Yesterday I did an intensive with a client who finished my Image 360° Mastermind in December.  She said our time spent together was a treat to herself but I reminded her it was also commitment collateral, especially because she’s got a bold goal in mind — to double her income.

what goethe said

For me, the last months of 2012 were a whirlwind of unexpected family, production, client, small sick dog and more family obligations and I was feeling a little lost in the process.  I came across this passage about commitments in a book I’m reading…

“Our ability to commit to the well-being of others is, of course, predicated upon our ability to commit to our own well-being.”

Without this fundamental pledge to ourselves, we are limited in what we actually have to offer others.”

…and couldn’t get it out of my head.  I realized how much I’d accomplished in spite of it all and I took the passage as my cue to reaffirm a vow I’ve made to myself to live joyfully and abundantly.  Paraphrasing the German poet Goethe, when you commit yourself, providence does too and all sorts of events, unforeseen incidents, meetings and material (think money) assistance occur to help you that never otherwise would have.

checked it twice

So I took the last week of December off to make a list of my top 10 desires, the things that make every fiber of my being say,YES (!) and then I calendared activities that would help bring them into being.  But not just about work, because of my work-o-holic tendencies, I also scheduled my play.  I want to go on road trips, travel to foreign countries, rest and learn a lot from people with bigger and crazier ideas than the ones I have this year, and so those went on the calendar too.  That way when I’m working with clients, I come face to face with my commitment to my vision.

If I’m not filled up, how can I show my clients how to be?

The same goes for you.  You can’t support your clients in creating a home that feels nurturing and that reflects who they are if you’re not in touch with who you say you want to be.  If you don’t have the support and boundaries in place to help you do business at the highest vision you have for yourself, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

been there. done that.

As for my client, I’m pretty sure she’ll be able to double her income in 2013 because last year, I doubled mine.  It started with an unshakeable commitment to listening to my inner voice, the one that knew I needed help.  I found it with a woman who taught me how to run my business from the inside out and yes, she was the one who taught me to put in on the calendar.  Most importantly, I learned about the things I didn’t know that I didn’t know, the things I was doing and thinking over and over again that were keeping me stuck just shy of the next level.  Remember, you can’t solve a problem with the same mindset you used to create it.

Do you want to double your income, be featured on national television or take a bona fide vacation for the first time in years?  What is one commitment you plan to make to yourself to help you reach your goal in 2013?