What Are You In Service To?

by Cathy on February 10, 2012

When I first started my business and took a stand for my right people I wanted to help holistic practitioners market their practices so they could be found by the people who needed their services.

As I got further along in my business and got exposed to a lot of amazing people doing incredible things I started to think about my work and how I was actually in service to something bigger.

I realized that while helping holistics to market and grow their businesses, I was actually (along with many other people) in service to multiplying the forces of good and healing on the planet.

When I started thinking about it in those terms I shifted from having my work be something I do to something that moves through me

I joined my business to the energy of something vast, something larger. I connected to a matrix of universal energy and support.

talk about a powerful partnership.

If you haven’t yet aligned with the largest vision for your work, I invite you to try this guided meditation to help connect you.  It only takes about ten minutes.

Start by just taking a few cleansing breaths. AS YOU’re breathing just notice how you’re feeling.  Know that whatever you’re feeling right now is acceptable.  You don’t need to fight with it, there’s already space for things to be exactly as they are right now.  If you’re tired, or overwhelmed, or confused, or peaceful or content whatever it is, there’s space for that.  Just continue to breathe

As you breathe I’d like you to think about the work you do. When you work with someone, what do you want the people your work reaches or the person you’re working with to know, experience, or see about themselves after working with you?

What knowledge do you want them to have about the world around them after working with you?

Whatever answer you came up with is the gift that you give the world through your work.

This is what you are in service to.
This is your mission.
This is your purpose.
This is the prize.

This is also the gift that your clients get to experience when they work with you.  Take a moment to feel how good it feels to give this and how grateful your clients are for getting this help, this healing, this transformation, this way of doing it differently–this gift that you give that comes through you
You are an instrument to heal, help, transform and create change.

This is a gift that you steward that is given by the divine. The gift expresses itself through the work that you do.

Everything comes from The ONE and you are the vehicle for that help, that healing, that change.

This is what you are in service to.

take a moment to just be one with what you are in service to.  This thing that you want to give through your work lives in your heart so bring your attention to your heart and just notice what you feel.

DiggFacebookStumbleUponTwitterLinkedInShare

{ 0 comments }

Is it Struggle or Just Hard Work?

by Cathy on February 8, 2012

Boats at Rest in Nafplio

For many years I viewed life as one big struggle. Every time I wanted to do something I envisioned the obstacles–everything I’d have to overcome to make what I wanted to happen–happen. In my mind there was always someone or something in the way of getting to the destination. It took a long time to realize that there was just one thing in the way. Me.

There’s a big difference between hard work and struggle. I’ve used those words interchangeably for years. But they’re actually quite different. Hard work is putting forth a lot of effort to achieve the desired results. Struggle is hard work that’s complicated by fear and resistance.

Struggle tells a painful story about the ups and downs you encounter on your journey. Struggle says that set backs are harbingers of failure. Struggle is the voice in your head that continually asks the question: “can I really do this?” Struggle says that no matter what you do, it’s going to be hard because “who are you to have it easy?”
Sound familiar?

I’ve always been one of those people with the mindset that nothing is going to happen if I don’t make it happen. I am what you call a worker. To a fault. So when there were set backs or things didn’t go as planned it was very disappointing, heartbreaking even. Eventually I saw that the mis-steps and failures were just information–a chance to course correct. Sometimes not getting what I wanted brought me to a deeper place in myself, a place I would not have accessed if not for that experience.

Sometimes the answer to our prayer, is to not have our prayer answered.

Because the truth is, we don’t know why things don’t work out in the moment when they seem to be the right thing or when we want them so badly.

I’ve noticed for myself that when I’m devastated because something hasn’t worked out it’s because in my heart I don’t believe there’s another chance or another way for that good to enter my life. It’s the ultimate scarcity consciousness– thinking THAT way was my only chance…

Not trusting that something else will come along, something better, something that’s really in-line with what I want.

I had this very situation last year. I was presented with an opportunity that I thought would be a huge boost for my business but shortly after the negotiation started it was clear that it wasn’t going to work out. I was not only disappointed but really angry. I felt I lost out on something really good.

Fast forward half a year later and in comes an opportunity that so outshines the last one, I can hardly believe it. I can’t tell you how grateful I am that the first situation didn’t work out because the better thing, the right thing never would have found me if I took that other opportunity.

There Is More Than One Boat

This quote is from Abraham Hicks and it was sent to me by a dear friend last week, just in time to illustrate exactly what I’m trying to say:

“I worry that I’ll go down to the dock, and that my ship will have already come and gone. I’ll miss my boat.”

And we say, another boat, another boat, another boat. You have no idea how many boats are coming to your dock. It’s a steady stream, and it doesn’t matter how many of them you’ve missed.

The only thing that matters is what are you doing right now in your vibration? And you can tell what you’re doing right now in your vibration by the way you feel.

