Two announcements and something to learn.
The first announcement is a reminder that the Foundations2: Expand Your Reach mini series is in full swing. The simple concept here is that if you reached enough people, then your business would be much more consistently full.
We’ve had about 700 people jump into the series already. If you haven’t, please join me!
What’s more, there will be a free call next week on this very topic. April 30, 1 p.m. pacific. To be on the call you just have to join the mini-series by clicking the link below.
Second Announcement: We’re hiring a Marketing Director.
Frankly, we’re swamped. I mean, we’re showing up well for our commitments, but we’ve got lots of big plans, and not enough hands to do it all with the integrity, care and love that is Heart of Business.
Steve Mattus, who has been our Marketing Director, has made a lateral jump over to Director of Education, and so remains on our team. Thank goodness, because he is such an amazing part of who we are!
But it means we need a Marketing Director. Maybe you?
Please do not reply asking about the position. Go to this link:
Heart of Business Marketing Director
You’ll see everything you need there.
The Lesson Learned: You don’t have to dream big, just take the next step
I never imagined that Heart of Business would grow into having a payroll, with employees and a team. I’m not a big vision dreamer in that way. I had no dream board with my dream team. I never had, and do not have, a five year plan.
It used to be painful for me to try to look further out than six months. Now I’m much better at imagining maybe 12 to 18 months into the future, but it gets foggier the further out we get.
I just kept taking the next step, and the next step, and the next step. And sometimes I wasn’t the best person to take the next step, so I needed help.
The simple concept: It’s okay not to be the best at everything.
Lincoln is way, way better than I am at hiring and running a team, and making everything click. He’s amazing. Amazing. And he’s done it for a long, long time.
Steve is fantastic at combining a systematic thoroughness with empathy and care. However I am (ahem) better than he is at marketing. But, he’s WAY better than me at creating an amazing learning environment and delivering a fantastic experience for the clients. Therefore he moves over from marketing, to Director of Education, where he gets to put me to shame.
I could do this for each of our team; Rachna is AH-MAZE-ING at profitability and strategy; Susan is AH-MAZE-ING at juggling details across a wide variety of projects and tasks.
Yollana and Jason are AH-MAZE-ING at helping you grow your business, each in a different way. If you need hands on help with your business, you should talk to one of them.
You don’t have to grow your business to where we are. You may never want to get past being self-employed. But when your business needs something, and it’s time to take the next step, you’ll know it.
And when you do, don’t feel like you have to be the best person for that next step. Maybe you just need to find someone to help you take that step. I don’t necessarily mean an employee, just some kind of support.
Are you willing to take the next step? And, if needed, are you humble enough to get support?
I’m so curious to hear how you approach getting support and taking the next step.
6 Responses
Hi Mark, Your article was timely for me! Things have really taken off in my camp this year. I’m in school, working with clients and writing a book which (I hope!) will help people be able to heal unresolved conflict and experience more love with family. As I’m learning a new process with clients and learning the new process of how to write a book, it’s really hit home with me that I simply can’t do everything! Business-wise, a friend made a referral, and I’m talking with someone about doing some technical work and marketing strategy for me. It’s a bit of a challenge because of the flow of income to expense ratio. I decided an amount I’m comfortable investing in my business, have clearly spelled out my goals to the person I’m interviewing, and have asked her to consider how we can best leverage my investment for maximum benefit. Boy does it feel good to have support and know that I really don’t have to do everything on my own! Now that I’m a new empty-nester and don’t have kid power to help with chores, I’m getting some assistance on the home front, too. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with such a full plate. It really helps to put my spiritual practices first, stay centered and aligned, and take it one step at a time. Many thanks for your encouraging article!
Amina! So glad the article was so timely. And Yay for writing a book. And really grateful, considering all you are doing, that it’s sinking in that you can’t do it all yourself. So glad this was helpful for you.
Hi Mark, I’m in the process of hiring a bunch of people — a VA, a graphic designer — and I also have some interns working with me on a bunch of other projects.
Like you, I’m all about taking the next right step. Unlike you, I can dream into the future (like 5 years away) 🙂 It feels good to have other people on board who can help me make decisions, and who I can lean into for their expertise. I no longer have to do it all myself!
Erin- woo-hoo! I hope you’re enjoying all of that future dreaming- I totally don’t get it. 🙂
Step by step is my motto. No need to think so far ahead, as long as you’re taking it a little at a time you should be ok.
Step by step indeed.