How my health, finances (& whole life) improved when I left my ‘safe’ job and started my own business

• I believe one of the best ways to ensure we are happy and healthy is to get paid to do what we love.

• Some find happiness in a job and others - like you and me - actually create that role in the form of a business. For us it’s a way to experience true joy in our lives.

• I’m on a mission to inspire as many women as possible to turn their dream business into reality and to dispel the myth that:

Having a job = security

and

Running a business = risk

I learnt the hard way that the opposite is in fact true for me.

Most of my family and friends found their ‘thing’ in the form of a job and are very happy and definitely in their Zone of Genius. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for me.

I thought there must be something wrong with me. I wondered why my job was making me so ill and unhappy. I couldn’t understand why I had this longing for something else and why a black cloud hovered over the weekdays but would lift at the weekends. 

I worked in a primary school, and although I was graded an outstanding teacher and loved being with the children, I couldn’t help but wish for something else. Most of the other teachers were exhausted too so I thought that was just what happened when you grew up and got a job.

I’d crawl to the weekends and count down the days to the next holiday.

I started considering alternatives, but fear and doubt took over. I’d only studied teaching at university. I couldn’t think how else I could use my skills. I didn’t think I even HAD any other skills.

Plus I thought starting a business was a ‘risk’. So I ignored the quiet whisper telling me there was something else out there.

As the months went by, crippling fatigue consumed me and much of my salary was spent trying to regain my health. In 2004, my body decided enough was enough and I ended up in hospital. I came out in a wheelchair diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Even after all that, I STILL continued to ignore that voice. I did all I could to regain my health and managed to build myself up to working full-time again and then...

BAM.

I lost my job.

Then my boyfriend dumped me (10 weeks after buying me an engagement ring!).

I had to move back in with my parents - not what I was hoping for at 28.

With nothing left to lose, I started a business.

What I didn’t expect was how much my health would improve as I started doing more of what I loved. It felt like I had a new lease of life.

When all of those things happened I thought life must really hate me. What I now realise is that if we go down the wrong path, our body will do whatever it can to make us aware. Gut-feelings are there to guide us and if we don’t listen, the clues get much louder.  

I dread to think where I’d be now if life hadn’t taken over like that. I wouldn’t be running an international coaching business that fills me with energy and excitement or be in a wonderful relationship with an incredible man

While it’s not easy running a business, it’s certainly not as risky as people make it out to be. You know what’s riskier? Remaining in a job that sucks the life and soul out of you.

Along the way I’ve learn to listen to, trust and follow my gut, even if I don’t know what it has in store for me.

IF YOU HAVE THE DESIRE TO START A BUSINESS THEN YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF (AND THOSE YOU LOVE) TO LISTEN AND MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

“Musicians must make music, artists must paint, poets must write if they are to be ultimately at peace with themselves. What human beings can be, they must be.”

— Abraham Maslow.

Just like introverts need to have their own space to recharge, some people NEED to become an entrepreneur in order to express themselves fully. Otherwise we wilt.

A lot of fear comes up when we think about running our own business. Whether you have a business dream you’d love to make a reality, or own a business and want to quit your 9-5, here are 5 reasons why running a business (that you love) is actually far SAFER than remaining in a job (you hate):

1) Improved health

When we love what we do, we’re more passionate and filled with energy. This invigorates our body. It’s been proven that the happier we are the healthier we are. Did you know that more people have a heart attack at 9am on a Monday morning than any other time of the week? Coincidence? I think not.

2) Earning potential

Money: the area that freaks people out the most when thinking about running a business.

I want to reassure you that with the right mindset and business structures in place, you can actually earn a lot more as an entrepreneur than in your ‘secure’ job. I get paid more in 1 hour working with a client than I used to in a whole day as a teacher. There is no ceiling to how much you can make when you’re the boss, unlike many industries that are capped even if you make it to the top.

3) No sudden redundancies

If your workplace makes cuts there’s no guarantee that your hard work will help you stay.

4) Better work-life balance

Once you’ve established your business, you can take time off when you want/need to. No more asking permission to take a holiday or go to the dentist.

5) Better relationships

Nobody wants to come home from a hard day at work and be a grouch to those they love.

As Charles Handy said: “We have a chance to shape our work to suit the way we live instead of our lives to fit our work...We would be mad to miss the chance.”

I now help other women to make their dream of running a business a reality.

I hope my story gives you - the woman who has BIG dreams of running a business - the motivation to get out there and make it happen.

Permission to get paid to do what you love...GRANTED!

Where are you on your journey? Are you in a 9-5 that sucks the life and soul out of you? Have you pursued what you love and started your own business? What have you noticed as a result of that? 

Emma

---

I’m a primary school teacher turned entrepreneur. I love helping other women - just like you - to create businesses that enable them to get paid to do what you LOVE. 

Are You Sabotaging Your Success?

Have you ever found yourself saying you want something, for example to lose a few lbs, and then suddenly you're craving (and eating!) chocolate like it's going out of fashion? Or perhaps you seem to go out of your way to NOT care for yourself?

This is SELF-Sabotaging

Self-sabotaging behaviour occurs when we say we want something but then we seem to (subconsciously) do whatever we can to make sure it doesn't happen. We all get in our own way occasionally but the problem arises when we do it repeatedly.

