I have been pondering the phrase “heart centered entrepreneur” lately. It strikes me as odd. ok, wait, here me out! First of all, I don’t know many entrepreneurs that aren’t heart centered. It takes heart to do it alone. It takes heart to build it. It takes heart to want to be successful. It takes heart to keep going when everyone around you says you should get a “day job”.
For me, being an entrepreneur is heart centered.
Second, I have noticed that many of the people calling themselves this, or saying they work with “heart centered entrepreneurs” use fear as their marketing tactic. Fear to get you to buy. Fear to get you to sign up. Fear to get you to optin.
Ponder this. Do we need to use fear if we are heart centered?
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
I find for MANY entrepreneurs this is one of the biggest challenges. Often because entrepreneurs have a strength to like new ideas, see new opportunities, and are often eclectic! This strength can also be a curse when it comes to growing your business Here are my thoughts:
It is time to take action!
Where do you struggle with getting it done? Or acting as if in your business?
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
I am often asked about my sword. The whole thing began more than 10 years ago when traveling and teaching conferences with my colleagues Randy and Barry. After an event, while we were sitting at a bar, Randy commented that my new nickname is Zena. When I asked him why he said “you do not let people play victim. When they come to you and wine and complain about the things that are wrong in their lives, you whip out this invisible sword and tell them to cut the crap.”
Zena stuck. The sword came as the true symbol of my brand years later.
I was at a conference where MaryAnn Halpin and was taking pictures for her Fearless Women book. At that conference there was a video with all these women getting pictures with her sword, a Scottish Claymore (I am holding it in the blue dress). I thought it would be great to have my picture taken and then it dawned on me why I should take my picture with that sword.
The sword is the symbol of my life, and it has represented so much for what I have done in my career. But to honor and respect the sword I chose to study the many powerful things that the sword symbolizes:
1- the manifestation of purity in the physical form. Coming from a violent abusive place, this manifestation has been a powerful journey. My husband has been the biggest part of it, giving me my Katana as a result.
My Katana
2-being grounded and having clarity of thought. Honestly, when I do not meditate, I loose this. I see my sword as a tool for deep thought and contemplation.
3-a way of protecting with strength to conquer those things holding you back. Therefore the iron of the sword is the true warrior within you. It represents so much of finding your true voice.
4-in many cultures it’s meaning is to cut through confusion and ignorance surrounding you.
5-honor and to possess one and is considered a symbol of transition, which life is in constant transition. It is the extension of true warrior spirit in many cultures.
6-The sword and it sheath are actually seen as the balance between the masculine and feminine. Masculine represents an active driving force for life and the feminine protective supportive element of life.
It’s amazing how much it has represented for myself and what I do with my clients over the years for the inner warrior and discovering your real edge. Each picture I have taken demonstrates one of these meanings when you look at them.
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
While watching the trick or treaters I was fascinated by a very simple concept behind the day. I realized that Halloween is about two interesting things that when embraced in life, can lead toward success and happiness.
First, Halloween is about dressing up and being whoever you want to be. Think about it! One day every year we allow our children to dress up and be whoever they want to be: scary, feisty, happy, pretty princesses, fairies, villains, superheroes, even freaks! (ok, on occasion, you get my point!) They get to decide who they want to be. They get to BE whatever they want, and we happily accept who they choose. It is perfectly ok.
Second, Halloween is about asking for what you want. And guess what you actually get it! You ask for a trick or treat and guess what every single time you ask, you get a trick or a treat.
Imagine if we grew up believing that about life. That we can first we get to be who we want to be and it will be accepted by others that that’s who we are. It will be appreciated in the differences and the diversity. And second that we can ask for what we deserve.
Imagine if in your life you were truly who you want to be. You did not question how or think that you had to dress up and be someone. Imagine if you had no fear about who you are. And imagine if you could ask for what you wanted and get direct honest up front answers. You might not like the “trick or treat” answers (just like you did not always like the candy)! But wouldn’t the world be a better place?
I recently heard several of my over 40 girlfriends say they have embraced these two things, finally in their lives. But I think they are a minority. Have you embraced it? I truly believe this is a critical component of becoming influential, and being your biggest, bestest bad-assery self!! Has it led to greater happiness and success?
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
I recently heard a woman whose estimated net worth is 90 million (no, that is not Oprah) say that polarity is critical for success. She said: “the opposite of love is indifference. When you have people who love you and hate you, you have polarity and you have a brand”.
I have been known to say that wanting to be “liked” can be dangerous. That if people don’t disagree with you, you might be vanilla. I think this applies. See, she is RIGHT. But her net worth is only 90 million….if you disagree.
Each of these brands has success and polarity. I find many leaders and entrepreneurs have difficulty with this when they start out. Especially the first time someone disagrees with them. It’s great they disagree! I once watched Tim Ferriss speak to this and he told the crowd you either ignore what people are saying (he chooses not to watch) or you get a tough skin.
Have you created polarity? Or do you struggle with people not liking you? Are you playing it safe?
Oh, yes, who was that woman, net worth 90 million? Tyra Banks.
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
My husband recently sent me a blog post entitled the “five lies about social media marketing” and we had a great conversation about being an expert. Many of you know that I struggled for years with being called an expert, as I am guessing many of you might? See, I always feel that there is more I can learn, more I can improve upon, and I said that to him. He said: “That’s what I always say to you when you say I am an IT Finance Expert. There is always more that I can learn.”
He’s right, that is true! My response was: “I think what makes us an expert, is not that we know all the technology (there are just too many out there and upgrades and changes are too fast), but that we have a system, a process, that helps our clients organize, become more effective, and measure results.
I have accepted that I am an expert. I am dedicated to my craft, my profession and my study. I constantly seek to learn, grow and improve in my field. I role model to others what they can do and achieve…THAT is what an EXPERT does.
To consider yourself an expert and not just someone who “likes doing it” and “can do it” ask yourself:
*do I read industry specific, research based information in the field?
*do I engage with other experts in my field?
*do I have a clear system or process I utilize to help my customers internal or external?
*do I learn continuously in my field?
*do I practice what I “teach” or “advise others” to do?
*do I continuously look to improve what I offer?
*do I find myself thinking “ahead of the trends” in my field?
*do I have a long term plan versus just thinking about what’s “hot right now”?
*do I find I more often know the answer the client is asking before they finish?
*do I know how to find answers quickly that I don’t immediately have the answer?
If you answered yes to these questions then you are most likely an expert. I find many people, like I first did, have difficulty owning “expert”. Here is the thing: No expert knows it all. Experts though are committed to a craft, a study and stay on a path.
What is your expertise?
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
I have been pondering the phrase “heart centered entrepreneur” lately. It strikes me as odd. ok, wait, here me out! First of all, I don’t know many entrepreneurs that aren’t heart centered. It takes heart to do it alone. It takes heart to build it. It takes heart to want to be successful. It takes heart to keep going when everyone around you says you should get a “day job”.
