I just started a 12 week program for Social Entrepreneurs. It is for small business owners and sole-preneurs who want their marketing to be aligned with their conscious intentions and done with the same integrity as the products or services they offer.
I am thrilled to be part of this program with approximately 450 entrepreneurs and change-makers from all over the world. AND.., this is no easy-breezy program! We are just in our second week, and I am wondering how I will keep up! It is content heavy and there are lots of things to complete. Not quick things, because each one requires that you contemplate and put into words your dreams, desires, ideas and challenges. This is a program that works you!
The way it is structured uses a private Facebook group, where the majority of participants are posting updates, status, questions, concerns and accomplishments. So it is interactive and a bit overwhelming.
Think about several hundred new friends all actively communicating with one another from every timezone around the world! I feel this amazing connectedness to them already and yet, you can’t possibly see everything that is being shared.
What I am noticing the most right now, in this early stage is how much ‘perspective’ plays in our day-to-day lives. I have always felt like I had a clear vision for what I wanted to create with Storm Wisdom. At the same time, I have also felt challenged by how to communicate that. How to let others know and how to develop the marketing around that!
From my days in the corporate world, I knew I would be able to set up and run a business. I have done this almost a dozen times for the company I worked for. But these were always internal operations.., there was no one to ‘market’ to or ‘promotions’ for these businesses (or operations). So, my comfort with the marketing aspect of running a small business, has always felt elusive.
I have a lot to learn. But.., I am not as limited in my abilities as I have been thinking! I have been saying for over 5 years now that I “have no marketing experience”. But the truth is.., I have over 5 years of experience doing this!
Am I an expert? No. However, running a small business for five years has given me lots of experience with what works and what doesn’t work for a business like mine. There are some things that this program teaches that I have figured out on my own. They call it the ‘School of Hard Knocks’. And still, I know and I am aware of them. (Mind you, I still have tons to learn!)
The reason I bring this up is because I think we do this to ourselves to often. We minimize our own experience and what we have learned. We are so busy telling the old stories of what we lack, or what’s missing, or what we don’t understand; that we forget to bring ourselves current.
We have a perspective and that perspective feels real.
For me, it was stepping into something that obviously stretches my comfort-zone, that had me realize.., although there is great value in learning about things that I have limited experience with, I am not a beginner. I have already traveled a ways down this path, and my experience along the way provides a strong foundation for what is next.
I wonder if you might need to reassess and bring yourself current? See if there is a perspective you are holding onto that no longer fits?
Because one of the other things I am noticing about this is that the things that are now easy for me, I do not think of as strengths. We do this to ourselves too often. Because we find something to be easy, we think it is not as valuable as something that is harder for us! When in fact for others, our ‘easy’ may be challenging for them!
I will give you an example. Many times when I walk by our ‘Upcoming Events’ flyer rack, I will notice the variety of flyers. In a few seconds, I can tell you right away which ones people are likely to pick up. I can also tell you the ones that are likely to be avoided.., or never even touched. People don’t want to pick up a flyer that feels like ‘homework’. Yet so many people (sorry if I am talking about you!) want to write a novel and put it on a flyer, which is simply trying to get someone’s attention. An effective flyer will get their attention and then refer them to your website for more info!
I did not know this 5 years ago when we started. I know this from the experience of running this business for the past five years.
What are the things you know that are now second nature for you? Whether you work for yourself or someone else…, you know stuff! Probably a lot more than you are giving yourself credit for! Time for a perspective upgrade! Bring yourself current! I know that is what I am doing as I embark on this new adventure! I want the current me present, not my old idea of who I use to be!
Let me know if this spurs any new thoughts for you or where you noticed a perspective upgrade might be in order!
With Light, Love, and Laughter
Charles
This reminds me of the old saying, “Repeating the same old thing and expecting a new results.”. Congrats on taking the course. I’m sure you’re up for the challenge and that’s what it is all about. If you don’t keep learning new ideas you remain stagnant and don’t move forward. All business needs to move forward with new ideas and product. Set your boundaries, don’t get overwhelmed and enjoy the face book interaction. I’m sure you’ll contribute as much as you will gain. You’re an amazing and gifted guy.
