Ok. I have to apologize already.

Because I hate this conversation. And the title of my blog even more than you do.

And unfortunately, conversations like this happen WAY more than I’d like in business groups and circles.

It seems that everyone and their mom who has ever started a business has the illustrious “six figure goal” and not only that, they all seem to want to make that goal in like one year. Which I think for the majority of people is completely ridiculous.

And when I see this talk thrown around said business groups, I cringe.

Not only do I think it tacky to talk about specific earnings in your business, I think it’s actually damaging.

Bottom line is everyone’s business is different.

Yes…someone might make six figures in their business but you never know how many years they’ve been honing their craft outside of being in business, or if part of their earnings are from affiliate marketing, freelance, bridge jobs, or how fulfilled their life is.

Most of the time when people talk about earning six figures, I honestly doubt that it’s ALL just from their business, especially if they haven’t been in business for over three years, and even if it is…WHO CARES?! Why do I need to know that?

What’s way more important than how much money you make, is how much difference you make (find previous rant here). (Tweet this.)

BUT…for those of you who still want to know how to make six figures in your business…here are 8 things you should start doing…now.

1) Hone your craft.

Be excellent at what you do. Money comes and goes, but true talent and true skill will sustain you forever. Take the time to be amazing at what you do, even if that means doing hella free sessions for awhile.

2) Stop trying to make six figures and start trying to make a difference

There’s enough money in the world. And what more, really, do we need with a six figure income? What’s the point? Is it arbitrary? Or do you NEED it in order to survive?

The businesses that are the most inspiring to me are the ones that help the most people, and consequently, these types of businesses end up making the most money.

So focus first on giving and let the dollars follow you.

So when you’re wondering how to make more commas, change the conversation to “how can I make more of a difference today”?

3) Be willing to do whatever it takes

Don’t expect that people are going to throw their hard earned money at you for nothing. It takes time to hone a craft, learn how to market it, and make enough to keep your business afloat.

In the meantime don’t have too much pride to get yourself a “bridge job”, work for a little less than you want, or work with less than perfect clients.

I find that it’s the willingness to do “less than ideal” things in the beginning in order to hone your craft or figure out what you really want to be doing that pushes a business forward. That way, you know you really want it.

4) Learn skills you’re not already strong in

Being a business owner is so much more than the actual business you’re in.

Most people get into business because they like doing something…say…making hats.

But you forget that in order to take “making hats” from a hobby to a sustainable business, there are a million things you’ll need to know how to do, from marketing, to social media, website building, copywriting, accounting, and those are just off the top of my head.

Start learning those skills. There are awesome programs and personal coaches out there to help.

5) Care more about PEOPLE than about dollars

I appreciate good marketing. I do. But I can ALWAYS tell when someone is a good marketer but doesn’t really give a fuck about me as a person. It comes off that way. And that’s why I’ll never purchase from those types of people.

Focus instead on giving great service, being very clear on the ways in which you like to help people and where your brilliance lies.

6) Work on your own money issues

I think we all probably have some weird issues surrounding money. Maybe you don’t believe you’re worth it, or maybe you don’t believe you should have to work for it, or maybe you get it then spend it right away.

Whatever your flavor of money issue is, it’s likely that it’s getting in the way of you earning more.

This is an internal shift. And there are some great books out there that speak exactly to this. Kate Northrup’s “Money Love” is one I’d recommend.

7) Try a million things until one sticks

I find it really rare that business and earning money is linear. Like…no one I’ve talked to has a business idea in the beginning and is still doing that one thing and earning a ton.

Instead, most people have to try a bunch of different things until they find something that fits. And even then…it’ll probably change.

Business is ever evolving. A growing and changing organism. Be willing to explore and try new things.

8) Figure out why you really want to make six figures

This one is a bit tricky and also super important. Because honestly, my first year in business, I had this same goal. And I had it because I thought that it would prove something. Maybe prove that I was good at my job. Or prove to all the naysayers that I could do it.

When I look at it now, it’s different. Money is a means to more giving. With more money, I can provide more for the members of my Wildheart Revolution, I can create more, I can hire people to help me be better, I can be more creative.

When I shifted my thoughts around money and the goals around it, I started making more.

If wanting six figures is an arbitrary goal that you set just because everyone else is, or it’ll make you feel like you’ve accomplished something, then it’ll be harder to get it.

Become really clear on the impact you want to make on the world and keep searching for THAT. When you do that, money follows.

I’m not going to tell you how much money I make (see above). But I will tell you that I love my life. I work exactly the amounts I want to, I travel where and when I want, I love where I live, and I was able to live in other countries and travel 200 days out of the year all while running my business.

I love money. But I know that money doesn’t matter as much as fulfillment does. (tweet this)

Each of us gets to decide what is important to us. And I’m not saying you can’t have a six figure goal. I’m just encouraging you to have more consciousness around it. Be willing to do the work. Make a difference in the world. And THEN take all your six figure dollars to the bank.

See you in line,

Sally

P.s. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with what I said here? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

P.p.s. WILDHEART REVOLUTION. It’s the bomb. And the place where conversations like this happen all the time. Want in?

Photo by Andrew Magill