There is a general misunderstanding that you are supposed to know how to do everything on your own. This is an especially pervasive belief among helpers and healers.

Helpers and healers are notoriously bad about being able to receive. Giving – they’re all over that. Nurturing – no one better. But being able to ask for help, let alone accept a kindness – that’s a challenge.

Maybe it would help to know that by asking for help you are almost certain to learn a something new and that will help your clients. You expand your knowledge base when you ask for help. You build community. You allow yourself to feel uplifted and energized – and that’s good for everyone in your life.

A strong sense of community emerges and we’re starting to see how collaborative friendships (doesn’t this sound better than strategic alliances?) help everyone.

When you’re uncertain of your next step, consider reaching out to your community to ask for feedback, advice, ideas and suggestions. Consider asking for help. If you’re a helper or healer you may be shocked at the overwhelming response you get after years of uplifting others.

Let me know how it works out!

I talk with a lot of professionals who are struggling with finding clients – especially with this recession that just seems to be dragging on and on and on. They want more training, more ideas, more consulting – but with few clients coming in, they don’t have much of an education budget for themselves.

The real bear is that this actually is a great time to jump in and get some extra training because you have the time. The problem – the money. Training courses, workshops and retreats can be pretty pricey.

Instead of doing a search online for training, I suggest you check out what’s available in and around your town. It’s a great way to make friends and get involved in your community which in turn can be very good for your business.

The Small Business Administration is a great place to start. They offer classes, books and workshops that can really help you get things moving again. Check online to see if there is a SBA chapter near you.

You might also visit your local Chamber of Commerce to see if it’s a good fit for you. Tell them what you’re looking for and ask what they have that might help you reach your goals. Many chambers have mentoring available, leads groups, business events and even classes to help you with your business.

The library is probably the most under-utilized resource out there. Stop by, have a chat with the librarian and ask about books but also ask if they have ideas of other places in the community where you could find great ideas and help.

Your local Community College and Community Recreation Center both may have some amazing classes on business development, marketing and advertising.

And it doesn’t hurt to get out into the world and just do your life. Do the things you love to do, meet people and tell them what you do. It’s a great way to get a referral based business off the ground.

At times, hiring a consultant to help you is a great idea. It can help you get a laser-focus on your business, provide you with immediate answers to specific questions and move you forward – often at quantum speed.

But in the mean-time, there are resources you can access that can help you connect with your community while growing your business.

Enjoy the journey!

Take a look at your “to do” list. Is it filled up with things you “should” do, are expected to do or simply in the habit of doing?

Pull your list out right now and take a look at it. Is there anything on the list that you look forward to doing? Is it filled with things that inspire you?

If not, perhaps you need a new list!

I was doing this exercise with a client the other day and they realized everything on their marketing “to do” list was boring, tedious, draining or frustrating. But they felt sure they really needed to do each thing on their list.

Their day consisted of waking up to a loud alarm clock so they could complete as much of this exhausting list as possible until it was time to go back to bed – usually too late where they would worry themselves to sleep and then not get enough rest … only to start the same thing all over again the next morning.

This is NOT the stuff of life. And as the John Mellencamp song reminds us – your life is NOW.

I suggested that my client allow herself to wake up to quiet music or soft light or some other way that was more gentle than a blaring alarm. Then I suggested that she lay in bed for just a few minutes to focus on the day ahead.

In that precious few minutes, I asked her to think about how she wanted to feel at the end of the day. What would she feel happy about accomplishing? What would make her day fulfilling?

And I suggested she consider what inspired her throughout the day. What made her feel like she was in the flow of life.

Your “to do” list can come from this place of inspiration and fulfillment, making it not only more enjoyable but also more “do-able” – leaving more time to sleep restfully and less likely to be consumed with worry.

There were still a few things on her list that needed to be done but she didn’t want to do. Some of them were delegated and for other jobs she hired some help.

You’re the only one who knows how to make your “to do” list work best for you, but perhaps its time to tune into your intuition and see how you can feel more in the flow of life.

Okay, I have to say it. One of my BIGGEST pet peeves is when I hear a marketing person tell clients – “you HAVE to go out of your comfort zone.” Personally, I don’t agree.

How do you feel when you go out of your comfort zone? You probably feel UN-comfortable, uneasy, up tight, out of your element. How attractive is that?

People tend to buy from those they know, like and trust. When you’re uncomfortable, it’s harder to get your message across, it’s more difficult to be likable and it’s really hard to focus on building trust. At that moment, you’re more concerned with survival!

When I work with clients, my biggest concern is learning as much as I can about their strengths and weaknesses so I can help them stay in their comfort zone when they market. From that place, you are most at ease and you are your most attractive.

Think about how you are most comfortable. Are you an introvert or extrovert? Do you like working with people 1:1 or in groups? Are you a natural teacher or more of a follower? Do you like to write, lecture, chat on the phone?

Our culture is so focused on self-improvement. We see this with new year’s resolutions. We’re conditioned to see what’s wrong with us instead of what’s right. But that’s another blog…

Bottom line: Focus on your strengths and build from there. You do not have to leap out of your comfort zone to market effectively.