Allow me to come out and say it…
Growing a business can be an absolute emotional rollercoaster. There can be seemingly-infinite highs and lows. The highs are amazing and the lows will test your patience, your determination, and quite possibly your sense of self.
“Everything’s been done already!”
“They thought of my idea first.”
“What is my message?”
“What is my voice?”
“Who am I, anyways???”
Growing a business can also be one of the greatest opportunities for self-growth, self-expression and world-changing I know of. At its best, it is soul-nourishing, creatively inspiring, wildly motivating and deeply fulfilling.
If you’re crazy/courageous enough to take the journey, you owe it to yourself and the world to do it with your whole heart.
In the words of my friend, Marie Forleo: “There has never been, and there never will be another you. You have a purpose — a very special gift that only you can bring to the world. So when you do what you love, you’ve gotta know this: You’re bringing the world something it doesn’t already have. Your ideas, your passion… Yes, the world really does need what you have to offer and we’re just waiting for you to bring it to us.”
If you’re ready to step up your game, bringing your whole heart into your work, take a deep breath. Let’s talk… There are a few common problems I see when women attempt to bring more of themselves into their work. Below, I’ll outline the ones I see most often, along with the best solutions I know of.
// PROBLEM 1 //
Being unclear on your message and market
Many of us will spend a lot of time obsessing over crafting the perfectly perfect business plan or finding our ever-elusive life purpose, when in fact, what we need to clarify is our core message (what we stand for) and our target market (who we serve). That’s it. When you know these things, it’s far easier to make clear and powerful decisions. The truth is, what you do isn’t nearly as important as why you’re doing it and for whom. For example, my core message is that the world will be set free by women who are free; My market is ambitious women who want to make a difference in the world. Knowing this gives me the freedom to do many different things, while helping me focus on the things that most serve my market and further my message.
The solution:
Clear your mind, grab a fresh cup of tea and a fresh piece of paper, and ask yourself some big questions. Do not overthink your answers – just trust what flows…
—> If I could give just one gift to the world, what would it be and why?
—> Who do I most want to serve, with what?
The answers to these questions will provide the foundation to move forward with greater confidence and clarity.
// PROBLEM 2 //
Trying to manufacture a persona to show the world
I believe that the time is ending when we want our leaders to appear perfect. A friend once told me, “People want to have a President who they feel like they could have a beer with.” I tend to agree. For people to hire you, they’ll probably want to feel like they know, like and trust you. For them to feel that way, you have to actually let them get to know the real you – the woman you are when you’re with your closest people. Authenticity can’t be faked.
The solution:
When writing blog posts, walking into meetings with prospective clients, and sending out tweets, pause and reflect… Are you being yourself? Are you coming from a place of validation-seeking or service and self-expression? If you don’t appreciate yourself and your gifts enough to put your real self out into the world, I highly suggest you work with a coach or therapist (an important part of the journey!) to get grounded within yourself, so you’re coming from an aligned place in everything you do.
// PROBLEM 3 //
Under-or-over working
If running your business looks more like sleeping in, poking around on Facebook, folding laundry and watching cat videos online, you probably don’t feel very accomplished at the end of your days. If running your business looks more like checking emails 20 hours a day, pulling all-nighters on a regular basis, canceling plans with friends because you’re “so busy” and sorting through your 275 item To Do list, you probably feel overwhelmed no matter how much you do. When you over-or-under work, you prevent yourself from being a walking-talking embodiment of your message, while setting yourself up for depression or burnout. To have your whole heart is in the game, you have to be inclusive, taking excellent care of yourself and your business.
The solution:
It’s critical to integrate both focused hustle and fun & play into your life and work. If you’re struggling with under-or-over working, it’s time to tighten things up. Get ninja with your schedule now (no waiting) and be sure that you have focused time for work and playtime with your loved ones. Without this, you’re not showing up fully, period.
// PROBLEM 4 //
Valuing self-expression over connection
Many women have become weary with the traditional internet marketing lingo (For the low, low price! Act now! ) and have ditched the script in favor of authenticity. Bravo. But…there can be a fine line between self-expression and alienation. When I see women step into a greater space of self-expression in their businesses, I often see a big pendulum swing – they become disconnected from their audience, leaving them feeling confused and alienated, and their businesses start losing traction. Whoops!
The solution:
If you were having a conversation with a 3-year old, you’d probably express yourself differently than you would if you were speaking to a 45-year old. Why? Because you have to express yourself differently in order to connect with them. This comes back to our first point: know who you’re speaking to. Know their fears, frustrations, desires and dreams. Express yourself AND connect with them. Have a conversation.
// PROBLEM 5 //
Breaking (or making) the rules without first knowing what they are
Most of the greatest innovators in the world started out by studying the rules of the game. An odd example, but perhaps it will work: If you had no idea how to make a basic smoothie, what might you put in it? Well, pizza’s good, so how about mushrooms-tomato-garlic-arugula-cheese? Riiiight. Start with learning a basic recipe, and once you’ve got it down, you can improvise as much as your stomach can handle it. Recipe first.
The solution:
The way to break (or make) the ‘rules’ is by knowing the rules AND doing what feels right. If you’re stumped when it comes to product launches or copywriting, take a course to guide you along the way. If you already know the rules of the game, stretch yourself to express yourself.
—> In the comments below, I’d love to hear about the challenges you’ve had in putting yourself out there and/or any tips you have for doing it in a bigger way.
