I originally bookmarked this article as I really liked some of the things that the author,
Therese Skelly had to say. In fact I have highlighted the important aspects! Those of us who
create art for a living know that we touch every client's lives in some manner or form and that
it is a lasting impact. That's good to know.
But one can search too long looking for meaning in everything to the point of nothing
getting accomplished! No matter whether you like or dislike your job, all aspects of it require
dedication and perseverance. It is important, when seeking fulfillment in your job or career
that you can still love what you do and not feel like doing it that day! Or as an old man told
me one day when several of us had the “at least I'm doing something that I love” job
conversation. “Well, I don't know 'bout that. I always reckoned you had to love the job you
had!”
So with those pearls of wisdom, read and enjoy this article and put the aspects that appeal
to you to work! Theresa
Making money doing something that you love
You are going to spend at least one third to one half of YOUR LIFE working. So why not make
it something that gives you joy?
Today’s article is about looking at your business not just as a ‘cash machine’ or a form of
revenue generation, but more of something that becomes an extension of you…and your life’s
mission. Deep stuff I know, but since we are gonna be putting in all those hours, at the end of
the day, let’s find a way to make it matter.
Since this article is not your basic Marketing 101 type of article, I want to set up in the
beginning who I’m writing to.
If you are the kind of business owner who understands that in some ways your business is
like your ministry, I’m talking to you. If you feel called to fully express your gifts through
your business, I’m talking to you. If it’s important to you to serve as many people as you can,
I’m talking to you. And if you are passionate about leaving a legacy – then you are my
people…So let’s get going…
Business as Your Ministry –
I’m not referencing here the traditional or religious sense of the word ministry. To me it
means that you know that your soul’s purpose is being expressed through your business
and the services that you provide. One of the definitions of ministry is “the act of
serving.” You may be a coach or speaker or own a store. Your work can be done consciously or
unconsciously. You can look for ways where you can show up more fully and be of greater
service, or it can just be a way to collect a paycheck. You get to decide.
That’s the absolute first step. If you have the sense that your business is like your
personal ministry, you stand in the knowing that you are here to serve and are committed to
that. From that level of commitment and decision, everything else falls into place.
Fully Expressing Your Gifts –
We are here to make a difference in people’s lives. (OK, that may be my belief,
but I like it and am keeping it!) Your business becomes effortless when you express
your gifts in the world, instead of trying to be what other people want you to be.
This is where fulfillment lives, where passion lives, and its cute little down the
street neighbor, Fun, lives!
First you have to know what your gifts are. And a big hint…what you think is
easy and comes naturally and likely gets overlooked as “Doesn’t everyone have
that?” – That’s YOUR gift. Take an inventory of what you do easily that your
clients are really blown away by. Notice your passion-meter. What gets you juiced
to talk about or do? Show up more fully in your business and you’ll not only enjoy
it more, but you’ll also attract the RIGHT kind of clients who will resonate with
your unique energy, AND you’ll also make more money doing it.
Stuck on what your gifts are? Ask! Survey your clients or close
friends/mastermind partners and ask what they see that you are gifted at. You will
probably be surprised at what they see that you have overlooked. Next – assign a
value to what they say that your gifts are. You have to really own how much impact
you have, so discovering what your gifts are worth is a huge step in
gaining entrepreneurial confidence!
When you really get clear about how much value you bring, raising your rates and
being paid what you are worth will be easy.
Leaving a Legacy –
What will your footprint be? When you are gone, how will you be
remembered? By the lives you touched? For the contributions you made?
From the children you so tenderly raised?
Is legacy something that you strive for, or a thing that just
happens when you show up and do your work in the world?
It’s my belief that sometimes we get so bogged down with the daily
‘to-do’ list that it’s easy to forget that we are here to make a
difference. What would change in your business if you regularly tapped
into that place in you that could hold the longer vision of what’s
possible.
This legacy stuff on one hand feels a bit big and scary. But on the
other hand, it can be energizing when you tap into the knowledge that
your ideas and contributions will outlive you. I remember years ago
meeting a copywriter and her big dream was “to be an influence.” It
hadn’t occurred to me at the time that my scope was any broader that
the local folks I was working with, but her soul knew that her purpose
here was to influence how people thought and to help them open up to
new possibilities.
What will it be for you? It’s not something I want you to ‘work’ at
or stress over, but do give it some thought. If you create that new
product, can you see the ripple effect? Imagine that 100 people work
with you, and that work effects 10 of their friends, and five more down
the road, in their networks. Can you see the endless possibilities?
PO Box
337 Franklinton, NC 27525 USA 919-880-7431