When I first started my current business, I was excited about the seed of the idea at the core of my business. I felt like I was ready to get rolling with my business. As much as I wanted to get started, I was hesitant to move forward. I was finally able to turn my business hesitation into momentum to grow my business.
All of the marketing classes I had taken encouraged me to set big goals, take bold moves, and jump into action.
That “Build Your Business” approach never had the intended effect on me.
Instead of motivating me to create momentum, this advice had me putting on the brakes -- every time! (Eventually, I learned that other sensitive, intuitive Change Catalysts have the same response.)
Since the usual ways of growing my business weren’t working, I started experimenting to find a new approach -- an approach that encouraged and supported me in staying in motion so I could gain momentum in my business.
Along the way, I discovered that taking the steps to grow my business in a particular order enhanced my confidence. This allowed me to take the actions necessary to strengthen and refine my business over time.
As I found my way forward, bit by bit, I discovered these four stages to building momentum in my business.
Stage 1) As you gain clarity, you begin to feel more confident.
Although you think you have to be in action to get going with your business, the first step is to look within to gain clarity about several aspects of your business:
The core focus of your work. Who do you work with and how do you support them?
The foundation of your business. How do you structure your offerings and generate income?
The client flow. How do you attract potential clients and invite them to work with you?
If you are unsure, confused, or hesitant about any of these topics, you won’t have the confidence you need to take action. Attempting to gain clients when you lack clarity is difficult because your clients pick up on your lack of confidence.
Dedicating the time to clarifying your vision for your business is an essential foundation for your ultimate business growth. It’s easy to get stuck right here. I know, I’ve experienced that frustrating feeling myself several times in my 30-year career. Check out the resource listed below for some additional guidance.
Step 2) As you feel more confident, you find it easier and easier to take action.
When you have a clear, grounded sense of the focus of your business, your business foundation, and your client flow, you will have a solid enough basis for taking the steps to grow your business.
Through a series of conversations and small experiments you gain a new perspective on your business. You confirm that you enjoy your work with clients, and you verify that your work is touching your clients in a meaningful way. When you receive this external feedback, your confidence grows, and you know you are on the right track to build business momentum.
Step 3) As you take a series of effective strategic actions, you begin to build business momentum.
As you layer each new action upon those you’ve taken before, you notice a quickening, experience a new sense of hope, and feel inspired to take more and more actions.
Gradually you find you have an embodied sense of deep knowing about your work that you have not felt before. When I work with clients I can see them step into this new phase. They carry themselves with a more confident posture and talk about their work with a new level of assurance.
Step 4) As you gain momentum, you are on your way to creating a viable business.
With this new level of movement, you’ll receive more feedback about the work you do, more evidence that you are having a positive impact on your clients, and more proof you are doing the work you are here to do.
As you find the best ways to engage your best clients and figure out the most effective ways to work with your clients, the results begin to snowball. Soon you have the data to determine what it will take to have a sustainable business that is thriving.
One Final Tip
As tempting as it might be, resist the temptation to jump to the latter steps. Work toward gaining clarity about the foundation of your business and your work. You’ve got to know what you are selling before you can begin to market it!
Resources
Resource #1: The process I describe above follows the same general arc whether you are starting your first practice, jump starting your business after a lull, reconfiguring your existing business, or creating a new body of work. The emphasis on the specifics of the journey differs for each scenario in subtle, but important ways.
Gaining clarity about where you are in your journey, will show you where you need to focus to get the results you crave. With this enhanced clarity, you'll know what to do next which helps you minimize needless anxiety and avoid costly, time-consuming, energy-draining detours.