The 5 big excuses that hold soulful entrepreneurs back — and why they’re all bullshit.

Excuses.

We all have ‘em.

They come in handy when we don’t want to do something (I’ve got a ton of them in my get-out-of-doing-dishes arsenal).  Blame something or someone else and voila – you’re off the hook!  Sweet relief!

Except….you aren’t off any hook because deep down inside you know you are full of it.  You’ve copped out.  You took the weak sauce route.

I’ve worked with many a soulful entrepreneur (not just tarot) and I’ve heard every type of reason (aka excuse) for why they can’t succeed.  If they are hung up on those justifications, I’m in for some hard work.  Hang ups can be rather stubborn, trust me on that.

Sometimes a light will go off and then the glorious breakthrough arrives.  But other times, the investment in the excuse is so strong that the entrepreneur remains stagnant,  self sabotages their game, or, worse yet, throws in the towel completely and then gets jealous of anyone else who is “lucky” enough to “make it”.  (Or they blame the coach for not being “effective”.  Um, we cannot be a force for change if you resist us at every turn, darling.)

Success can and does happen through pure luck but that is RARE.  For most of us, it’s a result of perseverance, vision, and a whole lotta hard work.

Here are five of the biggest (bullshit) excuses I hear all the time:

1. “I’m too late to the game — how can I learn all this newfangled technology?”  Truth: There is no age that is “too old” to learn technology. My 90 year old aunt is on Facebook and can do email – if she can do it, so can you.  If you are intimidated by tech, start slowly and find a good teacher.  Take classes whenever and wherever you can.  If you are on a Mac, Apple offers FREE in person classes. Don’t have time to attend one in person?  Check out the great tech classes at Lynda.com.  YouTube is a fantastic resource as well –  put in your search and you can find free tutorials for all your technology questions.
2. “There’s so much competition — there’s no way I can stand out. I’m not even the ‘best’ at what I do!”  Truth: There is plenty of work for everyone so erase that “competition” crud from your brain.  Stop comparing yourself to others and worrying about how well you think they are doing or how talented you assume they are.  Put your horse blinders on and focus on being the best YOU that you can be.  When you show up regularly and authentically, the people who are right for your business will find their way to you.
3. “I already struggle to find clients — if I raise my rates, it’s going to be even tougher.”  Truth:  You cannot support your self or your family if you are living on the same rate that you charged fifteen years ago.  Most people get raises at their jobs (not to mention paid time off) – you deserve a living wage too.  Clients understand that you need to make a sustainable living.  If they value your work, they won’t blink an eye when you lift your rates.  (PS if they do complain, they are not the right clients for you.  Bless them and send them on their way.)
4. “You just can’t put a pricetag on the ‘healing work’ that I do. It wouldn’t be ethical.”  Truth: There is nothing “unethical” about charging for your services.  Repeat after me: money is  not dirty – it is simply an exchange of energy.  Years ago, when my son was taking drum lessons, I visibly gulped when the instructor announced that he would be raising his rates.  He looked at me and plainly said: “My lessons are always free.  It’s my time you are paying for and I value my time very much.”  That wise statement is a good one to remember the next time you feel squeamish about charging for your work.  Your time is the only finite thing that you have and if you don’t value it, no one else will.  Word.
5. “I’m just so buuuuuusy.”   Truth:  we’re all busy.  You have the same 24 hours in the day that Beyonce, Ellen DeGeneres, the president and everyone else has.  If you have time to mess around on Facebook or watch any of those Real Housewives, you have time to invest in your business.  Period.

Once you stop with the excuses, you create space for the successes. You are never too old, too young, too stupid, too busy or too spiritual to accomplish your goals.  No more excuses. You’ve got this, babe.

“The only thing standing between you and your goal is the bullshit story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.” ~ Jordan Belfort

Blessings!

Theresa

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2014

 image from stock photography

Ready to blast through your excuses and create the most beautiful, sustainable soul powered business?  Join me and three other smarty pants business minds for the Soulful Proprietor Retreat – a 3 day event filled with biz knowledge, support, great food, soul sisters in business and Kringles!  We are 75% sold out – grab your seat here: Soulful Proprietor Retreat.