By adding these three magic words into your business vocabulary, you can quickly create the space for your business to grow and prosper.

1. AND (my favorite word):

This is one of my favorite words to create growth and abundance.  When I started my business, especially in the beginning when money and resources were tight,  I would subconsciously sabotage my success by setting up either/or scenarios.

For example, I would find myself saying things like:

• “I can either have free time or clients that bring in money.”
• ”I can either pay off debt or I can save money to go on a vacation.”
• “I can invest in my business or I can pay myself.”
• “I can spend time marketing or I can work with my clients.”
• “I can grow my business or spend time with my kids.”

What do all of these statements have in common?  They all limited the success of my business.

One simple word transformed my business and income forever. I simply swapped the word OR for the word AND, and discovered I could create more than one thing at the same time.  Using this simple word to set goals and intentions for your business will create quantum income leaps and set you on the path to abundance.

2. INVITE:

Building relationships and converting prospects to clients is simply a matter of extending an invitation.  Often a fear of selling, feeling we have to convince people to work with us, or feeling like we are being pushy stops us from adding new clients to our business.

Instead, imagine growing your business is like hosting the party of the year. Who would you like to invite to your party?  The more invitations you extend … the more your business will grow.  If you want to add more clients, income, and prospects to your pipeline, then simply focus on extending more invitations.

Spend a few minutes making your invitation list, decide who you would like to invite, and what you would like to invite them to.  Then simply extend the invitation.

3. GRATITUDE

Gratitude is a word to use often in your business.  Start by showing your clients, referral partners, affiliates, and joint venture partners that you appreciate them and thank them for helping you grow your business.  Small gestures of appreciation like personal cards, appreciation emails, thank-you cards, and small thank-you gifts are quick and easy ways to demonstrate your appreciation.

Adopt a mindset of gratitude.  Be grateful for where your business is today, even if it is not where you want it to be.  Acknowledge your success and accomplishments to date. Remember … big and small, count them all.  When you can appreciate and acknowledge yourself, you will find that you feel more abundant and you will find you are more generous in your appreciation of others.

When you add the three magic words – And, Invite, and Gratitude – to your business vocabulary, you will see your business, relationships, and opportunities grow! Use them regularly and you will create prosperity and abundance in your business.

Ready to create more prosperity and abundance in your business?  Join us for the upcoming Packaging and Pricing Quick Profit Secrets LIVE Tele-seminar beginning this Thursday.  Click below to find out more about how you can turn your unique value into high-end packages your clients with love!

http://www.PackagingAndPricingSecrets.com

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Would you like to learn more simple ways small business owners can position, package, and price their services to quickly increase their productivity maximizing profits and creating more money, time, personal fulfillment, and freedom in their businesses? Check out my web site, http://www.iawsbo.org, for free articles, free resources and to sign up for my free ‘Million Dollar Success Kit’.

Award-winning small business expert Rachel Johnsen is the Million Dollar Business and Marketing Coach.

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Your money story impacts your ability to generate money in your businesses and life.  If you believe that money is scarce, or you have to work hard to make it, or if you believe there is never enough, then you will always create situations that make your belief a reality.  You will see it manifest in your business through not charging enough for your products or services, not asking for the business, letting your team miss deadlines, not marketing your business to bring in new clients, or deciding for your prospects what they can and can not afford.

When you embrace these three money mindsets, you will be able to transform your view of what’s possible and create financial abundance.  The reality is: There are trillions and trillions of dollars circulating around the world.  There is plenty to go around … and you deserve to have that money flow to you as much as anyone else!

With these three money mindset tips, you will attract high-paying clients, create consistent cash-flow, and build financial abundance.

1. Embrace Your Value

Know and embrace the value that you provide to others and the results you help them achieve.  Often as women, we doubt and question our value to others. As a result, we are afraid to charge people what our products or services are worth.  In order to charge what you’re worth and get it, you must first embrace the value of what you do and the positive impact it has on your clients’ lives and businesses.

