Do you take time to DO business?

I was having breakfast today with my good friend Jodi Krizer Graber, a nutrition and body extraordinnaire here in New York and we started to discuss the investments we’ve made in our businesses.

Jodi and I have both been part of several mastermind groups and coaching programs, networking groups and social circles and it seems the “lure” to continue is never ending. What we started to discuss, initially as an aside conversation, is that pull that marketers use to keep you plugged into something. That something can be the newest program or product or even the events that promote or support them.

We’ve both been there, done that, read the book, rode the plane, train and automobile (literally) in pursuit, but one thing we’ve both discovered is that to be successful IN business you actually have to be IN business. On the greatest level, you need to be there for your clients. You need to be available to support them, and meet them, and love them.

When my last mastermind concluding many people were surprised that I didn’t renew or start with a new group right away. Now, I do believe there’s tremendous growth in connecting with a group of motivated peers that can strengthen what you currently know and help you understand what you don’t. BUT, eventually, you need to unplug, and get your butt to working. Fellow New Yorker Woody Allen once said “80% of success is showing up” and we see a lot of business owners just not showing up for the work!

I understand the temptation of this. I’m a lifelong learner, so if I could just park myself at the library all day I would, but I wouldn’t make any money. Even today, I received an email in my inbox from Ali Brown for a home study program of her shine event, which  I wasn’t able to attend last year due to a scheduling conflict. The lure was there. The “early bird” special even meant that I could take $100 off the already amazing price.

Tempting.

I already have Ali Brown’s MMBW (which she’s taken off the market, sorry) and if I base my next purchase on that purchase alone, it will be money well spent. I trust her information enough to be an affiliate of hers. But do I need another program, at this place in my business? Yes, it may help me to grow from my current six figures to multiple six figures… but perhaps if I do the things I KNOW I should already be doing, I’d reach that growth as well…

This is what Jodi and I were discussing at breakfast. Business minds never rest. I’ve been invited to a few events this year and am really being careful of where I plug in, so that I don’t unplug from my biggest money generator for Brand Excitement… ME. Can you relate?