Inspired, as ever, by the Domestic Divas, I’ve whipped up a very quick, little guide to the moon phases so we entrepreneuses know what aspects of our businesses (and our bodies) should get what attention when.

Women are lit up by moonlight. The more of the moon you can see in the sky, the more creative, nurturing energy we have.

If you’d like to save a copy for yourself, click on the graphic, use your magnifying glass to make it a smidge bigger, then right-click and choose “save as”.

And if you’re not sure what phase of the moon we’re in, check out this excellent site, MoonConnection.com.

~~~
Writer Carrie Klassen is a green tea enthusiast, novelist-in-progress, fine point pen aficionado, INFJ Scorpio, and president of Pink Elephant Creative, a website writing and design boutique for inspired entrepreneurs. She also writes workbooks and teaches workshops at Pink Elephant Academy for Entrepreneurs.

Last weekend’s super moon was awe-inspiring, wasn’t it? Up here in Toronto, she looked a little bigger than usual but so much brighter. Golden. Gorgeous. In the southern hemisphere, my friend, photographer, psychic and all-round wise woman Laurie Anne King, took this photo from near her home in Australia. Magical, huh? (If you like her work, you can see more of her photography right here.)

I’ve long been fascinated by the moon. Years ago, I started charting how my cycle shifted with her phases. Living in a city centre with our disruptive 24-hour lights, often women aren’t able to attune to the moon but I think because of my conscious awareness of it – as well as our heavy black-out curtains in the bedroom – my body could. Gradually, I learned what week in my cycle and what phase of the moon was best for socializing (and which was decidedly NOT). I figured out when to start projects and when to just let things be. Where, in past, I would have been hard on myself for procrastinating, I learned that a shift in my energy would come, so to enjoy the rest instead.

There are many excellent resources for learning about women and the moon. One of my first teachers was holistic reproductive health practitioner Amy Sedgwick of Red Tent Sisters. Then I met yoga goddess Zahra Haji who even developed her own amazing moon charting and yoga practice (which she teaches) called Moon Goddess. Both were inspired by the work of Miranda Gray. Most recently, I’ve fallen head over heels for fellow moon-lovers Sherry Rothwell and Adrian Percy of Domestic Diva. And what follows here is an interview with Sherry, as they even time their newsletters with the moon cycles! I’ve asked Sherry for her insight, especially, into using feminine energy management and moon cycles to nurture our businesses (since we gals are all entrepreneuses here).

It’s a good, long one, so you might want to pour yourself some chilled raspberry leaf tea and lemon and settle in for a good chat. (Sherry is so moon-smart!)

A. It is more relevant than ever for women to be consciously aware of the moon’s phases because there are so many elements of modern living that take us out of sync with them. Never before have we had to play so many roles as women: wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, entrepreneur, CEO, maid, cook etc. We have a lot to do and a lot to be responsible for.

Modern women have more to do yet less support around our basic needs than ever. While I would personally love to live in community (like our ancestors) sharing the domestic work and having a built-in social life – for many of us that lifestyle feels out of reach or inaccessible within the blueprint of our industrialized society.

A. Given all that we currently have on our plates as women and as entrepreneurs, we need greater awareness of our intrinsic feminine blueprint for energy management.  By tapping consciously into the impact that the moon’s phases have on our energy fluctuations throughout the month, we can harness the power of the moon to create harmony in our lives and in our businesses.

In the days before electricity, we didn’t have to use our conscious awareness to be in harmony with the moon’s phases. The increasing and decreasing radiance of the moon would naturally call us into sync with the rising and falling energies of the month.

Unfortunately the very structure of modern life creates an artificial homogenization of our night and day, so that we act as if each day is simply the same as the one before. The world expects us to simply manage our time better when we feel out of sync.

However, the concept of time management does not fit with the unique biology of women. The way we perceive and work with time in industrialized societies does not serve the feminine (nor does it serve our communities and families).

Nature though, provides a perfect rhythm to manage our energy in a way that both calls us to slow down and to rise up in perfect harmony with the fluctuating levels of energy that we feel throughout the each month.

Each of the moon’s phases has a specific energy level and quality. As the light builds, so does our energy and as it recedes, our energy follows suit. We can fight it all we want, but the reality is there is no sense in resisting what is intrinsic to us. If we fight our femininity, we not only experience pain, but we also miss the great mysteries and gifts of being a woman.

On the other hand, when we plan our monthly tasks in sync with our own natural rhythms, not only are we more productive, but our lives naturally feel more harmonious. Visioning and rest are built into our feminine template (or patterning) because it is a necessity, not a luxury.

When we “push the river”, we struggle against the very nature of our femininity and the inherent blueprint we have for managing our energy, our life and our work.

In fact the more we resist the way we feel (when the body says no and the soul is uninspired) and we try to push ourselves to get things done in our business that are not in sync with where we are at in the cycle (or who we are) we end up more unproductive that ever – even if we never stop working!

We’ve all had that experience of trying to force ourselves to finish something (from the ego’s desire to get it done, rather than from a state of inspiration) and  it ends up being a total waste of time or taking six times longer than it should!

When we “push the river”, we struggle against the very nature of our femininity and the inherent blueprint we have for managing our energy, our life and our work. If we follow our natural rhythms though – even if that means stopping – we are more productive overall (and healthier because we attend to both the body and soul’s need for rest and recuperation each month).

Our menstrual or bleeding time is a gift (of slowing down and clear vision) and our inspiration is a signpost that tells us – yes, in fact we are taking the right path or next step. Our intuition speaks through the language of the body and through our feelings about what is occurring in the moment; these are senses that serve a purpose and require our conscious attention.

Taking the time to reflect during our inherent times of increased vision during the new moon ensures that we take action in our business in ways that are in alignment with our values and our purpose. By taking the time slow down and evaluate what serves and what doesn’t, we actually make space for that which we are yet to manifest.

A. The first step is simply becoming aware that the moon impacts our life rhythms, energy and productivity. We do this by taking notice of how our energy and mood fluctuates throughout the month.

Second, anything that attunes us to the natural forces can re-harmonize our bodies with nature’s cycles; for instance, going to bed with the sunset and arising with the sun, eating local food, sleeping in complete darkness during the naturally darkest times of the moon’s phases, taking moonlight walks at night, taking nature into our homes by eating food in the whole form that nature provides, walking barefoot on the earth…

