Ok so I am really fired up and had to make this post.
I have had too many of my clients coming to me in sheer overwhelm from the massive amounts of advice and information available online keeping them from doing what they do best–COACHING!
It reminds me of being at the all-you-can eat buffet; sometimes you just eat too much and you are stuffed! It reminded me of the popular 1969 “Spicy Meatball” Alka Seltzer Commercial above – trying it one more time, till it’s right.
Do you feel stuffed? Does your business need an Alka Seltzer because you are upset with yourself for trying to fit into someone else’s model of success and you just don’t have room for one more “you should do this…” “you should do that…” “you need to do this…” “you need to do that…” ?
It can be tempting to overindulge because it is all so seductive! You find yourself saying, “Maybe if I just do this one program” or “I’ll just download this video series” or “everyone IS raving about this, it must be good” and “they have incredible testimonials, so”…
Surprisingly enough, the all-you-can-eat business-building virtual buffet can be a successful resource if you exercise discipline and restraint when making your selections.
Here’s how to indulge at the virtual business-building buffet without feeling so stuffed that you just can’t make a move:
Pace Yourself
Choose Consciously
It’s important to choose your options wisely. Know what suits your taste. Make sure it matches your learning style and work ethic. Choosing a certain path or option for growth out of fear and lack is not going to satisfy you in the long run, it just might make you feed a hunger that can’t be satiated.
Have a Strategy
Decide how and where you want to invest in your professional development. Consider what you can afford to spend, the time you are willing to devote, how you want to grow and your desired outcome. Research your options and know what you are committing to.
Avoid Heavy Sauces
Many business-building buffets are heavy on the sauce. Be aware of offers that create urgency to get you to buy now. Consider if you will ever access the ten free bonus offers that come with the program. Read that money back guarantee carefully and feel free to ask what the percentage of returns have been. Notice if the testimonials really state their results. Be wary of learning everything that took years to develop in just 3 weeks. Bear in mind the time and effort that is required to be successful.
Develop a Relationship
Get to know the person you want to work with through free teleclasses, webinars, video series, blog posts, books, newsletters etc. and see if they are a good fit with you. Check with your trusted peers and colleagues to see whom they have had a good experience with.
Trust Your Gut
You can create anything you want. It doesn’t have to follow someone else’s model. You can do it your way, even if that means you want to go slow or don’t have the need to make six figures in six months or don’t really want to do video or whatever it is that you think you should do but don’t really feel the desire to do. You have to be satisfied with whatever you choose. Follow your heart and trust yourself enough to be who it is that you are, no matter what ” they” say you should be doing.
Know When Enough Is Enough
There comes a time when you realize that all the best programs, knowledge, and know-how won’t create your success. You are the only one that can decide that you are ready to make that happen. It comes with experience, trial and error, confidence and knowing who you are and how you want to show up for yourself and those around you. You don’t need to try one more thing again and again and again. Heck I did it the other day, bought a $200 program, oh no sorry $197 program, from someone I have worked with before, only to find out that the information was a lot of what I have already gotten from previous programs. Really? I hate when I do that!
It is a constant effort to remind yourself that all the answers do really lie within and you have what it takes to be successful.
You just need to get out there and start coaching. The impact you create will be enough to keep you full, satisfied, and moving forward toward the success you desire.
Here are a few coaching questions to ask yourself:
–How will I make my selections more wisely?
–How can I demonstrate discipline and discernment to avoid overwhelm?
–Who can support me when I feel like I have had enough and need to get un-stuffed?
–What plan can I put in place to access the best resources to grow my business that is right for me?
The next time you sit down at the business-building buffet make the conscious choices that fully nourish you and your business!
Thanks for the reminder Stephanie. I fell into the All-You-Can-Eat Buffet a years back and it really can bring you and your business down. I did a fast stop…unsubscribed from all the newsletters, video’s, and information and focused on what was inside of me and how I wanted to express myself.
Afterwards, I found out people I had been following, thinking they had already ‘made it’ (whatever that means) actually brought themselves into bankruptcy eating at the AYCE Buffet, without any inner peace or success.
This is a great reminder!
Yes we all do it and we do need a reminder to “step away from the buffet”. Love what you say about inner peace – that should be the true indicator when we engage. We just have to know what sources work best for us and how we feel from working with them is a great barometer. And a good Feng Shui “unsubscribe” is always needed. : ) Thanks for your comment Christine- great to hear from you!
Great advice for all of us to follow! Staying focused and selective when cosnsidering the vast amount of choices to help us develop our business is crucial to us being able to do our business. Getting too much information can create fear around our own ability to perform. We begin to question whether we are qualified, have enough business knowledge, time, etc. By following Stephanie’s advice I know I will be able to avoid doubt and make the most of what is available to me and select according to my goals, personality and business model. Thanks for great advice! Carrie
I love what you are offering here: “select according to my goals, personality and business model.” Great criteria to consider! Thanks for your comment Carrie!
Great article Stephanie! I can relate to every point in your article. I’m currently in 5 programs (one of which is your Marketing Miracle program which I HIGHLY recommend!). For a while my “program addiction” would consume almost all my time but a few months ago I implemented a more structured plan.
I always do your Marketing Miracle program first thing on Monday morning b/c it inspires me and sets the tone for the week. Two of the other programs I’m taking have MP3 downloads so I can listen to those in my car. Another I go through on Friday afternoon b/c that’s typically my least productive time of the week) and the last one is a video program I watch on the weekends at 2x speed using a tool called Enounce. It makes the presenter sound like a chipmunk but since you can watch almost any video in half the time it’s been a great productivity tool! Anyway, just wanted to send along my endorsement for your Marketing Miracle program and share my tips with others who are going through this common entrepreneurial epidemic!
Thanks Chris for your shout out and most of all for sharing how you structure and set up a plan to work through all your programs. I know that you have a lot of energy and the ability to stay focused! Well done! Thanks for posting. (Love having you in the MM program too BTW)
Thanks for your sage advice Stephanie! I think it’s the number one trap of coaches and authors. And it seems we do need continued reminders, because it’s so easy to get caught up in trying to be more, do more, want more–and end up doing less of the work we love the most! Beware of the gurus and look to the inner guru.
Thanks Lisa! Yes the inner guru is always the best source- thanks for that reminder!!
Great post. Wish I’d read it before I signed up for B-School! But it will be helpful as I go through to remind myself that I KNOW what I’m doing, just need a few skills in the online part of what I want to do!
Stephanie,
Great post!! Extremely insightful. I’s also like to add one more when feeling completely overwhelmed and stuck by a decision that needs to be made. Get away and go out and PLAY! Let the effortless freedom of play clear your mind so you can focus on the best decision you can make. For example, when I am frustrated and stuck, I will find a friend to play tennis, go fishing or snowboard. The joyful and meditative act of playing clears away all the mental noise that keeps me from my best outcome.
Thanks for everything that you do!
Play is always a great way to regroup. Love that! Step away from the buffet and go out and play! Thanks for your post, Peter!!