Have you ever had an idea or wanted to start something, only to do a little research and talk yourself right out of it?
Did a friend, a peer or someone you admire who already does "that thing" come to mind right away?
If you're anything like me, that probably left you with mixed feelings, ranging from -
"I wouldn't want to compete with them..."
to
"They're already so good at what they do, I could never be like that!"
I've honestly started and killed at least two dozen (maybe more) business ideas in my head before they ever made it into an actual business plan. I've even started some (I'm a good starter... ha!) only to abandon the project a few weeks or months later.
There are a few things I've learned this year that have shifted my perspective on business, creative pursuits and entrepreneurship. I hope that this serves someone well today, and maybe even gives them the first bit of courage to get out of their head and put those dreams into action!
Many of the miles I spend on the road for work are filled with productivity by listening to business related podcasts. I've been obsessed with the Goal Digger Podcast by Jenna Kutcher since I discovered her earlier this year. I was listening to The Ed Mylett Show when he interviewed her as one of his guests. Jenna is my current FAV. I think I can relate to and connect with her content so well because she's also a very creative person. And I REALLY love and appreciate that she gives a ton of free, really great resources away to her audience.
One great nugget I picked up from the podcast was actually from one of the very first episodes that I listened to. I honestly can't even find which one it was in order to quote it exactly, but the basic concept was this-
Just because someone else is already doing what you want to do, doesn't mean there isn't room for you, too.
Fact of the matter is this, you are not them. And that, my friend, is SUCH a good thing! You have a different life history, you see the world from a different perspective and you have unique gifts that were give only to YOU. How cool is that?
To be completely honest, I get side tracked by what other people are doing on a regular basis. Recently, I've been focusing on really limiting what I'm consuming in the way of information, especially who I choose to follow on social media. When I find myself playing the comparison game, or doubting myself because of the success of someone else, I literally stop and tell myself, "Stay in your own lane, Freya." Sounds silly, maybe. But it works for me.
Along the same lines of staying in my lane, I do a lot of unfollowing people or content that isn't inspiring me or adding value to my life in some way. It doesn't mean I don't care about those people, I'm just in a season of life where I need to be laser focused on my goals and what I'm creating.
So back to the comparison game. You know that old saying "Professionals built the Titanic, amateurs built the Ark"? True story on both accounts. I like to think about Noah when I'm doubting my abilities. He was called out to do something that must have looked completely crazy to everyone around him. He didn't have a clue what he was doing, but he knew it was his calling. I mean, think about the monumental undertaking that God had put in front of him! But he did it anyway.
Don't let the lack of knowledge or the fear of not being an overnight success hold you back from something that has been put on your heart for a reason. I love what Terri Savelle Foy says about purpose - "Someone else's need is on the other side of your obedience."
Will you heed the call?
I want to leave you with a quote that I read earlier this year in one of my favorite books. It is solid gold.
"The energy we spend on criticism is being stolen from creativity. It's sideways energy. We need fewer commentators and more innovators. I try to live by Michelangelo's Maxim: Criticize by Creating. Quit complaining about what's wrong, and do something that makes a difference!" - Mark Batterson Chase the Lion
You can find the Goal Digger Podcast with Jenna Kutcher here. (If you need recommendations on what episodes to start with, I'm here for you!)
Order Chase the Lion here. (Seriously a great book!)
I'm rooting for you! YOU CAN DO THIS!
PS- One of my amazingly talented entrepreneur friends and I are thinking of starting a small mastermind group. If you have a business idea you want to get going, or you've been working on something for a while and could use some encouragement, get a hold of me and we can talk more about it!
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