Dang it Chris,
I really hope you can help me with this one. I’m actually tired of dealing with it so I’m ready to let it go.
Here’s the thing.
My entire life I’ve felt like everyone is getting ahead of me.
When I looked up in high school long enough to notice, my peers were already applying to colleges. While I thought about what career to pursue after college, most of the interview slots on campus were taken! Finally, as my career started to take off, the company decided to downsize and you guessed it, I was left in the dust.
There was however, an upside to that last move. I decided to start my own business. It’s a lot of work but I’m happy to control my own destiny.
Which leads me to our conversation here.
I see so many of my fellow entrepreneurs having great success…or at least they say so on social media. Which makes me feel like I’m behind again.
What doesn’t help is that I can’t choose from all the ways I can catch up with them, because there are so many options on the table to grow my business!
I just feel like I’m going to be late to the party again. I have to find a way to get over this feeling of being left in the dust and simply focus on what’s really important…my customers.
Got some words of wisdom Chris that will give me hope?
Signed,
Fearlessly waiting…
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Dear Fearlessly waiting,
I often marvel at the insight people truly have…and they just don’t recognize it.
Ok, so you’ve had some experiences where you were not out in front but came in from behind. How powerful the insight you must have gotten by watching those in front of you succeed, fail, flounder and fall!
You see, our natural inclination is to only notice the first…success. But even when that happens, we can learn a lot from it.
As entrepreneurs, we have to learn that not everything we see or read is “real.” Especially on social media. The need to use “puffery” is so that people see you as successful and engage or buy from you. It doesn’t mean that this is true or real.
I once, deeply, followed a coach who said she only talked about the great success she was having so that people would see what’s possible for themselves. Well, I watched a number of her clients go out of business because they were trying to keep up (her) appearances. Interesting, right?
I want to call your attention to something your said…which is brilliant.
You want “to find a way to get over this feeling of being left in the dust and simply focus on what’s really important…my customers.”
THAT Fearlessly waiting, is ALL you need focus on. Your customers want your undivided attention to what it is they need from you. When your focus is on the product or service you provide, you’ll be:
One, too focused to notice what anyone else is doing and;
Two, you’ll be ahead (for once and for all!) of any competitors who may be eyeing your customer base.
I can tell you from experience, that I allowed the show and “noise” of social media to distract me in my business. The year that I was FINALLY profitable, NO ONE knew what I was doing. I wasn’t on social media telling anyone or trying to show out so that I could attract clients. I achieved my success live and locally because I stayed focused on my clients and what they wanted to be successful.
Take the lead, Fearlessly waiting, look out for your customers and watch others wonder how to get ahead of YOU.
~ Fear nothing. Love everything.