I see this pattern in so many of my clients and I can easily fall into these habits too, unless I am careful.

Examples of self-sabotage:

•     procrastinating on something that we know would benefit us
•     overeating when we have decided to improve our diet
•     quitting when the going gets tough
•     spending too much time planning rather than taking ACTION
•     driving people away or starting an argument

WHY do we self-sabotage?

It all starts in your subconscious mind: this part of our brain is more advanced than any computer in the world.

When we experience pain - whether physical or emotional - our mind searches even harder for the cause of the pain. It locks onto that and remembers the cause (even if you don't) and then it does everything it can to stop you moving towards that pain ever again.

Clever, huh?

Our brain is designed to move us towards pleasure also, however, it will always do more to avoid pain!

Therefore, we can never succeed at anything if we simultaneously link pain and pleasure to the same thing.

When I realised this is was a huge light-bulb moment.

One of the greatest fears in life is to be rejected by others. Our subconscious mind will therefore avoid any situation where we could be rejected. This can include: not talking to someone we are attracted to; not starting a new business we have a longing for in case "they" criticise; not asking for a promotion.

Enter the extraordinarily effective behaviour of SELF-SABOTAGE!

We go into fight and flight or...FREEZE. We put things off. We put our heads in the sand rather than face something that feels unpleasant.

Our subconscious mind is not the "evil monster" people believe it to be: it really is on our side. It just doesn't realise that its limiting behaviour is actually causing us agony and frustration.

Causes:

•     Fear of change
•     Fear of success
•     Low self-esteem

It results from a misguided attempt to keep ourselves SAFE. Our mind is trying to rescue us from our own negative feelings.

Sadly, in life we will come across people who will happily tell us exactly what they think. Haters are always going to hate! I have someone in my life who seems to enjoy belittling whatever I do. For a long time I would let the fear of people like him hold me back. I stood in my own way to avoid any perceived "treat". When we fear an attack then understandably our brain will do whatever it can to prevent this.

---

4 ways to prevent your self-saboteur rearing its head?

1) Awareness

Become a keen observer of the critical statements that run through your mind that might be causing you the fear: these are what lead to the self-sabotaging behaviour. For example if you want to lose weight but in your head you are thinking of all the months ahead that will consist of nothing but rabbit food and starvation, then clearly your subconscious is not going to be too thrilled by the idea.

2) Know that it is very common behaviour

Many of us will at least occasionally do something to prevent change. After all, our brains are designed to keep the status quo. It really helped me to understand this so I didn't feel like such a 'loser' when I seemed to be putting obstacles in my way. Again: awareness is the key to all change.

3) Reassure Yourself

As Brad Yates says: self-sabotage is misguided self-love. Our brain thinks it is doing the best for us. It is therefore OUR responsibility to take back the control. You wouldn't seek advice on major decisions from a child would you? But this is essentially what you are doing whenever you let your actions (or lack of them!) become governed by your emotions. Speak nicely to yourself; reassure your fearful self.

4) Change what you link pain and pleasure to

You now know that it's your brain stepping in and obstructing you because it is linking more pain than pleasure to the change you want to make. So, you need to change the balance - you need to dial down the pain and amp up the pleasure. Let me show you how...

Take the example of applying for a new job.
Write out what you link pain to e.g.

•     I might not get it.
•     I could be rejected.
•     I'll look stupid.

List the negative thoughts that come up.

Next turn that into pleasure: e.g.

•     I'll get interview experience.
•     I'll be taking action towards my goal.
•     No one can make me feel stupid - only I have that power.
•     I am more than good enough for the role.
•     I will be so proud of myself for stepping outside my comfort zone.
•     And so on...

Every time you think of the change you want to make (apply for a new job in this case) you need to remind yourself of all the pleasure associated with it.

Have a go. Choose something that you have been stalling on and turn all the negatives (pain) into the positive (pleasure) and see how different you feel.

---

Your thoughts control your feelings

Your feelings control your actions

Your actions control your behaviour

If you just try to change your behaviour, you won't get very far - that's just a symptom. To really change your behaviour you have to change your feelings and that starts with reprogramming the way you talk to your self - your thoughts!

They are YOUR thoughts and you are free to change them! Yes, really!

So, what have you been putting off? Are you in FREEZE mode? Write a list of 5 things you know you could do that would transform your life from where it is to where you want to be.

I'd love to hear your comments in the box below.

And as always, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to send me an email and ask away.
Much love,
Emma xx

Embracing Your Uniqueness

This is my personal story about how my relationship with not only myself but with men changed after I overcame my need to be accepted by others. I've had a couple of serious relationships but I'm a different person to who I used to be and therefore I want different things from a relationship and in a man than I used to.

All of my adult-life I've worked with either children or women so the chances of meeting someone at work were slim-to-none! Back in 2007, after a 6 year relationship ended, I tried Internet dating. I met some really lovely people and had two relationships which lasted over 2 years, but I wanted more. I knew I was holding back. I knew that I was after something different. I wasn’t being fully ME. I didn't feel "safe" to be myself.

If you have ever felt like you wear a “mask” then you'll know what I mean. If you've ever suffered with low self-esteem then you will know what I mean.

