History Repeats Itself and
Practicing What I Preach
By: Karen Pattock
| This is part five of a five part series I am writing about the successes and failures in my business. Here’s part four if you need to catch up! |
2014 will always be a defining year for me on so many levels. It was the year that I finally had the confidence to draw a line in the sand to announce to the online marketing world, “I’m here to stay”!
The first group of students to complete my STEP Into More Profits program will always hold a special place in my heart. Of course every group of students is special, but the first group was responsible for giving me unbridled confidence in my ability to teach online marketing. They validated that the program I spent 6 months creating gave real tangible results and value.
I wish I could remember how many times during those 6 months I said to my husband, “I know even more about online marketing than I thought I did.”
The new group tested me, supported me and gave me wings to fly, all while I was teaching them how to build an online marketing strategy that would help them profit for years to come. Talk about a win-win situation.
In January, 2015, I launched the program for the second time. Sure I was nervous. I would be lying if I said I didn’t wonder if I could create another successful launch. I wondered if the first time was a fluke.
But my fears were shredded when I closed the doors to that launch on January 6th and welcomed another 54 exclusive students into the program.
I don’t know about you, but each time I reach a goal in anything in my life I wonder what else I’m capable of accomplishing. It encourages me to set even bigger goals and strive to be even better than before.
Just to be clear, I’m not one of those people that celebrates for 5 seconds and then has to conquer the next mountain. I’m at an age in my life where I completely understand that life is short and acknowledging my accomplishments is amazing therapy.
So I gave myself a big, “Great job KP” and let my husband spoil me rotten during some well-deserved time off. Then I got back to work.
So one of the things that I haven’t mentioned yet and I’m excited to share with you is the unexpected side benefit that came from developing my STEP program. Ready? I had more private clients than I knew what to do with.
The word was out and I had people contacting me left and right from all corners of the world that wanted to work with me privately.
The demand gave me the confidence to raise my rates, (several times over 9 months… Yay!), and I’ve been able to work with phenomenal clients in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and India. Pretty incredible, huh?
In the last part of this blog series I told you that so far in 2015 I’ve quadrupled my income. It’s true and I’m still blown away by the opportunities that keep presenting themselves to me. So many opportunities if fact, that I’ve actually had to say “no” to some of them.
Here’s what I would love you to know about opportunities. If you try to say ‘yes’ to all of them you will drain yourself of all creative energy and more importantly lose focus of your BIG goal. (Yes, I’m speaking from experience. That damn hamster wheel keeps calling my name… Ugh!)
More than 125 students have joined the STEP Into More Profits program and have successfully completed the 6-month course. Their businesses are forever changed and I couldn’t be more proud of what I’ve helped them to accomplish.
I’m a true believer in everything happens for a reason.
For instance, my shattered wrist gave me lots of time to think about the journey of my business and the hamster wheel I had been on. It gave me the opportunity to get back to the roots of what I wanted my business to look like. I was able to get clarity on my purpose, my intention and as my good friend, Lori Kennedy always says… my “BIG WHY”.
Have you ever noticed that very often in life the most difficult thing you can do is practice what you preach?
I have to admit building my online business has been responsible for me experiencing almost every emotion under the sun. But it’s pretty darn cool to see what is possible when you actually practice what you preach.
Building my signature program, STEP Into More Profits, was the culmination of everything I’d learned in building my business. It was the answer to the promise I made myself, that if I ever figured it out I would share the missing key with other struggling entrepreneurs so they wouldn’t have to struggle any longer.
One thing I know for sure… the processes and systems I teach work for my business and have proven to work for my students as well. This system has allowed me to hit HUGE milestones in my business and I truly believe that the best is yet to come.
Now I want to share one last message from my heart.
This series of blog posts have been an extremely uncomfortable process for me. It’s the first time I’ve been completely open about my business journey… the good, bad & ugly.
I knew it was time to share the details with you but I have to be honest, it took me WAY, WAY out of my comfort zone. Even as I write this last post my heart is pounding wondering what you are thinking.
What I hope you takeaway from my story more than anything is this:
- You are right where you are supposed to be in building your business and in your life.
- There isn’t a right or wrong way to do it. Just do it in a way that remains true to your intention and core message.
- Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. There will always be someone in front of you and someone behind you. Again… you are right where you are meant to be.
- Often the most important transitions and lessons in our lives come in the form of a curveball. Embrace the curveball and surrender to the process you are experiencing.
- Lastly, being an entrepreneur takes courage and more often than not will take you out of your comfort zone. I encourage you to throw caution to the wind, give it everything you’ve got and know that you won’t be out there all alone. I’ll be right there by your side outside the comfort zone. XO
Feeling very vulnerable… your friend,
~Karen
P.S. I truly appreciate those of you that took the time to email and send me messages. Your encouragement and interest in my story means the world to me.
Check out the other posts in this series:
Episode 1: My Plan Was To Win The Coaching Business Building Lottery (3 painful lessons from my ‘not-so’ rags-to-riches story)
Episode 2: What I Wish I Had Known Before I Invested $18,000 In A Business Coach
Episode 3: When The Universe Comes Knocking You Better Answer The Door
Episode 4: 10 Days and a 5-Figure Launch In The Bank
Want More Paying Clients?
GRAB YOUR COPY NOW!
How to create a highly converting
Free Offer in less than 1 hour!
Karen, I love the way you are so transparent! You needn’t worry. Your highest integrity continues to shine through brightly. I was so honored to be in one of those Step Into More Profits programs and I’ve been changed by it as well. And it has made a huge difference in my business and how I can help others.
On the other hand, the “curveballs” do come and sometimes we still get wrapped up in the chaos and confusion of “What am I doing?” I’m still trying to settle into my niche and then to go back and review the course to go full throttle in that direction.
I understand your frustration with the past and I believe I have been right along there with you in some respects! Thanks for your guidance and your Step Into More Profits program! It’s been a life saver!
Here’s to yours and my continued success and joy for what we are doing!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and supportive comments Mindy. Getting to know you through the program has been one of my greatest joys. Entrepreneurialism isn’t for the faint of heart for sure but it’s worth it because the rewards we reap on so many levels are like nothing else possible. XO
Thank you for sharing so openly your story. You are an inspiration to me and I am also thankful you are doing so well. You go, girl! 🙂
Thanks so much for letting me know that you enjoyed my story Peggy. It was a process to get it down on paper. It’s wonderful that you felt inspired by what I shared. I can’t wait to hear where that inspiration takes you. 🙂
Karen, your story came at a time when I was seriously doubting if I could make it on my journey to business success. I have been desperately seeking “that one thing” and wondering if I would have to pay a coach in order to find it. I eagerly awaited each installment of your journey and it truly motivated me. Your tips helped to clear the clutter and realize that I need to strengthen my business basics (like nailing down a signature program) and clarify my message and brand. I feel motivated again and I look forward to your tips on marketing my program. Thank You So Much!
Oh my goodness Jen…. now you’ve inspired me. 🙂 It was such an uncomfortable process for me to share all of that with my followers and your post has made it all worthwhile for me. Thank you so much. Please stay in touch letting me know how your business is coming along. Thank you again. XO