As women we want to help everyone. Newsflash: We cannot. That is why it is important that we not only become clear on who can benefit most from what we have to offer, whom is seeking it most from us and who has the ability to pay, but also with whom we want to work.

My intention for this topic is less about defining your target market and messaging in the formal business plan sense and more about being honest with yourself about who you can and want to help, and how. You want to be able to communicate that easily and with confidence. That way, your intended audience listens and you have clear boundaries about your desired clientele and what you will do- and not do- for them.

How does being clear about what you do and for whom, provide boundaries?

First, it focuses your attention on the core group of people you are looking for when talking with potential prospects, networking and choosing promotional activities. Who are your ideal customers?

When you know what demographics, traits, behaviors and lifestyle your ideal customers have they are easier to spot. Otherwise, it feels like spraying and praying when you communicate your message, whether through formal promotional activities or networking events. Bottom line is when you are clear about what you do and for whom you attract and include those prospects, while excluding those whom do not fit with your definition of an ideal customer.

Second, being clear about what you do and for whom, provides boundaries that help you to more quickly identify when there’s an opportunity for which you should pass. Knowing your ideal client is your “go-to” reference when you evaluate and prioritize new business opportunities so when you come across someone who is not your ideal client you can pass.

Third, define what type of work falls outside of what you want to do for your clients. This establishes boundaries for your scope of business and where you direct your energy, and acts as a compass or guide when you face new opportunities. This knowledge gives you confidence to say “no” to an opportunity that does not match your self-defined criteria for your ideal client and desired projects. Your ideal client and projects may change over time so it is a good idea to periodically evaluate them.

Knowing WHAT you do and FOR WHOM simplifies your business by providing focus and minimizing distracters, and supports you to make more money by wasting less time and attracting and keeping the right clients and projects.

Here are some questions to consider in helping determine whether you should accept or pass on an opportunity:

• Does this person/company meet my definition of an ideal client?
• Does this opportunity align with my values, ethics and personal boundaries?
• Am I the best person to assist the client with their need?
• How will saying yes to this opportunity help me and my business?
• How does this opportunity fit with my vision for my business?
• Will this opportunity bring me closer to my goal?

What other questions do you ask yourself to choose the right business opportunities?

Have you ever attended a training or motivational seminar and left pumped up about your success, only to get home and leave your materials on the shelf for weeks or months?

Have you ever felt excited by a New Year’s resolution only to get back to your daily grind and forget all about it?

Have you ever written a plan to achieve your goals, but felt the need to have a more visual representation of them to bring them to life?

(Example of a vision board)

A vision board created from your ideas, desires, and goals will:

• Keep your motivation and drive real and alive
• Inspire you toward your goals and intentions on a daily basis
• Provide you with a visual representation of your goals to reinforce your written statements
• Remind you of the great and exciting things you imagine for yourself and your life

In a Private Vision Board Session, you get TWO hours with me, Sara, to guide you through the process from start to finish (I’ll even help you cut out pictures from magazines and paste them!). By the end of the session you will have a complete Vision Board that compels you forward.

The investment for this private 2-hour session is only $99. Email me or call (760) 650-6354 to set up your session today.

There are many good online resources available for steps to create a vision board. Beyond those steps, here are some tips to consider when you create yours:

1. There are no rules.
2. Before you start the crafty activities…Spend some time thinking about what you want in the next year. Allow yourself to freely reflect and envision what that looks and feels like. Take your time to be sure you are not limiting your brain to the common life goals that only fit into neatly wrapped boxes. Jot down whatever thoughts, words, feelings and images come to mind. Use these to guide your selection of images to put on your vision board.
3. When looking through magazines, pick images, words and colors that jump at you- cause you to respond in some way, inspire or energize you.
4. Have a large posterboard or foamboard to allow plenty of room for the creative addition and arrangement of your selected images.
5. Put the images words or symbols on a large posterboard in such a way that seems to flow naturally to YOU. Some like to cluster the items together based on life area while others devote an entire vision board to one life area (e.g. health & fitness or business).
6. Have fun!

Want my help to create your 2012 Vision Board? Email me to set up your private 2-hour session.

In this Private Vision Board Session, you get:

• 2 hours of me to guide you through the process from start to finish (I’ll even help you cut out pictures from magazines and paste them!)
• Clarity about what you really want
• Create a vision to help you experience what you want
• A complete 2012 Vision Board that inspires you forward

The investment for this private session is only $99. Email me to set up your session today.

Offer good through January 31, 2012.

