One woman, in particular, shared that she’s ready to make the leap to do something different but she’s unsure how to move ahead or what the process would be to make a good decision. She feels the “tug of transition” but lacks clarity on how to navigate a potential new path. Fear and feelings of failure are on her mind as well. She’s certain that if she could take initial steps forward on how to explore and discover what’s next, fear and thoughts of failure could be overcome. Not having a plan or the equivalent of a roadmap that can be easily followed is what keeps her from moving ahead.

Have you ever felt this way? I know I have. Before I made the decision to begin my journey as an entrepreneur, I had sleepless nights and perplexing days wondering what could possibly be next for me.

If you are feeling that change is on the horizon, but you can’t clearly see the path ahead, here are some basic and easy steps you can take to feel more confident and clear about the possibilities:

1. Give Yourself Permission to Explore – The first step you need to take for all the others to work, is to give yourself permission that it’s ok for you to think about doing something new and different. Change can be both scary and exciting at the same time. Open your mind to what might be possible. Remember this is an exploration. You aren’t making a decision–yet.

2. Block Out Some Time – Pull out your calendar and block out time to do this exploration. At the party, the woman asked me, “What should I do with the time?” Online research, read books or publications on the subject, attend a class or workshop. For example, if you are interested in event planning, take some time to research online, read books or publications devoted to the industry. Before I made the decision to get my coaching certification, I researched the industry to learn more. If you don’t actually block the time and make an appointment with yourself, your “to-do” list will get in the way and before you know it, another 6 months will have gone by.

3. Reach Out – Make a point to connect with people who are doing what it is you’re considering. During my exploration, I connected with several coaches that I respect to learn more about their business, how they got started, what their business was like, etc.

4. Consider Hiring a Coach – Having a supportive person to walk with you through this exploratory phase can be extremely helpful. Having someone to ask the right questions to illuminate new possibilities or reframe your current situation is invaluable.

Summer is the perfect time to go exploring. I invite you to discover what might be next for you. The journey begins by taking the first step.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

 *****

© 2011 Joy Chudacoff 

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at Profits With Passion.

Making a decision to do something new or different in your life can get really uncomfortable. It triggers all of your “stuff” down deep inside. You may start to question everything you do and sometimes you wonder if you should continue with your new Big Idea, Dream, or Goal. After all, you may not be overjoyed with your current life situation, job, or business but at least it’s familiar—right? I remember a time in my life when I felt out of sorts, stuck and trapped, but at the same time I wasn’t sure if I had the courage to make the changes that were needed in order to feel whole, passionate and purposeful.

For example, when I decided to give birth to Smart Women Smart Solutions, there were many reasons why it wasn’t the most “ideal” time to begin something new. For example, I had my son who was a toddler and was pregnant with my daughter. My “stuff” seemed to pop up everywhere and follow me around with all of the reasons why now might not be the “right” time to start a new business. “Who will take care of my son?” “Now isn’t the right time” “What if it doesn’t work?” “What if I fail?” Sound familiar?

I have fears just like everyone else. Confronting your “stuff” is not much fun. It means you have to take a look at what is and decide if you have the courage to change and do what it takes to breakthrough to the next level in your life.

Over the last 2 decades, I’ve had times where I was surviving and times where I was thriving, and I will share with you that in order to “thrive”, sometimes you have to go through that “survive” period. It’s essential that you learn about yourself and see what changes or shifts you need to make in order to realize your Big Ideas, Dreams, and Goals. My grandfather used to say, “Joy, no matter where you go, there you are.” Well said Pops. Sometimes, we get in our own way and practice the art of self-sabotage without really even realizing it.

Here are a few solutions that have helped me with my “stuff” and I believe it can help you too:

1. Look for a “Thinking” Partner – Have someone on your side. Someone who can support you in a positive way when your “stuff” comes up. Having a “thinking” partner will help you to see how to move past your “stuff” and stay on the right course to accomplish your goals.

2. Find Successful Role Models – It’s essential to find people who’ve been successful and continue to be growth-oriented. One of the biggest mistakes I see people make as entrepreneurs is they stay in a vacuum. They try to figure out how to accomplish their dreams on their own. Let successful people show you the way. They have paved a road that will be much easier for you to follow. Attend conferences, join Mastermind groups, or hire a Coach to help you stay the course.

