Urgency vs importance & new commitments to the health of my business

Last week in my coaching call with Kyeli, we discussed the difference between urgency and importance.  WHOA! I so needed clarity around this.

We explored how so much of the demands on our time and attention from technology are often urgent, but not important.

All those beeps, rings, and songs from our computers and mobile phones are screaming out for our attention, but are they truly as important as they claim to be? No, most of the time they are not.  We respond to our devices like they are those machines in the hospital monitoring vital signs.  Yet, our mobile devices really aren't giving us information that's as crucial as vital signs, even if we respond to them as if they are.

This got me to thinking about how much of my time and attention is diverted from what is really important to my business as I automatically respond to the urgency coming from all directions. As I think about it, I see I have a terrible habit of wanting to “deal” with the demanding stuff first, believing I couldn't relax and focus on the important stuff until the demands were gone. But just like the kitchen sink, my inbox always needs tending. It will never be completely clean, and it's just setting myself up for non-productivity if I only relax and work on important stuff when it's empty.


I discovered that even though I easily ignore my devices when another person is in the room with me so I can give them my complete attention, I am totally rude to myself!

I allow my attention to be diverted from what I'm working on when beeps, songs and chimes go off.  So, this is why the important stuff keeps being postponed. I spend my time trying to manage what's coming at me and get everything to "settle down", instead of taking control of my situation by setting boundaries.


The stuff I value, the self-care for my business, never quite gets the attention and focus that it needs as I run around feeling important because I am caught up in a cycle of urgency.

And yet, I know from first hand experience that if I don’t do my personal self-care (yoga, meditation, Reiki, wholesome foods, exercise, etc), my body starts to feel painy and my sleep isn’t great. Basically I feel crappy, and it's hard to focus and be attentive, creative and great at my work.  So after a lot of years of practicing, I’ve got fantastic self-care habits programmed to come first in my life. It's a requirement, not a luxury.

However, I need to reprogram my habits when it comes to my business. I've not been prioritizing the business-care things that need to come first (staying connected with clients and community, finishing projects on time, returning important emails & phone calls, keeping up with promoting and attracting clients, creative dates with myself, sacred focus time etc..) in order to keep my business thriving and growing.


Duh!  I was so busy being anxious that I forgot to stay on track.  Oops! I bet I'm not the only entrepreneur that has done this.  Have you?

I let myself get caught up in the urgency and demands technology makes possible. I feel pretty silly as I look at it now, but I know it’s totally true. I was conditioned like Pavlov's dog. Beep! Check-my-phone-reflex. Oy. Let's break that cycle, please.

I am seeing clearly now how much my business needs self-care just like my mind, body and spirit do.  It needs stronger boundaries, healthier habits and quality interactions. It's definitely time to create some new business-love-and-care routines so my business feels as great as I do.  It’s just a matter of carving out the time and attention to tending to those things FIRST, and leaving the busywork for in between moments, while you’re on hold listening to terrible music or heck just throw it out.


So I'm making some commitments to my business.  

I'm putting the important stuff first. I'm making my work time sacred and not allowing distractions to affect my focus. I'm evaluating whether I need to be on so many newsletters, following so many people on Twitter, Facebook and Google + and paring down so the focus on what's important is there. I'm shutting the constant alerts on my phone off so that it's not tempting me while I'm working on important stuff.  I'm keeping my email and browsers closed while I'm writing, working on curriculum and creative projects so that I don't get pulled into an interesting but irrelevant conversation.  I'm staying off all devices for some part of the work day so I can meditate and be creative without distractions.


Oh, it is so worth it.

I’m finding my days more peaceful and productive already. 

Talk about what you do

I hope you had a relaxing long weekend!

I was busy preparing for fall in so many ways, but I had plenty of time to relax too. I finished a book for book club this week and even had time to make a delicious soup. I also helped my sister prepare for the arrival of my new niece or nephew and dusted off and polished up something else close to my heart: the Heart-centered Entrepreneur Apprenticeship.

The new, improved Heart-centered Entrepreneur Apprenticeship includes the basic program: 6 weeks of Clearing your Path for Success, 6 weeks of Six Steps for Success, and 12 weeks access to the Heart-centered Entrepreneur Forum, but there are also some premium options now: a Mastermind Group and Private Coaching with me. Contact me if you're interested!

