"Keeping It Real" -- The Ultimate Success Story

Have you ever questioned yourself--or doubted yourself--about certain business decisions you've made along the way? 

 

I know I have.

 

This is how we figure stuff out.

 

It's how we discover who we 'really' are in business--

 

It's How You Discover Your Brand. 

 

Your brand is what you're selling (it's you).

 

It's the most valuable piece. 

 

Once you have it business gets easy.  And fun. 

 

And profitable.

 

But doubt--in and of itself--isn't enough to discover YOU in business.

 

It's just a part of it. 

 

In fact, doubt is destructive without TRUST.

 

And yet, "doubting" will serve you as long as you've included trust in the mix. 

 

This is when your power gets turned on.

 

Here I'm precisely describing how you end up:

 

- Loving what you do

- While the good money flows inward

- And the value you offer flows out

It's the ULTIMATE success story. 

 

It's the only success story. 

 

Can any of this be accomplished by just following a formula? 

 

Is there such thing as a marketing formula, or a proven system?

Here's my take:

 

Yes, there's a time and place for formulas and systems, but they are way overrated. 

 

Because they don't have a soul. 

 

Without soul you got nothin'.

 

Are you focused on formulas and a system, or are you focused on acquiring EACH of the soulful skills needed to succeed (click if you missed the 'essential list')?

 

Back to how I discovered my brand (to assist you in your journey of finding YOURS)...

"Doubt + Trust = Personal Discovery and Greater Levels of Ultimate Success"

 

--A Recent Bout With Doubt--

 

I did a leap recently in my own journey while thinking about how to introduce Coaching Cognition.  

 

My gut told me to avoid the time trap of doing a 'big launch.'

 

That would be a huge distraction for our team. 

 

And frankly, it's not a passion of mine to create a thorough launch sequence (though that has its place). 

 

My passion, at least for now, is building out the infrastructure for our growing community of entrepreneurs--landmark projects like Coaching Cognition.

 

As I thought about 'launch', I leaned toward keeping it simple--so simple it wouldn't even be noticed as a launch at all.  It would be more like an introduction.  I'd allow the 'marketing' to unfold on its own spontaneously. 

 

Of course we'd educate on why "coaching skills" are vital to one's success. 

 

For example, Barbara Silva, our coach of coaches, led two webinars this summer discussing the power of coaching skills; what it is and what its not; and how many new students will find their own way into business success for the first time as a paid coach with us. 

 

In my last email I talked about the 'essential list' everyone in business should be tackling head on -- that its the only shortcut that really exists.  That email highlights the value of coaching.

 

But emails like that weren't planned. They were spontaneous.

 

The email I'm writing now wasn't planned. 

 

And yet, in a sense, this is all part of the launch, or at least the introduction, of Coaching Cognition. 

 

It kind of just goes like this...

 

Because Coaching Cognition is our main focus right now... its naturally what occupies my mind... so it's naturally mentioned and referenced when I share teaching points (like in the last email) and connect with you in emails like today.

 

--Trusting Your Way--

 

I trusted that if we share some main points, the right people who are ready would join us without the need for fanfare, and once again a large group would make a transformational advancement in their businesses together.

 

But until very recently, I also had doubt in myself on this very thing I trusted...

 

"Maybe we do need a full blown launch plan for Coaching Cognition?"  

 

--Doubting--

 

We've done very well with our business.  And yet, we've never really focused a lot on the marketing. 

 

Could we do even better if we did? 

 

Are there people we haven't reached, who we could have helped, if we marketed more heavily?

 

I've often reflected about my 'way' of marketing, thinking it was my weakest point.

 

Most marketers teach to use 'launch formulas' or a full blown 'launch sequence' to REALLY get people's attention. 

 

These are calculated. 

 

A launch formula or sequence is a highly orchestrated sequence of well crafted emails, and/or reports and/or other planned steps to prepare your audience to buy something from you.

When implemented correctly they're extremely effective (at generating up front sales).

But I didn't want to do that.

 

It's odd for most online marketers when they hear things like this from me but, "I don't think about selling all that much." 

 

Instead, I focus on CONNECTING with people who really need what we offer but just don't know it yet, and then on effectively COMMUNICATING what we offer so they totally 'get' it. 

 

Before they even buy they're already light years ahead of where they were.  I shift their context by 'keeping it real'.  Rarely do I feel an urge for fanfare. 

 

Some may say I'm still selling--and yes, that's happening. 

 

But the difference is this:

 

I didn't produce these sales by focusing on a formula.  A system has never really been THE SOLUTION, no matter how hard I've tried to make that fly over the years.

