There can be a whole lotta crazy going on in your business at any given time. Crazy that makes you start making excuses, accepting someone else’s (really true, honest) rationalizations and even starting to buy into the hype that well, this is just the way that it is. You know, since you own your own business and all.
I don’t think so and neither do this week’s grab bag goodies…one of which may come as a nice surprise!
The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau is the answer to all those times you think you can’t. That “those solutions” just won’t work for you. That there are too many cookie cutter businesses, and yours is different. Translation in your head: You are just going to have to make exceptions, let others cut corners on what they provide or do for you (thus deflating your own sense of worth and/or principles), and settle for what must be done to get this baby launched. Uh huh. That’s crap. This book has 50 of the best examples (narrowed down from 1,500 businesses) on making it work for little money, lots of life and not cheaping out or settling. (Chris was featured in the Grab Bag for his Art of Non-Conformity…this is no less valuable. Get it.)
The FireStarter Sessions by Danielle Laporte is not just a book. It’s a manual for all things…fiery. Sure, it is an awesome business book – and not just for those who live to be entrepreneurs. Sure, it is a self-help book. Yet, it defies easy definition…just like it’s author. I’m a big Danielle fan – and she’s been in the Grab Bag before too. No matter. The book deserves to be read, to listened to, to highlighted and lived in. Even if you don’t agree with the soft stuff, the hard-core business advice will light you up. In particular, grab on to Session 9: No, Thank You. Yes, Please – accompanied by the Stop Doing worksheet. This isn’t the same stuff I talked about when it came to quitting – this is truly about not settling and finding out what truly fits.
And for this week’s twist: What happens when you combine Bob Newhart, MadTV and Mo Collins? Something awesome. There is lots of juicy stuff here: from the fee structure (oh, that all of us service pros were so clear!) to the irrational fears, rationalizations and frustrations of the patient. Look hard and you just might see some of your own business craziness in here. (Ok, maybe not YOU. Maybe just someone you know…that you can point to over here to take a look 
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How’s that for a bag full o’ inspiration to stop making excuses and get going? Let me know what your fav is from above – or otherwise!
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