The Right-Brain Business Plan®

August 1, 2015

The Upside of Downtime

Are the summer months typically slower for your business?

If so you’re not alone. Just because it can be more challenging to fill programs or launch new products while all of your peeps are on vacation, don’t fret.

There is actually an upside to downtime.

Not only do you have more space to increase self-care (which I highly recommend!), but you also have time to focus on behind-the-scenes aspects of your business that may get neglected when you’re running full steam ahead.

Sure, the slower months can sometimes spur you into an unconscious hustle/scarcity mode that causes a fruitless frenzy. But you can choose another more proactive approach – one that focuses on what’s going to have the biggest impact on your business in the long run.

Use the Embracing Ease play sheet from my book Building Your Business the Right-Brain Way to jot down notes on ways you can improve your systems and get more support.

And here are some additional prompts to help you make the most of your downtime:

What to-dos always fall to the bottom of your list but you know will drastically improve your business or bottom line?
Where are there bottlenecks in your processes? Do you know where you’re losing money? Are there areas of your business or operations that have you feeling frustrated, confused, in the dark or caught off guard?
Do you need a better way to track data like sales, inventory, profit, or leads to help you make better decisions? When my team and I created a simple shared Google spreadsheet to track raw materials and inventory of kits, we were able to finally stay ahead of when we need to replenish supplies.
Is there a waning program or product that is due for a reboot?
What improvements will make your brand experience that much more special and engaging? What will really make a difference for you, your team, and your customers?
Is there a back-end tool that will help integrate information or manage content more effectively so that you can focus on delivering value?

The silver lining of slower months means more space for thinking strategically and tending to your smooth sailing systems.

Focusing on infrastructure doesn’t mean you need to invest in expensive systems (which can be especially challenging when sales are down). Remember, a nifty spreadsheet can work wonders, so get creative about no-cost solutions or process improvements.

Also, keep in mind that you don’t need to overhaul everything. To start with, just pick one small infrastructure project that you can implement in a couple of weeks.

As your business matures you’ll start to learn the natural cycles of your year. With that knowledge you can set aside money during your peaks to invest in infrastructure during your valleys.

If you’re experiencing some downtime right now, how will you maximize this pause? How can you plan ahead to take advantage of other lulls in your business?

July 13, 2015

Summer Fun Sale through July 19th – Save up to 50% off creative goodies

Are you yearning for some quiet, creative time this summer? I’ve got a few summer specials that just might fit the bill.

What better time to let those creative juices flow, than during the warm summer months? Why not treat yourself to your very own personal creative get-away right from the comfort of your own home? Of course, nobody will object if you want to take your kit along on vacation, either…

My Unfolding Your Life Vision Kit and Dream Box Kit have been used by creatives just like you to help them realize their dreams. From now until July 19th you can get 20% off either of those kits – or buy them both, in a bundle!

Want to run your own inspiring life vision workshops based on these bestselling kits without spending a fortune or spinning your wheels! I’ve taken out all of the guess work for you and I share my best secrets, so you can focus on teaching inspiring and profitable workshops now. The Unfolding Your Life Vision® licensing program also includes rights to lead my inspiring Dream Box Workshop as well! You get 2 for the price of 1, on sale for 30% off to boot.

Looking to play with paints? Grab my Playtime With Your Inner Muse e-book for 50% off.

This summer I’ve been enjoying more time in my studio creating my big, wild paintings using the process I cover in this fun, colorful guide.

Just click the links above, and enter the coupon code SUMMERFUN2015 at checkout. Easy, breezy.

June 19, 2015

ADD A ZERO

Guest post by by Cass Mullane, Accountability Coach, Right-Brain Business Plan® Licensed Facilitator, Prosper Creatively, LLC

Part of my work as a business and accountability coach is to help clients think bigger and to expand their perspective. A great way to start the shift from small thinking to bigger thinking is to add a zero.

Here’s what I mean. Instead of saying your time is only worth $25 an hour, add a zero and make it $250 an hour. Instead of saying your workshop is only $45, make it $450 for the event. Instead of offering a $500 program, offer one for $5000.

Now, what normally happens when I ask people to add a zero is that their eyes fly open wide, their heads explode and they back away saying something like, “I can’t charge THAT!”

My question is always… “Why not?”