When I was a little girl my parents used to call me Emma Quite Contrary after the book:

As I got older, instead of just being myself, I tried to fit into what I thought was “normal”. What a dangerous slippery slope that was! I wasn't even doing it consciously: I had (unknowingly) totally lost sight of who I was.

Having done a lot of personal development, I had not only gained the confidence I had always craved but clarity on the type of relationship I wanted. I felt ready.

It was time to embrace my uniqueness. I'm quirky. I'm Emma Quite Contrary. Over these last few years I have not only learned to accept this but to embrace it.

So in August 2014, I decided to go back to online dating.

I want to share one paragraph I wrote on my Match.com profile:

"I don't even believe in star signs, so I hate to admit that I appear to be a true Gemini - the twins! I like creature comforts but loved travelling around Thailand with nothing but a backpack and spare change. I find the glitz of city lights just as appealing as being in my wellies walking through puddles in a forest; nights out drinking cocktails delight me as much as sipping green juice on a mountain top. For me, variety really is the spice of life."

You see, I AM contrary and I need that in my life. It's who I am. I believe many of us are.

Here are some of my contrasting needs:

• I crave parties and solitude
• I'm a wannabe veggie (I rarely eat meat) but my favourite meal is my Dad's Thai Chilli Beef Salad
• I am serious and a big kid
• I need summer and winter
• I love 5* hotels and camping
• I enjoy action-packed thrillers as much as slushy romcoms
• Cars don't interest me yet I bought my dream sports car last year
• I hate being cold, however, I must have an Arctic temperature bedroom at night

I am a mass of contradictions and I wouldn't have it any other way.

And guess what?

That's exactly what my wonderful boyfriend is like too. He totally accepts me for who I am. I have no idea what the future holds for the two of us but I do know that I am not prepared to "dilute" myself like I used to.

Whilst it is, of course, wonderful to have someone who accepts me for all of my quirks, I have learnt that it is far more important to love and accept myself. I feel so much more content.

Give yourself the ultimate gift: gain clarity on who you are then connect with and fully EMBRACE every part.

What part of you have you been covering up? What are your quirks? What makes you unique? Dig deep to find them and then delight in these – they are what makes you YOU!

Until next time, get quirky, get unique!

Emma xx

Photo credit: Pinterest

EMERGENCY GUIDE TO BODY CONFIDENCE

I have been so touched by the candid responses to my Body Confidence Survey. Thank you to everyone who completed it. 

Here are some of the results so far:

Question: How does your body image hold you back in life?

• 86% Notice only negative things in the mirror;
• 80% Criticise their body regularly;
• 79% Constantly compare themselves to others;
• 64% Feel generally miserable when they think about their body;
• 58% Find it hard to accept compliments;
• 57% Are body-conscious in social situations;
• 50% Hate shopping for clothes;
• 36% Wish they had a more exciting wardrobe but don't have the confidence to "pull it off";
• 35% Are self-conscious in front of their partner;
• 29% Say it affects their sex life;
• 15% Skip events because they don’t think they look good enough;

Question:  How would you sum up how you feel about your body? (Here are just a few of the responses)

• "Imperfect. Disgusting." 
• "Gross, sad, ugly"
• "Disappointed, unhealthy, wobbly, blobby, fat"
• "Inelegant & clumsy"
• "Depressed"
• "Embarrassed"
• "Fed up. Dejected. Demotivated"
• "Fat and unattractive"
• "Disappointed. Old. Aged. Frustrated"
• “Some days we're friends but more often than not me and my body are barely pals, it tries to get me to like it but some days it's just not going to happen."
• "Unhappy, frustrated, unattractive"
• "Could be improved!"

This makes me so sad but I also get it! I used to feel all these things too. Today, I want to share my mindset tips for instantly feeling better about yourself and the way you look, especially if you have a social event you've been dreading!! 

HERE IS MY '6 STEP EMERGENCY MINDSET GUIDE FOR GETTING BODY-CONFIDENCE FAST!'

1 :: THINK OF YOUR 95 YEAR OLD SELF

When you’re 95 will you care what you looked like? Will you be wishing you'd been thinner, taller or prettier? Or will you wish you'd just had more fun in your life? 

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain

2 :: STOP WAITING FOR YOUR ‘REAL LIFE’ TO START

How often do we say: “When I look _____, I’ll feel happier.” Sorry to spoil the ending for you but you won’t! Harsh but true. Stop putting your life on hold. Live now. This is your life - right here, right now!

When you reach your ideal weight you won’t feel any more confident unless you work on the real issue.

Which leads me on to the next point...

3 :: YOUR BODY CONFIDENCE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR ACTUAL BODY!!!

It's all between the temples!

Yep! That's right. Your level of body confidence is all mindset.

We all know people who don't see their beauty. I've worked with many teens and adults who tell me how disgusting different parts of their bodies are. I literally don't see it! I don't get what they find so repulsive about themselves. That made me realise that perhaps I too was being far too critical of my own appearance.

There are people out there in the world who'd love to have YOUR hair face, nose, eyes, teeth, boobs, stomach, arms, bum, leg etc. 

4 :: ZOOM OUT!

