You are here: Home / Archives for Planning

Are You Missing a Great Opportunity?

January 31, 2012 By Cara Lumen Leave a Comment
Have-a-planLife is like an adventure.  You plan a trip, make some detours, get lost, and meet some fellow travelers who help you move ahead.  I’m not certain we end up where we think we are going, but the journey is the fun part.  And our unique path is constantly being opened up and guided by the Universal Mind in the form of signs and signals that show up in every facet of our life.
 
Wouldn’t it be great to be able to offer a problem to the Universe and have it come back with an answer that day?   

Would you like to have your next steps laid out for you?

You can, when you ask for, notice, interpret and apply
the signs and signals in your life every day. 

 

How to Read the Signs and Signals 
That Help Build Your Business 
From Your Inside Out

The subtle and not-so-subtle signs

We miss out on a huge source of aligned guidance when we ignore the subtle and not-so-subtle signs and signals offered by the Universe.  Once you learn to notice and interpret this ever-present guidance your choices expand.  A sign or signal may be as small as the look someone gives you or as big as a new job offer out of the blue.  It can be life-changing and it can be moment changing. 
 

How to Read the Signs and Signals 
That Help Build Your Business 
From Your Inside Out

How to Read the Signs and Signals That Help Build Your Business From Your Inside Out helps entrepreneurs who want to connect more deeply with their target community learn to listen and interpret the Universal signs and signals the show up in their lives every day so that they can easily align themselves with their destiny and attract the people they are meant to serve.

Signs and signal can prompt positive action

I love to be alert to sign and signals and see where they lead me.  I received an email from a friend inviting me to be on her radio show again.  That was the sign.  As we looked for a topic I wrote her back some of the books I was working on.  She thought this one sounded interesting but it wasn’t quite finished.  The signal given by her interest was for me to get on the ball and finish and publish this book. Many signs and signals become motivators.  Others are simply guides to help you map out your journey. Learning to both recognize and interpret these signs and signals will keep you moving forward and on track.
 

How to Read the Signs and Signals 
That Help Build Your Business 
From Your Inside Out

Table of Contents 

  • How to Notice the Signs and Signals Meant for You and You Alone
  • How to Interpret the Signs and Signals that Show Up Every Day
  • How to Ask for Signs and Signals in Order to Answer a Question
  • Learn to Visualize Your Answers
  • Signs that Suggest New Relationships in Your Business
  • Signs that Suggest a Change in Direction
  • Signs that Inspire New Work
  • Signs that You Should Take the Leap
  • How to Make an Intuitive Decision
  • How to Practice Reading the Signs and Signals
  • How to Get Out of Your Own Way
  • Make Your Choice and Take Action
  • How to Apply the Guidance You Receive from Signs and Signals
  • Intuition is a core part of my life.
I have been consciously working on and with my inner life since I learned Transcendental Meditation over fifty years ago.  I am a metaphysician trained in such energy techniques as a Reiki Master Teacher, Certified Bach Flower Counselor, Falun Gong practitioner, T’ai Chi Student, yoga student and crystal intuitive.
 
In my coaching work I constantly create new processes and worksheets that help my clients access their Inner Guidance so that they can successfully build their business from their inside out.

Look for the guidance offered to you throughout your day

Our days are filled with insightful nudges, some big, some small. We always have the Universe listening to us, watching us, and offering suggestions.  We have free will, of course, but who doesn’t want the guidance of a wise mind?
 
If you can’t see it or interpret the signs and signals that are present throughout your life you lose out on powerful insights and awareness that could make your path, shorter, easier, more direct and definitely more effective.
 
It is simple to learn to notice the signs and signals and once you set up your criteria for interpreting them it will be a little like opening a direct line to spiritual guidance.
 
If you think you have a ton of ideas now just wait until you start listening to the Universe.  But the difference is that you can also use your intuition to make a decision about what you should do next.  It’s like hiring a whole team of incredible advisors who are there to help you with every choice you make.
 
The more you practice this awareness the more alert you will be to the subtle signals that surround you.  Your options will increase and your choices will be more on target because they are energetically aligned with who you are
You can apply this awareness today.
 
Everyone can do this.  It just takes a little practice. This is a short book. You can read it right now and start reading the powerful land insightful signs and signals that move consistently through your life. By the end of this book you will be able to notice and interpret the signs and signals that surround you and use them to make the best choices for your life and business.
 
Buy this book but more importantly READ THIS BOOK.  It’s how you begin to build a stunning business from your inside out.

 

 

How to Read the Signs and Signals 
That Help Build Your Business
From Your Inside Out

$3.33

  
 
 

 

Filed Under: Books, Business Development, Inside-Out Series Tagged With: , , ,

How to Free the Logjam of Your Ideas

December 2, 2011 By Cara Lumen Leave a Comment
padlockSometimes the need to make only one decision creates a log jam that holds you firmly in place.  Once that necessary decision is identified and you make your choice, it will free up all the other ideas you have blocked up behind it and you’ll be on your way.
 

The logjam decision for me was around pricing

I finished my latest ebook several weeks before I offered it because I had to decide on a price.  It’s really hard after months of work to not see your completed project as having great value.  I know the benefits they will receive from using my ideas.  I know how valuable my work is, but do others? I knew the ball park figure I just had to make a choice. Then I could set up my landing page and send the book on its way. With that one decision made and I was good to go.
 

