The Energy Behind the Strategy

Posted on July 22, 2014 by

The Energy Behind the Strategy.

If you’ve been on my list for a while, you know that I’m a big proponent of energy: the energy of success energy behind everything you do, hence the title of “The Energy Behind the Strategy”.

You could have the best strategy in the world, but if you’re not energetically aligned with what you’re offering, nobody will take you up on it. It’s a lesson I’ve had to learn the hard way, and am still learning to some degree. That’s how I know that what I’m about to tell you is true, and when I slip momentarily…I get reminded right away.

Today, I wanted to offer you the 5 essential business strategies that you absolutely need to have in place to really rock your business…AND the “right” energy behind them.

#1 – Your Energy Towards Money

Most of us harbour some negative beliefs about money, whether we’re fully conscious of it or not. I had tons of them before I got coaching on it, and then became a money coach. Now I coach my clients on how to get behind the beliefs and change them, so that they can go about expanding their business with ease. And it’s not only about business. Your energy towards money affects your whole life. In a nutshell, it’s a reflection of how you see and value yourself….that’s right, it goes that deep!

So for most people, it doesn’t work to just set out awesome money goals, and the money will start flowing in as soon they take certain actions. Being energetically aligned with your money is where it’s at, baby!

#2 – The Energy Behind Your Enrollment Conversations

Most businesses rely on some type of conversation to enroll their clients. Mastering this conversation is probably one of the fastest routes to success. However, learning what to say and how to say it, is only a part of it. That’s right, you’ve guessed it….the energy behind what you say, and how energetically in alignment you are with what you’re offering actually determines the results. It works on everybody, whether your potential client is aware of it or not. They’re either attracted to what you’re saying, or repelled by it. Of course, there are additional factors, outside of your control, but mastering your energy is within your power.

#3 – Your Energy While Creating Programs and Services

As solo entrepreneurs, most of us are extremely busy most of the time, probably in overwhelm at least part of the time. There is always so much to do, and so little time, right? Yes…AND…constant action is not all that it’s cracked up to be! Some may disagree, and that’s OK. This is my experience, and what I’m about to tell you works well for me and my clients, so it might work for you, as well.

Two things: first, do you have an overall vision for your business, another words, do you know what you want it to look like in a year, two years…five years from now? Why is this important? Because, before you go and create another program, spend a whole bunch of time and energy doing it, you should know if it fits in within your overall vision. The second thing is, are you energetically aligned with what you’re creating? Does it make you feel happy when you think of offering it to your clients?

If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to both of these questions…go and create. Otherwise, take another look, with those questions in mind, and see if it’s really going to serve your business in the long run. Knowing this could save you a lot of time, energy, and potential heartache.

#4 –Clear Energy Around Your Boundaries

Setting clear boundaries in your business and life is really essential. It’s not always easy or automatic, and it is more challenging for some than it is for others. Having said that, being fully aligned with the boundaries that you have set for yourself makes a huge difference in how you are perceived by others. Have you ever experienced someone saying ‘yes’ to something, and yet you knew that they weren’t fully behind their ‘yes’? I’m sure most of us have. I call those ‘prickly’ boundaries, because people on the receiving end feel poked and prickled by the person’s uneven energy. So the goal is to do enough inner work, to be able to clearly state your desires, or reply to another person’s request, and be 100% OK with that.

At first glance, you might wonder why setting clear boundaries is even here, among business strategies, but believe me, without that, running your business is going to be a constant struggle.

#5 – Keeping Your Fears and Doubts in Check

We all have them: fears and doubts. Sometimes they’re more present, sometimes they subside, depending on where we are in our business at any particular moment. I definitely have them, and they get particularly pesky and annoying when I’m about to step up a lot bigger in my business, or do something I’ve never done before. Can you relate? I’m even going to go as far as to say that if you’re not feeling fear and doubt, you’re not playing big enough!

Having said that, you need to learn how to manage these feelings, because if you’re in the middle of a panic attack because you don’t have enough money to pay your bills, no amount of strategy is going to help you, because people will feel your energy, and not be attracted to buy from you.

So what is the answer? I’d say, play as big as you’re called to play, keep stepping outside your comfort zone, and at the same time learn to manage and release your gremlins, so you can show up for your clients fully in your power. Does that make sense?