If fear or doubt sneak in, you will be able to eliminate it by shifting your focus back to the value and impact you make for others.  Here’s a secret: No matter how successful you are, you will still experience times of fear or doubt … it never goes away completely, it just becomes easier to manage.

Action:  Make a list of the results you help your clients achieve and how those results impact all areas of their lives and business.  Then decide on the financial value those results have for them.

2. Let Other People Decide for Themselves

When I work with women small business owners on packaging and pricing their services, I often hear things like, “My clients can’t afford that” or “No one out there has money, so I can’t charge that.”  Often as women, our desire to take care of people, to maintain harmony, or our fear of people not liking us prevents us from letting people make their own decisions about how they are going to invest their money.

Your job as a business owner is to share with people how you can help them, to share with them how they can work with you, to share with them the investment for working with you, and then to let them make their own decisions.  When you give people a choice and support them to make a decision—either yes or no—then you are embracing your value and liberating them to make their own decision.

Action:  Practice sharing what you do with people, including your fees, and then stop talking.  Let them decide for themselves if they are ready to make an investment in themselves through you.

3. Let It Flow

Often when we are used to making a certain level of income, we will consciously or subconsciously block the flow of money.  For example, if you are used to making a certain a amount of money per month, if you made that amount of money in the first week of the month, you may put on the breaks and stop your marketing efforts because you already met your basic requirements for the month.  Let money continue to flow to you.

Action:  Decide at the beginning of the quarter what you would like to make for the quarter.  Stretch beyond your current income level and choose a number that you are excited about.  Then decide what strategies you are going to implement this quarter to get there.

You can make as much or as little money as you want to make.  The choice is up to you!  When you become aware of the money stories that may be limiting your income growth, embrace your value, and consciously let people make decisions for themselves, you will see the money flow.

If you would like to create a personal ‘Money Breakthrough’ then I invite you to visit FreeBreakthroughSession.com to schedule a complimentary Business Breakthrough Session.  It’s your life.  It’s your business.  Now show it who’s boss!

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Would you like to learn more simple ways small business owners can position, package, and price their services to quickly increase their productivity maximizing profits and creating more money, time, personal fulfillment, and freedom in their businesses? Check out my web site, http://www.iawsbo.org, for free articles, free resources and to sign up for my free ‘Million Dollar Success Kit’.

Award-winning small business expert Rachel Johnsen is the Million Dollar Business and Marketing Coach.

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When you know the secrets to consistently generate cash from your business, you will experience the freedom and security that comes with being able to predict your income.  With that knowledge comes piece of mind when you know you can create whatever level of income you want at any given time.

There are three things that can help you get on the path to consistent and predictable income.

1. Create Your Revenue and Cash-flow Plan:  

Map out your revenue and cash-flow plan. Decide what you are going to offer for the year and how much revenue is going to  come from each offer or promotion.   Make a list of quick cash-flow strategies you can implement as a back-up plan in the event you need to create more income quickly.

2. Get the Word Out: 

I like to think of marketing as my relationship building plan.  The more relationships you build the more business will flow to you.  Have a plan and a system for consistently getting the word out about what you do and for consistently creating new relationships, otherwise known as leads.  To continue to increase your income you need a steady stream of prospective clients.  Systemize your marketing so you can continually build relationships over time.

3. Focus on Implementation:

When you have a plan that is designed to get results then you can stop worrying about where the money is going to come from and instead focus on implementing your plan.  You can focus your energy on building relationships, adding value to more people, and attracting new clients.

When you have a plan for making money and building relationships then you will consistently generate revenue. You’ll never again need to worry about having enough each month.  You can instead focus on attracting abundance to make a quantum leap in your income and results.

In the upcoming a’Rock Your Profits Blueprint’ 5-Part Tele-seminar I will teach you the simple steps to create an effective revenue and cash-flow plan to accelerate your income and results, month after month and year after year.

