Do You Hold a Lack or Abundant Mindset?

But They Don’t Have Any Mon*ey – Really Now, Can They Pay?

Last week my client asked for feedback on a new project she was working on.

She wanted advice from several of her colleagues whether her commitment to developing content and workshops as a service to caregiver families would be a good idea.  She saw a lot of frustration out there, for women especially, caring for elder parents AND their kids at the same time!

Several of her colleagues mentioned what an extraordinary idea this was – a service providing support and resources for those who care for their loved ones, and said it was a great idea.

And then another of her friends told her this, “But… a lot of these people don’t have the mon*ey. Why would they pay you?  Do you really think you’ll make a living offering this service as a business?”

When she mentioned this, I asked her in all sincerity and honesty, “And you didn’t buy into their lack belief, did you?”

She stopped in her tracks, deadpan look in her eyes and realized all aspects of business can have these two extremes when it comes to asking for advice about a business idea.

One is to criticize and bring out the worst case scenario’s and never offer anything positive.

The other is to flatter and praise and never offer anything negative.

In both cases, you are given a set of their beliefs – abundant or lack oriented.

I prefer the middle path.

She asked me to explain. Here’s what I did. I asked her (you) a series of questions instead of giving her advice:

• How it feels when you think about this project?
• How much work have you put into it?
• And then I ask you, how much do think it’s worth?

Regardless of who advises you and for what - you have to decide based on what you believe can be created.

I believe in advising others for that which deserves praise and can be duplicated. Telling someone she’s not going to get paid trying to persuade a certain niche audience is not one of those situations.

It’s feedback that does nothing to move you along the path.

It makes you stop and think, “Am I nuts to proceed?” instead of thinking, “What can I DO to get what I believe I deserve for my talents and effort?”

But here’s the thing about the belief that “they” can’t afford you, or “they” won’t pay you: you really should not judge whether someone can or cannot pay you.

Yes, it’s a judgment and once you put that out there, it will come back to haunt you – more people will show up who can’t afford you if you put that notion out there!  Law of Attraction at it’s best!

So if you start to believe your efforts are not worth being paid for, that’s precisely what you’ll receive in return. Nothing.

Let me repeat that.  You have no right to judge whether someone or business, or group or association can or cannot afford you. Don’t do it!

I got caught in that notion several times until I learned the hard way!

For example, I was lead to believe that a certain non-profit association did not have a budget in place for marketing material.

So I rejected them as a potential client.

I found out later that a freelance competitor of mine got this great, high paying gig! Wow, who was it?

The same non-profit association! 

I judged.  What I didn’t research or know at the time was that the association receives copious amounts of funding from sources I hadn’t been aware of – and guess what?  They had a huge budget that year! But not for me.  I made an assumption. I judged. I lost out!

And here’s another experience I want to share so you don’t get caught! This time I believed employees of a business who said to me, “Oh, no, Sadie doesn’t use marketers.  She does that all herself.”

So I didn’t approach Sadie and ask for business!

I found out later that she spent over $30,000 in marketing – paid a competitive company most of it to have signs, slogans and web copy written!

I spit foam! I was so angry with myself for once again, making judgements, not asking questions… well you know the drill.

Fortunately, I finally learned to dig a little deeper. Now I know when something is judgment and when it’s an opportunity.

And I’ve written dozens and dozens of articles and web copy for a variety of sizes and niches to know that lack belief will destroy your dreams.

You may be looking for help to write your next promotion, or you may be looking for support in your next project.

I’m here to help.

Great job today, and expect results!

Patricia

P.S. You may have a brilliant idea and you may have great friends who are quick to advice you – but as Albert Einstein once wrote, “There are 3 Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; from discord find harmony; in the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity.”