The limiting beliefs that keep you from igniting your genius

When I talk to people about my work helping entrepreneurs learn to sign new clients, I often mention that I work with people who are confident about their work, but who feel uncomfortable selling.

One of the follow-up questions I get most often is: “You must work with a lot of women, right?”

Bingo.

And it’s no surprise. From an early age, women are taught the life lessons that make an indelible mark for the rest of their lives:

• Don’t promote yourself or your achievements (or you’ll be seen as boastful)
• Don’t be directive (or you’ll be bossy)
• Don’t ask for what you want (or you’ll be too demanding)
• Put the needs of others first (because others’ comfort is more important than your own)

Armed with these teachings, it’s no wonder that women entrepreneurs find selling difficult.

After all, selling to potential clients requires talking about yourself in a way that makes clients want to work with you (promoting yourself); Leading the Client (being directive); asking for what you want (proposing a solution and getting the business); and putting your own needs first (signing the client but not at the expense of your own profitability).

The complete opposite of what we’ve been taught.

After years of hearing the same things, and having it reinforced to us in society, are we magically supposed to know how to act any differently?

The results are clear and consistent: entrepreneurs who dread selling or avoid it altogether. Not charging what you’re worth. Businesses that survive, rather than thrive. Business owners who earn less than they should, and work way too hard to get there.

Entrepreneurs who keep their genius hidden.

That’s why a big part of my work with my clients is helping them un-learn the things they’ve been taught, so they can approach the sales process with confidence, understand their value, and charge what they’re worth.

I know what it’s like because I had to un-learn them myself; these limiting beliefs we’ve internalized.

“I’m afraid of being seen as pushy.”

“I feel uncomfortable talking about myself.”

“I’m so worried about losing a potential client that I end up discounting my services.”

(These aren’t hypothetical… these were a few of my actual limiting beliefs before I learned how to sell.)

Do any of these sound like something you might think?

What are the limiting beliefs you’ve learned growing up, that may be holding you back from growing your business? Email me and let me know.

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While I wouldn’t say that women experience these limiting beliefs exclusively, I’ve found (and research has shown), that they experience them in greater numbers than men, simply due to the way women are raised, as well as societal norms.

It’s one of the reasons I’m so committed to supporting women business owners, not just in my own work, but in the larger community.

That’s why I’m so excited to be a part of the Ignite Your Genius workshop on Wednesday, September 13th in DC, hosted by Ellevate, an organization committed to investing in women in business, in order to change the culture of business.

Join me for a day committed to you: to learn new ways to grow your businesses, create goals, and focus your energy on the activities that get the maximum results for your business.

Until Friday, August 25, save $200 with Special Early Bird Pricing of $97. After that, the regular price is $197 for Ellevate members, $297 for non-members.

Space is limited to 50 participants and will sell out!

Click here to reserve your spot

Ellevate was founded by Sallie Krawcheck, CEO and Co-Founder of Ellevest, crazy successful financial CEO, and author of “Own It: The Power of Women at Work.”

[I’m also fan-girling over anything to do with Sallie Krawcheck, so this is an even bigger highlight for me. :) ]

If you’re in the DC/MD/VA area, I hope you’ll join me on Wednesday, September 13th to Ignite Your Genius! See you there!

P.S. If the limiting beliefs I mentioned above resonate with you, and you want to finally overcome them so you can sign new clients with confidence, my program SIGNED is designed to do just that. You’ll learn the simple steps to approach the sales process in a new way, and gain the know-how to move leads from first contact to close. Registration is opening again soon! If you’d like early access discounts, special bonuses, and a complimentary coaching call with me, head to the SIGNED page and add your name to the waitlist. See you over there!