Don’t confuse laziness with taking the time out to nurture yourself. Most of the people I have heard call themselves lazy are very busy people. But busy makes us feel exhausted. It doesn’t offer the balance that we need to feel rejuvenated. Particularly in the winter when the days are shorter, it signals a time for us to do less and turn inward.

If we define laziness as “lacking the motivation to meet the expectation of others” then indeed we all have a lazy streak. The expectations of others are rarely in alignment with our deeper desires. We are motivated to meet the expectations of others out of a sense of obligation, responsibility or fear. We know that the best motivator is positive rather than negative encouragement, yet we tend to drive ourselves primarily from fear and a sense of obligation.

For example, you may stay in a job you do not like and manage to meet your employer’s expectations, generally to avoid losing a steady paycheck (or health insurance). This is a fear of not having enough; a survival instinct. It could also be driven by family expectations or maintaining a reputation. Even your sense of obligation or responsibility is a fear if you boil it down to the core motivator. When underlying fear and doubt influences decisions, it is no wonder that you feel exhausted, unmotivated or depressed.

Lazy is actually defined as “characterized by lack of effort or activity”. Perhaps your lack of motivation feels this way. Lack of motivation is an indicator that you are not following your inspiration. You are listening to your mind that is run by fear and emotion. It judges your every action. Sure, it may also have some constructive things to say, but in the next instant it is reminding you how you messed up the last time or warning that the future is scary. We like to think we make rational and reasoned decisions, but our choices are primarily emotional with rational justifications.

I hear many people say that they just do not know what they are interested in any more or what inspires them. I used to feel this way, too. This is a symptom of being shut down by the mind and the emotions. Like “Pig-Pen” walking around with a dirty cloud around him in the Peanuts cartoon, our mind creates that condition. We trust our mind to help us make good decisions, but it stifles inspiration before we can even detect it (if we let it). There is a tendency to think that our inspiration is impractical and if we follow our inner urging we will be broke. Why would our inner guide want us to be broke? Yet our mind convinces us we better listen to our fear in order to survive.

We “think” that we push our fear aside. We are even taught to push through it or ignore it. But it is still there to punch us in the stomach when we start making progress or feeling too good about something. Doubt and self-judgment nag at the very fabric of our being. It keeps us small and struggling. So, how do we shift this pattern and really experience the changes in our lives that we desire?

Begin to notice the underlying reasons or motivators for the choices you make. If you are honest with yourself you may be surprised. Can you recognize the fears or other emotions that drive your decisions? Becoming aware of the emotional motivation behind the “rational” decision is key.

If my energy wanes or I feel frustrated; I know I am not acting in alignment with my inner compass. If I feel stuck or unmotivated, it is a signal for me to reflect on my actions, get clarity and make a course-correction.

When I listen to my inner wisdom, my actions flow with ease. I feel energized and inspired. Lazy just may be a good thing if it is characterized by lack of effort. However, effortlessness does not equal “no activity”. Empowered action, arising from inspiration, is quite a creative and expansive experience. Yet it feels effortless.

With all the information and training opportunities at your fingertips:
Do you tend to skim the surface and never dive in and apply it; or
Do you feel stuck, overwhelmed or uncertain of your next steps?

Information overwhelm leads to inaction.

While training can be valuable, it lacks the personal interaction; the ability for you to share your ideas and talk through them with someone else. Perhaps you have shared your ideas with friends, but they do not necessarily get it. They may have good intentions, but they do not have the perspective to really help you.

You feel like you ought to be able to figure it out on your own. The information is there, you just need to do it. But somehow it never happens; or you get started and then it gets set aside. So you start judging yourself and doubting.

What I observe is that training can be a starting point, but it is not the lack of knowledge that keeps people stuck. There are underlying doubts that are the real culprit. The trick is to expose these doubts, so they can be dealt with. As long as they stay in hiding, the result is lack of action and lack of results.

Many of the training programs will acknowledge the places their students tend to get stuck, yet in my experience there is rarely any good advice on how to deal with these stuck spots. More information does not help. In fact it can make things worse if you are already lacking confidence and feeling overwhelmed. If you feel stuck or you are struggling to get clarity on your direction and next steps, there are some things that will help:

Become aware of all the internal messages that are influencing you.

