What's going to be different this year?

Do you ever catch yourself whining like a five-year-old about your business rather than shining like a rockstar CEO?

We all whine, and it usually feels justified. After all, we're simply stating the truth about the reality of our finances, overwhelm and how so-and-so ticked us off.

Complaining changes nothing. In fact, energetically it takes you to a worse place than where you started. Then it's even harder to reach the level of success you desire.

One of my recurring pity sessions sounded like this:

“Everyone who attends one of my programs loves it. So why am I not attracting more people?! My marketing sucks. I don't know how to word things so that people get how much my program will change their lives. I wish someone would just handle this for me! But I can't afford to hire someone who I think could do the job well.”

I bet I replayed this sound bite at least a thousand times in my head.

Guess what?

Nothing changed. And the years went by.

I drudged forward trying different strategies, yet I still wasn't generating the number of participants in my programs that I knew was possible.

Then one day it occurred to me that I never had the right mindset when I launched a new program. I was anxious from the get-go that I wouldn't have a full class. I was "hoping" my numbers would grow.

The strategies I chose to market my programs reflected my fears. My confidence was like a roller coaster ride, going up and down based on my results.

Once I became aware of the real problem — negative mindset and 'safe' strategies — I went outside of my comfort zone. Considerably outside.

I created a plan for a program that had the potential to pay out a million dollars a year. Next, I hired a marketing genius who would help me gain confidence in the area I needed most. And I began to practice.

I found myself thinking different. Planning different. Acting different. (Maybe Apple was onto something.)

My results showed it. I hit record numbers. My bookkeeper congratulated me each month. I stopped whining about wishing someone would handle my marketing. I was doing my own marketing and feeling awesome about it.

Until I took my problem on like a mission that was easy to solve, nothing happened.

I invested time and lots of money (which was terrifying!) stretching myself into new territory in my business.

* What will be your stretch this year?
* Are you willing to invest your time and money to get help?
* Are you willing to stick with it as a long-term investment so that you can realize your potential as a business owner?
* Are you willing to stop whining and start doing something different?

Remember, you have to change your mindset and your strategy. Mindset always comes first.

Make this your best year ever! It's never too late or too early to begin.

Begin now.