What do I charge my very first client?

This week's question from my portal “The Neagle Code: Directions for Life” comes from an individual who wishes to remain anonymous.

Question:

After attending your event, I've changed drastically, both personally and in my motivation to change the world. I have an opportunity to start working with a client, but this will be the first time I've worked in this capacity as my own employer (aka setting my own fees). Is it out of integrity to charge this person, given that I've never created my own exclusive program before, or is it coming from lack NOT to charge this person for my services? Thank you so much!

Answer:

Hi and thanks for your question!

If you made the decision not to charge for your services, I don't necessarily believe that the decision would be coming from a place of lack; however, I think it would be coming from a place of fear.

Be honest.

Do you have a fear that this first client will think you're too expensive if you charge?

Are you worried that you're not “good enough” to charge?

Are you afraid of the sales conversation?

Are you concerned that your first prospect will think you're “salesy” if you collect money for your services?

I teach all my coaching students that pricing should not be based on logistics; it should be based on the value of the outcome your client is to receive.

So ask yourself, how will my prospects life be changed after working with me? What is the value of that?

I see many people just entering the industry giving their services away for free only because of some inner fear.

There are several problems with this.

1) People value things they have to invest in and are more motivated and willing to do what needs to be done to experience change. If they haven't paid for your services there is a high possibility this person will quit, not get their results, and then blame you.

2) When a client doesn't pay for your services, there is not an equal exchange of energy, therefore, what tends to happen is you will spend a lot of time with this client and then end up resenting them because you are not being paid even though you did not ask to be paid.

3) You're looking to find validation and appreciation instead of to provide a service. This is a dangerous pattern, and it makes it very difficult to begin charging.

My recommendation would be for you to determine the value of your service (based on the outcome your client will receive), price it as such, and be confident in your sales conversation. (My CompassionateConversion.com home study is a great tool to help you do so.)

Always remember: Transformation begins with the commitment, and people commit financially.

“Just Believe”,®

PS: The Neagle Code: DIRECTIONS for LIFE is a weekly no-cost program that is open to everyone! Each week, I'll select and personally respond to one question received via the above “The Neagle Code” page that I feel in my heart will help the most people. (You may choose to remain anonymous if you wish, with our full support.) It is my deep, heartfelt intention that ~ in answering your questions ~ I may provide you with the Universal Truths that in committed application, will set you free. Simply submit YOUR burning question at: www.TheNeagleCode.com to participate.

PPS: May I ask you to help me spread the word about this program? Is there someone you care for who is stuck, or struggling, or lost, or unhappy? Because if so, I would very much like to help. No matter their question, no matter their predicament, no matter if they've never heard of me before … if they would like to ask for help via www.TheNeagleCode.com, my Team and I will do our very best to provide that help.

 

Are your business & personal lives one in the same?

This week's question from my portal “The Neagle Code: Directions for Life” comes from Nicole Newsom.  You can find her on the web at http://spiritsensellc.com/.

Question:

Hi David,
As a small business owner, everything is about running and keeping my business afloat. I have not had time for a personal life. When I get with people in my line of business, two things happen 1-they want me to mentor them for free; or 2-they want to sell me their services when all I want is a friend.
How can you separate your business and personal life when they are one in the same?

Answer:

Thank you for the question!

Nicole, the problems you are describing in your question are nothing more than boundary problems.

The fact that you see your business life and personal life as one is a key indicator that you have not set proper boundaries for your life and in your relationships.

Your business life should be your business life, and your personal life should be your personal life.

Here are some suggestions on how to set proper boundaries.

1) Have a set start and end time to your day. Do not let your work invade your personal time. Work will always fill the time you allot it, so you may find that you are much more efficient when you have a limited time to work on your business.

2) Get involved in something outside your business. If you like to sail, join a sailing club. If you like to read, join a book club. If you like to hike, join a hiking club. This will expose you to people who know nothing about your business, but still share the same interests that you do. They won't want anything from you except your thoughts on your favorite boat, book, or hiking trail.