When we look at ourselves it becomes far too easy to focus on the parts we dislike. Instead take a step back and ‘zoom out’. Look at yourself as a whole package rather than just the areas you dislike. Then highlight your favourite features.

5 :: YOU'RE SOOOO MUCH MORE THAN YOUR APPEARANCE!

When you think about what you love about your best friend, mum or sister I can pretty much guarantee it has very little to do with their appearance. We don’t like and love people just because of their outer shell. We love them for who they are. Remember that. People at the social gathering want to be with you because of YOU and not because of the way you look.

6:: USE THE F-WORD

And no, I’m not talking about 'FAT'.

Do you want to go to the social gathering? If not, why? You need a reason better than: “I don’t like the way I look.” Or “I have nothing to wear.” Trust me, you’re going to feel a heck of a lot worse if you stay at home because you feel unattractive than if you get your gladrags on, pour yourself a glass of wine and say: “F@#k it, I’m going to have fun tonight.”

Give these a try and let me know how you get on, I'd love to hear from you. 
 

Emma  XX

P.S. Wondering how you can transform the relationship you have with your body? I've created a BODY CONFIDENCE course just for you. Find out more here.

INSPIRING BUSINESS DREAMS: HAIRDRESSING

This is the 2nd in my 'Inspiring Interview' series and I'm delighted to feature a very talented and highly driver woman: Nina Warden. 

I'll leave you to soak up the wisdom she has to share from running her own hairdressing business for the last 4 years. 

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule, Nina. Please tell us what it is that you do:

I own a hair and beauty business and I help busy women feel beautiful. We all know how much better we feel when our hair is done or we have a tan and my passion is helping busy ladies that are juggling work/family life, by providing a salon service in the comfort of their own home.

What do you love about what you do?

I love making women feel good about themselves, actually no, I love making women feel amazing about themselves. I think there is a lot of pressure on women to look a certain way and I think our world is becoming even more this way from what we see and read in the media. We can all be so self critical and my mission is to give women the confidence they deserve, not only by looking good, but feeling it too.

What were you doing before?

Before starting my business I was managing a large salon and had done for two years. Prior to that I worked in HR for a large corporate company.

What made you choose this business?

The hair and beauty industry is so fast paced and I wanted a career that I'd always be able to learn more. Being a hairdresser and spray tan therapist allows me to constantly learn new techniques and I can truly say I love what I do. My husband said to me a few months back, "I think what you do is really special." I was of course touched by his comment, but asked him what he meant. He replied and said "You have the power to not only change how someone looks, but how they feel to and I just think that must be a really amazing feeling"
I had never really thought about it in this way before, but he was so right, it is an amazing feeling and that is exactly why I love what I do.

Do you run your business full-time, part-time or alongside a 9-5?

Full-time for the last four years.

How does your Dream Business reflect your gifts, strengths and personality?!

I like to think of my business like a stick of rock, if you cut through the middle, you'd see my personality running through it. My branding is me, with a strong identity and I'm really proud of that. I like to think it makes people feel relaxed and warm because they get to see the real person behind the brand.

I think one of my strengths is organisation, which does really help when running a business as everything you see, is created and done by me.  Whether that's my website content, my monthly blog or my social media content. A lot of time and energy goes into that, to reflect what I'm about. I love to share beauty tips on my Facebook page or quotes that I think will resonate with my clients. I love that I have the freedom to create anything I want to and that no day is ever the same.

What was the biggest obstacle/s (physical, emotional or financial) you had to overcome?

Back in 2013 when I was first starting out, I remember feeling so strange when everyone was going back to work after Christmas and I wasn't. It felt super exciting, but so scary all at the same time. But at that point the reality was, I wasn't employed anymore. I had no job and no wages coming in! I had no clients! So I worked my butt off to get my name out there, to connect with people. But it wasn't easy, one of the biggest things I had to overcome was fear. Fear of being visible in my business and this is something that I continue to work on even now, almost 4 years on. People won't just find you, you have to work consistently to find them.

How different is your life now to what it was before?

Oh completely different. I used to come home from the salon and feel completely drained, stressed and frustrated. In fact so much so, it was beginning to make me ill.
But now, I love spending my days working with my clients 1:1 or creating new things for my business that will offer my clients great value.
I continue to fall in love with my business everyday and I genuinely count myself very lucky for having such amazing clients to share it all with. Don't get me wrong, my days are long and I always have so much to do, not just in my business but on it as well, but I wouldn't swap it for where I used to be, not in a million years.

If you knew then what you know now what advice would you give your former self, as you embarked on creating/starting your business?

I would say believe in yourself and keep going. I was really lucky to have a great support network around me that really encouraged me and made me realise I could do this. But running a business can be a lonely journey. No one really understands what it's like unless they're doing it. No one ever tells you about all the "other stuff" and by that I mean; the putting yourself out there. No one tells you that running a business is like an emotional rollercoaster at times that it's pretty certain you will work 10x harder for yourself than when you worked for somebody else. That you will have many different hats to wear, including CEO, Administrator, Marketing Manager, Content Creator and Writer and so many more in between. But the other thing that hardly anyone tells you is that no matter how hard it is and how hard you work, if you love what you do, it's the most amazing job you'll ever have.

How did you KNOW this was what you wanted to do?!

