Posts Tagged ‘money and mindset’

The other day a networking friend invited me to her office so we could get to know one another better.  When I walked into her office space I had to stop myself from gasping.

You see, this women’s space was a mess.  There were papers strewn about, unfiled, even on the floor.  She had dirty dishes and glasses on her desk, garbage overflowing from the can and there was barely a place for me to sit.

What came to mind immediately for me was. “If her office is a mess, I bet her money situation is a mess too!”

Now maybe your office space isn’t as bad as this woman’s  but do you see any similarities?  Could your office use a clearing and cleaning out?  What about your finances, your wallet, and your bank statements?  Are they in disarray too?

You see there is a direct correlation with how our offices and environments look and how we handle money.

If you office is in shambles I want you to make the commitment to do the following:

1. Get everything off the floor.  Nothing should be on the floor but your rug, furniture and your pets.  So, if you have any other items on the floor put it in a big box and put it in the garage or attic.
2. If you don’t have anything on the floor then I want you to clear out your bookshelves. Put all the crap that is lying on the shelves in a box and put that in the attic or garage too.
3. Next, clear off your desk. You must be able to see your desk when you are through.  Get rid of the junk, dirty dishes, old papers and pack it up!

Now, look around and feel the expansiveness that you have just created.  By clearing out this clutter you are making more room for money. Isn’t that cool?

Next, I want you to tackle your money in a more direct way:

• Create a filing system and start filing your papers and receipts.  Hate to file?  Hire a high school or college kid or even a stay at home mom who might need some extra cash.

• Get your books in order.   I once asked my client how much money she made last year and she was unsure because she hadn’t finished her taxes yet. Unbelievable I know, but I bet some of you reading this don’t know what you’ve made to date this year.

I know the balances in all my bank accounts and I can tell you to the penny how much money I’ve made so far this year.

• Finally, make sure all bills are current. Put a payment schedule together and start paying your bills on time every month.

The goal here is to rid yourself of any and all money drama that you’ve created and replace it with an environment which supports the flow of money into your life with ease.

I love when someone pays attention to me, don’t you?  Well, money is the same way.  Money likes to be shown the attention and respect it deserves.

So what happens when you ignore money? Not sure what I mean? Jot down the answer to these couple of questions and keep them in mind as you keep reading:

• Do you pay your bills on time?
• Do you allow clients to waffle on agreements and pay you late?
• Have you developed a budget and stuck to it?

Well, unless you answered positively to all of the above questions you’re more than likely ignoring money and asking it to leave you alone.

Here are two quick tips for paying attention to money so that it doesn’t find a negative way of getting your attention.

1.  Stick To A Budget and Pay Your Bills On Time

When you develop a clear budget you give money the attention it deserves.  First, you have a clear understanding of your current financial situation and second you now are in a position to establish a saving and spending plan based on a full and complete awareness of what you make.

Once you can see the big picture it is vital that you pay your bills on time every month.

Paying your bills late or inconsistently is scarcity behavior and does nothing except to perpetuate that feeling.  Instead, pay each bill on time, at the same time every month.

2.  Always Focus on Value

People love to say the economy is the reason their business isn’t thriving.  But the fact is, your clients will buy from you IF you provide them with valuable information, services and programs that meet the needs that effect them most.

There are a limitless, ok maybe not limitless, but there are at least 10 ways that you can provide new value to your clients and when you do they will be happy to purchase from you.

It’s your job be creative and introduce these new innovative programs, products or services to them.

So, get your thinking caps on!

We all know what the process of manifestation looks like — thoughts lead to feelings, feelings lead to actions, and actions lead to results. Sounds easy, doesn’t it?

If you have a poor person’s mindset, then you probably “think” about being rich. Maybe you even wish about having more money.

Possibly, you sit and meditate about money, visualize it and say countless affirmations that sound something like, “Money is flying at me in all directions!”

I don’t know about you but money hasn’t flown into me lately…instead I have had to actually do something for the money to appear.

Which brings me to the point: affirmations, visualizations and meditations are all wonderful tools, but if you want to change your financial circumstances you are going to have to take action!

Actions are what help to bridge the inner world, where all the meditations and stuff go on, with the outer world, the world where you need to actually do something.

So what stops us from taking the action?

Fear, doubt and worry are the top contenders and are the roadblocks to our success and happiness. But here’s the difference — people who have accumulated wealth do not let fear stand in their way. In fact, they act in spite of that fear. Poor people let fear stand in their way.

Which one are you?

There are so many ways that we as business owners prevent money from flowing to us. Look around. What do you see? Which areas of your environment are likely holding you back from making more money?

Not sure what I mean? Well let’s start with Physical Clutter. Now you might be asking what physical clutter has to do with opening the floodgates to making more money; but rest assured it has a lot to do with your ability to attract and make more.