Oh my lovelies, there are so many boats. And when we can put our best effort forward and then let go and trust knowing that if not this boat, there will be another, and if not that one, then another…

Life becomes so much kinder and hard work isn’t such a struggle…

Wishing you the peace that comes with knowing there will always be another boat-
Love,
Cathy

DiggFacebookStumbleUponTwitterLinkedInShare

{ 4 comments }

I Went to a Networking Event And All I Got Was This Lousy Gift Bag

by Cathy on January 12, 2012

 

There’s so much networking going on out there and there’s no doubt that attending networking events is one of the great tools for building a successful business.  But like everything, there’s a way to do it.

We’ve all been in the situation where we’ve had a conversation with someone who is a great fit for our work and who is interested only to have them say, “let me think about it and get back to you” and never see or hear from them again.

It’s very discouraging.

Networking can be a real drag if you’ve got the wrong expectation.

A lot of people hate networking and I totally get it. I did too.  Until I learned a few key things that changed everything.

The most important element of networking is YOUR mindset–the thoughts you’re holding about your situation and what you’re looking to get out of the event.

Going to Networking Events Is a lot Like Dating

Many people go to networking events with the sole objective of getting clients.  That’s like going to a bar and thinking you’ll end up in a committed relationship by the end of the night by trying to convince everyone you talk with to go home with you.

OK, it mostly never works… ;)

Business is a relationship and relationships take time.

Especially if you’re in a service business and not just selling a product.  More especially if your service is one of healing or transformation.  It’s crucial for potential clients to have time to build trust with you.  As a matter of fact, that’s why you’re marketing exists–it’s solely for the reason of building trust and safety.

 

The only realistic expectation to have is that you’ll connect with someone who is interested in what you do and agrees to be on your newsletter list.  They have now entered into a relationship with your business and that’s fantastic.  Through your newsletter they’ll be connected to you on a regular basis, get to know who you are, how you think and build safety and trust with you.

Maybe you’ve got someone’s card who you’ve spoken to that you plan on making a coffee date with to see how you might help each other.  That’s also great.
But there are so many other reasons to go to networking events that people overlook and frankly, some of these connections are way more valuable than getting a client or two.

Meeting a potential strategic partner.

Meeting someone who has the serves the same market with a different service or product than yours is a great way to get exposure to an entirely new group of people who want what you’re selling.  You can double your list and broaden your scope instantly by partnering with the right person.

Meeting someone who is a resource for your business.

Someone who provides services that your business needs or that your clients need (accountants, lawyers, web designers, etc..  It’s important to be great at what you do, but it’s also important to have great service providers to refer your clients to.

 
And–when you send this person business, they tend to send business your way to reciprocate.
 
Making a friend
Some of my closest friends are people I’ve met at networking events. And since being an entrepreneur can be lonely, having someone who understands your situation makes life a lot easier.

Meeting someone who is a source of referrals
What’s better than meeting someone who is going to send business your way?

Building Your Tribe

All of the above makes up half of this thing we call tribe. 

Your tribe isn’t just your target audience or market, it’s your peers and strategic partners. People who are new in business overlook this very important element and focus only on getting clients.

Big mistake.

I would be nowhere without my mastermind group and the other business owners who promote my services.

What About Letting Yourself off the Hook?

I invite you to try this visualization now–and again before your next networking event:

Close your eyes and imagine that you’re going to a networking event with a group of people you’ve never met before.  Imagine that you have more than enough clients and your business is booming–you’re extremely busy–you’re just going to the event to get out of your office, have a drink, and see who you might meet.

How do you feel now?

When you’re in the space of having more than enough, how does it change the way you relate to people who might be potential clients?  How do you talk to them?   Feel how it feels to have more than enough, to not need anything particular to happen.

Just take a moment with this.  I want you to just experience and that feeling.

Freeing isn’t it?

Because a weight that has been lifted.  That weight is fear.  Fear of provision, fear of failure, fear that everyone who thinks you’re crazy doing what you’re doing is going to be proven right.

The truth is getting clients and being successful doesn’t take away those fears.  I know plenty of people who are very successful who constantly doubt themselves, who are always worried about money, who never feel like what they have or what they’re doing is enough.

Validation, like self-esteem is an inside job.  And when you can move into a space of trust–that you’ll have enough, that you’re doing enough, that the path you’re on is unfolding and you just need to keep showing up and doing your best you can relax and be open and present to ALL of what’s available around you– at events and in life.

I invite you to test this out at the next networking event you go to.  I guarantee you that not only will you have a lot more fun, but something magical will happen.

Open mind, open heart, open space for something wonderful to enter…

It just so happens that I’ll be speaking on the topic of “Power Networking”  on Tuesday, January 24th at the Over 40 Females event in Mt. Kisco.  If you’re local, join us!