The log jam was slow to unfold

I had been procrastinating so long over making that one pricing decision that it took me a few days to overcome the next minor log jam, the technical steps I needed to take to put the book online. It’s not hard to put a new ebook up on my web site and blogs; it just takes time and concentration. I had already been sitting on my new book for days trying to make the pricing decision and then I was faced with the technical steps of interconnecting all the parts of the delivery and promotion of the book. Between the time I finished the book and finally faced up to taking the technical steps I took a put-it-off detour.  I wrote the outline for my next book and had a great idea for a brand new book totally off my regular topic. Creating something new was so much more exciting than the mundane task of putting a completed project out the door. However, in the end the satisfaction of finally making that book available to others overcame my putting off tactics.  Give your logjam time to unfold.
 

Make a choice, any choice

There are all sorts of variations on a decision and the “rightness” of each one depends on where you are at the moment.  I picked a price.  That was the major log jam. I can always change it.  I can always bundle that book with others.  After I broke up that log jam I was free to take my next steps.  The desire to reach the end promised such great fulfillment that I set about putting the book up on my sites.  Make a choice, any choice.  It will free up that log jam and get you going.
 

Making a decision is freeing

It takes but a heartbeat to make a decision.  It doesn’t take much longer than that to put it into play.  What decisions are you putting off?  Why are you putting them off?  You can’t possibly know the long term repercussions of your decision; all you can know is what you need to do right now in order to move forward.  When I write a new ebook I make the decisions surrounding it based on what I know at the moment and what my target community needs from me at the moment.  Those same choices may not hold true a year from now but by then I’ll have written and published my book. 
 

One decision will eliminate idea clutter

Every time we make a decision that idea clutter falls away and we are left with a clearer picture of what we want to create. I’m writing a series of 12 ebooks in my How to Craft series.  I also am interested in creating a new telecourse.  For a while I considered doing both.  It would mean a lot of work.  It would mean a delay in the completion of the series.  I had to make a choice.  I had to observe the difference between my personal priority and my business priority.  Since having fun and enjoying what I do is a high priority, I chose to let the teleclass show up when I’m ready to focus on it and I will continue to work on completing the ebook series.  It was a relief to let go of that second idea for awhile.  I’m still going to do it I just don’t have a date.  I will keep collecting ideas and resources, of course, and put them in a file so that when I am ready for that project I’ll have a great head start.  But meanwhile I’ll focus on the choice at hand.   Choose the project size that works for here and now and make it happen. 
 
Where is your logjam?  What decision do you need to make that will release those stuck ideas that will set you free to send those ideas off to market?
 
© 2011 Cara Lumen
 
You might also like

Filed Under: Creativity Tagged With: , , ,

What a Jigsaw Puzzle Can Teach You about Project Management

October 1, 2011 By Cara Lumen Leave a Comment
natural-entrepreneurWorking jigsaw puzzles is an organizer’s dream. Every step is about sorting in smaller and more connected elements while keeping the end result in mind. Just like project management.
 

Choose a project that appeals to you

It’s no fun to work on an ugly puzzle or even one that is too easy or too hard. You have to pick the best project for you at this point in time. If you are not enthusiastic about the end result you will achieve, if you will not be proud of your end product after you have completed it, choose a different project. You don’t want to spend a lot of time working on something that is not fun, satisfying, stimulating, rewarding and has a great end result. There are thousands of potential projects from which to choose. Choose one you can get excited about.
 

Handle the logistics

When I started working jigsaw puzzles in my living room I had three problems, a cat that would inevitably end up on top of it, the fact that it took up a good portion of the room for as long as I chose to work on it and I had no real way to put it away for another time. Once I started it I lived with it until it was completed. I solved the cat problem by doing the puzzle on the cardboard back of a poster whose frame broke. I work on the cardboard and put the plastic “glass” on top when I stop work to protect it from my cat. I could solve the putting away part by investing in a jigsaw carrying case. Before you begin a project solve some of the logistics. Can you fit this work into your schedule? Will you rely on others for part of the work and how booked are they? What equipment, knowledge, and reference material do you need before you begin? Beginning a project is like preparing to take a long trip; you need to take your car in for a complete check up to be sure it can make the trip. Plan ahead for all the elements and working environment you will need for your project.
 

Sort the pieces

My improvised jigsaw puzzle system includes 12 clear plastic plates that I sort the different colors into. I can use these plates to work on one color scheme at a time. It allows me to focus only on that particular aspect. Look at your project and divide it up into segments. Put a time line on each segment so you know how far ahead of the deadline you have to begin working on it in order to complete it in time.  What is your launch date? How far ahead do you need to start marketing? Put that on your schedule along with time to write your marketing material a few weeks before that.  Do you need to schedule a completion date for each module?   Chunk your project up into three to five projects. For instance if you are creating a web presence you can break that down into 1) clarify what you offer and who you offer it to, 2) define your services and your content by writing your landing page, 3) make the technical decisions on your theme and back end support hire someone to set it up and 4) write your opt in offer and Cornerstone Content that helps convert readers into community members.   Each one of those steps is filled with important decision making and by doing them in order and addressing each step as a separate project piece you will avoid the overwhelm that could easily appear. Allow one action step to build on the other
 

Work one section at a time

In my jigsaw project I began by working with the pieces that I could easily identify. In my folk art puzzle I recognized parts of horses and buggy wheels and the specific color of each building. When I began to assemble each section I had to look at the picture and see where it fit into the overall picture. Then I could place it in the right place. I had to work with the end result in mind.
 