The most telling sign that we are out of sync with the moon is that we bleed at times other than the new moon.

If you notice that the way your energy fluctuates is not in tune with the moon’s phases, that’s okay – just start where you are by tuning into your intuition and acting on tasks that resonate with your energy levels and your inspiration as they are right now.

Another way that we can tell that we are out of sync is when we feel burnt out, unsatisfied or when everything feels hard and there are obstacles at every turn. If you know without a doubt that you are on the right path and giving fully of your gifts in the world, yet your world consistently feels upside-down (or you have a breakdown approximately every 3-4 weeks and you want to throw it all out the window), then the next step is to sync with your natural rhythms so that you can go with the flow, rather than force your way through times of lower energy.

The construct of “time management” is just not reasonable for women due to the inherent physiological forces within our feminine physiology. We bleed, give birth and we are compelled to nurture others – none of these intrinsically feminine forces can be scheduled, nor can they be forced, managed or suppressed if we want to embrace who we are fully.

Childbirth, for example, is the perfect metaphor. Labours that are inhibited or managed by the external will of a caregiver or forced to proceed faster with induction drugs most often result in complications, failure to progress or a complete cessation of labour. Very similarly, if we ignore, suppress or force ourselves to act outside of our true nature, our business will be full of complications, progress very little or we will feel stifled and unable to give birth to the highest expression of ourselves or the true vision and mission of our business.

The alternative to time management for women is managing our energy. Attuning ourselves with the building and receding energies of the moon is one of the many ways that we can manage our energy.

New Moon

This is the time of the month that we are naturally encouraged to become more introspective and introverted. Our energy is at its lowest, making now the best time to rest and rejuvenate. It is the perfect time to vision, set intentions and nurture our creative side. It is also the perfect time to just be with and make sacred space for deep conversation with the women in your life (masterminding).

Waxing Moon

During the waxing moon, our energies are starting to rise again, making the time ripe to start preparing the soil so it’s fertile for upcoming projects (restructuring, foundational work, putting structures and systems in place to support what we will be doing next). Now is the time to get out there and start planting seeds (ideas and new projects) and to communicate (meetings and planning).

Full Moon

The full moon is when our energy is at its peak. Now is the best time to push hard to accomplish that which we envisioned during the new moon. Give yourself permission to work hard and play hard (big project undertakings and development here). If you want to stay up until the wee hours of the morning and ride on the momentum, give yourself permission to flow with it, if you feel so inspired!

Waning Moon

This is the time when our energy begins to recede. It is time to start wrapping things up and finishing tasks that have been weighing on you (ie: invoicing, clearing or reorganizing clutter) so that your life, your home and your business feels spacious. This time of clearing is essential to make space for your new moon visions. You will be more easily able to slow down, relax and rejuvenate during the new moon because those annoying unfinished tasks will no longer be taking up space in your mind.

If you’d like a handy reference guide for the moon phases, click here.

Sherry Rothwell is the co founder of DomesticDiva.ca where she helps women reclaim domestic arts and traditional wisdom.  Sherry is a holistic nutritionist, mother of two and mompreneur who embraces being a woman. Sherry loves sharing feminine mysteries and teaching healing arts through live events, teleseminars, e-courses and private coaching programs.

 

Want to be reminded as we transition in and out of each of the moon’s cycles? Sign up for  the Domestic Diva newsletter so that we can send you a weekly notification by e-mail in service to helping you manage your energy and get in tune with your natural rhythms. www.DomesticDiva.ca

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Writer Carrie Klassen is a green tea enthusiast, novelist-in-progress, fine point pen aficionado, INFJ Scorpio, and president of Pink Elephant Creative, a website writing and design boutique for inspired entrepreneurs. She also writes workbooks and teaches workshops at Pink Elephant Academy for Entrepreneurs.

That’s what I learned again in New York City last week. There were deadlines and to-dos (as ever) but I closed up my Pink Elephant email account and hopped a plane so that I could see the cherry blossoms at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Almost three years ago, I was going through wedding magazines while planning our wedding and I tore out one of the most beautiful pictures I’d ever seen. Blush linen tablecloths were draped over tables set beneath the cherry blossom boughs. White chairs circled them. Prettiness on top of prettiness. I thought, “I want to go to there.” So I pinned it to the vision board above my desk and waited for the opportunity.

The invitation came, indirectly, through one Ms. Danielle LaPorte. She was launching her book, The Fire Starter Sessions, last Wednesday. I bought two tickets and then the rest fell into place. (The JetBlue flight out of Buffalo was ridiculously cheap and I used my HotelTonight app to score a $159 hotel downtown!!)

But back to selfishness. There was no true practical need for this trip. And there were lots of other things I SHOULD have been doing (like, say, my taxes). When I got there, though, I realized, those shoulds were (as ever) lies.

We spent the first morning in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. I soaked up earth energies. I felt my spirit soar first seeing the cherry blossoms, and it somersaulted to smell the lilac grove (dear me, that was a religious experience). The azaleas looked like campfires – so red and orange and lit up in the sunlight. And the Japanese peonies were the size of my head. Ruffled petals in the thousands. To get to them, we walked under trellises of wisteria. I am a flower person (clearly) so this, this was my idea of heaven.

If there is a thing I love nearly as much as spring flowers, it would be modern art, so the next day, we hit MoMA, another of my spiritual homes. For me, seeing a Chagall is what it must feel like for some to bump into George Clooney. Every time I go to MoMA, there is a new piece to steal my heart. (I’ll tell you which did me in in another post.)

I left there, feeling lighter. And fuller. And that is the point. To be of service, we have to be full. We have to be. And you know this, dear entrepreneurs. This isn’t some secret wisdom I’m sharing. But in case no one has given you permission today to seek pleasure, let this be it. You MUST find your garden and your gallery if you’re to be successful.

You must, you must, you must. Because YOU are your cup. And you must runneth over. When you are joy, you spill over your life and all the people in it, and they’re better for it.

And everyone feels like they’ve skipped through a pink-treed pathway, grateful grateful grateful.

You MUST find your garden and your gallery if you’re to be successful.

