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Can we talk about the entrepreneurship “emo phase?”
You know: ranting about stuff I haven’t actually done or tried, dismissing entire industries, feeling like stuff I didn’t understand was either “wrong” or “right”.
Also feeling SO insecure I wasn’t doing everything “correctly”
You know: ranting about stuff I haven’t actually done or tried, dismissing entire industries, feeling like stuff I didn’t understand was either “wrong” or “right”.
Also feeling SO insecure I wasn’t doing everything “correctly”
I think it’s healthy and actually a really important part of growth. It’s important to examine ideas from all angles to learn who you are.
But I see others moving through it right now and their replies are full of people who agree - because contrarianism is fun and cool.
BUT...
But I see others moving through it right now and their replies are full of people who agree - because contrarianism is fun and cool.
BUT...
When I spent a lot of time in that space and mindset I had people agree whose businesses either matched mine or were a step or two behind me.
Which is normal, of course! People in the same position tend to think alike.
But I mistook agreement for being undeniably correct
Which is normal, of course! People in the same position tend to think alike.
But I mistook agreement for being undeniably correct
And it was great for my ego! But bad for my growth.
(I talk a lot about this on #HAMYAW and we have an episode coming that’s kind if about)
What I was most emo/contrarian about was often also stuff I was afraid to try because I was convinced it wouldn’t work for me
(I talk a lot about this on #HAMYAW and we have an episode coming that’s kind if about)
What I was most emo/contrarian about was often also stuff I was afraid to try because I was convinced it wouldn’t work for me
I started my business without even a ton of “real world” job experience under my belt so I did a lot of things outside of what I was “supposed” to do because I was just focusing on what worked.
That became a huge part of my identity and I was scared of losing that magic
That became a huge part of my identity and I was scared of losing that magic
And to be fair a lot of the digital marketing/online biz world deserves the criticism it gets! There’s a lot wrong with it, and there’s always a lot of manipulation when it comes to advertising.
But when you invest time and money in the stuff that WORKS? Whewwwww.
But when you invest time and money in the stuff that WORKS? Whewwwww.
I used to turn up my nose at stuff like coaching and programs, and hiring higher-end support because I was a Strong, Independent Mars Who Don’t Need No Rover.
I’d grown that far on my own, why would I need someone from the outside to tell me what to do?
And yet...
I’d grown that far on my own, why would I need someone from the outside to tell me what to do?
And yet...
... when I hit a ceiling I crashed right into it.
Problems in the digital marketing world are real, but so are plateaus.
You get to a point where you can’t go much further than what you can see on your own.
And you can see colleagues and competitors lapping you.
Problems in the digital marketing world are real, but so are plateaus.
You get to a point where you can’t go much further than what you can see on your own.
And you can see colleagues and competitors lapping you.
And what do they all have in common?
They’re getting that support, those resources, and testing those strategies you used to shit on because you were so opposed to what could go wrong you forgot to think about what could go right.
They’re getting that support, those resources, and testing those strategies you used to shit on because you were so opposed to what could go wrong you forgot to think about what could go right.
And that’s not to say “all the bad stuff will work for you, try it, who cares” because that’s just not true.
I’m talking foundational type stuff, like how many emails to send in a launch, and how to sell better with integrity.
You really just don’t know what you don’t know
I’m talking foundational type stuff, like how many emails to send in a launch, and how to sell better with integrity.
You really just don’t know what you don’t know
And getting help and support, or investing in tools is simply not equivalent to giving your power away and “becoming one of them”.
And none of us are so smart that we wouldn’t be helped by a person who’s been there, who’s helping us think bigger, and showing us the way.
And none of us are so smart that we wouldn’t be helped by a person who’s been there, who’s helping us think bigger, and showing us the way.
Once I got over myself, the cool shit really started happening. I was able to really find my stride and make stuff work.
And when I think back to my emo days and the folks who enthusiastically agreed with me... and a lot of them are still stuck at their plateaus.
And that may-
And when I think back to my emo days and the folks who enthusiastically agreed with me... and a lot of them are still stuck at their plateaus.
And that may-
-be on purpose for some of them! After all, there’s more to life than biz growth.
But if you’re at the point where you feel resentful and frustrated but are still too stuck in contrarianism to seek out someone who can help you... it’s not the industry, it’s you,
But if you’re at the point where you feel resentful and frustrated but are still too stuck in contrarianism to seek out someone who can help you... it’s not the industry, it’s you,
Of course it’s hard to know who to trust, but be smart and discerning as you normally are and you’ll find your way.
But the longer you stay in the “everyone sucks but me in my friends” zone, the only person you’re hurting is yourself.
But the longer you stay in the “everyone sucks but me in my friends” zone, the only person you’re hurting is yourself.