Here’s a major difference between jigsaw puzzling and a project: you know what the puzzle will look like, you know that eventually all the pieces will fit and there will be no extra ones left over. That is not true of a project. You have to pick and choose the parts and pieces you will include. You have an overall picture in mind but you design and adjust as you go.  How many weeks in your teleclass? What do you need to leave out in order to teach what you really want to teach in that length of time? Do you need a follow up, second level telecourse?  I developed my Magnetic Content Development System to help you manage those very decisions but this article is about sorting what you have chosen.
 

Sort by similarity

In my puzzle I sorted by edge pieces, trees, sky, building colors and people. One way of organizing your project is to sort by similarity of the action needed – planning, crafting, editing. On your time line allow a week for outlining your table of contents, another few days for developing your stories and interactive elements. You could work on the video for a week and could set aside time to develop the handouts and bonuses. Brain work, the decision-making process requires great uninterrupted concentration. Editing a second draft or strengthening your subheads can be done in smaller time segments.
 

Approach your project organization from different angles

It was easy to put together the puzzle pieces that had a pattern. It was another matter to work on the pieces that were all one color like the sky or ocean. Then I had to look at the shape of each piece, I had to try to put pieces together by looking at the parts of the piece that were sticking out and the parts of the piece that were ready to have another piece fit into them. And that’s what got me excited to write this article – as I worked I saw myself use different reasoning techniques. I wanted to explore how can apply my jigsaw organizing technique to the sorting of my ideas for a project? When you move deeply into the fine points of your project you need to examine the pieces from different angles. Does that idea belong here or is it more effective if presented over there? Change your perspective. One minute you are trying to fit the protruding pieces into the puzzle and the next you are looking at the shape of the indent in each piece to find a matching piece. As you look where to place closely aligned elements into your project come at them from different angles before you decide where to put them.
 

Keep looking at the whole

Every time you begin a new segment look to see how that section fits in with the whole.  When you examine your project as a whole you will feel a sense of accomplishment as see how much you have accomplished. You can begin to get a feeling of the overall shape and the learning steps you use to take your participant on their journey. You can identify the elements that need more work or more time. As you work on a project periodically go back to your original outline and the landing page you wrote in the beginning to clarify your objectives and see if you are still on track. Keep referring to your original who and do what statement – the purpose of that particular project. 
 
Keep your end result in mind, sort by the major points, work in sections keeping an eye on their place in the whole and take time to look at each piece from different angles. That’s what working a jigsaw puzzle taught me about project management.
 
© 2011 Cara Lumen

 

Filed Under: Product Development Tagged With: , ,

How Your Niche Is Just Like you

September 3, 2011 By Cara Lumen Leave a Comment
agreementLike attracts like. We are most drawn to people who share our interests, our values and our experiences. You may be drawn to the idea of helping people move from a situation you have overcome and you want to support them on their similar journey. You may have a personal passion you want to fulfill or explore and would like to share that passion with others. Your niche is about working in an area that is meaningful to you with people that engage your passion and respect. When you are in the right niche it will draw to you like minded people. Whatever niche you choose you’ll find that you know more than you think you do about the way that community thinks and what they want simply because the people in your niche are a lot like you.
 

Take a look at where you once were

 Your personal journey may define your niche.
 
Perhaps you were overweight and found great ways to lose the pounds. That is a whole journey to help people through. That may be the niche you serve.
 
A professional golfer may be passionate about helping develop young champions
 
A single mom might want to help other single moms. A person whose family is multi-lingual may want to help families learn English.
 
Part of my journey was as a spiritual counselor and that still infuses my work. People that are drawn to me are consciously aware of their spiritual service in the world.
 
Take a look at your personal journey and what you have accomplished to see if you have something you want to teach. To settle into the perfect niche follow your passion.
 

Look for groups you want to help have a better opportunity

 You may be drawn to helping a specific group. It could be animals, the planet, preteens, pre-schoolers, at-risk teen agers, working moms, women up against the glass ceiling or seniors. Your passion will help you identify this group. What need speaks to you? Look for ways you can be of service to those people.
 

Look for people who need your expertise

 Your talents help determine your niche. Are you good with people? Are you a teacher? Are you a thinker and philosopher? You will be drawn to serve people who will benefit from what you know how to do. When I figured out that I love to help people identify their vision and sort out their ideas to bring that vision into existence I applied that talent to helping people build their single-owner businesses. And because I am a writer and natural teacher I also help them organize their ideas into compelling information products. What is your area of expertise and how can you help people?
 

Look for ways you can use your own interests

 Sometimes we choose a niche to work in because we want to learn more about the topic for ourselves. I often give teleclasses or write ebooks about areas I want to explore more deeply. When you teach you learn. What do you want to learn?
 
As you learn more and mature in your experience your interests may change. For instance, my work has always had a philosophic bent but it got very practical for awhile. Now I want to return to more of the personal growth exploration so my work and my offerings have begun to reflect that. Watch for those subtle shifts in interests as you grown both personally and professionally.
 

Fulfill your own vision

 You may want to build an organization that helps you bring your vision to life. You may want to give courses to large groups of people. You may want to coach individuals to greatness. I have always known that I wanted to help people who were already making a difference in the lives of others. My work helps them touch the lives of even more people. How do you see yourself in service? What is your own vision for helping others?
 

Let the niche choose you

 Who is already coming to you for help? What are they asking you for? What part of what you do for them do you find the most rewarding? What are the needs and desires of the people you are drawn too? What are qualities you want in the people you are to serve? Answering these questions will help identify how you can serve.
 