For more info go to: http://www.over40females.com/



 

DiggFacebookStumbleUponTwitterLinkedInShare

{ 2 comments }

My New Year’s Wish For You

by Cathy on December 30, 2011

Goodbye 2011Before you join the legions of others who are setting intentions and thinking about what they want to create in 2012, I want to encourage you to take some time with what is and with what 2011 has been for you before we’re swept into 2012 and it’s all forgotten.

What was happening for you this time last year?

We’re so conditioned to always be moving forward–to get more, to be more, do more.  It creates this lopsided vision in life that has us always looking ahead, but never looking back.

I fall into this pattern a lot–being fixated on the destination without ever stopping to congratulate myself when I’ve actually reached it.  I’m focused only on how far I have to go instead of how far I’ve come.

Always Striving–Never Arriving

Showing up for life, being there for others, all the little things we do because we have to not because we want to–we deserve to acknowledge ourselves for that.  Not doing so especially when accomplishments are involved is toxic to our fragile hearts.

Not appreciating all that you do and all that you are will send you right to Never Never Land.  And I’m not talking about Peter Pan here.

I’m talking about the land of never doing enough, never having enough, and nothing ever being enough–also known as Hell.

You deserve congratulations for showing up and for all that you do everyday that goes unnoticed.

We all do.

In Yoga there’s a principle called Santosha which is the practice of contentment–of allowing yourself to not require more than you have in the moment to be happy. It’s the opposite of grasping.
Think about those times in your life when you’ve felt like everything was just as it should be and you needed nothing more.  It’s pure peace.

Being content is to the emotions as rest is to the body.  

I’m not saying that you can’t strive or want more, I’m just saying that there needs to be a balance.  Contentment is the resting place.  Contentment allows you to stand where you are which is actually critical to moving forward because you can’t move from where you’re not.

Are you with me so far?

You can’t be all of who you are if you can’t see all of who you are.

Don’t let this year end without owning all that you’ve done, handled, let go of, endured, transformed, or triumphed over in 2011.

You made it.
You got here.
Now let the love in.

“There is an applause superior to that of the multitudes–one’s own.” – Elizabeth Elton Smith

Between now and midnight on December 31st, I hope that you’ll make the space to contemplate the year that’s passed and allow yourself to be filled with gratitude for all that you do and all that you are.

Here is a little guide to journal with–I hope it helps.

What are you leaving behind or letting go of from 2011?

What was taken from you in 2011? (what did the circumstances and events in your life force you to confront and overcome or change)

Is there someone whose life you affected that is in a different place now because of something you did or said?
If you’re in the business of helping others to shift, step out of the role of helper for a moment and think about the small things you’ve done for people that barely registered to you but may have meant the world to them.   Advice, a sincere compliment, a reminder of who they are little things we often forget that make a big difference to someone else.

What’s different now from last year at this time in you or in your life?

What was the distance you had to travel emotionally to get there?

If you could sum up your year in one word, what would it be?

Feel free to share your answers in the comments–all will be held with love and tenderness.

Wishing you all the peace, love, and joy your heart can hold in the coming year.

Love,

Cathy

DiggFacebookStumbleUponTwitterLinkedInShare

{ 9 comments }

Come Through the Window My Love, And Let Us See All That You Are

December 15, 2011

I’d say that the copy on this card is at the foundation  of what I teach my clients to do.  I’m always pushing them for “more you.”  I also know that this isn’t just important in business it’s imperative. Chances are you are not the only one doing the thing you do, but you’re doing [...]

Read the full article →

When You’re Doubting Yourself

November 25, 2011

  Earlier this week I was talking to an energy healer about a new modality that she’s using in her work.  She was so excited about how powerful it was, how everyone she used it on was blown away and then all of a sudden, her expression changed. “I don’t understand why I’ve been given [...]

Read the full article →

Stop Chasing the Carrot and BE the Carrot

November 7, 2011

Today I’ve made a conscious decision to focus on what is happening in my business instead of what’s not happening To focus on how far I’ve come instead of how far I have to go To focus on what I have instead of what I don’t have To bring gratitude and consciousness to my thoughts [...]

Read the full article →

What to do When You’re Overwhelmed With Social Media

September 28, 2011

Thanks to everyone who came to Eats and Tweets in Larchmont  last week.  I had a great time talking about how to use social media to engage a community around what you do. The time went so fast and there was so much more that I wanted to say, so I decided to do a [...]

Read the full article →

# Rules Of Engagment

September 20, 2011

Good business is built on relationships. Good marketing creates a connection between the person selling the service or product and the potential client/customer. Really good marketing actually touches the heart of the potential client/customer. Great marketing makes the person feel so seen and understood that they never want to leave. We all get the opportunity [...]

Read the full article →

Writer’s Block, Originality, and Stephen Sondheim

September 8, 2011

Back on the soap box of Fierce Authenticity– I’ve had a few conversations recently with clients and friends who are stuck.  Stuck with writer’s block (did someone call my name?) and stuck with moving their businesses forward. They think that the information they’re providing in blog posts and newsletters is nothing new–that it’s obvious. And [...]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries