3 Keys to Feeling More ALIVE...So You Stop Robbing Yourself of Joy

You know 'that' incredible feeling – you feel creative; ideas flow naturally; your body feels expansive and open; you have hope, faith, and courage and everything you do is a success; you feel love all around; you desire to dance or sing for no particular reason; your writing flows; you and your clients are in perfect harmony, coming up with solutions with ease; you feel...alive.

Pretty awesome feeling, right? Unfortunately, many women entrepreneurs unknowingly rob themselves of feeling alive because they allow other things to get in their way—like getting stuck in being overly ambitious or putting too much pressure on themselves to be multiple steps ahead of where they are currently. This makes sense considering women in business today are highly ambitious, visionary spirits dedicated and focused to making a difference through their work, while having their ultimate ideal life. (family, health, travel, financial security, etc.)

This is particularly true for you as a 'Creative'—coach, healer, strategist, designer, trainer, nutritionist, and so on. You want to know everything (because you know anything is possible); you have tons of ideas (what Creative doesn't); and you desire to be at a certain place in your life, in your business or with your finances...and now. And when these things don't happen fast enough or 'good enough,' you end up generating low level emotions that make you feel crummy and that rob you of truly enjoying what you know you're here to do—in your life and in your work.

Here's the problem when it comes to your business. When these low level emotions happen...

• you begin to attract clients who are less than ideal to work with
• you feel stuck (really stuck) on how to get to 'that next level' in your business
• clients don't sign up with you or purchase your products...and you don't know why
• you feel you SHOULD be successfully marketing like everyone else, but you just don't feel ready because they are others things you have to do first
• you undercharge for your services and over-deliver
• you stumble on your words when expressing what you do and how much you charge
• you find that the money that you do make...is quickly spent
• and you feel that things just aren't where they should be

Talk about sucking the joy and fun out of what you know you LOVE to do in your business. You know you've come to this life to make a huge positive difference through your work, but making things happen is getting tiring, frustrating, and sometimes down-right depressing.

So, here are 3 keys to shine a little light on how to start feeling more alive again.... so, you can put the flow back in your business (and life).

(Feel free to add your own keys in the comments section below.)

1. Be Open. Remember, you don't have to know everything or have accomplished everything that you set out to do, you just have to be open to letting in the idea of what's possible and then take ONE step at a time. Be open to getting help; be open to new ideas; be open to being in a place of discomfort momentarily as you move to the next level of your business.

2. Have Faith. Be willing to take the steps that feel scary and uncomfortable. You need to hold faith that each step that you take toward your goal of living life purposefully, doing the work that you want to do for others and having the life that you desire for yourself is possible and happening every moment of every day. You have to believe that each step is the right one.

3. Use Your Imagination to Begin Creating the Reality You Desire. Imagine for a moment that each moment and each experience is meant for you to advance to a higher version of yourself (where you are more joyful, creative, and inspired). Imagine how each experience and each person who comes into your life helps you learn more fully what you're here to learn and what you're here to do and to help you get closer to total alignment with all that you desire to create.

Imagine for a moment—where you are right now—sitting in your chair reading this, what that ultimate life and ultimate business looks like for you. What are you doing? Who are you working with? What does it feel like to have the freedom to be doing this work and seeing the results from your work?

What is it that truly makes you feel 'alive'?

Copyright 2011 All Rights Reserved

If you would like to use this article on your blog or website, feel free as long as you include the following author information:

Known for her creativity, gentle disposition, enthusiasm, and passion, Lisa Hromada is a leading Personal Branding Strategist and Authentic Marketing Coach who specializes in empowering women entrepreneurs to find the clarity and focus they need to create a thriving brand while still having the time and energy to enjoy their other priorities. Find Lisa's FREE gifts and more at: http://www.lisahromada.com/bizsuccess

Get Unstuck (NOW) and Move Your Business Forward...No Matter What

Many entrepreneurs make the choice each day―whether they're aware of it or not―to stay at the same dissatisfying place. This is especially true for women entrepreneurs who deeply desire to make a difference through their work, yet they fear stepping forward in one way or another to take the action needed to start, grow, or revive their business.

They stay stuck by believing that they're not capable of having what they want; or they believe that 'time' holds them back because they have to do other things first before moving forward and making money; or they feel caught in a catch-22 style paradox―their current situation is needing to make money in their business and to do this, they need to invest money in mentorship, knowledge, and training. So, they have to invest money that they're not yet making in order to make money. Sound familiar?

