Authentic marketing secrets for spirited entrepreneurs

I just spent 2 amazing days with my Private Platinum client, Sharon Quarmby. We mapped out all of her offers for 2010 (lots of fun for me, as creating enticing packages and programs is one of my favorite things) and we also created a detailed marketing and launch calendar so she would know exactly what to do first, second, third, and beyond to create the income she wants in her business this year.

Now, this would be a really cool achievement in and of itself, but what’s even more amazing is that Sharon’s business takes place on TWO different continents. Sharon kissed her husband, stepson and beloved dogs goodbye and flew all the way from her current home in South Africa (she’s originally from Dallas, TX) to spend those two days with me, along with in-person time with her other mentors and attending an event.

Talk about doing what it takes!

When I connect with spirited solo business owners, they often lament not having enough time to create their business. And believe me, with a very full creative life, husband, family, friends, aspirations and dreams… I get it!

Nonetheless, in both my own experience and that of my clients, I have found that the time issue is a smokescreen for something else: a lack of faith in the Universe and a lack of confidence in ourselves that we can really pull this thing off. And that lack of confidence, in turn, quickly turns to frustration, overwhelm, guilt at what we “should” be doing to market or build our business.

The only solution I know for this? First, accept the truth: that you are resourceful, powerful, and can succeed at whatever you put your mind to. You would not have the desire to create your business unless the way was ready to emerge for you, too.

Next, make the decision to do what it takes.

That may mean finding the time in a very full schedule. I promise you, it’s there. Remember, we all have the same amount of time in a day. It might mean saying no to someone else and putting your own needs first. And it will definitely mean stopping the second-guessing of your good judgment, dropping the guilt and trusting yourself.

Remember, you are resourceful, powerful, and can succeed at this thing called your business once you make the decision. (Otherwise known as going “all in.”) You would not have the desire unless the way was also ready to appear.

I invite you to have a little faith, trust yourself 100% and practice the art of doing what it takes, in some small way, this week. As always, bright blessings and massive success to you!

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We’ve all had those “turning point” conversations… you know the ones that rattle your cage, serve as a wake-up call, and ultimately create a breakthrough. Here is one of mine…

I was talking to one of my mentors about one aspect of my business where I was feeling a lot of resistance. Said resistance was showing up in some not-so-great ways that were keeping me small, stuck and constantly creating money drama.

She listened patiently as I recounted all of my woes. Finally, I stopped to take a breath. What she said next went straight to my core.

She said, “Elizabeth, stop treating your gifts like trash.”

(Is that a kick in the butt or what?)

In that moment I realized that every way in which my business and creative life was NOT working could be “bottom lined” to one core problem: not valuing my gifts. All the frustration, money drama, wasted time - everything. And in that moment, I made a decision: from that moment forward, I was going to value my gifts, no matter what.

In order to become the prosperous, impactful, change agent that you long to be, you, too, MUST make the decision to value your gifts, no matter what. Why? Because when you don’t value your gifts, they go unused, or you give them away, and you will never receive the abundance you deserve for using them to help others.

The “undervaluing dance” seems noble. After all, it’s what we’ve been conditioned to think and feel. Don’t brag, be nice, be generous, all that.

Here’s the truth: undervaluing yourself and what you offer keeps your peeps unserved. And let’s be honest - it also feels really crappy. Not exactly supportive to creating the life you want!

One thing we tell ourselves is, “Oh, [insert gift here] is no big deal. It’s easy for me. How can I charge for that?” When you catch yourself saying those things, that’s your cue that you’re giving away gifts that should be properly valued.

(6-figure practice hint: when something comes easy for you, it should be valued even MORE highly.)

Here’s my coach’s request to you this week. Take a good long look at the talents, gifts, and skills. You know the ones - chances are they’re related to the work you really want to do in this world. Your calling. The reason why you were put here on this big blue ball called Earth.

Put ‘em in writing. Open your journal to a fresh page of paper. Make a list.

When you’re all done, make this promise to yourself: “I am going to OWN my gifts… even if it’s not comfortable.”

Owning your gifts is THE critical mindset shift that makes a prosperous, purpose-driven life possible… and I want nothing less than that for you. As always, bright blessings and massive success…

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One of my favorite things in the world is… stories! Not surprising, given that I’m a writer. And I bet stories are among your favorite things, too.

Am I psychic as well as a storyteller? Well, yes, but that’s another, er, story. In this case, however, I’m making an educated guess.

You see, as a tribe, we human beings love stories. They’re how we communicate, how we persuade, how we entertain, how we learn. Indeed, stories are among the most powerful forces we use to shape our lives. And no stories are as important as the ones we tell ourselves over and over again - especially around money.

Sometimes these stories are really old. For example, an old money story that I picked up while growing up is that I couldn’t make the money I wanted doing what I loved. Or its variation, that financial abundance doing one’s “heartwork” was for other people, not me. And oh yeah - it would be a hard road (implicit story: I was bound to fail), so why even go for it?

Very damaging story, that one. (Sooooo over it!)

One of my favorite parts of my work is watching my clients release their old stories around money. One client changed her story from “A psychic business isn’t a real business” to “My business is the sacred business of healing others, and I demand that it be taken seriously.” As you might imagine, her income shot up. Plus, she started having a heck of a lot more fun.

Note that a story doesn’t have to be old to be damaging. Yes, you may have just crashed your car, had your wallet stolen, lost a check in the mail, or any number of financial hiccups. Yes, said hiccups are a pain in the butt. Let yourself be grumpy about it for a few minutes, then let it go. It’s time to get resourceful or that baggage will just weigh you down.

(If you experience these kinds of ‘bad money luck’ incidents often, I guarantee that’s something you want to take a look at. What’s really going on there?)

What kind of stories are you telling yourself around money? If your financial situation isn’t where you want it to be, it’s time to tell yourself a new story. You get to make it up.

One of my personal favorites is “I am resourceful and can create the money for the things I want.” (That one changed my life!) Another is, “Making fantastic money is part of my spiritual path.”

Also, if you find yourself talking out your negative money story to other people, it’s time to stop. Telling your story only keeps you stuck in your story. (Yes, I’ve been guilty of this too… until I cracked down on myself. Because it’s so important.)

Remember, you create the story of your life. The stories you tell are the stories you live. I invite you to step into an abundant 2010 by telling yourself and others supportive, resourceful stories around money. Bright blessings and massive success!

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