The next step has already been planned and nurtured. It’s coming into full bloom. I realized that the ongoing connections, support and accountability are just too important for me to ignore. I need to be surrounded by a tribe of faith-inspired messengers and I know that faith-inspired messengers need each other.

In particular, we need to show the world what happy, abundant faith-inspired messengers look like. Ones who shun manipulation and deception. Ones who embrace timeless tips from the Bible and use that as their guide in their marketing and sales practices.

We can only do this if we put God first in all our efforts. Then, we need to gather together to support each other on this mission. Learn from faith-inspired entrepreneurs. Connect with other faith-inspired messengers. And understand how to deliver our divinely-inspired messages into the marketplace in a loving, gracious and equally fiery way.

On Thursday May 17, 2012 at 8pm Eastern, you’re invited to an interactive virtual event where I’ll recap what Naked Faith means and how we can move forward in our businesses with more faith.

God has called you for something utterly important. If you’re like Jonah and you’re running, the Naked Faith blog series exposed your flight response and you’re ready to settle down and hear God’s voice.

To register your spot for this complimentary virtual event, click here.

Here are the day-by-day posts. Even though the series is no longer running “live,” feel free to comment on each post as you experience your own breakthrough.

Faith, Purpose, Calling

Day 1 – Does God Care About the Little Things? by Leesa Barnes
Day 2 – 5 Ways to Live Out On the Branch by Darnyelle Jervey
Day 3 – Daily Renewal by Katy Pent
Day 4 – How to Transform Your Shame & Inadequacy Into Your Great Calling by Duane Aubin
Day 5 – How I Stopped Grumbling About My Business and Enjoyed More Success by Kelly McCausey
Day 6 – Why Business Matters to God by Regina Baker
Day 7 – God, Goals, and Blindfolds by Lisa Robbin Young
Day 8 – Just As It’s Supposed To Be by Maruxa Murphy
Day 9 – Faith is a Renewable Resource by Melissa Stewart
Day 10 – The Power of Your Words: What You Speak Out – You Call In by Sanyika Colloway Boyce
Day 11 – The Power of Exhibiting Naked Faith in Business by LaTara Ham-Ying
Day 12 – Naked Goosebumps: Learning to Listen, Lead, and Let Go by Diane Cunningham
Day 13 – Be The Light by Rachel Bellamy
Day 14 – 5 Keys to Building a Prosperous, God-Centered Business by Monique Caradine

Marketing, Fellowship, Hospitality

Day 15 – Why Most Marketers Are Seduced by Dishonest & Manipulative Tactics by Leesa Barnes
Day 16 – True Relationships in Business Begin With Your Soul by Therese Prentice
Day 17 – Small Fellowships Can Change the World by Sarah Robinson
Day 18 – How to Attract Customers & Create Success God’s Way by Kelly Thorne Gore
Day 19 – How to Benefit from Your Blessing by Janice Johnson
Day 20 – What Choices Do You Make In Your Business Relationships When No One But God Is Watching? by Tiffany Johnson
Day 21 – Build Business Relationships and Friendships with Online Vibrant Marketing Strategies by D’vorah Lansky
Day 22 – 5 Tips to Help You Attract New Prospects and Keep Your Clients by Silvia Pencak
Day 23 – The Crux of Good Business by W. Terry Whalin

Money, Wealth, Prosperity

Day 24 – What Role Does Money Play in Your Faith-Inspired Business? by Leesa Barnes
Day 25 – How Selling Can Be Sacred by Sage Lavine
Day 26 – Fear-Filled or Faith-Filled – Which YOU is Showing Up in Your Business? by Teresa Romain
Day 27 – Money Worries are a Faith Issue, Not a Financial One by Karen Russo
Day 28 – Soul Engagement Principles: 7 Key Steps For Online Success by Deborah Skye King
Day 29 – Making Great Money Is Part Of Your Spiritual Path by Karen Coffey
Day 30 – Grace in Action by Alexis Martin Neely

You can also follow the list of contributors on Twitter here and follow the board on Pinterest here.

This is Day 30 of Uncovering Naked Faith, a 30-Day blog series helping you add a more authentic, transparent and raw faith into your marketing and sales. Please read and share in the comment area your thoughts on this guest article. Click here to get on the list so you don’t miss out on future articles in the Naked Faith series.

Grace in Action

By Alexis Neely || @alexisneely

Grace is the experience of knowing and behaving as if everything that goes “wrong” is a divine gift.

Even as I write these words I can hear a part of my psyche screaming out in dissent. This part of me rails against the conflicts, the challenges, the mistakes, the difficulties. It wants it to be easy. It’s sure the challenges are proof that we (me and my various parts) are not worthy, have done something wrong, and are being punished.

But, I — my higher self — knows the truth. And I believe you and yours do as well.

Every single one of us has challenges.

Most publicly successful people do not share their challenges so we are easily lead into believing that life is easier for all the “other people” who are living the good life.

We are sure it’s only us (me and my parts, maybe you and your parts) who have to deal with sucky stuff (it’s another reason I am so committed to sharing the truth of all of it publicly with my online community — because I want you to know that it’s not just you, challenge and conflict happens to everyone).

Therefore, our parts tell us, we must be bad or there must be something wrong with us.

It’s not true. It’s not just you. Of course not.

• Jonathan Fields wrote in his 2012 Annual Report about his battle with tinnitus (a debilitating constant high-pitched ringing in the ears) that as he said “left me an emotional wreck, largely unable to sleep or focus for months.”

• Ali Brown recently publicly mentioned an unpleasant legal matter.

In fact, every single person I interviewed for my Eyes Wide Open Evolution behind the scenes interview series acknowledged their life was full of challenge and conflict in some way or another — lawsuits, divorces, illness, depression.

