New Rules

Last week I was working with one of my small business clients, a bright and dynamic woman who's passionate about positioning her artisan business for growth. We were talking about her financial picture and forecasting robust sales over the next three years.

As I coached her, she expressed excitement and eagerness to see her dreams turn into reality, yet somewhere, just below the surface, I sensed subtle resistance on her part to fully imagine the scenario we were painting.

I asked her about what she was feeling. After stopping for a moment to "feel into" my observation, she tentatively at first, then heartily agreed. Then she got very curious about her seemingly incongruous resistance to success.

"Sarah", I asked, "What is your 'rule', about financial success? In other words, what belief do you carry (deep down) about money?" It didn't take long for her to respond. "Well," she reported, "if you're financially successful, it means you have to give up on your values and your integrity".

Wow! By uncovering that one rule, Sarah hit pay dirt. She was now free to clearly see that one disempowering rule she had been carrying her entire life.

Taking a look at the rules that drive your thinking is a very powerful activity to help you grow as a person, especially as a business owner. Another wise client of mine once said, "There's no way to separate who we are from what we do". You can have the most empowered business plans in the world and if your inner life and dialog is disempowered?forget it. It's an up hill battle.

What are your 'under-the surface rules' that run your life and business? To explore, ask yourself: Where are you consistently stuck in your business? What are the things that always hang you up? What are the recurring thoughts or themes you could write the book about?

I invite your willingness to explore. You have only strength and success to gain.

Here are some examples of themes we all know too well:

I can't quite breakthrough to financial success

I default to fear and lack

I always feel overwhelmed and exhausted and out of time

Procrastination is my middle name

I walk up to the edge of a challenge and then back away

I avoid

I would suggest that behind every common theme, you have a rule. For example, if you're like Sarah and you can't breakthrough to financial success, you might have a rule that says, "People that make money, sell out." Or, if you are constantly procrastinating, you might have a rule that says, "If I succeed, I'll wind up alone." (Maybe you experienced a parent who worked a lot, and was unhappy and you concluded that success = unhappiness).

Explore where your rules came from by asking: When did the rule get created? What were the circumstances? Ask, if you were to change that rule, what would happen? Who would be upset? Who would get hurt or feel betrayed?

Take heart, you created your rules for a good reason. We all create meaning about life from our experiences and then create rules to keep us safe, secure and sane. The problem comes when we neglect to inquire or challenge the current validity of our rules.

You have the ability to move beyond your limited rules by becoming aware of them, disqualifying them, (if they don't serve you), and then by making new rules based on your current reality. I challenge you to give it a try.

As for Sarah, she created a new rule that says she can be financially successful, maintain her values, fulfill her dream and express her passion in the world. What's YOUR new rule?

It's your life?live it completely!

Helaine is a professional coach and writer, who has been featured in numerous publications, including "O" The Oprah Magazine. She helps entrepreneurs and professional women accelerate their professional success, while achieving a more complete and fulfilling personal life. For a free consultation, contact her at 603-357-8546 to discuss how she can help you accelerate your own success. You may also visit her website, http://www.pathofpurpose.com, or email your questions to helaine@pathofpurpose.com

---

Enterprising Route is to Go Your Own Way

DON'T talk to me about education for entrepreneurs. They're pouring... Read More

How To Find Focus And Turn Your Talent Into A Thriving Professional Business

There are tons of books and articles available to help... Read More

10 Essential Tips for Starting Entrepreneurs - Ignore these at your Peril!

1. Do What You LOVE: If you've chosen your business... Read More

Selecting a Venture

The basic rule is simple: "Find a market need and... Read More

Top 10 Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make Before They Even Start

So you want to start a business. You have an... Read More

Creativity & Entrepreneurship - Key Questions From My Students

Hello Creative Entrepreneurs!Thought for the day:"It is not easy being... Read More

Veteran Entrepreneurs Are Growing In Ranks

When I'm not running my own business, writing articles about... Read More

Health Insurance for Solo Entrepreneurs

One of the most important benefits employed people enjoy is... Read More

Business Planning for College Students and First-Time Entrepreneurs

More and more students, both in undergraduate and graduate institutions,... Read More

Financial Strategies for Transitioning from Salaried to Solo

7 Financial Strategies for Transitioning from Salaried to SoloA 40's... Read More

... in Pursuing the American Dream

This morning I woke up at 4:30 in the morning,... Read More

Starting Up and Keeping Going

So you had that fantastic business idea, the one that's... Read More

Used-Book Case Study

Dwight Payne and Gary Heap reside in Santa Barbara, CA,... Read More

Motivation and Commitment

Why do people start small businesses? The most frequently cited... Read More

Do You Have What It Takes?

I think it's fair to say that not everyone is... Read More

Chairman Greenspan and the FED, learn more you will be glad you did

So many people work their whole life to make money,... Read More

The Myth of Undercapitalization - Six Ways Entrepreneurs Achieve Success in Spite of Start-Up Money

This year more than 17 million people will become entrepreneurs,... Read More

Could a Book About Your Company be Worth $1.7 Billion? Building Value Through Publishing

"Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) to purchase Clayton Homes for $12.50... Read More

Learn how to Compress Time

In the popular 1980's movie "Dune," man learned that by... Read More

Ex-Yankee Pitcher Pitches Barter As Powerful Business Tool

Mission Viejo, CA - June 14, 2005 - Bob Meyer,... Read More

Be an Entrepreneur

The Department of Labor predicts that the #1 employer in... Read More

Something From Nothing, With Something To Share

Betrayal, it can hit you like a load of bricks... Read More

Lessons Learned from One Entrepreneur on Vioxx

For the past ten-months, I tried every drug from the... Read More

How To Find Hot Online Business Ideas

Would you like to find the key that unlocks the... Read More

Near-death Experience is the Mother of Invention for Two Dallas Electricians

To morning commuters, the hulking truck encircled with barricades and... Read More

Evaluating an Opportunity

Business opportunities are often based on broad trends, such as:?... Read More

Vendor Relations

Communication is the key to vendor relations. In your small... Read More

Should You Write Your Own Business Plan?

If you are just starting a company and looking for... Read More

Walt Disneys Failures Could Inspire Entrepreneurs

You are a struggling entrepreneur and sometimes it feels like... Read More

Creativity & Entrepreneurship: The Secret to Discovering Your Purpose in Life!©

Hello Creative Entrepreneurs!In the second course on Creativity & Entrepreneurship... Read More

Identify the Growth Factors

In "The Incredible Hulk", mild-mannered scientist Bruce Banner discovered that... Read More

Become a Recognized Authority in Your Field - in 60 Days or Less!

You don't have to be rock-star famous before you are... Read More

The Heroic Entrepreneur: Profiting from Your Brilliance

If you look up the definition of hero in Webster's,... Read More