Do you ever feel like a fake in your business?
How would you feel if your clients got a behind the scenes look into your business or personal finances?
Did you just get an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of your stomach as you read that question? Maybe you don’t have the income you think you should have. Or, your net worth isn’t where you think it should be. Maybe you even have some credit card debt hanging out there.
Are you walking your talk in your business? Are you following your own advice?
For example, if you’re a financial advisor, and don’t think you’re where you want to be financially, (even if your clients don’t know this) I promise it’s affecting your business. It would be like being a fitness coach and sneaking a cigarette in between clients then making sure you pop the Altoid before starting your next session. If you’re in another type of business, are there ways you are out of integrity with what you tell your clients to do?
I remember when I had my financial advisory firm and I was about 10 years into business. There was a period where Steven and I had accumulated credit card debt. We also owned some real estate that had vacancies. I had changed my business model and Steven was making some adjustments in his career. Our kids were little and we were paying a ton for child care. I was angry and embarrassed. I remember thinking, if any of my clients knew that we had credit card debt I’d be mortified. My business coach (I still work with her many years later) challenged me to shift my perspective and change my situation. Which I did.
It started with a change in mindset. Even before I wrote my two books I was speaking about the importance of money mindset. Yet, I wasn’t doing this myself. I had to do my own work to shift the way I was looking at our situation to begin to see the positive changes I desired. Walking your talk isn’t just about what’s showing up in your business, but also what’s going on inside your head.
An interesting thing happened. Not only did we get out of debt in a short amount of time, but within a couple of years my business doubled. Changing our personal financial situation wasn’t the only thing I did, but I know feeling more aligned with what I was advising others to do made a huge difference.
When you actually do what you advise others to do your zone of integrity increases (ZOI).
This doesn’t mean you always have to be perfect. But the greater your effort to walk your talk, the better you will feel, and your clients will sense your commitment as well. When your ZOI increases so will your ROI.Take out a piece of paper and answer these 6 questions:
- What would I not want my clients or peers to know about my business or personal situation?
- Is this something I really need to change or adjust so I can be in integrity?
- Is this something I have the ability to change or adjust?
- Do I need help to make this different? If yes, who can help me?
- Am I committed to being more in alignment with my business and values?
- If yes, the date I will change this by ________________________
Instead of being worried someone will pull back the curtain like in the Wizard of Oz, take action now on the ways you can you be better at walking your talk.
Every good wish,
P.S. Are you a financial advisor looking to grow your business in ways that feel right, make a difference and truly work? Whenever you’re ready, let’s chat about ways to do just that. Just email ellen@ellenrogin.com – and put “let’s chat” in the subject line.
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