Tag Archive for: entrepreneur

Stop Lying To Yourself and Leap

Entrepreneurs have a lot of shit on their plates. And maybe that’s an understatement. As a former writing coach, I know “a lot” is vague.

Anyone in business for themselves is already shaking their head in agreement. It’s those of you who are on the sidelines I’m talking to. You, the lady stuck in a corporate job trying to build her business while still earning a steady salary. You, the woman who leapt into business ownership but works a bridge job to make sure her bills are paid (and does very little to build the business she wanted). And you, the woman who feels her throat tighten as you wait for me to call you out in your exact spot, wherever you are that makes you unhappy.

This post is for the non-believers and the ladies addicted to fear.

It’s time to stop lying to yourself and take the leap, dammit.

If you’ve ever said:

“My husband won’t let me quit my job without showing I can truly earn money as a coach first.”

“I know I need additional support, like a ghostwriter or CPA, and I can’t afford them right now.”

“I’m afraid I’ll fail.”

“The market is full of other really great coaches who do exactly what I want, so why bother?”

It’s time to face the fear and leap anyway. Because while all of those excuses might seem completely factual in your mind, they are only blocks, only things to keep you from facing the fact you don’t feel ready to do it solo.

So what’s it going to take for you to feel ready?

  • A steady income from clients?
  • The approval of your spouse, partner or family?
  • 100% certainty that you won’t fall on your face?

The bad news? You’re never going to have exactly what you want before you begin.

The good news? You’re never going to have exactly what you want before you begin, so you can start at any-fucking-time.

See, the truth is, nobody who goes into business for themselves has all of their shit together when they start. A perfect plan isn’t what makes successful entrepreneurs money. Instead, it’s their ability to take the leap, watch what happens when they do, and respond to whatever happens. A good startup includes being proactive in your approach, noticing what earns you money and what doesn’t and then modifying your plan.

The plan does not determine your success. Your flexibility does.

One of my very favorite videos to show people enrolling in services with me (whether it’s 1:1 coaching or CCC) is by ZeFrank. It’s not because he says anything other than what I’m telling you now, but it’s because he does it in such a simple, beautiful way that people can get on board.

Jump the shark, ladies.

Use metaphors.

Give yourself the grace and forgiveness you show to others, especially when they fail.

At 1:55 in the video, ZeFrank talks about perfectionism (don’t worry, I’ll link it at the end). About how we hate the quality in others, yet we expect it in ourselves. If there is one thing you should know about entrepreneurship, it’s that nobody has everything figured out. NOBODY.

Not me, not any other big names in any industry. We’re all just doing our best to stay two steps ahead of our clients, so we can better serve them (and they’ll continue needing us). When you think about it that way, it’s not as scary, is it?

All you need to do to take the leap, is make sure you’re two steps ahead of the people you want to serve. If you can stay there, you’ll never have to worry about finding people to help or providing value to your clients. Ever.

This fear we let choke the courage out of us? It’s normal, but it becomes detrimental when we let it stop us.

So, if you’re sitting at home reading this, shaking your head in agreement (like my fellow entrepreneurs were up top), then it’s high time you stop allowing your fears to dictate your life.

Instead, let your dreams take a shot at it.

If you need help, you know where to find me. I’m always here or on Facebook in Entrepreneur Incubator.

Enjoy new beginnings. They’re always a little scary, but they’re so damn worth it.

 

Want to be a rainmaker? Take a risk.

I bet you have a fabulous idea for a new coaching package or course. I bet you haven’t pulled the trigger yet because you’re afraid. (Or you’re telling yourself you’re too busy in order to mask the fear.)

Maybe you have launched, albeit quietly, only to your list, and you’re starting to feel as though it won’t sell. You have a million excuses for not sending it out to the world at large. For not promoting it on social media and standing by your creation.

You’re dipping your toe into the water and panicking that it’s too cold and too wet.

I know because I’ve done it. Halfhearted marketing at its finest. I believe every entrepreneur goes through this at some point.

It’s time to cut the crap.

What separates visionaries and industry leaders from the rest is that they do not wait to see if something works before starting. They do it.

They jump on ideas and thrive on solving problems by creating new solutions. They feel the fear of failure and throw it out with the rest of the garbage.

That’s what sets them apart.

So if you’re ready to be one of them, to see your name on top for once, then you have to let go of the shit holding you back.

Embrace the fact that you might fail.

Some of your ideas are crap. Somebody outside of your target audience will tell you that your program sucks. And then, after the shark has jumped, you’ll pick yourself up by your chic boots and keep trying.

Because leaders don’t sit still when something breaks. They don’t let one letdown define them. They come up with new ideas and solutions, knowing that – eventually – the jackpot is theirs.

Most people do the opposite.

Over-analyze what didn’t work and what went wrong. Rework old ideas, believing we’ll fix whatever is broken. Piecemealing old tires until they’re officially one big clusterfuck of patchwork.

But if you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’re never going to make it as far as you’ve dreamed. Yes, you’re probably doing it all wrong. No, you don’t have everything you want. Shit, maybe you have nothing you want.

Sometimes your bills will show up when it’s inconvenient.

Naysayers will be louder than ever before.

Fear becomes a nightmare.

So what?

When you’re not sure which direction to go, fucking wing it.

Fly by the seat of the pants that make your ass look fierce. Dump ideas out of your head and choose one to execute first. And know it might leave you in the same place you were before you started.

Stop believing square one is bad and remember the beginning is where you lay the groundwork for magic.

Look your fear and doubt in the eye and tell it that it’s taken up too much of your life. Because if you have the courage, the creativity and the drive, you’re bound to succeed.

What’s the worst that could happen?

You’ll have to supplement your dream with a job again, at least until you find the success you’re hunting down. Or some idiot tells you your passion isn’t worth pursuing. (But would it be the first time?)

Tell your ego (and theirs) to hit the road.

Then find someone who is lighter fluid to your spark, someone who believes in you, and let them be part of your life until you finally believe in yourself enough that you won’t need anyone else’s tools to start your fucking fire.

You are smart enough.

You are good enough.

You have what it takes.

I believe in you.

Isn’t it about time you believe in yourself?