I always wanted to make a difference to people. To give women the confidence they deserved. To give women the right to be their own kind of beautiful, not what the media says they should be. The salon environment isn't always for everyone either, I think it's often like marmite. Some people love it and others hate it, they can't afford to take three hours out of their day or they feel a bit vulnerable, sitting in a crowded salon with wet hair in front of a large mirror. But whether they love it or loathe it, every woman deserves to feel beautiful.

A client of mine text me a little while ago just to say thank you and those little things mean so much. I also knew that after 2 years of managing a large salon I wanted something different. I didn't just want to be another "mobile hairdresser" that would trim your ends for a fiver, I wanted to give a high level of service at an affordable price. I wanted to retail the right shampoos, conditioners and styling products to my clients so that they can have the best hair possible.

What would you say to someone else who is thinking of creating their dream business?

I would say do it! But, be under no illusion it's hard work! However if you are prepared to put in the hard graft, it can be the most amazing journey you'll ever have. I remember someone saying to me once,"it must be lovely to work for yourself, you can do what you want, when you want." Some of that I agree with, the flexibility is great, however, unlike employed people, I don't get paid when I don't work. Being self employed is a far world away from long lunches and lazy days. I think I'm quite lucky, I am extremely disciplined, but it's not for everyone. With the job I have, my evenings and Saturdays are often taken up with work, because that's what my clients need and for the first 3 years I would often be working 6 days a week. I didn't begrudge that time, because I had to build my clientele and I truly love what I do. It's been only more recent months that I've started to take a Wednesday off. (Although quite often, I'm using that day to work on new blog posts etc) but it works for me and I wouldn't change any of it.

Anything else you would like to share?!

Life is way too short for regrets and if you have the drive, determination and a passion for what you do, then you're half way there. Running your own business is definitely a journey, not a destination. The journey is full of adventures, good and bad, but it's so worth it.

You can check out Nina and the work she does here:

Nina's Website

Nina's Facebook page

---

Are you dreaming of running your own business too? Maybe you don't know where to even start or you run and business but feel stuck with what to do next to get more clients and more money so you can spend your days doing what you love? 

If 2017 is the year you want to make your dream business a reality, you're in the right place, gorgeous. 

Book a FREE call to find out how I could help:

Terrified to solo travelling...this story will blow you away.

One of my clients had her own first paying client today!!!! Wooohooo! This is a woman who came to me for coaching, earlier this year, not having a clue what she wanted to do in any area of her life.

She had so much self-hatred and self-doubt that it stopped her making decisions - she couldn't trust herself to make the right one.

She hated her job. She also hated being alone - she would busy herself with anything to avoid being by herself, including getting in a car and driving around with the music on so she didn't have to face her own thoughts.

Just 11 coaching sessions later (she is in "such a good place right now" that she asked to keep the 12th one until the New Year to do some more business coaching) she:

• Got clear on what she wants to be, do and have in each area of her life.
• Learnt to really like who she is.
• Learnt to BELIEVE in herself and trust her decisions.
• Re-decorated her flat to make it a place she's excited to spend time in.
• Stood up for herself in front of those in her life (her boss and certain members of her family) who used to speak to her like a child. 
• Created a blog and social media accounts. 
• Started a business she is giddy about.
• Got her first paying client!! 

AND...the part that gives me EVEN more goosebumps...she's just booked a flight to go SOLO travelling to Bali at the end of December.

Yes...SOLO!!! Just think about the person she had to grow into and become, to even consider that let alone book it. 

She doesn't even recognise herself.

To say I am proud of her is an understatement.

THIS is why I LOVE what I do.
 

If 2016 hasn't turned out the way you hoped it would then there's still time to do something about it. 

I help my clients to: 

1. GET CLEAR ON WHAT THEY WANT

2. BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES

3. MAKE IT HAPPEN

Ready to create a life that you're giddy about? When you know what you want and have the belief that you can make it happen, ANYTHING is possible.

Book a FREE call with me and let's talk about how we could make that happen for you, so YOU begin 2017 the person you always wanted to be. 

This is what other clients of mine had to say after I posted this story in my Facebook group:

A LOT can happen in 7 weeks with me as your coach. Get that champagne on ice ready for a New Year to really celebrate!

Emma xx

P.S. Book a complimentary call with me to find out how YOU too can create a life that excites you.

Quotes and inspiration to do what you love

Have you downloaded my FREE workbook yet?

I teach you the steps I took to go from employee to entrepreneur. 

How I Got Into The Huffington Post

As you may have seen, I'm now a Huffington Post contributor and my first article went live Friday. Wooohoooo! You can read it here: HuffPost

Thank you for the lovely comments from those of you who saw the link on my Facebook page or group.

I'm sure you're aware of the importance of being as visible as possible when you run a business and, along with congratulations, I've had lots of you ask how I made it happen. So here you go...

These are the 5 steps I take to get into well-known magazines/ blogs/ publications:

1) I got clear on my ICA (ideal client avatar)

In a nutshell, my ICA is a woman who wants to get paid to do what she loves. She feels unfulfilled and has had enough of Sunday Blues and dreading Mondays. Her end goal is to go from employee to entrepreneur and run a successful business. I teach her how to set up the essential business structures and to believe in herself so she can confidently get out there, get visible and get clients.  

