August 6th, 2010
by Lorrie Thomas
I was having a lovely dinner conversation with one of my dear friends (who also happens to be a brilliant marketer) and after our glass of wine and shared sushi, we ended up on the topic of values…values as in “what we value personally and professionally”.
I am not one to rub crystals, but I do believe in the concept that has been overly branded as the “law of attraction”. We attract what we put out to the universe. Where some of us may be ignorant to this attraction law and “try to manifest sexy significant others and convertibles” I take this to mean more that we can attract ideal personal/professional contacts, life experiences and support ONCE WE KNOW WHAT OUR VALUES ARE.
When I launched Web Marketing Therapy, I struggled in writing the business plan (mostly because I felt I was doing a bunch of work for a document that nobody would read, except for a bank and they go right to the financials) **Translation – it lacked values!*** so instead of sniveling, I took action and also wrote a belief plan as an addendum to my business plan that included beliefs. Beliefs like:
“I will not compromise my health and fitness for work. I will not sacrifice spending time with my friends and family, eating well, enjoying the beauty in life. I want to create an income stream that gives me and my team flexibility, catapults our expertise and personalities to help more people. We want to make enough money so we can work less, play more and give back. We want to be able to help people, inspire people, motivate people and contribute to less privileged people and make a positive impact on the planet. We want to serve the people who we work for and support our team mates to help them create the lives that they want (personally and professionally). We want to take our expertise to more people via speaking and training. We value our health, wellness, team work, self-improvement, brilliant work, learning, growing, giving back, building life-long meaningful relationships and making a difference.
We will not settle for a so-so job. We put our passion into our work to deliver great results. No gossip, drama, lack of thinking, obscene work hours, unethical partners, too much work and no play. tacky marketing, cheap work, lack of thinking, lack of strategy, lack of positioning, lack of respect, lack of value for our expertise, bad relationships, negative energy, unethical behavior and most importantly, we will not sacrifice FUN.”
VALUE YOUR VALUES
RESPECT IS RECIPROCAL
PROFESSIONALS ACT PROFESSIONALLY
When my time/expertise is not respected, I will not tolerate that in my sphere of influence. Game over. If I allow my values to be devalued, then I am inviting a valueless relationship. I have had prospective new clients ask if I would take free calls on the weekends. If you read the beliefs above, that just doesn’t fit in the equation as it cuts into my family time.
I make a living learning what makes organizations and entrepreneurs valuable, then communicating it via a melange of wonderful channels to support their credibility, visibility and sellability. What I also like to help clients do is get clear on their values, so they have the fuel to be professional rockstars. We are no good when we are burnt out!
To fully own our value, we have to stick to our values and we have to voice it to make sure we draw a professional line in the sand in our sales/marketing efforts, as that will set the tone for a healthy long term relationship.
DON’T SETTLE FOR CRUMBS WHEN YOU CAN HAVE THE WHOLE LOAF!
Do what you like, like what do do, don’t take poo 
Take action today. Write down your values. Value your values and voice them. No need to growl them, but be prepared to purr them and make them a part of your professional lifestyle.
As a woman in business who oozes sass and does not take crapola, I may get stamped as a bitch by non-valuers. And for the record, yes, I am a bitch as in Being In Total Control Of Herself so I will value my bitchiness thank you very much I hope you embrace yours. Your business will thank you.
Web Marketing Therapy Related Links:
- Make it a WORTHwhile Marketing Year
- Boost Your Business – Optimize Your About Page! Learn How
- The Six Secrets to Successful Blogging to Boost Business
- Small Business: Boost Your Revenue –Learn from the Reality TV Phenomenon!