Setting the expectation of success requires us to think bigger than we currently do. It requires that we see a whole lot more value in our work and in ourselves.
It requires that some sort of change occurs. With that comes fear, and fear is probably the biggest impediment to anyone’s progress.

So I suggest that you begin to desensitize yourself to fearing the idea that bigger dollars are unimaginable, unattainable or un-anything by simply adding a zero to your conversations. Here’s a simple, fun three-step exercise that can help you turn start thinking bigger.

Step 1. Sit down with your accountability partners and tell them how much you’re going to bring in this month from a particular revenue stream or how much you’re planning to charge for a product or service. But instead of limiting the amount to what’s been the case in the past, add a zero! Start talking about that $45 dollar workshop as if it’s a $450 workshop.

Everyone gets to do this so all of you can see what it feels like to talk about yourselves with a zero added to all your revenue streams. It may feel a little weird as those doubts and fears start to rear their snarky heads, but push right past them, wave goodbye and carry on. Help each other add a zero to everything related to revenues. Make it a game, laugh about it, and continue to say it, over and over and over until you smile and start thinking about how awesome you and your work could be. Once you see that glimmer of possibility, you’re ready for the next step.

Step 2. Spend time thinking about what it would take to up level that workshop to support the $450 price tag. Think about what would have to happen to insert that kind of value into your event. Think about the venue, the content, the collateral, the flow. Really make an effort to put together a $450 event. Do the same with other services and products that you offer. Say you sell an eBook for $5… what would a $50 eBook look like? Say you have a $500 coaching package… what would a $5000 coaching package look like? This is where you can put your creative mind to work to flesh out the possibilities.

Step 3. Once you’ve really thought about what it would look like to add a zero to your offerings, turn your gaze onto your current offerings. You should be seeing them through new eyes. Do you see where you could improve your event, your product or your service? Do you see how you could really tweak what you offer to start the upward progress to a higher value? When you do, the sky’s the limit!

So what’s happened here is you’ve opened your mind to embracing the possibilities. You’ve stripped away some of your inhibitions and seen what could be possible with your own business. You’ve started thinking bigger… and your head has not exploded.

Do you see how you CAN add a zero?

Cass Mullane is an artist with an MBA. Cass’ calm, comfortable approach consistently yields positive results for clients. Her business and personal coaching practice, www.ProsperCreatively.com, specializes in delivering solid left brain business skills to right brainers and creatives in a fun, visual way. She’s a best selling author, textile and mixed media artist and creator of the Cool Stuff Jar™ coaching program. You can also visit Cass on Facebook!

May 12, 2015

Have lots o’ different passions? There’s nothing wrong w/ ya – you’re a Multipassionate. Don’t miss the mega 3-day sale

Being the creative person and/or a creative entrepreneur that you are, I bet you have a plethora of passions: perhaps art, writing, photography, knitting, and salsa dancing.

Maybe you dream of running a yoga studio in Costa Rica and in the same breath you can see yourself opening up a vegan bakery or writing your first mystery novel or designing high-fashion shoes.

You like to dabble in loads of creative projects and love to constantly learn new things.

If you feel like you can never “just pick one thing,” don’t you worry. Just because your best friend knew since she was five that she wanted to be a vet. Or your great aunt says, “Now what are you doing?!” when you sign up for yoga teacher training, it doesn’t mean that there is anything wrong with you.

In fact, when I look at the many wonderful creatives who’ve been part of my Right-Brain Entrepreneur Mentorship Program over the years, I see how many of them have multiple passions that they’ve beautifully blended together into a business that is authentic to them.

Here are a few ways to embrace your love of variety and make it work for you:

Spend less time worrying whether your latest interest is the “right” thing or merely a flash in the pan. Spend more time paying attention to whether it brings you JOY.
Be willing to let something go when it’s run its course. Ask yourself what did you gain from that experience. How did you grow? It may have nothing to do with the subject matter and all to do with your learning process.
Allow yourself to try new things and see what sticks. All to often people get caught up in the “deciding what to do” mode. They research and fantasize and wonder if they’ll like it or not when they could actually be out there experiencing it NOW. Pick one thing that you’re interested in and take action on that this week.
Use your right-brain to see the patterns or bigger picture that might tie all of your passions together. Write out of all your passions and interests on separate Post-It Notes. Or clip out magazine images that grab your attention. Group them together in ways that make sense to you. What threads do you notice? What various themes can you start to string together?
Simply enjoy your passions as hobbies. Just because you’re passionate about something and you’re creative entrepreneur doesn’t mean you have to turn every interest into a business idea. You can just enjoy it as a hobby or side project. Or you can find ways to have your interests inspire or influence your main moola-making method rather than add in a whole new income stream. For example, I’m a certified yoga instructor but I don’t teach yoga nor do I get paid from anything directly yoga related, however, yogic principles and practices inform my business approach and leadership style, so I’ve found a way to integrate that passion into my work indirectly.
Hang out with other Multi-Passionates. Find your tribe of creative souls who get what it’s like to have so many different interests. Instead of feeling like a freak who can never finish anything, you’ll feel understood and supported in your quest for variety.

