It’s a lot easier to learn from others mistakes. Have you learned any other great tips for being successful in entrepreneurship?

Amazon.com wish list and I enjoy receiving things I picked out (don’t get me wrong, I also love a good surprise!).  This year I got a lot of books.  I love to read.  LOVE IT.  However, as a busy entrepreneur and mom of 2 young kids, I don’t seem to have the time that I would like to read all the books on my list.  In fact, since Christmas, I’ve really only finished 1 of the books in that stack.  Some of have been thumbed through and some are half finished (do you ever have multiple books going?).  Not to mention the fact that my book list grows by 1 or 2 a week, but I’m not reading them that quickly.

Lately, I have been loving audio books.  I spend a fair amount of time in the car so I can consume books quicker if I can have a listen instead of having to sneak into the bathroom and lock the door for 10 minutes so that I can get through another chapter in my current book.  I don’t have a Kindle, but I do take a book everywhere I go so that if I’m sitting at a doctors appointment or waiting somewhere I always have something to do.

How do you consume your books?  Listen?  Read good, old fashioned books?  Carry around a Kindle?

Happy Wednesday!

Michelle

In 2010, I went in search of Life Balance and found that Life Balance was a myth.  That year long process turned me into a better coach and consultant, resulted in creating two live events on the subject and ultimately led to the creation of my product The Life Balance Myth that ships out in May.

In 2011, I went in search of MY path and gave up on what everyone else was doing.  It’s so easy to look at other successful people and say, “What am I doing wrong?  Why can’t I be like that?” And then either try hard to be like THEM (instead of themselves) or go into a pit of despair that ultimately sucks all the energy out and there’s no room for growth and preservation.  I’ve done both of the above.  I’ve always been so worried that I was doing something wrong that I stopped trying at times.

The truth is, I don’t have to be the next Brendon Burchard, Jack Canfield, Oprah or Tiffany Peterson.  I have to be me: Michelle McCullough.  My path, course and outcomes will be very different than theirs, but if I spend all my time comparing myself, I’ll never be me because I’m too worried about being them.

Here’s the other thing about comparisons, our perspective is skewed:

One of the reasons why we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our-behind-the-scenes to other people’s highlight reel.
- Pastor Steven Furtick

Isn’t that juicy?

Our side by side comparisons are not apples to apples.  What we see is not reality, its only the highlights of someone’s life compared to the whole picture of ours.

Finally, you need to check with our intuition and find out the path that’s right for you.  I’m a huge fan of Brendon Burchard’s.  He set a path in his book “The Millionaire Messenger” for a coach/author/speaker to make a million dollars in a year.  When you read it, it’s so straight forward that you can say, “I could do that.”  And in reality, anyone dedicated to doing the work probably could.  Who doesn’t want a million bucks?!

Then, I thought to myself, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”  I’m in a different stage in my life, and I’m secure with that.  I have two little kids that I want to give more attention to them than I could if I did that plan at this point in my life.  So, I said to myself, “How about a million in five years,” and that resonated with me.

The bottom line is it’s your life, not theirs.  I’m all about mentors, and role models.  I’m all about coaches and trail blazers that help put you on the right path for you, but again it’s YOUR path.  You decide the pace.  You decide the destination and you decide the journey.

Embrace YOUR life, and enjoy the peace that comes from following your own path.

Happy Thursday,

Michelle

You can find the interview here.

A year later, here are some interesting observations:

1. I was criticized for saying the phrase, “pile of crap”.  I totally agree that it’s less than lady-like, and at the time didn’t realize I had said it.  I said it in reference to Life Balance.  She asked me what I thought about it and I was honest in my own words.  Insightful question #1: What are the limits on the things you SHOULD and SHOULDN’T say publicly, even if you say them privately?

2. I was then, and always will be, a serial entrepreneur.  Since the article I’ve added a full speaking and consulting business to my Startup Princess and Doodads Promotional Products Businesses.  Insightful question #2: How much is too much?  Do you think it’s possible for someone to be able to successfully run 3 businesses?