Today, I want to talk about what you do. It's the activity from Day 4 of the Buff your Business! Bootcamp. Building and maintaining a successful business requires the same kind of discipline as a fitness routine, as consistency is the key to success. Showing up every day for your business is just as important as showing up every day to your yoga mat.

Watch today's video here!

When someone asks you what do you do, are you someone who responds with "Ummm", your day job position title, or something vague like "I work for myself?" If you answer with "I'm a massage therapist" or "I'm a designer", you are getting closer to the truth but are still hiding behind these labels.

It is really important for heart-centered entrepreneurs to learn how to talk about what they do in a way that goes beyond vague, beyond merely factual description.

A heart-centered entrepreneur needs to be able to reach right out and touch someone by resonating with their heart with their words about the gifts they offer.

Using clear, revealing, heart-centered language can be scary on a number of levels, but it is so important to practice, practice, practice until it's as easy as saying your name. Telling people what you actually do is so important, even if it makes you feel vulnerable at first.

Let me give you an example by using myself. If I responded to what do you do with "I'm a business coach for holistic practitioners", what does that really tell you? Probably that I know something about some kind of business, but not really much to give you a clue to go on about what I actually do with my clients.

Instead, if I said to you - "I help heart-centered professionals develop the skills and courage they need to live a healthy, happy lifestyle that is fully supported by their heart-centered business."

Wow! The second one there is a lot more specific and descriptive. If any part of that resonates with you, you are going to have questions. You might want to know how I do that or what kind of businesses do my clients have or even what kind of skills I am teaching my clients. The questions are the point, though!

Questions start a conversation, and a conversation is a great opportunity for you to hone your communication style and talk about what you do.

A potential client could be searching for you anywhere. Think of all the people out there who need you but who don't know you can help them or don't know how to reach you. It's ok, even important, to tell everyone what you do, even if someone is not your ideal client, because they may have a friend, relative or neighbor needs what you can provide. The more your community knows who you are and what you do, the easier it will be for new clients to find you.

So how do you put together a specific answer to the what do you do question?

Well, sometimes this is called an elevator pitch (from back in the days when someone had 1 minute on an elevator to pitch an idea to the boss). Think of it today like condensing your message into a status update - clear, direct, concise and to the point.

Here's a formula for your offer:

"I help (describe ideal client in 1-3 words)(action) (solution to ideal client problems) so they can (reach goals or alleviate pain)."

It also will help to be prepared to answer follow up questions asking for details on how, why and when you help people so you can hold up your end of the ensuing conversation. The more you talk about what you do, the easier it gets. Also, talking about what you do generates excitement, interest and energy around you.

Tell 3 new people what you do today. Feel free to run it by a friend or colleague first for feedback.

Download your own copy of the Buff your Business! Bootcamp and join the Forum here.

If you're not feeling confident about your business and need support in identifying your ideal clients, crafting your offer, and communicating from the heart to your audience, the Heart-centered Entrepreneur Apprenticeship is where to start. The next program starts September 25th.

If you'd like to learn how to listen to your heart, get clarity about your path and hone your meditation and visioning skills, the Clearing Your Path for Success Learn-at-home Programis what you need. The Premium version of this program is included in the Apprenticeship, but the E-program includes a workbook and 5 guided meditations set to inspirational music that you can do at home by yourself or with a buddy.

Connecting from the heart

Watch my video here!

The Buff your Business! Bootcamp was inspired by my own experiences participating in online bootcamps for physical fitness. I love the challenge of working out every day, being held accountable and being able to share my ups and downs with a buddy or three. Bootcamps shared with friends are an extremely motivational and fun way to be disciplined and create habits that lead to success.

Building and maintaining a successful business requires the same kind of discipline as a fitness routine, as consistency is the key to success. Showing up every day for your business is just as important as showing up every day to your yoga mat.

There is no denying it - social media is the way people connect online. Short, snappy status updates on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and the new Google+ are the way to engage your audience and potential clients in conversation.

This is especially true if your ideal clientele are under 50 years old. If you happen to work with a more senior population, perhaps you can skip this step. Although, I know plenty of people in the 50-70 age group who research on Google, shop online and stay connected with family and friends on Facebook. So perhaps, unless you work specifically with a 75+ community, online socializing may not be a necessity.