~~~
Writer Carrie Klassen is a green tea enthusiast, novelist-in-progress, fine point pen aficionado, INFJ Scorpio, and president of Pink Elephant Creative, a website writing and design boutique for inspired entrepreneurs. She also writes workbooks and teaches workshops at Pink Elephant Academy for Entrepreneurs.

What is your garden and gallery, dear readers?

A few weeks ago, I was struggling with a decision. It wasn’t a major life decision; it wasn’t a crisis. But it was weighing on me. I’d found a retreat that seemed really inviting. There was lots about it that called to me. But I also felt resistance. Part of which was financial. It would be, for me, a pricey endeavor and would mean wiping out my savings and a little extra.

I wasn’t sure if my discomfort around saying “yes” was an irrational fear that I wouldn’t be able to make that money back, and thus an invitation to take the leap and trust. Or, if the discomfort was because it just wasn’t the right investment of energy for me. I’m sure many of you have been in similar positions.

I am, as you all know, wildly blessed to be surrounded by the likes of you. Healers and generous spirits, wise women and men who wonder about the same things I do. So, I posed this question on my Facebook page, and then delighted in the answers.

Q. How do you tell the difference between good you’re-stepping-out-of-your-comfort-zone-so-of-course-it-feels-weird fear and bad my-instincts-say-no fear? I’m trying to make a decision and my gut is too jumpy to let me properly check in with it.

Otte Rosenkrantz: My favourite response to that is “It’s called ‘Comfort’ Zone for a reason…”

The Communications Distillery: The last time I felt that fearful-but-should-I-anyway feeling, I didn’t go for it … and then I felt a little resentful when my friend DID and succeeded. In retrospect, I wish I’d looked at the potential future. Would you resent NOT doing it? Would you wish you had? What would the Carrie-you-always-dreamed-of-being do (aka WWTCYADOBD)?

Vivian Osal: When making a decision, I will ask myself “Is this a Truthful reflection of who I AM? Is this what I wish to Create for myself?” Remember to take deep breathes to calm your body and mind

Karl Gilmore: Flip-A-Coin

Laura Buchanan: What’s the worst thing that could happen? If you can live with your answer – go for it

Lisa Kelly: Like mentioned above — trying imagining yourself in the future and looking back. Would you have regret for not trying it?

