Continuing the Conversation on Courage KDS: 061
When I was thinking about this week’s podcast episode I knew I wanted to go a little deeper on a recent conversation I had on a previous episode. As we wind down this year (hallelujah) and are feeling hopeful for a better year it’s important to get clear on how you want to feel next year.
Let’s continue the conversation on courage.
If you haven’t listened to that episode yet, I highly recommend you go back and listen to my conversation with Allegra Sinclair titled “It Takes Courage to Be Who You Are” here.
I won’t repeat myself here, but that conversation was inspired by my recent decision to launch my #FtheHustle newsletter and some of the feedback I got (which was pleasant, even though they didn’t really like the term).
This will also piggyback on last week’s episode where I talked about simplifying your marketing.
There are simply WAY too many things you can be doing and no way to do them all well.
You’re going to make yourself crazy if you try to be everywhere and will get very little return (unless you have a team of people who can focus on those individual efforts).
These last couple of years have been a big growth period for me both personally and professionally.
It’s been over two years now since Jodi and I started the Content Creators Planner, I’ve gone through heartbreak with losing my Mom, and an out of state move from California to Idaho (stay tuned for another move in 2021, hopefully out of the country).
When I look back on what I’ve been through, I have to admit, I’m quite proud of myself.
Not only have I survived the last couple of years but I can honestly say I’ve thrived.
I have never felt more clear and focused on my life and my business. And now more than ever I’m ready to truly stand up and own what I want for myself and for my business.
Courage in Business
My perspective on what having courage in business looks like is very different than it was when I first began my online business in 2008.
Not only because things have changed so much, but because of life experience, my own expertise, and the results I’ve gotten.
If you’re on Facebook you’ve probably seen all the hype around a new platform called Clubhouse. You can Google it, but the long and short of it is that it’s an audio platform where you can engage in conversations with people.
I’m going to pass.
Just like I passed on Community (a new texting platform where you can get a number to share with your community so they can text you questions… which at first sounded great then I thought “HELL no… I have enough alerts and interruptions as it is, the last thing I want is to be on my phone more).
My choice NOT to participate in either of these platforms has nothing to do with the opportunity or judgment about them (or anyone who wants to jump in full force).
My choice is simply that. MY choice.
I’m also not going to jump into Tik Tok anytime soon (and I’m sure there’s plenty of opportunity there as well).
I want to SIMPLIFY my marketing and do a few things really, really well. Things that I truly enjoy doing (which are writing and podcasting, with the occasional live stream or webinar).
Obviously I know what courage means, but out of curiosity I thought I’d look up the definition (thank you Merriam Webster for your dictionary):
This definition is much better than the first one that popped up in Google (which was solely based on fear).
I love this.
Mental or moral strength.
Which sums up my point.
There is SO much noise online and so many people telling you what to do, how to do it, where you should be, and often you should be there (obviously I’m talking about online business here).
Choosing NOT to follow the herd takes courage.
*Side note*
I just popped into FB because I thought a friend of mine was doing a live stream meditation on the winter solstice (think I have the time wrong) and literally in the feed there were 3 or 4 marketers asking about getting an invite to Clubhouse (brilliant on there part for making it an invite situation… clearly scarcity works). One specifically asked how to participate without it being a distraction. Point made.
Back to courage in business.
When it comes to courage for you business I also think it goes hand in hand with patience. You have to be able to see things through. Truly give them the time to grow.
Every single time I’ve done something in a rush or because I felt panic about getting it out there quicker it came back to bite me.
I have absolutely, 100% fallen in love with the process.
On a call with my therapist last week I told her that what I love about ‘the process’ is that that’s where the magic starts to happen.
The other piece that is SO vitally important about enjoying the process is who you become.
Once you start focusing on the process, mastery of your craft, and becoming the best version of yourself that you can that starts impacting every area of your life.
Now all the sudden you’re:
- someone who finishes what they start
- someone who gets results
- someone people turn to because they know you’re committed to what you do
- the trusted expert
- someone who doesn’t feel the need to jump from thing to thing
Let me ask you a question… and really take the time to think about this or become conscious next time you’re online.