3) Schedule time with your current friends and gently let them know that you're not open to a conversation about your business, and you don't feel you can be their coach and their friend at the same time. You'd much rather be their friend. If you're worried about what you'll talk about, think about purchasing a small box of conversation starters. They are great to spark new and interesting conversation.

4) Do some journaling about who you are outside of your business. You need to begin to realize that your business is not your identity.

Keep in mind that as you do this, you may feel a small bit of anxiety. It's perfect normal as you begin to redefine who you are and what life you most want to live.

“Just Believe”,®

P.S: The Neagle Code: DIRECTIONS for LIFE is a weekly no-cost program that is open to everyone! Each week, I'll select and personally respond to one question received via the above “The Neagle Code” page that I feel in my heart will help the most people. (You may choose to remain anonymous if you wish, with our full support.) It is my deep, heartfelt intention that ~ in answering your questions ~ I may provide you with the Universal Truths that in committed application, will set you free. Simply submit YOUR burning question at: www.TheNeagleCode.com to participate.

P.P.S.: May I ask you to help me spread the word about this program? Is there someone you care for who is stuck, or struggling, or lost, or unhappy? Because if so, I would very much like to help. No matter their question, no matter their predicament, no matter if they've never heard of me before … if they would like to ask for help via www.TheNeagleCode.com, my Team and I will do our very best to provide that help.

When the biggest LIAR in your life is you…

This week's question from my portal “The Neagle Code: Directions for Life” comes from Margaret Foster.  You can find her on the web at http://www.margaretafoster.co.uk/.

Question:

Hi David,

I qualified as a life coach and NLP Practitioner over 3 years ago. The plan was to work in an office during the day and build my business during the evenings. However, I've only coached a handful of people and they were free sessions. I often help people out at work with their problems, but they never want to sign up for anything.
If I'm honest I'm scared to sell my services. Many people I've spoken to don't even know what coaching is and when I've explained, I get a lot of negative feedback.
I'm totally stuck and keep thinking that maybe I should just give up but something won't let me for some reason.
So my question is – should I give it up as a bad job? Maybe the Universe is trying to tell me something!

Thank you!

Answer:

You are absolutely right, Margaret. The Universe is most definitely trying to tell you something.

Here's the secret to finding out exactly what it's trying to tell you:

1)     Spirit never speaks to you through fear.

2)     The desire you feel is GIVEN to you by Spirit.

So if you are feeling fear around selling your services, you can immediately know that the fear you are experiencing is coming from your ego. And if it's coming from your ego, you know it's a LIE designed to stop you.

And when you are feeling the desire to grow your business and help others, you can immediately know that the desire you are experiencing is coming from Spirit. And if it's coming from Spirit, you know it's the TRUTH.

So, whom are you going to choose to listen to?

I hope you listen to that Spirit-given desire within you and begin to really take a look at why you have fear around selling your services.

You must realize that the fear is the only thing keeping you from your desire and step through it.

“Just Believe”,®

P.S: The Neagle Code: DIRECTIONS for LIFE is a weekly no-cost program that is open to everyone! Each week, I'll select and personally respond to one question received via the above “The Neagle Code” page that I feel in my heart will help the most people. (You may choose to remain anonymous if you wish, with our full support.) It is my deep, heartfelt intention that ~ in answering your questions ~ I may provide you with the Universal Truths that in committed application, will set you free. Simply submit YOUR burning question at: www.TheNeagleCode.com to participate.

P.P.S.: May I ask you to help me spread the word about this program? Is there someone you care for who is stuck, or struggling, or lost, or unhappy? Because if so, I would very much like to help. No matter their question, no matter their predicament, no matter if they've never heard of me before … if they would like to ask for help via www.TheNeagleCode.com, my Team and I will do our very best to provide that help.

Are you just a puppet?

This week's question from my portal “The Neagle Code: Directions for Life” comes from an individual who wishes to remain anonymous.

