Hey guys, welcome back to the podcast. This episode is one that is definitely inspired by my upcoming training. In fact, actually, when this episode comes out, the training will already be live so you'll be able to catch the replay. But it's a three day training, it's called the Integral Coach.
And this episode was deeply, deeply inspired by my preparation for day one. So if you're listening to this episode and you're not registered, go to www.itsambersmith.com/the-integral-coach. And you can register, get the replay, and then join us for next week, which we are wrapping up the final two days of the training.
I'm excited because this is something that I've never taught before, these frameworks are brand new. And so even if you've been in my world a while, like I think the way that it's consolidating and the way that I'm explaining it is in a new way. So I'm really excited to kind of help my clients execute and implement the things that we're talking about.
And I'd love for you to join us there. And I will also link that in the show notes so that you can access it. But like I said, this was really inspired by day one. of the integral coach, which is out now at the time that you're listening, which is so fun. So today I'm sharing nine questions to help you create your bespoke business blueprint.
And to me what this means is creating a business that is meaningful to you, regardless of what other people are doing online. So this doesn't mean you build a huge business, but it also doesn't mean you build a small business. It's not really right or wrong. It's about the business that you, yourself, want to create and resonate with. And to me, bespoke, you know, it means custom tailored, has a lot of meaning for me, because I have explored lots of different ways of doing business and I'm really proud of my business right now. The way that I show up for my clients, the type of clients that I work with, the offers that I have available for people who don't necessarily want to work with me one on one, but still want to be my world.
Like I really love delivering it. And I don't have a lot of mind drama about how I do things in business. And I want that for you. I want you to feel like your business is meaningful and working and that you feel proud of it. And one that also creates the money that you want, the kinds of impacts you want to have, like all of it works in combination for you, that's what we're after. And so I call it the bespoke business. And so these questions that I'm going to share with you, I hope will help you develop your own. And like I said, if you want to go deep into this and actually like get a blueprint, I'm going to share the blueprint with people who register for the training.
So please do that and I'll send it to your email right away. See it like on paper or something you can reference throughout the day, but some questions to get you started are what kind of lifestyle do you want to prioritize while building your dream business? I share a quote, a lot, and you might've heard me share it before, but Neville Goddard says, “Thinking from the end is the beginning of all miracles.” And so many times when we start a business, we almost take on this mentality of like, I'm going to do whatever it takes to create the business that I want. But we don't spend a lot of time thinking about the lifestyle, at least I didn't.
And lifestyle doesn't even mean like laptop on a beach. It's like, I want to be there for my kids pick up. I want to have days where I don't work at all. I want to have clients that I support in Voxer. I want one-on-one clients. I have no plan on getting rid of one-on-one coaching because I love it. That's something that's just really personal to me as an example, so when I think about like the lifestyle is like, I actually love showing up for my business, but I also have a lot of time to think and be with my family and not working. And so, taking into account what lifestyle you want helps you put in the pieces of business that you actually want.
The next question I have for you. How do you love serving your clients? I think there's this idea spread online that like, one-on-one is just like a check on the box to get through to the business that you want. And I never really resonate with it, but if it resonates for you, like, perfect. If you don't want to do one on one, that's okay. Like, there are tons of Ideas and models where you can evolve past one on one if that resonates for you. I don't resonate with that. I like having one-on-one clients.
And so one of the powerful questions I want you to consider is how do you love serving your clients and can you create a business model and I plan to make that happen or are you already doing it? That's another question to consider. Maybe you already are doing what you love.
Question number three, what are you committed to creating for your audience, and how? So the example that I like to think of is I don't love reels, like dancing reels as an example. Like you're just not going to see me like pointing around my room and dancing or doing trending audio. That doesn't really resonate for me. And my audience has grown since I started, not viral, but the right kind of growth. Like I really create some cool relationships with people who either just stay in my audience or become clients. Like I really genuinely love you guys and I feel connected. And so I don't think virality is the only way to measure success in the form of like creating content for your audience.
But I chose this question intentionally, cause what are you committed to creating for your audience? Like, I think it is a commitment to be a content creator, you know, whether you're podcasting or posting on social media or LinkedIn or emailing, creating an audience of people, like warm leads is the way that I think a marketing person would share, but just helping people for free, helping people in ways that before they pay you, being of service. Another way that I've said it before is like being a lighthouse. Like you're just shining your light. How are you committed to doing that? Because that's part of a business, especially a digital space business.
Number four, what amount of money or what business milestones actually matter to you? And this is one that you have to get still for, because I don't think it's one right answer. Like, 100K or 1 million dollars or whatever you're working towards. That might be meaningful to you. I know for me, 100K was meaningful. And when I reached it, I was proud and it was something that I wanted to do. And now I'm building up my business for the next milestones. But I think truly, I believe this, not everyone is actually motivated by money milestones. And so choosing meaningful milestones for you is an important part of building your bespoke business.
