"You're so black and white."
"You're so quiet."
"You're such a procrastinator!"

Ever heard these labels spoken by friends or family?
We are all uniquely wired by the Creator and no one is like another. And yet, there are certain personality traits that stand out and motivations that certain people have in common.

Last 4th of July, my entire family was sitting on my deck, enjoying the day, and my brother Erik confessed he was obsessed with the personality typing of the Enneagram. I had never heard of it, and was still figuring out Myers Briggs, and since every description was a number, I was fairly uninterested in learning yet another typing method. However, throughout the year, more and more people have been talking about Enneagram and it's piqued my interest. I started Googling a few articles and images and then I was REALLY intrigued. This month, in our Inner Circle, we are discussing the Kolbe, which is GREAT for identifying the right people to hire in your organization. But the Enneagram is different. This is another layer of what we are motivated by. 

I listened to the Storybrand podcast about Enneagram last week (super good--I highly recommend you check it out!) and decided to buy the book, "The Road Back to You." On the plane and back to Stamford this week, I've devoured the book. It's opened my eyes so much and given me fresh insight into myself, my kids, my husband, and my extended family members.

If you've ever clashed with your spouse or team members and cannot figure out WHY you feel like you're approaching things from two vastly different perspectives, maybe the Enneagram will open up some great conversation.

What does the Enneagram do for you?
1. Uncovers the uniqueness of each individual.
2. Does not hold a person back, but offers insight into the journey of life.
3. Connects us to ourselves so we can be free of old baggage and grow into a more mature version of ourselves.

As leaders, if we are always growing, then our company can grow. If we remain stuck in old patterns and old hurts, we will ultimately keep repeating our same mistakes over and over. Especially as creative business owners, the hurt can run deep and we can feel like no one understands us. Sometimes we hire very left-brained, logical team members (or marry them!) and the differences can seem unsurmountable. Dare I say that Enneagram can save marriages? It's true. When we truly understand where our spouse is coming from, it will release us from feeling like they are against us, but rather just coming from a different perspective.

Resources:
Interested in learning more about Enneagram alongside me?

1. First, listen to these two podcasts (especially good for leaders!)
http://buildingastorybrand.com/episode-124/
http://buildingastorybrand.com/episode-125/

2. Next, check out this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Road-Back-You-Enneagram-Self-Discovery-ebook/dp/B01CNZG896/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1544361056&sr=8-2&keywords=the+road+back+to+you

3. For extra fun, google your Enneagram type and click "images." Explore the amazing images and graphics out there to unlock more intricacies about yourself, your spouse, and your team!

I know you're super busy this time of year, but maybe when things settle down, you have have a little time for brain candy and you can explore the Enneagram more. If you already know your type, let me know your number! I'd love to hear your insights!

A couple free tests to figure out YOUR type:
https://enneagramtest.net/
https://www.exploreyourtype.com/details

I haven't found a test I LOVE yet (let me know if you have one you recommend) but instead, I've gotten the best information while learning about each type on the podcast and through the book, "The Road Back to You."

I know, I know, all these tests can seem overwhelming or even pointless sometimes, but knowing yourself and being dedicated to self-growth and self-development is the secret sauce of every successful person. If you're serious about growing your company, then grow yourself. You'll get through obstacles much easier if you know where they are coming from!

Congrats to Colorado Music School! They published their site and they are rockin' and rollin'!

Welcome to our 23 new Inner Circle Members! We are so glad you've joined us!

Not in the Inner Circle yet? Save $100 per month!
Quick, join before the price goes up for new members on January 1.
Lock in your rate of $97/month now before the price goes up to $197/month.

Join here:
www.neveralonebusinessservices.com/join.html

When my third receptionist quit on me suddenly, I was face-to-face with the possibility that I was on the wrong track.
I was supposed to be walking out the door with my kids to go to our homeschool co-op and instead, I was reading an email that said, "Sorry, but I got a better job offer. Next week is my last week." My breath caught in my throat and I eeked out, "Get your shoes on, kids" and shut and locked the bathroom door. I fell to my knees and started sobbing.

