When I started my blog in early 2023, I couldn’t imagine hitting 150 blogs. And as I sit to write the 150th blog, I realize how much has changed from that first blog to the one you now read. When you start and run your own business, the power of what can happen in one year becomes magnified.
When I started my blog almost three years ago, I had planned to get affiliate income and somehow build my business on writing my own books. Then, I thought I wanted to be a transformational coach, while writing, after the amazing mastermind I’d joined. Then I really gained traction and formally started my business when I started copywriting in the Fall of 2023. With confidence in my ability to run my own business and pivot as necessary, I then turned my focus to ghostwriting.
In three years, I’ve been able to explore what is the best fit for me while allowing me the work-life balance I crave and the level of abundance that I desire. While it was difficult to ever imagine getting to this point at the beginning, I look back each year now and am amazed by how much progress I’ve made since I nervously started clacking away at that first blog.
So for this 150th blog, I want to share three valuable lessons I’ve learned since that first blog. While there are so many more, these three are usually top of mind for me.
Confidence Comes from Action
Shifting gears from the finance and operations world to the writing world was not easy. I’d been formally training in finance, accounting, and project management, not writing. Thinking of starting a whole business in writing based on the fact that people had told me I had a natural talent for it was daunting. In my mind, I had to learn everything I possibly could before I got started. Luckily, I had a coach pushing me to actually do the things rather than get stuck in only researching the things.
Yes, learning is important so you can provide great service and value, but at some point, the best learning comes from actually doing the thing. I’ve signed up for courses and coaches specific to my writing, but I’ve learned the most from actual experience. This has also helped me gain confidence.
When I was stuck in research mode, I’d wondered how I could ever learn enough. How I could put the skills to good enough use. If I was ready. When I actually started to do the thing, I gained the knowledge, skills, and confidence I needed. Seeing your work actually make an impact is a bigger confidence boost than anything I know. Yes, there will be stumbles, but those are the greatest learning experiences that eventually add to your confidence and the value you can provide.
You also gain confidence in what you want to actually do by trying things. I’ve had an incredibly curvy path, but I’ve found out what I like, what I don’t like, where I can add value, and what I enjoy learning about by actually trying things, not by reading about them.
Confidence comes from taking one step forward and continuing on one step at a time.
It’s All about People
I used to loathe the term “networking” when I was in college and the corporate world. As I’d walk into a room in my business formal attire, I always felt like I was going into a bunch of informal interviews. It felt transactional.
Now that I’ve started my own business, “networking” to me really just means making new connections. I don’t even use the term networking. What I’m really looking to do is connect with awesome people who share similar values and purpose to me.
As a solopreneur, connections are truly the lifeblood of my business. And now I enjoy that aspect of my work. I’ve met some of the coolest people in my pursuit of finding aligned partners, clients, and generally interesting humans. Sometimes they’re able to help me. Sometimes I’m able to help them. And oftentimes, we’re able to connect each other with other people in our network, continuing the cycle of how we can all use our talents to add value to those who need it.
It lights me up! I’m so often surprised by who I’m able to meet, what I can learn, and the types of ways people support each other. Some of my greatest friends, collaborators, and clients have come through the power of LinkedIn.
Learning Never Stops
Starting a business is not a quick fix for whatever fulfillment you’re looking to gain or problem you’re looking to solve. There’s a learning curve. And the learning curve is not prescriptive. It depends on how you approach your business. But no matter what you do, there will be a learning curve. But you can’t let that deter you.
Sometimes, we need to make big jumps on the learning curve, but often it happens in small doses. We continuously improve over time, and before we know it, we look back to see how far we’ve come.
If we’re not learning, we’re not growing. By always learning, we’re becoming the best we can be to make a positive impact on the world and those around us.
It’s also important to know that learning comes in all shapes and sizes. Yes, there’s always plenty to learn as it relates to running a business and actually doing the work. But so much of the learning is actually learning about ourselves.
When running a business, there are so many different situations, different people, and different obstacles that we encounter, that all of who we are gets exposed. By being open to developing ourselves, we’re able to shed the layers that have held us back, expand in new ways, and help others to do the same through how we carry ourselves.
That’s the work. It’s difficult but incredibly rewarding. And just when we feel like we’ve mastered our learning, we get a new challenge to level up. But it’s so worth it.
If you want to level up by writing a book, let’s chat! Book a free strategy session using the button below.
Disclaimer: This blog should not be construed as providing, or intending to provide professional financial, legal, psychological, or other professional advice. It is simply meant to share my experiences with those who may find them relatable and helpful