Do the people who have a business you aspire to have spend all their time on social media, on every single platform, being everywhere all the time?
Some might, and that’s O.K., if your business model is similar.
However, I can easily name a bunch of people who have solid 7-figure businesses (which yes, that is what I want) who are too busy building their businesses to be spending all their time engaging on every social platform.
Did they when they were getting started?
Quite possibly.
But I also think it’s safe to say that organic reach on social had way better results even a few years ago.
This isn’t about NOT being on social media or using these platforms to grow your business and reach your audience.
This is about you deciding where you want to be, what you enjoy doing, and staying focused.
My primary focus for 2021 is list growth.
For my brand and Content Creators Planner.
I have way too much data on the power of having a good list, a relationship with that list, and continuing to market to them. AND… more importantly, I have fallen in love with writing and am thoroughly enjoying getting better at copywriting.
I want to build assets and a quality email list is an asset.
I have slowly developed a love/hate relationship with Facebook. I love it because of the friendships, relationships, and connections I’ve created. It’s also been invaluable for growing my business (back when pages got some organic reach).
I have a Facebook group of great people (that will be getting a reboot like I mentioned last week) and use it for advertising.
It can also become a huge scrolling waste of time.
So I have to discipline myself to use it in a way that supports me. And also not jump on the bandwagon where I have to tell the world I’m removing notifications and the apps from my phone.
When did we all get so needy that we have to crowdsource every freakin move we make?
Anywho…
My wish for ALL of you in 2021 is to have the courage to stay the course for what works for YOU.
Focus on solid strategies, try the tactics that interest you, but make sure you have your foundation built.
Connect with like minded people and create real relationships.
Courage in Life
This is obviously way more subjective, and I’m not here to tell anyone how to live their life or what to do (I promise I won’t start telling you that you need a morning routine that starts at 4 am… I’ll refer you to JK Rowling’s tweet about that where she simply said “piss off”).
If this year has taught us anything it’s that life is short and tomorrow is promised to no one.
There isn’t ever really a perfect time to start or try something. You won’t all of the sudden become comfortable and ready.
You get comfortable and ready by starting.
For the last few years I’ve been saying over and over that you get clarity through the doing. I said that in reference to business, because so many people think they’re going to “think” their way to the perfect idea. That it’s just going to be some divine download and off they go.
Here’s the thing…
It may be a divine download (because yes, I totally believe in that), but the download comes from perfect right action.
That doesn’t mean that what you’re doing is necessarily the perfect, right thing to do. It means that you’re taking action and that in and of itself is perfect and right.
Before you dive into your business planning for 2021, or if you’ve already started doing that, be sure to add this in.
Go ALL in with what you want.
Make a list of what you truly want your life to look like and start planning on making that happen.
When I made the decision to move to Idaho out of California, where I was born and raised, it was to both get out of California and to show myself I could do it. It may have been a completely different story if my Mom were still here, but I’m finding the gifts in that loss and honoring the freedom it’s given me.
Now that I’ve been in Idaho for almost a year (what the bucket?), I’ve decided it’s not for me. Not that I’ve seen much of Idaho with Covid, but I know it’s time for something different.
Boise has felt a bit like same story, different city. And it’s too cold for me haha…
I feel a pull to experience something different.
So much like my move here, the next move is a move towards something, as opposed to away from the old.
Whether or not you want to move out of the country, grow a 7-figure business, or spend the entire summer traveling (the world will open up again… let’s hope that’s a real possibility for summer 2021)… figure out a way to make it happen.
And do NOT apologize for what you want.
You don’t need to explain or defend what you want for your own life.
Trust yourself to make it happen and stay open.
Making a conscious decision to be open has been life-changing for me. I used to be someone that had hard and fast rules about things for myself. So much was black and white…
Have intentions and goals, but trust the process.
Have the courage to be who you are, the world needs you.
