Credits to Atlanta Housewife Kim for her song “Don’t Be Tardy for the Party”. This is probably the only message I received out of the whole series.

In the start of my business in 2006-2007, I was operating a very successful outsourcing virtual assistance company.  My coach at that time Andrew Morrison, decided to gather a few of his top clients, and myself, to attend and experience his mentor and coach in a 3 day weekend.  Well to my surprise I was surrounded by a group of coaches who were at the height of their coaching career, making anywhere from 6 to 7 figures.

I was honored to get a chance to mastermind with high achievers. Long story short, the weekend was fantastic, and I had the opportunity to speak with one of the high achievers who coached, coaches. We discussed the possibility of creating a joint venture.

For a few months I provided marketing implementation for her, and she referred tons of clients my way.  I was determined to earn my stripes.  I made one mistake that nearly set me into a state of depression.  I allowed self sabotage, fear of success, lack of preparation, and lack of focus to settle in. When it came time for me to draft up a service offering for her list of over 20k coaches. I procrastinated with the proposal and procrastinated in the preparation and training of my team.

I remember these words out of the 15 min conversation “Lucinda, I really like you and really wanted to work with you, but I decided to go with someone else, someone who is ready and has a process in place”. That “someone else” was being announced at her Coaching Weekend, as I sat in the back holding back the tears. I did walk away with 5 new clients, but I was physically sick to my stomach for the rest of the 2days.  I was not the Joint Venture, I did not prepare myself for success, and I allowed distractions and procrastination to get in the way.   I did not feel worthy enough as the little black girl from NY to work with high end clients who did not look like me financially, physically, geographically and ethnically. I held myself back.

Three months into their joint venture I sat back, and watched how this virtual assistant company tripled their rates, tripled their team and was moving at lightning speed to the 6 figure party.

Breathe. Lesson learned and I am here to tell you to “get over yourself”, do not allow your limiting beliefs and thoughts to get in the way of doing”big things”. Yes, what God has for you, is for you, but if you are sitting in the corner with your hands behind your back, how are you going to grab the blessings, how can you catch it, when it’s being thrown.

God bless you Milana Leshinsky and Andrew Morrison for opening up the doors for a single mother who did not know the potential she had at the time. I now stand strong as a coach, speaker and bestselling author. I seize every opportunity to make the next mompreneur shine in her power and in her truth, to prepare her for the big leagues. I am no longer tardy for the party and I thank you.

 

Written by : Lucinda Cross

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16 Comments

  1. Isha Cogborn June 14, 2011 at 10:18 am - Reply

    Thank you for your transparency, Lucinda. It’s those difficult lessons that will keep us on top of our game for the rest of our careers. I know I have had my share! Keep up the good work. http://www.coachisha.com

    • Lucinda Cross June 14, 2011 at 6:36 pm - Reply

      Thanks for your comment Isha, please visit the site again. This was a difficult lesson to learn and it is important to learn from these so that they don’t come back again. Thanks for your insight, keep in touch, us coaches have to stick together.

  2. Robin Walton June 14, 2011 at 10:21 am - Reply

    Great article, It is very important that we learn from our mistakes, and then still be able to move forward.

    • Lucinda Cross June 14, 2011 at 6:37 pm - Reply

      Thanks Robin and I am pushing forward.

  3. Cenobia Hilton June 14, 2011 at 10:30 am - Reply

    Thank you for sharing your story. Very encouraging. I am trying to find new ways to grow my business and I find myself tardy for the party as well, because I let my life and everything that surrounds it distract me. I can no longer stand back and let opportunities pass me by. My future and the future of my daughters depends on it.

  4. M. Freeman June 14, 2011 at 10:39 am - Reply

    Thank you for sharing this, I enjoyed it.

    • Lucinda Cross June 14, 2011 at 6:31 pm - Reply

      Glad you enjoyed it M. Freeman. Please sign up on my email list on the home page.

  5. Beverly Thomas-Brewer June 14, 2011 at 10:48 am - Reply

    This was such a strong message of being prepared and not letting the little demon in your head keep you from getting to the top of the mountain. Many times I have felt the same way when called upon to do things whether it’s a little to nothing or something bigger than I could have dream. I self sabotage my way out of it…instead of taking the bull by the horn’s I steer clear and go down the lonely road and disappear in my very on bliss! Thanks so much for your words….today they really man the difference of being in the world of have and have not…

    B. Thomas-Brewer

    • Lucinda Cross June 14, 2011 at 6:29 pm - Reply

      Beverly thank you for being honest as well. It is important for us to take the bull by the horns and go full speed ahead. I find that to much thinking caus eyou to make the wrong moves.

  6. Lisa Kanarek June 14, 2011 at 11:33 am - Reply

    That was a tough story to tell, but thanks for sharing it. It’s a good motivator for all of us.

    • Lucinda Cross June 14, 2011 at 6:25 pm - Reply

      Yes, Lisa it was not easy but it was one that i am hoping can support someone else in moving forward.

  7. Audrey June 14, 2011 at 2:05 pm - Reply

    Hey Lucinda. That really was a great story. Like you I push my clients to get out of their own way, but find myself standing in my way of my greatness. I am really working hard on accepting the fact that I am truly great. So thanks for sharing that with us.

    Audrey

    • Lucinda Cross June 14, 2011 at 6:24 pm - Reply

      Thanks for you comments Ms. Boss. Many times we need to coach ourselves on the things we do so easily for our clients. Its just like the nurse in the hospital who needs someone to look after her.

  8. Tiffany Rashel June 14, 2011 at 10:57 pm - Reply

    Lucinda,
    This was such a timely piece. I really needed to read it. You are right about being ready – the majority of the time is it NOT that we aren’t able to fulfill what is asked of us. But that we aren’t able to see ourselves as knowledgeable, able and worthy to receive what is laid before us. As a fellow coach, that is having doors opened daily – thank you for reminding me to stand in my power and not be tardy for the party!

    You Rock!

  9. The Business Coach for Moms June 15, 2011 at 8:08 am - Reply

    This reminds me of the saying “To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities, as you do at conclusions.”

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