Question:

I am absolutely overwhelmed with obstacles to my own growth and success. I have absolutely no idea how to build a business model around what I do. My self-esteem is in the toilet, and I'm terrified of other people and their judgments. My car is a complete wreck and I'm so poor. For this reason I isolate myself. I avoid networking events because I'm ashamed someone will see my car. I avoid promoting myself online because I feel that I have nothing of value to say. I avoid dating because I'm embarrassed by my poverty. How can I start with nothing? Who could possibly help me? I mean really me with all of this?

Answer:

Right now, the only person who can help you is YOU.

You have to make a decision. And until you make that decision, NOTHING will change no matter who tries to help you.

Right now your programming, your fear and your ego are controlling your life.

All of the self-doubt, fear of judgment, shame and embarrassment was given to you by other people.

It was not given to you by Spirit.

You need to make a decision as to whether you are going to live your own life or if you are going to be a puppet for someone else.

If you choose to live your own life, you need to immediately begin to do EVERYTHING you are resisting.

You must go to networking events to learn that people don't care what car you drive.

You must promote yourself on-line to learn that you DO have something valuable to say.

You must begin dating to learn that how much money you make does not determine your worth.

You must stop hiding.

So to answer your question, no one can help you with this; you must begin to help yourself by first deciding you want a different life and then beginning to IMMEDIATELY take action to create that different life.

And a word from the wise…the longer you wait to take action, the more the fear will try to control you.

Start NOW!

“Just Believe”,®

P.S: The Neagle Code: DIRECTIONS for LIFE is a weekly no-cost program that is open to everyone! Each week, I'll select and personally respond to one question received via the above “The Neagle Code” page that I feel in my heart will help the most people. (You may choose to remain anonymous if you wish, with our full support.) It is my deep, heartfelt intention that ~ in answering your questions ~ I may provide you with the Universal Truths that in committed application, will set you free. Simply submit YOUR burning question at: www.TheNeagleCode.com to participate.

P.P.S.: May I ask you to help me spread the word about this program? Is there someone you care for who is stuck, or struggling, or lost, or unhappy? Because if so, I would very much like to help. No matter their question, no matter their predicament, no matter if they've never heard of me before … if they would like to ask for help via www.TheNeagleCode.com, my Team and I will do our very best to provide that help.

Mirror mirror on the wall

This week's question from my portal “The Neagle Code: Directions for Life” comes from Keith Chovan.

Question:

How would people be recognized for not loving themselves, so I can keep those types of people out of my life?

Answer:

Hi Keith and thanks for this very interesting question.

The truth is that we attract to us who we are being.

Start with yourself. If you love yourself, you will attract others who love themselves or who are in the process of learning to love themselves.

You see you are the center of your Universe. You attract people to you who will be a mirror for you.

Let me explain.

If you find that you've attracted a person into your life that has low self-esteem and it triggers you, it means that you have low self-esteem as well. That person is in your life so you can become aware of your next area of growth.

Remember, anything that upsets you about someone else in your life is about you and not them.

If you start with learning to love yourself, you will accept people for who they are without needing anything from them, or you'll easily be able to let relationships go that no longer serve you.

I think Don Miguel Ruiz sums it up pretty well in his book, The Four Agreements, when he says that what people think of you has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them.

The reverse must then also be true. What you think of other people has nothing to do with them and everything to do with you.

If you want to attract people into your life that love themselves, you must love yourself first.

“Just Believe”,®

P.S: The Neagle Code: DIRECTIONS for LIFE is a weekly no-cost program that is open to everyone! Each week, I'll select and personally respond to one question received via the above “The Neagle Code” page that I feel in my heart will help the most people. (You may choose to remain anonymous if you wish, with our full support.) It is my deep, heartfelt intention that ~ in answering your questions ~ I may provide you with the Universal Truths that in committed application, will set you free. Simply submit YOUR burning question at: www.TheNeagleCode.com to participate.