Miriam Verhaar: Like some of the comments above, I ask myself ‘will I regret it if I _don’t_ do it?’ &/or ‘will I regret it if I _do_ it?’. Another question I might ask is do you want to be talked _into_ it? or talked _out_ of it? both sets of questions will give you an idea of the underlying current/feeling. & if there is so much fear that it is paralyzing you from taking action, then it’s probably not the right time to make a decision, or take action.

Jill Murphy: Get second opinions from two people close to you. Even the more clear guts need backup. And, whatever you choose can always be unchosen. Best!

Heather Gray: when I am in that confusion space (of not knowing what the inner guidance is telling me) I go for a walk in nature, drop the mental thinking about it, wait until I feel peace-filled, then I ask anew

Allison Rice: While the surface-level feelings for both sides are the same, I find that, for me, the deep inner voice always knows which it is. I have to take time and create space to check in with myself — and to remove barriers (like feelings of inadequacy or fear of letting someone down) to make the wise/bold choice.

Darryl Patterson: As my biz partner likes to say, “You have a 100% chance of failure if you don’t try.”

Nita Apple: I’m all for following your “gut”, but don’t forget you’re just recovering from the stomach flu, it (your gut) might be sending some physical messages that are left over from the flu. I’m with Heather Gray, create a peace-filled space and ask anew.

Marie Mikkonen: For me the comfort zone version always has an element of YES to it, it can feel like excitement, warmth or passion-fire. The instincts-say-no-fear always reduces my energy in some way. When I go with the fear it usually always includes an element of trying to please someone & I end up wasting both of our time. [just happened recently] Good luck with the decision ♥

Hazel Bissky: Check in with the energy in your body and feel if its heavy or light – heavy is likely a no… if you can’t get centred that’s a sign you’re freaking out about some aspect of what you are doing based on some past memory – try tapping it out – speaking your truth out loud like… I feel scared and I don’t know if this is me or someone else’s fear or if I’m afraid or excited and ( do you know the tapping points? ) if not just tap your crown chakra and third eye and throat centre… while you speak the truth of your confusion and see what comes out – this can be very freeing. Alternatively I feel there is a belief that if you step out of your comfort zone something bad will happen. This is your old belief that is holding back the forward movement – pay attention to it make sure you get to the source of the old memory and then clear it.

Water the Universal Healer: If it isn’t going to hurt you physically or morally, try it, you can always change your mind after

Bettina Goodwin: If there is a sense of peace behind it, then it is your intuition telling you to back away. If it seems more irrational and is full of thoughts swimming around in your head then it is fear that you need to walk through. Try this – picture a door and on the other side of it the decision. Walk up to the door and open it – how do you feel? Step over the threshold – what’s there? You’ve just stepped out of your comfort zone. The ego will never give you a straight answer, only long lists of pros and cons. But the source/connection to Divine, heart/soul will always give you a definitive and right answer.

Nysha Dahlgren: I ask the question before I fall asleep and let my unconscious do the talking!

Radical Creative Sanctuary: Well well Carrie, you are surrounded by some seriously intelligent heart warriors! The most effective method for me was suggested by The Communications Distillery. I know if I imagine the future, or someone else choosing this path, would I be regretful or jealous. Bam. It’s there.

I made my way through this list of inspired suggestions (thank you, all!) and at the end was quite sure my resistance actually had nothing to do with the cost; it was that I didn’t believe I would get the answers for myself that this retreat promised. Not because the retreat wasn’t what it purported to be, but because I wasn’t the right fit. At least not right now. It’s funny how the mind can get in the way, throwing irrelevant, old muck into the mix.

Because I wanted to be absolutely sure about this decision, I doubled-back to Jill’s tip – ask trusted advisors for advice. One of my most trusted advisors is my wise woman psychic intuitive business and life coach Laurie Anne. No one can help me cut through my own muck more quickly, and by the end of our session, she had me feeling very clear that this opportunity wasn’t for me right now. I expected to feel disappointed but, you know, the truth is always liberating, isn’t it? The “no” to this experience washed over me like the sweetest relief.  And I smiled to have been brought just a little closer to my own inner wise woman. The one who knew all along and was patiently waiting for me to hear her. (We just needed a little help from my friends.)

If there’s a decision you’re mulling or there’s any area of your life that could use a zap of otherworldly clarity, I simply cannot recommend Laurie Anne enough.

