Learn To Show YOURSELF the Door

Many years ago, I was working in corporate America in a job that I liked better than any other I’d previously held. I liked my co-workers, my boss, and I could even talk openly about spirituality. I was going along my merry way when, BANG, I was laid off. I had been laid off twice before and each time I knew I ended up better off. Still, I was depressed because I thought I had finally found my place. Obviously, the Universe had another plan for me.

I should have known during my annual review when my boss started explaining how I would eventually get his job. I instantly heard a voice within me say, “Yuck. I don’t want his job!” I was being shown the door, but I didn’t go through it until I was forced out by the layoff.

We often don’t make big changes until we are shown the door (or pushed out it) so, the question becomes, “How do we learn to show ourselves the door?”

Weren’t You Doing ‘X’ Last Year?

We often dread these words when we’ve recently made a shift in our work. Or we fear these words so we don’t change. We feel like we have to have it all figured out and then launch into the world and stay that way forever. We think that it’s a failure to change our business name or the description of our services.

Not changing, however, is really ignoring our inner guidance. One of the biggest mainstream marketing myths is that we have to stick to one name, one brand identity, and not waiver – or clients will get confused and we will fail.

Well, I owned three other businesses before Conscious Marketing. Looking back, I see it taught me valuable lessons that have enabled me to make Conscious Marketing the success that it is.

For example, in one of my businesses we taught self-care skills for stressed out professional caregivers. Now, what entrepreneur has not been stressed out and neglected themselves? You know, self-care isn’t just about getting enough rest, it’s about charging the right prices for the services you provide and working the hours that give you the lifestyle you want.

What is a “Speaking Heart”?

The “speaking heart” is the part of us that tries, and sometimes fails if we don’t listen, to let us know that we need to make a change. People ask me how I know what to charge for my services. I tell them that my heart gives me regular raises.

If I worked with someone over time and I started to feel resentful because the amount of money they were paying me, I viewed it as a door opening to a price increase. I listen to my instincts and trust that my heart will lead me in the right direction.

The start of a new year or a new fiscal quarter is a perfect time to give yourself a raise. Give your clients a heads up like, “Just so you know, I will be raising my prices in the next quarter.” If they truly value your services they will stay. Otherwise, the worst thing that can happen is that you begin making more money with fewer clients.

Take a Flying Leap

What leap can you take this year? What change is your heart trying to get you to hear? What doors are being shown to you? My favorite quote is, “Leap and the net will appear.” It’s funny how we won’t do something for fear of being disappointed. So, instead, we stay where we are and are disappointed that way. My new version of that quote is, “Leap and the cliff disappears!”

Follow your heart, no matter what it says. Know that you have support – inside yourself and in the world. Instead of waiting to be “shown the door,” start listening for those heartfelt stepping-stones that allow you to lovingly show yourself the door.