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Vision, Goals and Plans

Do you at times feel torn between keeping the business you currently have going, and pursuing the new business direction you want to create? Between keeping your eye on your cash flow, your time, priorities, marketing and servicing your clients, it's enough to make even the best of multi-taskers feel like a pinball bouncing around wildly without gaining any real forward momentum!

Every couple of years I make a big leap forward in my business, so I've learned first-hand what works when it comes to quickly and easily bridging the gap between the business you have and the new one you want.

Here are 4 of my personal tips for helping you make a seamless transition that keeps your cash flow rolling in, the demands on your time reasonable and your feeling of clarity and focus sharp:

Tip #1 Get Crystal Clear on Your New Vision

It's easy to get stuck keeping everything the same unless you have a compelling vision you are passionate about, that's right where you can see it, feel it, hear it (yes, and even taste it and smell it!). My favorite tools to accomplish this are a vision board hanging in my office that depicts my ideal client, why I'm passionate about what I do, plus my new income goals and vivid descriptions that create a strong emotional feeling of what it will be like to have this new business manifest itself.

Tip #2 Reprogram Your Time and Your Mind

Now is the perfect time to get rid of those "heart-sink" clients (so named because your heart sinks when you see their name on your schedule), and tasks or projects that have been growing old and moldy on your to-do list. Your goal is to clear out anything and everything that isn't high payoff, that can be delegated to someone else, or simply just doesn't need to get done (yes, that includes MOST tasks!). The point is that you have more time and energy to devote to your new venture. Don't chicken out here! If a task or client isn't directly serving your new vision, it's time it (or they) go!

Tip #3 Change Your Look

Starting a new phase in your business calls for a bit of ritual. I like to buy something new that signifies my new commitment and direction. Ladies, when you feel fresh and pretty you have a lot more energy, so give yourself permission to splurge on something that helps you feel like you're blessing the new direction you're headed in.

Tip #4 Only Say, "Yes" to Clients, Projects, Opportunities That Move Your New Direction Forward

The sooner you start accepting your new style of clients or projects, the more these opportunities will come your way. For example, one of my Platinum clients spent two days redesigning her packages, ideal client profile and fees. No sooner had she added the finishing touches on her new direction than she landed her first client (who purchased a package priced at DOUBLE her old rates).

Don't get tricked into thinking you still have to accept "old" style clients and projects just to keep the money flowing in. In fact, now is the perfect time to let your current clients know how excited you are to be moving in a new direction. While some of them may feel a little unsure of what that means for them, with a little reassurance from you, they'll not only share in your excitement but will often turn into your first "new" clients for the new direction you're business is headed in.