Over the years, I’ve developed a really effective technique that I’ve been using for myself, and all my clients. If you are one of my clients, you’d know it simply as the “3 Step Energy Release Technique”. However, recently I’ve re-branded it, so now it has the spiffy name of “Instant Core Connection™”. I love this new name, as it really reflects what it does.

I hope this has been useful to you, and I’d love to hear your comments on my blog.

Play hard, work smart, and live your bliss!

Julia

P.S. If you’d like my help with any kickass business strategies, as well as energy alignment strategies that will get you instantly ‘uncorked’, apply for my complimentary 30 minute Breakthrough Session here: CLICK HERE TO APPLY

5 Easy Way to Get New Clients Now!

Posted on July 1, 2014 by

5 Easy Way to Get New Clients Now!

I just wanted to jump in and give you a few of my best tips on getting new clients now. It is
summer, and a lot of people are slowing down and relaxing…and you should too. On the other hand, if your cash flow is not taken care of, it’s hard to relax, knowing that your rent is coming up and there is no money! Been there, done that, and don’t want you to suffer.

So, I just ask that you be open to these tips, and not discard any possibility right off the bat. It really is worth trying some of these methods, as they are tried and true. Go into it with good energy, be in service, and go for it!

Tip #1: Create easy VIP Intensives

Creating really hot 5 or 6 hour VIP Intensives, either live or virtual, is the fastest and easiest way I know of to enroll new clients! Most of your clients are probably very busy professional people, and they don’t have a lot of free time. Learning in this kind of format is very fast and effective, and busy professionals are willing to pay good money to be taken through this process.

Tip #2: Offer a new service to an existing client

If your client is at the end of their current program, offer them a way to continue with you. This is a great way to be completely in service, and at the same time ensure a continual flow of clients. If they’ve been in a group program, perhaps they’re ready to work 1:1 with you, or upgrade to your Diamond Program. Offering them one of your VIP Intensives is always a good idea, for reasons I already mentioned, even if they’ve already taken one of your VIP Day Intensives. They’re now in a different place, and need your help on a different level.

Tip #3: Ask your clients for referrals

This is always a great idea. To make it easy for them, you could even write the email copy you want them to send. The point of the email is to invite the reader to a Discovery Session with you. Keep it brief and friendly, but also juicy enough, so that they understand the benefit of potentially working with you. Then ask your client to email it to a minimum of 5 people they know would be a great fit working with you.

Tip #4: Host an informal in-person event

You could invite local people you know, who could be your ideal clients, your past clients, or by placing strategic ads in the local papers, or bulletin boards. This doesn’t have to be a big deal, ask some friends to bring their friends. Spending a couple of hours with you in person is gold, and is easy to show people how you can help them solve a specific problem. Make the title of the gathering specific to solving one problem that you know your potential clients have, that you’re an expert in.

Tip #5: Offer a complimentary Discovery Session with a sale of a product

Dust off or create a simple product, and offer it at a sale price for limited time. As a limited time bonus, offer a complementary Discovery Session with you. These Discovery Sessions can easily turn into clients.

Do you have any client getting tips that you want to share? I’d love to see them in the comments.

Play hard, work smart, and live your bliss!

Julia

Be a `tall poppy` and thrive in your business!

Posted on April 15, 2014 by

“Be a `tall poppy` and thrive in your business!”

by Julia Maria Lloyd

Tall-Poppies-300

Are you familiar with the ‘tall poppy syndrome’, the metaphor origins of which can apparently be traced back many centuries?

Basically what it is referring to is the phenomenon, where the most notable, gifted and talented people in any group, or society are

“…attacked, cut down, or criticised because their talents or achievements elevate them above or distinguish them from their peers.”

No wonder most of us are afraid to step out and be different, whether we are familiar with the term ‘tall poppy syndrome’ or not! I have been wrestling with this fear for a while now, have made some strides, and would like to encourage you to do the same.

Because it is also a well-known fact that to be successful in the marketplace, in your business, you must somehow distinguish yourself from others, another words, become the ‘tall poppy’…there doesn’t seem to be an alternative.

