In my work with various six-to-seven figure clients, i’ve come to notice some very essential ’shifts’ that business owners must make to get there.

One shift in particular can be quite the challenge…

Key #1: Come to realize that your business is not yours; it’s only on loan to you

YOU are *not* in control.

Whether you have children or not, you’ve likely heard the saying ‘Children are not ours, they’re only on loan to us.’

Somewhere along the path to seven figures, often comes the realization that the same thing applies to your business. It’s a foundational piece of the journey.

Sooner or later, you, the CEO, Founder, President, Owner, or whatever title you hold, realize that you are not in control, and the business is in actuality *not* yours. It hits you between the eyes. And regardless of your spiritual beliefs or personal faith, let’s see if this makes a kind of sense:

Your business is really only on loan to you to shepherd awhile.

Different business owners respond to this very differently, so pause a moment now to make a note…how does this Key strike you? As something true, and freeing? Or odd, and uncertain? Maybe something else entirely.

Well, let’s say a little more. What does it mean, your business is only ‘on loan’ to you? Case in point is the real-life story of a multimillion-dollar business called CoachVille, founded by the late Thomas Leonard.

While I was working as General Manager for CoachVille, Thomas once said to me,

“Andrea, you’re managing a multimillion dollar business for me now. I need for you to know I expect you to manage it, not control it.”

As you know beyond a doubt, any business with substance on its way to significant financial success takes on a life of its own. This was definitely the case at CoachVille.

Thomas said,

“CoachVille is like a giant tiger, with a tail that thrashes around as it runs back and forth. Riding on its back, you can’t control it, you can only ride with it and from time to time, you might be able to lean into it with one knee or the other. But whatever you do, if you try to control it, it will break your back.”

Literally. I’ve personally witnessed business owners’ backs being broken, and I’m pretty sure you can think of a few examples too, if you consider it a moment.

To apply this key to your own situation, ask yourself ‘In what way am I trying to force my business in a certain direction?’

How can loosening my grip on it, and listening deeply to how it wants to grow, help me nurture my business in a vibrant and organic way?

As the owner of a business that inspires for a living, I know without a doubt that you are here to elevate the lives of people you serve. Now let me ask whether you’re ready for your business
to coach you as well? Just think of it as the shoe on the proverbial other foot.
When asked what Thomas’ plan was, for CoachVille, or where he was headed, his answer was usually ‘Nowhere’ or ‘Who knows?’ But internally the way he described it was this:

“Andrea, we don’t work from a blueprint here. We have no idea what CoachVille will be in 2 years, much less 10. We’re smart enough not to throw a pile of bricks on the ground and call it a house, but all we do is lay one brick at a time while holding a big space for great things to unfold, however they unfold.”

In other words, we trust. And in trusting, fundamentally, did CoachVille grow as speedily and elegantly as it did.

So here’s the essence behind the first Key to reaching 7 figures in business:

The more you stop letting your ego grow your business, a little or a lot, the more capacity, energy, drive and sustainability you will have access to. Letting go of control of your business in this manner takes courage. I think you’ll discover that cultivating this courage and letting go of control is exactly the right (uncomfortable) thing to do at this juncture.

Now here are some questions for your use, as befits your circumstance, to tease out the the topic for you at this moment in time. I invite you to answer as many or few as you like in writing, right now by posting a comment to share your answers at the Money and Meaning Blog.

(1) What do you think that only you can do? (Tasks, projects, other parts of your business…) How can you reframe this and let go of what seemed un-let-go-able until now?

(2) What have you been saying no to, and what would happen if you said yes? Try saying yes instead, even if you don’t know how it will unfold. Just try.

(3) Any given business can only grow as big as the person who is running it. Where can you grow as a person so your business can expand too? What three things can you do to step out of your business’ way?