You probably do not notice the underlying reasons for your decision or inaction. Your mind gives the logical explanation, but if you look deeper you will find that there are emotional reactions to the situation that triggered your decision. As an example:
Have you had an idea for a business you would like to create? Then before you ever got started you decided that it would not make money, it was too big and complex or you would need a big investor to make it happen. If you take a deeper look you will find that it is never really about the money. The underlying beliefs are about recognizing the value that you have to offer. The money becomes the practical reason you give yourself for not doing something that is risky or out of your comfort zone.

Sometimes training and certifications are pursued to help increase confidence and perceived value. This can be a great place to start. Ultimately though, recognizing the value you offer is an inside job. Once you are aware of the doubt that robs you of self-assurance; you can begin to resolve it and build inner confidence.

Some of my Blog Companion exercises are geared toward helping you become aware of the self-limiting beliefs that affect your actions. You can subscribe at www.EmpoweredAction.com/blog.

Get help. Do not go it alone.

The single most important choice that I made for personal and professional growth was to work with a mentor and business coach. After years of attempting to do it myself; I realized I was still repeating my patterns. Once I started working with someone regularly I began to see tangible results. Most of the successful people that I know, all have business coaches and/or mentors. They attribute their success to this commitment in themselves.

A coach can help you see things that you cannot see on your own. They can help you gain new perspective and expose the blocks to your progress. I offer personal coaching because I believe it is the most effective and beneficial way to help people get results. Training can give you some pointers, but it often just highlights where you get stuck.

I encourage you to make a commitment to yourself and stop trying to do it alone.
Choose someone that you resonate with and be selective.

There are many coaches and every one has their own unique approach. It is popular now for trainers and information marketers to offer group coaching, yet they are really offering training and generally not providing personal time other than answering a few questions at the end of a call.

Another experience that you may have had is talking to a business advisor and gotten the advice to write a business plan. For me, that was the kiss of death. It was enough to keep me stuck and avoiding business coaches for some time. In my experience, nothing destroys a fledgling idea that needs nurturing quicker than advice that sends you off to write a business plan.

If advice to write a business plan makes you cringe and want to run away, then you probably do not want to look for a traditional business coach. You want someone who understands the places that keep you from moving forward and the ability to help you move through those places.  Certainly training and resources appropriate to your situation may be a part of the process, too.  The most effective coach will help you gain clarity, develop your self-assurance and empower you to discover your own answers.

Obviously this is my perspective and my approach to coaching. Ultimately it is important that you work with someone that you feel will help you make progress and get measurable results.  If you are  not satisfied, you can always change coaches.  The point is to get started. You will learn a lot in the process. It will be the best investment you can make in yourself and your business.

We live in a goal-oriented culture.  There seems to be an underlying assumption that if we do not set goals we would sit around and do nothing; but is that really the case?

Our goals can be stifling and limiting.  They often come from our predisposed mental judgments about what is practical or possible.  Instead of motivating us, goals can leave us frustrated and overwhelmed; or judging ourselves for not accomplishing something.  They can keep us rigidly focused on something in the future and take us out of the experience in the present moment.  This does not leave space for inspiration or allow our vision to evolve.

In the book Goal-Free Living, author Stephen Shapiro says “Goals represent a clearly defined end point, not the adventure in getting there.” He goes on to say, “ Being goal-free does not mean living without direction. …People who are goal-free have a clear sense of direction as dictated by their internal compass and their aspiration.”

Goals themselves are not the culprit.  Our goals tend to get us fixated on the results rather than the path and the experience.  Having an idea where we are going is good; but in every moment we need to be listening for our inner guidance and adjust our course based on our present experience. When we stay focused on our goal we often miss opportunities that are right in front of us.  Most importantly, we do not enjoy the journey of getting there.

I will share a recent experience that demonstrates this concept:

I recently decided to switch from a personal computer with a Microsoft operating system to an Apple.  First I purchased an iPad and began playing with it.  I was amazed at the technology and how far we’ve come since the first personal computers I used in my college days.  So, I did it.  I purchased an iMac. I was excited about the new technology and how it would benefit my business.  My goal was to get up to speed on the iMac quickly, so I could get back to my business activities.

After my first day working on the iMac, transferring data from my old computer and beginning to learn my way around, I felt frustrated and overwhelmed. I realized the pressure I had put on myself.  When I focused on becoming proficient with this new operating system quickly, my experience turned to frustration rather than the excitement and fun I had when I was playing with the iPad.

