entrepreneurial mindset

How to Conquer Biz Burnout and Get Your Creativity Back

August 15, 2018

In the last little while, I have felt burnt out. I believe this is a result of a busy spring and me doing a lot of new things and being a lot more creative in my business. After being so busy, I hit a wall in July.

I wanted to discuss the feeling of hitting a wall. It comes in all forms. It can be the feeling of being burnt out, not having a lot to give, and maybe even feeling like you’re not in the right line of work.

This is especially true for entrepreneurs who may be wondering if it is all worth it. If maybe working a 9-5 and being able to leave it all at the door when they come home is better than running their own business. This question is always there for entrepreneurs and it’s not wrong to explore that.

When I hit walls or feel powerless, I know that it means I need to do a little more digging and exploration within me. I hit a wall after the spring when I offered my own e-course, a workshop as well as my one-on-one work. I knew I had hit it because I love to communicate and I am an extrovert, yet I found myself not wanting to connect and be out there on social media via video, etc.

I needed to find out what was going on with me.

I was caught up with my beliefs around work. Our beliefs are fairly universal: we need to work to make money and be successful, etc. This is generally inherited from our ancestors, who literally needed to work all the time. Working in the fields, doing laundry by hand, etc. We still run a lot of these beliefs – to the point that it can burn us out. In addition, we are constantly on our screens – constantly connected.

I felt I was only successful if I was working like a dog. This comes from my parents and my husband. Thankfully, I also had a lot of influences letting me know that is okay to take some time off. To take time to do things that bring me pleasure. By doing this, I opened myself up to creating space for other ideas and moments.

Entrepreneurs, especially those who are parents, don’t often take time off for themselves. We don’t allow ourselves time to sit and be quiet. So, upon discovering my own wall and how to move past it, I now invite you to take some time to just be quiet. To let the voices come in that will tell you what you need to do next. The ideas that will take your business to the next level. These voices will only come in if you take the time to be quiet and create the space to allow these voices to come in.

If you allow this space and silence, you will get the inspiration you need to figure out what you have to offer this world, how you can be the most productive, and be in your zone of genius. This is what came to me this summer when I took the time to be quiet.

If you have been working the summer away – stop. Take some time out. Take the time needed to figure out what the best move for you is. Whether it is an hour a day to take a walk or months off – take the time to you need to reconnect with yourself.

If you need some extra help figuring out how to reconnect with yourself, let’s chat about your situation and figure out if I can help.

Three Ways Feminine Energy Will Grow Your Business

June 11, 2018

Three ways feminine energy will grow your business The exploration of feminine energy is a topic that has come up a lot. Men and women can bring in feminine energy to help grow their business, so it is not about being ‘anti-male’ energy. We are a balance of 50/50 male and female energy, but today, I am talking about three ways of embracing your feminine energy so you can grow your business. This applies to both female AND male business owners.

What is Masculine Energy?

Are you living in your masculine energy too much? Most time is spent in masculine energy. Spending time in male energy is more often than not seen as more important than female energy by society. Male energy can be defined as burning the midnight oil to the point of burn out. It has to do with being too goal-oriented, working to the point of exhaustion, being competitive, setting hard goals for ourselves, etc. This could also include feeling as though we have to “suck it up” when experiencing an injury or hurt or spending too much time focusing on the competition.

What is Feminine Energy?

Feminine energy is collaboration, creativity, inclusiveness, listening to ourselves and our bodies, taking time out for ourselves, nurturing, etc. Basically, anything we associate as feminine. Being in touch with your feminine energy can grow your business.

Three ways to pay attention to your female energy

Listening – Listen to your clients and understand what they struggle with and how you can help them. Listening to this and being able to communicate how you can solve their problems will make them want to work with you and keep you in their lives.
Collaboration – whether you are building a business or looking to grow your business, you need to connect with communities and tribes that can support your initiative. Collaborate with other like-minded business people who can support and spread the word about you and your business. This could lead to business partnerships and referrals. It could also mean having a fellow business owner you can rely on for an open ear over coffee to discuss entrepreneurship. Collaboration is all about surrounding yourself with those who understand you.
Intuition – Use your intuition (what you feel) to guide your business. Instead of listening to your male energy that tells you something is logical and therefore you should do it, listen to your intuition. What do your feelings tell you? This is what Oprah Winfrey did in her career. While everyone was telling her to do one thing, she listened to and followed her intuition. She was told her magazine would not make any money and that her television network would not succeed, but she proved them wrong and followed her intuition, which proved prosperous!