It’s not whether challenges and conflicts will happen in our lives, it’s how we deal with them. Will you approach challenges as a great big delightful gift to be celebrated or as something to resist, rail against and be a victim to in reaction.

When we can truly, totally and completely see our most difficult challenges as the gifts they are — divine opportunities to be more, see more, experience more and live more — we are free. That is grace. And it requires a tremendous amount of faith.

The alternative, of course, is to resist, rail and shake at the injustice and allow these injustices to conform us into bitter, unhappy shrews us we are less. Oh yes, I’ve experienced that as well.

But here’s what I’ve learned — when I rail, fight, shrink, go into victim mode, distress or any sort of stress really, I am being less than who I really am. And guess what? Then, my circumstances will reflect that back to me. I am not enough. I do not have enough. I can never be enough.

In contrast, when I can face challenge with equanimity and grace, moving through it knowing it is a divine gift given to me for my own highest benefit, my circumstances align with that reality and reflect that back to me. I am always enough. All my needs are met. All is well.

With the decision to allow grace into our lives and trust the Creator to provide what we need, we alter the world around us.

It is this way with all circumstances seemingly foisted upon us by someone or something doing something to us; there is a gift, it’s hidden behind our resistance, fear, fight. It is the gift of grace; of discovering the truth of who we are in the face of all of it and being rewarded for being the more that you really are, not less.

“Every challenge and every conflict is our greatest opportunity to be more of who we really are.”

So, here’s your assignment:

• 1. Access your connection to God and make a list of the three qualities that you absolutely want to embody no matter what happens in your life.

  For me, those qualities are generosity, love and freedom.

• 2. Write down one situation in which you do not feel those qualities (the one’s you wrote down) showing up in your life.

  For me, one situation is when I get angry because someone is (according to my perception) taking advantage of me.

• 3. Ask yourself the hard question. How can I be more [insert your 3 qualities] in this situation?

  For me, how can I be more generous, loving and free in this situation? For you, it might be how can I be more powerful, confident and certain in this situation? Whatever the 3 qualities you wrote down in step 1 are, ask yourself how you can be more of that now.

• 4. Write down the answer.

  I could be more generous, loving and free now by knowing that there is more than enough, no one can take advantage of me, by giving more, forgiving more, and loving more.

• 5. Pray. If you are anything like me, thinking about all of this intellectually and doing the exercise is all well and good, but in a moment of reaction, it could be very difficult (or even impossible) to see how you could be more [insert your qualities] when [insert your circumstances].

  The only answer here is to pray. Please God — show me the way. Show me how to be more [qualities]. I need guidance. Please show me.

Grace brings ease. Trust. It’s All Happening. There Are No Accidents. God is Benevolent and You Are Infinitely Supported.

Your Action
See above in the assignments.

About the Author
Alexis Neely is a truth-telling lawyer and evolutionary strategist, ushering in the new paradigm with courage and grace. All before the age of 35, Alexis quickly scaled the ranks of “successful” entrepreneurship, built multiple million dollar entrepreneurial endeavors, wrote a best-selling book and appeared on numerous top-rated television shows, all while raising her children as a single mother. After a spiritual experience in 2009 Alexis took a big step back and has since devoted her life to pinpointing which of the old systems and structures are worth keeping, while discovering and creating more effective, sustainable models that support us in realizing our full potential within a shifting economic system. Connect with Alexis at www.alexismartinneely.com.

This is Day 29 of Uncovering Naked Faith, a 30-Day blog series helping you add a more authentic, transparent and raw faith into your marketing and sales. Please read and share in the comment area your thoughts on this guest article. Click here to get on the list so you don’t miss out on future articles in the Naked Faith series.

Making Great Money Is Part Of Your Spiritual Path

By Karen Coffey || @KarenCoffey_com

Every day I run into women who have a huge “giant-size” block when it comes to making great money doing work they love doing.

They range from writers, holistic practitioners, coaches, and speakers to high powered entrepreneurs and CEO’s. They give of themselves and their gifts and yet still charge way less than adequate fees to support themselves and create freedom in their lives; freedom to relax, freedom to live a life they know they deserve, and the freedom to stop struggling and striving every day.

This past week I had the opportunity to coach with many of my seven 6-Figure Spirit-Led Breakthrough clients and it was amazing and inspiring to hear the gifts each one have been given and at the same time it broke my heart as I listened to the disappointment and frustration each of them was faced with in earning a living, much less the 6-Figures+ living I know they can achieve. All of them making a difference in the world, yet 95% of them not able to make ends meet.

I was in this same situation not too long ago…so how did I breakthrough to a multiple 6-figure income?

I realized: Making Great Money IS Part of my Spiritual Path!

Previously I had felt somewhere deep inside that I was doing a greater work and that money was just a trapping of the physical world. That I was somehow above it.

It wasn’t until I lost everything I owned that I discovered how spiritual making great money really is…hmmm…and once my belief around THAT changed, everything began to change.

5 Keys to Up-Leveling your Spiritual Money Mindset

• Key #1: Making Great Money IS part of my Spiritual Path – God wants you to be abundant, stress free, and happy. Your spiritual path is not about struggle, stress, and overwhelm

• Key #2: Making Great Money is Grounding – walk your spiritual path with well grounded feet so you can stay in the game of life at a very high level and really make a substantial difference in the world

• Key #3: Making Great Money is Passion expressed and Passion received – as you express your purpose and your gifts to the fullest each day you are rewarded financially and living your most passionate life

• Key #4: Making Great Money is Exciting – If you’re not making great money you’re not helping enough people. Helping thousands of people is REALLY exciting!

• Key #5: It’s Easier to Make Great Money than it is to Make Less – It is easier to find one client and charge what you’re worth, than it is to find 100 clients and undercharge

Your Actions

1. So let me ask you…if you were fully embracing the belief that making great money IS part of your spiritual path, what would you be doing differently?

