In the past 2 weeks, I've received an incredible number of emails and calls from people who tell me they have "zero budget" or "money is really tight right now" or "I have a very limited cash flow." After you've read dozens of emails saying the same basic thing you begin to see a pattern.
I completely understand. I've actually been there and can relate to it. Ron and I spent quite a few years with a negative cash flow, so I totally get it.
People are scared.
Too scared to change their life and take a chance.
Scared that they can't start their own business.
Scared that their business will fail and they won't be able to pay their bills.
Scared that they don't have the money to start it properly.
Fear is a horrible thing that can stop you dead in your tracks. It has the ability to squash your dreams in a heartbeat and can cause you to do crazy things just to stop being scared. It's a horrible feeling!
The solution?
The obvious one of course is to stop being scared. Easier said than done when you have zero money in your bank account right? How can you start a business with no money to invest in it?
You can. It starts with a change of focus. Focus on the prize, not the money you will need to get there. Focus on the feelings this business will bring you instead.
Here are a few tips...
First, you need to figure out what you are passionate about. What really makes your heart soar? What brings you incredible joy? What do you simply LOVE to do? What part of your current job do you just love? Talking to people? Painting? Sales? Being out in nature? Writing? What brings you incredible happiness every time you do it? Then, once you know that, you can start to think about how you can turn it into a business.
If you don't know what your passion might be, then here's my suggestion. Go find a very comfortable place to sit. Preferably a quiet part of your house where you won't be disturbed for a while. Then allow your heart to talk to you. NOT your head mind you, your heart. What's it saying? Sit and allow your mind to be blank for a few minutes. Don't think. Allow your mind to wander wherever it wants to go. Look out the window, breath, whatever it takes to allow yourself to just "be" for a minute. Then allow your mind to daydream for a bit. Once the "daydreams" start, get a piece of paper and start writing down some of the thoughts that come to you. Write down any thoughts that come to your head. Again, please don't think, just blindly write down the ideas that start to flow out of your mind.
Then take a look at what you've written. At the very least, the calm atmosphere will allow your intuition to take over and you'll be a bit more clear on where you want to go and how you are going to get there. You can even ask yourself some "yes" and "no" type questions. Ask the question and then let your heart (or intuition) give you the one word answer. This really works! I've done it myself countless times.
Now about that cash problem.
Once you know where you are going, forget how it's going to happen. Simply make the choice to do it. Start small by creating a home office, or by doing some research on the internet. Perhaps make a few phone calls to people in the industry or visit a business similar to the one you would like to start. Read some books on the topic. Then watch your creative juices take over!
DO NOT FOCUS on the money that it will take to get started. For now, focus on the joy that the business will bring to you when you start it. Focus on the happiness this work will bring to your life!!! If this business brings you joy and passion, and you think it might be your life's work, then the money will flow to you naturally. If you are doing the business simply because you want money, and you don't have a particular passion for it, then the money will not flow quite as easily. Investing in sweat equity is a way to move forward without focusing on the cash, and it will drive your business forward.
Remember, owning your own business is extremely hard work, but if you enjoy what you do, and it brings you joy and passion, then it won't seem like work at all.
Do what brings you joy! Do what brings you passion! Then your business will soar right to the very top!
Award-winning author and the world’s leading concierge trainer and consultant as well as a Certified Concierge Specialist (CCS) and Speaker. She is one of the founders of Triangle Concierge and is the Chairman of the Board and Founder of ICLMA. She is the author of the award winning book "Going Above and Beyond" and "The Concierge Manual." She can be reached through her websites at www.triangleconcierge.com and www.katharinegiovanni.com