In reading his memoir, however, I learned how much pain he felt trying to meet the expectations of others- his father’s relentless perfectionistic goals that were impossible to meet and his first wife, Brooke Shield’s love affair with celebrities and social status- something to which he just couldn’t relate.

His shift from misery in what I call  “other-centered” to true happiness in “authentic-centered” is beautiful to observe.  Once he marries tennis star Steffi Graf and starts living his life in HIS terms- his business, his life, and his joy flourish.

Some great lessons here about our lives and businesses.  As entrepreneurs, we have the freedom to create authentic businesses that are true extensions of who we are.  We have the opportunity to be “authentic-centered”- a prerequisite for real happiness.  Why would we do anything else?

I will post videos on my website and in some emails to you soon so you can hear for yourselves what they have to say.

For now, I just want to share my gratitude that such phenomenal “highly-capable” entrepreneurs invested in me.  I am so honored and thrilled to help them ALL reach 6-figures this year- so they can truly live their values and enjoy lifestyle luxury.

In a sea of potential experts, to find the mentor that is right for YOU, ask yourself these 3 essential questions:

1)    Who is REALLY where I want to be?
To answer this question, you need to uncover your true values first.  Figure out how many hours you want to work, what income you want, AND what type of balance you need to be happy.  Do you really want to follow someone who makes a ton of money but works all the time to do it?  Do you want to work with someone who focuses on family and lifestyle or someone who focuses solely on work?  Odds are your mentor will teach you how to strive for a business model similar to theirs.  So, be sure that you want your mentor’s business model and lifestyle before you invest.

2)    Who can teach me the business skills I need to POWERFULLY move forward?

Check out whether your potential mentor’s high-end business programs teach up-to-date BUSINESS and MARKETING skills.  Does s/he teach you how to redesign your business for maximum growth?  You need the right business design AND the right marketing to truly accelerate your business. Don’t settle for a program that doesn’t offer both.

3)    How much personal coaching do I REALLY receive?

Look for at least twice a month PERSONAL coaching with your mentor.  My high-end programs offer monthly one-on-one AND group coaching with ME, not with another coach I pay to work with you.   Look at the fine print and assess whether your investment allows enough personal coaching directly with your mentor.

Nothing will pull you forward more than a masterful business mentor and it’s worth your time and attention to choose carefully.  And once you choose, I recommend aligning your heart, soul, and energy, towards the blend of income, balance and lifestyle you truly want.

Blessings for an absolutely phenomenal new year!

I want to note that 2009 was an interesting year- actually, to be honest, a challenging year for many of you and for many of my friends and colleagues.

If you are among the lucky that had a great year (as we did), count your blessings.  If you are among those who feel like your year was full of struggle- count your blessings and be grateful the year is ending!

There are ebbs and flows to life and to business- if you were in an ebb, know that a flow is around the corner.  Take some time off over the holidays and march into the New Year wit h a fresh perspective- knowing that you are brilliant and powerful.

Be sure to invest in a mentor who is where you want to be, take great care of yourself so you are energized to move forward in January, and KNOW that 2010 will be your best year ever.  And watch… it will be.

My parents and my 2 sisters and their families will be there so 2 little nieces and 1 nephew running around (and one yet to be determined in my youngest sister’s belly).   Mark, the kids and I should get 5-6 good ski days on the mountain.   Skiing is something that we really enjoy as a family.

I am looking forward to getting a chance to unwind, relax and reflect on what a wonderful year it has been.  I hope you will make the time to do the same.

I wish you all the best this holiday and into the new year!

For solo entrepreneurs in particular, you are often your brand and that brand needs to have a face.  People make a connection when they see who they are working with.  Your face should be prominent on your website, on your business cards, blogs, and anytime you are reaching out to a new audience.

And not just your face- your voice too.  Videos are a powerful way to have people really see you in action.  Get a video up on your website or get your own YouTube site and record a video on something that you are promoting, launching or on a important topic that you want to discuss.  Not only do people enjoying watching what you have to say, but search engines love video material, so it is great for organic ranking.   Don’t obsess over the quality of the footage and the subtlety of the lighting.  Get the video shot, post it on your site and get it done.  Progress…not Perfection.

If you are not comfortable promoting yourself, than who will?  Tell people what you do, get your face associated with your business and unleash your inner superstar.

The truth is, the economy IS struggling and we can’t ignore that many individuals and families don’t have the same income to invest that they did a few years ago.  And yet, 6-figure and multi-6-figures solo entrepreneurial businesses are still entirely possible- with the right strategies. Read on for 6 Key Strategies on how to successfully redesign your business to prosper even in these tough times.

#1 Focus on list-building FIRST. You need to implement ingenious ways to powerfully grow your list- such as an enticing F*R*E*E offer on your website homepage, preview teleseminars or low-cost workshops, high-value articles sent to pertinent directories, low-cost talks or live presentations, and affiliate relationships with those who complement your business.  These are just a few strategies- we showcase many more in our new 6-Figure Coaching Club because we’ve learned that ongoing list-building is ESSENTIAL to 6-figure and multi-6-figure success.