When I first left my corporate job 9 years ago, I struggled to define what I did. How could I “market” myself if I couldn’t succinctly describe my business? I longed for a simple label that would capture everything I was up to… coaching, writing, art, yoga, painting, etc. Now, rather than confining myself to one thing, I embrace all of the facets that make up my life and career and that feels much more ME!

What are the many hats that you wear? What happens when you allow yourself to dabble with all of them? Be sure to check out the Multi-Passionate Must-Haves mega sale that’s going on May 12th-14th. You’ll get 26 products from 28 expert contributors worth $1,730 for only $97!!!!

April 21, 2015

You May Now Text Your Bride

Guest post by by Cass Mullane, Accountability Coach, Right-Brain Business Plan® Licensed Facilitator, Prosper Creatively, LLC

I attended a big wedding a little while ago. It was bright, exciting and uplifting. The venue was spectacular with gorgeous landscaping, a glittering lake, beautiful buildings and wonderful places to sit and appreciate the surroundings. The weather was a perfect blend of sunshine and gentle breezes.

The event room was simply breathtaking with gorgeous flowers, twinkling lights and a yummy color palette carried through the linens. When the meal came, the aromas were tantalizing and the presentation truly artful. The food itself was so delicious that my taste buds broke into a happy dance!

As I glanced around the room drinking in the amazing details and the event’s complete fabulosity, I saw something rather sad: practically every table had at least someone who had their nose buried in a mobile device. And I’m not talking kids… these were mostly adults who had disengaged.

How much time do you spend checking out the latest feed versus the amount of time you spend actually engaging with your surroundings? The positive impacts of being mindful and fully present are innumerable. For example:

• You’re able to listen to your own intuition
• You’re able to more fully connect with the people around you
• You’re less stressed by everyday inconveniences (like lines, traffic, kids howling, dogs barking, annoying coworkers, etc.)
• Your attention span increases
• You won’t miss out on what’s really going on around you
• You have more room in your head for the important stuff
• You can see beyond the obvious and below the surface (like tuning in to the friend who says “I’m fine” yet they really want to talk)
• You’re more likely to choose compassionate action
• You’ll have a clearer head and a clearer heart
• You’ll see a clearer direction for your business and your life
• You’ll actually chew your food and savor the flavors
• You can find out what the weather is by simply stepping outside
• You’ll notice a serious reduction in the number of ‘squirrels’ in your environment

Technology is full of marvelous tools whether it’s hardware like our phones, tablets and pads or the software like all the cool apps that tell us everything in an instant. But the thing to remember is that these are just tools to be pulled out and used when needed, then put away until the next time. After all, who is the master here, the tool or You?

There’s a big difference between actually experiencing the flower girl with the giggles dancing around the ballroom mimicking the petals falling to the ground and seeing it through the lens of someone’s smart phone.

So make a conscious choice to lift your head up, open your eyes, breathe deep and connect with the world around you.

“You may now text your bride”

Oh, and have your device contact my device… I’m out enjoying the sunshine!

Cass Mullane’s calm, comfortable approach consistently yields positive results for clients. Her business and personal coaching practice, www.ProsperCreatively.com, specializes in delivering solid left brain business skills to right brainers and creatives in a fun, visual way. She’s a best selling author, textile and mixed media artist and creator of the Cool Stuff Jar™ coaching program. You can also visit Cass on Facebook!

April 2, 2015

Beautifying the Mind

Guest post by licensed Right-Brain Business Plan® Facilitator Ho’omalamalama Brown

Meditation isn’t succumbing to the will of, “Whatever” it’s actually a trained skill. The ability to quiet the lizard brain takes time. I often hear people say that they don’t have time to meditate and I’m thinking, “How can you not?” It isn’t a luxury but rather a necessity.

