Okay. It has been one week. The challenge? NOT to promote others, but to promote my business. I’d love to say, easy, peasy, truly a piece of cake! I have successfully STOPPED promoting others and am now GIFTED at self-promotion! But oh, how untrue THAT would be!

This past week has been so interesting! I feel like Edison, I did not fail hundreds of times to create a light bulb, I now know hundreds of ways how NOT to create a light bulb! Monday was truly the hardest and most successful today. I was mentally whipped at the end of the day. AND, I had created more business in a few hours then in a month. FOCUSED on myself! However, it was a constant struggle! My mind/my habits kept trying to pull me in to that which I love… authentic and strategic connections… the other part of me felt like I literally had a rope around those desires and would pull, pull, pull me back to self and self promotion. Was not back in my office until Friday (out on appts.) so WHAT did I decide to do? Something I have been putting off for quite some time-reorganizing my office. I’m not SORRY I’m doing it, but is it just another way to stay away from self-promoting? I DO feel like cleaning the office out means my brain is re-organizing patterns so I can start fresh on Monday. New places for information, my materials handy, all good. And yet, I want to be straight and at least address the possibility of avoidance.

BUT! I am still up to this challenge! I have so much more sympathy now for someone quitting smoking, taking just one more puff, because I did not yet go an entire day not promoting someone. My name is Karen Hoffman and I am addicted to making connections.

Since I’m a glass half full gal, I WILL say EVERYDAY I self-promoted though so PROGRESS! I DID take several steps on my new brand/branding… calling people, setting appointments I have been putting off… Gateway to Dreams is being nurtured now. Taking/making time for it!

My yardstick this week will be the ratio… am I promoting myself/my business more or others. Hopefully the ratios will reverse (10 to 1? Hmmm…..) and I can truly step in to being comfortable with promoting my services.

What about you? Any place you are keeping yourself small?