5 Tips to Become a "Green Thumb" Entrepreneur

If you’re like me, you’re probably impatient – wanting things to have happened yesterday. I planted flowers in May…actually some were potted and some were seeds. The potted flowers (lipstick red geraniums, golden French marigolds and others) are gorgeous to look at each day.
The sunflower seeds are another story. They are growing like crazy – over 3 feet tall in less than 2 months – but no flowers yet. Part of me is wondering where the flowers are – will I ever see them and when will I see them? I get annoyed, frustrated, disappointed (sometimes even panicky) and worried that I what I'm doing isn't working. Does that sound familiar?
The other part of me says, be patient. The flowers are on the way and will be here before I know it. Sometimes that works and sometimes it’s just plain annoying that I can’t see the flowers when I want them.
Now, I have to confess that I like fast results. My philosophy is that if there's a way to do it faster and easier (but still keeps me in integrity- then that's how I want to do it. There are some things I like at a leisurely pace...but business success isn't one of them!
I often liken business success to planting flowers. Before we plant a garden, we have a vision of what it will be like, look like and

give us. Some people grow vegetables and herbs with visions of eating what they harvest. Some grow beautiful flowers simply to surround themselves with beauty. We have a vision for our business, too. We do the work, we plant the seeds but it takes awhile for the success to happen. Many entrepreneurs get frustrated and give up. That's when I do my mindset work to help me get back on track.
Here are a few “gardening” tips to give you a solid “green thumb” in your business.
1). Are the seeds planted in good soil? If the soil isn’t good and full of nutrients it makes it hard for the plants to grow and be healthy. In terms of your business, is it built on a strong, solid foundation? Do you have a good marketing plan in place that will take your business where you want it to go? (Often entrepreneurs run their business by the “seat of their pants” without a good strategy in place).
2) Make sure you’re doing the basics. Plants and flowers need regular water and sunlight. Are you doing that for your business? Are you taking care of the basics regularly? Your business needs regular TLC (tender loving care) for you to reap the rewards you want. Did you do the research needed?
3) Do your research and find out what kinds of flowers and plants do best in your climate? If you try to grow roses in the Arizona desert you will find it difficult – likewise, if you try to grow cactus in Boston they won’t survive. Are the programs/products you’re creating right for your ideal clients/customers?
Often, entrepreneurs see what someone more successful is doing, try to copy it and get bad results. That's because they don't know what's going on behind the scenes and the whole marketing strategy for that action.
4) If your garden isn’t growing the way you want, are you checking to see what shifts you might need to make? Do you need to trim them, space them out, give them more sunlight? Or do you toss them out and start again? When your programs/products aren’t doing as well as you’d like, what do you do? Do you stop what you’re doing? Do you re-evalulate? Do you ask an expert for help?
5) Sometimes you need to add “Miracle-Gro” to boost the life and beauty of your flowers. Sometimes, you need to do the same with your business.

6) Finally, you need to have faith and trust in the world, the Universe (or whatever you believe in) and mostly importantly, yourself- that it will work out.
What I find from the hundreds and hundreds of clients I’ve worked with are that they often get stuck in one of these steps. Without proper strategic guidance, they could end up with a dead garden. No one wants that! Especially, not after all of the hard work they’ve done.
To get you on the path to a "greener garden", apply for a complimentary