Carolyn Ellis: » Problem Solving

Business Goals: 3 Keys to Make Powerful Course Corrections

Carolyn — Thu, 26 May 2011 16:57:03 +0000

“The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”

William Faulkner

As we approach the half-way mark of 2011, let me ask you a blunt question today, namely:

How well are you meeting or exceeding your goals set forth at the beginning of the year?

Is your business exactly where you projected it would be by early June? Or when you take an honest look at things, do you find that you’ve somehow veered off course and wandered painfully far from your desired destination?

If you resonate with the latter, try to put your inner perfectionist to rest and don’t get too upset over it. The road to success hardly ever runs in a straight line and these things happen frequently in business and life.

Take for example the first mission to the moon. Did you know that the spaceship was off course over 90% of the time en route? Yet despite all of these errors and problems along the way, we celebrate the fact that the spaceship landed precisely at the targeted destination, just at the right time. In fact, the need to course correct along the way to adjust for different variables was built into the flight plan.

The same can still hold true with your business. You can be woefully off course today and still make or exceed all of your expectations by December.

The key is making swift and honest course corrections now so you can get back on track tomorrow.

Course corrections don’t necessarily mean you have to scrap all of your plans for the year! In fact, you may find that the answer was as simple as making a few price adjustments or simplifying a process that was way more complicated than it needed to be. You just have to be flexible to identify what’s throwing you off and make tweaks accordingly.

Here are 3 key questions you can use to guide you to make any powerful and needed course corrections to ensure you have a brilliant and successful year:

What is Working Brilliantly? Take an honest assessment and figure out what IS working well in your business. What efforts are bringing in the most money? What brings the most referrals or repeat business? Once you identify what’s working, start to think about how you can build upon your existing strengths to duplicate these results.
What is Not Working So Brilliantly? It’s hard to admit that what we thought was a brilliant idea turned out to be a flop. It’s a blow to the ego and to the soul, especially when you’ve worked so hard to bring it to life. But to get back on track, you need to identify such things so you can either adjust your plan or scrap an approach that doesn’t seem to be working.
What Brilliant Course Corrections Will You Take Now? Now it’s time to make course corrections based on your honest evaluation. Where can you make an adjustment that gets you better leverage and better results? Perhaps it’s time to spruce up that sales copy or block time off to connect with former clients. Maybe you need to delegate some tasks so you can get the job done right and done with better speed. Or maybe you need to conduct more market research to determine what potential clients really want from you. Small, consistent course corrections along the way can get you back on track quickly so you can cross the finish line this year in flying colors!

STEP INTO YOUR BRILLIANCE

Block off 1 hour this week to do a mid-year review. Pull out the 2011 business goals you set as well as any New Year’s resolutions you made. Commit to being honest with yourself, not judgmental. As you review your plans, use the 3 questions set forth above. Once you’ve identified what needs to be corrected in your business, map out your new 6-month plan and take action.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE?  If you want to use this feature article in your ezine, blog or web site, you can! I just ask that you include this complete statement with it:

Brilliant Communication: 3 Signs Your People Pleaser Has Grabbed the Microphone

Carolyn — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:34:29 +0000

(If you prefer to listen to the audio version of this week’s article instead, just click “Listen Now” below!)

“First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.”
Epictetus

The ability of your business to grow is directly linked with your ability to powerfully articulate and communicate your passion, vision, and the value you bring to the world.

It’s like the beacon that a lighthouse casts to guide ships through treacherous waters.

But let me ask you, how many times have you backtracked or even diluted your core message out of fear someone might not like it?

How many times have you let the fear of criticism or judgment from other people (many of whom are not even your ideal clients) cause you to feel wishy-washy or just plain tongue-tied?

We all have a natural tendency to want to be liked and to please others. Yet when this desire gets so out of balance that it causes you to shut your mouth and bury your brilliance, the health and stability of your Brilliance Backbone stands compromised.

I commonly refer to the gremlin behind this spinal attack as the “People Pleaser.” Its big goal is to shatter the Communications vertebrae in your Brilliance Backbone so your message stays muzzled or mystifying.

How you communicate, whether in written or in spoken form, is what convinces clients or prospects that they need you—that they must work with you—and that you have the answers to the problems they are desperately trying to solve.

3 Signs Your People Pleaser Has Grabbed Your Microphone

If you have a feeling you’re not showing up as powerfully as you could in the world, chances are your “People Pleaser” has elbowed your brilliant leader away from the podium and stolen the microphone instead. Here are 3 signs that indicate this gremlin is hard at work:

1. Communicating what you think others WANT to hear

Instead of boldly speaking your mind, you tailor your message and your opinions based on what you think others want to hear from you. People can feel it when we waffle – and so can you. In this process of pre-judging and assessing others, we are taken out of our brilliance and authenticity.