3. Make sure your Desire is Heartfelt – When the desire is there, the how-to will come. No matter how much “stuff” you are dealing with around this change you are making in your life, desire will always win if it’s authentic and truly what you want in life. Get really clear and focused on what you want to happen.

Living a life that allows you to achieve and have what you want and deserve is not always easy but it’s certainly worth the effort. Facing your “stuff” along the way not only helps you, but it helps all of the people who come in contact with you now and in the future. You will become a beacon of light that they can look to for guidance when they confront their “stuff.” Remember, it’s not trespassing if you cross your own boundaries.

Anything is possible.  Everything is waiting for you.
*****
© 2011 Joy Chudacoff
 
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, 2 FREE Reports and FREE MP3 now at Creating The Spark .

Realizing a goal requires that you get into the game of making it happen. It’s essential that you make a statement to the world that you’re ready to take action on this idea, dream or vision that you have. In life, you are either in the game or on the sidelines.
 
Let me give you an example: A few days ago, I was speaking with a friend who shared with me her disappointment that she wasn’t chosen for a particular project. She felt she was “perfect” for the position and an expert in this area. As I explored this situation with her, it became clear to both of us why she wasn’t considered for the project. She was taking a “sideline” position with her business. She had not taken the steps necessary to market and promote her service in this game called entrepreneurship.

People are not mind readers. They have no idea what your abilities are or if you are in business unless you educate them. People make judgments or perceptions based on what they see and hear. If you want to get noticed, you need to get off the sidelines and get into the game of achieving your goals. Whether you’re a coach, speaker, writer, attorney, or stay at home mom, if you have a Big idea, Dream or Goal about which you are passionate, you must communicate it to the world so when opportunities arise, you will be considered.

Are you sitting on the sidelines of your business? Here are a few tips and solutions that will help you get off the sidelines and into the game:

1. Show up ready to play – In any sport, you must show up in your “uniform” if you want to play the game. My kids would not be allowed on the soccer field if they arrived in their baseball uniform. Be thoughtful about what you wear. Ask yourself a question: “If I were to meet my ideal client today, would I be presenting myself in a way that would entice them to work with me?” This does not mean that you need expensive clothing or jewelry. You need to look put together and that can be done on a budget.

2. Pick your position – Everyone has a “position” that they excel at. In the game of soccer, my son enjoys the striker position and my daughter enjoys playing goalie. What’s your area of expertise? What is your gift to the world? You need to communicate how you can help people when they use your product or service. In the example I gave earlier, my friend was “relaxed” in communicating to anyone that she’s an expert in her field. How in the world would anyone ever know?

3. Show them you can do it – When you are in the spotlight, this is your time to shine in your area of expertise. When a player gets control of the ball, this is his or her opportunity to show everyone that they know what to do. As a woman entrepreneur, you will want to showcase your work so people can clearly see you are the “go-to-gal” in your industry. You can:

A. Ask for “rave reviews” from your satisfied clients so you can include them in all of your marketing materials – both online and offline.

B. Write articles about your area of expertise and submit them to industry publications that your ideal client reads.

C. Public Speaking. Get the word out by speaking to groups that have a desire for your area of knowledge. This is a wonderful way to get noticed and create a “buzz” about your business.

Sitting on the sidelines of your business can be “comfortable.” It’s much easier to be a spectator. Promoting your business to the world can feel uncomfortable because of fear and the risk of being judged. However, the only way to build a thriving business with rave reviews is to get into the game of entrepreneurship and create a plan to let everyone know how your area of expertise can benefit them or transform their life or business.

Anything is possible.  Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2010 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at  http://www.ProfitsWithPassion.com.

Back then, I was working as a business manager and marketing consultant for a very prominent physician in Los Angeles.  I was making decent 5 figure money, however I didn’t own my car and I was renting an apartment with a roommate to make ends meet.  The office where I worked was located in glamorous Beverly Hills, however the location of my desk inside the office was anything but glamorous.  I sat in an area that was a “pass through” for every employee so I never had any privacy.  If I leaned really far to my left, I could see some trees outside the window of my boss’s office. I longed for an office with a window view and an apartment all to myself. 

Today, along with my beautiful family, I have my own business, Smart Women Smart Solutions® with an office in my home that has a panoramic view of blue sky, trees and mountains and I’m about a mile from the Pacific Ocean.