Choose your ideal client

One of my clients is a weight loss coach who initially attracted two age groups, 30-somthings and seniors. It didn’t take her long to realize that she did not want to work with older people who had to balance medications and were in a more cautious physical condition because it was not in her own experience. She chose to focus on the 30 year olds.  It didn’t take a pro golfer client long to figure out he wants to work with young people who are on the championship track. He also knows they have to be committed to being the best they can be. What are the qualities of the person you want to work with?
 
I am blessed to continue attracting coaching clients who are passionate about their calling and are eager to do the work I ask them to do. They are all enthusiastic about how they can be in service. That makes it fun and rewarding for all of us. Choose only those clients who excite your passion. Don’t accept everyone who comes to you. The poorly matched client will make it difficult for you to do your best work. Take care of yourself. You are in this to fulfill your passion. Keep accepting and serving your ideal client.
 

Your niche community has similar problems and desires to yours

Because you closely identify with your niche community you will easily recognize their problems and desires. I only work with single business owners because that’s what I am and what I love to do. Although I know the principles for other types of business, I will be more in tune with a service professional like me.
 
Who you choose to serve will determine what you offer, how you offer it and the words you use to let them know what you do. The young athlete who wants to earn a golf scholarship has a different motivation than the weekend golfer who wants to improve his casual game. The younger weight loss client will be interested in learning how to be in a relationship given her new self image while the older weight loss person will be primarily looking to improve her health. Can you write about the benefits of your work and reach most of your target community? If not, it’s a sure sign your niche is too broad. Narrow it.
 
Not everyone who reads my blog wants to craft information products so I add personal development posts. Not everyone in my niche wants to write a teleclass so I write about other ways to earn passive income. You may be interested in serving two niches but for the purpose of establishing yourself initially pick one and learn how to serve that niche. If you want to serve another niche start another branch of your business.
 

Look for the overview

When I use the tag line “I help you build your business from your inside out” it ties together both personal development and practical business information. I get to write about both and people won’t be confused because that one line ties them both together. Look for that over-arching place of service that ties the elements of your business together.
 

Look for what sets you apart

My golf pro client is going to help young people play championship golf but because of who he is and what his passion is his program will be filled with personal growth lessons, inner work, personal strength awareness. Those choices influence the types of programs he creates, the words he uses to let people know what he does and it will set him apart in his field.
 
My weight loss coach realized from her own journey that the most difficult step was learning to be in relationships when your self image has so radically changed through large weight losses. Her programs will focus on that need.
 
How does your approach set you apart? What is it about you that makes what you offer stand out? That awareness will influence your niche.
 

Choose your niche

What is coming up for you? Do you have a better idea of who your niche should be? Write down your values. Those are the values you want in your clients. Write down the problems you have solved or want to solve. Those are the problems of your potential target community. What are your desires and visions? Those are the desires and visions of your target community.
 

Try it on for size

Begin to work with your niche. See how it feels. Do some research to see if what you want to offer is needed. How is it unique? Do you need to tweak your approach? Outline a series of topics you could write posts about or teach classes on that will inspire and motivate your target community. You will continue to adjust your niche as you build your services and respond to the people who are attracted to you. When your ideal client shows up clone her!!! Let your niche find you and don’t be surprised if it’s a bit like looking in a mirror.
 
© 2011 Cara Lumen

  

Filed Under: Business Development Tagged With: , , ,

Is Outdated Content Turning People Away?

July 6, 2011 By Cara Lumen Leave a Comment
close-lookWhen a new person discovers your web site are they seeing the best, most current reflection of what you do? Or is it a reflection of where you were last year – or even the year before that? If you haven’t reviewed your primary web content in the last six months you may be losing new clients. I’m talking about your landing page, your opt in offer and your mini-ecourse in particular, those three foundational introductory pieces that attract and convert and begin to build trust.
 
Put on your Beginner’s Mind, enter your web site and see what the new person is seeing. Does your landing page clearly tell the visitor what’s in it for them? Does it say who you serve and how to serve them? Does your opt in offer guarantee such great results that people are eager to sign up and join your community? Does the mini-ecourse explain your core concepts while it builds trust? When did you last look at your Work With Me page, your About Me page, your Media Page? How has your target community changed? What are their new needs and desires? Have your keywords changed? You get the idea. Once a year you should look closely to be certain your major content is relevant and effective.
 

How quickly we forget

 
I was really surprised to have it called to my attention by a new member of my community that a link in my mini-ecourse didn’t work. Of course it didn’t, I had not looked at that mini-ecourse since I wrote it (and I don’t know when that was). That product had taken another form and I had forgotten that link was there. Not only that, my business position had been tweaked in the last six months and that mini-course no longer reflected what I wanted to share. I immediately sat down and rewrote it. It’s important to make certain that our introductory content is up to date.
 

We need to update because we have learned more

 
Not only has my business focus changed a bit but I now know more. I always learn things when I create new information products. When I was writing “How to Craft a Magnetic Opt In Offer that Captivates and Converts” and “How to Craft a Magnetic Mini-Ecourse That Builds Trust” it became clear that it is vital that those two introductory items not only contain relevant and valuable information but that they create recognizable measurable results. With those specific criteria in mind I went back to see if what I had created two years ago was living up to those qualifications. I had a new awareness and new knowledge and I made some changes.
 

We need to update because some things work better than others

 
Look at the measurable results you are or are not getting. I did some exchange coaching with a fellow Book Yourself Solid coach who focuses on websites and what she saw from my Google Analytics was that my main website www.caralumen.com has a 60% bounce rate which is really, really good – it means people are hanging around to read. The blogs were not doing that well. The measurement of that specific result prompted me to go back over that major site to make certain it still reflected what I do now. I also made some changes on both blogs to tie in better with that site.
 