And there is more to the subject…there always seems to be. Since I’m writing this article for you, and you are in my tribe, you’re more likely than not motivated by passion and purpose in your business, as well as making money, rather than just by sheer profits. Am I right? If this is the case, than your business is most likely also a part of your spiritual path, and is a vehicle for your personal development, as well as your income source.

What I’m getting at, is that stepping out of your comfort zone, shining your light, and becoming the ‘tall poppy’ is kind of built into the equation, and is not really optional. Not only that, but if you’re not coming from that place of full alignment, something is off energetically, and your potential clients can feel it as well, and they may not want to pay for your services. Would you agree?

So how to embrace your position as a tall poppy with ease and grace?

Here are three tips that will help you to move closer towards it, as they`ve helped me:

Tip #1: Keep taking action in your business, as if the fear of being ‘cut down’ were no longer important to you! This is very crucial, because nothing will happen until you start taking action. You cannot experience what you need to experience, and overcome any fears, until you’re doing something, no matter how small at first. Any action is better than no action. You can read as many books as you like, and attend as many teleseminars as you like, but until you actually take the action yourself, nothing will happen, and nothing will change. I know it might seem really obvious, and it might seem like I’m preaching to the choir, but I don’t think you can hear it too many times.

Tip #2: If you’re scared how other people will judge you, and what they will be saying about you, then know that people will always talk, no matter what, so you might as well just keep doing what you need to be doing! As the lovely Sage Lavine says: “if you don’t have people disliking you, criticizing you, and gossiping about you, then you’re not being brave enough, and not doing enough in your business”. I love that!

Tip #3: If you’re not going to stand tall, and be proud of who you are, then you’re most likely not going to succeed to the extent you’re dreaming of anyway, so you might as well just throw all the caution to the wind, and go for it! When I say ‘throw all caution to the wind’, I don’t mean be reckless, and deliberately offend people, I mean just say and do what your heart and soul dictate….follow your inspiration and your intuition, step out of your comfort zone daily…and you’re going to be fine!

I believe that we should create a Tall Poppy Day“, as a national holiday….anyone with me on that? LOL. In the meantime, go forth, stand tall and proud of who you are, and make a boatload of money in the process (ooops…I almost used the other word).

As always, I’d love to hear your comments and thoughts.

With love and bliss,

Julia

Good debt, bad debt…and how to tell the difference!

Posted on March 23, 2014 by

Good debt, bad debt…and how to tell the difference!

Let’s face it, most of us will have debt at some point in our lives. As far as I’m concerned, there are two type of debt. One is what I’d call unconscious debt, and the other is….yes you’ve guessed it… conscious debt.

The unconscious debt is when we spend money on a whim, even if we don’t have it, and usually spend it on things that we don’t really need…but we want. The expense is usually unplanned, and we don’t really have a plan of how we’re going to pay it off. Does it ring a bell for you? Believe me, I’ve done it many times in the past. This is what I call ‘bad debt’, and generally not a good idea.

Then there is the conscious debt. That’s the debt we incur thoughtfully, and with a plan to pay it off. The best example of this kind of debt is investing in yourself and your business. Of course, in an ideal world, we would all have a year’s worth of expenses saved up, before we even started our businesses. But in reality, nobody would be in business if we waited to do that! Creating debt to grow your business is a strategy, and can be a very smart one.

Whether you’ve created some bad debt, or have borrowed money to invest in your business, the important thing is to have a great debt payoff plan, and stick to it.

Here are my best three tips on how to handle debt.

Tip #1: Forgive yourself and those who owe you money.

Really? Yes, really. Because if you don’t, you not only create financial debt, but you also create psychic debt. So take a deep breath, and let it all go. You might need to take two or three breaths…and that’s OK too. Now don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t mean that you’re not going to pay off your debt, or ask for your money back. No, it’s just getting rid of that heavy and stuck energy of un-forgiveness, and allowing things to start flowing again.

Tip #2: Have a great debt payoff plan!

If you want to become debt free, you need to have a great plan to pay it off. It’s easy to go into denial under financial stress, and pretend that the debt doesn’t exist, or that it’ll somehow magically disappear. This ‘strategy’ just simply doesn’t work. You need to put yourself in control of the situation, and see the bigger picture. This will help you whether it’s a personal debt, or a business investment debt. The last thing you want to do is to contract, stop all investments and spending, and shrink in fear. This type of energy sends the wrong message to the Universe, and apart from everything else, is just no fun. There are ways of paying off your debt, while not feeling poor.

