in yoga, we're always talking about authenticity and openness. but when it comes to starting a yoga business (or any business for that matter), we're often only given half truths.

now, that's not because people are trying to mislead you -- they just don't want to discourage you, either!

but i know you can handle the truth.

i full-heartedly believe that YOU have what it takes to design your dream life+yoga career. but i also believe that budding entrepreneurs often have unrealistic expectations about how quickly and easily it will be to get their yoga business to take off.

crafting your yoga business -- just like developing a solid, reliable yoga practice -- takes time.

but you know that. you're different.

investing in your business and business education is the very thing that sets you apart from so many others. i know you're different and that you have what it takes because you are here with me, reading these posts and watching my videos.

let me say it again...YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES.

you're committed to this process. and because of that, i'm gonna strip away the veil and share 3 truths that no one will tell you when you're first starting a new business.

no one likes the hard truth, but yogis, more than others, recognize that embracing a challenge head-on is much more effective and in-the-end more rewarding than simply ignoring it and hoping it gets easier or goes away.

are you ready? here are 3 yoga biz building truth bombs...

which "truth bomb" rocked your world the most? share it in the comments below.

i have no time! how do i build my new business?

i get asked various versions of this question a lot, so i thought it was about time that i address it on the blog.

first off, this is an issue that soooo many entrepreneurs face, especially when first starting out. so, don't think you're alone! trying to balance a full-time job AND a new biz AND teaching yoga AND having some semblance of a life can seem like a no-win situation.

but, you needn't get down on yourself for not being able to devote endless hours to your business -- instead, decide how much time you can comfortably commit to focusing on your new venture – even if it’s only 2-3 hours on Saturday mornings, and (here's the kicker) be OK with that.

when we beat ourselves up for "not doing enough”, we get ourselves totally stressed out and are much less productive. so, instead of thinking you're somehow "failing" by not working on your new business 24/7 make the best possible use of the time you do have available.

how do you make the best use of your time?

first -- sit down, and write out your goals for your biz for over the next 12 months (i.e. get a website set-up, start a newsletter, get 5 new clients, etc.).

second -- break those down month by month.

third -- now that you have an outline of what you're hoping to accomplish each month, use that as a guide to figure out what you need to work on, research, or look into during your dedicated biz time each and every week.

(also, you might wanna check out this video: the actual time it takes to start a yoga biz for more strategies & advice :-)

a big part of "turning pro" is simply making your biz a priority (something amateurs don’t do!) – even if that means only during a few hours a week. then, as you begin to see some gains in your biz, you can decide if you can begin to back away from your full-time work, or rework your schedule to make more time for your growing business.

the most important thing is to not be too hard on yourself, and feel like you’re not doing enough. pros KNOW that they need down-time in order to bring their best selves when they are working/playing/creating.

{ONE MORE THOUGHT}

have you read steven pressfield’s book turning pro? i did a video review of it, and the info he shares will totally rock your world (and business)!

3 Truths No One Tells You About Starting a Yoga Business