About the Author
President of the Global Network of Successful Spirit-Led Women in Business (www.gnsswb.org), creator of the “Spirit-Led Coaching Method” and Founder of the Hope of Humanity Foundation, Karen Coffey is an internationally sought after speaker, author and Million Dollar Spirit-Led Women’s Business Coach who gained her start in successful start-ups at the age of 23.

Through her Spirit-Led Coaching Method Karen has developed top business owners, CEO’s and impacted the lives of thousands. Her passion is obtaining breakthrough results for Coaches and Business Women with her Spirit-Led Success Systems, training them how to bring their authentic talents and beautiful Spirit through in their work to create major money miracles for themselves in 30 – 60 days. To get your FREE Money Miracles & Breakthroughs: 6-Figure Client Attraction Visualization Audio & Client Attraction Journal, visit www.karencoffey.com.

This is Day 28 of Uncovering Naked Faith, a 30-Day blog series helping you add a more authentic, transparent and raw faith into your marketing and sales. Please read and share in the comment area your thoughts on this guest article. Click here to get on the list so you don’t miss out on future articles in the Naked Faith series.

Soul Engagement Principles: 7 Key Steps For Online Success

By Deborah Skye King || @skyeking

Every entrepreneur wants to succeed, create financial success, develop powerful relationships and experience freedom to live life on their own terms. It’s simple, or at least it sounds that way doesn’t it?

Women-run businesses control 65% of global spending and more than 80% in the US creating 3 trillion dollars in sales. The global impact that women currently play in society has shifted and global leaders around the world are taking note.

Soul Engagement Principles came about in 2009 when I saw a split in how women entrepreneurs were desiring to take their ideas and passions online and build a business but could not understand how to do that with no marketing background or sales training, let alone web design and branding.

I created the 7 Pillars of Success based on the philosophy of holism which addresses not only individual relationships between humans and their environment, but also communities, families, societies, as well as nations and the world as a whole. We are an integral part in our universe and I believe our business models should reflect this at the core of our mission statement and vision, to create a sustainable and long lasting legacy for future generations.

When we market, we are speaking out of what we believe in. We share that message through color, vibrancy, words and images all invoking a sense of desire, pleasure, insight and prompting you to accept or reject the concept put together by the company, individual or brand. You voice in the marketplace can and should be heard by thousands, if not millions, to create a stronger foundation of faith and purposeful living for the millions who are not presently connected to their spiritual calling.

My business was created by listening to that voice of spirit, taking action and following through on what I received, without questioning why I was doing it or wondering if I would fail. That conversation never occurred as my faith in the Divine prevails over my weak mind. This is one of the core principles that will challenge you and compel you to move forward in marketing your message, as it’s the voice within that is so powerful.

Marketing plays a crucial role in business and should be your number one focus and aim in planning out your annual growth and sales. Your platform is dependent on how well your company embraces engagement principles. Listen to the needs of clients and what matters most in their world, then find a specific and simplistic way to fulfill their needs and desires.

Your marketing budget should be one of the top three expenses that you have within your company as marketing is the food that feeds your business, without it you will not succeed, nor grow. Marketing also encompasses referrals, collaborations and joint ventures. All of these can add enormous value to your message and improve your results to engage a larger client base, one that you might not of had access to within your own circle of influence.

If you are new to marketing and how to do it, it is best to align yourself with a company or small business owner who has had success and is passionate about what they do. A great marketer will understand your bottom line, get your message out in a timely manner, and determine a precise course of action and implement strategies that will bring the results you are looking for.

Here are some simple steps to aligning yourself within the Soul Engagement Principles, which are composed of the 7 Pillars of Success:

1. Your Identity
2. The World Around You
3. Your Values & Ideals
4. Your Beliefs
5. Your Emotions
6. Your Body & Energy Levels
7. Your Mindset

Each pillar reflects how your marketing message comes across, how you deliver it and how well it is received by connecting to God every step of the way. If you and I are created in the image and likeness of creation itself, then everything that we do comes from this original source, known to most as God. Your marketing strategy and platform should embrace the same values and beliefs that we all share at the core of our truth, which means communicating our message with the most unique, integral and effective methods available to us.

Some of the platforms that I use in my marketing, as well as advise my clients on, are press releases, video marketing, guest blogging, featured speaker on telesummits, and carving out your niche market using SEO (search engine optimization), along with branding your message on social media.

There is no separation between your commitment to your faith nor your desire to serve the greater good in the world and make millions of dollars. You can be one of the 3 billion in the next couple of years who leverage the internet to position your company as a leader in the global marketplace to empower, enrich and prosper the lives of millions worldwide.

I am on a mission to eradicate fear and suffering from the human condition by releasing past emotional and mental trauma that constricts the human potential from experiencing the absolute love and serenity of God. I do this with Soul Engagement Principles & Strategies for Online 6 Figure Success for Female Entrepreneurs Globally.

Your Action

To further along your journey into developing your business and marketing platform, please go to www.DeborahSkyeKing.com to receive your complimentary 7 Key Steps To Success For Female Entrepreneurs Soul Engagement Series and to learn more about our Summit in Bali in September.

About the Author

Deborah Skye King is a Bestselling Author, North America’s #1 Soul Therapist and Founder of Soul Engagement Principles for a 6 Figure Lifestyle. Her company, Soul Therapy International serves over 20+ countries around the Globe Empowering Women with Online Training Programs and Mentoring. She leads VIP Soul Immersion Retreats in Bali, Costa Rica and Peru. Visit www.DeborahSkyeKing.com to receive your complimentary 7 Key Steps To Success For Female Entrepreneurs Soul Engagement Series.

