For most people the new year comes with new goals. Goals both for personal lives as well as goals for our businesses. No matter the size of your business , there are changes that you have set out to make this year. A big part of reaching  goals, is holding a mindset that  believes  we can.

I started out my year on a reading binge, I didn’t plan it. I just found myself repeatedly purchasing books on Amazon, and then devouring them when they arrived.

Last night I curled up in bed with a glass of wine, the dog, and War of Art by Steven Pressfield, I had just a few short pages left to read. After turning the last page, I decided to go back through the book to begin to unpack some of my favorite passages, and I landed on section about being a pro.

If you want your business to grow, if you want to be more creative, if you want to be treated like a pro, than you need to believe and act like you are a pro.

After reading the book I was inspired and ready to go. Starting today I’m going pro, and I’m opening the doors, and allowing you to watch the journey unfold.

I”m putting the following into practice and challenge you to do the same.

* spend time in the space where you do your work, everyday, even if you don’t have any ideas. I’ve made a practice of doing this for the last year, and after sitting in my studio for 10 minutes, I always start making something. Believe that the muse will meet you there.

* a pro works full time, 7 days a week. Creative work needs to stop being a hobby. There are no excuses, no half days, no I”ll try this for a month and jump to something new. Since I have a full time job, and do my business on the side, it can be easy to make excuses not to work. I”m setting up a schedule for myself, determining when I need to be in the studio and what I need to do. I’m changing my mindset, this is not a “side job” this is my job.

* I’m having a staff meeting with myself on Monday morning. During the staff meeting I’m writing down the projects that need to be completed that week, and creating a task sheet on evernote. These projects must be completed before I stray and go out with friends, watch a movie, or do something else distracting.

* Have business cards, letterhead, business checks and credit card. Keep the self and the business self separate. I have all of these things, but am not always great at using them, and keeping things separate. I’m committing to do this. I started by marking one of credit cards with a big red dot indicating that it is to be used for business purchases. I also signed up for stitch labs , to help keep track of my sales and spending.

” There’s no mystery to turning pro. It’s a decision brought about by an act of will. We make our mind to view ourselves as pros and we do it. Simple as that.” War of Art

Will you put any of these tips into practice as you go pro? If so which ones? Leave a comment and let me know how it’s going for you.

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