Hello amazing CEO’s!

Rae here of Ever Rae Coaching, your personal and professional mindset coach. If we had the pleasure of meeting at the I Said Yes! to Networking event in January, hello again. If not, hello and I look forward to having you join us through this series.

Welcome back to the CEO mindset series where I provide you with tips and tricks throughout the year for making this your most successful year yet. Last quarter we discussed visualizing like a CEO and getting crystal clear on our goals.

This quarter I want to talk about setting client boundaries like a BOSS!.

What Are Client Boundaries

The dictionary definition of boundaries is “a line that marks the limit” and that’s exactly what you’re going to internally create for yourself. By doing this you can externally communicate those limits in a confident way that still gets you book your best business.

I think the common misconception that not only business owners, but even people working within a service industry face, is that the only way to succeed is by giving your clients everything they want, how they want it, and when. And sure, this may book you tons of quick fix business. But unfortunately it won’t align with your ideal client. For instance:

Client may not be within the price point you desire
Client likely won’t be a good fit for your brand (hello higher vision!!)
Also considerthis, is this client/client’s needs a good fit for the season of life you’re in (hello families!!)

When your clients don’t align with your business needs, they will ultimately lead to burnout, which leads to frustration, which leads to resentment. Further, and in worst cases, it leads to closing up shop before you’ve even gotten to the good stuff.

How Do We Get The Ideal Clients

Well, not to sound like a broken record or anything, but it ALWAYS comes back to vision. You have got to know clearly where you want your business to go, how you want your business to run, who you want in your business, and the type of clients you want your business to attract in order to know how to start setting and establishing the proper client boundaries.

For example, if you’re in a season of life where you have a family and you don’t want to be taking calls after 4:00 pm, then a client that demands phone communication after hours isn’t going to be a good fit.

Think of it this way, if a client is not an aligned fit for you and the direction your business is going, then the whole relationship is going to feel like you’re fighting against one another. Because in reality you are. They’re ultimately not going to trust you, or worse, get frustrated with you. Which means they’re probably going to end up demanding a lot more from you and you’re going to get resentful at all the extra work you’re putting in. Plus, it’s not even an aligned price point which means you are work harder for less money.

Instead, I want you to hold out for your aligned clients. I know, I know. This can look super scary when you’re looking at leaving money on the table by saying no. But trust me, you will thank yourself down the line, THEY will thank you down the line, and that new bigger and better and aligned opportunity that you now have room for will thank you down the line as well.

This is a great place for me to remind you about the community over competition part of my talk. You may not be aligned for that client, but someone else in your field might be. And it’s awesome to refer over to them. Not only will that NO client feel like they left the conversation with a good taste in their mouth for you, but something they can still use and information they can walk away with, and you’re giving back to your industry as a whole. Now that person who you referred knows that the line of referral is open to refer back to you. So get to know your fellow industry folks, dont just go chasing the planners and venues. There’s no reason we should be undercutting or taking clients from one another. A rising tide lifts all boats.

How do I Know If The Client Is Aligned

I always ask my potential clients this one question during our consultations:

“What are your expectations when working with a planner, both during the planning process and on the wedding day?”

How they answer this question will immediately tell me if we are a good fit.

For instance, if they say they’re looking to be super hands on during the whole process, need weekly communication and updates, don’t like reviewing spreadsheets and need to have final say on all things before I make moves – then without a doubt we are not a good fit.

I will say “thank you so much, but I dont think we will be aligned in this process, but Im happy to refer you to someone who I think would be.”

Next, if they say they’re busy professionals who want to hire a planner that they trust to get their vision and execute it, presents them with their options in a spreadsheet manner so it’s black and white, and they can be hands off and just be present in their wedding day. Then absolutely they’re an aligned fit!

If your company process, systems, how you WANT to work, etc. does not line up with the expectations that the client is describing, then you will never, ever meet or exceed that clients expectations. Unless of course you are being inauthentic to yourself and your business, and that feels icky.

This is why we must know who we are as a business, set boundaries within our business, and set clear expectations from the beginning.

Client Boundaries Like A Boss

For more examples of setting boundaries within your business, I have made a boundary setting list.

For more learning opportunities about these simple yet effective mindset shifts that can propel your business forward, sign up for FAB today! This is your complete all access pass to my full library of master classes, guest interviews, hot seat coaching, and so much more. PLUS a community of business owners leveling the F up!

How to have a creative ceo mindset

Hello you powerful CEO!

Rae here of Ever Rae Coaching, your personal and professional mindset coach! If we had the pleasure of meeting at the I Said Yes! to Networking event in January, hello again!

I was so honored to be invited to speak at the first networking event of 2024, and even more honored when asked to provide follow ups on our luncheon topic. Georgia, CEO of I Said Yes! and I Said Yes! to Success, asked me to provide you, the incredible professional that you are, tips and insight to keep you focused and in your CEO mindset all year long.

Over the course of the year I’ll be sharing my top tips for lining up this year to be your ultimate successful year, and keeping that CEO frame of mind.

Setting Your Business Structure

Tip 1. Visualize like a CEO.

