Have you noticed that successful entrepreneurs all have one thing in common? They all have a “tribe.” It’s true. Think of any entrepreneur who has achieved a certain level of success and you’ll discover they are surrounded by people who support, believe and help them to realize their goals and dreams.
Having just returned from one of my mastermind gatherings in Martha’s Vineyard, it became even more clear exactly how important these types of gatherings are. There is something very powerful that happens when a dozen visionary entrepreneurs gather for a few days to turn dreams into reality. By the end of our two days together we were referring to ourselves as a “tribe” because of the depth of connection we felt, and the level of commitment we have in helping each other succeed.
As we were leaving the restaurant from our celebration dinner, another group of diners came up to us and asked how we all came together. They could tell there was something different about our “tribe” and they couldn’t figure out what it was. The best guess they had was that we were having a “mini” high school reunion... because it was evident to them we’d known each other for decades. Ha! At best, some of us have known each other for 2 ½ years, while some other “tribe” members had just met this weekend. Yet, there was a feeling we have all known each other much longer than that.
So, when we told these diners we were a mastermind group of like-minded colleagues, they wanted to know how we all came together. And, this is what I want to share with you here, so you can find your own “tribe” too.
Step 1: Have a Clear Vision For Your Business
In order to attract like-minded mastermind colleagues (your “tribe”) you’ve first got to get clear on your own vision for business and your life. You will attract the perfect group of people to support you based on your own vision. Like attracts like, so get clear on what you want and it will be much easier to manifest the perfect group of people who are also clear on what they want. This is how you can help each other most.
Step 2: Have a Clear Vision for Your “Tribe”
Now it’s time to get clear on the types of people you want to attract for your mastermind group... your “tribe.” Ask yourself these questions... What types of people do I want to support me in the realization of my dreams? What qualities do I want them to possess? What values and guiding principles do I want them to have? Granted, right now, you don’t know exactly WHO those people are, but you can get very clear about the TYPES of people they are. It’s kind of like identifying your ideal client... you can get crystal clear on the essence of who they are without knowing their face or name.
Step 3: Go Where Your “Tribe” Goes
Here you’ve got to take the next step to go where your “tribe” goes. Identify the LIVE face-to-face events where your tribe gathers. For instance, every single person in my current mastermind group, I met by going to an event where I knew “my people” would be. And, they were. Here’s another example, I was just talking with an entrepreneur who signed up to attend my Freedom Formula Experience and she said one of her top 3 reasons for attending was to be in a room filled with like-minded people... her “tribe” per se. So, take the steps you need to identify where YOUR “tribe” is and do whatever it takes to gather with them.
Step 4: Say “Yes” When The Right Opp*rtunity Shows Up
Too many people attract the right opp*ortunities into their lives, but then don’t say “YES” when they show up. Your job, in order to find your “tribe,” is to say YES when the right situation presents itself. I know it sounds crazy to say “no” when the perfect situation surfaces, but sadly, I see people do this all the time. They let the excuse of time, money, travel, etc. keep them from having everything they want. So, the most important step is this one... to say YES to your “tribe” when they show up.
Now, more than ever, it is absolutely essential to have your “tribe” in place. There’s going to be so much exciting change and evolution over the coming years, nobody is going to make it through alone. Your “tribe” of like-minded colleagues is sure to be one of the most valuable assets you can have in your business (and your life) today.
For those of you who want to join my “tribe” be sure to be one of the hundreds of like-minded colleagues at The Freedom Formula Experience this January. www.TheFreedomFormula.com/experience
© 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, best-selling author of The Freedom Formula, helps small business owners put soul in their business and money in the bank. If you want to discover how to integrate more spirit into YOUR business, then you’ll want to get my F-R-E-E Audio “The Top 3 Ways to Tap Into the Biggest Trend in Business Ever.” You can request this special audio by visiting www.FreeedomFormulaExperience.com.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
How to Shift into Abundance
In times like these, when the external world is absorbed in “lack, lack, lack”, it’s more important than ever for you to shift into abundance... and stay there. Yet, when I analyzed the responses to my recent survey (on the challenges you face in your business), the majority said they were having trouble getting out of fear and living in abundance.
