What Business Challenge Is Keeping You Up at Night?
I was wide awake. My mind was racing.
I was wide awake. My mind was racing.
I was considering enrolling in a seven-month, very demanding business program, and I was not sure it was the right commitment for me to make. There were a lot of logical reasons for me NOT to do it — time and money to name just two.
Yet, despite logic there was a strong emotional pull that would not let go of me.
I knew from past experiences how important it was for me to listen to my intuition. So, instead of putting the pillow over my head at two o’clock in the morning, I got up and laid a large piece of white paper on the coffee table. Then I grabbed six different colored felt pens and began to write down everything I could think of that related to this issue.
After five minutes I sat back and looked at the page. It was pretty messy!
I took a second large sheet of paper and transferred the information onto it, so it was easier to understand how one piece of information related to the next.
Even if I did not yet have the answer to my question, I felt relieved that all the swirling thoughts that were in my mind were safely captured in writing. I went back to bed and slept soundly.
As the day went on, every time I passed the large colorful pages that lay on the coffee table, I was reminded of my cathartic early morning experience.
Finally, I sat down and with a red pen circled all the words and phrases that spoke to the business challenges I hoped the program would help me solve.
Underdeveloped speaking skills
Dated web copy
Disorganized filing system
Low confidence writing marketing copy
Cash flow concerns
…the list went on
Next, with a bright green pen, I transferred those challenges into a tidy list down the right side of a new sheet of paper. Then, on the left side, with a purple pen I wrote out all of what the training program promised to deliver.
And then it happened: I was clear. My head, heart and gut were in agreement. I knew what was right for me to do.
There were only two items on both lists: 1) improved skill at writing marketing copy and 2) increased income.
Other issues the program would address, I didn’t need help with in the first place.
So what happened? Why had I been so conflicted? I had gotten hooked. The program marketing spoke to me on an emotional, non-verbal level, and I was drawn in by the charismatic teacher.
Well, my question was answered, and I knew my next step. I did NOT need to enroll in the business program; I needed to find the right copywriting program. I knew once my marketing material was more compelling, the increased income would naturally follow.
Roberta Ryan is a business coach who helps “right-brain” professionals recognize their value, make their vision real, and sustain a business that serves the greater community. To find out more, please visit www.RobertaRyan.com