5 Simple Ways to Expand Your Platform

This morning as I drove to my office, I noticed I was driving slower than normal. You see, I typically have what my mother refers to as a “lead foot”. I prefer to say I drive like I have somewhere to be. To put it plainly, if I could drive as fast as I wanted, I’d be one happy lady. Nevertheless, this morning I found myself driving 30 mph in a 35 mph zone. I wasn’t sure why. I was just moving slowly and steadily towards the office as I listened to an audiobook. As it occurred to me that I was actually going slower than the speed limit, I decided to press the gas, but just as I made the decision, I also noticed the traffic light ahead of me was red. No use increasing my speed, when I was going to have to stop in a few feet, so I continued to drive slowly. Then, in a matter of seconds, the light turned green. Still, for some unknown reason, I did not increase my speed. And then it happened… a car came barreling through the intersection. The driver ran the red light. Had I increased my speed at any point, I would have lawfully driven through a green light, but a speeding car would have crashed right into me. And that’s when it hit me (no pun intended)… moving slowly was not only God’s protection for me, but it was also an opportunity to teach me a lesson. Like many of you, I’ve wondered over the last couple of years, why I am only seeing slow steady growth in my business. I desire to see a boom… a MAJOR increase… an EXPLOSION of growth! I’ve worked for it, prayed for it, and studied for it! I have the systems in place to support such growth. I’ve set my life up so that when it happens, nothing else will fall through the cracks. Yet, it hasn’t happened. There has been growth for sure, but not the growth I see when I pray or simply daydream with God about my life and business. Once I made it into the office this morning, I sat with the following questions: What has my slow and steady pace protected me from? What danger is lurking just up ahead that I can’t see? I don’t have answers to these questions yet, but I want to pose the same questions to you. If you’ve been frustrated or disappointed that your business growth plans have not worked the way you thought they would, I want you to reflect on my story of protection from this morning. While, I would have been “in the right” had I cruised through the green light at 30 miles per hour, I would have, without a doubt, been involved in a serious car accident. The other car made no effort whatsoever to slow down. Sometimes, even when you are doing all of the right things, you may not see the result you desire. Your business may not hit that coveted 7 figures a year mark. Your company may not break industry records. Your book may never hit the bestsellers list. But none of that means you are in the wrong. In fact, like my situation this morning, it may mean you are being protected from a danger you cannot see. Take heart. Doing all the right things will eventually get you to the desired destination, but sometimes the WHEN is just as important as the WHAT. Arriving at the right destination too quickly can be dangerous! We all know the story of the tortoise and the hare. Yet, no one wants to be the tortoise. We tend to lean towards the run as fast as you can strategy of the hare, even though we know the outcome of the story. Today, I encourage you to re-evaluate your perception of your progression and speed. It’s not about how fast you get there. It’s much more important that you get there safely. Speed is often not sustainable. This is why long distance runners pace themselves. They are in it for the long haul and know they will run out of steam if they start too quickly. They understand and actively practice the art of pacing themselves. If you intend for your business to stand the test of time, slow and steady is the way to go. Building slowly creates sustainability. Sustainability is required for longevity. I realized many years ago I did not want to go viral and not have any backend systems in place to capitalize on a viral moment. More eyes on you do not always equate to more commas in your bank account. Instead, I prefer to slowly build momentum until the right TIMING collides with the right OPPORTUNITY. That's when I know I'll be ready for the growth and expansion. Somewhere I forgot this train of thought. I believe you may have too. That's why I felt compelled to share my experience with you. Go back to what you know to be true about your business and destiny. Meditate on those things...turn them over and over in your mind. Then, write down the small steps you can take immediately that will slowly and steadily move you towards your goal. If you need help defining these steps, message me. I'm here to help. I’m rooting for you, Otescia

Life can come at you hard and fast. Having a system to help ground you can be the difference between living life and feeling like your life is beating the life out of you.