Is your office or home a mess? Do you have papers strewn all over the place that need to be filed? Does your office have files that should be removed and put in storage? I want you to look around and see if you have clutter in any of the following places:

• Desk Clutter
• Email Clutter
• Bookshelf Clutter
• Newsletter Clutter

Take the time to clear out this clutter. This clutter is an energy drain which takes your attention away from and blocks your ability to make more money.

Make the commitment necessary to clean out the clutter from your life.

I have been chosen by the Diva Toolbox as THE Authority!  Check it out below or visit the www.divatoolbox.com

Area of Authority: Money and Mindset Strategist

Company Name: DARE To Be Phenomenal

Website: www.daretobephenomenal.com

Industry: Business Coaching

Years of Experience: 8 years

Authority Statement: I am not your typical coach; I won’t make you struggle to find the answers on how to make your business thrive.  Instead, I’ll challenge you to rise above mediocrity and DARE To Be Phenomenal. Your mindset around money and the role it has played in your life was handed down to you just like an inheritance; it was given to you by those who influenced you as a child.  Maybe it was your parents, grandparents or other important figure. No matter who it was, we all have a money story that affects how much we make and keep each and every year. But it doesn’t have to be that way and you can change your money story.

As an accomplished business coach, author, speaker, radio host and entrepreneur I spend my time in the trenches working on solving the unique money problems of women business owners and entrepreneurs. I can always be counted on to deliver smart, innovative solutions so that you can turn your hectic and draining business into a thriving, highly lucrative, smooth running, money making reality.  Whether it’s personal or professional, or in many cases – both, I am particularly attuned to the unique challenges women face as they confront their money past and try to start or grow a business . I know, because I’ve been there.

Like many women I have made the transition from executive to entrepreneur.  When I started my business I was lost in a sea of confusion on how to make it successful.  I worked with some great mentors but none of them could help me achieve what I wanted so desperately to accomplish. Finally, I found the solutions that catapulted my business and now it’s my mission to show women how they too can have their business fit their lifestyle and NOT the other way around.

As a seasoned coach, I help women transform their business by busting through their  limiting beliefs, confronting their money past, stepping into their greatness, and harnessing their courage so that they can make achievable steps toward creating the business and life they want from a place of confidence, authenticity and power!

About Maureen Campaiola: http://www.divatoolbox.com/featured-contributor/2009/1755-about-maureen-campaiola.html

Contact Information: maureen@daretobephenomenal.com

I am often asked whether or not posting fees on a website is good idea or not.  Unfortunately, it isn’t as simple as a yes or no answer.  There are pro’s and con’s to both positions.

Now I know that you are feeling pangs of uncertainty and anxiety as you struggle to come to some decision with regard to whether to post or not.  But keep reading to find out why I think posting your fees is NOT a good idea.

First let me say if you post your fees you run the risk that prospective clients will pass you by because they feel your fees are too high without you ever having a conversation with you.  On the other hand if you don’t post your fees many people will wonder just how much you ARE going to charge and will assume your fees are too much for them to afford without any further investigation on their part.

So why do I feel leaving them off is the right answer?  Here are my three top reasons:

1.  The Decision To Hire Should Never Be Made On Price Only

Do you want price to be at the top of that prospects reason for hiring you?  I think not!  Money usually isn’t the number one reason why clients will pay you for services and invest in themselves.  But if you go ahead and post your fees you are clearly encouraging clients to keep price as a main criteria for hiring you.

I have never posted my fees on my website and I don’t have any intentions of starting.  Yet the funny thing is that most of my clients are people who feel that I am out of their price range.  When I sit with them and explain the value and benefits of working with me, they usually invest, find a way to pay for the service and end up being the best clients.  Why?  Because they understand the investment they are making and are really, really committed to achieving their goals.  They are PHENOMENAL!

2.  It’s All In The Conversation

The reality here is that your goal is to engage your prospective client in a conversation.  The selling conversation is about helping your prospective client get to know, like and trust you.  This can’t happen by just going to your website and perusing your price list.  It is one dimensional and flat…there is no opportunity for your prospect to have an authentic experience with you.

But remember, there is absolutely no reason for you to get into this conversation unless you are prepared to fully understand what problem they want to solve, what their business will look like once the problem is resolved, what the cost is if they don’t solve this problem and finally what it’s worth to them to solve it.

Do you see how vital it is to have the conversation in the first place?

Do you realize by having this conversation you help them to explore so much more than just a dollar amount?

3.  Clients Want  A Price They Can Wrap Their Head Around

In short, they want a price they can justify.  Until you can help them find the value in what you have to offer, they won’t spend a penny to work with you.  Your solution must be important and valuable to them.  While you are engaged in the conversation you can ask them why it is important to them.  Without the conversation you can never uncover what is truly valuable to them.

When you ask that all important question, “What’s important to you?” the prospective client will inevitably open up and tell you all the emotional reasons behind why they want to fix and solve their problem.  When you are then able to address their issues and let them know that you can help them their objections around money disappear like magic.