This is Day 27 of Uncovering Naked Faith, a 30-Day blog series helping you add a more authentic, transparent and raw faith into your marketing and sales. Please read and share in the comment area your thoughts on this guest article. Click here to get on the list so you don’t miss out on future articles in the Naked Faith series.

Money Worries are a Faith Issue, Not a Financial One

By Karen Russo || @karenrussomoney

As the world economy rebuilds from the economic collapses of the last few years, many people are feeling afraid. Anxiety about money pervades our Western culture. We have a constant, nervous conversation about losing, making mistakes, getting cheated and suffering financial disasters. We worry that there are not enough time, resources, deals, education, opportunity, land, businesses, clients, people, energy or information.

Money won’t fix it!

It may feel like all you need right now to address your fears is more money, right? What I’ve discovered in years of research about the connection between money and spirituality shows something that might surprise you. Money worries are ultimately more of a faith issue than a financial one.

When you’re afraid about money and you do get money, you can absolutely get some short term relief in your circumstances. However, if you don’t address the fear, it will come back.

The basic anxiety about money comes from an idea, a thought and a sense of separation. You think you’re a finite being defined by your income statement and your balance sheet. When you feel separate from the eternal, abundant, infinite source of the all-good, you get scared. The problem of scarcity is an issue of faith, and the solution is a spiritual connection to your wholeness.

Fears about money stifle your Spirit.

People who are anxious, upset and distracted don’t make the best financial decisions — and they don’t feel inspired, grateful and generous with their money — or with sharing their gifts with the world.

You can free yourself by modeling ‘conscious wealth creators.’ These individuals are both financially successful and connected to larger purpose in their lives. They handle financial concern by being intentional about cultivating their spiritual connection — the one they choose what they have faith in. They place their faith in the source behind the channels that money comes through.

In all the research, interviews and workshops I completed as background for writing The Money Keys, the number one thing that people said they really want is not millions of dollars, but peace of mind.

Your Actions

1. The next time you feel concern about paying a bill or taking a financial risk, use that emotion as a signal to stop, shift, and cultivate the experience of spiritual connection. Start with gratitude to create a sense of peace. Take a deep breath and look around your money life. Be grateful for the source behind the money that does flow to you. Appreciation fills your mind, calms your breathing and allows your body to relax. Now choose to act, speak, invest, spend and save. You’re building your faith in financial peace of mind.

About the Author
Think of Karen Russo as Your Spiritual Guide in Wealth Creation. She’s the award-winning author of The Money Keys: Unlocking Peace, Freedom and Real Financial Power, endorsed by her teachers Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith, T. Harv Eker, and Katherine Woodward Thomas.

Karen has an unusual blend of experience as an MBA from Columbia University, an accomplished corporate trainer, top-selling salesperson, and an ordained interfaith minister. As a mentor, she provides you with spiritual insights and practical ideas based on 25 years of studying and living success principles. Get your free ‘Escaping the Money Traps’ Kit at www.TheMoneyKeys.com.

This is Day 26 of Uncovering Naked Faith, a 30-Day blog series helping you add a more authentic, transparent and raw faith into your marketing and sales. Please read and share in the comment area your thoughts on this guest article. Click here to get on the list so you don’t miss out on future articles in the Naked Faith series.

Fear-Filled or Faith-Filled – Which YOU is Showing Up in Your Business?

By Teresa Romain || @teresaromain

When I said “yes” to Leesa’s invitation to write a blog post for this series, little did I realize the firestorm within me that it would create. How it would strike at my Achilles heel and have my life as an entrepreneur flash in front of me.

You see, I didn’t just write the blog post that you are reading now. I wrote – or at least started to write – NINE different posts on different topics. And I had at least five other ideas for posts in my head.

As for the one topic I picked – well, I wrote five different versions of it before I was done. I spent hours and hours on it – way more than I had planned or really had available – and it threw the rest of my life out of whack.

I thought that my struggles in writing it were due to the fact that I was writing about a subject I hadn’t written about before – one that was stretching me. I thought of it as being diligent, professional, committed to quality. I thought it was what God wanted me to write and I was taking that responsibility QUITE seriously. I had shared some of my struggles with Leesa in an email and she replied saying that…

“I can’t wait to read it. I’m sure it’s going to ROCK.”

She didn’t realize it but, instead of reassuring me, her words actually had me feel even more pressure. When I FINALLY finished it and got it down to a “reasonable” (although still very long) length, I asked my husband to read it and give me his opinion. He thought it was good – although it wasn’t one of my better ones.

Then I called a couple of friends who are entrepreneurs to get their feedback (read “validation”) but they weren’t home. So I went to bed glad that it was done but still feeling very unsure and insecure about what I had written. I even emailed Leesa and said:

“It will either ROCK or it will FLOP. I guess we’ll find out when I send it to you in the morning.”

Lying in bed, it hit me. I had felt this way before. Fearful. Insecure. Anxious. Pressured. Afraid. And what I had experienced writing my post was equally familiar. Struggle. Strain and effort – LOTS of it. And very little excitement, joy or fun.

And suddenly I GOT what had been going on.

I was honored that Leesa had invited me to be a guest author. I realized that it would expose me and my work to new people – maybe hundreds of new people. That it was a “great opportunity” for me. And it was something I truly wanted to do. It even seemed like a gift from God because I have been slowly “coming out” more in terms of integrating my faith into my business and the work I do as a speaker, coach and trainer.

And I didn’t want to disappoint – Leesa – or God. I wanted to be worthy of the honor and to make the best of this opportunity. And that’s what triggered an old, disempowering, “scarcity-based” pattern that has sabotaged my joy, success, fulfillment and abundance most of my life.

You see, in all NINE of the posts I started and all FIVE versions of the one I finally finished, I was trying to impress Leesa. I was trying to impress YOU. I was trying to write something that would really WOW you. I was trying to write a post that would – to use Leesa’s words – ROCK.