So, in this article I’ll be sharing one of the most powerful tools I use to shift into abundance... no matter what’s happening around me. This is a process I use practically every single day to keep myself in the energy of abundance. Not only is this process simple, energizing and fun; it works!
Energize Your Vision
Step 1: Find a vision partner.
In order for your vision to have the biggest impact on your life, it’s best to energetically speak your vision out loud to a vision partner. Your partner needs to be someone who “gets” you and who believes in an abundant world. Create a partnership with someone who support you in your dreams, doesn’t call you “crazy” for thinking BIG, and understands the power of a held intention.
Step 2: Set up a time to talk with your partner
Once you’ve found a visioning partner, make an appointment to talk on the phone for at least fifteen minutes every week. The first time you have your call, you may want to schedule a bit longer so you can talk about the process after you’re done and check-in with each other to see if you have any suggestions or feedback for future sessions.
Step 3: Create a sacred space
When it’s time for your vision call, you’ll want to do a brief centering exercise that aligns you with each other and establishes the sacred space in which you’ll share together. Just taking a few deep breaths together can easily get you centered. (That’s the yoga instructor in me speaking.)
Step 4: Speak your vision
After you’ve taken a few deep breaths and created a scared space together, the first person to go simply begins to speak their vision to their partner... as if you were experiencing it right now! Allows yourself to transcend any current situation in your life right now and truly shift into the energy of your vision ALREADY being realized. When you do this, you connect at the highest level of the Infinite Abundant Supply, to God, the Universe (or whatever you call that Source of all that is). And, your resonance with this “field” is what causes things to shift in your life.
Step 5: Listen to your partner
As important as it is for the person speaking their vision to step into the energy of having ALREADY realized their dreams, the partner (listener) also has an important responsibility. The listener must hear his/her partner’s vision as if it IS already done. They must hold the vision, and see it as vividly as their partner does. Then, once the partner is complete, the listener says, “I see that vision for you.” The listener can also contribute any additional words of support or any insights they received that would benefit their partner in realizing their vision.
The experience of having another person listen to you with the intention of your vision being realized is deeply powerful. It’s been one of the best tools I’ve ever used in manifesting all that has come to me in recent years from the birth of my daughter and the purchase of a brand-new custom home, to the release of one business and the rapid expansion of another. I urge you to find a partner and get started with this today because remember.... it’s not only fun, it works!
NOTE: If you cannot find a vision partner for this process, then you can simply do it on your own. Be sure to SPEAK your vision out loud, even if only to yourself. The spoken word, (and the energy) it carries is a key piece for this to work.
© 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, best-selling author of The Freedom Formula, helps small business owners put soul in their business and money in the bank. If you want to discover how to integrate more spirit into YOUR business, then you’ll want to get my F-R-E-E_ CD, “The Top 3 Ways to Tap Into the Biggest Trend in Business Ever.” You can request this special CD by visiting www.FreeedomFormulaExperience.com.
So, in this article I’ll be sharing one of the most powerful tools I use to shift into abundance... no matter what’s happening around me. This is a process I use practically every single day to keep myself in the energy of abundance. Not only is this process simple, energizing and fun; it works!
Energize Your Vision
Step 1: Find a vision partner.
In order for your vision to have the biggest impact on your life, it’s best to energetically speak your vision out loud to a vision partner. Your partner needs to be someone who “gets” you and who believes in an abundant world. Create a partnership with someone who support you in your dreams, doesn’t call you “crazy” for thinking BIG, and understands the power of a held intention.
Step 2: Set up a time to talk with your partner
Once you’ve found a visioning partner, make an appointment to talk on the phone for at least fifteen minutes every week. The first time you have your call, you may want to schedule a bit longer so you can talk about the process after you’re done and check-in with each other to see if you have any suggestions or feedback for future sessions.
Step 3: Create a sacred space
When it’s time for your vision call, you’ll want to do a brief centering exercise that aligns you with each other and establishes the sacred space in which you’ll share together. Just taking a few deep breaths together can easily get you centered. (That’s the yoga instructor in me speaking.)
