It’s 2012 and everyone is focused on making this their best year ever. I don’t disagree with you; in fact, I wholeheartedly endorse and recommend that you look closely at your goals and your plans and ensure that you have covered all of your bases. Your success this year could depend on it. As you look at your list, it is my recommendation that you use this article and the assignments that accompany it to help you ensure that you are primed and positioned to change lives with your brand, business, message, products and services this year.
At the top of each list, there are consistent tips and strategies that I recommend. This year, being no exception, I created a list that I believe will elevate your Incredible Factor if you commit to doing the work from day one.
1. Make a non-negotiable decision. Yes, make the decision, which takes action, to do something unconventional, something that may ruffle feathers of others but something that will solidify your brand and allow you to stand out. Gone are the days of entering your industry as a carbon-copy of whoever is on top. Today, in 2012, it is necessary that you carve out your own niche.
Early on in my business, I struggled with this. I thought it would be easier to be a carbon-copy of others in my industry, but soon found out that I became easily replaceable. In making this non-negotiable decision to do something different, set a goal to determine what “it” is in the first quarter of this year. That way you can create the strategies to use the rest of the year spreading your message to the masses you were called to reach.
Questions to ask yourself to apply this tip to your 2012:
- What makes me different from the others in my industry?
- What would my previous clients say was my defining strategy/content/etc?
- When I make this decision and ultimate goal, what will I have to do to ensure that I see it through to completion this year?
2. Upgrade your ideal client. Many of you are trying to serve everyone, mainly those who can’t afford your expertise and wondering why your business is not growing. As you set a new goal, you must ask yourself, who “I must be to attract clients who can pay me at this level”. You’ll realize that when you upgrade your business, so must your client base, your circle of influence, your products and services – everything must upgrade as well. To upgrade your ideal client, it’s going to take time, strategy and marketing that is experiential in nature so you create an emotional response with your prospects that tells them that if they plan to solve THAT problem, they need you.
Questions to ask yourself to apply this tip to your 2012:
- What is your 2012 income goal?
- Who must you attract to achieve this goal easily and effortlessly?
- How must you market and what must your marketing say to attract the type of clients who will choose to work with you this year so that you achieve this goal?
- Who must I become to attract the kind of clients who will gladly pay my rates?
- What must my brand message and positioning be and reflect to attract clients at my upgraded level?
3. Shift your Circle of Influence. It’s been said that if you’re not going where you want to go, it’s because you’re following people who can’t help you to get there. Your circle of influence includes your family, friends, colleagues, associates, mentors, etc. As you review this list of people, it’s important that you complete the “Inspect the Incredible” process, checking the Incredible levels in the people whose company you keep. Here’s my simple legend for determining who should get some of your time:
- List the 5 to 7 people that you spend the majority of your time with.
- List the colleagues, etc. that you spend time on the phone with or networking with on a consistent basis.
- As you list them, go back over your list and apply a + – or /+ = they make you feel like you can fly, they support you in any way that they can. -= you dread seeing their name come across your cell phone. You frequently send them to voice mail and make excuses to avoid commitments with them. /= you feel indifferent about them, they could go either way but they are neither consistently.
By now I know you’ve guessed it – + means they get to stay; – minus means you should reduce or eliminate time spent with them and / means you need to decide the kind of impact they are having on your life. Hint: / if they are a slash, they usually are more negative than positive.
A great way to shift your circle of influence is by joining a mastermind group lead by a proven expert or leader in offering transformative results to their clients.
Questions to ask yourself to apply this tip to your 2012:
- Who do I want to spend time with so my life and business are a reflection of my 2012 goals?
- Who do I currently attract to my life? Why? What in me needs to change in order to attract more quality people?
- If I started to attract people who are where I desire to be, what would that do for my life and business?
4. Get a coach or mentor. Okay, let me be clear – if you could do it, it would already be done. 6 and 7 figure entrepreneurs don’t reinvent the wheel, they follow systems that work and they are usually found with qualified coaches and mentors. I got my business to multiple 6 figures on my own but to take my business to millions, I recognized that I needed guidance and support at another level. The truth is, you don’t even have a clue what you don’t know that ultimately impacts your success, it is best to locate a person who can cut out the extra steps and lead you to the breakthrough and results faster than you could on your own. Now, it will require a mindset shift in order to make it happen. You must look at it as an investment not an expense. Investing in yourself and your business through other qualified coaches and mentors is what will allow you to upgrade your clients, raise your rates and change your lifestyle.
Questions to ask yourself to apply this tip to your 2012:
- What is my ultimate goal for my business in 2012?
- What is my income goal for 2012?
- What amount have I budgeted to invest in my personal and professional development this year? (My recommendation is at least 10% of your income goal for 2012)
- What do I need most to achieve my ultimate goal for 2012?
- Who do I know and resonate with who has proven through their own consistent efforts is accomplishing what I desire to accomplish?
- What am I looking for in a coach/mentor?
- Do the members of my inner circle have coaches and mentors? Who do they recommend? (If they don’t they probably need not be in your circle)
If you are unsure after answering these questions, make it your goal to attend an event of being sponsored by a prospective mentor or coach to learn if they are a good fit or can take you to the next level.
5. Take consistent action. The only way to Unleash Your Incredible Factor in 2012 is by taking inspired, consistent action. You must do something each day to influence the success of achieving your goals for the year. And you must also check yourself by consistently asking, “Is what I’m doing right now getting me closer to my 2012 goal?” Whenever the answers is no, you must immediately stop, delegate and get back on task. When you take steps each day toward completing your goal, you will achieve them.
Here’s to Unleashing Your Incredible Factor in 2012!!
©2012 by Darnyelle A. Jervey. All Rights Reserved. Darnyelle A. Jervey, The Incredible Factor Business Mentor and Coach, is the founder of Incredible One Enterprises.com and the Leverage Your Incredible Factor System® a proven step by step program for turning your passion into profit. For more information and a FREE audio download “How to Use Your Incredible Factor to Attract MORE Ideal Clients” visit https://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com