It if works keep it. If it doesn’t work change it or drop it.
 

We need to update because our emphasis has changed

 
I have begun to put more emphasis on helping people develop valuable information products. I’ve spent a lot of time developing my Magnetic Content Development System and working on the “How to Craft Series” but I’m not certain that every web presence I have up reflects that.
 
A small change in focus can affect everything you do. I even created a separate blog www.magneticsignatureproductsguild.com to focus on the information product aspect of my business. Then I had to look at who my other blog www.passionatelyonpurpose.com was serving and if I was giving them what they wanted and expected. I made some changes.
 

Pick a focus and stick with it.

 
This is a hard one for me. I’m interested in a lot of things so I share those interests in my writing. But that isn’t going to work on the receiving end – the person who comes to the blog thinking they will get one thing only to find I’m off on some tangent that wasn’t what they expected. It’s a definite disconnect. I haven’t solved that one yet – my passion is eclectic. Look to see if you are delivering what people expect to find when they come to your site.
 

Update regularly

 
Twice a year look over what new visitors see when they come to your web site for the first time. Can they identify themselves as the kind of people you work with? Do you solve their current problem or answer a current need? Do you clearly explain what you can do for them – not how you do it. Always talk about the results you can help them get and how their lives will change for the better because of it.
 
I seem to redesign my web site every three years or so. I’m getting ready to do it again. This will be the first time I have consciously applied my Magnetic Content Development System to the landing page of my main site. I know that my system helps me get clear about my target community and identify exactly the results I want them to achieve. I know it helps me choose my best ideas and organize them so people really get them. I’m starting with the exercises in “Landing Page Magic” and I’m excited about what I change and the new results it produces.
 

Rethink your business

 
There are two times of year that I rethink my business In the fall as I prepare new products and services for launch in January and in the summer when things are slower when I time to look at what’s working, what’s not, review what I have up, take down what is no longer relevant, and rewrite what needs to change. Use the summer lull to evaluate, review and update; the fall for launch preparation. 
 
Don’t let outdated content turn people away. It’s an easy fix. Look at your landing page, opt in offer and mini-ecourse to be certain each new visitor gets the message you intend for them. Update regularly. Schedule review time on your calendar. Then make those changes!
 

© 2011 Cara Lumen 

Filed Under: Content Development Tagged With: ,

What Slows You Down?

June 12, 2011 By Cara Lumen Leave a Comment
close-lookThere are three major things on my “I Want to Do” list that have been there much too long. I began to wonder why I was putting them off. 
 

It’s not a priority

It may be that what’s on my list is just not a priority. I’ve wanted to do videos for some time but I’m writing the 15 ebooks in my “How to Craft Series” instead. That’s my priority and is taking most of my time and focus. In order to change the priority of the videos I traded some coaching sessions with someone versed in the technical aspects I need to know in exchange for my help in developing information products. I now have someone who will help me get the videos up so guess what – I wrote three two-minute video scripts. It’s a start. 
 

You don’t have enough time

A project takes as long as you take to do it. There is always enough time if you schedule it in small consistent steps. One of the tricks I use is to take my “I Want to Do” list and beside each item write how long it will take to do it. The entire list always ends up being only a few hours of concentrated work. I can do that! 
 

You don’t know how to do it

This is where I start to slow down. I don’t really enjoy reading instructions for technical things. I’d much rather have someone show me exactly what I want to know how to do. I want it to be easy and instant. I am putting off relearning Camtasia because I will have to look at the tutorials. I was never very advanced in it and it will be like starting over – or so I think. I want to learn it so I can do my videos. I don’t even know how much I don’t know! I need to schedule an hour to see where I stand. 
 

You think it will be hard to learn

 I put off learning Sound Forge for nearly a year because I thought it would be hard to learn. It’s not. It’s very easy. I’m not advanced in it but the basics are easy to understand. I’m smart. I can read. I can think things through. I just thought it would be hard to learn.  If it seems hard break it down into smaller steps. But schedule that first step soon. 
 

It is hard to make decisions

Look closely to see if the need to make a decision is keeping you stuck. I think the reason I’m putting off putting my three new ebooks on Kindle is because of the decision’s I have to make – specifically around pricing. I have them priced and bundled on my web sites. I just can’t bundle them on Amazon – I don’t think. Maybe I can. I have to go look that up. Get the information you need to make an informed decision or to shatter a non-accurate belief.
 
Decisions are about change. Change is about growth. I want to grow. What decisions are slowing you down? 
 

You don’t know what to do

It’s true that you may not know the next step to take but if you have an overall goal in mind you will know the next major objective. I want to make it easier for people to connect with me on my blogs. I have no idea what plug ins will help me do that. But I have my coaching exchange with a person who does. If you don’t know what to do find someone who does. A coach can save you both time and money by guiding you to the next best steps in an order that helps you get results in a hurry. 
 

You’re afraid

Seth Godin suggested the possibility of fear keeping you stuck but I can’t think of anything I’m afraid to do. What’s the difference between being afraid and not being willing to work outside your comfort zone? I’m not afraid of making videos and I’m a good speaker. I’m clear it’s the technical steps that are slowing me down there. Maybe you’re just out of practice. Maybe it’s something you’ve never done before that you want to learn. Maybe you are afraid of success – or failure. Do look to see if it’s fear that is slowing you down. 
 