Step 4: Speak your vision
After you’ve taken a few deep breaths and created a scared space together, the first person to go simply begins to speak their vision to their partner... as if you were experiencing it right now! Allows yourself to transcend any current situation in your life right now and truly shift into the energy of your vision ALREADY being realized. When you do this, you connect at the highest level of the Infinite Abundant Supply, to God, the Universe (or whatever you call that Source of all that is). And, your resonance with this “field” is what causes things to shift in your life.
Step 5: Listen to your partner
As important as it is for the person speaking their vision to step into the energy of having ALREADY realized their dreams, the partner (listener) also has an important responsibility. The listener must hear his/her partner’s vision as if it IS already done. They must hold the vision, and see it as vividly as their partner does. Then, once the partner is complete, the listener says, “I see that vision for you.” The listener can also contribute any additional words of support or any insights they received that would benefit their partner in realizing their vision.
The experience of having another person listen to you with the intention of your vision being realized is deeply powerful. It’s been one of the best tools I’ve ever used in manifesting all that has come to me in recent years from the birth of my daughter and the purchase of a brand-new custom home, to the release of one business and the rapid expansion of another. I urge you to find a partner and get started with this today because remember.... it’s not only fun, it works!
NOTE: If you cannot find a vision partner for this process, then you can simply do it on your own. Be sure to SPEAK your vision out loud, even if only to yourself. The spoken word, (and the energy) it carries is a key piece for this to work.
© 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, best-selling author of The Freedom Formula, helps small business owners put soul in their business and money in the bank. If you want to discover how to integrate more spirit into YOUR business, then you’ll want to get my F-R-E-E_ CD, “The Top 3 Ways to Tap Into the Biggest Trend in Business Ever.” You can request this special CD by visiting www.FreeedomFormulaExperience.com.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Conscious Entrepreneur: How to Trust Your Vibes in Business
Before you read another word... pause and take a deep breath. This is how you begin to trust your vibes in business. Simple? Yes. Effective? Yes. But, how can a simple breath help you trust your vibes? That’s what I’ll be sharing with you here in this article, because in order to succeed as a conscious entrepreneur you’ve got to become an expert at trusting (and listening) to your vibes.
One thing I continue to hear from entrepreneurs is they are so busy working on projects, taking care of clients, marketing their business, etc. that they barely have time to eat, sleep and BREATHE... forget about creating time to meditate, or journal. I have news for you. It’s impossible to trust your vibes in business, when you are completely disconnected from yourself because you “go, go, go” all the time.
I’ll assume that you’d like to learn how to not only trust, but hear your vibes (your inner wisdom) more clearly. So, I’m going to share how I do this in my own life, in hopes it will help you, too.
Step 1: Breathe
Give yourself the gift of deep, conscious breath. If you are holding your breath, or completely unaware of it throughout your day, it’s a sure sign you are disconnected from Source, and your “vibes” won’t have any space to enter.
Step 2: Realize You are a Spiritual Being
Next, in order to connect, listen to and act on your vibes you’ve got to embrace the truth that you are a Spiritual being, above and beyond anything else. In this understanding, you realize that you are never the one “in control”... rather you are an instrument being used to fulfill Divine Destiny on earth. In this experience of surrender, you become more conscious of what is truly unfolding in front of you.
Step 3: Become Still
In a world of ever increasing speed and activity, it’s nearly impossible to hear (or trust) your vibes when you are operating at the “speed of life.” You must become still. You must allow your mind to become quiet so your heart can be heard. When I talk about stillness, I don’t mean sitting down to watch TV, eat dinner, sip tea or anything else. What I’m talking about here is sitting down with your eyes closed for at least 10 minutes a day... without moving a finger. When you bring your physical body into stillness, it allows your mind and heart to open to what is present beyond your physical experience of life. And, this is where you can begin to sense your “vibes.”
Step 4: Do Only That Which Brings You Joy
A simple concept, but challenging to do when the phone is ringing, email is piling up and projects are behind deadline. (I understand... I experience these feelings myself sometimes.) But, the concept of living in JOY and the reality that this is actually your NATURAL state of BEING is at the essence of journeying through life trusting your vibes. You are not meant to struggle, or work hard doing something that doesn’t thrill you. Your Divine nature is to experience joy, so begin to look for those things that bring you joy. And, pursue those avenues. Following your joy is a great way to trust your vibes. Joy will never steer you down the wrong road.
