Dig the ditch Before the Water Comes Cara Lumen

I may have been premature with the purchase of a disk duplicator for my many in-process and planned audio books. In fact, even before I set it up I considered returning it. How did I know I would need it? Why spend the money now?

And Wise Friend said, "If you send it back you're telling the Universe that it won't be needed, the demand will never be that great."

We want the Universe to join us in a BIG VISION. Every choice we make must not be in response to the perceived smallness of our present condition, our choices must be made in anticipation of what we expect to happen.

It was very scary when, several years ago, I invested in a color laser printer with a duplexer to create the booklets I believed in. I had reached a point that if I really wanted to have that product I needed that piece of equipment. It was the first time I put my money where my vision was in such a conscious manner. I was anticipating growth. It turned out the booklets were popular in church bookstores for several years.

I create a new web site every few years because I change and my offerings change. This last time I chose a shopping cart that would easily handle 10,000 names! Talk about being ready! That upped my vision. It has every feature I could ever want regardless of how big my business grows. I moved my list to this new shopping cart so I would never have to change it again. I set up a strong and versatile foundation that anticipates growth.

I keep my computer up to date and upgrade the software programs I use most. I purchase the programs that empower me to get the job done better.

I bought a printer that prints the labels on special CDs, I purchased five disk DVD cases for my teleclass recordings-I had to buy 100 of them! I expect to sell them all and have to order more. I have set myself up to supply all customers who wish my products.

What do you need to put in place to prepare for growth? How deep a ditch do you have to dig right now to prepare for the wonderful flood of prosperity that is coming?
In Ideas of Power, Ernest Holmes says, "We measure things with too small a measure; the infinite ocean is beside us, and we dip it up with a thimble."

One thing you will want to do is build your team, even if it only means to locate them. Find the perfect web designer, get a great content strategy coach, identify your proofreader, list the resources you will need and where to find them, find your audio engineer, figure out who you could hire to post articles for you, see who you would like as a virtual assistant. You may need several VA's with different specialties.

What equipment do you need? My investment in editing software gave me the freedom to record and edit my podcasts and my audio-books. My upgrade in my drawing program helps me design my own covers and audio jacket covers. The set up in my office supports my productivity.

What training do you need for your next step? This year I've taken classes in podcasting and radio publicity. Last year it was blogs and screen capturing software. Now I'm exploring video.

What organizational systems do you need to set up? What contacts do you need to establish? What skills do you need to hone? Write them down and start doing them. If there is a momentary lull, even better, get busy and build your foundation.

Throw away what no longer serves and make room for more of what does. Set yourself up for an explosion of business. That's digging the ditch before the water comes.

Cara Lumen, MA, Your Idea Optimizer helps you turn your ideas into steady profit. As a business developer, content developer and educator, Cara helps you make money from what you already know. You can learn more about how to put your wisdom to work through her radio show www.blogtalkradio.com/passioantelyonpurpose and her Passionately On Purpose emagazine at www.caralumen.com