I’m typing this post to you from a lovely two-bedroom suite at the Hyatt Pinion Point in Sedona Arizona.  It’s beautiful, elegant, natural, relaxing and great Feng Shui around here.  Tomorrow we’re going to shoot some video in the morning and we’ll probably go hang out in the vortexes.  It’ll be interesting to see if I feel anything while I’m there.

It was about five hour drive down here through quite a bit of rain but it looks like it’ll be a gorgeous day tomorrow.

As I’m sitting here on the terrace with sultry summer breezes, overlooking an inky dark sky filled with stars I’m reflecting on what it took to get to this spot.  This is actually our celebration and reward for a successful “Occupy Your Life… NOW!” workshop last month. 

If I’m going to be honest – there was some galloping chutzpah involved.  I always tell people at my workshops, my webinars and my private mentoring clients that it takes getting out of your comfort zone to get to where you want to be.  After all, if the way you are right now was exactly what you need to have your defininition of success – you’d be there by now, right? 

Just makes sense.

I’ve discovered is you can’t hide out if you want to be successful.  There is a notion in some circles that “I don’t have to sell to get sales.”  There’s a belief among some people that, “I can keep being quiet and stay in my comfort zone and charge top dollar for what I do because people will be attracted to me according to law of attraction principles.” 

I believe those principles.  In fact my business partner and friend Stacey Hall who wrote the bestselling, “Attracting Perfect Customer: the Power of Strategic Synchronicity” is here with me.  We believe in attracting what you want – but please don’t cotton to lovely however false idea that you can skip everything about marketing and business strategy and still get there.  The Universe works in amazing ways – but not quite like that. 

Many people find this hard to believe because I’m known as a speaker, a trainer and a motivator – but at my core I really am an introvert.  That means I re-charge my batteries when I’m alone.  I’m most comfortable in my own skin when I’m writing or doing something either solitary of with just one other special person – probably Ernie, my husband, or a close friend.

To manifest where I’m at right now I had to speak into my greatness.  I had to be willing to claim it.  I had to be willing to say in a bold way that I’m capable of helping people make some pretty incredible positive transformations in their lives and in their business. That means knowing me and really seeing who I am as a magnificent person with powerful gifts to share with the people who want to receive them. 

I know I’m good at what I do.  You probably know you’re good at what you do, too.  But there’s a very good chance you’re waiting for others to discover it with out you saying a word. 

Many years ago Woody Allen famously said, “Eighty percent of life is just showing up.” 

Are you showing up for you?

There’s so much noise, confusion and caccaphony out there – showing up in a way so the right people notice and start paying attention (that’s what marketing is all about) is a challenging job for any small business owner.  I’ll be honest – its not the most comfortable easy thing that I do.  However, when I step outside my comfort zone and into “the puke zone” and say what needs to be said and speak my truth loud and strong – I always get positive results. 

Take an honest assessment of yourself and your true desire to achieve your definition of success.  Are you willing?  Or, is your intention to keep visualizing and meditating on what you want without taking the action steps required to get there.  If you’re not willing to get out of your comfort zone – it certainly doesn’t make you a bad person.  But maybe it’s time to stop kidding yourself about how you’re going to create what you say you want. 

Can you get there by just giving to others?  I’m sorry, nope.  There must be a fair exchange of value.  Money is an exchange of value.  Barter is an exchange of value – but you must see value in what another person is offering to agree to it. 

Norman Vincent Peale said, “Help enough other people to get what they want and you’ll get what you want.”  I do believe in Karma and that what goes around comes around.  But if you don’t clearly state what it is that you want - you won’t get it.  People will give back but it may not be what you need and want to create the success you’ve been visualizing for so long. 

Every now and then I’ll see an award given.  Someone is given a plaque of appreciation for tireless, selfless work on behalf of others. These never seem to be bold people.  People will whisper, “She’s the nicest person.  Always giving and never asks for anything in return.” Nice.  That’s like telling the Universe, “No, please, stop.  I don’t want anything.”  The Universe says yes to our most dominant desire.  Giving, giving, giving is a great way to receive appreciation and a moment onstage – but will it give you the success and the life you want? 

Be honest now.  *smile*