I recently saw an Instagram post written by @everything_elisabeth where she discussed the online backlash she received when she booked the Oprah Winfrey Show. People were debating whether or not she deserved the opportunity and exposure that came with being Oprah’s guest. In the caption of the post, she stated she didn’t care whether or not people felt she deserved to be on the show. She was there and it changed her life (my paraphrase). Her post got me to thinking… What do I deserve? And what have I subconsciously blocked myself from receiving because I wasn’t sure if I deserved it yet ? What imaginary finish line had I established that would make me deserving of great opportunities? As you may already know, I’ve penned and published 17 books, journals, and planners. I’ve also written 1 feature film, 2 short screenplays, countless blogs, and multiple magazine articles (look for publication of these soon :-) ). Since November 2015, I have worked as a full-time writer and entrepreneur. And yet, reading that Instagram post made me ask myself, “Otescia, what do you deserve? What are you really ready to receive?” That’s when it hit me. Why haven’t I boldly accepted the fact that I am walking in what I am questioning? Why did I question my own readiness when I am already enjoying the beginning stages of what I deserve! Wheeeewwww! That was a mouthful of a revelation for me. I’m no longer striving to become a successful entrepreneur, I AM a successful entrepreneur. I am no longer praying for the opportunity to wake up every day and do what I love, I get to do so each and every day! I am living in what I prayed for yesterday and the only person questioning whether or not I deserve it, was me! But here's the real kicker, whether or not I thought I deserved it, doors were still opening, my books were still selling, opportunities were still being presented to me. Just as the opinion of the online trolls had no bearing on Elisabeth's success, my self-doubt hasn't stopped any of what God has ordained for my life! Like the poster, it's time for me (and you) to change the internal conversation from one of "Do I deserve this?" to "I deserve this AND more!" As these revelations rolled through me, I spoke an affirmation statement that is now written on a sticky note on the front of my computer. I deserve every single opportunity and door God opens for me. I am worthy! I have earned it! Imagine how freeing it must be to truly love and accept yourself so much that you completely ignore the comments of internet trolls. I recently shared during a live video that a troll’s comments never hurt unless the hearer finds truth in them. If Elisabeth didn’t know she deserved to sit on Oprah’s stage, the trolls could have ruined a really beautiful moment for her life and career. Even worse, the troll’s comments could have caused her to reject what she was already walking in. Reader, I want to challenge you to sit for a moment and think about what you deserve. Think about all the things you’ve subconsciously blocked and ask yourself how you can open your mind and spirit to receive what is already yours. Our collective days of talking ourselves out of embracing and enjoying what we have worked so hard to achieve are over. If no one else cheers for you, become comfortable cheering for yourself. If no one else throws you a celebratory party, throw your own party complete with balloons, confetti, and gifts. Listen… we teach others how to treat us by how we treat ourselves. Get busy loving you, celebrating you, and embracing the joy of today that was birthed out of the tears of yesterday. Look in the mirror and tell yourself, I deserve this and that’s all that matters!

What do you want? (Imagine Noah yelling at Allie in The Notebook. That's the intensity I want you to maintain as you read this post.) This is a question God challenged me with almost five years ago. I was fresh off the biggest failure of my entrepreneurial career. I’d invested almost $4500 into a launch and only earned $1100. At that time, losing $3400 felt like the end of the world! My business was still an infant, and my family NEEDED that money. I was crushed! My husband has always been incredibly supportive of my entrepreneurial journey and offered me as much comfort as possible, but nothing he said soothed the feelings of failure and disappointment. I cried, cried, and cried some more. I yelled at God, “I don’t understand! I did what you said! Why didn’t this work? All these people sign up for my free offerings and they flock to hear me pray, but they won’t actually buy anything!” That may sound harsh, but it was my truth, and I knew God didn’t mind me saying what was already in my heart. Instead of God giving me direct answers, He took me to His written word: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.” -Proverbs 13:12 (AMP) Suddenly, a different type of tear began to roll down my cheeks. I felt such an overwhelming amount of gratitude as revelation hit me in waves. I’d said things like, “If just one person is helped by this, I’ll be satisfied. If I can just help one person, it will all be worth it.” The truth was, I didn’t want to help one person. I wanted to help 1 million people. I wanted to touch as many lives as possible. I wanted to create a platform that proved doing business God’s way would always yield greater results than doing business the world’s way. I wanted to show everyone who would tune in what happens when you trust God with every area of your life. I also wanted to break the generational curse of poverty. I wanted to set my children up for financial success. I wanted to establish trust funds for them and my future grandchildren. I wanted to experience the kind of luxury that comes with a life well-lived. I desired a new home, a new car, and a few vacation properties. I wanted what God revealed to me in my dreams to manifest in my everyday life! So, why was I lying to myself? In that moment, God was revealing the source of my lack of success. It was caused by my false humility and fear of asking for what I really wanted. Pretending I only cared about reaching one soul wasn’t humility. IT WAS A LIE, a lie I’d heard others say in church and adopted as my own. I was afraid of asking God for massive success because if I asked for it, I had to believe for it. If I believed for it, and didn’t receive it, I’d be crushed if it didn’t work out. I was self-protecting, and it was literally causing my heart to become sick. I had a thought process that said, “I’ll help the one today and one day, God will cause me to help millions of people around the world.” The problem with this type of thought process is it literally prevents you from seeing the success God has ordained for you. It always places your faith and hope in a day that is not promised to you. Then when today does not go as you really desire, the familiar feelings of disappointment and depression rush to wrap their paralyzing arms around you. When God revealed Proverbs 13:12 to me, it all began to make sense. My heart felt sick because my hope was deferred. God was inviting me to partner with Him to receive the things I truly desired. The only thing I had to do was tell Him what I really wanted. I had to let go of the fear of disappointment and make my requests known to God. I can’t lie and say I wasn’t still afraid, but I trusted God. He was asking me to abandon my fear and trust Him as the One who has my best interest at heart. The thing about God is, He only asks you for what He knows you are able to give. Knowing this truth, I abandoned fear and asked for what I really wanted. God rewarded me with an Ephesians 3:20 response. “Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us,” – Ephesians 3:20 (AMP) Asking God for what I really wanted gave me more than I ever imagined. Being honest about my desires wasn’t a setup for failure. It was an invitation to receive God’s bounty of abundance. It was a call to a lifestyle of greater faith and execution and it changed my life. I am the exception to the rule because I serve an exceptional God who asked me to be honest with Him about my exceptional desires. If you're tired of saying one thing when you really mean another, it's time to stop saying the "religious" things and search your heart for the truth. What is it that you really want? If failure wasn't an option, what would you ask God for? Grab your journal and find a quiet place to sit. Clear your mind of the day's clutter and search your heart to answer the following question. WHAT DO YOU WANT? When the answer comes, write it all down, then read it aloud to God. He's waiting to give you the desires of your heart.