In this 2-session coaching group you will:

• Clarify your desires and direction in all areas of your life
• Identify what actions or changes to make where it counts most
• Have a concise, simplified list of actions to purposefully connect you with your goals

The 20 Things Coaching Group is an intimate, inclusive 8-person group for fempreneurs (entrepreneurs, self-employed, independents). Together we support you to position yourself for success, enjoyment and balance in your life and business for 2012. Through TWO 2-hour sessions you will:

• Know you’re not alone in your challenges of running your business and having a life
• Get inspired and energized
• Have confidence that you are on the path to directing your energy, time and resources to the right things

WHEN: TWO Wednesdays, January 18th and 25th from 9:00-11:30AM.

Check-in starts at 8:45AM

Networking and Coffee 9:00AM-9:30AM

PLUS, you get a private 30-minute phone coaching session within 2 weeks of the second coaching group session. You will get customized feedback on your plan with guidance on gaining the most momentum possible.

Your ultimate outcome of the 20 Things Coaching Group? A focused, uncomplicated plan of action for 2012 that enables you to create a life that supports your business and a business that supports your life. It is possible! Let’s do it together.

Only $129 (Launch Your Life Workbook included!).

Too often we scatter our efforts and get mediocre results. It’s time to get focused and stay the course to reach your important business milestones and experience the life you want. The 20 Things Coaching Group will support you in doing exactly that, with the insight and encouragement from your fellow fempreneurs. Register here for only $129.

Are you a go-getter who likes to take your endeavors to the next level? Then you probably already know you will want to “go visual” with your 2012 plan of action!

An optional private 2-hour Vision Board Session is available to all attendees for $99. We will arrange and complete the session together within 30 days following the 20 Things Coaching Group. Simply select that option when you register for the 20 Things Coaching Group to reserve your spot on the calendar. It’s filling up fast! You will also have the option to register at both sessions on January 18th and 25th.

*Location information provided on registration page.

We’re thrilled to announce the November WomensNet.net Amber Grant Winner…. Is Sara Clark-Williams from Escondido, California. Sara is the owner of Launch Your Life where she is a life coach. We love Sara’s story as a women entrepreneur who used her passion to coach other women entrepreneurs. We were also impressed by Sara’s website and her use of social media marketing to promote her business. We’re sure you’ll be inspired and informed by the short interview we did with Sara below.

BTW, we’re currently taking applications for the December/January WomensNet.net Amber Grant. We’d love to hear your story, and you just might be our next winner. But there are only a few weeks to get your application to us. So if you’re interested, please don’t wait. We will announce our winner the first week in February.

WomensNet.net: First of all, congratulations on winning, Sara… so what will you use the $500 Amber Grant for?

SCW:Thank you so much again for selecting me for this grant. I am so grateful…. I’ll use the Amber Grant to expand my reach, and to grow my business through: development of an MP3 audio companion to the “Launch Your Life Workbook,” as well as the creation of an ebook. Specifically, the funds will go to professional editing and design of both of these products.

WomensNet.net: How long have you been in business, what exactly does your business do, and what lead to you starting Launch Your Life?

SCW: I coach women entrepreneurs who want greater enjoyment in their life and their business. Often these women don’t make use of some very practical strategies and habits, and find that their lack of a plan, focus or confidence is getting in the way of what they want. We work together to get clear on what they want, create an action plan and go for it! My clients are amazing women, and while I teach them they also teach me… I started my business on February 7, 2008. I got a great job out of graduate school in 2004 and worked at that corporate job building my career and earning a great living. But after a couple of years I knew that was not the direction in which I wanted to go, and one I would not be happy with for much longer. Over the course of several months, I sought to discover my core strengths, interests, skills and passions. The end result was to start Launch Your Life, helping other women pursue their dreams. I resigned from that corporate job in August of 2008 and am so glad I took that leap

WomensNet.net:So have you always had a passion for consulting?

SCW:Yes, absolutely. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with individuals and teams to grow personally, academically and/or professionally. The specific content of the consulting and coaching has varied – but the common element I’m most passionate about has remained. I’m most passionate about providing guidance, support and encouragement to others that will last beyond the time I work with them. It gives me a sense of fulfillment to see my clients’ eyes light up when they have an “aha!” moment, and then to see them take action from that new insight. I enjoy the satisfaction of seeing the direct results of my efforts and the look in my clients’ eyes when they say “thank you.”

WomensNet.net:What have been the best business decisions you’ve made, and what were the results?

SCW:One great business decision has been to manage my time effectively from the start. This is something that I find is most difficult for many of my clients, no matter how long they have been in business. Because I’ve focused so much on being efficient with my time, and using a variety of strategies to do that, it has helped me to confidently provide support and tools for my clients in that area… Another great business decision I made just this year was to listen to what my clients and prospective clients are telling me about what they need. Often they tell me what they want directly, but I have learned to hear what they need even when they don’t know exactly what they need. The result of listening to this “demand” was to create a new type of coaching service that is accessible to more women entrepreneurs than simply providing full service coaching services. I recognized what “demand” was and it has been empowering to create something that people want.