(I help my clients get clients by clarify their ICA so they know exactly who to market to and what language to use so they get more bookings/money.)

2) I got clear on what blogs/magazines my ICA reads
 

The Huffingon Post was one of them. Even if she isn't a daily reader she, like a lot of people, will have heard of it.

It's been proven that people are more likely to buy from those they know, like and trust (KLT). 

Being features in an international publication (or any place that your ICA can be found) gives you instant credibility which means not just the know factor but the trust factor too.  

(I teach my clients how to find out exactly where their ICA hangs out so they don't waste time (or money) marketing in the wrong places.)

3) I wrote something I knew would appeal to my ICA and she'd get value from

You need to be providing your potential clients with content that shows you are an expert in your field. The 'trust' part in the KLT factor comes when you demonstrate you know your stuff. The internet is a noisy world full of so-called 'competition'. For this reason, I actually believe in giving away high-quality content that my ICA would otherwise pay for. I know my stuff and I aim to prove it time and time again. You want your ICA to think: "Wow, if this is her FREE stuff then I can't imagine what you get when you pay her." 

(I teach my clients how to generate content ideas and give value WITHOUT giving away so much people don't need to hire them!)   

4) I remembered that if you don't ask, you don't get

I wanted to be in The Huffington Post as a personal goal as well as getting in front of millions of my ideal clients. It was on my vision board for over a year. This summer I decided to make it happen. So I asked. 

When I was a image consultant, I contacted the local newspapers and told them I thought they might like to hear about what I did and share it with their readers, even though I was absolutely terrified. 

I actually just found a clipping from one of the papers I was in in 2009. Check it out below...

Ha! Time flies. I haven't changed a bit (wink).

Sometimes you have to stretch yourself outside your comfort zone. Like Jack Canfield said, everything you want is on the other side of fear.

(I help my clients get bucket-loads of confidence and self-belief so they can step out of their comfort zones. I then hold them accountable to keep going for and achieving their goals.) 

5) I made it clear what's in it for them 

I emailed Arianna Huffington herself. I told her who I am, summed up my story and pitched exactly why I thought her readers would benefit from me being a contributor. Less than 24hrs later I got a personal reply from her! Wow. 

I was confident that I could provide great value as a contributor but that's only after doing lots of work on defining my message, realising my value and building my self-belief!

(I help my clients get clear on what they have to offer so they can confidently pitch to newspapers, magazines and large online publications.)  

There you have it, that's how I got into The Huffington Post. You can use this formula to get visible on any platform. Give it a go!

Emma xx
P.S. What often stops us taking action is lack of clarity and confidence. Are you ready to get paid (more) and do more of what you love? I can support you to: clarify your ICA; find out where your ICA hangs out; use language that gets your ICA paying; know the value you provide and increase your confidence and self-belief.

Click the button below to take a look at my coaching programs:

8 Pieces of Advice for Every Entrepreneur...after 8 Years Of Being One

My 8 Pieces of Advice for Every Entrepreneur...after 8 years of being one

I can't quite believe it but this time 8 years ago I started my first business as an Image Consultant. I was completely clueless back then and hadn't realised that by definition it meant I was an entrepreneur (eeek!). Now I love working for myself and I coach other women to make that a reality too.

Here are my 8 pieces of advice for every entrepreneur:

1) Get clear on your end goal.

What does your 'finished' business look like? (This will change over time and that's okay but you have to have a goal).

If you don't programme your GPS to where you want to go then it can't help you. You have to know WHERE you're headed otherwise you'll get lost and take detours and feel like you're being very busy but not actually get anywhere.

2) Take steps towards your end goal every day.

Once you know what your end goal is you can start chipping away at it every day. Even on days you don't feel like it. You need to get your message out there and in front of the right audience. 

You can batch content creation so you generate a few days, weeks (or even months) worth of content. Get in front of your ideal client every day and give them value. 

3) Spend time on your mindset daily

You must programme yourself to think like an entrepreneur (you need a very different mindset to an employee). Success in 80% mindset and 20% the action you take. Although that doesn't mean you can't take action (see above). You need to have courage and CONFIDENCE in yourself. Otherwise you'll fall into 'comparisonitis'.

4) Use a stopwatch to keep you focused.

Without a boss breathing down your neck and tight deadlines to meet it can be very easy to get distracted and then you become overwhelmed. Write out 3 things you want to achieve that day and do those first. Decide how long you think they should take and then set a timer (Toggl is a great tool for this). Don't allow yourself to do anything else before the timer goes off. Be realistic though - you can't expect your brain to focus for over 60 mins without giving it a 5 minute break. Then go again. 

5) Work on your 'Money Mindset' 

You need to work on your relationship with money, otherwise you can be doing everything right and still block yourself from success. Read wealth consciousness books like Think and Grow Rich. Find your blocks and do work to disprove and release them. E.F.T. is great for this.

6) Take some time off to recharge.

The best ideas come when you unplug and switch off. Meditate. Walk in the woods. Exercise. Have a nap. have a bubble bath in the middle of the day. Do whatever brings you joy and peace. That way you clear the space for new and exciting ideas to pop up. Just like a computer browser, your brain can have too many tabs open! You need to take the time for self-care. 