2. Constantly Sugar Coating the Truth

You’re reluctant to express how you really feel, often sugar coating the feedback or criticism you might have offered if you felt truly free to speak your mind. Although this may feel “acceptable” and even “graceful” in the short-term, it eventually causes a major blockage in our energetic flow. Our unspoken truths become grudges, resentments and will find an outlet eventually down the road, in things like sarcasm or passive-aggressive behavior.

3. Avoid Confrontation Like the Plague

If you find yourself constantly talking around issues or being indirect, chances are you are speaking from your head and not your heart. People can’t pick up the energetic transmission you are offering and you’re diluting your truth. Remember, part of brilliance is taking a stand for yourself and the “People Pleaser” will always try to ensure you settle for less than you deserve.

STEP INTO YOUR BRILLIANCE

Ready to regain control of the microphone and kick the People Pleaser off the stage? Take some time this week to do an inventory of where your People Pleaser is showing up. Maybe it’s a conversation you’re avoiding or a situation that feels unclear. Do a gut check and identify at least one such place. Then identify the conversation you need to have and imagine handing the microphone to your Brilliant Leader instead of your People Pleaser. Notice the difference and make a commitment to reenact this scene of clarity, power and directness on a daily basis.

3 Keys to Transforming Your Relationship with Money

Carolyn — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 22:39:11 +0000

If you’d rather listen to the audio of this post, click below to listen!

I want to ask you a blunt question today, namely, “If money was your friend, what would it say about you?”

I know this may seem like an odd question, but I really want you take a moment and think about it because the answer means everything as it relates to your business success this year.

Would money describe you as a caring and compassionate partner, one who is fully committed to her growth and sustainability? Or would it have more complaints than praises about you, asking:

“Why do you only call me when you need something?”

“Why are you so ashamed of me that you refuse to deal with our issues in an open, honest and forthright way?” or

“Why are you so selfish with me that you lock me up like a prisoner and keep me away from the rest of the world?”

If you decide you’ve been energetically giving your money the cold shoulder somehow, it’s time to take some immediate action to bring confidence, clarity and your brilliance to how you handle your money and abundance. This is especially important if you are committed to taking your business to new levels of financial prosperity this year.

Remember, your business will only grow as big as you grow yourself. Therefore, it’s critical that you do whatever it takes to make sure your relationship with money is healthy, supportive and primed for lasting growth.

Otherwise your lack of clarity and struggles in this area will sabotage your cash flow every single time. You’ll ramp up your marketing and start making more money only to see it flow out the door faster than ever. You’ll never truly get the revenue you deserve from your clients because of that pesky voice that says, “You’re not worth that much” or “You don’t deserve that much”. And of course you’ll take ride after ride on the cash-flow rollercoaster until you’re physically sick, exhausted and ready to call it quits for good.

I don’t want to see that happen to you or your business! Fortunately, the tools to make a difference are right at your fingertips. Put the following 3 keys into action and you’ll be well on your way to transforming your relationship with money as we go into the New Year:

Key #1 – Give Loving Attention to Your Money

Like any good friend, we need to pay attention to our money regularly. As one of my mentors, Kendall Summerhawk, likes to say money loves attention. Money will get it your attention one way or the other, whether positive or negative. The simple act of tracking your income on a daily basis is a great step to shift your relationship with money.

Key #2 – Stop Your Money Leaks

Think of money as simply a form of energy that flows and circulates in the form of green paper. The more we can focus our energy and attention, the more powerfully we can direct it towards creating and receiving abundance. Things like unpaid bills, uncollected invoices, unopened piles of mail or unfiled paper work nag at our attention and create energetic leaks. When we stop the energetic drains we tolerate around us, our sense of abundance grows and manifests.

Key #3 – Climb on Your Own White Horse

The brilliant entrepreneur shows up as a spiritual grown up around her money, not the little girl who waits and hopes for somebody else to come along on the big white horse to rescueher. Educate yourself and get whatever support you need. Realize it’s time to saddle up and that you are the only one who can take charge of your life.

So instead of beating yourself up or sticking your head in the sand, I encourage you today to get honest about your relationship with money. Start taking the steps necessary to iron out the areas where you aren’t feeling confident or clear so you can create space for abundance and total prosperity. Show the Universe you mean business and watch 2011 become your best fiscal year yet!

