I love to learn. And when I want to try something new, I immerse myself in the subject. Nothing wrong with that, except that sometimes – I over do the learning, and under-do the doing (say that 5 times fast!). I spend so much time accumulating information. I subscribe to e-zines, read blogs, join networking groups, download e-books, buy physical books, research the subject online… I get to the point where my head feels swollen with information.

And then a funny thing happens. I get stuck. I worry that I’m missing some vital piece of information. I stop trusting my intuition - I stop trusting myself to do the exact right thing. I worry that I’ll get it wrong. You would think that having all that information would boost my confidence to the point where I knew I couldn’t possibly get it wrong.

When we are about to embark on something new, it can be overwhelming. We fear we won’t get it right, we fear rejection, we fear abandonment. So we want to learn everything we can so that the possibility of a negative outcome is so tiny, we aren’t afraid to take the risk.

But being bogged down in information only ends up stifling us.

There are so many experts out there, so many gurus, and with the internet – we’ve got access to free information in more forms than you can possibly absorb in a lifetime.

So who’s right? Who’s information is the best? Who has the techniques that are REALLY going to work for us?

There’s a reason there are so many experts and so much information in the world. It’s because they all have something unique to offer. Whether it’s the specific service they provide, or just in the way they communicate their message – they all have a different voice, and they resonate with different types of people.

So how do you know who’s right for you?

You feel it – deep inside. I know – that’s the standard woo woo answer. But it’s the truth! Sure, you can hear what someone is saying, and you can relate to their message, and you can get the feeling that they know you very deeply – but deep down – do you really resonate with them on the level of your soul?

How much information from how many different sources are you currently receiving? What do you do with all the information? If you take time to read it all, mentally – where do you store it?

Over this next week, I invite you to take a look at the information you receive. Does learning stop you from doing what is actually necessary? Do you spend too much time reading and not enough time implementing?

When you think about implementing something new, do you trust yourself? Do you trust yourself that you know enough, that you’ll do it right, or that the project will be everything you want it to be?

Take some time with each information source you receive this week. See if it’s something you truly, way down deep, resonate with. If not, don’t take it in - consider releasing it.

By limiting your information intake, you won’t miss anything. On the contrary – you’ll make room for the information that counts, and you’ll have time in your schedule to do what counts.

“Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.” – Vesta M. Kelly

Alright, alright – I admit it. One of the hardest things for me to do is ask for help. And, I know I’m not alone in this. I’ve spoken to many clients, many colleagues and many other women who feel the same way.

Why? Why do we find it almost impossible to recognize our need for help, and then reach out?

One reason is, we feel ownership over our lives. We don’t want to lose that control – we want to make sure every last detail is handled exactly to our standards.

Another reason is, we feel it makes us look weak to ask for help. We’re supposed to be experts, people turn to US for help – we shouldn’t need help.

And yet, another reason we don’t ask for help is, we don’t even know we need help! I fall desperately into this category. It isn’t until I’m banging my head against my desk wondering why I’m stuck that I finally realize – all I need is a little help!

This exact scenario just happened in my business in December. I was trying to plan for 2008 – struggling to determine what my goals should be, how I would accomplish what I wanted to accomplish, and exactly what I should be doing. I hemmed and hawed, started a plan, stopped the plan, re-wrote the plan, got frustrated, started the plan again, wondered what would happen if I did certain things, stopped the plan again… Finally, I realized I could ask someone else for some insight.

So, I called up my coach, and began working more closely with him. I’ve had coaching throughout my business in one form or another – sometimes, it’s 1 on 1 coaching. Sometimes, it’s been group coaching. Still other times, it’s a teleclass, or a seminar.

Once I connected with my coach, a huge sense of relief washed over me. I felt supported. I felt empathized with. And most importantly – I saw the light! I received answers to my questions, and with just an hour phone call, I had the beginnings of a plan in place to get me moving in the direction I wanted to move.

It was so easy for him to look at my business, listen to where I wanted to go, and make a few suggestions that really made a difference. Sometimes it’s easier for someone outside our situation to see things we miss, or give us just the right guidance – especially if they’ve been where we’ve been, and are where we want to go.

I think the biggest sense of relief I felt was from the acknowledgement that I didn’t have to – nor was I supposed to – do this all on my own. I could ask for and receive help!

As humans, we’re not meant to be isolated. We’re not meant to do it all by ourselves. If that were the case, none of us would be guided to be in service to others. We’d all just go lock ourselves in a room and get it all done alone.

We need human contact. We need relationships. We need support. It’s ok to ask for it, and it’s ok to receive it.