And I was trying to write an AMAZING post for a group of people I didn’t know and who didn’t know me. And so I had tried to make sure that my post would have something in it that everyone would like or would find meaningful. Instead of asking myself what it was that I wanted to write or had to offer – I was, in effect, asking myself what YOU wanted or needed me to write. What you would like.

That’s what I call my “trying to be all things to all people” pattern. It’s my pattern of looking outside myself to find out what I should be like and what I should do so that I will be accepted, successful, etc.

It’s also my pattern of wanting people to think I am better, more successful, more confident, more abundant than I really am because, deep down, I still have this persistent belief that who I am, the way I am, and where I am is “not enough”.

That’s why, for most of my life, I have thought (often subconsciously) that if I could just do more, make more, have more clients, become more successful, do more of the “right things” – well, THEN I would be enough. Those things would prove my worth and value.

Of course, it created a can’t win, “Catch-22″ cycle.

Because if I don’t think that I’m enough or worthy as I am, then the only way I can be successful or abundant or happy or loved is to try to be something that I’m not. To pretend that I am better than I am. I have to create an illusion of success or confidence or expertise in order to achieve the results I want.

But this pattern only increases my fear, anxiety, pressure and scarcity. Not only do I still have to deal with my internal “not enough”, I wind up living with the fear that people will find out the truth – that my façade won’t work.

They’ll find out that I am not who I led them to believe. That I don’t know as much as I led them to believe. That I’m not as successful or prosperous as I want them to think. That I’m out of integrity.

This is the pattern I fell back into when writing my post for this blog series. Maria Nemeth talks about it in her book, The Energy of Money, and captures the essence of it with this photo I took from page 61…

For most of my life, I have lived in the two outer circles – afraid of who I was (imperfect, “not enough”, with lots of warts) and wearing many masks trying to be hide that and be what I thought I should be or wanted people to think I was. My business was no exception and has led, I now see, to the moderate success I’ve had in my business (especially financially) for many years.

I’ve tried to be all things to all people in my business.

I’ve tried to be like other speakers and trainers – both in style and content. I’ve spent thousands and thousands (and thousands!) of dollars creating impressive website that have created an impression of me being bigger and better and more successful than I have ever really been.

I’ve stretched the truth when I’ve talked about the success and abundance I’ve had over the years. I’ve hyped my programs and services promising results I couldn’t deliver – I just thought I could or thought I needed to. I’ve had periods when I’ve been drowning in debt as a result of the money I’ve spent keeping the façades in place.

I thought it was what I needed to do to be successful. I figured that if people really knew the truth – they wouldn’t want to work with me. Then…

• I wouldn’t have clients.
• I wouldn’t make money.
• I wouldn’t be able to pay my bills.

Or I might have to go get a “real” job – and then people would REALLY know that I was a failure, I wasn’t enough, I wasn’t who they thought I was. Any or all of which would just reinforce my experience of “not enough”.

And so, lying in bed thinking about the blog post I had written but was still not satisfied with, I realized that I had written it from my “not enough” place – from fear and scarcity – again. I was trying to impress with words and clever insights and profound ideas and powerful action steps. And I was thinking that the MORE ground I could cover, the better it was – the better I was.

I was trying to PROVE my “enoughness” and my worth. How great I am. How successful and smart I am. What a great “abundance coach” I am. How “faith-filled” I am. How different and/or better I am than everyone else.

That’s when I remembered that Jesus said “and the truth shall set you free”. He also said, “my yoke is easy and my burden light”. And that he came that “they might have life and that, more abundantly.” And I realized that I had to write YET ONE MORE post – but this time I had to write the truth. I had to take the ultimate “faith-filled” action and expose myself.

I had to remember, once again, that my “enoughness” and “abundance” is not the result of what I do or have in terms of success, fame and/or fortune. That’s the ego’s definition of abundance and success – not God’s or my soul’s.

My “enoughness” comes from the fact that I have been created by a loving God who has given me many talents and blessings – as well as “warts” and shortcomings – and who loves me as I am, where I am (BTW – the same is true for you).

I had to BE WHO I AM in this post – rather than try to be who I think you want me to be or who I think I need to be to impress you, to WOW you, to make a difference in your life, to be accepted or validated by you.

Because, just maybe – if I do that – you will then have the courage to do the same in your life and in your business. To be who you are and to share your own unique gifts, talents, experience and wisdom, mistakes and shortcomings with others – through your business and in your life.

Maybe then you won’t have to struggle and try so hard at whatever it is you are doing (or want to do) in your business. Maybe then you will find your “enoughness” from the fact that you a beloved child of God – a Divine creation – instead of external result.

Then you might begin to peel away the masks and façades you have hidden behind – realizing that when you hide your “shadow” you also hide your “light”.

You’ll begin to let go of the fear, pressure, struggle and pain they create in your life. Maybe then you’ll build your business in a way that expresses who you are, what you know, your gifts and talents and your faith and, in so doing, honors God.

Maybe then you’ll enjoy your business again, be able to learn and grow in it and as a result of it and serve your customers with integrity, authenticity, love and joy – because you will be free.

So there you have my story – and my wish for you. Now – what about you?

• Is there anything in what I’ve shared that you related to or resonated with?
• Do you ever doubt your “enoughness” or try to prove it with external results?
• Have you been doing things in your business to create an impression of success or expertise or “enoughness” that is a façade?
• Have you ever tried to be who or what you think you need to be in order to succeed – instead of who you are with the gifts and foibles with which God created you in love?

More importantly, are you ready to act in FAITH that your worth and “enoughness” comes from God – who knows you and loves you completely and unconditionally – just the way you are? Are you willing to stand in this TRUTH as you build your business and live your life?

