I watched Oprah’s two part interview with marathon swimmer Diana Nyad and I was in awe. The 64 year old Nyad become the first person to complete the 53 mile swim from Cuba to Key West, Florida without a shark cage; it was Nyad’s 5th attempt.

Despite experts who said that the swim was physically impossible, Nyad believed that she could do it. It was
from that place of absolute certainty that she persevered against deadly jellyfish, tropical storms and an aging body to finally be victorious. Diana Nyad has what I call “Unshakeable Beliefs.”

These are the  unwavering opinions that allowed her to not only be a successful athlete but also authentic in her pursuits.

Do you have the same resolute determination to create a profitable and impactful business?

Many women coaches and service professionals fail to connect with potential clients because they don’t express a strong message about who they are and what they stand for. Fear is a key component as to why women waffle when it comes to speaking their minds. Women often don’t want to offend people so they wimp out on giving their opinions.  Ironically, articulating a point of view is a critical factor to attracting loyal fans and clients.

There are zillions of relationship coaches but Millionaire Matchmaker, Patti Stanger stands out with her “no sex before monogamy” rule and her demand that women look hot.  Dr. Phil wasn’t the first psychologist to appear on television but his cut-the-b.s. approach was original, and it resonated with millions of viewers. These two professionals have profitable and recognizable brands because, like them or not, they both
have a set of Unshakeable Beliefs that direct their work.  If you’re not willing to state your own Unshakeable Beliefs you’re likely to fade into the woodwork.

In a crowded marketplace, your potential clients can’t distinguish you from other folks who are giving their versions of the safe, milquetoast message.

What is one thing that you can do this week, in a blog post, a video, or on your website to express one of your Unshakeable Beliefs?

While some women are afraid to voice their Unshakeable Beliefs, others don’t have any.  The feeling of being “fake” or a “fraud” frequently stems from a woman not having a set of core values to guide her as she makes
decisions. She may have gotten so used to “not making waves” and going along with the crowd that she hasn’t taken time to figure out what her personal truths/standards are.  This lack of foundation means that she goes whichever way the wind blows.  This is far different from personal evolution.  Personal evolution is about making new choices based on self-exploration, not the latest fad or criticism.

Not being rooted in Unshakeable Beliefs makes it difficult for a woman to be a strong advocate for the needs and concerns of her clients.  Clients look to coaches and service providers to have not only technical expertise but also a strong sense of self. If your opinions and methods are ever-changing, it doesn’t instill confidence in the minds of potential clients. Consequently, if this sounds like you, you’re likely struggling in your business.

Do you have at least 5 Unshakeable Beliefs that govern your life and business?

Here’s a warning.  Spend some time thinking about this instead of giving easy answers. This is not about saying something like, “I believe in love.”  This is about being crystal clear about what “I believe in love”
means to you in practice– such as: “I believe in total honesty in relationships,” or ” I believe in sexual fidelity,”  or ” I believe that everyone deserves to be forgiven.”

Remember your ability to be of service to clients and reap the rewards of that service is dependent on you infusing your work with your Unshakeable Beliefs.

October 2013 Issue