Those were the words my then 16-year-old son said to me when I questioned him about flirting with so many girls. (Thank God he is a married faithful man now. Prayer works!) While my son was applying a basketball statement to dating, I was reminded of his words during a recent planning meeting with a new strategic partner. I’d asked the gentleman why he never told me about his interest to venture into this new area of business and his answer blew me away. "I didn't think you'd work with me because I'm just starting out. I'm not on your level yet." My first thought was, I’m not on whatever level he thinks I’m on. Then I was reminded of my own mindset coaching. Stop downplaying yourself Otescia. After getting myself together, my next thought was, how do I make myself more approachable so that others will feel comfortable pitching their ideas to me. That thought also felt wrong. It is not my responsibility to make someone else feel like they are on a high enough “level” to pitch to me. I am responsible for the way I respond to everyone who does pitch to me. I have a responsibility to be honest. Some people present wonderful ideas, and we end up working together. Others have presented ideas that were not best for me, my business, or my brand. I have a responsibility to be courteous and honest as I decline their offer. But nowhere in this process am I required or responsible for lowering my light so that others can shine.

In the wake of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday madness, I am in serious reflection mode. I saw so many social media posts about 60% off sales that I honestly stopped paying attention. Instead, I focused on completing my upcoming novella, “A Christmas Baby Miracle.” (shameless plug) You may be wondering why I, a full-time entrepreneur, would choose to ignore one of the busiest purchase times of the year. Well, the answer is simple. My sweet spot is helping newbies or those who’ve yet to launch. I am their pusher… no not that kind , the good kind. I’m the person who gently nudges folks until all they can think about is that book they should be writing or that business they should be launching. Then, I equip them with the tools they need to succeed. For me, watching trends is crucial. Why? Because my target audience is watching those same trends and probably falling for a few okie dokes. This year I noticed there were HUNDREDS of silent authors and entrepreneurs during the busiest shopping days of the year. People I expected to promote their businesses did not make a single post. My inbox received emails from the same faithful few who always email me. It made me ask the question, “If 75% of my friends and followers are business owners, why is my timeline not flooded with offers?” After talking to a few people privately, I noticed a trend. Most of those whose business generates $50k or less (annually) are simply burnt out on putting in the work to create an offer no buys. I get it. Disappointment and fatigue are REAL! In keeping with my goal of equipping you to become the exception to the rule, I want to help you overcome some of the issues that are keeping you from converting your followers into paying customers. So, instead of trying to sell you something today, I’m going to offer some FREE, but very valuable advice. Don’t trip though, I am creating a package for you that will cost you less than a new pair of shoes but will offer THREE trainings that will directly impact your bottom line! Anyhoo… on to today’s FREE goodness! and you’ll change your bottom line!

