Over the course of a 20-year career working with creative professionals and business owners, I’ve learned there are two things you gorgeous people absolutely need to feel fulfilled and successful:
- Doing work that has meaning, with clients who share your values and pay what you’re worth
- Building a business or career that supports the life you want for yourself and your family
Does that sound about right?
I’ve yet to meet a creative who doesn’t want these things, but I’ve met many who feel it’s out of their reach. Not because it really is out of their reach (which is just a persistent illusion), but because they simply haven’t learned how to translate their desire to be, do and have more, into real-world practices that will grow their business. For example:
- Asking for money
- Raising your rates
- Claiming a specialty and position yourself and expert
- Building and managing a team
- Pitching an idea or service you’re not fully confident in yet
- Selling yourself
I realize it’s hard to shake limiting beliefs around your capability and value, so let me give you an example that’s outside of your creativity and livelihood (and therefore, less emotionally charged). Imagine you’ve always dreamed of learning how to surf, just for fun. Even though you don’t know how to do it yet, you understand the only thing standing between you and that dream is living relatively near to an ocean, taking lessons, and practicing, practicing, practicing, right? You don’t believe you’re intrinsically incapable of doing it or unworthy of experiencing that joy.
So why would building a thriving business be any different?
If you’re sick of feeling stuck, here are 4 ways you can turn frustration into freedom and struggle into success.
1) Know what you want
The reason most goal-setting doesn’t work is because people are too vague in what they ask for. If you just ask for “more money” or “better clients” with no emotional reason to back it up, your results will be just as vague. But if you set the intention to land two, $10,000 projects in the next 90-days so you can take that trip you’ve been dreaming of, you give yourself, and the universe, something to work with. If you’re ready to create goals that WORK, check out this post to learn exactly how.
2) Work on your mindset, daily
While talent and the quality of your work matter A LOT, they are not nearly as important as the inner value and confidence you have in your abilities to do whatever you set your mind to. Here’s are some resources you can use to instantly up-grade the levels of joy, curiosity, and income in your life.
3) Create a plan and execute on it
When a client hires you to do a project, you get busy, right? You conceptualize, turn those ideas into a presentation, refine a few times, and deliver final files. All within the allotted time. Your business deserves the same commitment. Once you’ve set your goals, attached tasks and deadlines to each, make sure you honor that commitment. The universe responds to action, so let’s get going.
4) Get support
I realize that this advice is easier to give then to execute, especially when you’re battling doubt and overwhelm, which is why support is essential. If you’re starting out and have few resources, seek mentorship, or form your own support group. If you have some resources, an online or group program might be a perfect next step. Or if you’re ready to make big things happen, quickly, one-on-one coaching might be right for you. As long as you keep your head in the game, take action, and do the best you can, you’ll make progress.
If you’d like to talk to a professional about taking your creative career or business to a new level, I’d love to chat. Click here to get the ball rolling for a free 30-minute call and we’ll talk about your challenges, brainstorm solutions and figure out your next steps to success.
I can’t wait to speak with you!