Now don’t get confused here.  If you are offering a product or a seminar where everyone is paying the same price then you will post that price on your website.  But for coaching, consulting, designing, organizing or other serviced based professions I recommend leaving the price off.  Instead spend your time writing great copy that fully describes the value and benefits you offer your prospective clients so they can imagine what it would be like to work with you and have a business that is truly flourishing.

The outside of our business has a unique way of reflecting back at us what is going on inside of our business. So when my business is in the ebb and not the flow I know that something is going on and I need to figure it out.  When this occurs, the one thing I know for sure is that it’s time for a breakthrough.  Usually this breakthrough is around money, but it can be around anything in your business.

Many women entrepreneurs have the mistaken belief that when we start making and keeping more money it will change us in ways that are not positive or good.  This is simply not true.

When I begin to feel doubts around money and start to experience a lull in my business I sit down and reconnect  and realign with my money goal.

I ask myself the following questions to help me through the process:

1.  Is my money goal big enough?

2.  Does my money goals still hold significance for me?

3.  Am I connected to the bigger why of what the money is for?

When I evaluate and ask myself these questions I am challenging myself to step it up another notch and push past the next money barrier causing me to have a major money breakthrough.  It works everytime!

Next time you are confronted with a business and money flow slump, ask yourself these questions and see if you can have a money breakthrough too!

I would love to hear how it works for you!

As women business owners we often give out power away around money.  We do this in a variety of  ways that I want to share with you today.  Typically women give their power away in one of four ways:

1.  Deciding ahead of time what someone is willing to pay for your product or service or deciding ahead of time how many people will sign up for a particular service.  In doing so you artificially surpress your success by keeping your numbers much lower than than they could be.

2. You fail to understand or see why someone would want to pay more for your services or products.

3.  You give away an over abundance of your time.  Is this you?  Do you tend to give away hours and hours of services to your clients that  you are not compensated for?

4.  You overspend in your personal and business life purchasing items that you  don’t need.

Now the big question is: “Which of these behaviors fits your particular situation and pattern of behavior?”  Once you have that figured out I want you to ask yourself, “What need is being served by you giving away your power with money?”  Is it to be liked or avoid rejection?  Or maybe you want to be seen as powerful to other people.

What ever the reason figure it out and then ask yourself if that need was being met and you were fully standing in your power what action would you take now?  Think about it and let me know your thoughts.

Picture this…

You’ve just had a great meeting with a potential client and you’re ready to reveal your fee.  You smile and tell them your rate; you go cold waiting for their response.

While you are anxiously awaiting their response crazy thoughts are running through your head like a steam roller.

Will she hire me?

Will she think I priced my service too high?

You hear “Your hired!” and a wave of  other thoughts begin to flood your mind…now you begin to second guess your pricing!

Did I low ball it in order to get the job?

Should I have gone higher?

You know what I am talking about; you’ve been there and you know what’s coming next.  The project always takes more time than you realize and you end up feeling overworked, undervalued and underpaid.

So what is a phenomenal woman to do who knows that she is worth so much more but is not sure about setting her fees?  Follow these tips for better fee setting.

1.  Know What You Are Worth

When you are setting fees how do you go about landing on a price?  Do you throw darts and see where it lands?  Pick a price out of a hat?  Or worse yet do you look to your competition to see what they’re charging?

None of those methods are going to give a price point that addresses YOUR worth.

If you bill hourly remember that many factors go into determining your price point.  So many entrepreneurs fail to consider all the factors so remember the following:

• First figure out how much you want to be making a year
• What are your subcontractor expenses (if you have any)
• What are your other expenses
• How much profit do you want to make
• All these factors make up  your “required revenue”
• Divide your “required revenue” by number of billable hours and you have your rate.  Don’t forget that your total number of billable hours is never 40 hours a week.

Is this rate acceptable?  If not raise your fees.

2.  Give Them Results

Clients are paying you for results.  Technically they’re paying for a service but in reality they are buying a solution.   It’s your job to make sure that you communicate those results clearly so that people know what to expect.

Will she get more clients?  Streamline her processes?  Be more confident when having a selling conversation?  Know the benefits and communicate them effectively!

3. Create A Haggle Free Mindset

Don’t haggle with clients about money.  You’re not selling junk at a yard sale  you’re selling yourself and you have allot of value!  When you engage in haggling it immediately lowers your perceived worth and once that happens you are sunk!  When you haggle you set yourself up for a continuous relationship by which your clients will nit pick you to death over everything…and NO ONE wants that kind of client interaction.

4.  Not Everyone Is Your Client

There will be times when you will have to walk away; when a potential client will not be willing to pay your fee.  That’s OK; they were meant to be your client.  The right client who IS willing to pay your rate is just around the corner.

Pricing your services is one of the most difficult  tasks a business owner will ever undertake.  Be a smart and savvy businesswoman and be prepared by reviewing the project and price.  It will save you a ton of heartache in the long run.