Want To Make More Money? Take a Break

I recently had a call with a client who was beating herself up for not getting more done in her business. She knew what she should be doing, but couldn’t seem to make any progress.

Using my intuition when working with clients, I trust the questions that pop into my head.

“What’s going on in your life right now?” I ask.

Samantha* tells me about the exorbitant amount of emotional stress and challenges she’s facing, from loved ones’ illnesses to a physical disruption of her environment to hurtful family dynamics.

“What types of things refuel you?”

She shares examples like time in nature, inspiring live performances, and good conversations with close friends.

“Sounds to me like the best thing you can do for your business right now is to take a beach day, either alone or with carefully-chosen companions.”

“Really?” she asks, a bit surprised.

“Yes, really.”

Samantha had been running on fumes for quite some time and was expecting herself to grow her business on a completely empty tank.

I believe the most effective marketing is something I call “energetic marketing.” This may come in the form of working on foundational systems in your business, such as bookkeeping or filing systems, or it can come in much-needed self care so you’ve got a healthy reserve to pull from. The idea behind it is to become a magnet for abundance.

When you’re feeling stressed in your business, particularly when the income isn’t flowing as abundantly as you’d like, you might think that your best bet is to hustle and make a sale, like, yesterday. But think about it this way: when something or someone is being chased, what do they tend to do? They run away.

That’s what happens in business, too. Your potential clients or customers will feel your chasing energy as desperation, and not of a desire to serve or help them. As a result, you get radio silence: the exact opposite of what you were hoping.

On the other hand, when you practice energetic marketing, like taking a long, hot bath, going for a walk, or seeing a movie, you put fuel back in your tank which makes you feel refreshed, present, and, as a result you are then truly open for business.

Had Samantha tried to force herself to buckle down and book a gig, she would have just added to her frustration, and her customers or client base would have felt her energy fraught with fear and overwhelm.

I can guarantee you that her customers aren’t in the market for more fear or overwhelm.

So, here’s your challenge for this week:

Whether you’re a business owner or not, check your energy gauge. Is it on “E”? Even if you’ve got half a tank, think about how you can top it off.

What activities fuel you? What would feel indulgent? What sparks the reaction, “Oh, I could never do that!”

Now share with me, in the comments below, what you’re committing to do this week to refuel, or what stops you from treating yourself.

Until next week, keep taking those steps to Live Out Loud!

*not her real name