#2  Think outside the box to reach people. If you are a solo entrepreneur, you are creative!  Harness that creativity and discover NEW ways of reaching your market. I am working with one platinum client now, an extraordinarily talented personal stylist in London, to add low-cost live demonstrations at boutique stores, group events AND virtual ways of styling clients worldwide.  She is in the process of adding these pieces to her business and you can check her out here, http://www.babetstyle.co.uk.

#3 Offer a variety of ways clients can work with you. Think about live or virtual one or two-day events, private and group programs, workshops, membership clubs- just to name a few.   You are not only appealing to more people by providing variety, you are adding multiple streams of income for your business.

#4 Create a desire for more at each level. Your free offer needs to create desire for MORE of your expertise.  Your lower level services need to increase the demand for offerings in your higher level programs.  Your lower levels need to create a desire for more of your services in the higher levels.

#5 Showcase Your Uniqueness. You do NOT want to be like everyone else.  Even in the smallest niche, you will inevitably face competition.   What are your unique strengths and talents that set you apart?  How are you communicating those to potential clients in your marketing?  Excavate your uniqueness and shout it out!

#6 Invest in a business coach. Find someone who is where you want to be, offers personal AND mastermind coaching, and who teaches the Internet marketing and business concepts you need to develop and showcase your expertise.  Although it’s tempting to bypass this step out of fear of the financial investment, it’s not the right step to skip. Every 6-figure and millionaire entrepreneur out there has a masterful business coach to pull them forward.  I have one, my coach has one, her coach has one.  If you want 6-figure success and beyond- you need one too.

I just finished writing the material for the 3rd call in my teleseminar series, “The Fast Track to 6-Figures – How to Become Known and Be Paid as a Premier Expert in Your Field.” I covered a lot of topics in this call but one of the things that I wanted to share with you was about Building Your Credibility.

One of the ways I will discuss about how to build your credibility is by being an original, not a copy.  You need to find the uniqueness within yourself that makes you shine like a superstar.  What brilliance to you possess that will make clients want to work with YOU and not someone else in your niche?  You don’t have to reinvent the wheel and come up with revolutionary concepts.  If you can great!  If not, then find something that resonates with you and figure out ways that you can make it yours by applying your own unique spin.

As Abraham Lincoln said “Every man (and I will add woman) is born and original, but sadly most die copies.”

Express yourself as who you are and who you want to be perceived as and that will attract like-minded clients who will really want to work with you and who’ll pay for the privilege.

To learn more about how to hop on the fast track to 6-figures without working all the time, I encourage you to sign up for my 4 part Teleseminar Series (It just started but it is not too late and you’ll get any call that you may have missed on an MP3).

My husband Mark describes it very succinctly…”To be Perceived and Believed as an Expert…you need to be Conceived as an Expert”

Adopting an Expert Mindset is how you start your transformation to becoming known as an expert in your field.

The second call in my teleseminar series goes into depth on the 5 core strategies you need in order to attain and get paid for your expert status.

It’s not too late to sign up for my teleseminar series, “How to Become Known and Be Paid As the Premier Expert in Your Field”.  When you enroll, all past recording will be sent to you and you will be able to ask your burning questions on my LIVE Q and A on Thursday December 10th at noon ET.  I hope to “see” you there!

Did you know there are 6 “Money Stuck Triggers” that hold entrepreneurs back from 6-figure success?  Which one is sabotaging your success?

Money Stuck Trigger #1-  Spending carelessly without a focus on your top priorities

Often what is underneath spending carelessly is either-

* insecurity about having a lot of money
* wanting to overspend on others to please them
* fear of money in general so you avoid dealing with it and just spend on whatever you want.

Whatever the underlying reasons, you want to shed yourself of this habit.  It doesn’t serve you in your life or your business.

The Breakthrough Action Steps here are-

1) Create that money vision board and prioritize what matters the MOST- focus spending on what matters most and save the less important for a time when you have extra money to spend.  (I explain the money vision board in detail on the teleseminar series).

2)   Set the clear intention to save 15-20% of what you make for your future- money you set aside after your expenses.

3)   In your business, clarify your top expenses- these should include investing in a powerful mentor (all successful entrepreneurs have mentors that pull them forward and hold them accountable, you don’t want to skip this) and they should include some assistance to free you up to focus 80% of your time the parts of your business that you do well AND are good at doing

If spending in these areas exceeds your income, you need to drop expenses in other areas of your life OR you need create some quick ways to bring more income into your life.  Spend less or make more- but don’t skimp on investing in a mentor or in getting some assistance to free you up to focus on your strengths in your business.

To learn the other 5 Money Stuck Triggers and how you can breakthrough them, and to learn a lot more- it’s not to late to sign up for my teleseminar series, starting this week “How to Become Known and Be Paid As the Premier Expert in Your Field”.  When you enroll, all past recording will be sent to you and you will be able to ask your burning questions on my LIVE Q and A on Thursday December 10th at noon ET.  I hope to “see” you there!