How do you make decisions when you’re feeling of two minds?

~~~
Writer Carrie Klassen is a green tea enthusiast, novelist-in-progress, fine point pen aficionado, INFJ Scorpio, and president of Pink Elephant Creative, a website writing and design boutique for inspired entrepreneurs. She also writes workbooks and teaches workshops at Pink Elephant Academy for Entrepreneurs.

guest post by Bari Tessler

Have you noticed that even for those of us who have “done a lot of work”, we often check out around money? While many of us have other psycho-spiritual practices like meditation, yoga  and exercise, money is often the “last frontier”. If you can relate, you’re not alone. The best place to start? Cultivate your conscious money practice.

In its basic meaning, any “practice” is simply a healthy habit we do on a regular basis that, over time, provides a cumulative benefit. Your “Money Practice” can be defined as the steps you take on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis to help bring more clarity, peace of mind and success to your financial life.

#1: The Physical Level of Your Money Practice

This is where we attend to the practical aspects of our relationship with money. You choose how often you attend to your money practice – daily, weekly, monthly. I invite you to schedule a weekly “money date” with yourself as you’re beginning to cultivate your money practice. Setting aside this time & clearing this space is often the hardest, and most important piece. Once you enter the space of your money practice, here are some aspects to consider, on this “physical level”:

• Learn a tracking system (like Mint, Quicken, or Quickbooks). I used to be TERRIFIED of these systems! Many of us want to outsource this piece because it’s so uncomfortable. However, it can be phenomenally empowering and healing to learn a system, learn this language, and attend to our financial tracking regularly with clarity.
• Save your receipts in a fancy stylish accoutrement. Especially if you have a business (and even for those of us simply looking to bring more consciousness), it’s important to keep your receipts and reconcile them regularly. I keep all my receipts in really cool silver old cigarette case. This small touch I’ve added to my money practice helps keep me awake, inspired, and effective.
• Clear the clutter. Clean your desk & create a nice environment to attend to your money practice. Add candles. Something beautiful. Music. Anything that helps you step more deeply into your conscious money practice.

#2: The Emotional Level of your Money Practice

This is where we bring more awareness to our “money story”. What emotions come up for you around money? What’s your history? Where do you check out, freak out, or become anxious?  Deep breaths and huge doses of compassion are needed here. This level is about deepening in self-intimacy, and understanding our experience with money, and how it’s playing out in our current life.

Here’s my favorite tool to engage with the emotional level of your money practice. Use this tool in each moment of your money practice – as you prepare to have a complicated money conversation, as you approach an important money decision, as you’re sitting down to the computer to pay your bills . . .  

• Body Check Ins: Stop whatever else you are doing. Take a few deep, slow breaths. Be open and curious about your inner experience. Notice any thoughts, feelings, images, body sensations, memories. Acknowledge what you find. Write about your experience in a money journal if you’d like to. Collect data, clues, and pieces of the puzzle to help you come into deeper relationship with yourself & your money story.

#3: The Psycho-Spiritual Level of Your Money Practice

This is where we drill down to the very deepest meaning of your money practice, and align your finances with your values. What is the meaning and value that you are exchanging your money for? What is your vision for your life? And how does that connect to your relationship with money?

• Renaming: Transform boring, or stressful expenses into deeply held and honored values. For example, what if instead of paying your “Mortgage” or “Rent” each month, you invested in your “Sanctuary”, “Home”, or even “Love Shack”?! By renaming in this way, our financial comings and goings are infused with meaning and intentionality.

Wherever you are on your money journey, choose your very next baby step, and take that step. The tools you’ll find here are just the beginning. Remember, the most important step in nurturing any practice is to begin. And begin again. Again and again.

To learn more about cultivating a money practice, working with your “money story” and stepping into a path of Financial Transformation, join Bari on the line for a free teleclass on Tuesday, April 3rd, “Wake Up With Money”. Save your seat here: http://baritessler.com/programs/wake-up-with-money-teleclass

~~~

Bari Tessler is a Financial Therapist, Coach and Mommypreneur. She founded the Conscious Bookkeeping Method – Tools for Financial Transformation in 2001, after a decade working as a body-centered therapist.

The business quickly grew from a one-woman operation into a team of six other accounting, psychology, coaching, and investment professionals. Then, with the birth of her son in 2008, Bari successfully evolved back into a one-woman rockin’ show as a mommypreneur, updating her business model to honor the importance of spending lots of time with her family.

She offers the Conscious Bookkeeping Method: Tools For Financial Transformation™, via these programs: Introductory Video Course, Wake Up With Mint Course, Home Study Program, and private Financial Therapy.

Her teaching combines practical action steps, a wealth of therapeutic experience, and inspiration galore to help her clients transform their relationships with money, body, mind and spirit.

To learn more about Bari and her work, go here: http://baritessler.com/

Jennifer Lee of Artizen Coaching is clearly a kindred spirit – especially with her appreciation for the right side of our brains. She’s doing a tour of her favourite blogs to get the word out about her Right-Brainers in Business Video Summit (February 27-March 9, 2012) and today, she’s popping up on ours!

For her Pink Elephant debut, I asked Jennifer if she’d share the three biggest mistakes she sees creative entrepreneurs making, as well as her recommendations for avoiding them. I love what she’s written for us.

1. Not trusting themselves.

This is the biggest thing I see come up for creative entrepreneurs. They think that they need to look outside themselves for the answers when really the answers are inside and they actually know more than they think they do. We worry about the details like if we’re using the right technology or tools, or if we’re making the right business decisions, or we spend time comparing ourselves to others we think are more successful. However, you and your creative business will thrive the most when you stay true to who you are and honor your values and vision. Focus on what’s most important to you in your creative business, believe in your vision, and trust that you’ll figure out the details that you need to (or get support to do it – see #3).