What changed?  I changed.  One thing I know for sure is that nothing changes until you do.  If you want something in your life to change, then you have to be willing to make a change.  Sounds simple doesn’t it?  I must admit that it’s not that simple and along the way there have been bumps in the road.  However, I would not change a thing.

I can’t share my entire journey with you in this article however, I do want to share 6 of the key essentials  that took me from where I was – basically “surviving,” to today where I’m fully “thriving.”

1. Get Curious – I became an entrepreneur by accident.  I wasn’t earning the money that I truly desired and when it became apparent that I was never going to in my job, I started to think about another alternative.  I began dreaming, reading, researching and asking questions to anyone who might be able to give me some ideas on starting a business.  Today it’s so much easier because of the internet.  Google is at your fingertips to ask just about any question you can think of.

2. Get Moving – Once I landed on an opportunity that felt right for me in terms of money invested verses profit to be made, I began to look for ways to secure the money I needed to get started.  I was considered a “credit risk” to many banks and was turned down quite a few times before I secured my first loan. 

3. Keep Trying – Anytime you do something new, you’re bound to make mistakes and becoming an entrepreneur is no different.  You will make mistakes.  The key is to get up when you fall down and learn from the mistake.  I’ve made numerous mistakes over the years and I paid attention to what I did wrong and learned how to do it right the next time.

4. Keep Learning – Take classes in areas of learning to get you up to speed on new, innovative ways to build your business.  I enroll in classes all the time both offline and online to learn more about ways to increase my business and marketing.  With all of the teleclasses and webinars there are today, it’s become so easy to learn from anywhere.

5. Get Support – Having coaches and mentors is one of the best investments I’ve ever made.  Having a trusted “partner” on the journey who sees my situation through a different lens has been a big reason for my success.  Having a supportive spouse, family and friends has played a big role for me as well.  Make sure you surround yourself with people who champion your dreams.

6. Stay Focused – Decide what it is you want to accomplish and stay on course to make it happen.  I’ve veered off course myself many times and I have to remember the answer to “Why am I doing this?” so I can ground myself again and stay focused on my desired outcome.

I invite you to stop dreaming and start acting on your Big Ideas, Dreams and Goals.  One of my favorite quotes from Einstein is “Vision Without Execution is Merely Hallucination.”  Stop hallucinating.  Take action today and make it happen.

*****

© 2010 Joy Chudacoff
 
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at http://www.SmartWomenSmartSolutionsCoaching.com.

The thought of building a business “online”—you know sitting behind your laptop in your pajamas all day, never having to leave the house sounds really attractive to many people.  This works well if you are in a products based business where the only contact you have with real people might be the UPS guy or gal.  However, if you are in a service-based business like an attorney, consultant, coach, event planner, real estate,–you get the idea, then it’s essential that you have both an online and offline presence. 

If you are a service provider, you are the product.   I find many entrepreneurs dragging their feet on this part of the business plan and it’s the one area that can guarantee new business.  Today, after 51/2 years, my business is still over 85% referral based.  These referrals come from satisfied clients, speaking engagements and client attraction events that I’ve attended.  Do I enjoy online business?  Absolutely.  However I’ve learned the value of taking my business offline. 

Here are a few solutions for taking your business “offline” to attract more of your ideal client:

1. Public Speaking – this has been the number one  best way for me to build my business “offline.”  It has produced the most highly qualified referrals over the years.  The audience can get a sense of who you are and your presentation can identify more clearly how you can help them.  Make sure you leverage your time well by speaking to groups that are your ideal client.

2. Referral Program – create a “referral” letter that you can send out to all of your current and past clients.  Let them know that you are accepting new clients and explain how your services can benefit people they may know.  You may be surprised that clients (and good friends!) can forget exactly what you do if you don’t remind them often.  I’ve  had  prior clients get my letter and call me to begin working with me again!

3. Attending the “Right” Events – getting out and attending events is key to the growth of your business.  Make sure that you attend events where you truly enjoy the programs being represented and it’s essential that these events attract your ideal client as well.  Let me clarify something: If you are drawn to a particular charity or fundraiser that is not well attended by your ideal client, that’s wonderful.  Giving back or enjoying the spiritual growth you receive is important to your success as a human being.  It’s key to pick one more venue to attend regularly so that you can also work on building your entrepreneurial dream as well.

