When Is It Okay to Not Get Paid?
Someone was getting started, like brand-new, in their business, and I recommended giving away free sessions to people, willy-nilly. And she was like: “You know, we’ve got bills to pay. How much is really okay to give away, without going gonzo about it?” Fair question. Giving it away for marketing purposes can have limited impact. […]
How Spiritual Teachers Make a Living
How can you charge for spiritual teachings! They should be free! It’s all the rage to use spirituality and other ‘intangibles’ in your business, especially in service businesses- which seems to be provoking some rage from folks. Like the email a friend of mine received at the beginning of this paragraph.
How to Eat Like An Entrepreneur
If you’ve been following by ezine or the blog, then you know my life has been a little crazy lately. Between twins, my very, very ill mother-in-law, and lots going on in the business, it’s been hard to maintain my center. From the email and flurry of comments on the blog, this state of craziness […]
The Most Wearing Two Weeks Imaginable
About two weeks ago, my wife Holly and I planned our first date, with friends watching our boys, since November 11, 2008- which is when our aforementioned adopted twin sons were born. If you’re a parent, especially a parent of twins, or know someone, you know why five months had gone by without a date. […]
Don't Forget to Tend to Your Personal Infrastructure
Two weeks ago, a month ago, year ago, if I’d woken full of restive thoughts at 4:30 a.m., I likely would’ve headed for my computer to check my email, spin off on the 50 things I wanted to get done during the day, and begun ticking off inconsequential tasks. An hour would pass, and I’d […]
When You Charge More Than You Yourself Can Pay
Would you buy what you’re selling for the price you’re selling it for? One of our readers just let us know she’s grappling with this dilemma: “My biggest challenge is believing in myself. I have trouble asking for the sale, because I personally wouldn’t be able to afford my [own work]. I can’t get my […]
Part One: "Law" of Attraction… Prepare to Meet Ancient Sufi Teachings
Despite ten-plus years of exposure to “Law” of Attraction teachings, I’ve never felt comfortable with them. Plus, over the years lots folks have come to us frustrated, burnt out, used up, and blaming themselves after trying to make the “Law” of Attraction work for their businesses. Something wasn’t quite right, and yet I couldn’t put […]
Wanting More Weeping In My Business
I’ve been home for less than one week, after being on a two-month adoption journey, and I’m struck down by the flu. DESPITE getting the flu shot that the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit aggressively recommended. Headache, weak, low-grade fever. You know, sick. And, so I’ve been going through handkerchiefs, and trying to rest so that […]
Back Where We Belong
We’ve arrived at home, at last, in Portland. (Curious about the journey? Start here. Then read here.) Luggage on the floor of my office, baby clothes, bottles, toys, diapers strewn everywhere. Just enough time to sleep a very tiny bit, get a little bit grounded, and then teach a class yesterday. Today I’m teaching again, […]
Contrary versus Herd
Sonia Simone, someone I like and respect tremendously, wrote a fair and cautionary post “Dumb Things Small Businesses Do #7: Follow the Herd.” So before I expand the conversation, let me say this up front: “Sonia! I loved your post. Folks- listen to her, the herd isn’t necessarily safe.” But, that ain’t the whole story […]