"I can't do this anymore! God...help me..." 

It was a half sob, half prayer, and mostly desperation.

This was the final straw. I was SO stressed out and unsure that I was even on the right track anymore.
Was I really supposed to be growing a company while my kids still so desperately needed me?
Should I really be trying to hire staff that continually let me down and left me in a lurch?
Did I have ANY clue what I was doing?
Should I shut it all down and just start over when my kids were older?

I stopped all my thoughts and prayed. "God, you HAVE TO take over. I cannot do this. I need you."
I had a commercial lease signed, a building, students who needed me, and teachers who were counting on me. I couldn't quit. I just couldn't.
I dried my tears, put my shoulders back, and faked a calm I did not feel because I had to get my kids in the van.

How do you know if you're on the right track?
The questions swirling in your mind will terrorize you. I have been there so many times.
Running a company is easier than all of this questioning and confusion, in my opinion.
One you have absolute clarity with the direction you are headed, it's actually quite easy to soldier on.
But the doubt? The confusion? The pain? That will suck you under.

I made it through that day. And another. And soon I figured out how to hire the RIGHT people. The dream team. The staff that wouldn't give 6 weeks notice and then just not show up the next day (just to spite me). The employees that have MY back and who will do anything to keep this machine rolling along.

If you are questioning if you are on the right track...if you are really qualified to even run this business...if this is really the right time for your family, then you need focus, strategy, and support. 

If you just can't figure out how to hire the RIGHT staff who will support you (and not make your life harder than it is right now), you need our Inner Circle. This month's focus is on hiring the RIGHT people. I've discovered tools and tricks for the entire interview process (I've been hiring people for 20 years!) and I'm going to lay them all out for you. It does NOT have to be guesswork and luck (in fact, that's exactly what it cannot be).

(And when you commit to yourself and your business for 1 year in our Inner Circle, you'll get a 1 hour strategy session with me. You'll end our session with clarity and direction. I promise.)

I know December is crazy. I know you have a million things to do.
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But if you don't prioritize YOU, then who will? You will continue to do all the things for all the people and YOUR dreams will continue to be pushed to the bottom of the To Do list (I know because I've been there. And it actually sent me into depression. But that's a story for another day).

Turn on those Christmas tree lights. Grab a blanket and your laptop. Instead of Netflix, let's binge watch videos in the Inner Circle. I've given you all my best tools to help you get out of the spin and overwhelm.

2019 can be your best year yet.
But first you need clarity.
And that can be found in the Never Alone Inner Circle. Just come join us. 
You don't have to do life alone. You don't have to keep pushing through. 
Take the first step. Then keep prioritizing YOU.

If God has called you to this mission, HE will give you the next steps. HE will lead and guide. Just ask.

Afterall, this isn't about you at all. It's about the people you are leading and serving.

And they need you to fulfill your calling.

For a couple weeks, I've been trying to get up the nerve to read the first chapter of my book, "Happy Kids, Growing Biz," out loud on Facebook Live. 
I knew I was supposed to do it.
But it was scaring the crap out of me.
It felt so vulnerable. To read my story from my writing out loud online? Seemed like a crazy idea.
But I knew I was supposed to do it. So I did.
The response was better than I even anticipated. Did you get a chance to watch it? You can catch the replay HERE.
And if you know someone who needs this story? This hope? This message? Would you share it with them? You can tag them or share it to your timeline or even share in Messenger.
Hope is contagious. Let's spread it.

Join us in the Inner Circle. The price is just $97 per month but it goes up to $197 on January 1. So grab your seat and let's get you on the path of clarity. 
If God's called you, He will equip you. Just follow His lead.
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Join here>>>>>> The Inner Circle Program