2. Not knowing their numbers.

I know the financial side of things can tend to be scary for creative entrepreneurs who would rather just concentrate on their passion and not have to worry about the money. And yet, I find that not knowing exactly how much money is coming in and going out actually causes more stress. The Moola Map exercise I share in Chapter 5 of my book The Right-Brain Business Plan offers a fun and visual way to look at your income and expenses. It’s a great way to get your feet wet. I also recommend having some type of bookkeeping system (and no, I don’t mean that shoebox overflowing with receipts) because it will help you track what you’re spending and making. Quickbooks or Outright are popular bookkeeping tools (not sure how to get that set up? See #3). When people take the time to look at the numbers they usually feel more empowered and excited about the opportunities. Knowledge certainly is power!

Note from Carrie: I’m with Jennifer – getting organized around your money is empowering and essential. If, though, you just can’t make yourself go the software route and you’re not in a position to hire a bookkeeper yet, at least start small. Here’s my own computer-free money management system for small business. It’s a step up from the shoe box and way preferable to doing nothing.

3. Not getting help.

Just because you’re a soloprenreur doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. In fact, if you are, you’re probably not being as effective (and profitable) as you can be. It can feel uncomfortable to reach out to others for help, but when you do, you’ll make your life a whole lot easier. I recommend making what I call a “helping hands wish list” where you write down all the ways you can use help right now in your work and personal life. Then identify one or two people you could make requests of. And even if you think you can’t afford to hire help or outsource work, remember that if you’re wasting your time doing things that you don’t like and aren’t good at rather than the things you love doing and make you money, you’re probably holding your business back. Another no-cost way you can get help is to find an accountability buddy. This is someone who you can check in regularly with to share what actions you’re committing to doing and to report back to them if you’ve done them or not. Sure, running a creative business can be challenging. And it can also be lots of fun when you invite others to play with you!

Like Jennifer’s take on things? (Me, too.) Visit her video summit or follow her on Twitter @artizencoaching to get a little more.

~~~

Jennifer Lee is the founder of Artizen Coaching and the award-winning author of The Right-Brain Business Plan. Her bestselling book has helped thousands of entrepreneurs around the world grow their businesses authentically and creatively. Join her live for free at her 2^nd annual Right-Brainers in Business Video Summit February 27^th-March 9^th. You can find her on Twitter at @artizencoaching.

A couple weeks ago, I bought a ticket to a networking event that’s happening tonight. I’m not going to go.

If you’ve read my bio or even just the footer on this page, you know I’m naturally an introvert (that’s what the I in INFJ represents) and as, such, networking events aren’t my favourite way to pass the time. But that isn’t the reason I’m bailing ce soir.

1. I bought the ticket because I felt like I should.

Should is always such trouble. As soon as I decide to do something because I think I should, I completely ignore my own inner wisdom, my own rhythms, my own heart, my own desires. And that ain’t right. Should and Joy rarely coexist. And it’s joyful people who do best in business, dear entrepreneurs.

Always, always, always choose Joy over Should.

2.  I don’t want to.

See the point above. I know I could jolly myself into the mood for this particular event. I could pick out a cute outfit and admire my business cards (they have the best embossed elephants ever!). I could get there, I could. And it would be fine. But I’ve been trying out a new practice for the past six months especially, and I love it. It’s called Pleasure.

“What would please me, tonight?” I ask myself. And, turns out, it isn’t to take the streetcar to eat a buffet dinner, worrying there’s parsley in my teeth as the woman next to me tries to sell me life insurance. Some nights, that would be fun. The meal would be delicious. The insurance lady could become a new best friend. But tonight, what’s calling to me is a solo dinner at the neighbourhood French cafe (Mr. Klassen’s got a rehearsal), then savouring some home-alone time. I’m thinking lavender-salted bath before curling up with the most recent Camilla Gibb. A pot of mint-nettle-red clover tea. The quilt we bought on our east coast honeymoon over my lap. My legs stretched out, full-length, on the couch. That is the scene that feels most energizing to me tonight.

What I have learned – without fail – is that when I pursue what pleases me, I am so much better at pleasing others.

3. Changing the action doesn’t mean the intention’s lost.

When I bought that networking event ticket, I did so because I was intending to connect with some new people. Earlier today, when I was tempted to talk myself into attending, that was one of the arguments I used: But you wanted to meet new people. Here’s what I had to remind myself: There are at least a hundred different ways to do …everything. There are a hundred ways to mix a cupcake batter. There are a hundred ways to paint your nails. There are a hundred ways to pet a cat. There are a hundred ways to expand the reach of a business.

Tonight, I don’t have to “get out there” but because I am still feeling like I’d like to make connections, I checked in with myself about the more fitting how. “What means of connection would I enjoy today?” And what I came up with is writing this post. And after this, while I’m still logged into my website, I’m going to make some content tweaks to improve my search engine optimization for the workbooks pages. Those activities will probably connect me with more people, likelier to find me engaging, than tonight’s event. Even if you don’t love what you’re reading on this page, because I wanted to write it, because it wasn’t forced, because – for me – it was fun… on some level, you, dear reader, will pick that up. And we will connect. And it will feel good because it’s coming from a good energetic place. Right?

A person who is lit up can’t help but be attractive. In any given moment, choose to do what lights you up.

Although there are business coaches who would insist you need to force yourself out of your so-called comfort zone, I think there are more meaningful ways to practice courage and that, indeed, choosing to do what pleases you despite your inner-shoulds IS an act of bravery. And defiance. And it’s the ticket to growing your business.

Despite missing tonight, I think Pink Elephant’s gonna be just fine.

