 Are you ready to move up another rung of the success ladder? Here are two basic principles to support you in getting there. Consider them the yin and yang of achievement. They work in tandem, and while one without the other will create some movement, to really achieve something you’ll need to apply both.
The first is the law of attraction: ‘that which we focus on we attract to us’. Like our friend gravity, it’s not referred to as the ‘suggestion’ of attraction. The clearer we are about what we want the faster it comes. Know specifically what results you want to create. Write them down. Make visual reminders of your goals and put them up around your workplace. Get creative and have fun with it. If you’re looking for a way to get your whole team motivated and on board, pick up a copy of the movie “The Secret” and watch it together, then spend some time sharing your vision until everyone is committed to making it happen.
That’s the feel good part of the equation; the ‘yang’, if you will. Now it’s time to look at the yin. We all have some things that we’d rather not deal with. We tuck them into a closet, a drawer, a back corner of our mind, hoping they’ll go away. They don’t. All those things we try to push out of sight are actually sitting there in our peripheral vision subtly eating away at our attention, planning how to come back and sabotage us from a different angle. I’m talking about the tax filing we didn’t do, the unopened mail from months ago, the strained business relationship. I’m talking about the computer or car that’s making funny grinding sounds we’re pretending not to hear. I had a friend who drove an old German car around for months, idly wondering what the words überprüfen Sie Öl on his dashboard could possible mean (check oil). These things are what I refer to as our unmade beds. If left untended to, they can pull us back down faster than we can say “nice view from up here”.
Here’s how to deal with it. First, write your vision out as suggested above. Don’t think or theorize about doing it. Do it. Next, make a list of your own ‘unmade beds’. Be really honest with yourself; get it all on there. Place the items on your list in the order of their urgency. Now, and this is the important part, put that list somewhere where you’ll see it every day. Don’t hide it in a drawer. We have traditionally seen these things as the cause of our stress. It’s time to shift that view. This is the list that will protect us from stress. We will function better during the day and sleep better at night knowing we’re dealing with things straight on.
By looking at both sides clearly; the positive vision and how best to protect it, we’re setting ourselves up to soar. Enjoy the journey.
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Dear Coach.
I’m self employed and offer a service that people need. I’m well trained and skilled, and the people who’ve hired me so far feel they’re getting great value for their money. That’s the up side. The down side? Most days I’m having trouble differentiating ‘self-employed’ from ‘unemployed’. I need to be busier. I’m looking for a more effective (and cost effective) way to connect with those who can use my services. Help!
The age old question; how do I reach my ideal client. The first step is, of course, to identify them, and the more specific you are here, the better. Whether you sell to individuals or businesses, make a list of your dream clients. If you know exactly who they are and where to reach them you’re ahead of the game. If not, consider the following questions:
Where are they geographically?
Sex, age, marital or financial status?
What do they read, where do they gather?
What do they do for a living, for recreation, for fun?
What are their values and interests?
The clearer picture you have of these things, the easier it is to connect. It feels a bit counter-intuitive, when we’re asking the universe to send us more clients, to narrow the field. Not so. It’s the same philosophy as the 9-1-1 scenario. If you call into a crowd “somebody call 9-1-1”, no-one figures it’s them specifically you’re talking to, and no-one responds. When you shout, “you, in the red shirt and glasses, call 9-1-1”, they do. Let your ideal client know it’s them you’re talking to.
Next step: make your marketing ‘High Touch’.
High touch marketing refers to personal, one to one contact. The traditional marketing methods (print, TV, radio) are of course important and effective, and have their place. To market a service today, however, requires more. You’ve got to add a layer of high touch marketing approaches to really connect with your market.
Here are a few to consider:
- Face to face encounter: networking meetings, Chamber sponsored Business After Business gatherings are a couple of good ones to consider
- Telephone follow-up after meeting someone or being given a referral
- Small group presentations or workshops
- Hand written notes or personal letters
I have one client who, after identifying the 10 companies she’d most like as clients, personally invited them to a presentation. She prepared content that would be of value to them and kept the focus on giving information rather than pitching her services. She now stands out as an expert in their eyes. They have a better idea of who she is and what she can offer, and she’s front of mind. She’s well on her way to filling her practice with exactly the clients she wants to work with.
After identifying your target market, what, specifically, are you willing to do to reach them? I’d love to hear your thoughts, questions and success stories. Email me at carol@cmqcoaching.com.
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Sunday, March 11th at 1:30 pm
The Secret – Come join us to view the movie everyone’s talking about
Smith and Co Café, Penticton
Cost: By donation – proceeds go to support SOWINS
Saturday, March 31st 10am – 3pm
Creating Wow! – One day goal setting boot camp. Leave with a completed action plan.
Location TBA
Cost: $99
Wednesday, April 11th 7 – 10 pm
Vision Board Workshop! – Create your vision board in a group setting, sharing ideas, materials and inspiration.
Location TBA
Cost: $39
Sunday, April 15th 10am – 3pm
Conquering Chaos! – Get your systems of organization, planning and support working for you. This workshop is a great next step to Creating Wow.
Location TBA
Cost: $99
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