Remember, the feminine energy can be applied to both men and women – we are a balance of 50/50 male and female energy. Being in touch with your feminine energy is being in touch with your feelings and with those around you in a way that will help you grow your business.

For more information on how to get in touch with your feminine energy book a free clarity call or join my free Facebook Community. It’s filled with other like-minded business owners who are looking to grow their businesses through a healthy mindset.

Stop fearing what will happen if you raise your prices!

April 19, 2018

Time and time again I hear from people who feel they are over-delivering and under paid. When they look at their numbers at the end of the month they are not seeing the money they wish they had for the work they were doing.

I understand that feeling. For many years, I undercharged for services and before that I negotiated contracts for myself. I sucked at it. And I didn’t have anyone to guide me, until someone I worked with, guided me. When it came to asking people to pay me, I was too concerned with what other people felt and what their money fears and baggage were – instead of focussing on my own. I abdicated my responsibility for my own money mindset. When I realized what I was doing, I decided to start focussing on my money mindset.

By working on my money mindset, I was able to overcome the fears I have about raising my prices. I stopped leaving money on the table!

If you have reached your income ceiling and want to raise that ceiling then you need to work on your money mindset. Whether you are self-employed or working at a career where you know you should be earning more – don’t leave money on the table! Too often entrepreneurs are not charging their worth.

I am running a free webinar specifically on this topic. It’s Wednesday, April 25th at 4 p.m. and if you can’t make it live, still sign up – a replay will be sent to everyone who enrols. Many of us have beliefs about where we ‘should’ be financially, and those beliefs can limit us from really making the money we can make. Join me on the 25th and stop fearing what will happen if you raise your prices or ask your boss for more money!

What to do when clients want you to work weekends and evenings

April 14, 2018

What to do when clients want you to work weekends and evenings If you’re a mompreneur or a parent who runs their own service-based business, it can be tough to set boundaries with clients. I have clients who ask me what to do when they are asked to work weekends and evenings – a commitment that can be very tough as a work-at-home parent.

There are a few key things you can do when your clients ask you to work weekends and evenings when that is not what you want to do.

Set Boundaries

When you first start working with a client, be very clear on what hours and days you are available to work. You need to put these hours in your calendar and you need to stick with them. Be clear and concise when communicating these hours with your clients.

Of course, this can be easier said than done.

Value Yourself

Often what happens is money fears come in – business owners worry clients will walk away and won’t come back. So, they accept that they will have to work evenings and weekends, and eventually grow resentful and overwhelmed.

People get locked in their business when they start working hours that don’t work well for their personal life. This creates self-sabotage, which can stall or ruin a business.

Before committing to something you don’t really want, you need to understand the value that you bring to your clients.

Why do your clients need you?

What value do you bring to your clients?

These are important questions because once you know the answers, you will be able to stand in your power and effectively communicate the hours you want to work.

Work on your money mindset

You also need to work on your money fears. Money mindset is one of the biggest things that can block you from success in your business.

If your clients value you and your work then they will find the time to work with you. They will understand the value they are getting from you. In return, you will avoid feeling resentful and overwhelmed and will enjoy the work you do for them.

Get clear. Talk to me about your mindset blocks and struggles that are blocking you from reaching success. I am offering free 45-minute consultation calls and I also have a lovely free Facebook Group filled with entrepreneurs and small business owners. Don’t wait until the self-sabotage settles in – start working on your mindset struggles now.

Bought a Business Planner but Never Follow Through?

December 22, 2017

A business planner is typically a physical book where business owners create intentions. It helps in the creation of a plan for your business set out in days, weeks and months. It helps you get organized and helps you take action. Many business owners, including myself, invest in business planners with the intent of filling them out, but some business owners never actually fill them out. Have you ever bought a business planner but never follow through? I recently purchased the business planner, Productive, which is produced by business coach, Shelagh Cummins in hopes of writing out my goals and working toward achieving them. I plan on following through.

Are you procrastinating?

There are many different kinds of planners and they are all great tools for your business unless you are getting in your own way of filling them out. How do you know if you are getting in your own way? It’s if you start off strong and then the enthusiasm wears off and you stop using your planner.The mindset block that may be contributing has to do with procrastination.