You don’t have the authority or the resources to do it

As an entrepreneur you’ve always got the authority to do it. As a new entrepreneur the resources might sometimes be a bit iffy. I figure there’s always a way around a blockage if you really want to do it. You may want to have a published book but you can always self publish and if you don’t have the resources for that there is always Kindle and iStore to publish on for free. You might wish for a VA to post your article submissions but one hour a week on your part can make a lot happen. Can a family member help? Is there a high school student you could train who would be glad to learn? Who can you trade time and skills with? Who can you hire to get you over your slow down period? Do you need a coach for this next project? Get as creative developing your resources as you are about creating your business 
 

Keep learning – know your learning style

 I learn when I write. I learn from blog posts and articles and books I read and webinars I attend. On-going study inspires my; own articles and posts and books. I learn by doing. What you need to know is available for free on line. Do the research. Find the answers. Do the work. 
 

Narrow your "Want To Do" list

A long list is a show stopper. Choose three things to accomplish each day and do them. That may mean spending an hour on moving a product a step forward rather than completing the project but those hours lead to the finish line. Schedule an hour to start learning that program you need to know in order to take the next step forward. Do an outline of the Table of Contents for a new ebook. Take off a lot of small cluttered ideas from your daily list and schedule only three action steps per day. That will help you move forward with no more slow down periods. 
 

Do what only you can do

I know how to do so many things well myself that it never occurs to me to hire anyone else to do it. The truth is we need to stay close to the money since we are the only ones who can produce the projects that will bring in more income. Make a list of what you love to do. Then list those things you know how to do but someone else could do. Make a third list of what you really truly don’t want to do and find ways to give those away. Look at the second list and see what can be outsourced. Find people who can do some of the things you don’t know how to do it easier and faster. Your time is worth money. Spend it on doing the things that only you can do.
 
Identify what slows you down and find ways to overcome the thoughts and considerations and beliefs that are keeping you from moving forward. Let’s get to work!
 
© 2011 Cara Lumen

Filed Under: Personal Development Tagged With: , ,

Hovering Above Change

June 6, 2011 By Cara Lumen Leave a Comment
padlockI am organically repositioning myself in my life and my business and I haven’t landed yet. I feel suspended between here and there – wherever "there" turns out to be.
 
Like a butterfly emerging, I don’t know what color I’ll be, so I simply let myself evolve.
 
And like the butterfly it all has to come from within – an internal change that ultimately appears on the physical plane.
 

Listen from within

As new ideas emerge test them out. See how they feel to you. See what additional ideas they stimulate. When I decided to focus much of my coaching work on helping people develop information products it stimulated a great many ideas. I taught my Magnetic Content Development System in a six week course that made me organize those ideas into a teachable format. I founded the free Magnetic Signature Products Guild which is an entirely new niche for me. I started writing the “How to Craft” Series of ebooks. With that one shift to a narrower niche it was like fireworks, the ideas and projects came rapidly. What idea are you exploring that feels like it’s going to pop?
 

Look for the signs

 My signs appeared as full blown ideas that fell into place so easily there was no hesitation on my part to put them into action. Names like the “Guild” set the tone. I realized my system of teaching content development was unique. I was excited about teaching it. It was a direction I HAD to take it was that compelling. What signs continue to show up in your life that point you in a new direction?
 

Have patience

 I get inklings of what is possible. I go exploring to see what catches my eye. And I wait – never pushing or prodding. I simply stay open to the infinite possibilities. I listen intuitively and suddenly find treasures that steadily lead me forward on this new adventure. Start journaling about what you are feeling and thinking. Capture your ideas on paper. See what shows up and consider it.
 

Goals can stop change

If I decide a particular idea needs to be a book, I might miss the opportunity to consider it should begin as a teleclass or a video or even an article. Stay flexible. Stay open. Have a broad goal like “I want to change lives with what I teach.” Then let the way you do that unfold organically.
 

You can’t hurry change

 Opening up this new niche is like starting my business over. I have a new web site, a new blog which people have to find. I am still learning how to manage the membership software. I have fourteen ebooks I know I am going to write and I’m on number three. And each product needs a landing page, a shopping cart set up, a cover and promotion. There is so much to do to let people know these great resources exist. It can’t be rushed. It just needs to be done one step at a time.
 

Learn as you go

 The beautiful thing about writing so many information products is that I get to test my own system over and over again. Sometimes in my process I create a new worksheet that I add to the system. As I write I keep discovering new phrases that convey my message even better than the ones I have already used. As I coach new people I see that I can apply my unique decision making process to those who are starting up a new business or beginning any project. Wherever there is a decision-making process I can help.
 

Watch for leveraging

 One idea can be presented in many ways. A new client showed up that allowed me to apply my decision-making process to the establishment of her new business. As I worked with her I created new processes to guide her. I will include what I discovered and created in future information products. I’ve already taught full blown teleclasses in crafting articles, teleclasses and how to books. Does that material become another ebook series that cover each step? Do they become special interest coaching groups? Can I do a VIP day? As your ideas emerge see how they can be put to use in different formats.
 

Trust

 I have an idea where I am headed but with every step I take I look and listen and feel to be certain it is aligned with my passion and that it excites me as I make it happen. I know I’m growing, I’m expanding my vision, and my expectations are changing. I’m simply allowing a newer version of me to emerging knowing that whatever it looks and feels like will be absolutely perfect for my here and now.
 
Don’t you just love hovering above change?