7) Surround yourself with like-minded people.

Jim Rohn famously said that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. That includes their ambition and income (ouch!). Some of my best friends, I met through running my business. Your vibe attract your tribe as they say. And I believe that your tribe affects your vibe. You may outgrow people in your life; some people won't agree with what you do (and/or be jealous of it) but you can't dime your light to make someone else feel better about themselves. Keep doing what you love and you will find people who love you for it. 

8) Hire a coach

A coach will help you compress your timeline and hold you accountable. I can't think of a single entrepreneur who wouldn't love and need both of those things.

I'm not just saying this because I am a coach. I've worked with coaches in all of the 8 years I've been running a business. The right coach will give you a MASSIVE R.O.I. (return on investment). You can do more in 3 months with a coach than a year, or more, on your own. They will save you so much time, effort, stress and money. 

What are your pieces of advice for success in business?

Are you ready to turn the business your dream of into reality? I'd love to help you. 

Book a FREE Discovery Call and let's see if we would be a good fit to work together. 

4 Reasons to Use Tinyurl.com

One of my clients was so excited when I told her about tinyurl.com that I thought I'd share why I believe every online business owner needs to take advantage of this fantastic tool. 

What is tinyurl?

A url is the website address e.g. www.emma-ward.com takes you to my site. Tinyurl lets you make shorter, customised urls. It looks like this:

Here's 4 reasons why I use it.

1) It shortens the characters of your url

The obvious one - it shortens long urls. When I was an Image Consultant, I had a website called Image Your Image. Rather than telling people to visit a crazy long url like: www.imagineyourimage.com/how-to-wear-a little-black-dress I would tell them to go to tinyurl.com/howtowearLBD and it would instantly direct them. 

If you have a really long url, people won't remember it or they'll remember only part of it and then give up when they get to the wrong site. This is NOT what you want when they are clearly interested enough to search for you!

2) It's great for people who don't know you

Sometimes it doesn't actually save a lot of space but I still use it. For example, my free opt-in is called 'Confidence Is The New Black'. It's at www.emma-ward.com/confidenceisthenewblack so www.tinyurl.com/confidenceisthenewblack only saved me TWO characters.

BUT, if people don't know me then they're less likely to remember the emma-ward part. So when I post it on social media or mention the link in a video, they're more likely to remember tinyurl and the title.  

3) It means you can grab the url before someone else does. 

I have a programme called Love Your Body. I tried to get tinyurl.com/loveyourbody but someone else got there before me. Now whenever I'm creating courses, I grab the tinyurl version as well.

If you have a great title then make sure you get the tinyurl.com version so you are synonymous with the name rather than someone else. 

4) You can start to use it to build your brand. 

I used to shorten Imagine Your Image to IYI and when I ran events I could have advertised it as something like:

www.tinyurl.com/IYI-Richmond

That's easier to remember and also looks good. You want to start creating memorable urls; you can even link it to a hashtag.

This is great for social media posts like Instagram and Pinterest where you can't add a link to each post as easily but you want to start building a memorable brand.   

Bitly.com shortens urls too - you'll need to sign up for an account to customise them but that only takes a few seconds and it's free. 

It's great fun. Try it for yourself and let me know how you find it, I love hearing from you.

Emma xx
I have 5 free calls left for this month. Want me to spend 20 minutes helping you to move your business forwards? Book your FREE NEXT STEPS CLARITY CALL now.

Business Confidence Affirmations

Want a 2 minute Confidence Blast?

Listen to this recording and let it seep into your subconscious mind. 

---

Want more? 

Sign up for my FREE 5-Part Confidence Series for entrepreneurs. 

• 3 Confidence Training Audios

• Business Confidence Affirmations (longer than above)
• Mind Movie to programme your mind for Business Confidence

Click below to sign up:

How to Get People Promoting Your Business FOR You

Hello lovely, 

You know this painful truth: without clients you don't have a business. You have an expensive hobby.

You not only need clients but you WANT them, right? That's why you started your business in the first place. 

Why not get OTHERS marketing FOR you? People love to recommend services they value so don't keep your gifts hidden away.

I did this for tooooo many years. Once I stopped hiding, everything changed.

Your success is so much closer than you think!

Looking forward to connecting with you soon!

Emma xx

Competition Messing With Your Head?

Hi lovely,

Let's get real. Let's start talking about what messes with our head as an entrepreneurs. 

Did you know that 95% of female entrepreneurs are stuck not making enough money to live their purpose or fund their dreams?! That's 95% of the women who have taken the brave leap and started a business. Usually something they are soooo passionate about. 

So what's the problem? Why do the majority of business owners to quit after 2-5 years?  

Because of two key things: lack of clarity and lack of confidence/belief. 

That's why I became a Business Confidence Coach. I can't bear to think of women giving up on their dreams; women who've taken the BIG first step and created a business but found themselves stuck. I help women become unstuck so they can get in front of their Ideal Clients, get more bookings, make more money and ultimately spend their days doing work they LOVE. 

Today I want to address an area that can render even the most confident entrepreneur immobile and cost them their precious time and money. 

Let's talk COMPETITION.

CLICK TO WATCH THE VIDEO

Your success is so much closer than you think!