Hmm. These elders may have children and caregivers who are likely researching online and staying connected via social media, so really, there is no excuse not to get comfortable using social media.

So whether your business sells heart-centered products or services, social media is a great way to expose people to your offerings. Think of those little status updates as mini-opportunities to connect with your ideal clients and introduce yourself.

Please, however, do not view your status updates as commercials. People are already bombarded with ads online and on tv, and social media is a place where you can make a heart connection with someone.

Yes, heart connections are even better on the phone or in person, but in this day and age you have to show up where people are - on their laptops, Ipads or smart phones. Think of social media as a way to get to know people so you can invite them to meet you in person later.

So let's get right to the important stuff: how do you make a heart connection with someone on social media?

By writing about what's close to your heart. By writing with passion and a generosity to share what you know and love. By commenting on other people's posts with love, kindness, and compassion. First impressions are still important, it's just now that more of them are taking place online these days.

So get creative and start a heart-centered dialogue with your audience on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or LinkedIn. Share interesting links related to your passion and sum up profound thoughts in 120 characters or less. You can do it! It's like challenging yourself to write in Haiku. "Social media / choose your words and phrases well / it will be archived."

Just do us all a favor and remember that consistency is not the same thing as repetition.

Consistency means showing up and sharing; whereas repetition becomes boring and annoying very quickly. You are welcome to direct people occasionally to your offers or craft an offer within a status update, but be careful not to turn your social media feed into a home shopping network.

Rule of thumb: keep direct promoting to 1 out of every 5-10 status updates you make. Let the rest of them be conversational and heart-centered so you can build a relationship that may turn into business one day. Need more guidance on how to connect from the heart using social media? Check out the suggested activities in the Buff your Business! Bootcamp E-book.

If you're not feeling confident about your business and need support in identifying your ideal clients, crafting your offer, and communicating from the heart to your audience, the Heart-centered Entrepreneur Apprenticeship is where to start. The next program starts in September.

If you'd like to learn how to listen to your heart, get clarity about your path and hone your meditation and visioning skills, the Clearing Your Path for Success Learn at Home Program is what you need. It includes a workbook and 5 guided meditations set to inspirational music that you can do at home by yourself or with a buddy.

What are you offering?

Creating a successful business requires the same discipline as establishing healthy habits for physical well-being. The reality, just like with working out, is that lots of people are sporadic with promotional activities. Let's break the cycle of despair and create successful, steady promotional habits to keep your business flowing smoothly all year long.

While it takes discipline and commitment to get consistent results in your business, it doesn't have to be dreary. The seven different bootcamp days are designed to keep you on your toes and inspire you to get creative with your promotional activities so they are fun for you.

So without further ado, Day 2 - Make an Offer (every time!). Watch my video here.

Making a confident, heart-centered offer while face to face with someone is the best opportunity for transitioning an interested person into a client.

In a client ~ practitioner relationship, it's your responsibility to make it as seamless and easy for someone to book a session as possible. Handing them your card and walking away is a lost opportunity. When my friendCatie Shoenfarber gave a workshop to The Healing Centerpractitioners, she emphasized that making a heart-centered offer EVERY time is the way to start filling the pipeline of your business.

So, how do you create a heart-centered offer?

Your offer needs to be positive, specific and include your next available session (up to 3 options) as well as your confidence that you can help the person.

Catie suggested crafting formulas for your offers that you can practice until they become second nature. Choose your offers based on your goals for the year to help you meet them.

An example of a specific, heart-centered offer is: "I understand your situation, and I can help you. This is what I specialize in, and I have been able to help other clients reach the same place. I would love to work with you in reaching your goals, here are my openings this week." Tweak this offer with specific details about your own practice.

Don't hand the responsibility over to the client to contact you later to schedule the appointment.

Catie pointed out that you offering a specific appointment time is your commitment to this potential client. Making a commitment first makes it much easier and less scary for a potential client to commit to an appointment with you.

One of the challenges practitioners run into is fear of rejection. We all feel it from time to time, but it's important to learn how to keep your heart open and allow it to be ok if the person doesn't say yes.

My rule of thumb is to expect that 90 percent of my offers are refused this time, so I keep offering until I connect with that 10% who are ready to work with me today.

