For Every Problem There IS a Solution
For Every Problem There IS a SolutionHave you ever met someone who claims they want an solution to a problem, but when given the answer, they pooh-pooh it?
Then they say, “This stuff doesn’t work.” It’s not that the solution doesn’t work, it might be they (deep inside) don’t want it to work.
Some people are so attached to their story they’ll do whatever they can to be right.
Why is it some people will ask for solutions to their problems, even pay for the strategies to solve problems, but then continue to do things their way?
It’s like watching someone drown because they won’t learn how to swim and are constantly diving into the water.
Vetting Clients Comes with Time and Experience
I’ve made it a policy to vet potential clients by digging into their history. Mind you, I’m talking about high-end clients. I’m not referring to people who buy a $20 product. I’m referring to those who have one-on-one time with me, hire me to consult or keynote at their conference.
One of the quickest ways to determine if you will be able to help a client is to listen to their back story. A few simple questions will let you know if you will be just one more “they didn’t work coaches” or if you actually can help.
It’s not that you’re not good, even great, at what you do. It’s that some people continually fail to implement ideas that actually will work because they fear failure, success or both. Sadly, by not taking different actions, they are creating the very thing they fear most; failure.
Listen to The Whole Story
Recently, I received an email from a woman who was very upset with a vendor she hired.
“I wasted my money. Why does this always happen to me? One more time, I threw money away. When I complained, she wasn’t willing to do anything to fix the problem.”
The email was long and drawn out, but the general tone was the same; the woman felt she had been burned… one more time.
I actually know the vendor and I know her work to be very high quality. I also know she offers stellar customer care.
Several of my personal clients use her services, as do I, and none of us have had this experience. And yet, virtually every vendor this woman worked with resulted in the same outcome; the woman feeling slighted.
Complainers Run In Packs
I’ve heard similar stories from people who have hired coaches. Although the coaches run very successful businesses, have helped lots of people get great results, there are those individuals who never get results from any of the coaches they have hired.
Often, these folks seek out others who have a similar mindset in order to console each other in the “ain’t it sad” scenario.
A closer look will reveal it has little, if anything, to do with the coach and everything to do with the fact the person isn’t willing to implement the ideas presented.
I’m not saying there aren’t some bad, really bad, coaches. What I am saying is everyone has an M.O.
Success Was Hers… But It Frightened Her
Years ago I worked with a woman who wanted to build a strong local presence, increase the number of private clients she worked with and of course, increase her revenues and profit margins.
We worked on a great solution; it was to get out in her local market and offer complimentary presentations.
Initially, she was gung-ho, implementing virtually every idea we discussed.
She hosted her first ever event in which 45 people attended. Everyone gave her rave reviews.
She made a very nice offer to those in attendance and sold several thousand dollars worth of services.
Her results were wildly successful.She was on Cloud 9.
“I love this. I want to keep doing this,” she exclaimed.
Yet, within a very short period of time she reverted back to old behaviors. She quit doing the very things that resulted in her successful outcome.
When I asked her what was going on, she gave me a song and dance about this not being what she is meant to do. And off she went to chase more squirrels.
Last I heard, she was once again struggling in her business and deciding if she needed to close shop.
To me, this is insane.
How do I know? Because for years this was my story.
My Story Was Like A Broken Record
Although I knew I needed to do things differently and would seek out how to make changes, I continued to do things my way.
My way ended me up fat, broke and frustrated. I was so attached to my story of why I couldn’t succeed that no matter how clear the answer was I would hold fast to “my way.”
I came to realize (and accept) if things were to change in my life I HAD to be willing to do things differently.
I had to be willing to take full responsibility for my actions. I especially had to be willing to get uncomfortable in order to let go of what was familiar and keeping me broke.
Taking responsibility, changing the way I did things and not telling the same old story has allowed me to create a successful life and business. I’m coming up on my 23rd year in business.