Where do you need help? Look for places you feel stuck, or overwhelmed. When you hear yourself saying or thinking “I know that needs to get done… but I just don’t have time… and I don’t even know where to begin” or, “why won’t this situation change? What am I doing wrong?” Those are good indications you need some help.

Where do you turn for help? Sometimes, it’s as easy as asking your partner for help with the household chores. Other times, you may need to have a candid, private conversation with a good friend. Sometimes, you need the help of a professional. Take some quite time and sit with your situation. Listen to who it’s asking for help from.

I promise – just reaching out will bring so much relief, it will help you solve the situation, and get you moving ahead.

If you determine that you might need help in building your business, check out my 1 on 1 coaching program, or my upcoming Mindful Marketing Teleclass.

I was over at Carla’s blog and she posted the Hafiz poem below. This poem was really powerful for me this morning. My business is going through a bit of transition as 2008 begins, and this poem was a beautiful reminder to stay centered, listen to my soul, and remember that I’m here to serve:

We have not come here to take prisoners,
But to surrender ever more deeply
To freedom and joy.

We have not come into this exquisite world
To hold ourselves hostage from love.

Run my dear,
From anything
That may not strengthen
Your precious budding wings.

Run like hell my dear,
From anyone likely
To put a sharp knife
Into the sacred, tender vision
Of your beautiful heart.

We have a duty to befriend
Those aspects of obedience
That stand outside of our house

And shout to our reason
“O please, O please,
Come out and play.”

For we have not come here to take prisoners
Or to confine our wondrous spirits,

But to experience ever and ever more deeply
Our divine courage, freedom and
Light.

~Hafiz

This also stirred in me a remembrance… to be in my truth as I build my business; to be centered; and to remember that it’s about love and joy.

I was speaking to a client last week who said that she would love to give up her part-time job and focus fully on her healing practice. But, she didn’t think her healing practice would ever support her financially. When I asked her why, she shared that deep down, she felt that making a profit from the healing practice somehow tainted it… that she felt she could keep her practice pure if she received financial security from something else.

Why do we, as spiritually conscious business owners feel that it is somehow wrong to be abundant and remain spiritually centered? Why is money so wrong for us?

In this case, my client had been exposed to all sorts of horrid images. I mean, who wants to think of their practice as a “business” and be put into the same category as Enron, and all the other dishonest no-gooders that operate “businesses?”

And, who wants to think about “marketing” their business? We definitely don’t want to be out there being aggressive and doing all of those awful tactics just to get people to spend money with us.

For us, it’s not about the money. Money is nice - but it’s not our motivator. We, as spiritually conscious business owners, are motivated by something much deeper - being in service.

So, the question is - can we be abundant and be in service? Yes!

When you are in service, you are providing real value to someone. And I’m sure, in your practice, you’ve seen your clients go through big healings - you’ve seen the difference your services or products have made for them.

That difference is definitely worth an energy exchange. And that’s what money is. It’s an energy exchange.

When you are in service, you must receive - you can’t just give and give and give - you’ll deplete yourself. And if you deplete yourself, you’re no good to anyone… you may get sick, and you can’t be in the office for a few days… if you’re not financially secure, you worry and stress over your financial situation obsessively - and you can’t focus on your clients, let alone anything else.

You can have abundance through your spiritually-based business. Take the focus off of the actual money, and focus on the value you are providing to your clients. The money is the energetic exchange for that value.

How do you see money and abundance fitting into your business?

“Wherever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.” Peter Drucker

What do you have planned in your business for 2008? I’ve got some brand new things launching – a new partnership with a local healing center, a new live workshop, a new program, a new business structure – talk about starting the New Year out with a bang!

I have to admit, when my coach suggested a new business structure, I was a little nervous – ok – I was downright scared!

Whenever we decide to do something new, it’s going to bring changes for us. With my new structure, I was worrying that clients might feel alienated, I was worried about how it would change the structure of my day, I was worried about how it would rock my business world – I felt a little like I was jumping off a cliff into a great big unknown.

I like Peter Drucker’s quote above because it renews in me the sense of adventure that I have as an entrepreneur. When I read it, I realized that successful businesses are full of courageous decisions. As entrepreneurs, we make them every day. A business of your own truly tests your courage.

What new things are you implementing in 2008? Where would you like to see your business by this time next year? What decisions are you making that feel a little scary? How will your business change because of these decisions?

I know - they seem like two completely opposite concepts. But, really, a regular meditation practice can help your business enormously.

And, with meditation - I’m not talking about sitting in lotus and chanting for hours on end waiting for the big lightening bolt to come down with endless inspiration! I’m simply talking about finding time and space to just be still, and reconnect with your authentic self.

Taking time to meditate each day can really help you focus. It can help you clear your mind, remember your connection (to God, Universe, yourself), and help you be even more productive.