If you are a woman entrepreneur in a service based business, the tips and solutions above can generate more ideal clients quickly.  In fact, it can happen in as little as 30 days if you put these action steps into place right away. 

Next week, I’ll meet you back here to chat with you about building an “online” presence.  Successful marketing is like cooking:  You need more than one ingredient to make the recipe turn out just right.

*****

© 2010 Joy Chudacoff
 
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at http://www.smartwomensmartsolutionscoaching.com/ .

“Wait for the one that’s right for you!”
“Don’t swing at every pitch!”
“Good Eye!”

This got me thinking about how smart women choose opportunities that are “right” for the mission and growth of their business. As your business begins to grow and you develop a following in your industry, opportunities will come your way. It’s important to identify which opportunities are right for you. It’s easy in the beginning to want to say “Yes!” to every opportunity that you are presented with to grow your business as quickly as possible. It’s a lot like learning to play baseball. When my children first started playing a few years ago, they swung at every pitch—why? They had a one track mind– hit the ball and get on base. When considering a joint venture or collaboration, there are several factors that you should consider:

1. You both serve the same target market – Make sure that the person you collaborate with serves your target market but in a different way. This assures that you are reaching your ideal client with a service that they need or want.

2. Aligns with your future vision – The collaboration should put you closer  to your future goals. This is why being crystal clear on your vision is essential. Having a mentor or coach to help you process or work through potential opportunities will help you save time and make solid decisions.

3. If it feels “right,” it probably is – When you get together with the person who you may be collaborating with, does it feel “right?” Does the conversation flow? Do you feel a sense of calm and trust with the other person? These are key indicators for me. I’ve been approached many times over the years to collaborate and I’ve declined offers because it didn’t feel quite right or we didn’t have the same mission or goals. Many of my readers know that I’m the Business and Life Coach for the National Association of Entrepreneur Moms and the Tenacity Jane Coach for Jane Out of the Box. These “pitches” felt “right” for me from the very beginning. Trust your intuition or as I like to call it, your “internal voice.”

You will say “Yes” sometimes and it won’t work out. (believe me, I have) That’s  a normal part of the “growing” process. I’ve watched both my kids strike out more than a few times because of their excitement to hit the ball. However, I will share with you that more often than not, they are developing that “good eye” — standing patiently at home plate, waiting for the pitch that’s “right” for them.

As you become more laser clear on what your future vision is and where you’re going in your business, you too, will develop a “good eye” for opportunities.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****

© 2010 Joy Chudacoff
 
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at http://www.profitswithpassion.com.

When I gave birth to Smart Women Smart Solutions 5 years ago, I offered some programs that I loved—notice the “I” here.  I offered group coaching programs that were ideal for me in terms of the time and day of week, however I found out t hat this was not the optimum time for my ideal clients.  I had to change my way of thinking and design programs that appealed to my client.  This is a trap we can fall into as entrepreneurs.  Too many times, we offer services to clients that appeal to us—we love them so everyone else will too, right? You are in business for yourself; however the key to success is to offer services that appeal to your ideal client so that when they learn about them, they immediately say, “Yes!”

There are 3 things you can do right away to make sure that what you offer is exactly what your ideal client wants:

1.  What do you serve?  Using the example of eating out, is it All-American, Italian, French, Greek?  What type of business do you have?  Are you a coach, speaker, real estate agent, attorney, pet store owner?  Are you serving what people want and need?  One quick tip is to Google your business idea a nd see what comes up.  If multiple pages come up, then you may have a winner on your hands.  If you get no results, you may need to re-think your idea.  Example:  If you Google “mani/pedi for dogs,” you’ll see that there is a very small market for this.  It’s not a service that enough people are looking for to build a successful business.

2.  How do you serve it up?  Is it eat-in or take-out?  Is it buffet-style?  Is it formal or casual?  How do you serve your client the product or service?  In an office?  By phone?  Privately, one to one? Group programs?  This is key to growing a business with happy clients who will send referrals your way.  I offer my coaching services for women in several ways to make sure that I have different choices for different women’s needs.