P.P.S.: May I ask you to help me spread the word about this program? Is there someone you care for who is stuck, or struggling, or lost, or unhappy? Because if so, I would very much like to help. No matter their question, no matter their predicament, no matter if they've never heard of me before … if they would like to ask for help via www.TheNeagleCode.com, my Team and I will do our very best to provide that help.

When getting a loan makes sense …

This week's question from my portal “The Neagle Code: Directions for Life” comes from Kim.

Question:

Do you go into debt to finance your company to stretch the reach of your audience and marketing possibilities?

Answer:

Hi Kim and thanks for your question.

This question is the perfect example of my teachings on using debt as a tool.

I truly believe that the best use of debt is in the investment in your own growth, whether it's personal, spiritual or business.

If you talk to any successful business owner you will see that they have used debt to propel their business.

However, there are parameters around using debt to grow your business.

First, before considering taking out a loan, you MUST have a plan. You must have an actionable strategy with clear-cut goals and benchmarks or be investing in a program that's going to give you that clear-cut plan.

Taking out a loan and not having a plan in place that allows for you to pay it back is financially irresponsible and only serves as a Band-Aid.

Second, you must be WILLING do what it takes to get a return on investment. This means you have to take action on your plan, and allow nothing to stop you.

A plan and goals are only as good as the paper it's written on unless you are willing to take action on it.

I see entrepreneurs EVERYDAY who spend money on building their business or getting the information they need to build their business, but they never take the action they need to take to grow.

“Just Believe”,®

P.S: The Neagle Code: DIRECTIONS for LIFE is a weekly no-cost program that is open to everyone! Each week, I'll select and personally respond to one question received via the above “The Neagle Code” page that I feel in my heart will help the most people. (You may choose to remain anonymous if you wish, with our full support.) It is my deep, heartfelt intention that ~ in answering your questions ~ I may provide you with the Universal Truths that in committed application, will set you free. Simply submit YOUR burning question at: www.TheNeagleCode.com to participate.

P.P.S.: May I ask you to help me spread the word about this program? Is there someone you care for who is stuck, or struggling, or lost, or unhappy? Because if so, I would very much like to help. No matter their question, no matter their predicament, no matter if they've never heard of me before … if they would like to ask for help via www.TheNeagleCode.com, my Team and I will do our very best to provide that help.

I’m so unhappy

This week's question from my portal “The Neagle Code: Directions for Life” comes from an individual who wishes to remain anonymous.

Question:

If a person is not happy in a job choice or position does that mean the person should figure out how to change to become happy in any position, or should the person leave the job/position and find something that makes the person happy with the mindset they currently have?

Answer:

Hi and thanks for your question.

I really love this question, and the answer is a bit step-by-step.

First, the person needs to figure out why they are not happy in their current position.

Is it because they can't meet their financial goals in that position? Is there a conflict with a co-worker or team member? Are the tasks associated with the position not tasks that the person finds enjoyment in?

Depending on the answer to that first question, that person must decide if they want to stay or go. Chances are if the person is not clear why they are unhappy in their position, they will attract the same situation in their next position. Remember, every obstacle is an opportunity for growth.

If they decide to go, it's important that they change their attitude around the job, and really look at how they can do their absolute best until the next opportunity is manifested.

Some of you may remember me talking about when I first worked on the loading docks in Chicago making $20,000.00 per year. I couldn't make the money I wanted, I was miserable, and I had a horrible attitude.

As soon as I changed my attitude and did my best in that position, I became aware of a better opportunity that had been right in front of me the entire time, and that opportunity allowed me to go from $20,000.00 per year to $50,000.00 per year doing something I enjoyed A LOT more.

Changing my attitude was the KEY factor in finding the next opportunity, after all, why would the Universe give you a better opportunity when you're not doing your best with what you have now?

