What I’m doing to stay calm + solid as I build my business
Real talk (do people still say this?!): building my business has been hard.
I share a lot about the momentum in my business - new programs, speaking engagements, podcast interviews, etc. There's a lot of steady progress I'm excited about.
But I don't want it to sound like I'm only going from strength to strength. Life (and our careers) just isn't like that.
And if anything, over the past several years, I've realized that rockier, less successful moments are actually good - they force us to get to the gym and practice our reps.
To really dig deep and figure out how to manage through these valleys with fortitude and buoyancy…knowing that these moments will test our self-trust and confidence, but not crush it. And in the long-run, only helping us deepen these traits.
So here goes the real talk…
At the same time I've been booking podcasts, I've also been grappling with:
Slow down in coaching requests, seemingly since the day Trump got elected
Changes to the LinkedIn algorithm, my main source of newsletter and content growth, making it harder to connect with you all and expand this community
Realizing that no one signs up for an offer during the first four days, but that four-day stretch doesn't mean it tanked
Getting close to my targets, but not wildly exceeding them
I share this not to say it's all doom and gloom over here, but to say I can relate.
You've probably felt the same uncertainty and confidence-testing as you're:
Job-searching and it feels like weeks since you've gotten an interview invite
Onboarding to a new role and working so hard to make a good impression, but can't get a hint of feedback from your new boss - positive or negative
Networking and it feels like you're sending note after note into the ether with no response
Building your business and having lots of productive conversations and market feedback, but no conversion
Starting a new project and seemingly everything has gone wrong since day one - your team botched the kick-off, your boss is questioning your resource plan
If you're like me, then you've also felt the impact of these bumps in the road.
Over the past few weeks, I've been feeling:
Wobbly (a very technical term for shaky confidence) and at times wondering, is this going to work?!
An instinct to work even harder, and thinking if I just do more of everything (better!), I'll be able to make this work
Tripped up in a cycle of perfectionism, which I don't often feel, wanting every piece of content to be well, perfect, and as a result, struggling to get my words out
Whew.
It's been a journey. And yea, there have definitely been a few tears.
But I've been doing this work long enough that I know how to manage myself through this.
Instead of succumbing to my fear instincts and logging 12-hour days and letting my confidence crumble, I've been leaning in on my best self-management tools to try to feel as calm and solid as possible.
Because this is just a bump - for both me and you – whatever isn't working right now will shift. My business will be successful. You will get the job, promotion, accolades, etc. in time.
Body: As a lot of things have felt out of my control (in my business and the world), I've been focused on the one thing I can control - how I feel physically and energetically.
I've been taking a lot of deep belly breaths (so simple, but magical in helping me feel grounded), re-signed up for the digital studio of my favorite feel-good workout class so I don't have to wait until I can make it in person and reordered a few supplements I know my body needs.
Self-Trust (and Confidence): I have a whole toolkit of strategies I use to deepen my self-trust – literally I created a toolkit on this for my community. But the single thing that has been so useful over the past few weeks are my mantras.
I haven't had (or made) a lot of time for deeper reflection, so instead, in sticky moments, I just keep coming back to “I can figure this out” and “If not this, then better.” These simple phrases have kept me calm whether scanning my inbox or walking my dog Rosemary.
Empowered Work Habits: As I shared so publicly on LinkedIn this week (more edginess) because I want to get my business to the next level (and just care so much about this work!), I've been agonizing over every word I write, editing and rewriting every piece of content to exhaustion.
Yea, that is not sustainable or effective in actually connecting in the way that I want. As I've focused on feeling vibrant and trusting myself, it's been easier to put the perfection aside and realize that I don't, and won't need it, to make this business successful.
I share all of this because as I said, every single one of us will face bumps in the road - job-searching, starting a new role, going after a promotion or just existing in your day-to-day.
Building the strategies to manage through the bumpy periods so you have more, not less, confidence on the other side is so critical to your long-term success and continuing to step into the strong, confident woman you are.
If you want to learn how to do this and create your own strategies, I will teach you how next week in Calm + Solid, my free Masterclass on the five strategies you need to succeed at work without sacrificing yourself. (Thursday, February 20, noon ET, 9 am ET).
>> Sign-up to join live or get the recording: Calm + Solid Masterclass (free)
There are 38 women signed-up, which shows how universal and important this topic is. Excited to see you there.