And while it's understandable that these feelings of fear and unease come up―they do for EVERY heart-centered woman coach and consultant taking steps toward the next highest version of herself―if you really want to start your business, grow your business, or stay in business (!) and help the people you know you're in this life to help, you have to find a way to make what you want happen (and you can...and will).

Would you like to know the ONE simple thing that I did when I was in a place of feeling that I couldn't move my business forward for financial and time reasons? 

Here it is: I took courageous action. 

Well, actually it was more like: 1) I listened to that strong yearning inside of me for 'something more;' 2) I stayed in full faith that whatever decision I made was going to be the right one; 3) I took a gulp; and 4) I took courageous action by making a generous investment in myself and the growth of my business. (by the way, it was the right decision ;)

You have to be willing to put it out to the Universe that you're ready for more and then take the actions to show that you're ready for more. 

Begin by exploring what is really holding you back and you'll often find that when it comes right down to it, it's not the money, time, or knowledge; it's simply fear of the unknown. When you desire to move forward, thoughts come up of, “what if I invest in this program or product and I fail to get results; what if something comes up personally and I can't follow through; what if I'm not able to accomplish what others have accomplished (what if I am the exception); my situation is different and it's easier for others and harder for me.” Do any of these sound familiar?

Here's one question that I invite you to answer right now with me today... “Is my desire for more in my life and business greater than my fear to take action?”

When you realize that your passion and faith is greater than your fear, you're ready to move forward and create the life you envision doing the work you're here to do. What's more empowering than being the constant creator of your life?


Copyright 2011 All Rights Reserved

If you would like to use this article on your blog or website, feel free as long as you include the following author information:

Known for her creativity, gentle disposition, enthusiasm, and passion, Lisa Hromada is a leading Personal Branding Strategist and Authentic Marketing Coach who specializes in empowering women entrepreneurs to find the clarity and focus they need to create a thriving brand while still having the time and energy to enjoy their other priorities. Find Lisa's FREE gifts and more at: http://www.lisahromada.com/bizsuccess

Work-Life Balance - Taking Care of Your Life's Garden

When you spend any time out in nature, really out in nature, you see just how predictable nature is. When a landscape is deprived of what it needs to thrive -- be it rain or not enough sunlight -- that landscape begins to wither; it cannot survive and the landscape begins to take on a different form. On the flip-side, when a landscape has what it needs to flourish, it is a beautiful and pristine place without blemish and in the state it is intended to be. People are a lot like nature.

Like nature, people are predictable. When we are unhappy and un-centered we get itchy-scratchy; we tend to do, say and be things that are out of character. When we don't nourish our bodies, it changes shape and we don't have the energy we need to be who we are meant to be. Yet, when we are tearing it up at the gym, nourishing our bodies, having fun, and know who we are and where we are going, we become serenely centered in what we do, what we say, and who we "be." The best news of all is that unlike nature, we are not at the mercy of the heavens or mankind to nourish and care for us. We have a choice to be happy or not; to take care of ourselves or not; to let other people under our skin or not and to be who we are meant to be, or not!!

How do we get rid of the weeds in our life's garden and get re-centered in who we are?

First, you have to get clear about what not taking care of you is costing you.
Envision for a moment the seeds of your life (your efforts, your dreams, your relationships, who you are and what you do) playing out in a garden. The first garden is well tended, fertilized, weed free, hydrated, and in beautiful, full bloom. The second garden is parched, overgrown with weeds, and the few seeds that landed there are struggling to become what they were meant to be! If you are a gardener, which garden would you choose to plant your seeds in? The point is that the fundamental foundation of our lives is built out of the way we care for ourselves, and if you want your life to be the best that it can be, you will choose to take care of your soil first; you will choose to take care of you so that the seeds you plant in your life (the things you choose to take on, the relationships you have, etc.) can fully bloom!

Second, you have to be committed to you.
Just like a garden, your life requires maintenance. You can't take great care one week preparing your garden's soil and planting seeds, and then not hydrate and weed your garden the next. Having a great life requires you to be vigilant. You've got to take care of you consistently, not just when time allows. Otherwise, taking care of you will become one of those things you have every intention of getting to, but don't ever do!