“Just Believe”,®

P.S: The Neagle Code: DIRECTIONS for LIFE is a weekly no-cost program that is open to everyone! Each week, I'll select and personally respond to one question received via the above “The Neagle Code” page that I feel in my heart will help the most people. (You may choose to remain anonymous if you wish, with our full support.) It is my deep, heartfelt intention that ~ in answering your questions ~ I may provide you with the Universal Truths that in committed application, will set you free. Simply submit YOUR burning question at: www.TheNeagleCode.com to participate.

P.P.S.: May I ask you to help me spread the word about this program? Is there someone you care for who is stuck, or struggling, or lost, or unhappy? Because if so, I would very much like to help. No matter their question, no matter their predicament, no matter if they've never heard of me before … if they would like to ask for help via www.TheNeagleCode.com, my Team and I will do our very best to provide that help.

C’mon: Bring It!

This week's question from my portal “The Neagle Code: Directions for Life” comes from Angela Durrant. You can find her on the web at www.angeladurrant.co.uk.

Question:

Whenever I am looking to move to another level, get out of my comfort zone, aim to up level my business, or grow personally. I seem to be bombarded with family crisis. Generally my partner gets ill. On this occasion as I am looking to create my first product, my partner has become seriously ill. My daughter aged 5 got sick as I was about to do my 1st teleclass. I can see a pattern as this has gone on a few times. I would suffer guilt in the past and feel torn that I wasn't making the family a priority – yet I am the sole income earner in the family currently. Other than plough on through it, how am I contributing to this? (if I am?) How do I move forward without such challenges to always overcome?

Answer:

Hi Angela and thanks for the fantastic question. I KNOW many entrepreneurs can relate to what you are experiencing.

First, it's important to recognize that you create everything in your life; all the good and all the not-so-desirable.

Your subconscious is creating this because it knows it will stop you. It's worked in the past, and therefore, the pattern continues to persist.

The key to stopping it is to NOT let it stop you.

Let me explain. The purpose of your ego is to keep you safe and exactly in the same place as you are right now. As long as a distraction works, the distraction will persist.

In order to shift out of this pattern you have to adapt a different attitude. Instead of feeling guilt and trying to figure out why you always have these obstacles, stand strong, and take a bring-it-on mindset.

Tell your ego that you see what's happening and it's not stopping you this time. That no matter what it throws at you, you will continue to move forward.

In doing this, your ego loses its power over you and the pattern will be broken. You will actually feel your energy shift as you say, “BRING IT ON!” Energetically you move from victim to incredibly empowered.

Also, keep in mind, that you will ALWAYS have challenges to overcome. Be grateful for them, as they are the catalysts of your growth!

“Just Believe”,®

P.S: The Neagle Code: DIRECTIONS for LIFE is a weekly no-cost program that is open to everyone! Each week, I'll select and personally respond to one question received via the above “The Neagle Code” page that I feel in my heart will help the most people. (You may choose to remain anonymous if you wish, with our full support.) It is my deep, heartfelt intention that ~ in answering your questions ~ I may provide you with the Universal Truths that in committed application, will set you free. Simply submit YOUR burning question at: www.TheNeagleCode.com to participate.

P.P.S.: May I ask you to help me spread the word about this program? Is there someone you care for who is stuck, or struggling, or lost, or unhappy? Because if so, I would very much like to help. No matter their question, no matter their predicament, no matter if they've never heard of me before … if they would like to ask for help via www.TheNeagleCode.com, my Team and I will do our very best to provide that help.

Sleeping with the negative

This week's question from my portal “The Neagle Code: Directions for Life” comes from Bernadette.

Question:

Hi David,
This person in my life sees the negative in every situation and people. If he does say something good or nice about people he ends it with a negative. How do you handle a situation like this?

Answer:

Hi Bernadette!

I think it's important to understand that you don't have to “handle” the situation.

I think a better question to ask yourself is, “Why am I choosing to have this negative person in my life?

There are 2 things we need to understand.

1) This person has every right to be negative and judgmental, and it's not anyone else's responsibility or right to change him/her.