I trust that keeping my heart open and flowing with love will attract the people who need my help the most, and it's ok when people who aren't ready say no. It's not about me, it's not personal. It's about them and where they are at today. It takes a little practice to shift into this perspective, but it's very rewarding when you do!

Trusting in abundance, filling your heart with love, meditation, centering yourself, practicing the Remembrance are all ways to practice keeping your heart open no matter what the other person says or does. Check Appendix A & B of the Buff your Business! Bootcamp Ebook for resources and ideas on staying centered and abundant feeling.

If you're not feeling confident about your business and need support in identifying your ideal clients, crafting your offer, and communicating from the heart to your audience, the Heart-centered Entrepreneur Apprenticeship is where to start. The next program starts in September.

If you'd like to learn how to listen to your heart, get clarity about your path and hone your meditation and visioning skills, the Clearing Your Path for Success At-home Study Programis what you need. The Premium version of this program is included in the Apprenticeship, but the E-program includes a workbook and 5 guided meditations set to inspirational music that you can do at home by yourself or with a buddy.

Do you need help with your business? Do you have a strong desire to shift your life or your business in a more meaningful and prosperous direction, but something is blocking you? You've been talking to other people, researching, seeking out options and opportunities, but still something is blocking forward movement.  Do you need support, accountability and someone to push you (gently, with love) into the next level of success for your business? If so, the Breakthrough Bootcamp is for you! This 4 week coaching program is designed to get you the breakthrough results you need to create forward motion quickly.

Centering yourself is #1 strategy for success

As you know, the Buff your Business! Bootcamp was inspired by my own experiences participating in online bootcamps for physical fitness. I love the discipline and challenge of working out every day but changing up what I do each day for variety so I don't get bored.

The other thing I love about bootcamps is doing it with a buddy who can hold me accountable and share the ups and downs. I find this to be extremely motivational and a fun way to create healthy habits.

Creating a successful business requires the same discipline as establishing healthy habits. The reality, just like with working out, is that lots of people are sporadic with promotional activities. Heart-centered entrepreneurs sometimes get caught up in client work when they are busy, and then when the client flow slows down to a trickle (or even a drought) they panic and start scrambling to attract clients. It's a cycle of despair fraught with stress and anxiety. Let's break the cycle and create successful, steady promotional habits to keep your business flowing smoothly all year long.

While it takes discipline and commitment to get consistent results in your business, it doesn't have to be dreary. The seven different bootcamp days are designed to keep you on your toes and inspire you to get creative with your promotional activities so they are fun for you.

So without further ado, Day 1 - Center yourself!

Day 1: Buff your Business Video - click here to watch it.

Let's be totally honest here.

Yes, you absolutely love helping other people feel good. After all, that's why you are a heart-centered entrepreneur.

Most likely, you completely understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle that includes the activities, relaxation, supplements, food choices, exercise, meditation, time with loved ones, following your bliss, soul food etc... that you teach or give to your clients.

Being happy and healthy so you can do your best work as a cheerful role model for your clients is crucial. Clients love when you are happy, well and embody all the heart-warming qualities that they wish they had in their own lives. It's attractive, and it will motivate them to keep spending time with you.

And so, it's really non-negotiable. Centering yourself is the #1 thing you can do to guarantee your success as a heart-centered entrepreneur.

Meditation is a great way to center yourself. It's one of those techniques, over time with practice, that subtly shifts you into a more permanently relaxed, go with the flow state of being. There are so many different ways to meditate! Don't dismiss it as something you can't do because the idea of "clearing your mind of thought" sounds impossible.

Check out Appendix A of the Buff your Business! E-book for meditation resources and ideas.

If you're not feeling confident about your business and need support in identifying your ideal clients, crafting your offer, and communicating from the heart to your audience, the Heart-centered Entrepreneur Apprenticeship is where to start. The next program starts in September.

If you'd like to learn how to listen to your heart, get clarity about your path and hone your meditation and visioning skills, the Clearing Your Path for Success At-home Study Program is what you need. The Premium version of this program is included in the Apprenticeship, but the E-program includes a workbook and 5 guided meditations set to inspirational music that you can do at home by yourself or with a buddy.

And, for those of you needing more support, accountability and someone to push you (gently, with love) into the next level of success for your business, the Premium Breakthrough Bootcamp is for you! This 4 week coaching program is designed to get you the breakthrough results you need to create forward motion quickly.