How to Break Through the Six Figure Ceiling
January 3rd, 2009
Filed in: 7 Fig+ Strategies
When I first started my coaching practice it used to be that most of the people I coached were busting their butt and doing everything they could to break that 6-figure mark. There was this belief that once they cracked that level they would have achieved the success they dreamed of. But, as you can probably relate to, once you move into the 6 figures your next goal is even bigger. The problem is that many people reach six figures by working themselves to the bone and it doesn’t take long to figure out that there is no more time left in the day. It’s not a matter of just working harder or longer – you’ve already been doing that and you know you can’t cram any more into your day.
So, things have to change. Once you hit six figures there are bigger and better opportunities that come with new and different challenges. All of a sudden, you realize that everything that worked to get you to your first six figures is no longer effective.
The rude awakening is this:
The strategies that got you to six figure success will not be the same strategies that get you to seven and eight figure success.
And, it’s very likely that the number one thing that is standing between you and your ability to have more lifestyle and leave behind a real legacy in this world is YOU! If you are trying to take your business to the next level with the same thinking, habits, choices and vision that got you to this level, then you are the bottleneck!
You have to expose yourself to an entirely new way of thinking and being to solve this challenge.
One of the first steps is to recognize that YOU must become the CEO (aka the Chief Entrepreneurial Officer.)
This step is basically is a big fat permission slip to do more of what you do best…while creating new, and more effective, strategies to deal with the rest.
This is exactly what I did to move my business from 6 to 7 figures and I look forward to sharing with you some of the strategies I used to do it throughout the year.
But, in the meantime, I’d love to hear from you. What were some of the big changes you had to make when you decided to make a quantum leap in your business and become the CEO?
To find out more, get a copy today of The CEO Factor™ Manifesto at http://www.theceofactormanifesto.com and watch how your business catapults immediately with just a few quick changes.
4 Comments
January 3rd, 2009 at 9:06 am
Great, great post Melanie! There is such a significant difference between 6 figures and the next level.
January 7th, 2009 at 7:20 am
Melanie,
I have read your CEO Manifesto and let me say I am truly impressed and I feel very blessed to have found you at this point in my business life. About three years ago when I started my business I really did just want the ability to direct my own life and to enjoy my days more. After working for over 30 years in my profession, I can truly say that the thrill was gone. But just as you have written, I basically exchanged one job for another initially because I was thinking in terms of just getting work to do and charge for. As I approach this new year many of my thought processess have changed. Here are the major ways that I intend to grow to 6 figures:
1. I selected a partner to take on some of the actual tasks of completing the projects. It is my intention to hire this person as my VA shortly.
2. I wrote down my moving up goals for 2009.
3. I wake up every day believing that I am the CEO of my business and I act accordingly by thinking in terms of strategy vs. completing tasks; long term planning vs. just getting through the day; selecting clients that fit our profile vs. just adding anyone willing to pay.
Just these small changes so far have reaped a beneift for my business in that I am adding great clients consistenly and increasing my income. Going forward, I will be thinking in terms of scalability as you have suggested. I will be teaching and speaking more and I believe I can create an association that will be beneficial to many people. I know this is going to be the point where I really see a big jump in revenue.
Another very important mindset change that I made is that I stopped listening to people who do motivate and encourage me. Some of those people are not ones that I can just completely get away from but I am learning to manage my emotions better. I know that I don’t have to take to heart everything that someone (in love) says that I must do. I am the one who has the final say over what my life will be.
So Melenaie, thanks for helping me get on the road to making a 6 figure income. I can hardly wait to be in attendance at your next CEO Retreat!
Warmly, Lori
Melanie Benson Strick Reply:
January 15th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Hi Lori, this is so great to hear….and…I think you meant you stopped listening to people who DO NOT motivate and encourage you? Remember, the only power people have over you is the power you give them. They can say whatever they want but until you believe it, it doesn’t really matter.
Happy success building!
Lori Johnson Reply:
January 16th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Yep that’s what I meant and now I have a question…
I am a virtual assistant and quite often my clients turn out to be CEOs of great businesses and the bottleneck. Would you or anyone reading here have any suggesions for how a VA could help a bottlenecked CEO break out? I am thinking in terms of what types of systems could a VA set up to help a bottlenecked CEO in their quest to let go?
I already send them to the links to pick up the 101 ways to outsouce to a VA and now the CEO Factor Manifesto. But quite frankly, do they read it when they are moving so fast? And some do read it but I think until they really hear that info a few times and take the initiative to get on some calls with you or whatever, they truly have a big fat question mark over their heads. And some of my CEOs are starting to come from the corporate landscape where team may not have been an important aspect of running a large business. And some of them are not leaving corporate they are filling in the gaps left by this recession. I think it is a good opportunity for a VA but full of challenges.
Melanie, it seems as if you have developed such a good grasp of what a good team looks like that any new VA you add to your team is coming to something that is more thought out and planned. What would be helpful to the person who needs help right now but they can’t really understand the level where your information starts just yet?
Does any of that question make sense? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.