Selling Your Sanity For Money And Other Business Delusions
By: Sandi Krakowski
"OMG… it's the biggest contract we've ever had!"
One of my most favorite Ruby clients had just secured a contract with an International client who has stores in every mall around the world. Excitement was high! Expectation was even bigger!
"I've never had a client this big! Unbelievable!"
A Gold client I had come to adore had gotten one of the biggest breaks in her career and was on track to going past her goals in less than 6 months.
"They are noticing me and said that the entire company has to know what I'm doing!"
Another private client had made it through the ranks of pay scales and was being watched by upper Executives at her corporate job. Our coaching had helped her increase even her regular job and replace her income in less than 7 months.
Big breaks are always a time for celebration! They're a time when all your hard work pays off and the hours you've put in with no sign of encouragement makes it worth it all. Those nights when no one would have ever guessed the struggle you had in your heart and your head…. fighting the demons that say you're not good enough, do you really know what your'e doing and who are you kidding anyways? They are finally silenced by the sign of success!
It was worth it all! The projects begin…. and the momentum increases, the money in the bank is coming in so fast you didn't even see the last 7 deposits that came in!
THIS is the life..
And ever so slowly…… a little sign appears on your rainbow that gives indication that things are more challenging than you ever thought they'd be.
Your vision grows foggy.
The money is still there, but the ability to be clear on your purpose is fading. The diligence to live the LIFE you want along with the kind of income you desire has been muddled and even compromised.
Have you ever been here?
I sure have.
It was a big project that paid me $ 250,000 for a 6 months assignment. Proof that my copywriting and marketing abilities were worth every hour and investment I'd put into them!
Working with people in Corporate America for the first time, it was like a dream come true! I was no longer just a 'Stay At Home Mom', a big company had actually hired me to do THEIR corporate copy and marketing.
When I began to see the drama and child-like behavior I shrugged it off as a "price" I had to pay if I wanted to be known in both New York, Florida and California, among some of the top companies. But a few months later, the growing ache in my joints said I was in a serious conflict. The body speaks very loudly, if you'll listen.
It didn't take but 4 months and I was in the doctors office getting some tests. The verbal abuse had increased, the belittling and the "you need to put more hype into this copy!" had grown so heavy on my spirit that my body was already manifesting a crash, full on.
"Hype in copy?!" I wanted to scream back! "People don't buy on hype, they buy because of relationship you moron!" But of course I couldn't say that, this was now my boss I was talking to… my thoughts turned to, "My years of solo-preneur are fading, and you have to suck it up."
I would later discover that all of my tests were negative and the doctors words of wisdom would be much power to me in later years, "Whatever it is you changed, go back. You're under enormous duress"
So… in respect for myself, my life and my visions, I quit. God helped me replace that entire income in less than 6 months. THAT is what clarity will do for you.
As we've built this company I've had some of the same challenges come up. Learning to be very clear on who I want to work with in my coaching practice and who I want in my personal space everyday that I hire. Getting more clear on what I'll say yes to and what I must say no to.
Deciding what the difference is between good and best, for me personally.
Living up to my own dreams and not the expectations of others- even if they're a mentor, lover or anyone really close to me.
Friends… it's not easy… But it HAS always been right. Do you want a key to getting more clients, making more money and living the business of your dreams? THIS is the glue that holds it all together… but sadly, few ever talk about!
One key to living the life of your dreams is being VERY focused on your vision. I hate to break it to you, but if money is your main goal you're in big trouble.
The pursuit of just money will distract you, it will cause you to compromise your values and can even cause you to slip into what I'll call Performance Based Profits. It's when you play a role, you take on an alter ego and you become someone you're not because you THINK it's what is required to make more money.
This happened to me when I spent a little over 2 years in the network marketing industry. A right motive, wrong method led me down a path of some very dysfunctional relationships that would later prove to be a huge performance trap. By the time I left that entire situation I had 20/20 vision for what happened. Sadly it came later, not before.
Becoming what someone else said I had to be in order to succeed was not working. Forgetting that I had already had huge success online became a grounding tool for me. Bringing in new mentors, new relationships, new methods and new focus on what GOD Himself designed for me brought in huge freedom…. and enormous profits with it.
For me it was hugely gratifying recently to pay cash for not one but two new cars. When the Honda dealership guys asked me if "That internet thing" really does work it was so powerful to look them in the face and say, "Well you don't see me applying for a loan, do you?"
But here's the clincher…..getting to the place of paying cash for a car couldn't mean I forsook my family, rest, focus and my purpose. It meant I had to focus on the things that made the most amount of money, attracted to me the ideal clients for my business and equally important, built the LIFE of my dreams while I built the BUSINESS of my dreams. It has to have that perfect balance and grounding put together. Doing what it takes to make the money and doing what it takes to live the life I dreamed and planned for.
THIS, my friends, is where enormous gratification comes from. Holding it all together on purpose with your vision.
So how do you NOT lose your sanity and exchange the life you want for the life you dream of? Here are a few tips:
- Be very clear on who you are.
If you are unclear you'll see yourself saying "Yes" to things even though you know you don't have the time or energy to fulfill these jobs or assignments
- Your goals count in the long run, not someone else's.
What you'll end up living 5 years from now is the result of the goals you held onto. Will they be yours? Only you can decide.
- Be sure that your business plans are in line with your vision for your life.
Stop doing the things that don't make money. Do the things that create results and are the best usage of your time.
- Quit comparing yourself with someone else.
You can't build a million dollar company until you've built a $ 200k dollar one consistently. Be realistic in what you can give and what you won't give. Be faithful!
- Don't be excited by flattery, it always comes with a curse!
Who cares how much money you can make, you'll pay in the long run if you don't learn to avoid this trap.
Where are you in the process of building the life you love?
Do you find yourself saying yes to things that are good, but they aren't the best.
It's time for you to seriously take an assessment of what kind of life you want to live. If you're unclear about that, I recommend you get a seat at the next 4-Hr Tele-Class I'm teaching! Click here for details.
As I've learned personally how to avoid this game of selling my sanity and my life for money, these are some of the core values it has affected.
See if you resonate with any of them:
- I left some very abusive relationships and sought out people who are aligned with who God made me to be
- Give up the lies …and sleep well at night
- "No" is my answer to a lot of Joint Venture offers and solicitations to buy exclusive rights to what I teach
- It's why you'll never see me remove God from my writings, make myself more palatable or acceptable by changing my pink hair
CLARITY, it's worth millions and it can't be sacrificed on the altar of money!
My friends, it's time for A Real Change….. one that lasts a lifetime! Please post below what steps YOU will take to make sure this happens. 🙂
Sandi Krakowski is a Mompreneur, Coach, Strategist & Mentor, Online Marketing Expert, Speaker, Writer, Copywriter. Mindset & Marketing For Small Biz Owners. Her unique talent is as a "Back To Basics Step By Step Business" expert who currently serves more than 150,000 clients in over 136 countries. Her systems help the average business owner as well as big corporations get extra-ordinary results quickly.
Get your FREE copy of Sandi's NEW BOOK-"Read Their Mind: How To Hear What The Marketplace Wants & Build A Huge Business" to discover the secrets that will help you get to your idea clients, build amazing relationships and learn to sell anything quickly! Click here to order your copy NOW!