The benefits aren’t as transparent but you will feel it over time.
● Learn to be still.
● Learn to focus inwardly.
● Learn to disconnect from distractions.
● Learn to reconnect with self.

I call this the 1-minute meditation because if I said anything more it might sound overwhelming. Taking small sections of a big idea is always helpful and causes less stress.

If you’re new to meditating or a seasoned professional you’ll feel the strength of stillness. Then as time passes you will be able to literally, “Know thyself.” The next time you find yourself standing at a crossroads you will instinctively know which way to turn. PEACE be the Journey.

Enlighten and brighten is the Hawaiian translation of Ho’omalamalama. As a performing artist and instructor of Polynesian culture Ho’o (ho-Oh) found her calling in the health and wellness realm. Today she extends that light into creative coaching utilizing the RBBP method, an effective way to help other creative entrepreneurs succeed. You can find Ho’o here: http://www.hoomalamalama.com/
Ho’o is one of our licensed Right-Brain Business Plan® Facilitators.

March 21, 2015

Week 2 Highlights from the 5th Annual Right-Brainers in Business Video Summit

Wow, the 5th (and most likely final) Right-Brainers in Business Video Summit has come and gone! We had a record turnout. Thousands of creative souls from all over the world gathered together to explore the question “What’s Next?” This is probably the last time I’m running this wildly popular event, so that inspired our theme of tuning into what’s truly next for you and your business.

Here are a few quotes from our vibrant chat room from our final day.

nevadamc: As I open my eyes I’m looking at my Big Vision board and it’s all coming true piece by piece! 🙂

Barbara: It’s time to step out from behind the scenes and show myself

andrewanzalone: Thank you so much to everyone!! You all have been such an important part of an incredible turning point in my life! Love you all <3 andrewanzalone: already having withdrawals lol Julie InJoy: feeling much better about getting out there and making it happen! Kiala Givehand RBBP AC: One thing I've learned from you Jenn is that it's okay NOT to know for now.

And as Kiala said in that last comment, YES, it is okay for you to not know exactly what’s next or how to get there. The important thing is to connect with your inner wisdom AND take the small steps forward that will give you clarity.

I’ve been modeling that throughout this whole summit and will continue to with the Premium group and folks in my Mentorship Program. I hope by seeing me and the summit speakers and spotlights walk the talk, that you’re inspired to… listen to your heart and go after what’s truly next for YOU!

Want to get a taste of what the event was like? You can watch the week 2 highlights video to see practical and inspiring tips from Sara Avant Stover, Katherine Carey, Tad Hargrave, Kate Northrup, Virginia Simpson-Magruder, Dr Eric Maisel, Sheila Pai, and SARK.

And good news, if you missed some of the summit… we’ve extended the final 3 replays. You can still catch up (or binge watch) through Monday, March 23rd 8pm PDT on these amazing sessions:

Kate Northrup best-selling author of Money: A Love Story who shared her secrets to achieving financial freedom. She even even got people excited to look at their bank statements with a practical and telling exercise. Plus live Show and Tell Spotlight Virginia Simpson-Magruder who was LIVE and in-person with me. You’re going to be motivated to get your own creative juices flowing after seeing all of her inspiring artwork and hearing about her studio, her altered books, and her first e-course that she recently launched. It’s wonderful to see our Mentorship peeps sharing their gifts with the world.
America’s foremost Creativity Coach Dr. Eric Maisel’s informative interview on how to get out of a meaning crises and how to quiet your racing brain. His thought-provoking perspectives sparked lots of light-bulb moments for our viewers about how to look at what’s next in their life and business. We also had our last Show and Tell Spotlight with Sheila Pai who shared her journey about writing and launching her book Nurturing You. She amazed people by how she’s able to run her business while raising two kids and holding down a full-time teaching job! Her secret is mindfulness!
And one of my all time creative sheroes SARK gave us simple yet powerful practices for getting in touch with our Inner Wise Self. This is something that has helped SARK accomplish all that she has in her life, work, relationships, finances, and more! We even all got to sing together! You don’t want to miss that! It was the perfect way to close out 5 amazing years of this event. Plus I shared a simple practice to help you tune into what’s next for you.

Sign-up here to catch these extended replays now before they’re gone!

Enjoy!

Next Posts Previous Posts