Remember that meditation I walked you through during lunch? The one where I had you visualize yourself in your dream office this time next year? I want you to revisit that space in your mind. While some of you may have thought a meditation related to business could be a bit silly, there was an intentional purpose indeed.

I wanted you to focus on your end game. Without your endgame in mind, your business has no direction in which to go. Every highly successful business owner I know is consistently defining and adjusting their end goals to ensure they have a crystal clear view of what that looks like and how to get there.

By creating an end game or goal that feels aligned to your purpose, you’re establishing a destination for your business road map to be built towards. This allows you to break down and create OKR’s (Objectives and Key Results).

I know, I know. This sounds super corporate, and after all we all got into the world of entrepreneurship to be creative, BUT establishing structure and framework is what truly allows us the freedom to flow and be creative in our businesses.

Let me give you an example. I’m willing to bet that right now you have a lot of high booking and peak months, followed by low and slow months. Sometimes you feel super energized in your business and like a rockstar, money is flowing, and clients are booking out like crazy! Then, the slow season hits, you’re starting to panic a little, you’ve been living in the moment so you’re not so sure what you’re sales goals look like next quarter. So you suddently start dropping your prices, taking on unaligned clients, and sweating the small stuff. As a result, your creativity goes out the window.

If this sounds familiar, I feel you. You’re not alone in this frame of mind.

Now, imagine this:

You know your business goals. You have them laid out and established. Which means you’re able to build your quarterly goals around that. You anticipate the high and low seasons so you have a structure in place to support you during the low seasons financially. Which means ultimately avoiding the panic selling.

You’re only booking dreamy clients that align with your goals because you have your business security and safety net in place. Further, your mindset is so much more at peace because you have systems in place that allow you to work on the things you should be working on as CEO.

Your creativity is flowing like never before and you actually enjoy being a business owner again.

This is EXACTLY why it’s so vital to establish your business goals! Let’s break it down.

Establish Your Business Goals

Step 1: Define your year end business goals. Get really specific here.

For instance, where do you see yourself at the end of the year – physically, financially and emotionally.

Who are you working with?
Which partners have you established a relationship with?
What do your clients look and feel like to you?

Write it out! And remember, this is your floor, not your ceiling. Smash through your glass ceiling. But more on that later this year.

Step 2: Break down your OKR’s. You should always be one step ahead, by planning your next Quarter each quarter ahead. By now we are well into Q1 and on our way into Q2, it’s time to line up your objectives and key results for Q2!

When planning out your OKR’s I recommend writing your end goal at the top of the page. Followed by the 3 – 4 main objectives that will help you reach that goal. Next break down your key results under each objective. In other words, what is the more immediate result you’re trying to achieve.

Click Here for my Goal Planning Worksheet for an example of this breakdown.

Step 3: Create the proper timeline within your OKR’s. Set a deadline and timeframe for each objective to hold yourself accountable to the result. This is called creating your road map.

Step 4. Take action! It can be so hard to know how to find the time for this, plus client management, plus social media, plus, plus, plus all of the things that go into running a business. Trust me, I understand. But knowing how to properly line up your schedule and where to put in your time will help! Stay tuned in Q2 for a deep dive into this.

Finally, celebrate your wins as you achieve each result! Watch your outcomes and shift when needed.

Take A Deeper Dive

I know that this is going to be a game changer for you and your business!

Follow me on instagram at @itseverrae and DM me with your big business goals, your OKR’s, and your big dreams. I love hearing from all of you and seeing your progress.

If you’re looking for a deeper dive into your business road map for 2024 and want to truly set yourself up for success, I am currently offering one on one business intensives exclusively for I Said Yes members only!

What you’ll receive: A 90 minute one on one zoom consultation where we will deep dive into:

Your current business structure
Where you desire your business to go
Plus, how you will get there
We will break down your OKR’s
Establish a timeline
And build out your business roadmap together for all of your business goals

You will walk away with:

A recording of our session together to come back to time and time again
A complete and custom business road map that lays out your year ahead with achievable and attainable goals that you can return to and edit throughout the year
Plus a discount code to my all access pass to the Ever Rae FAB membership launching this spring

Sign Up here today!

AND

Blog provided by Rae of Ever Rae Coaching

Website: EverRaeCoaching.com

IG: @itseverrae

Schedule a call with Rae

Generally speaking, humans don’t like being uncomfortable. However, this blog encourages you to practice being uncomfortable. As a result, you may be able to re-program your brain to achieve goals you thought unattainable.

Programming Your Own Limits

Alex Honnold is a real-life superman. Or is he?

He is unequivocally the greatest free solo mountain climber in history. Free solo climbing is fingers, chalk, rock. That’s it. In 2017, Honnold free solo climbed El Capitan in the Yosemite National Park, considered by some to be the greatest physical achievement by any human. Ever. The 2,900′ route Honnold traversed often takes a team of professional climbers with full gear two or three days to summit.

Honnold did it with no ropes, all alone, in three hours and fifty-six minutes.