If so, here are some questions I’ve come up with that might help you in any given situation – as well as a few I’ve learned from Pat Honiotes, one of my coaches.

1. If I loved and accepted myself (as God does) for who I am RIGHT now, warts and all, and where I’m at in my business and life right now, what action would I take or what choice would I make?
2. If I didn’t have to be “the best” or better than others – if I didn’t have to “look good” or impress anyone (including God) – what action would I take or what choice would I make?
3. Am I trying to hide something (about myself, my programs/products, business, life) because of the judgement I have about it? What action would I take or choice would I make if I wasn’t afraid that someone/people find out?
4. Am I doing or saying this to make me, my programs or services seem better than I/they really are? Am I doing or saying this to make them seem less than they really are?
5. What is the expectation I have for me, my business, a product or program (or even a blog post) that is creating pressure for me – thereby creating struggle and killing my joy?
6. Am I trying to control the outcome to turn out the way I want – in terms of results, what people think, etc.? Am I trying to FORCE something to be or turn out a certain way – the way I want it to go?
7. If I let go of the belief that it has to be hard, fancy, complicated, etc. to be valuable or meaningful, how would I go about my business and my life?
8. What action would I take and choice would I make if I wasn’t trying to PROVE my “enoughness”, competence, knowledge, et? If I was just me?

In closing, my prayer for you today is that you claim your “enoughness” in God – no matter how much you have or do. And that – grounded in that love, with faith – you will share who you REALLY are, both light and shadow, with the world – through your business and in all aspects of your life.

Your Action

1. Review the 8 questions above, then prayerfully work through the one that reasonates with you the most. Share your response in the comments area.

Teresa Romain is the President and Founder of Access Abundance!™ Inc., an organization she founded in 1996 to educate, inspire and support people to access and experience greater levels of health & wealth, freedom, & fulfillment, joy and ease in their daily lives.

Teresa’s gift is her ability to look at things differently and to create openings for people to break free from the “tyranny of not enough” and the scarcity patterns that limit their ability to grow and prosper – in their businesses and their lives. She is masterful in her ability to teach and support people to build a foundation for abundance all aspects of their lives – physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and financially.

Teresa describes herself as the “poster child” for the saying “you teach best what you most need to learn and practice yourself”. This is one reason why Teresa – and her programs – are always evolving, fresh AND transformational. For more about Teresa and her programs, visit www.AccessAbundance.com

This is Day 25 of Uncovering Naked Faith, a 30-Day blog series helping you add a more authentic, transparent and raw faith into your marketing and sales. Please read and share in the comment area your thoughts on this guest article. Click here to get on the list so you don’t miss out on future articles in the Naked Faith series.

How Selling Can Be Sacred

By Sage Lavine || @sagelavine

When I first started my business, I studied business models and learned from a lot of teachers. I learned formulas to explain what I do and strategies for selling on stage.

All of it was extremely useful. But I wish someone had told me bluntly: Take these tools, try them on, see if they fit, but be sure to always first and foremost: be yourself.

There are a few things you can begin doing right away to let your sweet soul be a sacred magnet for “selling” your business.

First and Foremost: Be Yourself

Last year I was asked to speak to a group in San Francisco. I woke up the morning of my talk and I decided I was going to throw out some of the strategy I had learned and just tell it like it is.

I wove personal story into my speech and spoke of how fulfilling it was for me to raise money for my tithing organization: Hope for Indonesian Women in Bali. I spoke to a couple of the real transformations my clients had gone through as a result of working with me. I had tears in my eyes for a good chunk of my talk.

I enrolled folks in programs that day resulting in over 10K in sales, but more importantly, those students of mine are well on their paths to sacred, authentic promoting of themselves.

Just be yourself. Whether you’re talking to one person, to a room full or conference line full of people…take a breath, tap into your heart wisdom and say what you know.

Secondly: Feel the Value of your Personal Service

When someone asks you what you do, it’s not the words you say that affect them. Studies show that your words account for only 7% of the message you convey. The remaining 93% is non-verbal. 55% of communication is based on what people see and feel in you and the other 38% is transmitted through tone of voice.

So, the next time you’re asked what you do, take a breath and connect with your heart first. Then, bring to mind one of your favorite clients or someone you have helped. Infuse each word with the fulfilling feeling of service toward your favorite client. Watch how differently you are received.

If you don’t have client success stories to share because you’re just getting started, go find someone to help, then ask them to explain how you helped them. Hold their heart in yours as you let people know about your business or service.

Literally imagine yourself holding their heart, placing your hand at the back of their heart, as you tell someone about how you help, support, coach or heal…and bring their smiling face to mind as well. Your presence speaks louder than your words, and your presence begins with your breath. So slow down, tap in and then share.

Thirdly: Get Comfortable with Receiving $$$

Just as Mark Silver said when I interviewed him last week for the Spiritual Business Bootcamp…every act of business can be an act of love.

Yes, you’re a divine channel for your gift, but you’re also human. Therefore, you need to be provided for. Mark and I were discussing how many of our clients ask us: “How can I charge for my services when it’s not really me doing the healing/ coaching/ guiding…it’s Spirit…it’s a Divine Gift…How can I charge for that?”

To which Mark replies, you can’t.

But what you can do is trust that if you are going to be a divine channel of energy, healing or coaching for someone, then you can allow your client to be a divine channel for your provisions. They can offer an exchange that helps you to have a comfortable quality of life. Because, you may be God, but you’re also human, and so are they.

So breathe in right now, and know that you also get to receive. You get to be provided for in this sacred dance of life, in fact…you already are.

Fourthly and Finally: Focus on What People Want

I once met a beautiful man who was a massage therapist at festivals. He explained to me that he often times made 10K per month travelling around and doing massage at festivals. I was astounded: “How in the heck do you do that?” I asked.

