Posted on the SOAR! blog today! The business coaching exercise this month is always the first thing we do with everyone we coach. You'll figure out what stage of business development you are in, set a goal based on that stage, and begin to envision what is possible. In other words, identify what is so, what you want to accomplish, and what you desire. Last month In the What is So Exercise one mom told us that so far she has a camera, one lens, a shared family computer, a "good eye", and beginner level skills. She does not yet have a separate bank account or the software she needs. Another mom has 2 cameras & lenses, studio space, established bank accounts, a CPA, advanced technical skills, a local photographer network and more. They are at different levels of bringing their company into existence! I don't know about you, but lots of women judge them selves when they describe how far they've come with their business. "I'm confused. I don't know how to do it. I'm a loser. I'm never going to succeed." Sound like anyone you know? And this kind of self 'dis' is just as common with both moms I described above! It's crazy, isn't it? Did you learn to appreciate what works when you were a kid? Most of us didn't. We learned to focus on what needs improvement, on a "critique" as the best way to grow. Well, we took it too far! So many of the women that Fay and I coach feel stuck in 'not enough'! We all do it sometimes, but when it gets in the way of acting on what we want most in life, it's got to go. What's the antidote to that bad habit of cutting yourself down? Appreciate what is so - what you DO have in place that you can claim as part of your business foundation. Own what is "good" instead of focusing on what you "lack". This is key to building the business and a deeply satisfying life. Appreciation is powerful! With self-acknowledgment you start to access deeper feminine strengths that you can count on. Your business coaching exercise today is three part. First, use your What is So exercise from last month to identify which of these five stages mirror your business today. Last month in the MOMENTUM teleseminar the women found these stages "extremely helpful" and said, "it's a relief to stop feeling like I should be in stage 4 because I don't yet have the system and structures in place! I'm in stage 2."How about you? Where is your business right now? The Stages of Bringing a Business into Existence and into MomentumPre-Formulation: This is the time of conception, just starting to put your ideas and vision together. When I'm coaching a woman at this stage she says things like, "I love taking pictures and I wish that I could use that to earn some money for my family. But, I'm not sure I'm good enough."Formulation: Like being 4 months pregnant, you are on the path to building a business. Maybe you've set up a blog (but you're barely writing in it), opened a bank account, came up with a company name, watched "Beyond the Green Box" 10 times until you know your camera inside out, and offered free photo shoots to friends and family to build your portfolio.Concentration: This is the "doing" stage (remember the first couple months after birth!). You are putting 10 in to get 1 out as you work on website, financial systems, designing logo and ads, learning new software, setting up online accounts, and getting some clients. If someone asks, you can finally say (without choking) "I'm a photographer with my own business."Low-Momentum: Whew! Finally, that intensely concentrated time of doing, doing, doing starts to pass and now you are putting 5 in and getting 1 out. Things are starting to happen on their own. Happy clients refer more clients. You trade tips with other photographers.High-Momentum: Like a snowball rolling down the hill, things are really starting to grow. It's still a lot of work but your systems are in place, your reputation proceeds you, and it's more like putting 1 in and getting 5 out. You start to look for ways to innovate, improve quality, and extend your reach. You are a confident photographer.So where are you? Take a minute and write down the stage you are in and what you are in the midst of doing right now that is building your business. (This is not the list of what else you need to do! This is the list of what you are currently doing. What is So is good, right, and...what's so!)Ready for exercise #2? Based on the stage you are in...what is your business Goal for the year? Is it: to double the size of your existing business (Stage 5) or to develop your portfolio and self-confidence (Stage 2)? Ready, set, write it down! Be conservative or make it BIG. Whatever feels realistic & doable...but barely - make it also a stretch. When your goal builds on What is So you'll start to take actions that build your self worth, instead of beating yourself up. The truth will free up your creativity and energy! You'll feel smarter, more capable, and hopeful. Ever tried to blow up a brand new balloon? (Of course you have! You are mom's!) You know how it's a lot easier to blow up a balloon that's a little bit blown up than it is to blow up a balloon that is brand new or totally deflated? It's the same with business momentum. Notice what momentum you do have to get more momentum! Give yourself that gift and you'll start to discover something deep and true and alive that is beautiful - your feminine wisdom!Now share your goal for the year with 5 other women (not just your loving husband!) There is a lot of power in saying it out loud. Write it up in the SOAR! Forum and reach out to support each other! Now to the last part of the exercise - take 5 minutes in your morning pages and journal to this question in order to discover your desires and what is possible: "If you woke up tomorrow morning and your work day was 100% improved, what would be different? How would you know it was 100% improved? What would your day feel, taste, look like, smell, sound like? What would be your rhythm or pace?" Ok, now let's hear from Linda, Lindsay, and Jennifer at the SOAR! blog this week - what stage are you in ladies, what is your goal for this year, and what is 100% improved like for you? Here's to increasing your business momentum!Karen---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Do you sometimes feel less confident than you want to? Join Fay and Karen this coming Wednesday at noon PT for What to Do When Your Confidence Wobbles.Is it your time to listen to the woman inside of you who yearns for "something more"? In the Next Octave Intensive you'll enjoy retreats, coaching, weekly support, and inspiration. You'll "open to a new, relaxed, joyful path that leads right where you've always wanted to go with your business!"The next Igniting the Flame workshop is now open for registration.
