Last week we sent out an “I’m curious” email to the 1000 or so folks who had joined our Expand Your Reach mini-series but who had not enrolled in our six-month program asking a simple question: “You joined the mini-series, what keeps you from jumping into the full program?”
We received over 200 responses, and I replied to each one personally.
I read heart-breaking stories people shared of things that had suddenly happened in their family, as well as more ordinary issues like “time” and “money.”
To me, one of the more interesting was the “I’m not ready” response. “I’m not ready” can be absolutely legitimate, healthy and right. It can also be an avoidance.
Several people wrote back after getting my response of empathy and support, to say that it was actually fear, not that they weren’t ready.
We’re such funny creatures, aren’t we? We get scared, and so we don’t step into thesupport that will help us do the very thing we’re wanting and needing to do.
Here’s something you already know: You will rarely feel as ready as you truly are.
Most think that readiness means ready to arrive at the final destination right now. But that’s not how it works.
All you have to do is be ready for the next step. You take a step in the direction you want to go, and see how it feels. Only after confronting and resolving any challenges that come up in taking that first step do you take the next step.
Readiness to arrive at the destination you envision grows out of being on the journey.
You can take those steps alone, and confront all of the challenges all by yourself. Or…
Or you can take those steps with someone, and have support to quickly move through the challenges as they arise. If that someone is experienced enough, they can even help you sidestep unnecessary challenges, and let you know what you need to do to prepare from what’s coming up around the next corner.
People who are successful at whatever they do rarely get there alone. In all of Sufi history, there is only one Sufi saint who arrived at her state of enlightenment without having a guide and teacher. Everyone else had one, as well as companions on the journey.
In growing Heart of Business I got support time and again. Often when I felt I could least afford it is when I resisted, dug in and said not now. My wife Holly, however, disagreed. “You have to. Right now. You’ll be grateful.” Every time she was right, as she always is.
It does take some discernment to find what is the right support support for where you are. I’m suggesting you take less time discerning “what do I need to do?” and more time discerning the right support.
Then maybe the question is not “Are you ready?” Maybe the question is: “Who are your companions and guides for the next step that awaits you?”
Ask your heart. What does it say?
Get some clarity in a conversation with one of us.
If you’ve been around at all, you know that Jason Stein, Yollana Shore and myself work with individual clients, one-on-one, in our Organic Business Development Program. The next step is not to make the decision to hire one of us, first you have a free, no-pressure conversation with one of us.
And we’re adding two new people. What’s really exciting is that each one of us has gotten more clear on who we work best with.
Lincoln Wachtel is our Operations Manager and his speciality is helping people build and manage dream teams. If your business is at the point, or past the point, of putting a really amazing team around you, Lincoln is your guide. He’s had the same Sufi healer training as I have, and he’s assembled and managed many teams, large and small. He’s hired hundreds of people, and he’s a sweetheart.
Steve Mattus is our Director of Education. Steve’s speciality is with people in the beginning stages of business. He’s been there, several times, and has built up successful businesses on his own. He’s coached hundreds of people on how to build a business, and what it’s like to face those beginning stages of overwhelm and fear, where spiritual grounding and business focus are so needed.
Because Lincoln and Steve are busy with other responsibilities, they have just a few openings each. The same is true of Jason, Yollana and myself.
Are you ready to stop doing it on your own? Are you ready to take the next step of just having a conversation with whichever one of us you resonate most with?
5 Responses
Mark,
Awesome post. I read this email twice as it resonated so much. I loved your comment that you will rarely feel as ready as you truly are, and all we have to do is be ready for the next step. That was so comforting and reassuring to read , as I am quite often overwhelmed by the thoughts that I have to be ready for everything – before I start. I also liked your question – who are our companions and guides for the next step that awaits you? Indeed – who are they? Your openness and heart centeredness is such a breath of fresh air. There are very few newsletters that I read that stand head and shoulders above the rest. Yours is one of them. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Morton! So glad this resonated and your kinds words really lift my heart.
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