Dr. Gail's Power Article

"Freedom is a dangerous thing. It's especially dangerous to those who have no fear. It causes you to finish what you start, to do what you say, to ask for what you want, and to get it!"

Dr. Gail's Purpose Point #2

Have you ever reached a point where you needed to make some changes in your life but weren't sure how to start? Have ever felt like you were running in race but did not know where you were going? And have you ever asked some well meaning friends and family for their opinions? If you are like most people, you can get a smorgasbord of answers because you asked a smorgasbord of people. You can receive so many people giving you their opinions that you may just decide not to do what you wanted to do in the first place. It's what I call CBO which stands for Change Blocking Overload.

CBO comes in many forms. CBO feeds on fear, hesitation, and apathy. If you want to overcome CBO, then you must become fearless. If you want to make changes that matter, then you must take risks that seem dangerous or foolish to the normal eye. You must do something so different from what you've been doing that it seems out of character and out of the realm of your own understanding. You will have to summon enough courage to stand in the face of a mountain then tell it to move!

Let's take a look at Simone's situation. She was stuck in a dead end job in a family owned company. She had poured over fifteen years into the company and there was no part of the business that she could not run. But she was not a family member so there was no hope of her ever being in a position where she felt that her opinions mattered. So, Simone decided that she was going to start her own business.

The first thing she did was discuss it with her circle of friends. Two of her friends were die hard corporate workers who believed that she should get another job. They advised her to update her resume and to stay put until she found another position. One friend was in a similar situation and was doing nothing but complaining her way through life.

But Simone had two other friends who were running their own businesses. One had started running her business part time and then transitioning out of her job. The other just quit her job and started doing business. Both were making a profit but Simone was not sure which route would be the best for her.

Her first friend was only in her second year but was making a solid profit. She told Simone that she not only had to work long, hard hours, but that she must also be willing to take risks. Her second friend quit her job because it was draining her of energy. This friend had a large savings which sustained her for a few months until she began making money from her business. She told Simone that she took the parachute route and just jumped because her plane was burning and about to crash. She felt she had no choice but to "go for it" when it came to starting her business.

Simone could taste freedom and was ready to live dangerously. She wanted that danger that came with freedom! Here are a few tips Simone's friends gave to her before she started her business. Which route do you believe would be her best choice? Should she transition or just jump?

Decide and Research—Decide which business or position is best for you. You must decide if you should invest in an already proven business like a franchise or multi-level marketing company or start a new venture. You may not want to start a business but you do want to change positions. Develop your plan and then execute it.

Consider your Sources— Whenever you seek counsel, consider the source. If you ask the opinion of someone who has never been an entrepreneur, then you should expect a non-entrepreneurial answer. If you want a corporate position, then ask a corporate manager for counsel. Ask someone who has traveled the road you want to take.

Take Strategic Steps—If you are not ready to use the parachute method, make small steps towards your goal. Write your business plan. Get your business cards. Get your website up and running. Take each step and build your business.

Network—Join other business owners. Join associations, social networks, and frequent other places business professionals gather. In this face paced, digital world, you'll find knowledge at your finger tips and other people who share your passion.

Change your Circle—You may need to change some relationships. Many people do not understand when we make changes. They use tactics to make you stay where you are so that they can feel comfortable. You may have to abandon or cut back on time with relationships where you feel attacked or threatened because of your decision to change your life.

Remember, if you want to experience freedom, you must first face your fear of vulnerability and realize that you need others in order to succeed. Simone asked for help and when she found the right help, she moved. Simone understood that if she wanted freedom, it came with a price and that she must be willing to be bold enough to ask for what she wanted and then go after it.

If you are ready to be free, you will have to learn to live dangerously. So, take another sister's hand and approach the starting gate. Are you ready for a change? If so, get on your mark! Get ready! Get set! Go and run with your sisters and handle your business where you do business

Handle Your Business Girl and Learn Finish Your Race!