Allissa’s a pyromaniac, or Why I got the Fire Starter Sessions and you should, too.

Or- The prelaunch blog post that isn’t really a proper blog post, but sometimes timing is important and just doing it is better than perfection and sequence.

I don’t remember how I came upon Danielle LaPorte’s White Hot Truth, but the first post I ever read was about burnout and it Rocked My World. Changed and excited me, and (every pun intended) lit a fire under my arse.

That was several months ago and it’s only gotten better. My practice is verging on booming, (with only the types of clients I love), I’m getting ready to launch this kickin’ blog (seriously, hold on to your hat), and I’m not yet living out of my Corolla, so that’s a bonus. (I still get most of my meals served to me though a window, but baby steps, people. Baby steps.)

Insert The Fire Starter Sessions

I’ve been following the build-up for weeks, LaPorte’s “Digital Experience for Entrepreneurs.” I’ve been ignoring all the pre-sale stuff because I already have a file (okay, several) of learning materials I haven’t used. I’ve been making myself very ‘busy’ with clients and volunteer stuff and trying Pad Thai at every venue in a 20 mile radius.

But a few days ago, I broke. I had that moment (okay,  that hour) of total terror (again). The terror that I don’t have enough time to accomplish all the things I want, that I haven’t even clearly defined what those things are, that I don’t have clean socks for tomorrow, how can I possible run a business and dammit, this Pad Thai doesn’t have nearly enough crushed peanut .

I’ve gotten beaten down personally and professionally of late and found it harder to get up off the mat.  The Haters and Naysayers and In-it-for-themself-ers were winning, and all the Gaping Void cartoons and loving from Angie P. couldn’t pick me up.

So I bought the damn Sessions. I needed SOMETHING. Then I promised you a review by lunch today. Then my computer freaked out last night, leaving me 4 hours whereupon I was incapable of distracting my sad self with ‘busywork’ (aka. avoidance) whilst tech support dialed in to deal with the issue.  And so here is my review of Module 1.

Define yourself on your own terms

Danielle (she gave me no leave to call her familiar, but I’m doing it anyway, because I am in serious girl-love with her), starts with her own Crisis of Business/Consciousness/Ethics and she sits with a Mentor and struggles with what to do. (I’m hacking this up a bit, I assume if you’re reading this, you ahh wicked smahht and can follow along)

Mentor (Lance) asks: “Are you a entrepreneur, or what?”……

I took a deep breath and let the pause gestate. I was prepared for Lance to leave the table, to tell me I was a hopeless romantic, unfit to rule any dynasty. Nice knowing you, softie. But the truth was there, finally, undeniably.

So I admitted it: “I‘m a humanitarian.” And then I put a fine point on it: “Who happens to be an entrepreneur.” And then I declared it. “And I think can protect myself without fucking anyone else over.”

Relief. In that moment, I was okay if Lance walked on me. Because something inside me had clicked into its rightful place: ruthless compassion. Yes, I was done suffering fools. No, I would not make pretty, spiritualized excuses for anyone‘s bad behaviour anymore. I would put on my own oxygen mask on first. I would stand in my very immense power. And, I would aim to do it free of vengeance, free of resentment, grateful for all that I had. Inside, I was purring like a panther in her tree. Smiling.

I must have passed the test because Lance smiled right back at me. “Well fine. That‘s all we needed to know,” he said, almost merrily. “Then here‘s what a humanitarian entrepreneur should do…”

And from there, we mapped out my future.”…

Then I sighed, and imagined what that relief would be like for me.  Then Tech Support called and I defragged my hard drive.

She continues with a list of good and lousy business advice (I’ve experienced a few of each, Yay! and  Oops!)

Then come the Burning Questions.  My favorites (and yes, I’ve hacked this up, too):

-What do people thank you for most often? What do they come to you for, or say about you most frequently (“positive” or “negative”)?

The gratitude you receive is a reflection of your genius.

-What’s always in the back of your mind?

You are what you think about all day.- Allen Ginsberg

-What would you like to stop doing?

One of my favourite results when working with any client is helping them decide what they‘re going to STOP doing. It makes me giddy.

You know what makes me giddy? When someone ‘gets’ me. And she does. So now I’m working on completing my Burning Questions.  And if you are stuck, want to be better, burning out for no good reason, prone to excuses and ‘busywork’, then you should , too.  I have no doubt this is the best $150 I’ve ever spent. *FULL DISCLOSURE: some time last night, after I started reading the prelude and table of contents and watched the promo video, I became an affiliate seller. If you buy this, though my link, I make a few bucks. If that bothers you, go directly to her site and buy it without me.  I don’t care. This is not about the money for me.  It’s about getting the info out, making stronger, smarter, happier Massage Practitioners. Please, be one of them with me.

But if you get it, let me know. I need a few buddies with whom to play, discuss, and start fires.

(Consumed while writing this post: 2 cups coffee with rice milk, 1 breakfast hot pocket, 1 tiny cube of dark chocolate)

Possibly Related Posts:

• A very special guest post
• Blogging for your Massage Business. I do, will you?
• Massage and social media: when only “just right” will do
• How to shut off the faucet
• Communication for Millenials. And everyone else, too.

Tagged as: Angela Palmier, Enviable, Products