Fact: There’s lots of cranky people who will hear you talk about your business or your business idea – and they’ll tell you to “get real.”
They’ll remind you that 6 million people start a business each year.
Then they’ll tell you that one out of three of these will fail.
They have no stomach for phrases like “follow your passion.”
But, let’s not fault these grouchy left-brain types, okay?
After all, building a successful business isn’t for wimps. And yes, it IS challenging at times.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t succeed.
Take me for instance.
I started out soaring high on my crazy-ass music dream convinced that if I built it, then the money, fame and fans would flock to my door.
When that didn’t happen in a few months, I was bummed.
But each year, I learned how to run a business that supports the work I loved to do.
And when it came time to change my business model, I did that almost effortlessly based upon what I had already learned along the way.
And guess what? I never had to get grouchy or lose my original passion. (In other words, I know what I’m talking about here.)
So, here are 5 truths about building a successful business doing what you LOVE…
1 – Growth is Often Proportional to Investment
One of the gifts of owning your own business is that you learn how to be financially empowered and how to invest in yourself while creating a high return on that investment.
The old employee mindset says: “Hey, when the company pays for it, I’ll do it.”
As an entrepreneur, if you live in this entitled state-of-mind, you’ll never succeed. You must see money in a bigger way and invest in your own growth and education.
2 – Clarity Trumps Practicality
One of the most common questions I get from clients is this:
“Do you think my idea is practical, given this crazy economy?”
My answer is based on years of experience. You must decide to do it first, and then you can look at the practical aspects of it. That is the power of your commitment and your energy.
“Practical” is often a procrastination device! (Apologies to the sworn skeptics out there.)
Clarity trumps practicality. When someone is clear, and they take action from that place of clarity – then practicality becomes much more do-able.
3 – Systems are Cool.
If you are an entrepreneur, you’re probably great at “winging it.”
Only problem is that you live in chaos, and everything on your to-do list is urgent. Keep this up – and you’ll eventually burn out.
Systems require that you step back and look at your daily activities.
Systems require that you ask: “How does this work? How can I make it more effective?”
Systems allow you to step away from your work, take vacations, have weekends – and most blessedly, have lots of free space in your mind for creativity.
4 – Ignoring Marketing Doesn’t Make You Humble. (It makes you fail.)
I used to be a fan of the mantra: “Do what you love, and the money will follow.” It’s a beautiful philosophy. And true on some levels.
But I also used it as a way to ignore the business side of my work.
After all, hey, if I’m aligned with my purpose, the cash will follow – then I don’t ever have to deal with it, right?
Uh, wrong.
I’ve since learned that avoidance is not a game plan. Neither is hope.
Just because you’re scared to market yourself doesn’t mean you can’t do it!
When you learn how to authentically market yourself, you’ll never need money again.
5 –Use Your Left Brain and Right Brain
The right brain is far superior when it comes to writing, consulting, coaching, creating programs, training, speaking, and all of the stuff that makes your business great. You will want to go there often.
The problem is that many people ONLY want to live in the right brain. (Hey, it’s a pretty happenin’ place!)
However, your left-brain must play a role in your success. That’s because you need to communicate, strategize, build a team, create systems and do numbers, too.
In other words, a successful business owner uses both sides of the brain as she creates success. When you understand this, business gets a lot easier.
If you've ever believed it was impossible to be totally authentic AND make lots of money in your business - then you're not alone. Purposeful entrepreneurs want it REAL - and I promise to deliver! Get my FREE DVD, and I will walk you step-by-step through my own Uplevel Fast Track Formula for making money... on your own terms and in your own way. Enter your email and let's get started!
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{16 comments ... read them below or add one}
Thank you Christine for all your great advise. I live in Sweden and have just completed listening to you “phone call classes”. They were amazing! Thank you so much!
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Christine Kane Reply:
March 28th, 2012 at 10:33 am
You are so welcome Karin! Keep me posted on your progress! (Are you new to business?)
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Christine, I can’t disagree with a single point you’ve raised. You must have a plan, which must have measurable targets, you need drive and passion in what you are doing to make it work because it really is tough! I’ve recently launched an on-line Maternity Brand and the hardest part is getting visibility and endorsement and I am willing to give products for ppl to review to help them see how good they are! Perseverance and determination will bring rewards and yes, I am doing what I love!
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Christine Kane Reply:
March 28th, 2012 at 10:35 am
Thanks Zoe — I would add that one of the most important things for you right now is simple step-by-step action. List-building is a process. Relationship-building can’t be rushed or pushed. Focus on your marketing and relationships and success is guaranteed in time!
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Hi Christine!
Thought this was a great post and shared on my blog. Thanks for the great reminders.
Krystle
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Christine Kane Reply:
March 28th, 2012 at 10:35 am
Thanks Krystle!
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Thanks for the great advice, Christine, especially for tips #2 & #3. Clarity is SO important, and I’m realizing it more each day, and creating automated systems makes things much easier.
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Christine Kane Reply:
March 28th, 2012 at 10:36 am
Yeah, Nicole. Sometimes you hear a word like “clarity” and think “yeah yeah yeah, i’ve heard that.” But then when you test it out and see how PRACTICAL it is in how you manifest results — it becomes non-negotiable! Thanks for your note!
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Oh, Christine! I so needed this today. Right when I thought I’d hit the wall, this puts fire back in my gut
Motivation and Inspiration are SO NECESSARY. Thanks.
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Christine Kane Reply:
March 28th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
Go Erika!
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Nice article. Clarity and Passion … Left brain and right brain … so true! I really relate to the “And when it came time to change my business model, I did that almost effortlessly based upon what I had already learned along the way.”
Everything can be a stepping stone for what is next.
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Christine Kane Reply:
March 28th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
You got it, Colette!
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I am so happy to have you as my mentor!
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I hit a major block of resistance when I read #2, “Practical is often a procrastination device”. Well, my parents’ mantra was “is it practical?” and I heard it non-stop. It’s so ingrained that instead of studying fine art (painting, fibers) in college like I wanted to, I compromised and studied graphic design because it’s more practical. I overloaded my electives with the fine arts classes, graduated, and wound up in pre-press/print production (hated it) until the bottom fell out of my job. I’m looking at my future, trying to create a vision, and I keep running up against how impractical it seems.
So I’m having a real issue with #2. Which is GOOD! Because I realize a lot of my choices have been made out of practicality: choices I wish I hadn’t made; choices that have led to procrastination; choices that dumped me into a very “stuck” place.
I’m going to go meditate on this now.
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“Growth is Often Proportional to Investment” – I’m seein’ that now. First I invested in inventory, stuff to sell at my retail store. Necessary, but in the end not too smart. Lotsa debt and not much to shoe for it.
I’ve spent the last few years following that startup time investing every spare dime and minute of my time in myself – education, training, building relationships, etc. etc. Now the seeds are sprouting up all around me. It’s beautiful to see how this pays off! It just takes time.
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Balancing the right brain and the left brain is the best way to live life. For the past 6 years, I’ve been living exclusively in my left brain. Now I’m getting in touch with the creative, artistic, intuitive right brain. It’s all about balance.
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