I could write an entire book on this topic (perhaps I will some day), but for now I wanted to give you these four easy steps to begin with. Trusting your vibes is a key element to succeeding in the new model for conscious business success. So, set aside some time for yourself today to breathe, be still, and... follow your joy.
If you want to discover exactly how to do this, and how it relates to boosting your bottom line, be sure to attend my once-in-a-lifetime Freedom Formula Experience... where entrepreneurs discover exactly how to integrate practical business strategies and guiding Spiritual principles that put more purpose, passion and profit into your business, no matter what’s happening in the economy. www.TheFreedomFormula.com/experience
© 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, best-selling author of The Freedom Formula, helps small business owners put soul in their business and money in the bank. If you want to discover how to integrate more spirit into YOUR business, then you’ll want to get my F-R-E-E_ CD, “The Top 3 Ways to Tap Into the Biggest Trend in Business Ever.” You can request this special CD by visiting www.FreeedomFormulaExperience.com.
One thing I continue to hear from entrepreneurs is they are so busy working on projects, taking care of clients, marketing their business, etc. that they barely have time to eat, sleep and BREATHE... forget about creating time to meditate, or journal. I have news for you. It’s impossible to trust your vibes in business, when you are completely disconnected from yourself because you “go, go, go” all the time.
I’ll assume that you’d like to learn how to not only trust, but hear your vibes (your inner wisdom) more clearly. So, I’m going to share how I do this in my own life, in hopes it will help you, too.
Step 1: Breathe
Give yourself the gift of deep, conscious breath. If you are holding your breath, or completely unaware of it throughout your day, it’s a sure sign you are disconnected from Source, and your “vibes” won’t have any space to enter.
Step 2: Realize You are a Spiritual Being
Next, in order to connect, listen to and act on your vibes you’ve got to embrace the truth that you are a Spiritual being, above and beyond anything else. In this understanding, you realize that you are never the one “in control”... rather you are an instrument being used to fulfill Divine Destiny on earth. In this experience of surrender, you become more conscious of what is truly unfolding in front of you.
Step 3: Become Still
In a world of ever increasing speed and activity, it’s nearly impossible to hear (or trust) your vibes when you are operating at the “speed of life.” You must become still. You must allow your mind to become quiet so your heart can be heard. When I talk about stillness, I don’t mean sitting down to watch TV, eat dinner, sip tea or anything else. What I’m talking about here is sitting down with your eyes closed for at least 10 minutes a day... without moving a finger. When you bring your physical body into stillness, it allows your mind and heart to open to what is present beyond your physical experience of life. And, this is where you can begin to sense your “vibes.”
Step 4: Do Only That Which Brings You Joy
A simple concept, but challenging to do when the phone is ringing, email is piling up and projects are behind deadline. (I understand... I experience these feelings myself sometimes.) But, the concept of living in JOY and the reality that this is actually your NATURAL state of BEING is at the essence of journeying through life trusting your vibes. You are not meant to struggle, or work hard doing something that doesn’t thrill you. Your Divine nature is to experience joy, so begin to look for those things that bring you joy. And, pursue those avenues. Following your joy is a great way to trust your vibes. Joy will never steer you down the wrong road.
I could write an entire book on this topic (perhaps I will some day), but for now I wanted to give you these four easy steps to begin with. Trusting your vibes is a key element to succeeding in the new model for conscious business success. So, set aside some time for yourself today to breathe, be still, and... follow your joy.
If you want to discover exactly how to do this, and how it relates to boosting your bottom line, be sure to attend my once-in-a-lifetime Freedom Formula Experience... where entrepreneurs discover exactly how to integrate practical business strategies and guiding Spiritual principles that put more purpose, passion and profit into your business, no matter what’s happening in the economy. www.TheFreedomFormula.com/experience
© 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, best-selling author of The Freedom Formula, helps small business owners put soul in their business and money in the bank. If you want to discover how to integrate more spirit into YOUR business, then you’ll want to get my F-R-E-E_ CD, “The Top 3 Ways to Tap Into the Biggest Trend in Business Ever.” You can request this special CD by visiting www.FreeedomFormulaExperience.com.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Conscious Entrepreneur: 3 Proven Strategies to Deepen Your Belief in Yourself
Belief. It is, by far, one of the most powerful concepts to embrace if you want to succeed as a conscious entrepreneur. Without belief in yourself you’ll be stopped in your tracks over and over again. And, you’ll continue wondering WHY you aren’t succeeding like you want to.
