me) because your mission is to serve people, to help them and make this world a better place. Am I right? This is good! But, you deserve to be paid well for the products and services you offer. If your business isn’t set up to make money, your “sweet spot” will remain a mystery.

2. Make a Difference

This is probably an easy one for you. Because, as I mentioned in component one, your commitment to making a difference is at the core foundation of your business. Chances are you even started your business because you wanted to have a positive impact on the world. When your business is energetically aligned with improving the lives of others AND you are paid for doing this, you’re a step closer to your “sweet spot.”

3. Be Who You Are

This may be the most important component to finding your “sweet spot”. In today’s ever evolving business climate, with new industries and new models popping up every day, it can be challenging to stay 110% true to who you are. You learn about a new technique, or a new “competitor” has entered your market, and you begin to adjust your direction to align more with what’s happening in the external world. When, the truth is, your “sweet spot” can only be found when you dive deeper and deeper into being authentically who YOU are. And, bring your authentic self out into the market. Remember, nobody can duplicate you... you’re ONE OF A KIND!

4. Trust in Your Divine Plan

Ahhh, this is such a glorious component to keep in mind as you discover the “sweet spot” in your business. Because, at the core, your business is an expression of your soul... and your soul is on a divinely guided journey. So, when the going gets tough, remember to trust in your higher plan and elevate your perspective up out of the minutia of your business. Your “sweet spot” becomes more visible the more you trust in the unfolding of your Divine plan. You are being guided every step of the way.

The “sweet spot” in your business is already there for you to enjoy. Your job now is to embrace these four components and begin living them in your business everyday. And, if one of the components feels like a challenge, then spend some time in meditation or journaling about it and see what answers show up. It’s all there, and it’s all yours for the asking!

© 2007 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/

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Success is a Decision

Have you ever wondered why some people succeed and others fail? Maybe you're discouraged that your colleague's phone is ringing off the hook and your phone hasn't rung in weeks (or months). Believe me; I know what it's like to be there. For years, I used to look all around me and see abundant success for others... and wonder if it was ever going to happen for me.

Deep down inside, my Divine Self, knew the answer was a resounding, "YES!". But, on the surface, sometimes the situation seemed so dismal my human mind doubted that I'd ever see my dreams come true. I knew my doubt was part of the reason why I experienced challenges in my business, yet I didn't know how to release it and surrender completely to my Divine entrepreneurial journey.

Then, I realized that I hadn't yet DECIDED I was going to succeed. I hoped I would, I imagined I would, I prayed I would, but I hadn't decided I would... succeed. Once I made this powerful decision to succeed, everything changed. My hope changed to belief, my imagination transformed into reality and my prayers fueled my actions.

If you feel like it's time to put the power of decision to work for you, and your business... listen up. Here's a simple 4 step strategy for making your Divine decision to succeed.

Step 1: Assess Your Situation

Before you begin any journey, you first need to identify where you are. In this step, you'll set aside some time to reflect on your current situation. Then, you'll look directly at your current circumstances, even if they're unfavorable. A full evaluation of where you are (spiritually, financially and personally) establishes a starting point from which you can leap forward.

Step 2: Get Clear on What You Really Want

Next, once you've taken a look at your current situation, set it aside. And, allow yourself to create a clear vision of what you really want for your business, and your life. Don't worry about "how" you'll realize the vision; simply get clear on what it is. When creating your vision, it ought to be something that makes your heart sing; something that increases your energy when you think about it.

Step 3: Decide to Experience What You Really Want

Now, make the decision to experience your vision. Sometime this step will be a very subtle, simple shift in your being. Other times, this step will be a monumental moment that you'll remember for the rest of your life. Sometimes it will be a private moment between you and God; while other times it will be a public experience when you proclaim to others what you've decided for your life. Whatever way your decision is made, one thing remains the same... from that point forward everything changes.

Step 4: Demonstrate Your Decision

No decision is complete without demonstrating your decision in the physical world. (Warning: This is the most common step where people stop.) Once you make a powerful decision, it lacks ENERGY until it's backed by tangible action. Demonstrating your commitment to your decision by taking a specific action, is the most important (and sometimes the scariest) step to seeing your dreams become realized.

This four-step strategy is very simple to follow, but simple doesn’t necessarily mean easy. At times, making the decision to succeed can feel gut-wrenching, especially if it means having to let go of something you’ve been attached to for a long time (this happened to me when I decided to succeed). But, no matter what decision you face, when you follow this four-step strategy, your decision will propel you toward your dreams.

© 2007 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/

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Three Reasons to Diversify Your Learning

Have you ever found yourself sitting in a seminar room hearing the same information over and over again? I admit this has happened to me many times. While business seminars are a great way to network, be “visible”, and learn (or be reminded of) some great business strategies, it’ll serve you well to diversity your learning.

I speak about this from the personal experience I recently had at the Evolutionary Women retreat. It was the first “non-business” event I attended in more years than I care to count. I had been so focused on “business, business, business” that I only invested my time, money and energy in business focused seminars and conferences. Along the way, I’ve learned invaluable information that has changed my business, and my life.

But, it’s gotten to a point now where I realize I know everything I needed to know to grow my business right now. I don’t need any more information... or any more ideas to distract me from my mission and purpose. (I’m sure you can relate to what I’m talking about.) Sure, I’ll still attend business event for the networking aspects, but I’ve decided to invest more of my time, money and energy into more diverse events this coming year.

