Hey sweetie, I’m writing you a permission slip today. You know… just in case you needed to hear that
You have permission to do business however the fuck you want.
This morning I was drinking my coffee and checking emails and listening to a video and browsing facebook and I was just totally on sensory and information overload. Everyone has advice on the best way to do business and it all conflicts.
“The only way to succeed is with a high-end program and a few special clients.”
“The only way to succeed is selling low-cost products to a huge list.”
“Blogging is everything.”
“Blogging is dead.”
“Outsource everything and work 4 hours a week.”
“Hustle your heart out 80 hours a week, it’s the only way.”
It’s crazy-making!
So as I poured my second seventh cup of coffee, it hit me–all these people who are filling up my inbox (with my permission of course, I’m a newsletter addict) have built successful businesses. They took different paths. What they did worked for them. They probably did a bunch of stuff that didn’t work for them, too, because they’re human beings and that’s what we do as entrepreneurs–we try things, we fail at things, and we try other things.
So instead of taking in all the voices and feeling confused, I’m deciding to look at it like this:
There are so many paths to success.
My friend is reading all the sleep books right now. I so remember being in that spot. Never let your baby cry, crying it out is the only way. Never nurse or rock your baby to sleep, do whatever your baby needs. Put your baby on a schedule, nurse on demand, your baby will sleep when she’s tired, but don’t let her get overtired or she’ll never sleep again. Crazy. Making! I was so afraid of doing the wrong thing and scarring my baby for life. I was also exhausted, off 1-2 hours of sleep a night–I didn’t even feel like a person anymore. But at some point the clarity came: if all of these people wrote and sold books, their method is working for some people. All of the methods work. I just had to pick the one that would work for me and my baby based on what I could handle.
The same is true for all these paths to success. They have all worked for someone! And usually that someone is selling a program and so of course they’re going to position their method as the one that works best. That’s their job. And I get it. These experts are in your inbox and your facebook feed and your brain and they’re loud and they’re charismatic and they’re really really convincing. Their way is the best and if you don’t follow it rightthisveryminute you won’t be as successful as they are. And if you’re in a spot where you’re struggling or you’re wondering or you’re just getting started–well, it can be a little bit terrifying to think you may miss out on the secret to success.
But don’t take this information overload as a sign that you’re on the wrong path and need to abandon ship. It’s going to be really slow going if you’re constantly changing directions. Take some time to look within and ask yourself what path you WANT to take. What feels good? What seems like it will work for you? Which path looks prettiest? Which sounds like it could actually be FUN to walk down? Take that one!
If you’re having a hard time listening to yourself, then listen to me:
You have my permission to do business your way.
You have my permission to sell whatever you want to sell to whomever you want to sell it to. You have my permission to market any way and anywhere you want to market. You have my permission to listen only to people who cheer you on or light you up. You have my permission to be your own damn expert. And you have my permission to machete your own damn path.
You’ve got this, girl! I believe in you!
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