The next day when I awoke, I made a new choice.  I chose to let go of my expectations and to give myself time to explore and learn with ease.  Everything began to flow more easily.  I was still learning how to utilize this new tool for my business, but I let go of the pressure.   Ironically, by letting go of my goal to learn quickly, I could actually accomplish it with more ease and enjoyment. My enthusiasm returned.

I find this is true with everything in my life.  When I begin to feel overwhelmed or things are not coming together smoothly, I know it is time to pause and reconsider.  I am most productive and have the most fun when I allow each day to unfold and stay in the present moment.

Stephen Shapiro suggests that healthy goals are paths that “help us make progress while keeping us free to enjoy the ride.” Isn’t that what we really want?

If you are not enjoying the ride, it is time to reconsider.

This short video shares this concept in a fun and inspiring way. It is worth taking the time to watch:

What one action can you take toward your vision?

It might be doing something to get clarity and help you determine where to start. Choose one small action that you will take and you will be surprised how it leads you into the next step. When you get stuck, it is often because you are trying to take on too much. You may also become aware of the parts of you that are afraid to move forward on this path. You do not have to have all the answers, just begin and the path will unfold before you.

The foundation of this cutting-edge business model is providing training that helps people in some area of their lives. This is not necessarily what you may consider traditional training or education. There are as many ways to shape it as there are unique expressions. It may include experiential learning, hands-on modalities and personal interaction.

A great example is a man who created a board game that teaches about edible and medicinal herbs. He started with a garage full of board games and wondered how he would sell them. In a short time, he has created a profitable business that offers a variety of products from hands-on herbal medicine making kits to e-courses and even an herb mentor group. Your specific offer and presentation is open to your imagination and passion for a topic. If you are not sure about your passion, the process of developing this business will help you find it.

The Ideal Business

This is the ideal business model if you want to work for yourself doing something that inspires you. There are virtually no start-up costs other than an investment in developing your own skills and getting the support you need to create your business. You only need a computer and a phone to get started.

The Qualities of this Ideal Business:

• Solo-operation: do it yourself without a staff
• No start-up costs and minimal ongoing expenses for a few on-line services
• Work from anywhere that you can connect to the internet
• Great income, includes passive and recurring revenue
• Life balance, flexibility and freedom
• Do something that inspires you and enjoy your business
• Make a difference sharing your message and experience

If these are qualities that you desire in a business, continue reading to learn more.

The Experts Business Model

As you share your knowledge about a specific subject and offer learning opportunities you will begin to establish yourself as an expert. Do not let the word “expert” stop you. You may not feel like an expert at this moment. You simply start where you are and develop your message in a way that people can clearly follow. There are four primary elements to establishing yourself as an expert and generating income.

4 Primary Elements to Implement the Experts Business Model:

1.  Choose a Niche

There are several options:

• Help people solve a specific problem and achieve their desired outcomes. This often relates to a challenge you have overcome yourself. You can offer guidance based on your personal experience and perspective.
• Teach someone a particular skill or craft. This may relate to a skill you have mastered or something you are very interested in.

It is important that you choose something that inspires you. Your passion will motivate you and keep you energized. The topic should be narrow enough that you can create detailed content about it and speak as if you are talking to an individual. This is often the biggest challenge. There is a tendency to choose a broad topic. Generally, the more narrowly focused the topic the better.

2.  Create Content

Once you decide on your topic, begin to develop content. Writing about your topic will help organize and clarify your thoughts. This is the place that many get stuck. If you have difficulty developing content your topic may be too broad. This process helps you refine your focus and hone your subject to create your unique expression. You may also discover your self-limiting beliefs as you proceed.

There will be a variety of different ways that content is offered. Some will be free content that helps people understand what you offer and begins to educate them. Other content will be developed into training modules. It is good to offer content in a variety of media types to support different learning styles. Media formats may include text, audio and video.

3.  Packaging and Marketing

The training may be offered in several formats and structured in different ways to provide a variety of learning opportunities and experiences. This is the “packaging”. It may be a stand alone information product provided as text, audio and/or video materials. It might also include a membership site or interactive learning environment that offers a forum or help desk and increasing levels of personal support. Teleconferences and webinars can be conducted as live events; recorded and offered as stand alone products.

Offering educational content is an effective marketing strategy. It builds a relationship with potential clients and develops trust. You create a community of people who resonate with your message and are interested in what you are offering.

4.  Services

Training by itself is often insufficient to help people make the changes they desire. Stand alone training can be coupled with more interactive options to create an experience that enables people to implement what they have learned.

