bloglovinBloglovin iconCombined ShapeCreated with Sketch. Fill 1Created with Sketch. Fill 1Created with Sketch. Fill 1Created with Sketch. Fill 1Created with Sketch. Fill 1Created with Sketch. rssRSS iconsoundcloudSoundCloud iconFill 1Created with Sketch. Fill 1Created with Sketch. Fill 1Created with Sketch. Fill 1Created with Sketch.

Tag: entrepreneur

What if nobody shows up?

What if nobody comes? If your product isn’t well received? If you get one bad review after the next?

What if you thrill five people? And those five people are so impressed by your work that they tell their friends. Then five more people try your services or show up to your event or read your book. And out of those five, two people are so deeply moved that they share with their friends.

That’s how movements begin.

This is very different from the fast-track to fame we so often read about. It is difficult to catapult to the top of the “best list,” to become the richest and most sought after in one swoop. But slowly, with time, your work can amass a following.

The question is whether you have the patience to see it through. Can you delight in pleasing five people instead of 50? 1,000?

Your work is your art. Five people could mean success.

You can say “No.”

And when you do, you open up space in your life for more: More of what you want. More of what gets you closer to your goals. More of what serves you.

“No” is necessary.

Saying “No” forces to you to confront the parts of you that crave acceptance. The pieces that yearn to be liked and to please.

Your “No” might start an argument. You may disappoint someone close to you. But every time you say “Yes,” “Okay” or “Sure” when you really mean “No,” your heart shrivels.

Declining invitations and turning down offers doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. Your “No” doesn’t need to be swaddled in guilt. When you learn to say “No,” you show the people around you that you value your time. That you have priorities. That you care about things that matter and place emphasis on doing on your best work. That when you show up, you show up 110% and commit fully to the task at hand.

Practice saying “No” once this week.

Pace yourself

No runner wants to crawl across the finish line. Racers practice their pace and know how much energy they need to exert for each mile.

Entrepreneurs need this skill, too.

Go all out in the beginning and you risk having little steam in reserves. Aim for a steady stream of effort and intention, however, and you will have the endurance and patience to persevere through even the most challenging situations.

It matters less how strong you come out of the gate. What is more important is how much effort you can put forth down the line.

Ask yourself these two questions before writing marketing material

1. Who are you writing for? [audience]

Think about the audience you wish to target. What do they want? What do they need? What makes them care? What do you want them to do? What happens if they don’t do anything?

Know who you are writing for and tailor your messages accordingly.

2. What is your purpose? [aim]

To inform
To convince
To persuade
To propose
To invite
To ask
To confirm
To approve
To deny

Only after you have identified your audience and your aim can you produce writing that is clear, efficient, and results in desired outcomes.

Recognizing distance

We often consider how far we have to left to go.
Three more days until holiday.
$10,000 to hit our fundraiser.
Two terms left in the fiscal year.
Four more miles in this run.
Six credits to meet requirements.
Yet how often do we measure and appreciate the distance we’ve traveled?
Let the ground you’ve already covered fuel you.

Rest days

Athletes and bodybuilders know that taking rest days helps muscles recover. In fact, days of rest are seen as equally powerful as training days — necessary to increase strength and endurance. These “off days” are scheduled into physical training regimens.

Rest days aren’t just for the body; they are important for the mind. Days away from training and routine refresh the psyche and prevent burnout.

Whether or not you’re an athlete, your creativity and ability to plan is enhanced by taking days off. Sleep in, go for a leisure walk, schedule a massage, or pick up a good book.

Schedule at least one rest day each week and allow yourself to enjoy.