© 2011 Cara Lumen 

Filed Under: Personal Development Tagged With: , , ,

Nutrients You Need For Your Business Garden

April 29, 2011 By Cara Lumen Leave a Comment

check-listAlthough I’ve gardened for years, this is my first year working a raised bed in our Community Garden and as I prepared the soil I noticed the parallel in preparing a garden and nurturing your business. The time spent building a good foundation will make all the difference in the quality of the crops you harvest.  That’s why it’s important to be really clear about your niche and the results you help others achieve and lay your foundation as consciously and carefully as you can.

Choose your location

When you garden you consider the position of the bed – the amount of sun it gets, the plants that you like to grow, the length of the growing season. You look at the purpose it will serve in your yard, the background it will enhance, the activities it will shelter, the products it will grow. You decide what is needed, how much care it will take and what you want to plant there.

The same is true for your business. In the beginning you make a lot of important decisions – who you want to serve, what they need from you, the competition that’s already out there and what you want as the final result. You choose the niche that suits you and your services best.

What is needed?

If the Farmer’s Market is full of tomato growers you probably want to raise a different crop. You do your research; you test the soil to see what is needed and what it already has. You make your decision on the best results you can achieve.

You make the same type of exploration for for your business and create the perfect mix of the type service and products to fill a specific gap in the market

Start with a good foundation

Every new project begins with fresh high quality ingredients. The location of my new raised bed is wonderful. It’s partially shaded in the afternoon by a tree and easily viewed by anyone entering the garden. I went to the local nursery, got advice from an expert and added the recommended nutrients to the soil. I laid a good foundation for what I plan to grow.

In business you have to spend some quality time making the initial decisions – who you serve, what you want to offer and what results you want to create. Then you lay the foundation of your web presence, your delivery structure, and your support staff.

What crops do you want to raise?

As with any business you get to choose your crops – your outcome – exactly what you want to offer your clients and customers. Since my bed was in the first row entering the garden I decided to put the vegetables at the back and flowers at the front. It was going to be both beautiful and practical.

Decide on the purpose of your business in the beginning. It will guide you in selecting the best products and services to offer.

Provide strong support systems from the beginning

Too often we don’t have a clear picture of the final result we want and we fail to put in the proper support systems. I love clematis so I put in two trellises, one at each end to hold them. Then I placed the tomato cages between them. The back row sets the tone of both beauty and nutrition.

What supports do you need in your business? The first two are going to be a VA and a financial person. (See “Are you still trying to do it all yourself?” ) You might also need to invest in software that helps you produce certain elements of your business. Decide what you need and in what order you will need them. Be prepared and willing to put support systems in place as they are needed.

What tools do you need?

Don’t skimp on the tools you buy. I bought an inexpensive trowel and it broke in a week. At this stage of your business you are investing in something you are going to use for a long time. Set yourself up right. Get yourself a coach who can help you choose your most lucrative and satisfying direction. Spend time choosing the most expressive design for your blog or web site. What new skills do you need to learn in order to make this work? This initial investment will help you make certain you are building on a strong foundation.

Choose the best seeds and plants

 A perennial plant lasts for years. Buy the version of it you like the most, the one that will give you the greatest pleasure over the years. Choose the best tomato plants for your climate and your taste buds. 

 As you set up your business develop the most compelling landing page you can, craft an opt in offer that attracts like butterflies to a butterfly garden, create a mini-ecourse that gradually nurtures the occupants of your garden and create Cornerstone Content that shows them the possibilities. Those four foundational information products will serve your business for years to come. (See "How to Craft" Series)

What care do you need to provide?

The quality of your harvest will depend on the natural growth process of each plant, the growing conditions of the season, the quality of the plant itself and the care you provide. And that is exactly how it is in business. Some people are ready to interact right away, others need gradual cultivation. What you can do from the beginning is provide the right environment for each of them. Give them information products that encourage and guide and produce results. Write a blog that keeps them motivated and inspires them with new ideas. Offer a bi-monthly newsletter that offers resources and news of what you have created of value for them. Make some training videos that help them get results.

Watch for weeds

Weeds are simply good plants we decide are growing in the wrong place. If you are a coach and find someone who is not compatible, help them find another coach. If you create a teleclass that is not as successful as you would like, consider turning those ideas into a different format, or prune some of the material, or add new ingredients. 

Growing a business is like growing a garden, you have to monitor its growth and meet each need as it arises.

The success formula for your business garden is quality ingredients, a strong support system, consistent care, steady nutrients and patience. That’s easy enough to provide with a little awareness, persistence and conscious care.

© 2011 Cara Lume

Filed Under: Business Development Tagged With: , ,

Are You Still Trying to Do it All Yourself?

April 15, 2011 By Cara Lumen 1 Comment

red-laptopI have a new client who is extremely talented, multi-versatile and filled with great ideas. My job as her coach is to help her make decisions which stay true to her passion, develop a really big vision, and guide her along the journey. With as big a vision as she has in mind I realized she needs to learn to delegate right from the beginning. And here’s why.

Know your job

As the owner and founder of your business you are the idea person, the decision maker, the reason it exists. Your job is to keep on the lookout for new opportunities, create new collaborations, develop new products and expand your services. It is not your job to get caught up in administrative details.

Who can you get to help and what do you want them to do?

For at least one week track your time. How much time do you spend on emails, phone calls, making travel arrangements, writing articles, posting to blogs – whatever you do? How much time do you spend on exploring the potential of new ideas, talking with possible joint venture partners, creating new products and services, developing your own skill set and expanding your own knowledge base? How much time are you spending in your business and how much time on your business?

