Whether you are starting a new business, introducing a new product line, or looking for ways to hold on to existing customers, at some point, you will ask yourself this question: Now what?

Believe it or not, the biggest obstacle for a business owner with any size business is the internal response to the question - Now what? Often this question is followed by a - deer in the headlights – response, which is then followed by stagnation. Following stagnation comes fear. Following fear comes a form of buyer’s remorse. After that there is often a spiraling downward effect that results in lack of confidence about being successful, and, - well – you get the picture.

For business owners (especially home-based business owners), Now what? is a common question. I have coined it the 'Now what rut' because so many of my clients and associates get stuck in it. By now you may be asking, What is the solution to the 'Now what rut?' Let’s explore it a little further.

The level of confidence, feeling self-empowered, understanding internal strengths and weaknesses, and being laser focused on accomplishing goals - are often part of the missing links in growing any business. Based on my pool of coached clients, 90% of the challenges for business owners exist in a lack of personal development. One item helps creates this lack – internal STUFF. When facing your internal stuff, what you say to YOU, about you - becomes paramount.

Let’s define stuff. It is the unspecified, intangible, often negative element we introduce into our minds through our words, thoughts, or some other outside stimulation (9th Collegiate Webster’s Dictionary). When we do not focus our thoughts effectively, they can become scattered, miscellaneous, and fixated. Often scattered thoughts can lead to being fixated on negative notions, past toxic relationships, situations from the past, and a fear of taking calculated risks. This stuff can seriously interfere with business success.

What is the solution for being stuck in the “NOW WHAT?” rut? When you create your business plan, you must also creat a personal development plan as well. Having that balance can be a life saver. The folllowing items will help.

   1. Be clear on what is success. What does success mean to you? What image appears in your minds eye when you imagine being successful? Capture that image in words by writing it down in a personal journal. Make it a part of your business plan and strategy. Read it every day. This will help keep you laser focused on your goals and dreams.

   2. Identify your philosophy in all areas of your life. What is your philosophy about money, friendship, being a spouse, parent, son/daughter, and business owner? According to the late great Jim Rohn, your philosophy is what determines your internal conversation, which becomes your values, which determines your decisions, and thus drives your actions, directions, and success. It took me a while to understand the power of having a philosophy about the various aspects of my life. Once I identified and further developed them, being focused and successful was much easier to do. The late great Jim Rohn does an awesome job of helling one to identify one’s personal philosophy. Check out his work, it will help.

   3. Know who you are and what is important to you. It begins in part with deciding who you want to be, then creating a plan to be that person - no matter what! Make a personal commitment to have success in every area of your life including business.

   4. Understand what is your definition of “being a business owner. Many business owners are not clear on what it means to them to own a company. As such, then had no real identity outside of that business. This can easily lead to burnout, especially during those times when your revenue streams are low.

   5. Be aware of how you manage stress. Stress can enhance fear, loss of confidence, and can change your perspective in such a way that you will begin to create obstacles in your mind that don’t exist in reality. Think about that one for a moment. This one will be addressed in a follow up article.

   6. Find a mentor or business coach. A good mentor/coach can help you identify and work through those internal challenges that may keep you stuck in the NOW WHAT RUT. Having someone to share with who is vested in your personal interest, but not in your business is a great tool to have in your toolbox. This way you can share and create solutions in a non-threatening way.

Amazingly, the above six steps will allow you to begin to work on your STUFF.It will help you to get unstuck. Consider it to be an exciting journey that may help you to think differently and be better in every aspect of your life.

Now what? The answer lies not in generating more customers. It lies not in marketing to more customers. It lies not in setting monetary goals. The answer lies inside of you.