3. Lately, I’ve been marveling at this thing called the internet.  It’s amazing that I can do what I love while my children play in the background (well, I can’t speak while my children play in the background, but you catch my drift).  Insightful question #3: How does the internet effect what you do today?  If the internet did not exist, would your job exist?

4. Just as HP’s humble beginnings where in the garage of 367 Addison Avenue we all have our own launching pad.  I credit my friend Karen for making me take a marketing class with her in High School (at the time I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher).  If it weren’t for her, and that class that flipped a switch for me at the age of 17, I wouldn’t be here.  Insightful question #4: What are your humble beginnings, or humble RE-beginnings?

How’s that for a motivational Monday?  Sometimes a quick look back can help us root in a foundation that can move us forward.  I love looking back to see how far I’ve come.

To a great week!

Happy Monday,

Michelle

THEN, Miss Tiffany, told me about the book on Self-Help Classics called, “The Game of Life and How to Play It” by Florence Shinn.  This book was first published in 1925.  It’s OLD, but man alive, I can’t read the pages fast enough.

Shinn talks about the correlation between our thoughts and actions and how it links to our spirituality.  She shares about how WE are holding ourselves back from getting what we want from life.  I won’t be able to do this book justice by review (and I haven’t finished it yet), but Shinn’s connections to success and divinity have me feeling amazingly peaceful and amazingly motivated at the same time.  It’s divine.

Want to read it with me?  You know you want to.  Go get it here.  You’ll be glad that you did.  The we can have a virtual book club in the comments below.  What are your favorite quotes and insights?  What did you learn about yourself while reading this book? Can’t wait to dive in with you!

Happy Friday,

Michelle

If you don’t want to click over there to watch the video, you can watch it here.  My only complaint from the day is that the production company left a mic on, and you can hear the static and conversation in the background.  I hope it doesn’t take away from the message.

Thanks for watching!

Happy Monday!

Michelle

Do you have a defined sales funnel? Does it quickly move people through the evaluation process so that they purchase?

To your marketing success!

Happy Monday!

Michelle

I’m an open Danielle LaPorte fan.  With the exception of her occasional use of the “F” word, I love everything she does.  :) She’s an amazing speaker.  We had her come to Touchpoint for Startup Princess in 2010, and I found her to be incredibly business savvy, and super down to earth and easy to talk to.

Though I knew I’d love reading this book, and thought I had died and gone to heaven when I got an advanced copy, I loved it even more than I thought I would.  I love the consistent through-line of heat, fire, and flame as an analogy to ignite the soul purpose that each of us have inside.  I love the typography and how her juiciest nuggets are in big, bold type to make sure that we don’t miss them.

I love the quote in this picture, “Knowing how you actually want to feel is the most potent form of clarity that you can have.  Generating those feelings is the most creative thing you can do with your life.”

One thing I have wanted more than anything lately is clarity.  I don’t know if you’ve ever felt this before, but running and actually being your own company can be very vulnerable.  That kind of vulnerability makes me feel discombobulated and at times overwhelmed.  This quote leapt off the paper and fanned a flame with me.

When we focus on how we want to FEEL and do those things on a more regular basis then the clarity comes.  When we focus on “To Dos” we can easily get back to into overwhelm.   When I’m focused on peace, joy, and abundance then I’m more selective in my tasks.  I say “No” to the good things, so I can say “Yes” to the great ones.

I’m not doing this book justice with this review, but more than anything, I want you to read this book so that you can light your own fire and glean what you need.  This book is a must have for anyone who wants more love, joy, and even those who are chasing after more dollars in their pockets.  And it’s for those who have a message to share and want to birth it.

The book is released on April 17th, 2012.  You can reserve your copy and check out the bonuses for pre-ordering before April 17th.

Are you ready to be a Fire Starter?

Happy Friday!

Michelle

Listen here (it’s free).

Happy Thursday!

Michelle