How do you stay inspired to grow your body of work, business and life when MONEY isn’t your core motivator?
That’s the question I’ve been asking myself lately.
Do you ever ask yourself this question?
I’ve loved money since I was a little girl (proof in the picture below of me as a money-loving cowgirl as I was learning the letter M as a kid!), but I’m not driven by the desire to earn, earn, earn more.
Sometimes I wish I was wired to be like this as I see so many of my peers charging hard for more money as they grow their business to HUGE levels, HUGE teams and LOTS of complexity (I’m so excited for these girlbosses!), but it’s simply not the biggest motivator for me.
I’m motivated by something different at this stage in my life …
SACRED SIMPLICITY. HIGH-TOUCH EXPERIENCES.
Here are some facts about me:
I didn’t grow up poor (though my father and father-in-law grew up quite poor).
I was never on welfare.
I never worried about where my next meal was coming from.
I grew up middle class though my mom’s side of the family had accumulated wealth (my grandfather Jack was a very successful entrepreneur).
I LOVED name brand clothes and bags (Guess, Generra, Esprit, Z Cavaricci, Liz Claiborne, Citizens of Humanity, Coach, Prada have all lived in my closet at one time or another).
I got a new car when I was 17 because my first used car my dad gave me at 16 started breaking down immediately when he passed it on to me. My mom didn’t want me driving a clunker to college so she bought me a new car. I always paid for gas and insurance on my own.
I started working at 16.
I always worked in restaurants: as a gal taking phone orders at Domino’s Pizza, as a hostess, then as a waitress when I turned 18 and could serve alcohol (I LOVED the thrill of getting tips!).
I graduated college with NO student loans. I was on an academic scholarship and kept that scholarship all 4 years of college.
I did have credit card debt when I graduated college though. This was from spending the previous summer in New York City working at a public relationship agency for a plum internship.
The amount I was paid was not enough to cover my expenses (and entertainment!) from living in the big city. I didn’t care though – that experience changed my life and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
There are times when the expenses are going to be more than the income. If you’re learning and making connections, then you can parlay that experience into something bigger very quickly. That’s what I did when I was offered a full-time position upon graduation. I racked up more debt as I was paid a very modest salary ($28,000 when I started and $60,000 by the time I left 4 years later) and lived in the city, but eventually I rallied for performance-based raises and bonuses and erased my debt and was FREE by the time I was 25.
Then I started my business in my early 30s and used 0% credit cards to invest in coaching and experiences to GROW my business. Since I wasn’t seeking outside funding from investors, I gladly borrowed money from cards to grow my business. One of the many causes of businesses NOT succeeding is undercapitalization.
Through diligence and discipline, along the way I figured out how to serve my clients and students at a high level, make offers and continuously bring in $10,000 – $50,000 a month in sales. This has been a journey and I am GRATEFUL for it all.
But as I gunned harder and harder to bring in more and more, I found that I was less and less in love with my business.
Because honestly, it’s not the money that gets me the most excited.
I LOVE TO KEEP MY LIFE SIMPLE.
Sure, earning money is HUGELY important (the purpose of your biz is to turn a profit), but it doesn’t have to be the driver for all that you do if that idea insults your soul.
It’s more important what you DO WITH THE MONEY that you earn.
I was reminded of this truth when I read “The Millionaire Next Door” by Thomas Stanley and William Danko.
Have you read that book? If not, you must!
Many people with the highest INCOMES have the LOWEST net worth. They often fall into the trap of spending so much to “keep up with the Joneses.” They never acquire real wealth.
I’m a HUGE fan of earning big money and charging based on the VALUE you bring to your tribe, and I’m also a believer of looking at what’s going on INSIDE.
Because if your INSIDES are BARREN then no matter how much you earn, it will never feel like ENOUGH.
That’s not wealth.
I want more for you.
Are you a magnet for wealth or a repellent?
What I’ve realized on this wild road of being ALIVE …
I’m lucky to be alive, and I have a powerful mission to fulfill.
My tribe, clients and students are AMAZING. (I adore you!)
All of my needs are met in my life.
I have a beautiful home.
A great view of trees and green and flowers.
Awesome and inspiring workspace.
My new studio space brings me so much JOY and is SO supportive of the growth of my business.
Three healthy children.
Two cats.
A rotating crew of fish.
A husband who loves his work (he doesn’t want to come work in my business because he has work of his own that he enjoys) and has LOTS of time to spend with our family.
A local community that is so “me.”
A solid yoga practice
After having a problem relationship with alcohol since I was 14 years old, I gave up drinking all together in May and am walking the road of sobriety.
I’ve recently fallen in love with cooking and am having fun in the kitchen.
Most importantly, I’M HEALTHY and have PEACE in my heart.
Sure, I still get tripped up by life’s curveballs like most humans, but really I’m good day-to-day.
What motivates me at this stage in my life is INSPIRING MY TRIBE TO GET GUTSY and BUILDING MY BUSINESS AROUND MY FAMILY.
That’s why – for the first time ever – I’m actually taking a month’s sabbatical this summer to wander, explore and BE.
My business is all systematized so our programs, social media posts, and all that jazz will continue serving our amazing and clients, but I’m stepping away for a bit.
I have some big projects, dreams and ideas in the works and I’m SO pumped to see what SPROUTS during my time off when the daily grind has been set aside. You may still get an email from me as I get inspired, but mostly I’m just chilling with my hubby and kiddos.
It feels SO EUROPEAN to be taking this BREAK. I wish it felt more AMERICAN, but Americans are still so chained to the grind. The grind is so not me.
This idea came to me back in May when I attended Ali Brown’s REPOWER workshop in Scottsdale, Arizona. I was around BIG-TIME businesswomen and our energy combined into something FIERCE and FABULOUS.
I actually threw up the last morning of the workshop in my hotel room as my body was processing so much. It was INTENSE in a liberating, beautiful way. I shed so many layers and labels I had outgrown: namely the thought that I have to be all things to all people.
I don’t … and neither do you.
Today, I encourage you to think about these questions for a bit …
What do you want to create with this last half of 2015 that is stretched out in front of us?
Is your business model working for you or draining you?
Are you excited about your projects, tribe and clients?
Is your team supporting you fully or do they keep letting you down?
How are your systems?
How are you handling the ebbs and flows? (Too many ebbs and you’re in trouble!)
Are you being your WHOLE self or simply a sliver of who you really are?
Are you being HEARD, SEEN, DIFFERENT, FOCUSED, FREE?
How is your body and health?
How is your spirit? Your soul?
Do you have hobbies OUTSIDE of your work that bring you joy?
How are your friendships?
How is your romantic life?
How is your wealth? And I’m not just talking about your revenues, but your NET WORTH. Because honestly that’s what’s truly important. Your NET WORTH is your FOUNDATION, your ROOTS, your STABILITY. And your business is just ONE PIECE of your NET WORTH.
If you’re craving community, connection and clarity with fellow leaders, then grab your ticket now. Come hang out with a spirited group of smart women making magic in the world.
Fast-action tickets expire TUESDAY, JUNE 30. Save $200 and score some SUPER-HOT BONUSES (worth thousands!) while you’re at it.
More details here >>> http://TheAlchemyEvent.com
Oh, you should know that ALCHEMY Live 2015 will be the FINAL one I’m hosting. Different projects are calling my name, and I’m making space for them.
I’m excited to see you at our FINALE event!
Check out this video to get a feel for what you’ll experience at ALCHEMY Live.
xoxo