Whats Holding You Back from Your Business Success
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Many business owners are struggling with their success and don't know why.
Are you one of them? Perhaps you've analyzed the workings of your business with
a fine-tooth comb. You've even hired a consultant to come in and poke around.
You've tweaked here, nipped there, and still something's not right. What could
it be?
Well, have you checked your thoughts lately? Yes, thoughts. While many
factors can contribute to a lack of business success, the one most often
overlooked is what you are thinking about. Ignore your thoughts, and you will be
dispensing with one of your most powerful business allies.
Why are thoughts so important? Because your thoughts influence your feelings.
How you feel influences what actions you take. And the actions you take have a
direct influence on the results you achieve. Here's how to align your inner
thoughts with your outer business success.
Step 1 - Identify What You Want
Below is a list of 20 words and phrases often used to describe a successful
business. Circle the three that most represent how you want your business to be:
- Prosperous
- Thriving
- Successful
- Inspirational
- Booming
- Solid
- Doing Well
- Exciting
- Gratifying
- Lucrative
- Sustainable
- Strong
- Growing
- Flourishing
- Profitable
- In the black
- Cost Effective
- Rewarding
- Stimulating
- Fun
Next, copy the three you circled and add two more of your own.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Now, put feelings to your thoughts. Beside the five success words and phrases
listed above, jot down the first one-word feeling that comes to you about that
thought.
1. Example: Successful - Thrilled
2.
3.
4.
5.
Next to the feeling, rate on a 1-4 star scale just how strong this feeling is
for you.
1. Example: Successful - Thrilled - 4 stars
2.
3.
4.
5.
Now, write any clarifying comment about your thought and feeling.
1. Example: Successful - Thrilled - 4 stars - This is exactly how I want my
business to be.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Step 2 - The "Yeah, but What If . . ." Process
This is a very important step, so don't skip it. It examines your business
from the inside out by identifying any doubts, worries, anxieties, or fears that
the voice inside your head is expressing.
The "Yeah, but what if..." process will help you silence the chatter of your
mind so you can identify which thoughts are getting in the way of and
undermining your business success. Best of all, this step will get your thoughts
down on paper, making them tangible and releasable.
Of the five "clarifying comments" you wrote down (above), circle the one
comment that most deeply resonates with you. Then, write next to it all the
doubts, worries, anxieties, and fears that pop into your mind that begin with
the words "yeah, but what if."
Example: This is exactly how I want my business to be (clarifying comment).
Yeah, but there is no way I'm going to have the kind of success I want. I don't
know what I'm doing and don't have enough money. What if I don't attract enough
clients to make this work, run out of money, get sick, and don't have enough
time to put into my business?
Step 3 - The Release
Now it's time to do a symbolic release of the thought that is keeping you
from your business success. This one act may not entirely get rid of the
thought. It will, however, alert your subconscious mind that you intend to
release that thought and replace it with one that is more aligned with your
business success. Have some fun with this release process!
Take the piece of paper containing your clarifying comment and "yeah, but
what if" worry, doubt, anxiety or fear and, with great enthusiasm and vigor,
crumple it up and get rid of it. You can throw it away, burn it (safely), or
shred it to pieces. While you're doing this, say out loud: I release all doubts
and fears that hold me apart from my business success. I am willing and ready to
be successful now.
Finally, remove the thought from your sight by sweeping away the ashes,
flushing the pieces, or emptying the wastebasket into an outside trash bin.
Congratulations! You've now gone through a very powerful process.
Quick and easy to do, this process will reveal which thoughts are keeping you
apart from your business success. Then it will align your inner thoughts and
feelings so that you can take the most inspired and productive outer actions.
Whenever you find yourself struggling in your business, turn to these three
steps to help you find out why.
About the Author
Susan L. Reid, DMA, Small Business Start Up Coach & Consultant is the author
of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to
Business Success. Hailed as The Secret for business, Susan is known for taking
the fear out of small business start-ups for entrepreneurial women. For
intuitive small business solutions, powerful attraction marketing tools,
inspiration and direction, visit
http://SuccessfulSmallBizOwners.com
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Article Published/Sorted/Amended on Scopulus 2007-12-10 22:03:07 in Personal Articles