~~~

Writer Carrie Klassen is a green tea enthusiast, novelist-in-progress, fine point pen aficionado, INFJ Scorpio, and president of Pink Elephant Creative, a website writing and design boutique for inspired entrepreneurs. She also writes workbooks and teaches workshops at Pink Elephant Academy for Entrepreneurs.

This gorgeous recipe comes to you from Elixir Organic Spa. They’re a healthful, boutique spa in Toronto but even if you’re not from around these parts, I think they’re worth following on Facebook just for the great posts.

• 1 cup dried organic rose petals (available in most health food stores)
• 1/2 cup fine pink Himalayan salt
• 1/4 cup Grapeseed oil
• 2-5 drops of essential oil of either Rose or less expensive Rose Geranium

Directions: In a blender or food processor grind the rose petals into a fine power. Transfer into a bowl and add the salt, oil and essential oils. Store in a beautiful glass jar and exfoliate in the shower. Add a silk ribbon and you’ve got a beautiful gift!

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Writer Carrie Klassen is a green tea enthusiast, novelist-in-progress, fine point pen aficionado, INFJ Scorpio, and president of Pink Elephant Creative, a website writing and design boutique for inspired entrepreneurs. She also writes workbooks and teaches workshops at Pink Elephant Academy for Entrepreneurs.

Do you want to know an embarrassing secret? I sucked my thumb until I was double-digits. (I was a sensitive kid… still am.) Want to know what happens when you’re such an effective self-soother? You get crooked teeth. It’s something that’s always bothered me. Not in a dramatic way but in a gee-I-wish-I-could-do-something-about-this way.

So, at 35, I’ve been shopping for orthodontists. And braces, my friends, are expensive! In shelling out this money, what’s been a surprise delight is the business schooling I’m getting.

Often, clients confide they know they should raise their prices but they’re afraid that no one will be able to afford to hire them if they do that. It’s a completely natural fear – especially when you’re not yet bringing in the revenue you need to feel comfortable. But here’s the truth – as learned through braces shopping – people who want things will find a way. I “cannot afford” to be getting braces but I’m going to, because this is a solution I really want.

You know what else is crazy (but not)? I chose the most expensive orthodontist. There was another who lectures extensively, who was quick to show off an impressive portfolio, who I could tell was very, very good at what he does – but I just didn’t feel a connection. I could pay less money but I knew I wouldn’t enjoy being in his office. I wouldn’t love the experience of it. Instead, I chose the equally qualified but more pleasant (to me) orthodontist. And because I had such a positive interaction with him, it made me happy to pay him a little more. Truly. (And, trust me, I love a deal.)

Do you ever worry when you send out an invoice that it ruins your client’s day? Think of me, smiling to write a cheque for my soon-to-be-straighter teeth. My smile is how your client feels.

And that’s the other thing… I’m grateful to my orthodontist. I’m excited about the work we’re about to do. Do I wish it were a lot less money? Yup. Sure. But my focus is on the outcome. He is going to help me with a problem I am so looking forward to having solved. I am a willing spirit. If your clients have chosen you and you’re doing work for them that they need (and why else would they have called on you?), then they are willing spirits too. Don’t get mired in guilt or shame (“who am I to charge so much for something others really need? I could go without a nice dinner out this week to make my services even more affordable… I could go without…”) and overlook what is truly true: your client isn’t feeling the angst you’re projecting.

I have had clients tell me that they decided to work with Pink Elephant before they even saw the service menu. It just felt right. The same was true for me with my orthodontist. I knew he was the one I wanted to work with before he printed off his estimate. This isn’t a rare phenomenon for me or for the very fine Dr. Newton. It’s how most women make important buying decisions (and over 80% of buying decisions are made by women!).

We only make choices based solely on price when we aren’t that invested in the outcome. Are those the clients any of us want? The ones who are neither-here-nor-there about what we’re doing together? Nope. We want enthusiasm and care and commitment. We want orthodontic clients who will wear their retainers properly because they want the best result. And we want website design clients who are passionate about details and how their businesses are presented in the world (because they’ll most appreciate beautiful work). We want clients who really, really want to get fit and will show up for the workout. Or who are serious about following the meal plan, or who will come in for that 6-week check-up because that’s what their care requires.