Now, if money is a motivator, it's good to use it, right? It's like, something that you're looking forward to creating, something that is on your mind, something you are working towards to actually have it in your bank account or to like hit it your stripe account or whatever. I don't think it's bad, but I also don't think it resonates for everyone. So that's why I say business milestones that actually matter to you and writing them down.
Let's see, number five. Who is living a life and building a business you'd like to emulate? I think it's really powerful to find mentors or people who are living the way that you want to, not because you want to copy them or do everything exactly like them, but it can be a strong source of inspiration.
You've heard me mention this before, but Rich Living was a huge inspiration to me when I learned like he still does one-on-one coaching. And he doesn't have a bajillion followers on Instagram. He has a lighthouse business, right? Where it's like, the people who resonate come closer to him. He explains it as like a boutique business, where it's kind of expensive, not kind of, it is expensive. He doesn't work with that many people and it's very custom. And I resonated with that so he was a huge inspiration to me as I built my business.
I want you to find those people for you. And find people who are not just having the business success, but also like you can feel that the way that they're living their life, their lifestyle resonates for you. Maybe they have a family. Maybe they take trips. Maybe they take time off and you resonate with that. And like how can you emulate them?
The next question, what non negotiable activities can you commit to doing that gets you closer to your meaningful goals? I like to use the word non negotiable because there is a level of commitment required to create success in business. No matter what kind of success you're looking for, there is commitment required.
And when we get all into the flowy, intuitive side of things, we can forget that sometimes commitment means doing uncomfortable things, discipline, showing up even when you don't want to, not all the time, but I think waiting to feel good in business can be a trap. And so I wanted to speak to it because I think sometimes non negotiable means you show up even if you don't feel like it or even if you don't want to. And there's been times in my business where that has been an essential part of my growth. And so I think you defining the non negotiable activities that gets you closer to where you want, seeing them on paper helps you stay accountable to yourself and to what you're trying to create.
Next question, what is already working? If you've been in my world for a while, you know I teach a concept or I guess live a concept that's like, “Be in the miracle.” So many times it's easy to be distracted by what's missing or what we want to create that isn't here yet. But I think a huge piece for most creators is really shining a light on all the things that are working that old you would be super proud of. You three years ago would be stoked that you have it today. I know me at like 20 would be in shock that this is my life, that this is a career that I could choose. And so I think an important part of our own integration and evolution is slowing down to recognize what's already working, what's already great, really seeing the miracles that are here now, and not always believing that they're in the future.
The milestones in the actual circumstances might be different in the future, and that's okay, but getting in the habit of practicing feeling gratitude and being in awe of the miracles. It just makes success that much sweeter because as you expand, you continuously find things to be grateful for.
There's a concept that I like to teach, which is building from abundance, not trying to get to abundance, right? Not having your business to propel you into abundance, but like really seeing how it already is abundant requires you to see the miracles now. So what is already working? What is already great? What are you proud of? What are you thankful for now as your business exists now? What can you find?
Next question, why do you want this? I think sometimes it's easy to forget why we started, why we even show up. And if you forget this, a lot of times this is when people quit. They forgot why they started. And for me, having an impact, using my creativity in ways outside of my home was important to me. I love my kids and I love being a mom. And I like having like the mental stimulation of building a business.
It feels good. I like it. It's something I enjoy. It's almost like a hobby. I don't believe my business is a hobby per se, but I like creatively using my resources, my mental resources, to build something bigger than me. And so that was important to me, having freedom. So I still want the lifestyle freedom that comes with business, but also making money gives me more freedom.
And those are my big reasons why I started a business. Why did you start yours? Why do you want this?
And the last question is, how will you even know if you've been successful? Like, what are the markers that you can look at and be like, hey I did it. I did what I set out to do. Now what? I think we always choose new markers along the way as we evolve and grow as our personal brand, as our skills and beliefs expand. As what we see as possible expands.
I think it's totally normal to pick new markers, but I also think it's good to know if you're on track. And so how will you know that it's working? How will you know that you've built what you wanted? Like, what are the, almost like the external things that would indicate to you that it's working and what are the internal things that would indicate that it's working?
As an example, I feel excited to show up for work. I love my clients. Are all internal experiences of my business that I know it's working. Other ways I know I'm successful is I'm making the amount of money that I want to. Other external, like my clients are getting results. I am getting results. I am growing.
And so I think defining that for yourself, how do you know you're being successful or how do you know you are successful? Just even jotting that down on paper is an important thing. Like I mentioned, I did create a resource for you when you join the integral coach training, which is for you guys. No reason not to register.
I'll send you the day one replay and you can get access to the workbook, which includes the blueprint that I'm describing and that these questions really contribute to this defined blueprint for your business. And then you can come hang out with us on day two and day three, which is like your bespoke business model.
And then day three is self-led CEO. And I think the combination of all three are going to be really, really powerful. So I'd love to have you join us. I hope these questions were helpful, and I hope to see you inside the training so I can see you live on Tuesday. Okay. I'll talk to you guys soon. Bye.