This Is Super-Hero Stuff

Of his exploits, Honnold has said, “My comfort zone is like a little bubble around me, and I’ve pushed it in different directions and made it bigger and bigger until these objectives that seemed totally crazy eventually fall within the realm of the possible.”

It turns out there’s some scientific basis for that statement. Honnold was tested by neuroscientists a few years ago to measure his fear response mechanism – that fight or flight part of your amygdala, the pre-historic lizard brain, that reacts below your conscious control. Alex had no measurable fear response.

No Fear

“Of course! ” you might exclaim. “Clearly, he has no fear if he climbs 3,000′ without a rope!”

Not so fast. Zero fear response at the subconscious level of the lizard brain is typically only found in instances of profound mental illness or brain damage. By all accounts, Honnold is suffering neither. Why then, does he register no fear response?

Scientists are not sure, but they think maybe he’s actually programmed it out of himself. The fear response appears distributed across a typical bell curve. Some people are jumpy, and some are chill. The neuroscientists that studied Honnold presume he was on the “chill” end of the spectrum to begin with, and that through more than twenty years of constantly testing his limits, he’s literally programmed fear response out of his system. He may have re-written the code in his lizard brain. He does not experience fear because there is nothing in his subconscious reacting to the stimuli.

practice being uncomfortable

As it happens, not only is there a neurological explanation behind Honnold’s incredible mental and physical strength, there might be biological proof behind the “coding” process. Daniel Coyle, the author of The Talent Code, writes, “There is, biologically speaking, no substitute for attentive repetition. Nothing you can do – talking, thinking, reading, imagining – is more effective in building a skill than executing the action, firing the impulse down the nerve fiber, fixing errors, honing the circuit.” What Coyle is describing is the process by which myelin, the insulation wrapping our brain circuits, is applied. It appears that the circuits with the most insulation are the ones that get fired the most and therefore are the ones that function the fastest. Externally this begins to look like what we call variously skill, talent, or even genius.

you can re-program your brain

Writer and brain coach Jim Kwik has said, “Don’t fight for your limitations because you get to keep them.” It’s entirely possible that if you’re firing the neurons telling your lizard brain that you can’t do something, you’re adding more and more insulation to that neural path. In effect, you might be making the “I can’t” circuit the fastest, most efficient one in your brain.

The good news is that the process works on any neural pathway that is fired repeatedly. That means you have the ability to re-program your own brain!

It means, in the end, either consciously or unconsciously, you are steadily programming yourself, all day, every day, to be exactly who you are.

There is only fear if you practice being afraid. There is defeat if you practice defeat. You also have the nearly limitless ability if you program your brain to achieve goals. You get to decide whether to push the bubble of your comfort zone or not.

There is a mountain out there. Stand in the valley, or climb it.

Guest Blogger; Mentor, Artist and Humanitarian – Mark Ernest

Find more business tips, advice and information, like this practice being uncomfortable blog, on the I Said Yes! Wedding Pros Blog.

This blog explains why discomfort is the way forward for your business growth. Assuredly as we forge ahead into 2022, this concept should be first of mind. Therefore, get uncomfortable and change your future.

If you are never uncomfortable in your life you are at best in stasis. In fact, more probably you’re deteriorating. Even to hold your ground in any facet of life requires work.

Entropy is a concept from thermodynamics defined as the gradual decay into disorder of a closed system. Further, a closed system being one in which no new inputs are received. Every single improvement in life requires some sort of input. And every input creates friction. Therefore, some sort of discomfort is the necessity of getting better.

Today's actions shape your future

Recently some researchers have noted that as compared to early hominids, modern humans have a narrower soft-pallet, more crowded teeth, and less pronounced jawline. They hypothesize that this softening and reduction of the mouth and facial structures is because our food is soft. In other words, our faces have gotten soft and atrophied because everything is easy to eat. One renown strength coach opined that the reason we invented the modern fitness industry is that we stopped doing all the physical activities of work and survival. We quit using our bodies the way they were designed. As a result, we then had to make up ways to keep ourselves running optimally.

discomfort is the way forward

From the relational to the spiritual to the physical, every improvement requires work. This work and effort represent the inputs into an otherwise closed system. If you are never uncomfortable, then entropy is all you can expect. The more insidious part of this equation is that discomfort might be unavoidable regardless of whether you choose discomfort or ease in the near term. If you choose the friction and discomfort of rising early and going to the gym, you experience the benefits of a healthier, more fit body and mind. If you choose more sleep, and more dessert, you experience the long-term discomfort of a deterioration of your body.

Embrace the discomfort

Writer, podcaster and former Navy SEAL Jocko Willink coined the phrase “discipline equals freedom”. That is an uncomplicated, cut-to-the-chase invocation of this whole notion. The application of discipline, in any aspect of life, equates to more freedom down the road. The more you embrace the discomfort and work now, the more options and the more abilities you have later. The less discipline you employ now, the few your abilities and choices tomorrow.

Discomfort is the way forward.

Guest Blogger Mark Ernest will be part of the speaker duo at the January 2022 I Said Yes! to Networking event. No doubt you will want to hear more from this speaker. Get ticket >>> Click Here.

Photos by Taylor Kuperberg Photography