2) When you're around someone who is negative it is very hard for you to consciously reject their thoughts and feelings, and pretty soon you may find yourself uttering those same negative words. You are influenced by the people around you whether you want to admit it or not.

My mentor refused to spend time with people who are negative and lack-minded, because he knew they had the ability to change his thinking without him even realizing it, and I feel the same way.

So are you choosing to spend time with this person in hopes of changing them?

Or

Are you afraid to remove yourself from this negative person's life?

Get very honest with yourself…

It all boils down to making a decision based upon what's in your best interest understanding that everyone else has the right to think, live and believe whatever they choose.

“Just Believe”,®

P.S: The Neagle Code: DIRECTIONS for LIFE is a weekly no-cost program that is open to everyone! Each week, I'll select and personally respond to one question received via the above “The Neagle Code” page that I feel in my heart will help the most people. (You may choose to remain anonymous if you wish, with our full support.) It is my deep, heartfelt intention that ~ in answering your questions ~ I may provide you with the Universal Truths that in committed application, will set you free. Simply submit YOUR burning question at: www.TheNeagleCode.com to participate.

P.P.S.: May I ask you to help me spread the word about this program? Is there someone you care for who is stuck, or struggling, or lost, or unhappy? Because if so, I would very much like to help. No matter their question, no matter their predicament, no matter if they've never heard of me before … if they would like to ask for help via www.TheNeagleCode.com, my Team and I will do our very best to provide that help.

If they don’t get mad, you ain’t doin’ it right!

This week's question from my portal “The Neagle Code: Directions for Life” comes from an individual who wishes to remain anonymous.

Question:

Quick question: I've been working diligently on overcoming my inner demons and getting past my ego so I can take continuous and decisive actions in my business… it's been a process for sure.

But how do you deal with hate email. I recently received an email from someone “DEMANDING” to be taken off my list. I had no clue she had tried and the system did not work.

My first reaction was that my fear of judgment kicked in and I felt stopped in my tracks! Thankfully I was able to get past it and back on track, but how do you deal with these intense, paralyzing (albeit temporary) fears?

Answer:

Great question!

The only way to “deal” with fear, is to shine a light on it so that you can see that it's a lie.

I know you've heard me say this before, but Spirit does not speak to you through fear, so anytime you feel that fear and hear those fearful voices in your head, you must stop and ask yourself whose voices those are.

Let's go back to TRUTH. (My favorite place)

Fear is simply your ego's way of stopping you from growing. And the fear was given to you by someone else, usually a parent or someone who had a significant role in your life.

The next time you feel fear, try identifying whose voice is talking to you because it will not be God's.

So let's go back to the first question you asked: How do you deal with hate mail?

My answer is that you don't. You must understand that hate mail has everything to do with the person sending it and nothing to do with you.

You aren't responsible for someone else's thoughts, feelings and emotions, you are only responsible for your OWN.

Kudos to you for recognizing that it triggered your fear of judgment. If you focus your attention on why you have a fear of judgment in the first place, and let the hate mail go, the truth will set you free.

To support you in this self-discovery, I recommend that you study The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.

“Just Believe”,®

P.S: The Neagle Code: DIRECTIONS for LIFE is a weekly no-cost program that is open to everyone! Each week, I'll select and personally respond to one question received via the above “The Neagle Code” page that I feel in my heart will help the most people. (You may choose to remain anonymous if you wish, with our full support.) It is my deep, heartfelt intention that ~ in answering your questions ~ I may provide you with the Universal Truths that in committed application, will set you free. Simply submit YOUR burning question at: www.TheNeagleCode.com to participate.

P.P.S.: May I ask you to help me spread the word about this program? Is there someone you care for who is stuck, or struggling, or lost, or unhappy? Because if so, I would very much like to help. No matter their question, no matter their predicament, no matter if they've never heard of me before … if they would like to ask for help via www.TheNeagleCode.com, my Team and I will do our very best to provide that help.