Early 2019 I dealt with constant neck and upper back pain that was often accompanied by a headache. I went to the doctor and was sent to physical therapy even though my doctor could not identify the cause of the pain. I was also prescribed muscle relaxers which sent me straight to lala land making it impossible for me to get any work done. I ended up hiring extra hands to help me get things done. Then, I had an encounter when I attended the Warriors United Conference that relieved the pain completely. I can’t tell you how excited I was when I realized I could move my neck without feeling excruciating pain. Then, about a month ago, as suddenly as it came on earlier this year, I noticed the pain was creeping up again. I went back through everything in my mind. I spent time trying to locate the cause of the pain. What was I going through that resembled what I was going through earlier this year? I read through my journals and discovered a startling source. It wasn’t a physical health issue. It wasn’t familial stress. My business was hurting, and it was manifesting in my body. The additional hours I was working were taking a toll on my physical body. Once I solved the business pains (Just as I did earlier this year) the pain went away. After doing a little more digging I discovered three reasons your business may be hurting. So, before you run to the doctor, take a look at the list below and take to appropriate actions to relieve the pain in your business.

Let me go ahead and warn you… this blog entry is going to be cathartic which probably means it will be long. I write for a living, so getting things out of my system through words is my sweet spot. If you choose to read until the end, I promise to include a few business and wisdom nuggets that will help you on your journey to becoming the exception. Here we go… About a year ago, I got two major ideas. These ideas seemed so large and monumental that I was absolutely CERTAIN they were going to change the face of my business and finally push us to the level of earnings that I just knew we were capable of. Because of these two ideas, I believed 2019 was going to be the breakout year for which I’d been preparing. Let me be clear, my business has been successfully turning a profit since year one because I bootstrapped my way to success, but it wasn’t enough. I’m not built for average. Mediocrity was never on my dream sheet. I set goals; I smash them. That’s what I do. It’s who I am. I don’t call myself the exception to the rule for nothing. Personal success is great, but what I am after is generational wealth that sets my future great grandchildren up for success. To reach that goal, I need life-shifting ideas that transcend 6 or 7 seven figure earnings. Anything less than reaching that goal leaves me feeling like a totally average person. I. DON’T. DO. AVERAGE.... EVER! At least, that's what I told myself. And for the most part, it's been true.... until it wasn't. It wasn't true until I saw the “average” results of both of my “MEGA” ideas. I started working on both ideas 4th quarter 2018. I researched, found additional personnel to support the visions, and executed both ideas earlier this year. I just knew they both had enough steam behind them to take them to sights unseen. Neither launch saw more than moderate success. Looking back, because that’s what one should always do after any launch, I can see where I could have executed a few things better. I bobbed a couple times when I should have weaved. Overall though, I should have seen better results than I did. Neither idea turned a profit worth mentioning, even though I invested more money to ensure they would be profitable. In a word, I was devastated. I mean… I teach this stuff. I teach my clients how to focus on revenue generating ideas from day 1 of business so that they can turn a profit as quickly as possible. I KNOW what to do. I’ve done it. I grew a business from nothing more than my own intellect. Yet, when I went to scale my own company, I failed. Whew…. Let me take a moment to breathe. Although I believe it’s important to invite failure to the party, it still stings a bit when it walks in the door. If there’s one thing my unconventional life has taught me, it’s that failure is an opportunity to learn and adjust fire. I've learned to focus on the data gathered. Gathered data means a greater chance for success next time. It also means the warrior in me can keep trucking without having to deal with things like feelings. (Seriously... do we really NEED feelings?) Because I'm a solution-based thinker, I tend to just focus on achieving a desired outcome. I’ve never really had to deal with the disappointment that comes from not reaching the goal you set for yourself. I’ve seen other people struggle with disappointment, but I’d never really paid attention to the sneaky ways disappointment manifests until this recent experience. Here are a few thoughts disappointment brought to my doorstep: You aren’t ready to scale. Slow down and appreciate what you have. It didn’t work because you offered it. Had someone else been the face of the brand it would have taken off like a wildfire. Your influence is not as great as you think it is. If you would have worked harder, you could have hit those goals. It’s not really quitting if you stop now. You tried it and it didn’t work. Just do something else. All of these thoughts hit me at once, effectively robbing me of my creative energy. It took everything I had to fight through the lies of disappointment to get to the bottom of why my ideas didn’t work. While processing what I was experiencing, I didn’t create