My heart broke when I read the hundreds of responses to my recent survey about the challenges you’re facing on your entrepreneurial and spiritual path. Many of you doubt yourself, and let fear paralyze you. Well, I’m here to help you through this.
But, before I share a few of my personal strategies for maintaining belief in yourself, I first want to assure you that I have not arrived yet, (perhaps Ill feel I’ve arrived when I make my transition out of this physical body). Anyway, no matter how much my business has grown, no matter how much success I experience, I still have bouts of fear and doubt. It usually happens when Im stepping into something much BIGGER than before, or when I forget who I really am, on a Soul level.
In fact, just last week, I was gripped by fear and had to do a lot of inner work to lift myself out of it and take the next bold step, (as my friend Kathryn Tull would say). I pulled out every tool I had, every strategy I knew to get back on track... and with the discipline to keep my mind out of that dark abyss of fear and spend time getting quiet with myself and asking for help, I got through it.
I share this with you because I think its important for you to know that fear and doubt don’t stop surfacing once you reach a certain level of success. Growth stretches you way out of your comfort zone, raises doubts and fears... and gives you the opportunity to learn from the experience, deepen your understanding of yourself, gain new insights and see things that you hadn’t seen before. And, at each level of success you have, the gifts you receive from the challenges you face are so much greater than they were before.
OK, now that we’ve got that straightened out, and you understand that you are not alone in your disbelief, but that it is quite common among entrepreneurs on this path, lets get into some specific strategies that have helped me increase the belief I have in myself. I share these knowing that if you implement them, they’ll help you, too.
1. Take care of yourself. This ones a big one. Taking care of yourself is one of the most important steps you can implement to increase belief in yourself. If you don’t take care of yourself, how could you possibly be of service to others? When you’re on an airplane, the flight attendant tells you to put your oxygen mask on FIRST, then you’re in a position to help others.
Taking care of yourself can mean different things to different people. For me it means taking time every day to meditate and journal, exercising six times a week, asking for help when I need it (and knowing where to get it), playing with my daughter, getting enough sleep, drinking lots of water, eating well and saying no to things that don’t serve me.
Get clear on what you need to take care of yourself and then do those things. When you take care of yourself in this way, it deepens your belief because you’re treating yourself like someone you truly VALUE! And, that helps others value you, too.
2. Do what you say you’re going to do. Someone once told me that the fastest route to boosting self-esteem and confidence is to do what you say you’re going to do. This comment stuck with me because it is so true, and it works. Just think about it.... if you continually say I’m going to do X, and you don’t do it, you’re affirming your low self-esteem and lack of confidence.
On the other hand, when you do what you say you’re going to do (call a specific person, take time to meditate, send out an email, write an article, take a walk, go to a business event, read a particular book, etc.) it BOOSTS your self-esteem and confidence. If you continually find yourself faced with lack of belief, chances are you have a history of breaking your word to yourself. Start keeping your word to the most important person (you) and watch your belief in yourself skyrocket.
3. Trust in your Divine plan. This is the fourth component of my definition of a conscious entrepreneur because its another critical aspect to your success. When disbelief, lack, fear and doubt creep in, you’ve got to deepen your trust in a higher/Divine plan. Everything in your life is happening for a reason... even the challenges, pain and fear you may be facing today.
So, the next time you feel your lack of faith surfacing or lack of belief showing up again, I invite you to take a close look at what these feelings are here to show you. (They are here to point you in the RIGHT direction.) So, rather than get angry and scared, instead ask yourself, What am I meant to learn from this experience? What good is here for me to discover? What shift am I supposed to embrace? And, I’m telling you, when you dig deep enough to have absolute trust that all is unfolding with Divine perfection, you WILL find that nugget of insight that’ll change everything. This strategy alone has saved me on more occasions than I care to count. And, it will for you, too.
