Image by Cass Mullane “What If You Could See Inside My Head?©”
Guest post by licensed Right-Brain Business Plan® Facilitator Cass Mullane

I’ve been working toward something for a long time… a professional studio space outside my home. It’s been on my vision board for several years… now it’s a reality! WOO HOO!!

So, now what?

First, I celebrate! I do a big happy dance in over 500 square feet of endless possibilities.

Next, I drop a fun note into my Cool Stuff Jar. This studio definitely rates really high on the Cool Stuff ‘o’ Meter!

Then, I could choose to bury myself in the details. After all, I have to figure out how to balance serving my clients and serving myself with the joy of making my own art. I have to figure out what to bring to the new studio and what to leave at home. I have to figure out how to do my coaching and my art in two different locations instead of simply walking across the hall. I have to figure out how to best market and sell artwork out of the studio. But, those are just the details. They’re the day to day activities that I’ll figure out as I go along.

Instead, I think what’s most important now is that I take a look at the big picture and think about what’s next. Now that I’ve achieved the Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) of opening a studio, I need to decide what the next BHAG is that I can put on my Vision Board!

Many of us have vision boards that we’ve created over the years. But how many of us keep them up to date? This is a critical step that is easily overlooked in the day to day running of our businesses and our lives.

Our vision boards are visual representations of what we’d like to have, to be and to do in our lives. Why would we want to keep old words and images on them? Our brains work on what we feed them to work on, including the visual stimulus from our vision boards.

So here’s my challenge to you: Dust off your vision board and bring it up to date. Cover up the old words and images with current ones. Make sure it still represents your big vision for yourself and for your life. Who knows, it may be time to create a whole new vision board. Or if you have not yet created a vision board, now’s the time to do it!

Obviously you can make a vision board by yourself, but why not choose to do it with some of your friends or peers and make it a fun event. Not only will you get your vision board created and updated, you’ll have some built in accountability from the other people in your group.

So what’s my next BHAG? Publish The Cool Stuff Jar, and tour the world spreading happiness, creativity, abundance , gratitude and good business practices, of course!
Cheers!

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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. Cass is is one of our licensed Right-Brain Business Plan® Facilitators.”

Name:  Bindi Shah
Company Name:  Anamaya – Life Coaching, Ayurveda, Meditation
Website: www.anamaya.net
Blog: http://www.anamaya.net/Blog/
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/AnamayaLifeCoaching
Twitter handle: @bindishah

Note from Jenn: Bindi Shah is one of the Shining Stars in my current mentorship program and participated in last year’s Cohort Circle where I got to know just how sweet, caring, and wise this inspirational coach and meditation teacher is. Her voice is so soothing you will love listening to any of her meditations. We just has our first 1:1 coaching call yesterday and I’m so excited about what is unfolding for her. You can “meet” her and some fellow returning mentorship cohorts on this recent video chat panel

What is your business and what makes your business unique?

My business name Anamaya encompasses what I do. It is a Sanskrit word meaning health, well-being & happiness and this is what I bring to my clients, myself and my business. I have been teaching meditation since 2003, first as part of yoga classes and now as classes in their own right, allowing people to discover a deeper, spiritual, beautiful place within themselves. It is from this place within, that I include the life coaching element of my business and allow my clients to achieve their goals and dreams without losing sight of their inner awareness, values and self.

How has the Right-Brain Business Plan® helped you? What is different for you and your business after approaching planning in a creative, visual way?

Discovering the Right-Brain Business Plan last year helped me fall in love with my business again. Working through the book re-connected me to my values and I then allowed my business to flourish from a place of my values. I was stuck in a very corporate like approach to marketing – going to networking meetings which weren’t for me and where most businesses seemed to think of others as competition. It just didn’t feel right for my meditation classes and life-coaching approach. The Right-Brain Business Plan allowed me to work on my business in a creative way; it made the planning and marketing fun and an underlying philosophy is collaboration rather than competition, which made the process less corporate and more friendly. Ultimately more me! I love the way I get to be creative, do fun things, have lots of time for self care and still be running a business.

What goals (big or small) on your business plan have you already accomplished or have made progress on?

This is my second Right-Brain Business Plan and I created this one for my on-line group coaching circle. As the coaching circle is yet to launch, the plan has made me realize the structure of the coaching circle and my ideal client for the group. My bigger vision was all about the vision of the coaching circle. I want people to leave the process feeling free and light, so I have a lot of pictures of people with their arms out. I have also added a self-care portion to the bigger vision, to remind myself to achieve my business goals and look after myself. I have definitely made progress on my bigger vision of the group coaching circle and am looking forward to launching it.

How do you use your creative intuition in your work?

I use my creative intuition all the time in my business. I move into my heart chakra when I am drawing, writing or painting and receive insight for classes, life coaching sessions and ideas for products. I write as much down as I can and when it feels right to start with an idea, I do. I find that when I work intuitively I always do my best and it is always right for me and for my clients and students.

