Happy Wednesday, folks.

My Godson was born yesterday.

My lovely cousin, and friend, Jennifer, gave birth Tuesday morning. For the last nine months, she’s been preparing. And she did a terrific job. She took care of herself – growing an almost-nine-pounder. She was actively working until four days earlier. She earned her doctorate along-the-way. Did I mention she has a seventeen month old?

She is amazing.

When I went to see her, if I didn’t know better, I would never have guessed that she had just had a baby. Looking adorable and relaxed, she was a vision.

When I scanned the room, I saw smiling family members, bags of gifts, liquid snacks for the new mommy, and a rotation of nurses who were checking on her. What I didn’t see was a suitcase.

It was officially MIA.

When her sister-in-law looked surprised and asked her what she needed from home, hoping to be helpful, Jen explained that she had already packed the suitcase – all of the things that she needed were in it – she just hadn’t brought it with her. {grin}

In this case, not having her suitcase with her obviously wasn’t a big deal. Her husband would simply run home to get it for her and bring it back – heck, she’s not going anywhere any time soon, right?! Please don’t misunderstand my {grin} for mocking – because it’s not. I am just that person who has a suitcase stowed in my car – just in case I need to go somewhere!

But I couldn’t help but think how we sometimes find ourselves in Jen’s position – perhaps packed, but not truly prepared – in business.

Throughout the week, I engage with hundreds of business owners. Sometimes, they know they need a coach/a plan/a target market [fill-in-the-blank], but they’re still sitting in their cubicle as they dream about starting their own business. This person knows their suitcase is somewhere in the attic – shoot, I better go up there to find it and dust it off! – but they haven’t taken the time to bring it downstairs yet.

Sometimes, they have purchased course after course to learn how to coach/to write/to hire employees [fill-in-the-blank], but they haven’t been able to secure a paying client or a steady assistant. This person brought her suitcase downstairs, but it’s laying, open, albeit empty, on the bedroom floor.

Then there’s the woman who has paying clients. She’s purchased programs that have proven effective in her line of work, but she’s feeling overwhelmed because she doesn’t have time to respond to emails. Client communication is going unattended, and she hadn’t noticed that she missed her own doctor’s appointment until two days after-the-fact. There may be money in the bank, but she’s having a hard time sleeping at night. Her suitcase is packed and it’s poised by the front door.

My favorite gal, however, is the one above – when she learns to value her skills and time. She enjoys working with small groups of clients. Or conducting livestreams. Or live event speaking. But she doesn’t like bookkeeping, let’s say. She hires a bookkeeper, picks up her suitcase, and struts confidently out the door and into the world. I love that girl! And you’re out there – I run into you every day.

While I used the example of Jen’s packed, but missing, suitcase above – did it ring true for you in your business? You’ve studied for years. You have lots of experience. The drive is in your gut. Ideas are bubbling in your brain. But something is missing.

My Juicy Glad-I-Caught-That: “People who ask confidently get more than those who are hesitant and uncertain. When you’ve figured out what you want to ask for, do it with certainty, boldness and confidence.” ~Jack Canfield

Here’s what I’m asking of you today. Take all of your skills and passions and pack them in to your bag.

Wait! Don’t zip it up yet!

Now, think about what is standing in your way. Is it time management, sales pages, mindset, public speaking skills? Find someone who can steer you in the right direction. Add them to your suitcase, zip it up, and get ready for an amazing journey. Because when you decide what you want, ask the right person for help, and do the work, get ready to receive what you asked for!

See you on the flip-side.

In love,

Noelle
xoxox