These services may include group and individual coaching, as well as live seminars, retreats and other speaking engagements. It may also include hands-on services, such as massage therapy or other healing modalities. You may create your own unique offer.

This is a powerful model for coaches and other service providers. It builds your client base, increases your value, allows you to work with only the most motivated clients and creates other revenue streams in addition to your personal time.

The Elements Work Together

Although there is a progression through the elements when you first start; they are not linear steps. They all work together. To get started, you want to focus on Step 1 and 2. Once you feel comfortable with the first two steps, you will develop a larger strategy that includes Steps 3 and 4. It is likely that your overall strategy will evolve as you proceed.

There is a lot of detail and depth to each of these elements. This provides a broad overview of how to generate income by sharing your experience. I will be offering additional information about each of these elements. Be sure to subscribe to my Blog Companion if you would like to receive updates when new information is available.

If you know others that may benefit from this information, you can easily share this by email or social media using the buttons below.

I appreciate your feedback. Please provide comments below.

Through the years I began to explore ideas for developing my interests into a revenue stream. I did not want to create a business with employees; I wanted to work for myself and do something I felt passionate about. After attempting to get several ventures launched and failing to generate enough income to make them viable, I really felt like I was missing some important ingredient. I knew this was something I had a deep desire to do, but I just could not figure out what it took to succeed.

Traditional Business Advice Misses the Mark

I followed a lot of traditional business advice: I phoned or emailed virtually everyone that I had met over the years; I went to networking events and conferences; and I created a website. Yet with all the energy and effort I put into it; I was never able to generate consistent income. Having a website and starting a blog did not magically begin to attract clients.

I certainly did not feel like a successful entrepreneur. Traditional business advice made things seem so complex and my failed attempts just seemed to confirm it. It was common to run across information and comments like:

• Starting a business is hard.
• You better have plenty of money in the bank or someone to support you.
• When you have your own business it is either feast or famine.
• You have to work long hours and give up having a life when you start your own business.
• It takes 3 years to really get a business going.
• Once your business takes off it is hard to get away.

Have you heard any of these? Maybe you have your own to add?

A lot of this “advice” was given by well meaning people, often by someone who was overwhelmed or struggling with their own business. The overall message seemed to be: you are better off just being an employee. However, it was not working for me. Being an employee was not satisfying. It was not feeding my soul, my inner desire. I was determined to figure it out.

The Internet Provides New Opportunities

When I first started exploring the idea of starting my own business the opportunities we have today were just not as readily available. The internet has changed our lives in many ways and that includes business. It has become the primary resource for finding information and products, as well as connecting with others and sharing.

The internet offers lots of information, but the gems to be found are through those that share their wisdom. They help others make meaning of all the overwhelming information and data by providing their expertise about a particular subject. There is a lot of bad information out there to wade through. People are looking for solutions to their challenges, ways to improve themselves and find deeper meaning without sorting through lots of junk.

The other shift that is occurring is that people are choosing to do business with individuals they can trust rather than large impersonal corporations. There has been a tendency for the solo-business owner to do things to make their business look larger: using “we” instead of “I” and emulating larger businesses by being impersonal in their approach.

Today there are many entrepreneurs that are demonstrating that being authentic and providing a personal touch is extremely effective. No more pretending and trying to play like big business. They are also demonstrating that you do not need to have a large staff (or any employees at all) to enjoy a lucrative, fulfilling business and a life.

A Business Model that Works

These factors together offer an incredible opportunity for individuals that want to work for themselves and share their experience and wisdom with others. This business model can be shaped around an individual’s unique interests. It is not for everyone, but is well-suited to those that have an affinity for teaching. Not teaching in traditional terms, but through many unique expressions and approaches.

At the most fundamental level, it involves developing content that can help people learn something or overcome a problem. The specific niche is primarily determined by tapping into personal experiences, talents or deep interests. It is effective for those who want to provide personal services like coaches, facilitators, holistic practitioners and even tour guides. It may include training programs and products; coaching or consulting; seminars and retreats; writing books and speaking. It could expand on creative endeavors such as art, photography and learning games. There are as many ways to tailor this business as there are unique expressions.

Creating a thriving business doing something that inspires you does not have to be difficult or overwhelming. You can start where you are with no financial investment. You may choose to get some support along the way, investing in yourself, but there are no significant start-up costs. Even if you have some uncertainty about starting your own business, I encourage you to take time to explore this idea and see where it leads.