There are three reasons to diversity your learning, especially as a conscious entrepreneur; because your business only evolves as much as you do. If you’re not exposing yourself to new and diverse environments for learning, you may be missing out on the exact experience that’s going to help everything fall into place. So, get ready to open your heart and soul to new opportunities that excite, and call you... opportunities that invite you to discover and BE more of who you are. In case you’re not already convinced it’s time to expand your horizons, here are three reasons to get on board:

Reason #1: New Understanding
Notice that I didn’t say new knowledge. You already know so much, I doubt you really need to learn a whole lot more. I use the word “understanding” because, as a conscious entrepreneur, it’s your responsibility to continually deepen your understanding; understanding of yourself, others, your passion, your purpose, your spirituality, your fears, your priorities... everything. The more you understand who you are, where you are, where you’re going and the “reason” for it all... the easier the journey is to getting there. For instance, as a result of being at the Evolutionary Women conference I have a much deeper understanding of how important it is for me to attend more spiritual events. This journey became instantly apparent to me the moment I entered the retreat center.

This type of understanding doesn’t come from sitting in a cramped row of a seminar room; it comes from exposing yourself to new environments that gift you the time and space to be with yourself and others for a purpose other than growing your business.

Reason #2: New Perspective
Allowing yourself to be in a new learning environment opens you up to gaining an entirely new perspective. When you attend the same types of events over and over again (with the same people over and over again) it can begin to feel like very close quarters because everyone already knows you. And as far as the learning and sharing goes, it’s all about the same information making its “rounds” again. Everyone has the same perspective.

Whereas, when you enter into a completely new learning environment, it’s easy to gain a new perspective because you’re surrounded by people who don’t already know you. The beauty in this is that they see (and respond to) exactly who you are right now, rather than who they knew you to be yesterday. This presence of moment is a gift that can very easily open your eyes to a new way of being, new wisdom, new insight and a new perspective on what’s next for you. I invite you, like I did, to attend an event where nobody knows you... you’ll also see YOURSELF from a new perspective.

Reason #3: New Relationships
The third reason to diversify your learning is to establish new relationships, because relationships are the most valuable asset you have in your business. When you diversify your learning environments, you instantly diversify the types of people you meet and the relationships you establish. It’s such a gift to enter a new environment without a “business” agenda. There’s space for you to know someone for who they are outside of business, and vice versa... you’ll be known as someone other than the person on your business card. The connections can run much deeper when it’s not about business first.

For instance, when I was at Evolutionary Women, nobody knew me as “The Conscious Business Coach” or a book publisher. And, I established the beginnings of some great relationships that were not based on business. But, as it turns out these relationships are already translating into business. I’ll be publishing a book for many of the women that were there, got a speaking engagement, and I met someone who is going to promote my upcoming book, The Freedom Formula to her list of nearly 40,000 people. We connected from the heart first, and things transpired from there.

As you can see from these three reasons to diversify your learning, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I admit, sometimes it’s scary to enter a new room where nobody knows you, and all the faces are new. But, there’s such extraordinary possibility that occurs in these new environments that it’s well worth taking the risk to try something new.

© 2007 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.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Be Who You Are

If you’ve ever felt like you had to hide a part of yourself in your business, it’s not a conscious business. A conscious business draws forth every ounce of your spirit and calls you to be more of who you are. Your conscious business needs you to be who you are because that is exactly where your success lies.

Too often, business owners feel like they “should” be a certain way in business, and a different way in life. It’s just not true. The only way to succeed as a conscious business owner is to be all of you, all the time. The very qualities and characteristics that make you, you, are the exact qualities and characteristics your business (and customers and clients) need you to be.
It’s incredibly challenging to put on your “game face” to try to fit into someone else’s idea of who you should be. Or, worse yet, your own misguided idea of who you think you should be. The glory truly comes in surrendering to exactly who you are. Yes, every tender loving ounce of your being; quirks, idiosyncrasies... and all. Those are the things that make you who you are, who God meant for you to be the moment you were born.

One side benefit of being fully who you are in your conscious business is that you have no “competition.” Nobody can be you. Nobody can duplicate your heart and soul. Nobody can exude you, but you. So, the more you are fully yourself, the more you distinguish yourself in an overcrowded market of entrepreneurs who are trying to be someone else.

In so doing, you will only attract those customers and clients who are meant to work with you. Because, being who you are is the strongest asset you can have as a business owner. The “secret formula” of you can never be knocked-off. And, oh, what fun it is to discover that your most important role in your business is to be more of your Divine self. How lucky you are that this is your highest mission in your business, and your life. How blessed you are that deep down inside you probably already know this. Perhaps right now you’re even nodding your head “yes” in thankful agreement that you get to discover and share more of yourself through your business. Awesome, isn’t it!

So, I invite you to be the glorious being you are. Embrace every thing that feels easy, natural and graceful. It’s these very things that guide you to experience more of yourself. While these experiences may not seem like anything spectacular, they are in fact... everything. They only seem like nothing to you because you’re blind to seeing that which is innately you. When you’re simply being you and doing all that comes naturally as your Divine self, success flows with ease.

© 2007 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.