Visit www.RockYourProfitsBlueprint.com for more information or to reserve your spot.

You’re welcome to share this article. When you do, please include this complete blurb with it:

Would you like to learn more simple ways small business owners can position, package, and price their services to quickly increase their productivity maximizing profits and creating more money, time, personal fulfillment, and freedom in their businesses? Check out my web site, http://www.iawsbo.org, for free articles, free resources and to sign up for my free ‘Million Dollar Success Kit’.

Award-winning small business expert Rachel Johnsen is the Million Dollar Business and Marketing Coach.

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You may be carrying a bit of ‘emotional baggage’ tied to money, self worth, or doubt. For example, you may have debt, or you may not have seen the results you wanted last year, or you may be feeling guilty about raising your fees.

One thing is certain, if you carry the past baggage with you into the new year you will have a much tougher time breaking through to create the results you want. So it is a perfect time to hit the refresh button and to give your finances a fresh start.

But what financial action should you take? It can be confusing and overwhelming to figure out where to focus your time and energy that will make a difference. Which is why I am sharing with you 3 of my BEST strategies to give your finances a fresh start and how to hit the refresh button in the new year.

While you may not be able to wave a magic wand and make your debt disappear or suddenly wake up one day and never doubt yourself again, you can create a plan that gets you on the right track for the new year.

Tip #1: Let Go of the Past

As women we hold ourselves to a level of perfectionism that leaves little room for mistakes, and trust me, we have all made them. We have all at some point given away our power with money or made decisions we regretted later.

You can’t change the past but you can stop carrying it around with you or beating yourself over the head with it. So instead of feeling guilty or ashamed, or blaming others for what happened, forgive yourself and others. Acknowledge that you were doing the best you could at the time, and make a decision to make a fresh start from today forward.

ACTION STEP: What do you need to forgive yourself for and let go of?

Tip #2: Don’t Let Debt Stop You From Growing Your Business

I often see women with debt spend so much time focused on paying off their debt that they forget to focus on the thing that is going to help them the most … growth. Remember debt is a result of actions from the past, it does not represent you or your current reality. More than likely you didn’t accumulate that debt overnight and it will take some time for you to resolve it.

Realize that the best and fastest way to pay off debt is to grow your business. The more your business grows the more financial resources and cash you will have to pay off your debt.

Next, understand that investing in growing your business while, you may still have debt, makes sense if you investing in things that are going to help you make more money. With my signature debt pay-off strategy I’ve discovered that those who take decisive and focused action will pay off their debt faster than others.

ACTION STEP: Make a list of your debt and make a plan to pay it off.

Tip #3: Have a Plan

Growing your business, making more money, and paying off debt does not happen by accident, it happens by design. Decide on what you want to accomplish in the new year and design a specific strategy to make it a reality.

Decide what value you are going to bring to others. Money is just an exchange of value. When you give value to others, they give value back to you in the form of money. When value is exchanged, money flows.

ACTION STEP: Decide how you are going to attract new clients so you can provide value to others this year.

Giving your business a financial fresh start happens by design. Let go of the past and give your business a financial fresh start. What to learn more? Join us for the FREE tele-seminar Thursday, January 12th: The Secrets to Double or Triple Your Income in the New Year, just visit www.IAWSBO.org to reserve your spot.

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Imagine starting the year knowing exactly what you need to do throughout the year to get the results you want by the end of the year. With a specific and detailed plan and strategy you can eliminate the feelings of doubt, uncertainty, and overwhelm and instead focus on implementation and action. With focused implementation and action come results.

With these three steps you will be able to start putting together your plan for the new year and be on the road to success in 2012:

Step #1: Set Bold Intentions

Before you start putting together your plan of action you first need to set an intention for the year. Imagine it is December 31, 2012 and you had a fantastic year. What are the results you created that made it a great year. What are you most proud of? What milestones have you accomplished? How many clients did you impact? How much money did you bring in and how much money did you keep?