3.  Your comments, please – Do you ever notice the manage r walking around the restaurant asking if you have everything you need?  Or maybe they bring you a comment card at the end of the meal asking for your feedback?  The best way to find out what your ideal client wants is to ask them.  I send out surveys to my existing clients and potential clients at least one time per year and sometimes two.  I learned a long time ago not to live in a vacuum when it comes to marketing.  Don’t sit in your office all alone trying to figure out what your ideal client wants and needs.  You can ask them and they will be happy to tell you!  It’s so easy to do online.  I use a company called SurveyMonkey.com and there are several others as well.

You may be wondering how Greg and I ever go out to dinner since we both have different ideas about the dining experience we each want.  Guess what?  We take turns.  Sometimes we go more formal and sometimes we order at the counter and grab a table for two. “Taking turns” won’t work with your ideal client.  They want it their way.  Take some time to look at your own programs and services.  Find out what your ideal client wants and serve it to them in a way that will make them happy.  You’ll have them coming back again and again.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2010 Joy Chudacoff
 
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 at http://www.smartwomensmartsolutionscoaching.com/.

– “I’m never able to get it all done.”
– “I can’t figure out which “to-do” should be done first.”
– “It only takes 10 minutes.”

One woman entrepreneur is multi-tasking all day long. She felt this was really effective in her quest to “beat the clock.” To quote my client, “it only takes 10 minutes to complete each task.” When we took a look at the “it only takes 10 minutes” tasks and added them up, she was losing over an hour a day on items that could be delegated to someone else. What would you do with an extra hour per day?

We wear many hats and play many roles in our lives. It’s very easy to get caught up in the “to-do” list and the requests of others. In my work with women, my goal is to help them have an 80/20 rule in their lives and businesses. 80% is their “ideal” life that they create and 20% is when “life happens.” You know those days when you get sick, the kids are sick, the car breaks down, etc. For many of you, it’s just the opposite. You’re getting 20% of your time to steer your life the way you’d like and 80% is spent serving others needs and requests. I invite you to think about changing this if you want to live with passion and purpose in your life and business.

I used to be in that 80/20 situation (with 80% being determined by others) until I made a conscious choice to give myself permission to design a life that resembled more of what I wanted on a daily basis. Here’s a few tips and solutions on how you can begin to take better control and win your race against time:

1. What do you want? – This really throws women off base when I ask this question. Why? You believe that your life is not your own. You serve and take care of so many people. How could you possibly have what You really want? Take a look at all the areas of your life – self, spouse/partner, family, work/business, friends and community. How much time would you ideally like to spend in each of these areas? Remember the 80/20 rule.

2. Design Your “Ideal” Day – The women I work with take a blank calendar and begin to play around with the “what-ifs.” They play with different scenarios and come up with what works best for them based on what’s most important.

3. Set up boundaries – It’s essential that you set boundaries around your life. I have a boundary around the 4pm hour during the week. I typically reserve from 4pm on through the evening to be with my family. I also have a boundary around my day between 8:30 and 4pm Monday through Friday. I spend this time serving women and practicing my own self-care.

4. Get some help – A very wise, successful woman once shared with me that “you can do it all but you can’t do it all by yourself.” Well said. This lesson has been one of the most valuable for me along the way. The act of delegation has been a key factor in helping me to have more of what I want in my life and less of what I don’t. Here’s a clue; Make a list of what you’re really good at, enjoy doing and also produces income for you. These are the things that you need to hold on to. Take everything else and delegate it as soon a possible. The first 2 things I delegated in my business were bookkeeping and technology. I don’t enjoy these and it’s not an area of strength for me.

If you are serious about winning your race against time and having more of what you want in your day, I invite you to use these 4 steps I’ve shared with you. I’m going to leave you today with a quote that feels just right at this moment. “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” ~Annie Dillard

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2010 Joy Chudacoff
 
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at http://www.profitswithpassion.com/.

When you first make the decision to become a business owner, you as an entrepreneur are very “fluid.” After all, you’re probably a solo-entrepreneur trying to do everything yourself! There aren’t any rules about how to do anything. The goal is to get some clients and earn an income—right? After some time passes, you begin to realize that this “fluid” aspect of your business is not working. You are “surviving” and you want to be “thriving.”

It’s time to take a look at where you are in your business now and make a plan for where you want to be in the future. In other words, it’s time for a “solid” foundation to be put in place. Your business needs to have a clear plan of action on what you want to accomplish moving forward and how you will accomplish the plan. You will want to gain clarity around how to best market your products and services, gain visibility and produce profit so that your business can “thrive.”