##
p.s. I *highly* recommend Marie Forleo’s B-School. It’s an incredible course for entrepreneurs, and has been a huge part of my business growth. Check it out here — enrollment closes March 2nd 2016!
Thank you, Nisha! Your words come at a perfect time – as I am stepping back to try to do all of this – and allow myself to BE ME as I share the love. xo
Wow, Nisha, I digged in the first two steps and I magically come up with the vision of who I want to help and why, very specifically whereas I was stuck for months!!
This is great great post!
It also unlock my voice because now I am talking to someone, I want to know them more but I am talking to someone, not something unclear and that doesn’t have a voice also.
Thank you <3
Natacha, that’s amazing! Wow, so proud of you!
And you are so right — when you focus on WHO you’re having a conversation with, the conversation flows.
Bravo, sister!
Much love,
Nisha
Thank you Nisha! And also I always remember something powerful you said in the interview you did for Jacob Sokol’s KindaWanna be a Coach: “When you are getting unsure, focus on the other”. You were speaking about shyness with clients but it applies everyday of my life now. Thank you ++++++
Love!
Natacha
Great post!
Unrelated, but your hair looks AMAZING in that picture.
Haha 🙂 Thanks, Trinidad!
Thanks, Nisha: I think about building my business 24 hrs a day–what I could do differently to attract clients, if I’m speaking my true voice and why it seems to work for others and how they got there. Sometimes I feel I’m not in front of my computer enough and sometimes I feel like I spend way too much time in front of it…I’ve done all of those things you’ve covered in this post–so maybe I’m on the right track??? Thank you for being vulnerable and always giving great advice and insight.
Thanks Nisha, I always love reading your posts, you embody authenticity and help me remember to keep connected with my own. This helped me remember to trust that those that resonate will find me. xo
Thanks Nisha! I love this post.
Last February, I registered for Marie Forleo’s B-School through Nisha’s link. Wow, what a life-changing commitment! And, when I say that, I’m not just referring to B-School, but also to Nisha’s bonus…a one-hour, one-on-one Freedom Intensive. I questioned whether a one-hour chat with Nisha would actually deepen the experience of freedom in my life. Just a few minutes into our conversation, though, I knew I was going to look back on our conversation as a pivotal point in my journey. Nisha asked me a version of the question she asks above. She wondered, “Annalicia, if you could solve one problem in the world, what would it be and why?” Answering that simple question, from the essence of my being, from my heart of hearts, has prompted AMAZING changes in my life and business that continue to ripple through my experience today and will continue throughout the rest of my life, I’m sure! To those of you who are interested in B-School and Nisha’s bonus, but are wavering a bit, my humble advice to you would be, take the leap…make it work and it will work for you! To Nisha, a heartfelt thank you.
Nisha, I love reading your blogs because they are so timely and calm me down in a stir of trying to “understand the rules.” After reading this, I feel like a hand has been reached out to me to become more focused and do work on myself to grow. I will continue to invest in me and crack open my creativity to really soar. Thank you!
Nisha, I love your spirit! Keep it up! I feel I found a new role model..! Lots of love x
Thank you, Nisha!! Phenomenal and so spot on, girl!! As I am launching my own presence coaching & writing business much of this has been coming up for me and I love the advice you offer here. I’ve specifically been looking to “find my voice’ so that everything I write and say comes off authentically. And I’ve been getting some Copy Cure tips from our girl Marlie Forleo on just this very thing! I’ve taken some time to hone in on my message (we must first love the life we have in order to have the life we want) which feels super empowering but I’m still working on honing in on my market (it feels a little vague yet). And, my biggest take-away action item from this is to connect more than just self-express. This is definitely an area I want to come back to as I can see how easy it is to lose that connection over time. With gratitude xo
This post really resonated with me – especially the part about under or overworking. I started my website about 3 months ago, and started overworking. I have been so excited to get things done, but now am working on keeping a balance. Thank you for the reminder!
Just this morning, I was asking the Divine to help me get clear on my message and how to use my authentic voice. Then, boom! I saw your post. Thank you for sharing so many words of wisdom that I can actually implement and help me move forward.
~With Love and light!
Oooh, Nisha, this is so spot on, exactly what I needed today. Thank you so much! Lots of love your way!
Great article! I love these points… sharing. xoxo
I know I want to create content to empower women & children. But, not necessarily as a life coach, motivational speaker or as a consultant. I love working with my hands & creating crafty things. I want to spread the message of hope, forgiveness, self-healing & compassion. I believe in the power of storytelling & creating stories to lift others up. I also believe in having fun on my journey and being lit up when you give a part of your heart & soul to the world.
We love your vision and how you feel you would like to contribute in the world Nikka, please know you have a group of women here rooting for you! 🙂
I love the specificness of this post…. I think my consistent thing is focus… im getting more and more targeted with my niche + my language, I feel comfortable being myself online, and finally i did learn the some of the “rules” and have tried different things out.
I think my thing that keeps coming us is Id like to focus on working on my biz more, but i think im tapped out with the computer side of things. Im looking forward to developing a bit more of a local focus this year, so i can feel like the work im doing can be with my legs, my two hands, and my smile ~ perhaps more workshops, ill be setting up at our local market this summer + i am open to whatever else.
Thanks for this article, I’ve shared it with my tribe! <3
Loving you, Beth, and thank you for your presence here. Yay for in-person workshops! xx