I will write a really big (for me) cheque in a couple weeks when I pick up my aligners (I think that’s what they’re called), and then, I strongly suspect, I won’t think about that money again. After the trade, I will be too busy dazzling in the possibility of a really great smile (from all angles!).

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Writer Carrie Klassen is a green tea enthusiast, novelist-in-progress, fine point pen aficionado, INFJ Scorpio, and president of Pink Elephant Creative, a website writing and design boutique for inspired entrepreneurs. She also writes workbooks and teaches workshops at Pink Elephant Academy for Entrepreneurs.

When I worked a corporate job, I rarely looked at my pay stub to see the taxes being deducted. Up here in beautiful Canada, it’s a big chunk so I was content to focus on what was actually making its way into my account. Let the government (and my fellow citizens) have what is the government’s.

When I became self-employed, however, things changed. There was no longer a payroll person doing the math for me every two weeks, which meant I had to figure it out. I’m not really one for reports and tracking so for the first years in business, I just winged it. I guessed at what I might owe in sales and income taxes and hoped that I had enough in my account. And while my guesses did end up being close, having to guess brought with it a vague and constant feeling of dread. The unknown tax bill hung like a cartoon safe over my head. Will I be able to pay it?

There’s so much more peace in knowing.

So last year, I implemented a new system for tracking revenue and taxes I would eventually owe. It was a binder system and while it was quite a clever thing in theory, I still let the receipts pile up all over the place until the end of the year instead of slipping them into the binder envelopes I’d made. For me, if a process is going to stick, it has to be SO easy. And I think that’s what I’ve got heading into 2012.

I bought an accordion folder (with high recycled content, of course) and named each section based on what I need to report to my accountant come next spring. (If you need inspiration, here are the forms our Dimitris asks us to fill out – they’ll show you various categories. Your accountant can help you refine yours.) I leave it open where I barely need to stretch from my seat to drop something in. Simple, simple. But that doesn’t mean every time I have a receipt I drop it in. Nope. I let them pile up in my pockets, purses and wallet. The printer tray is another great spot. And that’s okay. It’s part of my process. I let them build up and then, on the last day of the month, I sort them.

I don’t total any of those. I might do that quarterly or at the end of the year. I should do it monthly (and, smarter, should hire a bookkeeper to help) but, for now, my profit and loss statements are simple enough that I feel comfortable being inexact and intuitive. Because I don’t like the stress of surprises,  I do approximate what I will owe in sales and income taxes.

To figure out a rough number to set aside for taxes owed, I run two quick reports. I use Blinksale for Pink Elephant Creative invoicing so I can easily see what invoices were closed in a month and what amount of sales tax was collected. (We have to charge the harmonized sales tax – HST –  to fellow Canadians who hire Pink Elephant, and at different rates depending on which province they call home. We don’t  charge tax for clients outside of Canada.) The second report I run is through e-Junkie because it tracks sales for Creative’s sister business (this one), Pink Elephant Academy for Entrepreneurs. I add up the amount of sales tax from each report and then I move that amount from Pink Elephant’s chequing account into a business savings account. If I were really on the ball, I’d subtract the total I’ve spent in HST for that month’s business expenses before moving that amount over – since the government requires us to pay what we bring in minus what we pay out – but, as discussed, I’m being casual – I save the exact HST math and return for year-end. This way I have more in the account than I will need. And I like the way that feels.

The next bit of math I do is to total the  revenue (excluding any sales tax collected) from both of the reports and I figure out what 20% of that total is; then I move that into the savings account. That is the money I’ll use to pay my income tax bill next spring.  My tax rate at the end of the year likely won’t be 20% (it will be higher) and doing the math this way doesn’t take into account my business expenses – which will eventually be subtracted from my revenue to show true income – but I’ve found, for my business, that setting aside 20% of monthly revenue ensures there’s enough in the pot at the end of the year to comfortably write that tax cheque. If there’s extra left over, then that’s a trip to the spa (or somewhere more exotic!). You can figure out your own estimate by looking at last year’s tax bill and figuring out what percentage of last year’s revenue it worked out to be. Make sense?

40 minutes each month is all I need. Finding all the receipts and sorting them into my accordion file took exactly 13 minutes this afternoon. To run the two reports, transfer them to Excel so I could save them in a folder on my computer and then add up the totals took 25 minutes. It’ll be quicker next month now that I have a proper process in place. To sign into my banking account and move the funds around took an additional two minutes. If you’re adding, that’s 40 minutes. And now I don’t have to worry about taxes!

Dear creative entrepreneurs: how do you manage your money each month? How do you keep organized? Share your tips for other entrepreneurs in the comments field below.

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Writer Carrie Klassen is a green tea enthusiast, novelist-in-progress, fine point pen aficionado, INFJ Scorpio, and president of Pink Elephant Creative, a website writing and design boutique for inspired entrepreneurs. She also writes workbooks and teaches workshops at Pink Elephant Academy for Entrepreneurs.