Is there anything you’d like to share about your Right-Brain Business Plan® in terms of what it’s made out of or how you made it?

I used an index card box for my Right-Brain Business Plan. As the plan is for my group coaching circle, my intention is to have it to hand during the calls and to use it to store teaching topics and notes on participants. So a business plan which is used all the time. The outside of the box is my bigger vision and then I have used the index cards to write or collage my values, passion & purpose proclamation and moola affirmations. I have put my business self-portrait on the inside of the box, so that as soon as I open the lid that is the first thing I see. I have also written a love note to my perfect client for the group coaching circle.

What’s your big vision for your business?

My big vision for my business is to empower others to live the life they dream of. The vision I have for the group coaching circle is that people are empowered to break free from the cages they find themselves in. They learn to dance with joy, embrace life and be happy.

What advice do you have for other creative entrepreneurs?

I would love other creative entrepreneurs to try out a visual, creative business plan and not get stuck into having to do a corporate one. There is a wonderful community of creatives here to help you on your way, to support you and allow you to bring your gifts to the world in a way which feels right for you. You can definitely do what you love and make it into a business and what is even better, is that it will be a FUN business.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

You don’t need to do it alone. Often as solopreneurs we feel we have to do everything by ourselves. Come and connect with the beautiful, creative, heart-based community which Jennifer Lee has created and reach out for cohorts to help you with what you don’t know and receive support for your business and your life.

Creative Resources

Click here  for more information about Bindi Shah. She was also part of the Video Chat Panel  with Jenn and other Creative Cohorts.

There’s still room for you in our Cohort Circle before doors close on June 17th.

Join Bindi and more cohorts in the Right-Brain Entrepreneur Mentorship Program.

Want to create your own Right-Brain Business Plan®? The Right-Brain Business Plan® Kit includes supplies to make your own accordion book style visual business plan.

For more support with developing your RBBP, check out the Right-Brain Business Plan® Home Study program.

In my Right-Brain Entrepreneur Mentorship Program, I’m always encouraging my cohorts to take risks and try something new to help them move forward in their business. So I modeled that today by trying out some new technology to host a video chat panel with some of my returning cohorts. (Please note that the audio is not ideal but hey, we gave it ago and I’m proud of that!). And here’s the chat log – thanks to Kitty Bucholtz one of our other returning Cohorts for capturing it for us!

Our new Cohort Circle kicks-off this coming Monday, June 10th and I wanted to showcase some of the awesome people who will be part of the program.

There’s still room for you! If you’ve been struggling to take your creative business to the next level and you know that having hands-on expert guidance will make all the difference, come join our circle. Plus, you’ll get to connect with and be supported by the following inspiring Cohorts who were featured in the panel along with a positive, caring, and intimate community of fellow Right-Brain Entrepreneurs who want you to succeed.

Amy Christensen is a certified life coach with a passion for adventure and helping women discover and tap into their own adventurous spirits. Based in Boulder, CO, her company, Expand Outdoors, focuses on helping women get outside literally and metaphorically: to step outside their comfort zones, take more risks (the healthy kind) and live a richer, more fulfilling, active, adventurous life.

Beth Barany is a Creativity Coach for Writers, helping authors with big visions write, publish, and market their books. What’s your big vision? To get started, get her Free Writer’s Motivation Mini-Course at www.bethbarany.com.

Bindi Shah has been teaching meditation for 10 years and uses it as a major technique in her life coaching to allow people to achieve their dreams and goals while keeping true to their inner selves. For more information, meditations you can download and to connect with Bindi see www.anamaya.net.

Lou Shackleton (a.k.a. “Danger Lou”) is the Director of Opportunities at The You Can Hub, a non-profit community organization in the UK, and she is the creator of Danger Lou who battles the Robot of Mediocrity. Watch Lou’s super-creative Danger Lou video here.

Tammi Spruill, entrepreneur and owner of Fruition Creative Studio, creator of the Fruition Branding System and now focusing on helping start a BRANDvolution™, works with entrepreneurs who want to call attention to the things in branding that will pop and get you the second look. She helps them have all the key elements they need and moves them from ‘shame’ or ‘disconnect’ to light and forward movement in business because their brand speaks life. Tammi is also our Circle Coach who helps hold accountability in our private group every week.

Grab your spot today! The early-bird ends on Monday, June 10th so act now to lock in the most affordable rates. If you have any questions, please send them to my team at info @ artizencoaching .com.

P.S. – If you want to watch my free no-cost Embracing Ease video class which I mention in this panel interview, you can sign-up to access the replay here.

Guest post by licensed Right-Brain Business Plan® Facilitator Ane Axford

Raise your hand if you have an unfinished project that you think about daily? I see a lot of hands.

I find that these projects fall into one of these categories ::

1. Projects you don’t actually want to do, but think you should.
2. Projects you really want to do, but are waiting on perfection.
3. Projects you will do, but now is really not the time for them.

