As business owners, we’re often told to hire a business coach and get yourself a marketing mentor… with all that spare cash you have sitting in your bank account, right?!
I often get emails from people who are looking for help, who would really like to join one of my coaching programs but usually end with… “But I can’t afford it right now”.
This used to be me, until I decided that I wanted to change this and I want to share this step by step approach with you (inspired by Leonie Dawson. Because it needs to be said).
1. Adjust your mindset
This is the most important step of all, that’s why I put it at number 1. If you’re stuck in an old mindset of ‘I can’t afford it’, you will never make the step or purchase. Those four words put you in a place without choices, it puts you in victim mode. You give up instantly, thinking there’s nothing you can do about it. That’s where you’re WRONG! Because you’re letting the decision being made for you, instead of stepping up and seeing other options.
Instead of saying: I really want to do this but I can’t afford it.
Say: I really want to do this AND I will work out a way to afford it!
2. Commit to making it happen
Make a commitment to making it happen. Say: It’s mine and I’m going to do whatever it takes to make it happen!
I really wanted to start a post graduate degree but without fee-help (I’m a permanent resident) it was going to be a looooot of money, BUT I worked hard so that I could study. It has frightened me for sure, and it’s surely a massive amount of money for me. It’s a big leap of faith and if I had made the decision purely off my bank account, I wouldn’t have done it. But I wanted it, so I committed myself to making it happen.
3. What’s your return on investment?
If I said to you, I’ve got a briefcase here for you with $10,000. If you follow all the instructions, this briefcase is going to change the rest of your business, income and life for many years to come. All you gotta do is make one phone call, give me a briefcase with $160 in it, take the first step to learn about social media & marketing.
Would you do it?
Because that’s exactly what coaching is all about!
Education has at least 10x the amount of return on it.
In my mind, it’s the best kind of investment there is.
If you spend $100 on something, you’ll get at least $1000 back.
You have to do the work and you have to implement the advice… But it’s all doable!
(Let me give you this one piece of advice… in business there is no magic pill to making sales, it’s all in the education and implementation)
Scared?
Let me tell you this… in the past 6 months I have spent $7000 on education and coaching programs and there’s another $6000 coming up for the rest of my post graduate qualification, let alone all the other bills and expenses that need to be paid.
It’s scary how money flies out the door sometimes, but I knew that this was the right thing for me and I had to do this.
Just because it’s right for you, doesn’t mean it won’t feel scary.
I knew that I needed a business coach to help me setup a path, give me directions and help me reach my dreams. And I made my money back that I’ve invested on coaching within two months. The best thing is that my business is now at a level that I didn’t know was possible. I’m just so grateful that I took that leap of faith, committed to studying again, connected with a coach and invested in myself.
4. Now make it happen!
Ok, so you’ve adjusted your mindset, you’ve committed and you understand the return on investment, let’s do this!
Here’s how:
- Write down EXACTLY how much you’ll need
Clarity is really important + immensely empowering in these situations. - Commit to making it happen.No matter what happens, it is yours.
- Need to increase your cash flow?
Brainstorm how to bring it in. What are you willing to do to make your goal happen? Have a sale? Clean up the house and hold a garage sale? - Decide: Is credit cards or a loan a good option for a business investment? What would you do to trade in a small briefcase for that one that holds ten times the amount of gold in it?
- Can you pay in installments?
It’s always up to you, you decide what happens in your life and how far you want to take your business, but I just wanted to share this with you as I know that money stands in the way of making a lot of our decisions. Don’t let it decide for you, be in charge. Will you take the suitcase with $10,000 or will you say ‘sorry, can’t afford to take my business to the next level’?
