Diversifying Income Streams: Sustainable Growth for Yourself & Your Business
Day 6 of Clarity & Creativity
Diversifying Your Income Streams
Happy New Years Eve! And welcome to Day 6 of 12 Days of Clarity and Creativity! Today, we’re discussing a game-changer for therapists, coaches, creatives, and business nerds: diversifying your income streams.
Let’s be honest—relying on a single source of income can feel limiting and precarious, especially when the unexpected happens. Diversification isn’t about quick fixes or mythical “passive income,” it’s about creating intentional, aligned revenue streams that support your goals and values.
Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, tap into creativity, or increase financial stability, diversifying income can open doors to exciting opportunities.
Speaking of diversifying income, join us for a Diversify Your Income Hangout this Thursday January 2nd at 11:00am ET for an interactive workshop. Together, we’ll explore actionable strategies to expand your revenue streams while staying aligned with your goals. Register here.
Why Diversify?
From my research and personal experience, diversifying your income can:
Potentially Reduce Burnout: Shifting your focus between different projects can rekindle creativity and compassion satisfaction.
Stabilize Finances: Create a safety net during slow client seasons.
Expand Your Reach: Offer your expertise in new formats to connect with broader audiences. Shifting our perspective from “return on investment” thinking, to “ripples of influence”1 thinking, can be a transformative approach, opening up new possibilities for impact and growth.
Manage Uncertainty: Income from multiple streams can stabilize your finances during slow seasons.
Increase Freedom: Scale your efforts so you’re not tied to trading time for money.
As I discovered in my dissertation (Willey, 2023),2 many counselors and helpers face compassion fatigue and feel constrained by traditional work models. Neurodivergent persons also often need freedom of choice with work.34 Building alternative income streams can alleviate some of these pressures and even enhance your professional satisfaction.
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Income Stream Ideas Inspired by My Journey
Digital Products:
Create eBooks, templates, or self-guided programs based on your expertise. Share your expertise through online courses that help others grow their skills.Coaching and Consulting:
Expand your one-on-one services to include group coaching or niche consulting.Example: Helping other professionals learn a skill, transition into coaching roles or building workshops.
Workshops, Podcast Episodes & Events:
Host in-person or virtual workshops to share your knowledge.Example: I’ve partnered with others to help me run workshops, share ideas in broadcasts & podcasts. Some topics included income diversification with
and discussing neurodivergence with and Meg Young.
Membership Communities:
Build a subscription model for exclusive content or group coaching sessions.
Steps to Start Diversifying
Brainstorm Ideas:
Think about what recharges you and aligns with your strengths. Use prompts like:What skills do I enjoy sharing?
What problems can I help solve?
Who would benefit from my expertise?
Research Viability:
Explore the market and identify potential challenges. Consider legal and financial implications, especially if you’re blending licensed therapy with non-licensed activities.Test the Idea:
Pilot your new offering with a small audience or limited scope to gather feedback.Refine and Expand:
Use data from your test to refine your approach. Then, scale the offering with confidence.
Neurodivergent Nuggets of Wisdom
As a neurodivergent business owner, I’ve learned that focus and flexibility are key:
Pick One Thing: Avoid overwhelm by focusing on one idea at a time.
Remember Your Superpowers! Neurodivergent individuals often excel in seeing connections others might miss. Use this superpower to brainstorm innovative ways to share your expertise
Leverage Systems: Use tools like CRM’s or Canva to streamline repetitive tasks.
Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge each step forward—it all adds up!
Remember to Start Somewhere: Try not to get stuck in decision fatigue. With podcasting, I listened to other people’s podcasts, did some research and then started podcasting at one point to see what would happen. The point? Sometimes we just need to try something.
Diversifying your income is a journey, not a sprint
The goal isn’t to do everything at once—it’s to build aligned revenue streams that serve your life and business goals.
What’s one way you could start diversifying your income today?
Reply to this post or email me at drwilley@attainablevision.net—I’d love to hear your ideas!
See you tomorrow for Day 7, where we’ll explore Mindset Matters: Shifting from Scarcity to Abundance.
Stay nerdy,
Dr. Brie-Anna Willey
P.S. Don’t miss the chance to workshop your income diversification ideas live with me and Scott Perry. You’ll leave with actionable strategies to expand your income streams confidently. Sign up here.
Perry, S. (May 13th, 2024). Redefining ROI.
Willey, B. M. (2023).Understanding the Experiences of Compassion Fatigue Among Counselors in Private Practice: A Phenomenological Approach. Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 4446. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/4446
Willey, B. (Dec. 8th, 2024) Beautiful Neurodivergence.
Willey, B. (Oct. 25th, 2024). What Do You Nerd-Out About?
This is really excellent info. Extremely helpful for practically anyone at any stage of their business building and branding.
I'm with Sol. This is a really helpful perspective delivered with actionable insights. Thank you, Brie!