Here are a few quick examples of “solid” and “fluid” in your business:

Solid – I was working with a smart woman just a few weeks ago who has a great concept for her business. The business is growing but at a much slower pace than she’d like. When I asked her what her action plan was for 2010, she didn’t really have a clear idea. Her reply was something like, “make money.” This was not a “solid” answer. We spent some focused time exploring her vision for the business this year. We then created a plan around her products and services, her marketing strategy and I also shared some time management solutions to make sure she’s getting the “right” things done to stay on course.

Fluid – You need to be open to new ideas and ready to course-correct when necessary. Just yesterday, I was working with a smart woman who’s experiencing a lot of frustration around her marketing efforts with little return in terms of new clients. As we explored her business, she soon realized that she had overlooked 2 other streams of income that could generate profits right now in her business with much less effort while she continues to grow this new area of interest.

Working with a coach or mentor can be especially helpful. It provides a grounding process for the woman entrepreneur. It’s essential that you take the time periodically to sit down and review the “solid” and “fluid” aspect of your business. Is your action plan “solid” for the long-term? Does it have a clear plan of action to gain new clients and produce profit? Do you need to make some changes in your plan? Is it time to course-correct? Many times, we put a plan into action only to find out that we missed a very important piece of information. This is when your thinking needs to become “fluid” or flexible with new ideas.

I walked away from the science center that day with more than I expected. Giving yourself permission to get out of your daily routine can open a whole new way of thinking about your life and your business. I invite you to take a look at the “solid” and “fluid” parts of your business. It will make a big difference in how it unfolds this year.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****
© 2010 Joy Chudacoff
 
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3  at http://www.SmartWomenSmartSolutionsCoaching.com.

Having a firm foundation is essential for any business to have sustainable growth and long-term success. What do you need in order to create a firm foundation for your Big Idea, Dream, or Goal? You need the same 6 elements that my son Jack used in his book report:

1. Title – What’s the name of your business? Does the logo reflect what your business provides? Does your business card or web site accurately reflect what you do? This is a basic but very important part of your business. Many times, it can be the first contact someone has with you and your business. It needs to be clear when someone picks up your card or visits your web site.

2. Setting – Where will you operate and run your business? Will it be home-based or do you need to rent office or warehouse space? What setting will best serve you in running and operating a successful, profitable business? When I first started my business years ago, I had a small desk in my bedroom that served as an “office.” Today, I have an office that is dedicated to my business needs. It’s light, bright and has a 360-degree window view all around me. Your environment is very important when you are working on your Big Ideas, Dreams, and Goals. The key is to get started in whatever space you have but make it a goal to “create your own space” as soon as possible.

3. Main Characters – Who will support you in your business? Do you have an assistant? Coach? Belong to a Mastermind? When I first started my business, it was just me doing everything. Along the way, I added support as I quickly realized that I could not accomplish my dreams and goals without more help. Today, I have a virtual assistant, a web designer and a project assistant. Support is a key factor in building and sustaining a successful business.

4. Plot – What’s the vision for your business? What does your Big Idea, Dream, or Goal look like? This was the most challenging part for my son Jack. Taking what he read and being able to articulate it in a format that would make sense to anyone who picked up the report but may have never read the book. This, too, is true for your business. You need to be able to articulate your business idea and what it does with real vision and clarity, so that when you meet with your ideal client, they understand that what you have to offer is for them.

5. Problem – What problem does your ideal client have that you can solve when they work with you or use your product? This is key to writing effective marketing materials.

6. Solution – What’s the solution that you provide? For example, are you a small business attorney who helps entrepreneurs keep their businesses legally healthy? Do you provide services to help people grow their businesses? People will always invest in solutions that they believe will clearly solve their problems.

Jack’s book report was on Doctor Doolittle. He enjoyed the book and all of its characters. Taking everything he discovered in the book and putting it on paper was not always easy at times, but it clearly helped him to better understand what he read. He had to get up a few times, walk away, and take a break but in the end, he was really proud of his work.

I invite you to sit down and do a “report” on your business. Whether it’s a new business that you’ve been dreaming about or a business you’ve had for a while, visualizing and clarifying these steps will bring about some positive ideas and new thinking for 2010.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

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© 2009 Joy Chudacoff
 
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and be the first to hear about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at http://www.ProfitsWithPassion.com.