WomensNet.net: What have been your worst decisions?

SCW: My worst business decision was failing to continue networking and marketing during a time when I had a strong client base last year. As a result, my income dropped substantially for a period of time, and I found myself working hard to catch up.

WomensNet.net: One of the things that attracted us to your Amber Grant application was that when we checked out your website, we noticed your extensive use of Social Media. How and why did you start using social media?

SCW: I started using Social Media in my business in 2009 after I had been using it personally. I began noticing the value it could bring in staying in touch with and building a relationship with my clients and prospects. I started by using social networking sites like Twitter, LinkedIn and FaceBook, and I am now expanding to YouTube.

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Often when we set out to achieve something within a year or longer, we need to have “check-ins” with ourselves. It is too easy to keep working hard at our goal and forget to assess how far we have come since we began the journey. There is a good reason coaches like myself and others suggest measuring success at multiple points along the way rather than waiting until the end. It’s not so you can simply feel good about yourself (although that is likely and wonderful), but it is to see what progress has been made toward an end goal and be empowered to make adjustments if needed. I like to feel good and celebrate my successes along the way to my ultimate goal.

I started writing a book earlier this year and decided to shift my priorities and take a break from it. My new commitment is to complete it in October 2012. Rather than focusing on that huge goal, I have created milestones along the way to guide me to completion. As an example, one of my milestones is to complete a full rough draft of the book by mid June. And you bet I have decided what my reward will be! Although the book will not be complete and published at that point, writing a complete draft is a big accomplishment and one that I believe is worthy to celebrate.

What have you set out to achieve, contribute or experience in 2012? How can you break it into smaller chunks so you can measure your progress along the way and take moments to celebrate?

Celebrating success is key to building upon that success. Likewise sharing your accomplishments is also important.
Sharing your success with others is good for the soul- yours and theirs. How?

It helps you to take hold of your results and efforts- I have a natural tendency to move on to the next thing to keep improving; when I celebrate my milestones and share success with another person it solidifies it for me and helps me to savor that life experience in my mind and heart. Think of when you “high-five” someone. That is when the inward feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction is demonstrated outwardly. There is something about that simple act that helps to confirm that something is good.

It inspires others- When we share our success with others it inspires them. Don’t think your success isn’t anything special. Just because someone else you know had already achieved the milestone or has done “waaay more” than you have, does not mean that someone else would not be encouraged by you. Get over yourself. You have something meaningful to offer others and I guarantee you there’s at least one other human being who looks up to you the way you do to your mentors or people by whom you are inspired.

I was recently inspired by someone in my family to start running again after almost 3 years of excuses after a knee injury. She has never been a runner or avid exerciser, and when she began exercising regularly and running she celebrated through social media posts- it was just the fire I needed under my rear to get going! Even though I have enjoyed various forms of exercise and have run several races she inspired me, and I am grateful.

Simple ways to celebrate and share your success:

1. High five someone (ha! You knew that was coming)
2. Tell about your success to someone who loves and supports you
3. Take a moment and feel really good about it deep in your soul
4. Thank God for the experience
5. Write a thank you note to someone who was a big influence in helping you succeed
6. Do your own version of the happy dance
7. Give yourself a reward- something that you enjoy without guilt or stress
8. Post about the good news on social media or your blog
9. Start a collection of success stories in a journal to share in your own future book
10. Throw a party

I recently discovered the power of gratitude in a new way when working with a client. My client was experiencing discouragement and a-less-than-positive attitude that zapped her confidence and allowed general anxiety and stress to permeate her days and nights.

We discussed many things, and one of our first assignments together was for her to begin practicing gratitude each morning as she begins her day. Our intention was to direct her mindset and inner thought/feeling life in a way that would support her much better and alleviate the looming anxiety common in many female entrepreneurs with ambitious goals. While she is implementing a few other important habits, this new step itself has been powerful and effective for her.

When we do not make gratitude a regular part of our lives, our mindset, attitude and stress levels are different. These three things affect our life experiences, those around us and the results that we get.

How can you embrace and extend more gratitude in your life? What areas of your life could benefit from more gratitude?

The purpose of a plan is to guide you forward toward a desired goal. Oftentimes along the way as you work your plan, you learn something new- new information or a clearer understanding of circumstances. Sometimes, something that your next step depends on has changed, forcing you to change your plan. Sounds frustrating doesn’t it? Often it can be, but it doesn’t have to throw you into overwhelm with the plan completely tossed out the window. (That is what makes life interesting, those unexpected smooth gradual dips in the road that curve back up just enough to make you lose your stomach a little! Weee! But I digress…).

