Are You Making the Changes Growth Requires?

I started my business – Sterling Investment Management, Inc. – in 1995. The company’s focus today is very different than what it was when I initially launched the firm. Four years into it, I realized that managing money wasn’t my calling. Instead, my gift and purpose (and passion) was to help people demystify how the human complexities of money show up in their lives everyday.

Whether managing money for others or helping them discover how to be better stewards and manage it for themselves (or be better educated clients if working with an advisor), I was always clear about one thing: I never wanted employees. I wanted to be a successful, multi-million dollar company of one.

That’s not to say that I haven’t collaborated with people, or that I haven’t hired talent on an as-needed basis. Nor have I operated under the misguided belief that I am solely responsible for my success. I know without a doubt that none of my success has been accomplished on my effort alone. (I have had and continue to have ambassadors, advocates, supporters – aka “angels” – who believe in me and want me to do exceedingly well.) I was just very clear that I never wanted the responsibility that comes with having a staff – that of managing someone else’s career development.

However, as I mind-mapped my personal and business goals for 2011 and examined the business models of those I’m looking to emulate, it became increasingly evident that I cannot grow to the next level without some dedicated, on-going help. A team of one is no longer sufficient, no matter how many different hats I’m willing to wear. I’m still not emotionally (or financially for that matter) ready to hire staff in the traditional sense, but I have decided to begin a search for a new business development person to work with me in a consultant capacity.

What does my newfound awareness have to do with you? You might be making the same mistake as me. Maybe you aren’t experiencing growth in the areas you want because you aren’t making the changes the growth requires.

If you are like most people, you’ve taken the time to write down or at least think about your goals and resolutions for the New Year. But have you also considered what you need to change in order to bring about the change you want? What thoughts, beliefs, and/or choices need to be reexamined; what of these need a makeover?

We’ve all heard the familiar colloquial definition of insanity: “Doing the same thing over and over, yet expecting a different result.” If you have goals and/or resolutions that have rolled over into this year from last year or the one before that; if you feel like you are productive, taking all the “right” actions but still aren’t experiencing the desired results, it might just be because you haven’t undergone the internal shift that’s needed in order to help your goals/resolutions come to fruition.

I’ll keep you posted on my search for a consultant, and I’ll let you know if it has the impact I’m expecting. In the meantime, I’d love to hear what transformation you may need to undergo to help support the manifestation of the vision you have for 2011 and beyond.

Happy New Year!

About the author

Jacquette is known for leading thought-provoking conversations about money, choices, relationships, and life. She is the author of Financial Intimacy: How to Create a Healthy Relationship with Your Money and Your Mate and the founder and CEO of Sterling Investment Management, an investment education and financial coaching firm. Follow Jacquette on Twitter: @JacqMTimmons.