You can focus on something if you’d like - if that helps to calm your mind. For example, your breathing is something you can easily focus on. When you notice your thoughts wandering (and they will - after all - your mind is built to think ), simply bring your focus back to your breath.

You can start out with just 5 minutes of meditation, or you can do 15, 30 - or even an hour  if you’re so inclined.

So how is this going to help your business?

By getting into this space where you can focus on only one thing, you will feel much calmer. You are basically practicing focus while you’re meditating. After you’ve been practicing meditating for a few days, you’ll notice that while your working, your mind doesn’t wander as much. You’ll notice that when you get that panicked or overwhelmed feeling, you can bring yourself back to the task at hand quicker.

And - you’ll feel more connected. You’ll feel more in the flow, and you’ll feel more deliberate in your actions. And we all know that deliberate action creates deliberate results!

So - let’s try it. For the next few days, take some time right before you start working, or right when you wake up, and just be still. Give yourself permission to be in this still, peaceful space. Decide how much time you’ll meditate for, and then sit comfortably and begin focusing on your breathing.

It may not be easy at first and that’s ok - no pressure. Just remember, meditation is a “practice” and they call it practice… because you have to practice! It gets easier with time. When your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your focus.

Come back after you’ve had a chance to practice, and share your results here. If you have questions, please feel free to ask. And, seasoned meditators, do share your advice and experience with us!

We all know that we have to market our business. We have to fearlessly promote ourselves. But that is easier said than done, because we want to be fearless, but we don’t want to be intrusive, or aggressive.

It is possible to market your business - and build a really strong business - without the hype-y in-your-face tactics.

To me, marketing is more about making connections and building relationships than it is about selling… really - to me - they are two completely different things.

When I conduct marketing activities, they are activities that help me connect and build relationships with my potential clients. In fact, I would go so far as to say I’m not a sales woman - never was, never will be. The thought of “selling” actually scares the heck outta me!

I hear from many of my clients that marketing stresses them out - because like me, they aren’t sales people, and frankly, the thought of trying to sell something to someone completely shuts down their spirit.

When I tell them that marketing is different than selling - you can feel the relief that instantly appears!

With marketing, and especially mindful marketing - your priority and focus is on your potential client and how your business can serve them.

Mindful marketing is about building relationships and really being connected to your potential clients.

I’ve just uploaded a free report about Mindful Marketing. You can find it here. Please feel free to download it and then let’s discuss it here.

Some questions to consider about your current marketing strategies:

Does marketing stress you out? If so, why is that?

What marketing activities are you currently participating in - are you seeing results?

What questions do you have about marketing? What questions do you have about mindful marketing?

It's fine to follow footsteps but not with your head down. When you're taking a walk in the woods, if you don't lift your head, it doesn't matter if you've arrived at a beautiful meadow, does it?"

This very topic has been on my mind quite a bit lately and I've actually talked about it with several friends.

In the industry that I'm in, there is a particular coach who has many, many followers. You can pretty much tell who they are... they all use the same e-mail template, they all use almost the same web site techniques - but most notably - they all talk about how much money they make while working almost no hours (I'm going to blog about this last point later in the week, but for now, let's talk about blazing your own trail...).

So anyway, I keep running across these graduates of this particular person, and I'm very happy that they are seeing so much success. That's awesome - because the more success we all see as a whole, the more success there is to gain for everyone.

But anyway, way back when I was just starting my coaching business, I almost fell into line with all of these other people and felt that maybe I too, should follow this prescribed way of building a business.

But - every time I took a step in that direction... when I went to purchase a product from this coach, or when I went to change something about the way I was doing things to fall in line with this person... I resisted.

And, for a while, I had a battle raging inside my head. You see, something about the way this person sold her coaching, and the way she conducted herself just didn't sit right with me. Now, she's not a bad person... and she's extremely knowledgeable. However - just something about her methods did not fully resonate with me.

So, the battle would go something like this "Gee... I see all these people being so successful doing the same things that this person does... maybe I should do them too.... Hmmm... something about it just doesn't feel right - I'm going to do things my way. But - wait - she DOES have good information... and she seems to know what she's talking about - maybe I'm wrong, maybe I won't be successful until I do it HER way..."

And therein lies the problem - me thinking I'm wrong for doing things the way I want to do them - for thinking I'm wrong because my way isn't exactly like this person's way.

I finally came to the realization that, if I'm out of alignment with my authentic self, my business won't be hugely successful no matter who I try to follow... or copy. I wasted so much energy with that scattered focus.

I love what Andrea Lee offers in her blog post - it rings incredibly true for me.

You do not have to copy someone else's success - you can forge your own... in a way that is completely authentic to you.

What's stopping you from blazing your own trail?