BONUS TIP: Don’t start with your revenue numbers for this year, instead decide first what you would like to create in the new year.

Step #2: Put Together Your Marketing Calendar for the Year

Next, break it down how many clients you need to attract to make the money you want. Decide what you need to offer and/or promote this year to make your intention a reality. After you have decided what you want to offer pull out a blank calendar start mapping out your promotions, offers, new program or product launches, newsletters, and marketing campaigns to attract new clients.

BONUS TIP: Start with what you know. First add everything to your calendar that you know is coming up, then fill in the blanks.

Step #3: Fill In The Missing Pieces

Lastly, decide what help or support you need to implement your marketing calendar, without personally working more hours. It may mean adding people to your team, it may putting some marketing pieces in place that you are currently missing, or it may mean finding a mentor or coach to show you the way. Make a list of the support you need to make your intention a reality in the new year.

BONUS TIP: Focus your personal time and energy on the things you do best, the things your clients pay you for, and the things that only you can do. Plan this year to delegate the rest!

As the year is winding down it is a great time to sit down with a cup of hot cocoa, a blank calendar, and a pencil to map out your strategy for the new year. With a little planning this year can be your best year ever!

You’re welcome to share this article. When you do, please include this complete blurb with it:

Would you like to learn more simple ways small business owners can position, package, and price their services to quickly increase their productivity to maximize profits and create more money, time, personal fulfillment, and freedom in their businesses? Check out my web site, http://www.iawsbo.org, for free articles, free resources and to sign up for my free ‘Million Dollar Success Kit’.

Award-winning small business expert Rachel Johnsen is the CEO and Founder of the International Association of Women Small Business Owners (IAWSBO.org).

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Often when we start thinking about raising the bar, adding more value to clients, or getting greater results, our minds instantly jump to how to make it happen.  When we are not sure how or we don’t immediately see a solution to the problem, it can be very frustrating and actually stop us from taking the first step.  We get stuck on the how when in reality it is through taking the first step, the second step, and the third step that we start to see the steps that follow.  It is not until you take the first few steps that the next steps become clear and obvious.

How do you know if you are ready to set up and play a bigger game?  If you have been feeling unsatisfied, unfulfilled, or still trying to do everything on your own, you may be ready to step up and out into something bigger.  When your actions are aligned with your mission and you combine that with a bigger vision, you will experience the exhilaration of stepping into something bigger.  As a result, you will raise the bar on the level of value and impact you have on your clients.

1. Raise the bar:  Create a bigger vision and mission for yourself and your business.  When you decide you want to make a bigger impact and you create a new vision for what that will look like, you will start to see opportunities to raise the bar in other areas of your business.
2. Surround yourself with big thinkers:  Spend time with people who are also big thinkers. They will help you stretch your mind to new possibilities and new ways of thinking that will continue to raise the bar.  They will be there to  support you with new ways of thinking and acting to step in, up, and out to a new level of engagement and impact.
3. Don’t let the ‘how’ stand in your way:  It is impossible to see every step on the path to the new level of impact and contribution.  So instead of worrying about how you are going to get there, instead focus on the first few steps that you can see.  Look at where you have the opportunity to raise the bar right now and take that step.

It is easy to get distracted, off course, or overwhelmed when you are stepping up and playing a bigger game.  It can also be exhilarating, energizing, and fun!  Our inner critic and ego, which is there to keep us safe, can get over-agitated and very loud.  It is important to surround yourself with support and to hire a mentor or coach who can help you navigate the waters, stay focus on what you are creating, and cheer you on when the negative self-talk is threatening to take you out.  It can be easy, fun, and energizing to raise the bar so find the support you need and hire a mentor or coach—you deserve it!

