First, since you asked, you have to listen. Second, since you asked, you have to take it in. And third, since you asked (and assuming you didn’t ask gratuitously) you have to be willing to do something with the information you hear.

That’s where the hard part comes in.

This spring I led the 1.0 version of Think Create Sell. This program was designed to provide business owners with specific action steps to get their knowledge out to a larger audience, in the form of an information product, and get paid for it.

After a fascinating personal journey this program was born from my desire to be of service to a specific group of my ideal clients.  31 of them joined me for this class for which I spent many hours brainstorming, creating and packaging my content to share with them.

At the end of the course, I asked for feedback. I really wanted to know what I could do to improve the experience for everyone since I had visions of bringing this course and its information to a larger audience.

One of the participants, a friend and client, invited me to lunch because she had so much to share with me.

Her initial words were that she received much more than she’d expected. She loved the depth of my content and the quality of the templates I provided. She appreciated the interactive forum and my enthusiastic teaching style.

While I soaked this in, and basked in her words, I could feel a  “BUT” looming in the air.

And then it came.

“BUT Kim you actually gave too much in too short a time. I wanted to sign up for your next program but I still haven’t digested all that you gave me. It was a lot of material to compact into three classes. Kim, learning from you is like drinking from a fire hose. I want it all, I just can’t take it in that fast.”

As big a girl as I am, I could feel the tears welling up. It was as if I didn’t hear anything she’d said before the BUT.

And, then the next day, I spoke with another woman who’d taken the class and her words were similar.

In the words of Charlie Brown – UGHHH!

The key thing is I LOVE these women. I value their insights and I trust them. They exemplify my ideal clients. In a previous post, I spoke about sippers vs. slurpers. I’m guessing these women are sippers.

Once the shock of their feedback wore off, I could acknowledge how much I appreciated their candor and their support. The part about feedback is that if you don’t do anything with the information, what’s the purpose of having asked for it? We’re in business to be of service, which means listening to what others need from us, even if it’s not exactly what we hoped for.

After masterminding with my coach and business girlfriends, I figured out how to apply what I’d learned to improve my program. I would lessen the flow of the fire hose with a Chinese menu. I don’t want to take any content away from participants but I do want to give them the power to choose WHAT information they want and need at the moment. They can focus in on the learning they want right now (and later on they can come back for additional content).

I’m running Think It, Create It, Sell It this summer and I expanded what was three weeks into a more digestible eight-week program – each week participants will get a manageable bite-size piece provided in different formats—written/audio/video. This way you can learn WHAT you want (in your learning style) WHEN you want and even WHERE you want (you can even take the illustrated handouts and download the audios to your iPod and sit out by the pool!).

Check it out at and let me know what you think. I’ll definitely pay attention to your feedback.

Here’s the truth, we’re on an entrepreneurial journey and our growth is contingent about learning, changing and growing along the way.

Maybe you’re business isn’t where you want it and some mornings you wake up worrying about bills. I wanted to share with you the truth – I deal with these same worries.

One of my favorite mentors, Baeth Davis has an amazing story and it’s a testament to what can happen when you discover your life’s purpose…

Before discovering her Life Purpose, Baeth was stuck in a very bad place. She was broke financially (working a job that was making her sick),  broke emotionally (in a loveless relationship with the “wrong” guy) and broke spiritually (as she was dangerously depressed)!

Seeing her today, it’s hard to imagine someone as abundantly alive as Baeth,  was once in such a bad place.   But it’s often our rise up from a bad place that allows us to help others and Baeth has been able to help so many make the shift in their own lives. She helped me and that’s why I want to share her information with you!

For the next 5 days, Baeth’s offering a powerful 3-PART TRAINING that she is giving away F.RE.E.

If you missed the lesson she shared on Tuesday you can still catch up. Today, Baeth is going to identify the #1 THING that may be HOLDING YOU BACK. Many of her clients say this is the MOST important lesson for those who are already working in their Purpose but are NOT experiencing the money or success they desire.

Here’s the link you need. It will only be available this week so jump on it if this speaks to you! I’m going to be watching her videos and taking notes. I’d love to hear what you learn and enjoyed!

I was feeling that way about three years ago before I accepted a hand analysis from my coach, Baeth Davis. The results revealed an essence I had been missing. Watch this short video where I share my revelation and you’ll see why I’m now such a big fan of Baeth.

I’m an affiliate of Baeth’s because I wholeheartedly believe in her purpose-driven approach to business! I want to share with you a SHORT VIDEO she created that will identify if you have any of the 7 Early Warning Signs of Being Stuck in Meaningless Work – work that does little for your bank account and nothing for your soul.

Baeth has also created an unprecedented, totally FREE content-rich interactive online training for stepping out of stuck, broke and meaningless once and for all.

Here’s my link to access all this good stuff. It will only be available this week so jump on it if this speaks to you!

I made the decision a few weeks ago to stop promoting a program that I’d planned because my energy and my intentions were not coming from a place of integrity, So after crawling into bed, re-reading Bob Burg’s The Go-Giver (and reminding myself that I’m in business to provide value) I switched gears and in a matter of two weeks set off on a whole new direction that felt right and much more “on purpose.” (You can listen to more of my story on a recent call with Lisa Cherney where we spoke about the Dark Side of Entrepreneurship).

What caused my shift?

Once I stopped focusing on myself and my own dramas, and really got clear on the value I wanted to provide to my community my creative juices started flowing.

Then I received great feedback from my survey that showed me that women entrepreneurs crave SPECIFIC training on specific projects – they just don’t have the time, energy, or even the money to wade through stuff they’ll never get around to using.

Reading the words of many of my “muses” allowed ideas to pour out of me. I knew what people needed and I knew I could provide it for them. My energy flowed because I REALLY listened – both to my ideal client and to my gut…

So, I got to work and just  launched a new program that will teach service-based professionals all the SPECIFICS on how to create their very own info-product in 3 EASY steps (so you can get money rolling in fast sharing what you ALREADY KNOW).

The program is called Think It, Create It, Sell It – please visit this page to watch my video intro and learn more of the details.

One example of the feedback I received was from Theresa Anderson, a Home Stager/Redesigner.

In her own words here’s what Theresa’s looking for…

“I would like info on vendors to use – website set up, creating joint ventures, list-building, prelaunch work, launch work, and post launch work, delivery mechanisms, technical help, how to incorporate video, audio, teleseminars, etc. And – how to find a topic that really interests my ideal audience. I want to do something unique – not be a ‘me too’ product.”

I had promised that one person who took some of their valuable time to help me with my survey would be rewarded a free spot in this new program. and I’ve given that gift to Theresa.

I promise I’ll be sharing all of what Theresa’s looking for and more. But I’m also going to make it very DOABLE because if you learn and don’t implement it becomes another wasted opportunity.

So thank you! Thank you for sharing with me what you’ve been looking for and how I can provide the most value. Please visit www.ThinkCreateSell.com to learn more about what I’ve put together  – I can’t wait to get started!

Maybe you’re not earning what you want. Maybe you’re not having the fun that you want. Maybe you’re not working with the clients you want. Maybe you’re just disillusioned.

Are you suffering in silence?

The fact is no matter how successful you are as an entrepreneur, it’s a fact that we all hit  major roadblocks now and then and I believe they’re part of the entrepreneurial process.

It is in the rising up from the dark times that provide us with an opportunity for our real learning and growth.

I had the opportunity to interview my friend Lisa Cherney about The Dark Side of Entrepreneurship and Using Your “Failures” to Leap Forward and Transform Your Business.

She shared how to truly know when you’re in “dark night of the business soul” (hint: you’re seriously thinking about getting a JOB) and what you can do to help yourself.

I opened up in a way I never have before about my own sleepless stressed-out nights as an entrepreneur, and the growth I’m experiencing as I move more into the light.

The key message we spoke about is that the dark  nights can lead to a positive transformation if you know how to use your “failures” to move forward.

Please listen to this recording as my gift (there’s no opt-in necessary). I really want to get this information out to a community of entrepreneurs who can benefit from knowing they’re not alone.

And, most importantly, use this blog’s forum to share what’s going on for you and allow us to be your support.

I’ve been brainstorming about a new program to help entrepreneurs quickly create a whole new source of income by providing the “how-to” steps to create an info-product. I know this program has incredible value and appeal but I’ve been stuck.

Why? Because I wasn’t clear on who my “ideal” client for this program is even though I’d just written an article on why that’s so important!

The problem was that the client I was initially visualizing for this program just wasn’t fun for me to work with… In fact the person who kept popping into my head was my mother! And although she helped me come up with the idea for the program I just couldn’t visualize working with her. So even though I knew I was sitting on this great idea, I couldn’t move forward.

So, I got on the phone with a friend and shared ideas and my dilemma. She said to me, “Kim, I need what you’re describing. Maybe I’m you’re ideal client?”

Bingo! That was the clarity I needed.

My friend has an established business providing a service that’s in high demand. But she’s tired of being paid by the hour. She has a ton of knowledge in her field and if she shared this knowledge in some type of an info product she would not only bring in some extra cash, she would leverage her time and enhance her credibility in her field.

After that conversation the ideas for my new program started flowing and I could feel my bottleneck release.

So if you find yourself dragging your feet about getting your product or service out there, think about someone you know really well that could benefit from your product or service. Think about that person that’s fun to work with, that energizes you and brings out the best in you. Then, think about how you can bring the most value to that person. I guarantee you’ll find this exercise energizing and you’ll be motivated to get it done.

In case you were wondering, my ideal client for this particular program is an experienced entrepreneur who offers a valuable service but is ready to take their work to a larger market. So if you’re paid to provide a service as a coach, nutritional consultant, writer, virtual assistant, therapist … this means you!

Please do me a favor and take a couple minutes to fill out my survey.  Now that I know who you are, I want to infuse this program with the kind of learning you’re looking for. Here’s the link.

Extra bonus: One person who fills out the survey will be awarded a place in my new program for f^ree! (And, if you know of any service providers that could benefit from a brand new source of income please let them know about this survey too!)

If your business isn’t where you want it to be, then you’ve got to take a hard look at who you’re being and how you’re showing up. The answer always lies within.

Last week, after some intense masterminding, I chose to give myself permission to do nothing. I needed to decompress and internally process all that I’d absorbed. That’s a real challenge for a Type A do-er like me. I don’t sit still well, meditating doesn’t come easily, and I don’t sleep enough. My brain and body are always on the go.

During my self-imposed down time, I re-read my favorite parable The Go-Giver, by Bob Burg and John David Mann. I turn to this book when I want to regain clarity and truly focus on why I’m really in business. Yes, I want to make an income to support my family. Yes, I want to share my gifts with the world. Yes, I want to make a difference.

But my core reason, and my life’s purpose, is I want to serve a lot of people, and provide them with a lot of value. For all entrepreneurs, that’s the key question we must continually answer: How can I serve?

Answering that question always gets me back on track again. (With that in mind please feel free to share with me how I can serve you better.)

Listen to my interview with Bob Burg where he goes more in depth into the 5 Laws that are critical to running your business.

So, let’s be honest…How much is your desire for perfection holding you back? Being able to recognize that desire can often give you the motivation to just move forward and take action. I want to share with you some of the ways trying to be perfect has slowed me down and more importantly what I did to become a recovering perfectionist.

Perfectionism can have an especially negative impact on your success when you run your own business. A really important message I want to communicate is there’s really no such thing as perfect. So if you’re struggling to make it "just perfect" you’re directing your energy into something that’s impossible to achieve.

Another way perfectionism slows us down is we feel like we want to know it all (and should know it all). We think, "This is my business. Who knows it better than me?" The truth is, as experienced or knowledgeable as we might be, we don’t always have all the answers. Sometimes we need to reach out to somebody and admit in a vulnerable way, "I don’t know how to do this. Please help. Guide me."

At times getting the help that you need in your business means letting go of some control. As you delegate to a virtual assistant, graphic designer or copywriter, it’s unlikely that they’re going to do it exactly the way you do. That’s a fact. What I realize is that delegating saves me so much time and energy. Maybe they did it 90% of how I would have done it and I had to tweak it 10% but it still dramatically increased my momentum.

So as a recovering perfectionist here are my lessons learned…

I just work to take action, even if it’s imperfect action and just get my projects out there.

I’m not afraid to ask for help. I’m comfortable admitting that I don’t know it all.

I let go and instead of completely controlling all the details, I delegate to my team trusting that they’ll get it done. (and when we have mistakes, that’s what "oops" messages are for.)

Trust me, the satisfaction of getting it done (by letting go of your desire to be perfect) and getting your brilliance out into the world makes it worth the effort. You’ll free up your energy to tackle your big ideas and really get some momentum building in your business. If you want to learn how you too can be a recovering perfectionist, please grab the audio recording of Get It Done 101 – How to STOP Procrastinating and Tackle Your BIG Ideas with Confidence…So that You Can Make More Money and Help More People! http://metromom.com/gidcall

My best definition of a warrior is one who conquers oneself. We all have fear about stepping out into new places and doing new things, but the warrior acts in spite of the fear, and develops courage.

My three key learning areas were the following:

• Fear is not a bad thing, it only hurts you when you let it get in your way. We’re all scared of things that may come in the future, and things that are unknown to us. Realistically, fear is just the anticipation of pain in the future. Those that are successful or influence others probably have fear. The key is they have learned to act in spite of their fear. I had many opportunities to do this at camp. (Sorry, I can’t share more specifics.)
• Sometimes the best thing you can do to get it done is to get out or your own way. I know for myself, I’m working a project right now that includes four other people. For this project to move smoothly, I have to move out of the way, give them space to do their brilliance and then step back in gracefully when it’s my turn. Taking action often has a really masculine energy to it, but when you add in the fine art of grace it feels less like– P-U-S-H-I-N-G.
• For me it’s so important to surround myself with people on the same path. All my fellow warriors showed up wanting great personal development and growth. Not once during 5 days did I share what I do professionally with anyone nor did I ask others. While I love what I do, it was incredibly refreshing to get to know others, and them me, without my professional hat on. While I don’t know what many of the people do, I have a really great sense of who they are as people, and what’s more important than that?

When I apply these “warrior” lessons I have so much more fun, attract goodness into my life and I get a lot more done.

How are you showing up in your life as a warrior?