I've Been Keeping Myself Small in Business
This week on the podcast, my guest and friend, Christine, shared how she had been keeping herself small for much of her life. Once she gave up that story and decided to expand, she went for it and launched her own barre studio in Toronto.
Our conversation about owning your worth and expanding into all the things you want to do in your life really made me pause. Are there areas in my life where I’m purposely keeping myself small?
The answer is yes.
I don’t even let myself explore certain opportunities because:
I’m scared I’ll be wasting my time
I’m afraid I’ll look stupid
I don’t want to sell my product online (i.e. I don’t want to annoy you)
All of the reasons I’ve stated go back to keeping myself small, invisible, sinking into the background. Now, obviously I have no problem posting on social media or on my blog about what I’m doing. But when it comes to creating a program, selling my writing services, or asking for clients, I clam up.
I’ve had a few people tell me to release a course or an e-book about things that I’m now an expert on. I’ve brushed it all off, even though I’ve been looking for additional streams of income. Sounds silly, reflecting on this now. I’ve literally been turning opportunities away even though I’ve been asking for them.
No wonder I’ve been sitting at about the same level of income for the past year.
If I’ve been turning away as many opportunities as I’ve been given, I’m back to square one.
With My Health Being in Question, Now’s the Time to Expand
I’ve had to take a conscious step back from work this past week, because my health is deteriorating, and I’m on medication that I hate just to function. I’ve decided to stop editing and focus on copywriting, because I only have the energy and metal focus for one job, and frankly, the editing is a thankless task.
I’m clear on where I’m headed and what work I want to do more of:
Copywriting
Blogging
Podcast show notes
Now I just have to find the courage to expand into this arena, put myself out there as an expert, and stop worrying what other people might think. Because I need to find ways to amplify these skills in order to make more money in less time. My focus on work has to be efficient, so that I can deliver on what I promised, well, and then get back to resting.
Life is a funny thing. You can work and work and work. But your health isn’t something you can control, and often if forces you to shift gears and suddenly look at things in a different light.
I’ve always called my disease a blessing in disguise, because whenever I’m sick it signals an imbalance in my life that needs to be attended to. Now, it appears I may have a second disease. I need to plan for more doctors appointments and specialists and treatments, which means less time working and more time taking care of myself.
It’s time to expand into new opportunities for amplification, so that I can best support myself this summer, by creating a balance of work that supports my life.