anything new, write any new blog posts, or offer any courses. I was mentally exhausted just getting to the bottom of what I was thinking and feeling. For a brief moment, I thought about walking away from it all. Again, not because the company isn’t successful (all of our clients are still seeing results), but because I’d rather throw all of my energy into being an amazing wife and mom than to sacrifice time, energy, and sleep for a mediocre business. That’s how sure I am in my God-given gifts, talents, and abilities. Either I’m going to use all of this genius to change the world, or I’m not. There is no in between for me. After much soul searching, truth seeking, review, and prayer I discovered the following: This disappointment was a test to see how serious I am about what I say I believe. It was a "put your words into action" moment. Even superheroes have a weakness, and fear of mediocrity is mine. I’ve overcome every single fear I’ve ever experienced, so this one doesn’t stand a chance. It is incredibly easy to throw in the towel when you allow disappointment to take root. Instead of wallowing in it, do your internal work to understand what you’re feeling, where it came from, and what it’s supposed to teach you. The highest quality goods carry the highest price tag. One of the prices you’ll pay on your way to greatness is disappointment. Expect it, prepare for it, overcome it. Disappointment is real, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your business. Learn from it and prepare for your next launch. If you aren’t launching, you aren’t growing. Learning these things helped shift me from a disappointed mindset back to the "Get 'er done" attitude I'm accustomed to. However, I still needed to "disappoint proof" my life and business so that I wouldn't see this same issue again. I firmly believe we see the same tests over and over until we pass them. I decided years ago that once around the mountain is enough for me. Here are 3 steps I’ve taken to ensure disappointment doesn’t catch me off guard again. Create a list of business affirmations. Disappointment is a series of thoughts. You can’t defeat thoughts with thoughts. Create a list of affirmations you can declare over your business every day. Prepare best case/worst case scenarios for every launch. This one would have REALLY helped me this year. Previously I only thought about what I wanted to see happen. I never thought about the worst-case scenarios. When the worst happened, I wasn’t mentally or spiritually equipped to deal with the corresponding emotions. Now, I talk through the worst-case scenario before I begin anything new, so that if it happens, I won’t be blind-sided. SIDE NOTE: I absolutely expect nothing less than the best, I just stopped ignoring the worst. Double down on organic growth. Trying to force your way into the minds of new followers is exhausting. One of the biggest things I learned from my experiences this year is to rock with those who ROCK WITH ME! They buy every book I release. If I release a course that is within their budget, they buy it. Instead of trying to sell so heavily to strangers, I’m doubling down on delivering what my followers want and need. Previous data proves my current clients/followers are great at referring new clients/followers to me. This system has been working, so I’ve made the decision to keep working this system. Whether you are an aspiring business owner or a season veteran, you’ll experience disappointment from time to time. The key to overcoming it, is knowing it’s not the nail in the coffin. You aren't dead. Your business isn't dead. The last thing didn't work, but the next thing may be wildly successful! Instead of allowing disappointment to dictate what you believe about yourself or your business, fortify your mind with positive thoughts, continuing education, and a circle of like-minded individuals who can encourage you despite an unsuccessful plan. You can absolutely do this! Get back up and try again.

Welcome to June! For many, the month of June is an exciting time because it brings the official start of the season of vacations and fun in the sun. For others, like myself, summer is a time for fun, but it is also a critical time in business. While our children are saying their goodbyes to teachers and classmates, many of us are scratching our heads asking, “How in the world am I going to work with the kids in the house all summer?” I remember the day my son learned parents still have to work during the summer. He was 7 years old and extremely excited about summer break for the first time. For some reason, he’d planned all these things he wanted to do over the summer. I’m not talking small things like trips to the library or splash days at the water park. No... my son basically wanted one really long, super expensive vacation filled with things I didn’t even know he knew existed. When I explained to him we’d do some of the things on his list, but we wouldn’t be able to do them all because his dad and I still had to work, he was floored. His exact words were, “Why should parents have to work when their kids are out of school?” I remember laughing but agreeing with him. We should all be able to lounge around the pool all day and soak up the beautiful sun, but for many of us, our professions simply demand we do otherwise. That conversation with my son led me to develop summer habits that allowed me to work AND enjoy the water park with the children. As my family has grown and matured, those habits have evolved, but I’d love to share the most successful ones with you here in hopes that your family will also be helped by them.