I know I’m just barely touching the tip of the iceberg here on this topic, but I wanted to give you something to get started with. So, please embrace one of these strategies today and begin believing in yourself at a whole new level.
copyright 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, 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
My heart broke when I read the hundreds of responses to my recent survey about the challenges you’re facing on your entrepreneurial and spiritual path. Many of you doubt yourself, and let fear paralyze you. Well, I’m here to help you through this.
But, before I share a few of my personal strategies for maintaining belief in yourself, I first want to assure you that I have not arrived yet, (perhaps Ill feel I’ve arrived when I make my transition out of this physical body). Anyway, no matter how much my business has grown, no matter how much success I experience, I still have bouts of fear and doubt. It usually happens when Im stepping into something much BIGGER than before, or when I forget who I really am, on a Soul level.
In fact, just last week, I was gripped by fear and had to do a lot of inner work to lift myself out of it and take the next bold step, (as my friend Kathryn Tull would say). I pulled out every tool I had, every strategy I knew to get back on track... and with the discipline to keep my mind out of that dark abyss of fear and spend time getting quiet with myself and asking for help, I got through it.
I share this with you because I think its important for you to know that fear and doubt don’t stop surfacing once you reach a certain level of success. Growth stretches you way out of your comfort zone, raises doubts and fears... and gives you the opportunity to learn from the experience, deepen your understanding of yourself, gain new insights and see things that you hadn’t seen before. And, at each level of success you have, the gifts you receive from the challenges you face are so much greater than they were before.
OK, now that we’ve got that straightened out, and you understand that you are not alone in your disbelief, but that it is quite common among entrepreneurs on this path, lets get into some specific strategies that have helped me increase the belief I have in myself. I share these knowing that if you implement them, they’ll help you, too.
1. Take care of yourself. This ones a big one. Taking care of yourself is one of the most important steps you can implement to increase belief in yourself. If you don’t take care of yourself, how could you possibly be of service to others? When you’re on an airplane, the flight attendant tells you to put your oxygen mask on FIRST, then you’re in a position to help others.
Taking care of yourself can mean different things to different people. For me it means taking time every day to meditate and journal, exercising six times a week, asking for help when I need it (and knowing where to get it), playing with my daughter, getting enough sleep, drinking lots of water, eating well and saying no to things that don’t serve me.
Get clear on what you need to take care of yourself and then do those things. When you take care of yourself in this way, it deepens your belief because you’re treating yourself like someone you truly VALUE! And, that helps others value you, too.
2. Do what you say you’re going to do. Someone once told me that the fastest route to boosting self-esteem and confidence is to do what you say you’re going to do. This comment stuck with me because it is so true, and it works. Just think about it.... if you continually say I’m going to do X, and you don’t do it, you’re affirming your low self-esteem and lack of confidence.
On the other hand, when you do what you say you’re going to do (call a specific person, take time to meditate, send out an email, write an article, take a walk, go to a business event, read a particular book, etc.) it BOOSTS your self-esteem and confidence. If you continually find yourself faced with lack of belief, chances are you have a history of breaking your word to yourself. Start keeping your word to the most important person (you) and watch your belief in yourself skyrocket.
3. Trust in your Divine plan. This is the fourth component of my definition of a conscious entrepreneur because its another critical aspect to your success. When disbelief, lack, fear and doubt creep in, you’ve got to deepen your trust in a higher/Divine plan. Everything in your life is happening for a reason... even the challenges, pain and fear you may be facing today.
So, the next time you feel your lack of faith surfacing or lack of belief showing up again, I invite you to take a close look at what these feelings are here to show you. (They are here to point you in the RIGHT direction.) So, rather than get angry and scared, instead ask yourself, What am I meant to learn from this experience? What good is here for me to discover? What shift am I supposed to embrace? And, I’m telling you, when you dig deep enough to have absolute trust that all is unfolding with Divine perfection, you WILL find that nugget of insight that’ll change everything. This strategy alone has saved me on more occasions than I care to count. And, it will for you, too.
I know I’m just barely touching the tip of the iceberg here on this topic, but I wanted to give you something to get started with. So, please embrace one of these strategies today and begin believing in yourself at a whole new level.
copyright 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, 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
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Business Planning: The Secret to Setting "Miraculous" Business Goals
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.
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.
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.
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