What's keeping you from making those phone calls, writing that newsletter, going to networking functions - and all the other things you need to do to market your business, so the world knows you exist? Could it be that little pest called fear?

I read a wonderful article in the recent Science of Mind Magazine, April 2008, by Rev. Dr. Jesse Jennings. He related this significant event.

In 1930 Pluto, the 9th planet in our solar system, was discovered. In 2006, Pluto was demoted - kicked out of its status as a planet and downgraded to just a large ball of rock and ice. As a result, people now refer to reducing something important, to being not important, as being "plutoed". It's a great analogy to think about when you're letting something stand in your way, or when you're letting fear keep you from doing what you need to do to build your business.

Recently I made the decision to "pluto" a commitment I had made. Not long after I began attending a teleclass, it became clear that the content was not what I expected, and it would not be useful in my business. Because I felt guilty, I fretted and fumed through a few of the teleclasses. After all I did pay good money, which was non-refundable...

Every week I felt like I was wasting my valuable time listening to information I did not intend to use. I finally realized I was staying in the class because I was "afraid" of what people would think if I gave it up. After talking it over with my coach, it became clear what I had to do. I "plutoed" that teleclass, and I'm glad I did! As a result of letting go or "plutoing" that class, I made room for another in-depth marketing class that will better serve me and you, my clients and readers.

So, what can you "pluto" in your life and/or business? What are you currently committed to that you need to release, or demote, so you can make room for taking action and overcoming your fear of marketing? Could it be you're hiding behind things you're tolerating instead of taking action on your goals?

Use the following toleration checklist to evaluate a commitment, situation, or anything that may be standing in the way of making the progress you want to make. If you find yourself complaining about "not enough time" you may want to consider getting rid of, or at least minimizing some of the things you are tolerating, such as the following.

- Letting e-mail and the internet invade your scheduled work time

- Excessive clutter that makes you feel stifled when you sit down to work.

- Excessive personal phone calls during your scheduled work time.

- Friends and family who want you to do errands for them because you're home.

- Never getting around to doing your "To Do" list, because you're reacting instead of taking charge of your day.

- Not getting the support you need to get the job done because you think you can't afford it.

- Feeling like you can't do anything about your tolerations because you might hurt someone's feelings or be a "bad" wife or mother.

- Letting other people's "garbage" ruin your peace of mind, so you don't feel like working - so you don't...

The list could go on and on, but it's likely you're allowing these tolerations because of fear - fear of failure, success, hurting someone else, hurting yourself - yada, yada, yada... The secret I have found to overcoming fear is action - clear, consistent, intentional, targeted action. So the next time you catch yourself in the middle of these, or other tolerations, take charge and "pluto" them out of your life.

Here's my coach's challenge for you: take 30 minutes to stop and take stock of your life. See what you can "pluto" to make room for taking consistent action steps towards your goals. The sooner you get going, the sooner you'll get out of the energy draining rut you're in. You'll be glad you did!