At the end of the week divide your tasks into the following categories and put the time spent or time you’d like to spend on each task

  1. Things only I can do
  2. Things someone else could do but I enjoy doing
  3. Things I don’t like to do
  4. Things I don’t do well or that are hard for me to do but need to be done
  5. Things that need doing that I don’t have time to do

Go back and put an X in front of what you are willing to give away. These are the tasks you can hire out.

Create job descriptions for the people you would like to hire

Then take some time developing a list of tasks you would hire a person to do. Include:

  1. Job Title
  2. Job Description
  3. Hours Needed
  4. Cost
  5. Type of person who would fit this position

Areas you may hire people to help you with are:

  • Coach
  •  Virtual assistant – you may need several who specialize in different tasks – blog management, travel arrangements, research for speaking engagements, article and blog posting, web management, video production, social media management, etc.
  •  Financial guidance from a tax preparer or accountant.
  • Technical support for your web presence
  • Copy Editor
  • Proofreader
  • Graphic artist

What are you willing to release?

In a PTA meeting a long time ago I realized that just because I could do every job on the agenda didn’t mean I had to volunteer for it. I get to choose where I wanted to serve. Your choices need to keep you in your passion. You need to do the work that excites your imagination, that leads to new innovative choices, and that allows you to do your best work – full out – joyously giving your all. To do that you have to give some tasks away so you can do what only you are meant to do. What are you willing to release? What are you willing to trust someone else to do? Who do you know who can do that?

You write the blog post but let a VA post it on your blog and in article submission sites. If you have lots of ideas of places to speak, have a VA research it for you, find the contact person and their information and hand it to you when you are ready to make the call. Let a VA format your emagazine or update information on your web site or manage your Tweet schedule. Let someone else set up your membership site or run the back end of your webinar software. Sometimes using collaborative software helps the process. And no, it’s not easier to do these things yourself when it adds up to time you cannot spend working on your business expansion.

Take the step

Look around at people you know who can provide the services you need, network for recommendations, go online and find resources. As you explore add to the list of responsibilities you might be ready to outsource. Then do the math. If you pay someone to do six hours of work a week what money-making ideas can you put into action in that same six hours? What new products can you produce? What new collaborative partnerships can you form? You are the idea person. Keep yourself free to explore, examine, choose and create your next steps.

© 2011 Cara Lumen
 

Filed Under: Business Development Tagged With: , ,

Why I’m Glad I’m Unemployable

December 9, 2010 By Cara Lumen Leave a Comment

natural-entrepreneurI have never fit in. I’ve always been marching to a slightly different beat. Oh, it may not have been terribly noticeable – I am socially acceptable – but I felt the difference in the choices I made and the areas that drew my interest and my passion.

I get bored with people who are only reminiscing. Give me people who are planning and thinking and visioning of what they can do next. I love to create new projects and I am not suited to simple maintenance once it exists.

I settled for helper jobs when I was in the work force rather than taking the leadership position. Part of that was because I took 16 years out of the work force to raise a family. When I returned to work after a divorce, I had changed and I couldn’t catch up.

What if I had been a man? I was a television personality in my 20’s. What if I had continued to pursue that? A man could have a family and continue his career. Women do it now today to a certain extent – in my day not so much. I love my children and I love my brain. I’m glad I’ve gotten to enjoy both in my lifetime.

You make your own path

When you don’t feel you fit in, when you are not attracted to repeatable tasks in a job, or buck at not being in control of the direction you are being led, you need to go chart your own journey. And that means finding your passion and following it. What do you love to do? What cause touches your heart? What do you value most? What gifts have you been given that you have a burning desire to share? Let your passion and your gifts guide you into your perfect place of service.

What needs fixing that you can change?

Seth Godin has made public his Domino Project in which he is teaming with Amazon to change how books are published. It will eliminate the middle man and because the books will be virtual there is unlimited shelf space unlike book stores. He’s creating new opportunities an area of service that is being forced to change because of new inventions like all the reader platforms. That’s being a thought leader.

What I saw that needed help was the difficulty entrepreneurs continually have sorting out all the ideas that continually spring up in their minds. The hardest part of starting anything new – a business, a book, a course – is in having so many ideas you don’t know where to begin. So I have created a repeatable system that helps you make your best decisions and filter your ideas into the perfect format to reach and teach your target community.

Look around at your target community – those people you have chosen to serve – and see what they need from you that you are willing to provide. Then go make it happen.

Be your own guide

I started to write “be your own boss” until I realized that is a word from being employed and we are taking about the freedom of being unemployed by others. So when you choose this route you have to be your own guide, your own motivator, your own planner, your own leader, your own visionary and inspiration. There is both freedom and responsibly in that. Not everyone wants to take that path, but if that’s you, then that’s the role you have to take.

Join your peers for support

A peer mentor happens organically. I have two and may have found a third. One has been my friend for 12 years – we share similar interests but her expertise is different than mine so she knows things I don’t. The second one I met when we shared a professional training. She is forward thinking and is exploring a similar direction so we share interests. She too knows things I don’t. In both cases we share resources and talk over ideas and coach and encourage each other on our process. Keep an eye out for your own peer mentors.

Follow other thought leaders

The beautiful thing about the internet is the rapid circulation of ideas. Find people in your field who are ahead of you and learn from them. Find people who are thinking ahead, who are challenging what exists and add their ideas to your thinking as you create your own journey.

Being so true to yourself that you are unemployable by others is beautiful. Guiding yourself along your passion is magic.

© 2010 Cara Lumen

Filed Under: Personal Development Tagged With: , , ,