Find Those Who are Doing It
Over the last decade, I’ve hired several business coaches. Each has a proven track record, has something unique to offer and each pushes me out of my comfort zone.
The fact is, if you want to go beyond your current level of success it is essential to get outside, often wayyyyyy outside, your comfort zone.
I would be incredibly foolish if I were to pay experts for their insights and then not apply what they recommend. After all, I hired them for a reason; they knew things I didn’t.
By applying what they advise, I get to experience even greater success than I can achieve on my own.
For example, with one coach, one recommendation I implemented resulted in over $30,000 worth of added revenue in less than a month.
If I would not have tried her method I probably wouldn’t have generated the extra $30,000.
The knowledge I obtained from my business coaches is beyond outstanding. Yet, it’s worth nothing to me if I don’t apply it.
The Insanity of Investing (ooops – throwing money away)
Frequently I see people who will invest in great information from people with a proven track record, yet they put a half-hearted effort into implementation or worse yet, do nothing with the knowledge (or argue why they are different, their market is different and hold to the belief the information won’t work for them) and then they say the expert’s information doesn’t work.
It never ceases to amaze me how much people invest in programs, seminars, workshops and mentors only to continue doing things their way. The very way that got them where they’re at and likely has them stuck in a rut of some sort. After all, if they weren’t in a rut why would they invest in the knowledge and guidance in the first place?
Mindset is Everything
A place people get incredibly stuck is with their money mindset. I see this every single day.
Countless men and women continually talk about how tough times are. They claim they just can’t seem to make money. When they see others making money the first thing out of their mouth is, “You are so lucky. It’s easy for you.”
These type of comments grate on my nerves as much as fingernails on a chalkboard.
It’s not luck or things being easy that allow some people to continually generate revenue. Not at all. It’s that we have different strategies.
Building and running a successful business takes discipline. It’s not something that “just happens.” It’s something you plan and work at.
Stop the Blame, Stop the Insanity
Rather than blaming the economy or saying people are just not spending money, why not pay attention to your own habits, thoughts and conversations.
Organize your day in a way that you have specific outcomes you MUST achieve.
Avoid conversations that include, “I’m not making any money,” and “I have no idea how I’m going to make any money.”
This is absolutely essential to changing the money mindset. More people engage in the “Money is tight” conversation rather than, “There is more than enough to fill my needs.”
The willingness to NOT engage in negative conversations is absolutely essential to unblocking money channels.
Read books, listen to CDs, and absorb anything and everything on positive money beliefs that you possibly can.
7 Step Process
Want to see a change in your business for the better? Try these 7 Steps To Success
- For a period of 30 days start your day by expressing gratitude.
- Begin your time in your office with something that will monetize your business. Stay out of email first thing in the morning other than to access any emails that are directly connected with monetizing your business.
- Minimize your time in social networks unless the time is directly related to your business growth.
- Be willing to end conversations talking about “how slow things are, my market is different, my business is different, you don’t understand, blah, blah, blah.”
- Engage in conversations about business growth, what the market wants, needs and is willing to pay for, trends and possibility.
- Map out your next 30 days. Put a plan in place to create something that will monetize and grow your business. Work the plan.
- Rather than assuming the success others experience is based on how lucky they are, dig deeper and take a look at what they are doing to create their success. Look at their systems and be willing to model what they are doing. It’s likely when you do you too will experience a new level of success.
Here’s the deal; you can choose to continue on the path of the insane people who have the solutions at their fingertips, but still do things their way or you can follow the path of those who are wildly successful.
The choice is yours.
Take Your Business to the Next Level
Ready to take your business to the next level? Join me on March 20th in Portland, Oregon for Passion for Thriving Event. Only 40 spots available and most have been claimed.
For only $47 you will spend a full day with other conscious women who are all committed to their businesses and their success.
The event takes place in Beaverton, Oregon. There’s just one thing… seating is limited to 35 people and only a few spots remain.
Event Registration Click Here