Tip #3: Keep investing wisely to create new income.

I want to bring back to your attention these three letters: ROI. Yes ladies and gentlemen, it is all about your return on investment. So spend your money wisely, have a bigger vision, and follow your intuition. When you tune in and trust your own judgement, then you’ll know what to do to create much income in your business through strategic debt. Once you start making more money, direct a portion of that new income toward paying off your debt.

In conclusion, there is such a thing as bad debt, and needs to be avoided. If you are an emotional spender, then you can create a budget for it, so that you don’t have to feel bad every time you buy something you hadn’t planned for. We do need a good dollop of fun and pleasure in our lives.

Trust yourself, invest wisely…and have some fun!

As always, I’d love to hear your stories and thoughts, and looking forward to reading them in the comments section.

With love and bliss,

Julia

Are you shrinking to fit?

Posted on November 27, 2013 by

Are you shrinking to fit?

I’ve noticed a growing trend lately, and I wanted to write an article about it to make you

aware of what is going on (and it may be happening to you!), and secondly give you some tips on how not to get sucked into it. So what is the trend?

I call it the ‘shrinking violet’ syndrome! It’s when a business woman (I’m pretty sure men do this too, but maybe to a lesser degree) looks around, and decides that she has to fit into the level of income, achievement, and whatever else, that the majority of the people around her are at. Is this you, by any chance? How does this show up in your business?

#1 Not Charging Enough.

You set your prices low, because you decide ahead of time that your potential clients can’t afford to pay more. This starts a whole sequence of events that ends up not only hurting you and your business, but actually the very people you want to help, as well. How does it hurt your potential clients? Well, by assuming they can’t pay more, you don’t hold them as powerful. It’s like selling inferior quality goods at discounted prices: in the end nobody really benefits, and everybody ends up feeling cheap and undervalued. You don’t deliver as good a service, because you don’t feel inspired and appreciated. Everybody is shrinking to fit.

So what should you do instead? First of all, get some coaching, so you can start charging what you’re worth. Hold yourself and your clients as powerful at all times, so that you, as well as they, can keep on expanding and stepping into their greatness…instead of shrinking to fit!

#2 Believing That Fear and Doubt are the Truth.

It’s when you look around and start gathering ‘evidence’ that whatever your next leap is to be, is going to be a monumental failure. Sounds familiar? Believe me, I know what I’m talking about…from first-hand experience. Fear and doubt start creeping in, and that little voice in the back of your head starts telling you that you’re not good enough, and can’t possibly succeed…and what were you thinking in the first place? Then you start asking opinions of your friends and family, and get even more ‘evidence’ that whatever it is you want to do is not going to succeed. You start shrinking to fit; to fit your fear and doubt, and the fear and doubt of everyone around you.

So what should you do instead? Acknowledge your feelings, by all means, but then move past them, dig deep and find the courage within you…and then go and do whatever it is you want to do! This courageous action you’re going to take is more significant than the actual outcome.

#3 Sabotaging Your Success.

You have a strong feeling that if you become more successful than your partner (friend, family member, etc.), they will feel threatened, won’t approve of you, or might even end the relationship. This feeling may not even be fully conscious, so you may not be fully aware that you’re actually sabotaging your success. Your need to belong, be approved of and loved is keeping you from fully stepping into your greatness. Again, you’re shrinking to fit.

What should you do instead? Ask yourself: what if that need for approval were no longer important to me? Then what would I do? How would I show up in my life and business?

Where else have you noticed you’re shrinking to fit? It’s funny, but when you stop shrinking, and start expanding, it’s contagious, and people around you will also start to expand. I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

With love and bliss,

Julia

Do you charge what you’re worth?

Posted on October 8, 2013 by

Do you charge what you’re worth?

Well, do you?

Let’s start with an even more fundamental question: do you even know what you’re worth? I certainly didn’t. And before I go any further, I want to explain exactly what I mean.

What I’m talking about is knowing the value of your work, the impact your work is having on your clients, and on the people around you. Most of you have either never really thought about it in those terms, or you completely underestimated your value. The result is what I call ‘chronic undercharging’…anyone?