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What makes one business heat up, while another barely has enough cash flow? Better yet, what can you do to take the mystery out of YOUR money and make it consistent for a lifetime? Based on my own experience and working with other dedicated business owners, there is a precise formula that makes money flow…. and grow!  This and much more we’ll be covering in the6-Step Signature Blueprints to Rock Your Profits Program, starting Thursday, November 10. 

Join us here. 

Here are some ways to take the mystery out of money:

• Plan for it: Savvy business owners know that money is not only important, it is the fuel that keeps a business going year after year. So it makes sense that having clear and consistent income goals is a crucial component. Set up monthly, quarterly and yearly goals.
• Follow it: Whatever you offer to clients or customers, there is a way to leverage your efforts for greater profit. Creating multiple paths for income paves the way for financial freedom. Start thinking in possibilities, work a plan, and turn those big ideas into cash.
• Track results: The money habits of successful entrepreneurs are largely the same. Entrepreneurs know where there money is coming from and where it is going. Start paying attention and you’ll realize just how much money is out there waiting to be made!

Have you solved the money mystery yet? Join us for the 6-Step Signature Blueprints to Rock Your Profits Program,starting Thursday, November 10. 

Grab a seat here.

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It is tempting at this point of the year, if you have not yet reached your goal, to give up and start planning for next year.  The reality is there are still 66 days left in the year – the year is not over until December 31st at midnight.  There is still time left to not only generate significant income, but also to build momentum for next year!

So rather than writing off the year and giving up, here are some practical tips you can implement today to not only help you keep going, but increase your income.  No matter what your year has looked like thus far, there is still time to create some amazing resulting in this last quarter!

This is the time of year to give it your all!  When you believe it’s possible and you take action daily to create what you want, then it truly is possible. In fact, is is more then just possible – it is likely – that you will make your intention a reality!

1. Decide.  Decide how much business you want to attract, and how much money you would like to make between now and the end of the year.  You can look at your original goal or intention for the year and see what you still need to make that intention a reality.  Or if that feels too overwhelming, choose a number that feels a bit like a stretch but that you could do to make the year feel like a success.  You can pick any number you want … anything is possible and the last quarter can be a great time to make lots of money.
2. Plan. Plan your work and work your plan.  Map out your plan of action for the rest of the year.  Break down your number and determine how many new clients your number represents and what products or services they would need to purchase to reach that number.  Create a marketing plan for the next 30 days and focus daily on the actions that will move you towards your goal.
3. Support.  Surround yourself with support.  Let the people in your life know what you are going for and ask them to be a part of the solution. There may be times that you feel like giving up and you will need other people to cheer you on.  If you have a mentor or a coach, let them know when you feel like you have hit the wall – or if it feels impossible – so he/she can support you and brainstorm new possibilities with you.  Ask the other people in your life to do the same.

You can create some amazing results in this last quarter.  The year is not over yet and there is still plenty of time to make you intention for the year a reality.  Don’t give up!  When we hit a bump in the road, it is our willingness to keep going that makes all the difference.  When you believe it’s possible, and you take the actions each day that will move you forward, then before you know it, you will have made your intention a reality!

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One of the many questions clients ask me is, “How do I hire the right people the first time?”  Many business owners find hiring to be a challenge and one of their biggest struggles.  They struggle not only to find the right candidates but then get overwhelmed when it comes to making a decision about who to hire.  From my years as a corporate recruiter, I have found that there is never any guarantee that the person you hire is going to work out forever, but there are a few key strategies that will help you increase your odds of hiring the right person the first time.