Third, have a plan for taking care of you.
Create a written plan for taking care of you that says what you are going to do and when. Include only things that you love to do and have dates by-when you are going to do them. For instance, do you love to fish? Pick up your calendar and schedule a day to go. Do you love dates nights with your spouse or family movie nights? Schedule the time to actually do it!! When you make the time to do what you love to do, you will find that you are more energetic and productive doing the things you must do. (For instance, cleaning out the cat box or finishing a project for work!)

Fourth, you have to ask for help and accountability.
Keeping our lives weed free isn't always an easy task. If it were, we'd all be bouncing off the walls happy! So, the best way to stay on track with regard to your commitment to you is to ask for help and accountability to do so. Ask a trusted friend, a co-worker, or even your children to hold you accountable for doing what your written plan, for taking care of you, says you are going to do. There are people in your life just waiting for you to ask for the help you need; to support you in having a happy and centered life!

Finally, teach others the value of taking care of themselves too.
When we nurture nature, it gives back to us in the beauty it provides, the recreation we enjoy, the water that hydrates us, and the food we eat. And in nurturing ourselves, we need to give back to others as well! We need to teach those around us the value of taking care of them. Now we don't do that by giving up a piece of ourselves or time with our families to teach. Instead, we teach by being an example of what "taking care of you" can do to brighten and energize ones life! Not only will you help those around you transform their lives, but it will allow you to constantly sharpen your own "taking care of you" edge!

You are the only person who has a say in how your life turns out. If you want to be energetic, passionate, and happy you've got to take you on. There isn't another person, job, house, car, or electronic gizmo that can make you happy. Only you can do that, but you have to choose to! So, what do you choose?

Clay Nelson is a business coach, experienced talk show host, author, former "nail belt wearing" contractor, and speaker at numerous trade show and corporate events including: International Builders Show, Remodeling Show, International Pool Spa Patio Expo, International Roofing Expo, and many others. Backed by 30-years of experience and leadership in the building industry and as a business coach, Clay uses his innate intuition and people skills to help his clients take a look at what's stopping them from achieving their goals. He then helps them create plans and build teams for getting what they say they want and by-when they say they want it! He is the founder of Consulting Services Network LLC, Clay Nelson Life Balance, and a non profit organization called Transforming America's Youth that makes a difference for troubled youth throughout the United States. For more information, go to http://www.claynelsonlifebalance.com

Women Enjoying Success BlogTalk Radio Interview

Please join me May 17, 2009 at 4 p.m. (Arizona Time) for my BlogTalk Radio Interview! Sharon Michaels, host of Women Enjoying Success, will be interviewing me. We will be talking about personal branding and how personal branding can help you in your business and get you the results that you desire!

Speaking of RESULTS, here are just a few results that you can get from personally branding your business:

• understand your strengths and recognize opportunities
• establish yourself as a leader in your field
• gain greater focus for your work
• stand out from others who do similar things as you
• maintain your brand and make it stronger throughout the years
• and much more!

To hear more, join us!

You can also call in LIVE! Sharon and I will be taking LIVE calls during our session together. If you have questions about branding and marketing your business, listen LIVE and call in!

EVENT:

May 17, 2009

4 p.m. (Arizona Time)

1-646-716-5141 (to call in)

Listen LIVE: Women Enjoying Success with Sharon Michaels 

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Sharon-Michaels

Hope to 'see' you there!

Many Blessings,

Lisa Hromada

Personal Brand Designer

"Empowering Women Entrepreneurs to Explore and Understand the Greatness of Their Brand, So They Can Move Forward With Confidence, Stand Out From the Crowd, And Attract More Of Their Ideal Clients."

Join my *FREE Brand Excellence e-club and receive monthly tips, articles, and updates on branding and marketing your business. http://www.lhcreativeidstudio.com 

Brand Development, Website Design, and Women in Business

Brand Development:

Great brands trigger positive emotional responses and makes a product or service memorable. It becomes the foundation for effective marketing. Get the most out of your marketing by building and maintaining a strong brand! These are my recommendations. I have read a couple so far and they are wonderful!

Website Design and SEO:

Get more people visiting and coming back to your website! Rank higher in search engines and attract more people. These are some useful resources that I recommend looking at. 

Successful Women in Business:

A woman's job is never done! Women have long been the power behind some of the best businesses, as well as being mom, nurturer, friend, wife, maid, seductress, daughter, etc.! Check out these resources to find your power in business and in life.

Copyright 2009 Lisa Hromada www.lhcreativeidstudio.com - All Rights Reserved