Learn To Show YOURSELF the Door

By Lisa Cherney

Many years ago I was working in corporate America in a job that I thought I liked.  At least, I knew that I liked it better than any of the other jobs I’d previously held.  I was going along my merry way and then BANG, I was laid off.  I was not a stranger to this situation.  I had been laid off twice before and each time I had ended up in a better place.  But this time I was depressed because this was a really good job.  I liked the people I worked with, I liked my boss, I could even talk to him about spirituality.  I liked the product I was selling and the company had some exciting plans for the future.  But the Universe obviously had another plan for me. 

I should have had an inkling of this during my annual review, when my boss started to tell me what I needed to do in order to eventually have his job. I had felt my eyes glaze over and heard a strong voice within in me say, “YUCK, I DON’T WANT HIS JOB!”  Now I was being shown the door.  Where would that door lead me?  It’s funny how we often don’t make big changes until we are shown the door—in relationships, in our living situations, and in our search for the perfect career.  So the question becomes, “How do we get to a place where we can show ourselves the door?” 

In running my own business, there have been many times where I have come to the place where I start to see a door appear and it scares me.  I find myself saying things like, “But I’ve been telling people this is what I am going to do,” or  “I’ve always done this, it’s what I know,” or  “They will never pay me a higher price.“  However, I’ve learned to listen to these thoughts and use them as the pathway that leads me to the door.  They are stepping-stones to the ultimate awareness of what needs to change.  When I listen, I find I’m the one who shows myself the door.  When I don’t, it’s forced on me.

“Weren’t You Doing ‘X’ Last Year?”

We often dread these words when we’ve recently made a shift in our work.  Or we fear these words so we don’t change.  We feel like we have to have it all figured out and then launch into the world and stay that way forever.  We think that it’s a failure to change our business name or the description of our services.  Or even drop one or two services from our long list of what we have to offer. 

Instead, this is really ignoring our inner guidance.  It’s not following the path that our soul is providing.  One of the biggest mainstream marketing myths holding back start-up entrepreneurs is the one that says we have to stick to one name, one brand identity, and not waiver—or clients will get confused and we will fail. 

Well, I’m here to tell you that Conscious Marketing is about two years old and it’s been over five years since I was laid off.  So, you do the math.  I have owned three other businesses before this one.  Looking back, I know for sure that each of them led me perfectly to what I am doing now.  Everything I learned is channeled through Conscious Marketing.

 For example, in the past I had a seminar business for cancer patients and professional caregivers.  We taught self-care skills for helping people deal with stress and burnout.  Now, what entrepreneur is not stressed out? What new entrepreneur is not struggling with self-care?  And self-care isn’t just about getting enough rest. It’s about charging the right prices for the value you bring to the services you provide and working the hours that give you the lifestyle you want. 

What Is a “Speaking Heart?”

A “speaking heart” is not a circus sideshow or a funny toy in one of those novelty shops (although I’d certainly buy it if it was!).  This is the part of us that tries, and sometimes fails, to let us know that we need to make a change.  People ask me how I know what to charge for my services.  I tell them that my heart gives me regular raises.

Here’s how it works. First, I may feel a bit resentful.  If I’m working with people over time and I feel resentful because of the amount of money they are paying me, then I begin to see the door opening to a price increase.  If people start saying to me, “You don’t charge enough,” then I begin to listen and find my heart is in agreement.  I also see what people I admire charge and I ask myself, “Why not me?” 

You should ask yourself the same question! (If you are thinking other people have something you don’t, you may waste lots of time trying to get “it” when you could be charging more and doing more right now.)  This is the perfect time of year to give yourself a raise.  Tell your clients these are your new prices for 2005.  Start giving them a heads up, such as,  “Just so you know, I will be raising my prices in the new year.”  If they truly value your services they will stay.  Otherwise the worst thing that can happen is that you begin making more money working with fewer clients!

Change is Constant

We hear this all the time.  Sometimes is makes me mad, but most of the time it’s a relief.  I think, “Well great, because this isn’t feeling quite right and since I know change is a constant then I may as well go with it.” 

The most courageous change I made was when I was laid off five years ago.  My husband had just quit his job as a chemical engineer to go back to school to be a chiropractor.  I remember driving home from being laid off when this thought came to me from outside my body, “Why go to work for someone else when you can work for yourself?”  I thought, who ever said that is crazy!  I need to get a job, and fast.  I have to support us for the next four years.  Well, as you can see, it’s been five years and I’m still alive and kicking.  My husband has his own thriving practice and I have the third (and best yet) generation of my business… Conscious Marketing. 

Take a Flying Leap

What leap can you take for the New Year?  What change is your heart trying to get you to hear?  What doors are being shown to you?  My favorite quote is “Leap and the net will appear.”  It’s funny how we won’t do something for fear of being disappointed.  So, instead we stay where we are and are disappointed! 

It’s worth it!  Follow your heart and know that you have support, inside yourself and in the world.  Hey, when you are ready to market your new business (or the one you’ve allowed yourself to recreate or update) know that Conscious Marketing will be here for you. If I hadn’t followed my heart five years ago, then the hundreds of businesses I’ve helped launch would not have been touched by my unique approach to marketing, and they might still be gazing at a distant door.  I remember this fact when the fear creeps in.   

Make next year the year to follow your heart.  No matter what it says!  Instead of waiting to be “shown the door,” start listening for those heartfelt stepping-stones that allow you to lovingly show yourself the door.