You know, I’ve had a rough time this week. I was doubting myself and my capability to reach some of those giant, audacious goals I’ve set for myself. But just as this doubt and lack of confidence began to reach it’s height – I realized something. The real point of my business, of what I do, isn’t to make millions, it’s not to reach everyone in the world – it’s to make a real difference, a real impact in those people’s live, those businesses that truly resonate with me, with my message, and who I am – and how I run my business.
I see so many people (and believe me, I’ve fallen into this trap myself) chasing after what someone else has, trying to be just like someone who has made it big (what most people think of as making it big), buying their systems, copying what they do, trying to reach the same market. And you know what I’ve come to realize, copying what others do, trying to get a piece of their market, following someone else’s system – if it doesn’t match up with who you are, your personality, your voice – people are going to sense that and it’s going to come off as feeling fake, not real.
This has been my big a-ha this week. And now I’m going to make a real effort, a conscious decision to truly be me in all that I do. With my friends, my family, in my business, with my clients, and when talking to prospective clients. If I don’t think what I have to offer is going to work for you – I’m going to tell you. In fact, I’ve told a couple of people that this week. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not running my business for free. I do want to make money, but I’m not going to do it at the detriment of someone else.
So, after all my rambling, what I really want to get across is this – Just be yourself, be you. State your opinion, work the way you want to, run your business the way that works for you, market in a way that feels good for you. Some people won’t like it, in fact some will hate it. But who cares! Do you want to attract clients you can be genuine with, that get you, that like the way you think and the way you work and can’t wait to work with you? Or do you want to work with clients you have to pretend with, that you have to beg to work with you, and that maybe you wish you had never taken on? I know for me business is much more fun when I’m working with the first.
I realized this week that right now, every single one of my clients is somebody I wouldn’t mind hanging out with, having coffee or just hanging out and chatting. And that makes my work fun, makes my business enjoyable, and just helps make my whole life a blast! So I’m not chasing after clients any more. Of course, I’ll follow-up and let people know what I do. But it’s their choice to decide that what I offer, what I do is what they want to. And if they’re lucky, I’ll decide that I want to work with them too. I’m pretty excited about this and can’t wait to see what comes from it.
So what do you think? You might agree, you might disagree – but either way I’d love to hear your thoughts. So let me know.
Have a great, authentic day!!
{ 17 comments }
Crystal – Congratulations on getting this off your chest! My favorite part of your whole post is this:
“The real point of my business, of what I do, isn’t to make millions, it’s not to reach everyone in the world – it’s to make a real difference, a real impact in those people’s live, those businesses that truly resonate with me, with my message, and who I am – and how I run my business.”
I love this statement! Too many entrepreneurs get caught up in chasing the $1 Million dollar goal … and in the process forget that each step along the way needs to be a meaningful and purposeful step.
Working on my business has always been fun for me … but working in my business became really fun when I came to the same realization… I am me and those who resonate with me and my message, and how I choose to do business will find me and for those who don’t… Good luck to you!
Jennifer – Thank you for prompting me to actually get this written.
I couldn’t agree more with your comment, and yes – working with clients you enjoy working with, vs working with anyone who will hire you, makes your business so much more enjoyable. Thanks for stopping by!
Great stuff! Thanks for sharing Crystal & Jennifer!
Crystal, this point is so important! People sense when they’re “in the right place” when you market your business with an authentic voice. Plus, it’s much easier to stand out in a crowded marketplace when you don’t sound like everyone else!
I predict your business will grow now that you’ve made this commitment. Good luck to you!
Crystal,
Great post! Authenticity is definitely a big part of what I do as a psychologist. If I’m not real, how can I expect my patients to be real and dig deep into themselves and make a better life! You are preaching to the choir!
Thanks so much
Adam
I really loved this post. You explain this topic very well. I really love your blog and I will definetly bookmark it! Keep up the great posts!
Amazing. Thanks for such a wonderful post.
Very powerful, Crystal! Thanks very much for sharing.
Crystal–thank you so much for this post. As someone who is becoming an independent consultant in the field I’ve worked in for a number of years, your post removes some of the “barrier” thinking-the what-if I don’t do this right kind of thoughts.
Authenticity is the key. Thanks again!
I’m glad I helped a bit. And yes, until recently I was chasing after the best system, the big names in my niche, what are they doing – oh, I should do that too. But when you do that, at least for me, something wasn’t clicking and it just didn’t feel like me. So now, it really is just about doing what feels right for me, being authentic and true to who I am. How exciting for you that you can start out that way, instead of chasing after someone else’s market or following someone else’s methods.
Dr. Adam, I’m sure especially in your field your clients need to see your authenticity shine through. Thanks for the comments and stopping by.
Crystal
F’ing awesome. As I rattle around in my office, trying to get on with my business, grow my clientele and all that stuff, I do feel like I have to ‘pretend’ sometimes. Like I can’t just ‘be who I am’. I am a person who genuinely likes to be of service. I am confident in my knowledge and expertise, confident that I can deliver deliver the services I offer to my clients, and I am extremely diplomatic when diplomacy is called for.
However, I am a very straight forward person with quite a bizarre sense of humor. Some (but not many I’ve come across so far) like that about me, some run away screaming bloody murder because I have just offended their tender sensibilities in some way (with no offense intended on my part, it was just their choice to react that way), and some simply walk away shaking, twitching, and scratching their pointy little heads wondering when I became possessed by demons.
This post has inspired me. I am ready to rock and roll. I am attracting clients AND colleagues who *get* me as we speak…!
Thank you Crystal Parrett – my very best to you and the success of your business.
Jan St. Germain
GermaneVirtual.com
Jan, I was truly so excited to read your comment. This is why I wrote this post. I know there are others out there who feel the same, but wonder if they’re missing out by not doing what everyone else is doing. Are they going to miss out on business, are they going to offend someone, are they going to lose money? And the funny thing is, by being yourself and being genuine – the right clients will find you, not you having to chase after clients. And an even better side effect – you’ll enjoy working with those clients because they get you, they like who you are, and you don’t have to pretend to be somebody else with them. And now, your business is fun, it’s not work, and your clients become friends not just a way for you to make money off of them. At least for me, that’s how it works. And now every single one of my clients, I enjoy working with them, I am passionate about seeing them succeed, and I enjoy what I do. I’m glad you found my post and thank you so much for taking time to leave your inspiring comment.
Crystal
I agree. It is so important to be true to yourself in order to run a business which is fun, fulfilling, and helpful to clients. We sometimes get inundated with marketing tools – the networking – website – blog- business cards – ads- etc. – all the must haves which cause us to wonder what our competition is doing. We need to focus on our business beliefs and values and how to best deliver our product or services to clients in a way that is comfortable to us so that we do attract the right clients.
So true. No matter how ‘technically correct’ we are, no matter how many processes we follow, no matter how much we ‘try’ to build a business, unless we are authentic and true to who we are then it is all emptiness. We are here on earth to be who we are, not a poor copy of someone or something else. It’s good to be reminded of this truth – thankyou.
Right! This really hit home for me. Thanks!