I've recently taken the time to do a lot of soul searching related to my business and the way I want that business to function and "look." Over the last few years, I've experimented with a lot of things in terms of the exact services, products and classes I've offered. Some have been a good fit, others not so much. But trying different things out has helped me to see what I do best, what I love most and what serves my clients' needs most effectively.

As I pondered these issues, it became clear that in order to focus on doing what I do best and love most to serve my clients needs, I also had to let go of the things that did not fit this description. For as much as I adore my clients and want to help them succeed, why would I want to torture myself by doing things I don't enjoy or am not good at?

Prior to my soul searching, the driving factor in accepting some projects was simply money. I had actually taken on a number of assignments that I was capable of doing but perhaps did not enjoy in order to pay the bills and keep my company chugging along. But I was not really happy with all the results I was producing and was feeling the stress of each one pulling at me in all sorts of ways. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Money often costs too much."

So despite the fact that I would initially "lose" some money, I let go of all the projects that no longer fit to focus on doing work that I'm really good at, that makes me happy and that has been very effective in helping my clients. By letting go of what wasn't jiving with my heart, skills and business, I have also seen a huge increase in the business coming my way - all of which is in the areas I love am good at and am now focusing on! Funny how that works, huh?

So if you are feeling any stress or dissatisfaction in the work your are doing, I suggest you take the time to ask yourself the same kinds of questions I did. As you figure out what is working well - and what isn't - consider shifting your focus as needed to improve your business and overall outlook. Specifically:

What do you do best? What are the things you do that come easily to you? That your clients rave about? That seem to just flow effortlessly from start to finish? For me it is teaching, speaking writing and problem solving. Make a list of the things you are skilled and solid at providing.

What do you love most? What activities give you the biggest satisfaction? What kinds of projects or services do you most enjoy? What is it that makes you jump out of bed with enthusiasm and excitement? With any luck, these are also things that you are good at (from the list above) at least in terms of your career. In my case, I truly enjoy each of the activities above that I am good at  - at least in certain circumstances. Make a list of things you do well that you also love.

What will best serve your clients' needs?  One of the most important keys to making any business or business relationship a success is in understanding the needs of the party you are serving and then being able to meet those needs. Using the lists above as a guide, how can you utilize the skills you possess and activities you love in order to serve the needs of your clients?

Is my business totally stress-free now? Well, no, but what business is? HOWEVER...I am having so much more fun at it every day and delivering the best results ever to all of my clients. And that is something to be really happy about!

A testimonial from a recent Group Marketing Coaching Program participant:

"Felicia is such a great asset to our profession. She has just the right balance of structure and freedom in her class, she is very generous with her time and knowledge, and she knows how to maximize a group dynamic. I was in a place of overwhelming creativity, and she was just what I needed to figure out what my goals were and where I should focus. You have no idea how much you will accomplish when you have someone to be accountable to. It is like having a work out partner - you don't want to let them down, but in the end it's you that gains!"

Nicole Kerner Dietrick 
www.TradeJa.net  (a barter network for spa, massage and skin care businesses)