My friend, Kelly McCausey, hosts a  Stretch Yourself Challenge for your Business which is a month of butt-kicking and it starts TOMORROW – Wednesday, May first. There we are in San Francisco a few months ago (probably on our way out to eat sushi – we ate a lot of sushi… ).  ->

I've decided to join the challenge, even though I've already got a bunch of stuff planned for next month (including rebranding part of my business, releasing 2 new Kindle books, and other fun stuff.)

Why not, right?

I want to slide into summer like a baseball player slides into home. Dirty and sweaty, knowing I gave it my all.

How about you?

If this headline hits close to home, you'll want to keep reading.

I've asked Kelly to answer a few questions about the challenge for you here so you could decide if you were ready to jump in with both feet.

But before you get into that, be sure to click here if you're interested in the challenge so you can check it out. The link opens in a new window:   Stretch Yourself Challenge for your Business

If you're ready for a push, here's the scoop…

Kelly, What is the Stretch Yourself Challenge and why did you feel compelled to create it?

The Challenge defies description in some ways but I like to say it's 25% strategic plan and 75% pure buttkickin'.  

The May Challenge is a specific set of suggested content marketing and social media tasks that each challenger can pick and choose to complete within the 31 days we have available.  Many will come into the challenge knowing HOW to do the tasks already and some will come in needing some instruction and demonstration.  (And they shouldn't worry, I'll provide all that's necessary along the way.)

Who is it ideal for?

Anyone who knows deep down they've been holding back. (Have you? Watch this 90 Second Buttkickin' video and see if it speaks to you.)

http://youtu.be/k38hke2Wycw

I don't often use the ‘anybody' word because I like to be uber-focused with my products, but the Challenge really is suited for just about anyone who wants to step out.

It doesn't matter what your business model is, you can take a new step and experience the benefits.

What are your hopes for someone who takes the course?

I hope they will complete the challenge!  If they DO, they'll have expanded their reach and ultimately they'll be at home outside of their comfort zone.

This is a great gift: Being at ease with being uncomfortable. 

It doesn't happen overnight, but somewhere in the midst of 31 days it does happen.  You wake up one day and realize you can't wait to take another stretching step. (It's actually addictive!)

If you do what the Challenge plan lays out for you, you'll have connected with more of your target market and be reaping the rewards of these new relationships.  What that looks like will depend on your business.

• Will it be more clients?
• More JV partners?
• More traffic?
• More product sales?
• More invitations to guest blog or be featured on podcasts?

It's up to you!

What is the best part of the Stretch Yourself Challenge?

In the past, the best part for me has been seeing lights come on for my participants.  When they realize they don't have to take massive action, they just have to take some new action.

See this little sketch, it shows you how there are people who need you who can be found just outside your comfort zone.  If you'll just take THAT step you'll find them.

When someone finally gets it and DOES something about it and gets the RESULTS they've been missing for so long, it's very rewarding for me as a coach and certainly exciting for them.

Without a doubt this time around the most exciting aspect will be the better sense of community.

We meet as a group for live sessions and participants are so encouraging with one another but they let me know they'd like a way to connect more.  With that in mind, I've stepped it up and created a private forum for the Challenge group.  I did this on a lesser scale for another group recently (we used a private Facebook group) and my clients loved it – though I personally didn't love using Facebook. The group discussions are hard to track and easy to lose focus in.  The new forum is going to serve as a coaching base for me and an accountability base for all of the participants.

Every single day throughout May I'm going to be posting what I call Intimidation Crushers.  This is in direct response to the last Challenge where I found out that some participants were dealing with some pretty powerful internal battles that kept them from completing the Challenge.  This sort of resistance is normal when you're stretching yourself and the antidote is to be reminded every day that You Can Do This.

There's a section devoted to group accountability, every participant can share what they're going to do that day and come back to report their progress.  This provides a ‘look at what I've done' trail of proof that builds confidence.  Finally, there's a section set aside for getting unstuck.  (Anyone who isn't sure how to tackle a particular task can ask for help and I'll be there.)

Kel, Where can we sign up?

You can sign up right here:

Click here to Join the Challenge!

Well that's the scoop guys and gals.

Talk to me.

I'd like to know what the #1 thing is that's holding YOU back from being your greatest self. Please share.

Also, if you have any questions about the challenge, please post them below.

I'll see a bunch of you in the accountability group.

Looking forward to kicking butt together.

Warmly,
Nicole