Next Big Dream
of the reasons why I’m so grateful for travel is that it truly is transformative. My first ever trip to Cape Town came at just the right moment. Being in a metropolis I had never seen before (a whole new market!) took my thinking into a new space with a new energy. It reminded me of how big the world is and how limitless the possibilities are.
My travels in South Africa led me to greater clarity about my desires for my business and life. I’ve faced the fact that my ultimate dream is not to have the biggest coaching company on the planet. I’ve grown my business to a point that I’m very proud of and pleased with, and while signing up more clients into my programs seems like an obvious way to expand my impact, it’s not exclusively what I desire.
My deepest purpose—to impact as many women’s lives as possible and support them in creating their own financial success—remains the same. But when it comes to achieving that mission, my passions are leading me to new and additional containers for my message.
I’ve made the decision that the next phase of my business evolution is all about the creative endeavors that really delight me, from publishing, to hotels and even food delivery. They say that when the student is ready the teacher appears, and I’ve recently signed with a company that will help further my dreams and implement what needs to happen (stay tuned for much more to come).
Expanding into new industries is exciting, but also daunting. It feels like being a beginner again. I remember in the first year of my business, I often felt like I was waiting for someone to tell me what to do, how to spend my time and what goals to accomplish—like a boss. It was only when I realized I actually needed to be that person myself that my business started to change. So I
know that going after these bigger dreams is going to demand that same self-direction.
Of course, I’m not a solopreneur anymore. The ventures I envision are bigger than ever before and will require groups of really smart people to implement. Still, I have to consciously create the space to put myself out there, learn from the right mentors and find the right partners. Even though I have a full schedule of responsibilities with my existing business, I have to be taking action to begin to create what’s possible.
I know I’m not the only one in this community who is dreaming of venturing into something new and unknown. For those of you who also wish to create a business or project that you’re not an expert in or that you’ve never done before, remember that most of what you see in this world began not with a know-it-all, but with a curious, open mind.
It doesn’t matter if you have a full time job or are already completely booked up by your existing business responsibilities—it’s up to you to create the space for your growth. Ahead, my best tips for becoming the boss of your next big expansion while keeping your life in full swing.
We all know there’s never a right time to start a business (or become a mother) and I’ve learned that there’s also never a right time to launch a magazine or open a hotel. It doesn’t matter what your dream is, if you’re waiting for that certain amount of money in the bank or that perfect timing—it’s not coming. For me, the right time to press go was the day I woke up and realized, “I’m forty-four years old! If I don’t do this now, when am I going to do it?” So I started to schedule at least 30 minutes a day to supporting my desires, dedicating myself to reading about these new industries, finding the right mentors who can show me the way, and reaching out to people who would point me in the right direction.
Very few successful people are true lone rangers, so if you want to try something new, get ready to seek guidance. Chances are your existing network has more to offer than you might think.
In my case, at first I thought “I don’t know anything about hotels or even anyone who can help me with this.” But all that mindset does is keep you closed to what’s around you. When I started to really ask, “Who possibly knows something?” I heard, “Well so-and-so knows about this, and so-and-so’s boyfriend works in that,” and started to make connections. I know how vulnerable it feels to put yourself out there when you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, but if you stop yourself from reaching out you’ll never find it.
Unless you’re waiting for retirement, it’s unlikely that “one day” your schedule will be totally free and open. Whenever we want to expand as entrepreneurs, we have to learn to run on parallel tracks. Making the decision to do something new forces you to create a new structure so that you can take new action. For me to commit to my projects, I’ve consciously worked to open up time. I’m making different decisions, delegating a little bit more and shortening meetings to make space for others. I’m also booking trips to show up in the cities where the people I want to talk to live and work, which is a really pleasurable and exciting way to make the space for my next level.
