Many business owners are struggling with their success and don't know why. Are you one of them? Perhaps you've analyzed the workings of your business with a fine-tooth comb. You've even hired a consultant to come in and poke around. You've tweaked here, nipped there, and still something's not right. What could it be?

Well, have you checked your thoughts lately? Yes, thoughts. While many factors can contribute to a lack of business success, the one most often overlooked is what you are thinking about. Ignore your thoughts, and you will be dispensing with one of your most powerful business allies.

Why are thoughts so important? Because your thoughts influence your feelings. How you feel influences what actions you take. And the actions you take have a direct influence on the results you achieve. Here's how to align your inner thoughts with your outer business success.

Step 1 - Identify What You Want

Below is a list of 20 words and phrases often used to describe a successful business. Circle the three that most represent how you want your business to be:

- Prosperous

- Thriving

- Successful

- Inspirational

- Booming

- Solid

- Doing Well

- Exciting

- Gratifying

- Lucrative

- Sustainable

- Strong

- Growing

- Flourishing

- Profitable

- In the black

- Cost Effective

- Rewarding

- Stimulating

- Fun

Next, copy the three you circled and add two more of your own.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Now, put feelings to your thoughts. Beside the five success words and phrases listed above, jot down the first one-word feeling that comes to you about that thought.

1. Example: Successful - Thrilled

2.

3.

4.

5.

Next to the feeling, rate on a 1-4 star scale just how strong this feeling is for you.

1. Example: Successful - Thrilled - 4 stars

2.

3.

4.

5.

Now, write any clarifying comment about your thought and feeling.

1. Example: Successful - Thrilled - 4 stars - This is exactly how I want my business to be.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Step 2 - The "Yeah, but What If . . ." Process

This is a very important step, so don't skip it. It examines your business from the inside out by identifying any doubts, worries, anxieties, or fears that the voice inside your head is expressing.

The "Yeah, but what if..." process will help you silence the chatter of your mind so you can identify which thoughts are getting in the way of and undermining your business success. Best of all, this step will get your thoughts down on paper, making them tangible and releasable.

Of the five "clarifying comments" you wrote down (above), circle the one comment that most deeply resonates with you. Then, write next to it all the doubts, worries, anxieties, and fears that pop into your mind that begin with the words "yeah, but what if."

Example: This is exactly how I want my business to be (clarifying comment). Yeah, but there is no way I'm going to have the kind of success I want. I don't know what I'm doing and don't have enough money. What if I don't attract enough clients to make this work, run out of money, get sick, and don't have enough time to put into my business?

Step 3 - The Release

Now it's time to do a symbolic release of the thought that is keeping you from your business success. This one act may not entirely get rid of the thought. It will, however, alert your subconscious mind that you intend to release that thought and replace it with one that is more aligned with your business success. Have some fun with this release process!

Take the piece of paper containing your clarifying comment and "yeah, but what if" worry, doubt, anxiety or fear and, with great enthusiasm and vigor, crumple it up and get rid of it. You can throw it away, burn it (safely), or shred it to pieces. While you're doing this, say out loud: I release all doubts and fears that hold me apart from my business success. I am willing and ready to be successful now.

Finally, remove the thought from your sight by sweeping away the ashes, flushing the pieces, or emptying the wastebasket into an outside trash bin.

Congratulations! You've now gone through a very powerful process.

Quick and easy to do, this process will reveal which thoughts are keeping you apart from your business success. Then it will align your inner thoughts and feelings so that you can take the most inspired and productive outer actions. Whenever you find yourself struggling in your business, turn to these three steps to help you find out why.