His presence spoke to me initially, so I didn’t doubt his honesty. He went on to explain that he has a beautiful sign he painted that says: “My Specialty: Low Back Pain and Hips.”

He said that while other massage therapists are standing around at festivals waiting for work, he has a line outside his booth. He had to bring in two other massage therapists to work with him.

Simple, powerful and effective.

Many people’s back pain eased, and ten grand per month, $$ ca-ching! While some folks are just promoting massage, he’s promoting to the aches and pains people are struggling with as they ramble around a festival on dusty dirt crowded paths all day.

So many of us as healers want to focus on the inner process of what we do. “I retrieve your soul,” says one of my client…“I use a chakra balancing technique with colors to heal you,” says another. But what neither of them are saying is that their work has cured people from chronic anxiety, eased migraine headaches and helped clients find their purpose in life making powerful career shifts toward a life of passion and fulfillment.

Don’t be afraid to take responsibility for the powerful benefits that you can provide. Remember it’s not you who’s doing the healing or coaching in the first place, it’s happening through you. And, your client is ultimately responsible for making the shift.

But when you hold back and don’t powerfully share the benefits of what you can do for your clients, you’re cheating people out of knowing about a gift that you bring.

About the Author

Sage Lavine, MA, CLC, is the CEO of the Women on Purpose Interview Series empowering women to create financial freedom for themselves through a Purposeful Business while also assisting women around the Globe through humanitarian efforts. Sage speaks to groups all over the country and has helped inspire over a thousand people to clarify their Life Purpose and live it through creating a business they love. Sage helps women entrepreneurs open their channel to Spiritual Guidance, so that they can be the messengers they are truly here to be and live a life in alignment with their authentic selves.

Sage works with change agents, light workers and Heart Based Entrepreneurs to collaboratively redistribute resources towards those who will do the most good with it. Sage speaks around the world, hosts an annual Bali Retreat as she raises money for an organization called “Hope for Indonesian Women”, as well as women’s retreats and vision quests. To get 3 free interviews with 6-figure passion entrepreneurs, visit www.purpose2prosperity.com

This is Day 24 of Uncovering Naked Faith, a 30-Day blog series helping you add a more authentic, transparent and raw faith into your marketing and sales. Please read and share in the comment area your thoughts on this guest article. Click here to get on the list so you don’t miss out on future articles in the Naked Faith series.

What Role Does Money Play in Your Faith-Inspired Business?

By Leesa Barnes || @leesabarnes

Money is a divisive topic amongst faith-inspired entrepreneurs. Many believe that those who believe in God must take a vow of poverty as this is a sign of humility. Others misinterpret 1 Timothy 6:10 and use that as a basis to admonish God-centered entrepreneurs who focus on making money. In this video, Leesa Barnes shares a recent situation with a member of her team which helped her see that money – and any conversation about it – can either speak life or bring death to a business.

My mantra = Fix your relationship with God to fix your relationship with money.

Your Actions

1. Read Hebrews 13:5
2. Write down what it is about your current money situation you don’t like and what actions you’ll take to overcome it
3. What are your favourite scriptures that confirm your belief that money is part of your spiritual path? Leave your responses below.
4. How would you have dealt with the situation in the video differently? Share your responses below.

About the Author
Leesa Barnes is an award winning motivational teacher who helps faith-centered messengers become financially and spiritually successful.

After operating a successful consulting business, an online global association and authoring countless training programs and books, Leesa helps messengers use the right words and the right online tools to attract the right clients.

This is Day 23 of Uncovering Naked Faith, a 30-Day blog series helping you add a more authentic, transparent and raw faith into your marketing and sales. Please read and share in the comment area your thoughts on this guest article. Click here to get on the list so you don’t miss out on future articles in the Naked Faith series.

The Crux of Good Business

By Terry Whalin || @terrywhalin

It may seem pretty basic but if you are going to work in the communication business, you need to work at this thing called communication. It seems like I need to work at it every day–even when I don’t want to work at it.

Recently one of my customers wrote and said:

“This EBook has not been up to my expectations and I wish to request a refund. I don’t believe the content was substantial enough to merit the $39 cost.”

The comment made me a bit angry and I wanted to come back in protest.

After all I had sold many copies of this same Ebook around the world without a single person asking for a refund. Wasn’t it my “right” to protest such a request? Instead I dropped it and simply refunded the money. On my website, I have a “no questions asked refund policy.” It says that if you ask for a refund, then I refund the money. It’s straightforward and simple.

This customer had requested a refund so I was going to return the money. Within the hour, I sent the money along with this note to the customer:

“I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you this time. I hope to work with you again later on.”

Notice my comment leaves the door open for this customer to return and purchase another product from me at a later date.

Over the years in business, I’ve learned several important lessons in this area of customer service which are important for every business person.

• 1. Never burn a bridge. Relationships are critical and it is important for you to take steps to preserve your relationship. Someone may return a product today but become a major monthly client if you handle the return properly. It is never worth burning a bridge with some snappy comeback.

• 2. Always deliver prompt customer service. When someone emails me about a product, I try and answer within 24 hours. I don’t care if I’m traveling and away from home or where I am when I get the request. I quickly send a response. If I can resolve it, then I try and resolve it. If I need to explain that I’m on the road and will resolve it in the next day, then I send that message. My customers deserve a timely response. When I have a customer service issue with a product or service, I’m expecting a prompt response. As Jesus said in Matthew 7:12, “Do unto others as you want them to do unto you.” It’s called the Golden Rule for a reason.

• 3. Be certain to respond. Whether the customer service issue is someone asking for one of my free products or someone asking to return a product that they have purchased, I attempt to deliver prompt customer service. I have a simple principle: when someone write or calls, I call them back or email them in response. In today’s world it is shocking the lack of response from vendors. If you take this simple step, it will distinguish you from the others.