Have you checked out my one-to-one coaching programme 90 Days to Business Confidence yet? If you're looking for the support (we all need that!) to get yourself out there and in front of your ideal client then this programme is for you! 

Book a free consultation with me! We'll talk through your business or business idea, and I'll let you know how I can support you in achieving your dreams and getting the success you desire!

Looking forward to connecting with you soon!

Emma xx

A Lesson from your 6 Year Old Self

A woman in a Facebook group I follow, posted a video of her 6 year old daughter, Ruby, jumping with her skipping rope.   

She was skipping on one foot whilst navigating the long rope and had a huge beaming smile on her face. 

She bought the rope just 3 weeks ago with her pocket money but her mum explained: "She couldn't even do one skip. She was really quite naturally shit at it - and I thought it would go into the shed and gather dust." (Ha!) 

But no. Ruby was determined and has practised every day since. At the end of the video she asked to watch it back because she's clearly proud of her achievement and progress (and so she should be).

What does this teach us adults? It's teaches us 2 things:

1. Just because you can't do something when you first pick it up doesn't mean you can't master it. In just 3 weeks this little girl went from not being able to do one skip to 15 seconds without stopping. And she has a bigger goal for herself: to be able to "skip so fast you can't see the rope, just like a boxer." (I've never met her but I adore this girl!!) Determination gets you exactly where you want to go in life. 

2. As adults, we expect ourselves to be perfect and even if we have made progress we daren't praise ourselves until we have 'finished'. When did we lose the essence of our 6 year old self: the girl who loved to show off her skills and felt proud of every little step? 

What are you telling yourself you can't do? What are you not even allowing yourself to practise?

It's time to dream big and believe 100% in yourself again, my love. Just like you did as a child. If you did it before then you can do it again. 

And I want to help you. 

I'm a Confidence Coach and my gift is helping women to do just that: to dream bigger and believe that what they want is not only possible for them but they deserve nothing less. 

If you're ready to gain the confidence, I'm the person who can help you gain it. It's my passion, my skill and my clients get rapid results. I'm talking just a few weeks before you'll start to see a difference! Seriously.

One  of my clients emailed me yesterday and wrote: "My confidence levels are already improving way faster than I ever thought possible and I can’t wait to continue the journey with you." (This is after just THREE sessions.)

Are YOU ready to dream bigger and start living a life you love? Are YOU ready to finally release the self-doubt and negative inner-talk and transform the relationship with yourself so you believe anything is possible and won't allow doubt to stand in your way? 

Ready to make that happen?

Click the button below and let's find out if we're a good fit. 

Lots of love,

Emma xx

P.S. Go on, hit the button and book that call with me. What have you got to lose (except your self-doubt)?  

 

Do photos of yourself make you feel like this...?

Hello Lovely, 

I came across this meme on Pinterest...

...it made me laugh and got me thinking about how differently I see my body now compared with a few years ago. 

In 2010, I wanted some professional photos for my Image Consultancy website. The photo I'd been using had been taken by my friend in her garden - she'd stood on a stool and I crouched on a white sheet - we were creative if nothing else!! 

So I did a 'swapsy' with a photographer: she had a wardrobe consultation in exchange for a photoshoot. 

 I'd gone to so much trouble to select the right outfits, accessories and props. I had a great day and was eager to get the photos back. 

But when I saw them I cried. 

I *thought* I looked fat, spotty and one eye seemed to droop in every photo -  how had I never noticed that before!?? I felt disgusting.

So what did I do? I scrapped the professional shots and continued using the makeshift one my friend had taken on her husband's camera. 

A couple of years later, I came across the images and I couldn't believe what I saw. I didn't hate the photos of myself, I loved them. 

HOW HAD I EVER THOUGHT I WAS FAT? WHO CARED THAT ONE EYE WAS A LITTLE LOWER THAN THE OTHER?? Why had I been such a b!tch to myself? 

I have lots of photos like that. When I look at them now it's like seeing them for the first time: through a different pair of eyes. Softer and kinder eyes. 

These were some of the photos that I cried over. I no longer zone in on my eyelids or the fact my skin isn't perfect. I now see a happy, smily (and slim!!) woman looking back. Oh how I wish that I had seen all that at the time. I'm a stone heavier now I can't even get those jeans over my hips any more, let alone do them up, and I probably never will (and I'm perfectly content with that) but what a waste of a figure that I didn't appreciate!! 

I would love to go back in time and give myself a (loving) shake. I want to tell the me from 6/10/15 years ago that I wasn't fat or ugly. I will never look that young again - what a waste of my twenties. So now I no longer allow myself to be critical of photos. I no longer allow myself to nitpick. I look for the parts I love instead of the parts I hate. 

Have you ever seen a photo of yourself from a few years back and realised you really weren't as fat or unattractive as you thought at the time?

Well I have some cold, hard truth for you. In 10 years time, you're going to look back at a photo from TODAY and wish that you'd seen your beauty. So why wait? Why put yourself through that torment and then regret it? Instead of waiting for ten years time, why not see what you'll see then TODAY?! 

You're beautiful, right here and right now. Look for that beauty. 

Much love,
Emma xx
P.S. Would you love some help seeing yourself through more loving eyes? My Love Your Body course takes you step-by-step through the mindset work I teach my clients.