Sometimes we can have an idea about what our business “should” be, or what a “successful” business is. We may see others doing things that seem to work for them and we think we should be doing it too. Other times, there may be things that others seem to want from us that we don’t actually want to give. There can be many reasons we should ourselves into project planning, but then the motivation really isn’t there and then this project just festers inside and we carry that around with us. The easiest thing to do with something you “should” do is to drop it. If you discovered you were carrying around a rotting banana that you didn’t want to eat 3 weeks ago, you would just toss it out. You wouldn’t waste time figuring out why you didn’t eat it or how you can eat it now. It’s gross and you would throw it out. Easy.

Projects that you really want to do can become rotten too. Have you ever had something tasty that went bad because you were waiting until you had the perfect pairing to go with it? Perhaps it was a delicious avocado that you were waiting to make into the perfect guacamole once you got the rest of the ingredients. Day after day, that avocado became inedible because it wasn’t used fresh. Then you just had to throw it out. With your business, you may have a product or service you want to offer but are waiting until it can be perfect. I recommend that if you have something delicious to serve, then choose the simplest way to do it right now. Rather than looking at the biggest, most complex way, consider the least amount you would need to make it go. Use what you already have in your kitchen or what you can get quickly. Use something pre-made rather than custom. Use simple ingredients rather than a complex process. Serve it up and offer it with delicious simplicity. Easy.

And, for those projects that sound appealing but you already know you can’t do today, put them in the freezer right away so they won’t rot. Create a document that you can list future ideas in so that you can stop thinking about them until the time is right. Keep them fresh until you’re ready to thaw them out for use. Easy.

Fresh food for your body that feeds it where it is now, and fresh ideas for your business that feed it where it is now. Let it be easy to offer something fresh.

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Ane Axford is a licensed psychotherapist, clinical hypnotist, and highly sensitive CEO of sensitive + thriving, Inc. She utilizes holistic lifestyle services to serve those who have the genetic trait of high sensitivity in thriving wherever they may be, from struggling to leading with sensitivity. Ane is of our licensed Right-Brain Business Plan® Facilitators.

Guest post by licensed Right-Brain Business Plan® Facilitator Amy Egenberger

What have you noticed about the rhythm of your own creative energy? As creative entrepreneurs, we seem to have lots of choice about when we do what.

So, how do we learn best to honor cycles and timing of our creative efforts?

Unfortunately, there is no unique calendar or timepiece you can buy to tell you exactly when to act, when to move, when to rest and when to be still. And frankly, as creative folks, we might object to such a regimented schedule. We prefer to go with the flow and see what happens, right?

Right. We like to trust our own pacing. And yet, we can benefit from expanding our sense for right-timing, even if it seems less than convenient.

This is the challenge of a creative entrepreneur. In charge of her own schedule for the most part, many days are designed, planned or happen with many possibilities available. “How will I spend my time?” is a constant question that recognizes the only-so-many-hours-in-a-day reality. It’s a challenge. But what if we switch up the question?

If we ask, “What is it time for now?,” how might your day unfold differently? This question itself opens up more ways to be present and honor your creative cycles and timing.

In addition to allowing intuition to respond to what is needed in any given moment, I’m learning to notice other cycles, big and small scale, that also play a role. Seasons, astrological patterns, school calendars and such can all seem way too much to calculate, let alone coordinate. I agree. And yet, paying attention to what all is happening can help inform your choices. When to offer a class, when to launch your new website, when to send out your newsletter… these are all questions of timing that you want to schedule for best results.

Cycles help us plan, anticipate rhythms and find the sweet spot for our energy. Work steadily when you are able, rest when you need to. Sometimes we learn that best from what doesn’t work because, really, we can’t get right-timing right every single time. We can, however, get better at it.

What cycles do you want to better synchronize with so that you experience the vitality of the creative flow even more? Sometimes we need to let go and slow down. Sometimes we need to speed up. Take a moment to write down what cycles you are aware of that impact your business, your energy. Seasonal trends, purchasing patterns, or cycles of personal energy levels, for example, may come into play. What annual, monthly, weekly or daily patterns matter to your creative work?

Here are a few pointers for honoring your creative rhythms:
1. Ask, “What is it time for now?”
2. Keep your mind, heart and body tuned to guide you.
3. Learn from what works and what doesn’t, and embrace the mystery of it all.
4. Listen to your own best wisdom.

It’s time for something in your creative journey. What is it?

Making way for creative action, Amy Egenberger, MEd., CPCC, is proud to be a Licensed Facilitator of the Right Brain Business Plan®. She is a seasoned educator, life coach, artist and founder of Spirit Out! Coaching. Amy helps people find the courage and clarity to get moving on their creative path. A book, a business, a project, a change… your creative spirit gets out! Amy is one of our licensed Right-Brain Business Plan® Facilitators.