 

Instead, as I discussed recently in the only real short cut that exists, I've focused on developing the skills needed (the essential list most avoid) that I believe everyone must hit head on if they want to end the struggle and move onto their own brand of ultimate success.

 

Once and for all.

 

But this is all stuff I figured out recently. 

 

Actually, I knew some of it all along and I trusted it.  But I also doubted myself throughout the process over the years... even up til now until a new level of clarity has hit.

 

It's now reached me at a higher level of clarity than ever... and thus my brand solidifies, business becomes even easier yet, and the sensation of Ultimate Success is heightened once more. 

 

The doubt along the way was healthy because it caused me to reflect. 

 

But it served me ONLY because I trusted myself at the same time... and found my own way to steer another direction (away form formulas, systems and promises) and toward "the essential list" and authenticity.

 

I notice that every successful person I've met, regardless of what they 'think' have done the same thing.  They'd be successful regardless of the system or formula they use, because they'll always choose the right one for THEM.  And they'll do more than that.  They've developed themselves through the essential list... either directly and quickly or by default through painstaking trial and error.  It has to happen one way or another.

 

"If Only I Knew Then What I Know Now..."

 

I've been through the "ringer" in business--and maybe that's why I continue to work  hard to get the  message across that Learning Coaching Skills IS the Fastest Shortcut to Success.

 

If you missed my recent article, "Finding The Only Shortcut in Business and Taking It" I encourage you to read it now.

 

I'd also like to introduce you to meet someone today who has grown significantly in developing her essential list with Barbara Silva's Coaching Cognition. 

 

Meet Claire Covington as she shares what Barbara Silva and Coaching Cognition has done for her. 

 

Listen carefully to what Claire shares because you'll notice something.

 

She's authentic. 

 

And that's the key!

Please listen carefully to Curt Johnson as well, knowing he's been a successful coach and businessman for years.  Curt was Ann Sieg's coach not so long ago before she discovered her own voice and brand.  He's also her upline!

 

Watch Curt Johnson on Coaching Cognition.

 

We'll begin registration for Coaching Cognition in early October.

I'll be sharing more details with you as I get them.

 

Partners in success,

Mike Klingler

Comments

[Cindy Schulson]

Thanks for sharing your insights Mike - as always, they are from the heart and that is appreciated.

One of the key concepts we learn in coaching is that of trust vs. doubt.

Trust empowers you to take action, while living with doubt can bring fear and insecurity.

Yet, as you point out, doubt can be healthy if you have the right perspective.

Coaches help our clients look at our doubts as something that can challenge and provoke us to grow and change. What good can come from the situation, what can we learn from it?

We help our clients see that our lives are a combination of every choice we've made, and that every experience teaches us a lesson.

There is tremendous value in both being a coach and being coached. I hope that everyone will take advantage of Coaching Cognition in whatever form is right for them.

Thanks for sharing!

[Michael Wilson]

Mike - your words hit home with me ... again.

That's the beauty of hanging out with like-minded people that are genuine and speak their mind. I get to read what you are really thinking and it often is just what I need to hear.

Take this post for example - I was just recently struggling with doubt in my business. Doubt can be tough, even debilitating, without support, perspective, and trust.

You've put doubt into the proper perspective and shown how it can be very positive, IF not allowed to rule the day.

If doubt leads to reflection and positive reflection leads to clarity and focus, then the doubt has actually started positive progress. Combined with trust, it will produce a positive result.

As Cindy said, "Trust empowers you to take action". That's the most important part of all; action plus renewed focus is a powerful force for success.

Thanks for your perspective and insight. Just what I needed, just when I needed it.

Michael Wilson

[Deborah Tutnauer]

I really wanted to comment on the doubt + trust idea. It is a beautiful description of the entrepreneurial process. The experiences swings back and forth between those two, even for those who are successful and have been so for awhile.

The doubt, if perceived in the right light, keeps one motivated to keep improving and searching. The trust allows one to absorb the experiences and know intuitively that they are on the right track. There is a great synergy and balance between the two...and keeping it that want ensures a steady forward momentum.

Thanks Mike,
Deborah

[Becky Joubert]

Mike,
It's so "you" the way you describe the conflicting formula of doubt and trust.
I really never thought about how they work together to help us make our best decisions. Again, it's this type of insight that helps us move forward and trust our own instincts and find what works for us, not someone else.

I'll just add, as one of Coaching Cognition's new coaches, it's that little bit of helpful doubt that makes me strive to be a better coach and not just rely on what I already know, even though I totally trust my decision and the path I've chosen.

[Rallie Rallis]

It's always wise to come back to your article, and re-read them, so we keep the important things in the forefront of out mind.

We can never stop learning.