If you bought a planner for the new year, but have a history of procrastinating, I want you to sit down and write the first thing that comes to mind as to why you may not take action and fill in your planner this year (or in past years).

Why are you procrastinating?

Don’t think too much about it – what’s the first thing that you think of? Is it not enough time? Is it a fear of failure?

Often people are fearful of committing to taking action. They are afraid that if they write it down or verbalize something and it doesn’t happen then they have failed. If this is the case, ask yourself – what’s the worst that could happen if you fail? Will you feel embarrassed? Will you feel like a loser? Why is this?

Write down your thoughts or talk about it with a close friend. Think about what could be stopping you from taking action; from writing down your goals and working toward them. This will help you see what is stopping you and will help you work through the fears that are holding you back.

Writing things down or talking about them will also help you get clear on how to make your goals and plans happen. It will help you figure out what is stopping you from filling out that planner and will prevent procrastination.

If you struggle with procrastination and want to start taking action, set up a time to chat. I would love to help you dig deep into what is holding you back from a successful new year.

Breaking through mindset blocks

November 29, 2017

I recently joined Business Coach and Owner of Little Lotus Yoga, Amanda DeGrace on Facebook Live to discuss breaking through mindset blocks. I shared how I look deep into the mindsets of female entrepreneurs and business owners to help them break through any beliefs that may be holding them back.

This interview has to be one of my favourites so far, and the funny part is that I actually thought we were talking half an hour later than we did, so I hadn’t taken a shower yet, and I had just walked through the door from walking the dog. I literally just slapped on some makeup and jumped on the interview (note the flat hair). Lesson: don’t get rattled by not looking exactly how you want. It all works out in the end. This speaks to any fears I may have had surrounding visibility and putting myself out there.

Money beliefs

Our discussion started with the beliefs many business owners have surrounding money. When I work with people about their money mindset, we go all the way back to their ancestral experiences. These experiences are what we have learned and taken with us from our family, and are usually what we end up believing to be our truth. These beliefs could be surrounding not being able to afford something or saving and never spending money on anything. It is usually one extreme or the other.

You need to be aware of what your beliefs surrounding money really are. Take a look at how money is influencing your decisions. Is it a feeling of fear? If making a decision around money brings about feelings of fear then you need to dig deep to find out why that is. Where and why is money running the show? Are your decisions only being influenced by money or is there another reason?

Once you figure this out, observe people who are good with money. It doesn’t have to be someone you know personally. It can be a professional, such as Barbara Stanny, Denise Duffield-Thomas or even Oprah, all of whom are money mentors to many people. Find out what they believe and learn from them. Money should not be a taboo subject.

Charging your worth

In the past, Amanda has struggled and continues to see other business owners struggle with, charging their worth. There is this block that tells many female entrepreneurs that if we want something we shouldn’t ask too much for it because it could be looked at as being greedy. There is a struggle between growing big versus keeping a business small. Female entrepreneurs can end up pushing clients away in fear of growing too big. As well, women are more likely to give their time away, whereas men are more apt to charge for their time – why is this? What are the beliefs running underneath female entrepreneurs not charging their worth and growing to the size they want to grow to?

Visibility beliefs

Going big versus staying small goes beyond financial aspects of business, but also in an entrepreneur’s desire to be visible and put themselves out there. If you find yourself hesitating to speak at a conference or to attend networking events there is probably a belief running underneath that is preventing you from doing these things. There may be a mindset block that is stopping you, even though you know you need to do these things to grow your business.

Fear of success

Many times women will not reach high because they are afraid to reach a certain level of success. Part of the challenge is that women struggle to put themselves first. This can be for a variety of reasons, whether it is because we come from a family where our mothers stayed at home and devoted their entire lives to their children and their households versus working outside the home or for another reason that stems from our childhood. Somewhere there is a belief holding them back from achieving the business success they truly want!

At every stage of our business, there is a mindset we need to work on that is symptomatic of a set of beliefs we have. Whether that belief surrounds money, visibility, success or scarcity – you need to work on your beliefs in order to change your mindset. I invite you to watch the discussion Amanda and I had about business mindset and see if you can relate to any of the beliefs and mindset blocks we mention. If you would like to investigate these feelings and beliefs further, schedule a time to chat with me. It’s no obligation and there is no cost for an initial consultation call. If you know some of these mindset blocks are holding you back in your business, then you need to sit down and investigate why you are feeling the way you are if you ever want to move forward in your business.