Am I close? If you’ve answered ‘yes’ here, don’t worry, because fortunately, this is an easy thing to change with some coaching and mentoring. I was in the same position over a year ago, and now I can’t believe the difference in my thinking and my attitude.

I want to share some valuable tips here with you that will start you on the road to recovery from chronic undercharging and undervaluing yourself.

I’ll be honest with you, this is the quickest and best way I know to turn your business around. To go from overworking and not making enough money, to having a comfortable income, feeling confident…and perhaps the best part: being able to be of service to a lot of people, for a long time to come.

Tip #1:

First you really need to take care of your money mindset, and clear any emotional blocks to charging more. Most people have all kinds of money clutter and negative money beliefs going on in their lives, and that is stopping them from moving forward, and achieving their financial goals.

Tip #2:

You need to learn simple steps to track your income and expenses in your business and your personal life, so that you know your costs. As we all know there are costs associated with running a business, and even though this may sound obvious, you’d be surprised to learn how many entrepreneurs don’t really know their costs.

Tip #3:

Discover the impact that your product or service is having on your clients. Document it. Ask for feedback and testimonials. Most of us are in business, because we love what we do, and we’re really good at it. We’re good at it because it is one of our gifts, and it comes really easy to us. We tend to assume that other people also find it easy to do the same thing, and we take it for granted. The truth is, lots of people really need your gift and your service, because they cannot do it for themselves.

Tip #4:

Learn how to package your services into programs that sell. There is a certain art to doing this, starting with a really good and meaningful title. The title alone can either make or break your offer, so make sure to research the subject, and come up with a title that’s going to immediate draw in your potential clients.

Tip #5:

Base your pricing on the results people get, rather than on the competition. I know from my own experience, I often end up paying more for something that I know will get me the exact results I’m looking for, rather than trying to ‘save’ money on something that in the end will just be a waste of my time and money. That’s why it’s so important to know the value of what you’re providing, so that you can confidently set your prices, and be in an energetic harmony with them.

I hope you found these tips valuable. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Wishing you a beautiful day.

With love and bliss,

Julia

P.S. In the spirit of the Canadian Thanksgiving, what are you thankful for today?

P.P.S. Are you ready to charge what you’re worth? If so, apply for a 30 minute complimentary “Time to Charge What You’re Worth” Breakthrough Session. All you need to do is answer a few simple questions, and we will let you know if you got a spot. Apply.

Which ‘money character’ are you?

Posted on September 23, 2013 by

Which ‘money character’ are you?

It’s ironic that as humans we invented money to make our lives easier, but over time it’s become one of the most complex reflections of our inner psyche, of who we are as individuals and of our society.

Seriously though, when you think about it, how many people do you know who don’t have any issues with money? I’m not only talking about the basic issue of not having enough, although this one is the most common one, but also about the myriad of other things that pop up whenever money is mentioned.

I’ve done a lot of work around my own money mindset, as I realized that it was stopping me from really stepping out into the world in a way that I desired and was called to do. Am I perfect with it yet? No, of course not. It’s a process that happens over time, with coaching, and with being an entrepreneur and having to deal with money on daily basis. Am I much better at it now? Heck yeah!

The good news is that it’s easier than you think to change any limiting money beliefs, and free yourself from the shackles J

Just for fun, I wanted to show you some archetypal ‘money characters’, to see if you can identify yourself, or anyone you know, in any of these:

The Cringers – you see their facial expression change, the moment the subject of money comes up. It might be subtle (or not), but they cringe, as if to say “not this again”. Somewhere deep inside they hold the notion that money is the root of all evil, and they’re not going to contribute to the spread of it!
The Avoiders – they never talk about money themselves, and if it is mentioned by someone else, they immediately change the subject, or pretend they never even heard what was said. They’d much rather live in a world without money, and try very hard to pretend it is already so, to their own detriment.
The Spenders – their eyes light up when they think of money. They love money, but it never seems to stick around! They love the glitter that money can buy, ‘saving for a rainy day’…not so much.
The Hoarders – they love money, and they never want to part with any of it…no matter what. They’re like squirrels gathering nuts for the winter…except then spring and summer come…and they’re still gathering nuts. The time to enjoy the fruits of their labour never comes.
The Givers– they’d give the proverbial shirts off their backs, and when it comes to money, they tend to lend money to people who are not very likely to pay them back. Why? Because somewhere along the way they’d been told that they don’t matter so much, and that others are more important. They don’t consciously believe it, but it shows up everywhere in their lives.

The funny thing is that we’re not really talking about money here, are we? We’re talking about something much deeper and fundamental: we’re talking about how we show up in the world, how much we’re able to contribute to the world, how well equipped we are to use our full potential, how fulfilling and satisfying our lives end up being. True?

I believe so. I believe that the work we do to fine-tune our money mindset is far reaching. It is the gateway to fulfilling our spiritual path, which really is the same thing as fulfilling our human potential, our purpose.

Women especially tend to have a much more complex relationship with money, and with our own self-worth. It especially starts to show up in a big way as soon as we start our own business.

I’d love to hear your thoughts here on my blog.

With Love and Bliss,

Julia

P.S. Are you ready to find out more about your ‘money characters’? Even better, your Sacred Money Archetypes? I invite you to apply for one of the 30 minute private conversations with me, normally valued at $197, but my gift to you today! (3 available as of right now). Click on the link below and answer a few simple questions to apply. We’ll let you know if you got one of these coveted spots.

A life inspired: in memory of my Dad.

Posted on September 10, 2013 by

A life inspired: in memory of my Dad.

dad and I 300

As I’m grieving, I’m also remembering so much about my Dad, our time spent together, our laughs, and our tender moments. Here’s one of my favourite pictures of us. He truly was a great guy, and he could make me laugh like no one else ever could. I miss all of this, and I always will. I think people we love always stay in our hearts, even if they’re physically no longer with us.

He wore a lot of different hats in his lifetime: a university professor, a scientist, an author, an activist, an adventurer, a world traveller…I could go on. The point is that he lived his life to the fullest, and I’m so proud of him for everything he’s done.

He’s always been my hero, and I learned so much from him. I wanted to share some of this with you, because it all adds up to a recipe for ‘living a life inspired’, which most of us desire and strive for.

Have the courage to go beyond your comfort zone: You know that saying ‘Life begins right outside your comfort zone’, right? That was definitely my Dad’s mantra, and it became mine, as well. I remember when years ago I got a contract job for the Cayman Islands Government, and was wondering if I should accept it. It meant I’d have to relocate all by myself to a different country I hardly knew anything about, and where I didn’t know a soul. I asked my Dad what he thought, and I’ll never forget his answer: “Well, I can’t tell you if this is the right job for you Julia, but if you don’t take it…you will never find out.” Such seemingly simple and obvious words, but they made all the difference to me. I took the job, because of what he said. It wasn’t an easy move, but also turned out to be one of the biggest adventures of my life! I ended up living in the Cayman Islands and working as a Business Systems Analyst for over four years, and loved it. A couple of months ago I had a chance to tell my Dad how much his words had meant to me. I’m so glad I did. Thank you Dad!

Drop the excuses…and go for it: my Dad has always been a role model for me of how pretty much anything is possible if you want it badly enough. He’s always been an eternal optimist, pretty much to the last day of his life. Nothing was ever a deterrent, least of all lack of cash on hand. My Dad was a master at using credit to his full advantage, and he always paid it back. That’s how he financed our unforgettable tour of Europe for my eighteenth birthday years ago. That trip became the inspiration for my travels later in life. Who knows what my life would have looked like, had it not been for that adventure. Life is so short, and then it’s gone. Live it to the fullest every day!

Take an active role in your community: my Dad was always involved, be it in the student community at the university he taught at, or the Polish community in Montreal. He was a great proponent of democracy, equal rights, integrity, and a fair deal. He was a pacifist, and had an incredible talent for dissipating conflict. He was a humanitarian in every sense of the word, and I am so proud of him for that. He taught me that everyone has a voice, and has a right to use it; that it’s not only our right, but our human obligation to stand up and tell our truth, even if our voice may not be the most popular one. Our world today really needs people who are willing to speak up, who have the courage to do so.

Let your brilliance shine through your work: my Dad never stopped working, even though he retired almost twenty years ago. He always had at least two or three project on the go at any one time. From the new climate change theory, or the new method of playing Bridge, to writing his auto-biographical book, his mind was always actively working. He wanted to leave a legacy, and he accomplished that brilliantly. His interests and passions were vast, and his curiosity endless. His body might have got weaker with time, but his mind remained as sharp as ever. He always impressed me and inspired me with his relentless pursuit to extend the frontiers of human knowledge. I’ve learned that we all have our unique brilliance that we need to share with the world. It’s our right and our obligation.

I wanted to share these few memories of my Dad’s life not only because it helps me grieve, but also because I’d like his life to be an inspiration for others. He would have liked that, even though he was a very unassuming man.

Those who leave us get to live on in our hearts and our memories, as we carry them forward and honour them in this way. They’re not forgotten, and their legacy is not lost. Each one of us is a living, breathing cell of this vast Universe of ours. As an old cell dies, a new one is born, and the memory gets passed on through the DNA. Nothing is ever lost.

Rest in Peace Dad. I love you.

Your top 5 ‘must haves’ for success!

Posted on August 14, 2013 by

Your top 5 ‘must haves’ for success!

JuliaSalsa1

Do you ever wonder what makes some people successful, while others struggle all their lives? This question made me think about what’s made me successful in some things (like learning to dance Salsa well), and not so successful in others. What are those magic ingredients that make the difference between success and failure?

I’ve put these ‘must haves’ together, and called it a ‘starter kit for success’:

Must Have #1: Desire

We are all given this amazing gift called desire. If it wasn’t for desire, we’d probably just do the bare minimum in life to survive. Pretty much all action is governed by desire. To start anything meaningful in life, you have to have the desire first. Aha, so is having a desire enough to create a successful business? Well…I believe you need to have more than just a simple desire. I believe your business should be based on a ‘burning desire’, which is like a desire on steroids! Do you know what I mean? It is a thought that comes to you, and then grows and grows, until it feels almost like an obsession…and you have to act on it. It becomes your mission, your purpose in life. I believe that it’s only this kind of desire that keeps you going no matter what, and gives you the determination you need to persevere, even when obstacles pile up.

Must Have #2: Faith and Courage

When you first start your business, all you have are your skills, your burning desire, and your faith that it will succeed. That’s why your faith is so vitally important to keep you going. Along with faith comes courage. It takes a lot of courage to develop your own business, and to leave the security of a job and a paycheck. Your faith and courage will be tested along your entrepreneurial path…all the time! Why? Because your entrepreneurial path is so much more than a simple quest to be financially secure and successful. It’s a part of your spiritual path. Stepping into action and starting your own business based on what you believe in, and what you love doing, is like declaring to the Universe “I’m ready to be tested on every level!”…and tested you are. It’s like constantly running into a wall of your own limitations and subconscious beliefs, which surface every time you’re ready to take your business to the next level. The good news is that as long as you remember about faith and courage, you can do. Not only you can do it, but you find more and more strength and resources within with every step you take.

Must Have #3: Leadership

Have you ever worked for someone who you considered to be a great leader? I have. I not only admired her greatly as a person, but I saw qualities in her that I really wanted to develop in myself. There are certain unmistakable qualities that make someone a great leader. Among others, they are:

ability to make quick decisions
confidence and courage, based on having done personal growth work
compassion and understanding of others
willingness to take full responsibility not only for their own results, but for those of their team
ability to plan the work and work the plan
a spirit of cooperation, fairness and justice

What does it mean to you to be a leader in your own life and business? First of all, and most importantly, have you made a decision to be one?

Must Have #4: Boundaries

Boundaries are one of those things that most people sort of know about, but may be completely unaware of the state of their own boundaries. Boundaries are strictly tied to your self-esteem. The better your boundaries, the higher your self-esteem. It’s one of those chicken and egg situations: do you raise your self-esteem, so you can have better boundaries, or do you get better boundaries to improve your self-esteem? The first option is really difficult to do, but establishing and practicing better boundaries does in fact improve your self-esteem. So that’s the good news, right? Yes, and what’s more, running your own business will present lots of opportunities for you to test your boundaries…probably almost daily! From hiring and dealing with your staff members to dealing with your clients, you’ll find out very quickly where there are gaping holes in your boundaries that need to be addressed and plugged.

Must Have #5: Clear Relationship with Money

I’ve already talked about the importance of this in other articles, but this is so vital for your financial success in business…and in life in general, that it’s worth repeating over and over again. This is sort of similar to the boundaries situation: you can go through life, and not really have a clue what your relationship with money really is…especially your hidden, subconscious relationship. You obviously can see if it’s easy for you to attract money into your life, and keep it, or it’s almost impossible, no matter how hard you try. I can definitely help you here, first to untangle your particular situation, and then to move past your money blocks, and into a new territory of a clear relationship with money. The difference will be like night and day, I can promise you that much!

These are obviously not the only ‘must haves’ for success, but I consider these to be the essential ‘starter kit’ on your entrepreneurial path! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Have an amazing day!

Julia

P.S. If you’re ready to find out more, I invite you to apply for one of the 30 minute private conversations with me, normally valued at $197, but my gift to you today! Click on the link below and answer a few simple questions to apply. We’ll let you know if you got one of these coveted spots. If you feel pulled toward it, follow your intuition, your time must be now!

For the Love AND Money: no need to choose!

Posted on July 29, 2013 by

For the Love AND Money: no need to choose!

Kits Beach Sunset - 400

Are you one of the passionate, heart-centered entrepreneurs, who is looking for new ways to run your business more profitably, but also feel in complete integrity with what you do?

I can totally relate. When I first started in my business almost two years ago, I was all about the love, and helping people find their passion in life, but had no idea how to translate that into a financial success.

What’s more, I had a notion that I had to choose between the love and the money. Well, today I’m here to tell you it’s not necessary to choose. In fact, one can fuel and compliment the other, hence the title: “For the Love AND Money: no need to choose!”.

I’ve trained as a business coach, because I wanted to transform my own relationship with money, first and foremost. It turns out I love the work so much that it’s become the main focus of my business now.

Today, I want to share 3 of my best tips on what to do to make your business a success, without losing your heart connection to what you do. It’s a great starting point AND, as we all know, there is so much more to it, as well. So, without further ado:

Tip #1:

Examine your own ‘money story’. We all have one, but we’re mostly not aware of how it is negatively affecting our relationship with money today, and the ways we present ourselves in the world, especially through our business. You will need coaching to help you move beyond your story, so my suggestion is to hire the best mentor you can afford. As my mentor says, “how you do money, is how you do everything”, and I find this to be very true.

Tip #2:

One truth that has become really apparent to me in the last couple of years is that money truly has power. By itself this power is neutral, and it can be used for good, as well as evil. This could be a huge motivating force for you, if making positive changes in the world is part of your ‘BIG WHY’, as it is mine. It becomes clear that it’s a lot easier to influence those changes if you have a substantial amount of money at your disposal. Not to mention that if your business doesn’t support you financially, then it’s just an expensive hobby, and sooner or later you’ll have to quit, and we don’t want that, do we?

Tip #3:

Realize and appreciate the true value of your work and services to others. Again, you’re going to need coaching on this, as it’s pretty much impossible to see our own blind spots. This seems like such a ‘no brainer’, but from my experience, is one of the biggest stumbling blocks for most entrepreneurs, especially women. Until you truly and deeply see the impact you’re creating in the world, you’ll probably always feel like a fraud, and always hesitate to charge what you’re worth. The result? You’re depriving others of the gift you’re here to give, and not creating the impact you’re here to create. It’s time to change this!

I’ve really enjoyed sharing these tips with you today, and there is plenty more where they came from lol. I love talking about this, as I’m all about empowering entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs to translate ‘that thing they do’ into a successful business model. You love what you do, and you’re really good at it, right? Well, why not create the life you dream about, doing what you love, serving others, and making positive changes in the world, all at the same time?! Win, win, win…and win situation. After all, the very definition of business includes that fact that it has to make money, otherwise it’s just an expensive hobby, like I’ve already mentioned.

Alright, this is it for today. I’m wishing you a beautiful heart-felt and heart-filled day! I’d love to read your comments below.

With love and bliss,

This is Julia

P.S. If you’re ready to take your relationship with money to a new level and make more money in your business, or you’re ready to finally translate your passion into a profitable venture, I invite you to apply for a 30 minute complimentary Discovery Session with me. It’s valued at $197, but is my gift to you today! Spots are limited, so if you’re feeling pulled towards it, click on the link below, and apply right away! Talk soon.