Having my own business is fun and rewarding. I do spend a lot of time focused on my business, but it does not feel like work. It is something I am passionate about. I also have flexibility and life balance. As these winter days are getting shorter, it is nice to be able to take time to enjoy a hike before the sun goes down adjusting my schedule to fit the season.

I have discovered that I do indeed have entrepreneurial qualities, but they were not particularly apparent when I was dragging myself to a job, feeling unmotivated and exhausted. It is an entirely different experience now that I am acting from inspiration. As I choose to express and create authentically, I feel energized and ready to greet each new day. My old fears of not being motivated enough or knowing enough have dissolved.

If you have a desire to share your message and start your own business, this is a great time to start. I will be providing more information and strategies for implementing this business model in upcoming blog posts, as well as through other content. If you would like to be notified when new content is available, subscribe to my newsletter. It is a companion to the blog posts and provides additional tips.

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The moment I made the choice (and a deep inner commitment) that I would never work for anyone else again; I began attracting solutions into my life. I had to face my biggest fears and it was worth it! The solutions did not just fall into my lap. I had to keep making the choice, trust my inner guidance system, and take action. Ultimately I shifted from feeling limited to recognizing my value and the difference that I make.

When each of us breaks through our self-limiting beliefs and begins to express our authentic voice we contribute to the change we want to see in the world.  This means coming out of hiding and believing in ourselves. The old traditional ways of doing business are not effective anymore, but there is a new paradigm that supports and rewards those who are ready to share their message authentically.

People prefer to do business with individuals that model integrity and care about them rather than large corporations. Experiencing the rewards of this new paradigm takes an understanding of the fundamental concepts and how to apply them, but the underlying element is being ready and willing to take action.  We all help shape a new reality by our choices and our actions; by becoming a leader and a creator in our own life.

I encourage you to reconsider your own gifts, how you might share your experience and get paid for it, too. There are people who are ready for just what you have to offer. 

Enjoy.

The truth is that your unique experience, the…
• challenges you have overcome,
• knowledge you have acquired and
• skills that you have learned
… offers a fountain of wisdom that other people could benefit from. There are people looking for the specific expertise and assistance that you can provide.

While there may be fewer consumers purchasing merchandise, people are investing more in themselves. They are seeking information that can improve something in their lives. If you have an interest in sharing your experience and creating your ideal business, I encourage you to take action now. It may not have seemed to be a viable income-generating option in the past; however the internet has changed that. It is the primary place that people go to search for the information they need.

There is a new paradigm in business and marketing. People are looking for information from a person not a corporation. They want to connect with individuals they trust and that care about what they are going through. If you are willing to step forward and share authentically from your experience, you will discover that people will resonate with your message. The internet offers the opportunity for people to find you and discover what you have to offer.

The first step is to consider what specific challenge you want to help people solve. A specific challenge could mean a skill they want to learn or something they want to improve in their lives. It is important to have a narrow focus so you can deeply connect and share. If your topic is too broad you will miss connecting with your people.

Even if you have a business already, this is a critical factor. Most entrepreneurs struggle to find their niche. They attempt to help too many without much success. Once you define your niche:

• You will know your value and the people you can help.
• You will recognize the difference that you make.
• You will be able to answer the question, “What do you do?” with clarity and confidence.
• Your ideal clients will be able to find you.
• It will be easier for people to refer potential clients to you.

A great resource to help you discover and get clear about your niche and give you some business ideas if you are just getting started is a program called The Total Niche Clarity Home Study Course*. This is a comprehensive program that includes guidance from the top heart-centered niche marketing experts. Each expert offers their unique perspective and gives you different ways to hear the information and spark new insights. I listened to a number of these interviews live. They provide great advice and offer exercises to help you find your own answers. Click here for more information about the program.

I also offer strategy sessions that provide the opportunity to focus on you and your unique approach. One to one sessions are the fastest, most effective way to transform your life and experience immediate results for your business. Click here for more information about strategy sessions.  

There are people looking for what you have to offer. It is time to share your message, be discovered and live inspired!

* I only recommend products that I am familiar with and believe will add value. I am an affiliate for the recommended product.

If you spend time on the computer, I highly recommend trying this out. They offer a free trial. You can click on the image to go to their home page or the link is http://bit.ly/breathapp. I think it is a great little tool and want to share.*

If you check it out, please post comments about your experience here.

Enjoy your breath.

* I only recommend products that I am familiar with and believe will add value. I am an affiliate for the recommended product.