"The Check-In" grew out of an alarming trend that I see in the business startup community today.
It all started with "The Secret," that little book that brought the Law of Attraction to the forefront (although there were many of us who were familiar with this concept going back to the 60s and even before that).
Very simply, The Law of Attraction states that what you think about, you bring about or we attract into our lives that to which we give our energy, focus and attention.
The result has been an explosive industry with books, tapes, courses, seminars, et al all based upon "if you wish it hard enough it can be so" and "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can." And certainly there is nothing wrong with maintaining those positive attitudes as negative thinking gets us nowhere.
There Is More to "The Secret"
But there is a flip side to this. I know people whose businesses are in trouble. Some are wondering if they made the right decision.
Having been involved in several business startups that I have seen tank like a sinking ship (and having to make adjustments in my own business strategies) I am all too familiar with scenarios where a business pin prick turns into a cut and then a cut into a full-fledge hemorrhage. The band-aid approach works for a while and then there is another cut. Pretty soon there are band-aids all over the place.
When something is blatantly hemorrhaging, you almost have to hold a mirror up and say "you see, your business needs triage." In fact, maybe you just need to admit it into the business ICU until it can get well again. There comes a time when you need to ask yourself do you stay in a business that clearly isn't working or do you simply admit that it is time to move on?
It doesn't matter how great or unique your business idea is, I can assure you that it is going to require time, money and marketing to make it work. There is NO way around this.
You Gotta Spend Money to Make Money
Yeah, you can get into some network marketing companies on a shoestring, but I have seen it time and time again where a brick and mortar business owner is complaining about lack of customers and they are putting ZERO dollars into marketing, ZERO time into networking and they expect their business to magically flourish on the sheer power of positive thinking and "The Secret" type approaches.
Of course, some entrepreneurs for whatever reason may hit the sweet spot right off the bat and their business takes off like gangbusters, but that isn't the norm. Most people are trying to figure out how to bring in more customers (and quickly,too) and therefore the proliferation of social network sites. It's not so much "Think and Grow Rich" but "Make Friends and Get Customers."
Why You Need "The Check-In"
The other side of" The Secret" and all the positive thinking is what I call "The Check-in." For example, have you identified and written down all the reasons why you want to have a successful business so that you can build upon and rely upon your commitment to that decision -- especially during challenging times? Do you have a well-formulated strategic plan with objectives, goals and related actions? Do you have adequate financial reserves in place, available to invest in the growth of your company? Are you REALLY following your heart or are you too proud to admit that the business just isn't working and you would rather do something else?
These are just some of the questions that any business owner should always be asking himself or herself. Please call me at 804-363-5721 for a consultation.
The REAL Missing Ingredient for Your Business Success
As an internationally recognized life coach, I offer a proprietary process that will allow you to do "The Check-In" boldly, simply and without shame or judgment.
We will cut to the chase to uncover whether you're in the right business and what your next steps might be.
Then if you would like to continue in a coaching relationship we can, but the first priority is "The Check-In" and to find out not only are you following your heart but can you continue to AFFORD to follow your heart?
FYI, I also offer business intercessory prayer.
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