1. Write a job description.  One of the reasons business owners struggle with the hiring process is that they don’t take the time to think about what they really need from the person they are hiring.  For example, if you are looking for an administrative assistant, or virtual assistant, to help you with office work, you want to first clearly define what you want that person to do for you.  Each administrative assistant position is different for each company.  Ask yourself, “What are the tasks I need this person to perform?  What are the soft skills or personality traits that are necessary for this person to be successful in the position and in my company?”  After you have identified all the tasks and the soft skills, then write the job description.  You need to first know what you are looking for before interviewing candidates for the position.
2. Interview multiple candidates.  Don’t just hire the first person you interview or offer the job to the first person you talk to.  Be sure to interview multiple candidates so you hire the right person.  Don’t just look for someone to fill the job; instead look for the RIGHT person to fill the job.  You will save yourself a lot of heartache and headaches if you wait for Ms. or Mr. Right rather than hiring the first person you interview.
3. Ask the right questions.  Rather than asking yes or no questions, remember that the person you are interviewing wants to impress you and wants the job. Instead ask open-ended questions so you can get a feel for this person.  Also try some behavioral interviewing questions related to the position you are hiring for.  For example, if the position you are hiring for calls for a person who must interact well with clients, ask a question like, “Can you describe a time that you interacted with a difficult customer and tell me how you resolved the problem?”  These types of questions will give you a feel for how they are likely to handle a similar situation in the future with your customers.

With a little bit of thought and planning, you will be able to build your team with people who aren’t just a good fit but a great fit!  Interviewing and hiring are skills and with a little practice you will be able to tell quickly if someone is a good fit for the position or not.  If they are not a good fit, move on … there are lots of fish in the sea!

Rachel Johnsen is the CEO and Founder of SpringAhead and the International Association of Women Business Owners (IAWSBO.org). For more tips like these, visit www.SpringAheadToday.com to find our more about our programs.

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The problem for many small business owners, entrepreneurs and solo-preneurs is that they quickly max out their personal time and with that their earning potential. There are only so many hours in the day. To continue to grow your income, you need to add capacity that will continue to allow you to add value to more and more people.

Many entrepreneurs I work with have been resistant to adding team members to their business. They are resistant to have additional expenses and the hassle of managing people, as well as fearful about hiring the wrong person. Adding team does not always mean hiring a full-time employee. Team members can be strategic partners that you use on an as-needed bases to help you grow your business, taking things off your plate so you can focus on adding value to your business. It could mean adding an employee on a full-time or part-time basis or it could mean hiring a virtual assistant to help you from time to time.

When you expand you view of ‘team’ to include strategic partners, virtual assistants and part-time help, it means you can get started adding team no matter what stage of business you are in. So you can free up your valuable time and energy, allowing your business to grow and prosper! When you have your dream team in place, you will have the space and freedom to focus on what you do best and they will do all the rest!

How do you know when it is time to add team?

1. Things are sitting on your ‘to-do’ list for more than 2 weeks.

If projects that will help you grow your business are sitting on your ‘to-do’ list for more than two weeks, then it may be time to hire your first or next team member. Take a look at all your projects and see if there is a strategic partner you can hire to take the project off your plate.

2. If you don’t have time to share with people what you do.

If you find that you are continually pushing marketing and networking to the bottom of your list, then it is time to give some things away so you have the time to get the word out about what you do. When you use the time for income-producing activities, then the cost of your team will turn into income with the new business you generate.

3. If you feel like you don’t have the time to manage the business you have.

If you feel like you barely have the time to manage the business that you have, then consciously—or subconsciously—you will prevent new business from flowing to you. If you regularly feel overwhelmed, then it is time to bring in some people to help you. Start by making a list of all the things you spend time on that not aligned with your strengths. Watch for things that feel like they are draining your energy; more than likely, those are tasks in your business that are not aligned with your strengths and they are the things to focus on giving away first.

When you build a team and surround yourself with talented people, you will have the space and energy to focus on the things that will grow your business and your income. The investment in team will enable you to spend your time on the things that align with your strengths so you can fall in love with your business again and gain back the time to spend on the things that are most important to you in your life!

For more information on how to hire your own dream team check out the Women In Business Bootcamp Program and Niche Breakthrough Secrets two for one special offer available through midnight Tuesday, October 11, 2011.

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