Thanks Sandy! I am looking forward to this. You seem to be so well versed in much of this… Probably because of your career in selling Real Estate. So it comes naturally to you… I look forward to the day when it is as comfortable for me!
I hope I tell you enough that I appreciate your support encouragement!
Funny how we are in the same position Charles. Same exact position. Marketing and promotion were never my expertise although I am a graphic artist/astrologer. I am learning about internet marketing because it is the way of the future and has been in place now for 7-10 years only I was stuck in the “print advertising” world as it was what I did best and it sustained me for many many years! Hats off to you and US willing to grow in new ways that will hlep us continue to reach those who want to know about our gift because each of us has a calling and a gift to share with the world!
Best of wishes/love,
Rebeca Eigen
Houston, Texas
Nice to see you on here Rebeca! Thanks for letting me know I have company on this journey. I have always been a huge proponent of technology. I believe it is here to serve the spiritual growth and evolution of our time. It allows us to connect with, support, learn from, teach and share insights and perspective that otherwise would potentially travel at a much slower pace!
That said… Believing in technology and knowing how to use it can be two different things!! I am very excited to see where this leads me… And to understand your journey and experience with it as well!
Birds of a feather! 🙂
For entrepreneurs who do their own marketing, I recommend as a guide this book, by Roy Peter Clark: HOW TO WRITE SHORT: WORD CRAFT FOR FAST TIMES.
Thanks Mary… I will check it out!
Hi Charles, The other night I had a dream that I went to a School for Flying. (Sans aircraft). I was outside with my teacher and the two or three other students on the first day. While the teacher started working with the first student to explain the concepts to overcome the pull of gravity. 😉 and achieve weightlessness and fly. felt into it, and lifted off effortlessly, noticing that it was my lightness of heart and being, my alignment with Source that allowed me to soar. I stretched long into my full length and played with this new discovery. People below me were watching and exclaiming that I was “a natural”, just as those words came to me. “I am a natural at this!. It’s easy for me.” I awoke with this same information, Charles, that the things that come easily for us are gifts to be used, developed and received fully with conscious acknowledgement. Gifts that are waiting to be activated. So the question came, “what else am I a “natural” at? It also feels like guidance to join a class, where the combined higher consciousness of the group enhances my growth and ability to soar. Thank you so much for sharing your timely insights. I’m loving my beautiful snakeskin agate palm stone. I do believe it has aligned quickly with my energy after only a few days, opening up my dreamscape to glorious wonderful dreams. Love and Light! Mary Z
I love the imagery of your writing Mary and the metaphor revealed! I also admire how your dreamtime is supporting you in such a tangible way! I know I dream. I know I learn and grow from my dreams. I just can’t recall them in a way that I can point to. I guess it is more subconscious!
Thrilled that you are enjoying the Snakeskin Agate. An ideal ally in times of growth and transformation!
Thank you for sharing your insights on our natural gifts! See you soon!
Good morning Charles, I would be interested in the Social Entrepreneurs course if you wouldn’t mind sending me the info. () I think that after you take this course you would be even better suited at putting together a course of your own for Entrepreneurs and I would be signing up to take your course. We as a society have been brainwashed into thinking that going to a JOB working 40hrs a week for 40yrs of our life to only earn 40% of what we were making in retirement is the only way to make a living. I myself being in the network marketing industry I know that I am the one holding me back from becoming even more successful in this industry. Keep me posted if you decide to start a course to guide us young Entrepreneurs.
Here is a good link to start with Todd: https://www.socialentrepreneurempowerment.com
I am sure I will be putting together programs, workshops and classes. However, not sure that I would be doing them on being an Entrepreneur! Although, I must admit, I get lots of questions about starting a brick & mortar business!
I am only two weeks into this 12 week program, so we will have to see where this leads. I can tell you it is opening up my mind and expanding the possibilities. Very excited to be a part of it!
Thanks for being connected and always supportive!