Step Into Your Brilliance

Stop to review the state of your current relationship with money and your feelings about your finances in general. Feel whether your energy feels expanded or contracted. Brainstorm a list of any area where you feel like your relationship with money and finances is not fully in alignment and support of your brilliance.

Be specific. Some examples could include seeing where you have bills that need to be paid, revenue to collect from others or your filing system needs to be uplevelled. Choose the area that feels most stuck for you and block off 15 minutes this week to focus on taking care of that specific situation.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE?

If you want to use this feature article in your ezine, blog or web site, you can! I just ask that you include this complete statement with it:

When the Wind Blows, Find Your Flow

Carolyn — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 07:00:39 +0000

As the brilliant leader of your business, you know that as you reach for bigger goals and dreams, inevitably glitches, push-back and set-backs often appear. For example, you’re in the middle of a new product launch, you’ve got it all planned out how it’s “supposed to go” and you make the decision to forge ahead.

But then unexpected things start to happen. A critical team member becomes ill and needs to be replaced. Mercury goes retrograde and your computer and website start to do funny things. You feel your anxiety level start to rise and question whether these are “signs” you are headed in the wrong direction. It’s like a mighty wind has shown up out of nowhere, trying to push you back to where you started.

When the wind starts to blow, a brilliant entrepreneur finds her flow. It’s like you’ve been out there paddling on the ocean, you spot the wave and you jump up on the board to ride it to shore. And the ride isn’t necessarily smooth or effortless. As Jon Kabat-Zinn says, “You can’t stop the wave, but you can learn to surf.”

The ability to operate in the midst of chaos from a centered, connected place is critical to living in your brilliance. Here are a few tips on how you can do that:

Breathe into your Belly — When your emotions start to run high, stop and take a few deep, centering breaths. Making important choices when your body is flooded with adrenalin isn’t the best strategy for long-term success.

Take a Big Step Back — Gain perspective by stepping back from the immediate crisis and take a “big picture” view. What issues are truly at stake here right now? What lessons are there for you to learn?

Find Your Flow by Staying in the Present Moment — Be vigilant about staying in the present moment as you deal with the unexpected. When everything feels out of control, identify what IS within your control. Take inspired and consistent action on those things that need your attention right away.

Manifester’s Block: 4 Tips for Brilliant People

Carolyn — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 07:00:19 +0000

Brilliant people tend to be creative people. So, have you ever felt totally inspired to create something or see a fabulous way to solve a problem, but then you get bogged down when it comes to implementation? The initial burst of creativity gets buried in your mind under an avalanche of thoughts, questions, and fears that can ultimately block your progress, wear you out, and zap your confidence. You’ve heard of writer’s block. But I think there’s a phenomenon I’m going to call “Manifester’s Block,” which is what happens in your mind that puts on the brake to your dreams.

Let me offer an image for what Manifester’s Block looks like. Imagine a traffic circle in a large city. Visualize all sorts of roads coming into the traffic circle, packed with cars and trucks. As the cars enter the circle, they have to weave from side-to-side, as they try to go around the circle and exit at the appropriate turnoff.

Now imagine that scene of traffic chaos taking place in your mind when you come down with a case of Manifester’s Block. There are roadways of creative thoughts and critical thoughts. There are roadways of execution, planning, and communication. The thoughts come streaming in all at the same time, like the biggest rush-hour commute you’ve ever seen, and in the resulting confusion you end up in procrastination or doubt.

Put Your Traffic Cop on Active Duty
As soon as you notice and feel yourself getting blocked, stop and take some deep breaths as you quiet your mind and call upon your internal traffic cop. Affirm to yourself that all thoughts will be heard and respected, but just not all at the same time.
Handle Each Roadway One at a Time
Direct your attention to one roadway at a time. Manifester’s Block happens because we’re trying to listen to our creative, critical and execution thoughts all at the same time. You need to break them out and tune into those different types of thoughts in sequence, not simultaneously, to avoid confusion.
Give Right-of-Way to Your Creativity
Give your heart and soul free rein to speak to you by brainstorming all of your ideas, desires and dreams. If other thoughts like “But HOW are you going to do that?” interrupt you, just tell them “I’ll get back to you in a few minutes. Right now I’m just letting my creative juices flow!”
Ask Your Critic to Ask Questions
Ask your internal critic to give you its feedback in the form of questions. Strong declarative statements like “You are never going to succeed!” just don’t take you anywhere productive. However, turning that into a question like “How are you going to succeed in this?” can be very helpful. Why? The brain loves to answers questions, so your mind will immediately start working on coming up with all of the things you would need to have in place in order to be successful.