Communication and quick resolution will pay off for you and build rapport which will preserve your reputation and build trust.

Here’s the “rest of the story.”

The Ebook that I’m talking about was Writing For The Christian Market. Recently I was talking with someone about a Christian publishing company and the way they treated their customers. The person I was talking with was not a Christian but he complained:

“This company talks all over their site about God and uses that reason why people should use their company. Because they are Christians, I hold them to a higher standard of excellence.”

While I didn’t turn the discussion into one about faith and standards, I agreed with the person. What are you doing to foster or hinder good communication in your writing life? That connection is critical in many different areas of life and it was a good reminder for me.

Your Action

1. Reach out to anyone who has requested a refund from you with a thank you card and an incentive for them to be served by you again. A kind gesture will rebuild any burned bridge.

W. Terry Whalin, a writer and editor, lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. He has written more than 60 nonfiction books including Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams. Visit www.terrywhalin.com to get Terry’s complimentary eBook called Platform Building Ideas for Every Author.

This is Day 22 of Uncovering Naked Faith, a 30-Day blog series helping you add a more authentic, transparent and raw faith into your marketing and sales. Please read and share in the comment area your thoughts on this guest article. Click here to get on the list so you don’t miss out on future articles in the Naked Faith series.

5 Tips to Help You Attract New Prospects and Keep Your Clients

By Silvia Pencak || @magneticsilvia

The premise behind business is simple – get clients, make money.

Getting the clients, keeping them and making money, however, is not always as simple as it seems. If you want to win clients, you need to know how the real you wins real prospects.

Who are you? What is your business? And how can your business help others?

Once you have determined answers to these three questions, you can bring your message to the public, and start attracting potential prospects and clients. The key is to be yourself, develop relationships, and show what you have to offer to the world.

Let me stop for a moment and share with you one of the biggest mistakes I see entrepreneurs making when designing their message.

Many times they so scared of what others will think about them that they start hiding. They will copy someone else, they will start sounding like someone else, they will hide behind somebody else’s back.

As a faith led entrepreneur, you have a calling in your life. God made you unique and gave you his special gifts that no one else out there has. And all He wants from you is to be yourself. To be you. To use the gifts He handed you and be a blessing for those around you.

Let’s go back now and have a closer look at the best ways how the real you can win real prospects.

• 1. Relationship Building – We are created as social beings. God created us to long to have relationship with Him, but also with each other. Relationship building is extremely important in gaining new clients and keeping old clients. When building relationships, there are two things to keep in mind. The first is that without a relationship, you have no client. The second is that with a damaged relationship, you lose a client. The only way to build your client base is through developing positive relationships. In order to build lasting relationships you need find your prospects, capture their interest, and show them how your product or service can benefit them. To keep positive relationships keep your prospects updated, provide follow up, and always provide excellent customer service. Remember, each of us wears invisible sign around the neck saying: “Make me feel important.” How can you make your prospects and clients feel important today?

• 2. About Page – Your website’s About page is a great way to give your prospects an idea of who your company is and what it stands for. Think of your about page as a mission statement. Include what your site is about, what the purpose is, who you are, and what benefits you offer. Your about page will be one of the first impressions that your prospects will have of you, so make your page compelling enough to attract their attention and keep them interested. The most powerful About pages I’ve ever seen almost always pull you in by sharing stories. We all have stories to share, stories of our struggles and victories. Our stories made us who we are and brought us where we are now. Our stories make us who we are. What story can you share with your potential prospects and clients that would help them not only understand what your business stands for, but also why you are in business and how you can help them?

• 3. Ezine – An ezine is a form of online newsletter that allows businesses to build a relationship with visitors. It can be used to share news and updates, as well as promotions and sales. Whether you have an online or offline business, using an ezine helps you not only to spread the word about your business, but also to stay in touch with your prospects and clients.

• 4. Blogging – Blogs, a website of chronologically logged posts, are taking the world by storm and are a great way to break no-trust barrier, develop relationships and all that while helping you to grow your prospect list. Blogging allows you to share your expertise, while at the same time getting the name of your business out there and expanding your client base.

• 5. Social Media – This sure is my absolute favorite way of building relationships with people I don’t know, but who might need my help, products, services, or simple advice, encouragement, inspiration. Social media, such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn are a great way to not only develop and maintain relationships with prospects, but also build lasting relationships with people you would otherwise have never met. With social networking, you can easily provide your clients with updates and information, as well as keep in touch with customers and learn customer opinions to improve your business.

With all of that said, I can’t but remind you that doing the above won’t help your business. Not unless you do it authentically and with integrity.

You must remember, that we will be held accountable for everything we do or don’t do. The above tools are powerful and work for any type of business. Just remember that attracting your prospects and keeping your clients has nothing to do with pretending, faking, or other similar “techniques.” It has to do with creating meaningful connections and relationships with people out there who need you. It has everything to do with love, compassion and care.

Your Actions

1. Who are you, what gifts do you have, what makes you unique?
2. What values and what message are you going to share with your audience?
3. What can you do today to make you and your business stay in integrity?

About the Author

Silvia Pencak, also known as Magnetic Silvia around social media, is the Brand Strategist specializing on online branding for small to medium size businesses. There are many misconceptions around branding, especially among small businesses and Silvia is passionate about breaking these myths and inspiring entrepreneurs at all stages of development to move beyond known and possible.

Silvia is known for high quality content and smart strategies that leave her clients with clarity, systems and results they were hoping for. Her strategic thinking, proven systems and tactics allow her clients create simple blueprints, understand next steps, and take massive action while having fun. To get Siliva’s FREE Stand Out Now kit, visit www.magneticlook.com.