02 September 2009

One Deadly Personality Trait That Kills Business



For some mysterious reason, there seems to be a rash of solopreneurs from the healing arts who share a deadly, self-sabotaging personality trait. It's curious, because they are highly skilled counselors, coaches, and naturopathic doctors.


But there's just this one habit that is really holding them back from achieving success. The prime saboteur, I call it.

So what is it, already?

It's feeling like you need permission.
  • Permission to invest time, money, and energy in your business.
  • Permission to charge what you're worth.
  • Permission to promote your practice by talking like a specialist.
  • Permission to set policies and boundaries that make your work easier.
  • Permission to believe in the value of your own experience and the level of your competence.

Maybe this comes from a misguided sense of politeness. Perhaps it's a delay in developing an internal locus of control. Or not enough chance to grow into your own personal power.

Whatever the reason, this sabotaging mindset comes across in client attraction marketing like you are asking for your prospective clients' permission or approval to offer or provide something. It makes you reluctant to voice firm details about how you work.

It's quite self destructive when it risks you being viewed as a naive professional who isn't seasoned enough to help others.

I know that sounds overly negative, and perhaps a bit harsh. But think about it from the perspective of a person who is ready for your services and is in process of sorting through the field of options to find the best provider for them.

How much direct, grounded, comfortableness with being in business you exude becomes how much confidence that person will have liking and trusting you enough to hire you.

So let me whisper in your ear:
  • You already have all the permission you need.
  • It's already deep down inside you -- it's the urge that's called self-authority.
  • You can trust the self-authority instinct that tells you it's okay to be bold, clear, and direct.
  • You can soften your style of directness and still be clear in your boundaries and statements of what you want, need, and expect.



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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Yeah, we've been taught at ICA to ask permission to give feedback or ask powerful requests. I guess that attitude needs to change when it comes to marketing our services. you're right Deah! We might need to train ourselves to convert to that "bolder" personality then :)