That is what I really like about having a plan. When I learn something new or when life changes- and it will- I don’t have to start from scratch, but rather I can refer back to my plan and make adjustments. Then I can proceed forward.

Two weeks ago I wrote my 2012 business goals and last week wrote out my plan to achieve them. It feels great! I am energized about it and I also accept the idea that things might change, and as a result so might my plan. It reminds me of when I have researched hiking trails and found maps that were helpful, but upon arriving at the trails realized there had been some development of the area which was not reflected in the map.

Life is an adventure and we get to create our map. Stay keen to update your map periodically to keep it relevant and helpful to your interests and desired, intended direction.

At the time I was still a corporate employee with a regular paycheck and lucky enough to also get bonuses. Each quarter I would find it difficult to decide how to use the bonus money. Do I put all of it toward a credit card balance, do I payback that personal loan or do I put it toward a vacation savings account? I was torn between taking care of things and “catching up” with making time and resources available to enjoy new life experiences.

I knew I needed to ask an older, wiser person with more life experience who would be honest with me and not simply suggest “the proper thing to do”. So I called my grandpa. Then, as someone about to turn seventy years old he suggested working toward both. He shared that he and my grandma waited to travel until they were older, and with more health problems and other responsibilities, he was not able to do as much as he had hoped. He told me if he could do it all again he would have made time for and put money toward traveling earlier in life. I immediately knew that I had received a balanced perspective on this issue. I felt at ease and knew I could address both priorities. That helped me to enjoy my life more.

Where do you need a more balanced perspective? How can you better balance your priorities so you enjoy life more?

Do you need more balance in your life? Here are 6 ways to increase balance:

Embrace your roles

If you have chosen to be a spouse and parent embrace those roles and the responsibilities that come with them, rather than resenting them. If you have chosen to be a leader in your networking group, association or church, embrace that role and give your best while you have that opportunity. If you have taken on too many roles, evaluate which ones are most important and prioritize those over the others. It may mean that you finish a commitment (e.g. officer position in your professional group) and then enjoy participating as a regular member with fewer responsibilities for a while.

Embrace your uniqueness 

Each of us has unique gifts (and quirks!) to bring to the table. Too often we women compare ourselves to others, especially other women. This can be a huge self-inflicted disadvantage. It quickly throws off our sense of balance and focus on what’s really important. Perhaps you have been resentful of someone else’s success or obsessed about how much more “together” she appears to be. You may even be trying to keep up with all the trendy, fashionable things that a coworker, friend or celebrity wears. All of this can be exhausting- not to mention painful to the bank account or credit card balance!

Give yourself permission to appreciate others’ uniqueness and positive attributes. Admire them, rather than resenting them. Use this to push yourself to be a better version of you.

Have focus and direction

Have a plan. Don’t wander aimlessly hoping you will achieve something or find happiness. Some people walk around with blurry vision. When my contacts or glasses need to be cleaned I can relate to this! Imagine thinking that being blurry through life is the way it is and that you cannot change it. Well, you can.

You can be clear on what things you are doing to move you forward and focus diligently on those efforts. Without focus on purposeful efforts that will connect you with your goals, you might feel a lot like someone who walks around with dirty eyeglasses or worse a very outdated prescription hoping they will find what they are looking for without adjusting their vision. She gets easily distracted by interruptions and requests, wasting valuable time. Get clear on your priorities and take steps forward that reinforce those priorities. When you are doing this consistently you will feel a greater sense of balance that you will want to welcome more often.

Seek the support of people who love you!

Talking with a friend, colleague or coach can help you when you need to get ideas, work through a challenge and be encouraged. They also can give you a referral to others who can take some of those tasks off your plate like housecleaning services, administrative or bookkeeping support for you business, and professional organization for your home or office. These simple steps can make a big difference in feel more balanced and less overwhelmed.

Feel passion for life or a particular interest

Do something you enjoy that fills you up. Get out and play. When I am not having enough play time I am not a happy chick. Think of what you enjoy and start including those activities in your schedule. Likewise, invest your time and support for causes you are passionate about. The feeling of making a difference is priceless, and when you take your mind off your own stuff for a while it provides a good perspective.

Laugh often

When is the last time you laughed really hard? Laughing is a great way to balance my life. I notice an instant stress release when I enjoy a good laugh. In fact, did you know that laughter can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems? Check out this article from WebMD.

“You grow up the day you have your first real laugh — at yourself.” – Ethel Barrymore