I made a bold move—I hit delete on all those social apps cluttering my phone. And let me tell you, it felt like a breath of fresh air, a pivot toward a more purposeful life and business. It’s been 100+ days since I last posted something to social media.
Lately, social media just hasn’t been sitting right with me. It’s morphed so much over the years, and I found myself lost in a sea of mindless scrolling, bombarded with content that felt lightyears away from the essence of who I am and what I want my life to stand for.
I kept asking myself, why am I pushing so hard for something that doesn’t align with the beat of my heart, the vision I have for my business down the road?
It’s all too easy to get caught up in the comparison game online, isn’t it?
Those highlight reels can leave you feeling like you’re drowning in inadequacy, all while you’re hustling behind the scenes.
Even with some major wins under my belt, the more time I spent on social media, the heavier my heart felt.
Scrolling endlessly.
Constantly creating.
Running a business can sometimes feel like being trapped on a hamster wheel of content creation. And for over a decade,I played that game.
But then, I hit pause and asked myself: What do I truly want for my business moving forward? Do I want to keep chasing growth on social media, tethered to the whims of ever-changing algorithms? Not really.
I kept circling back to the same truth: I crave a life filled with purpose, abundant income, and quality time with my loved ones—all away from the noise of social media.
For years, I justified my social media presence as a necessary evil for my business. But now, I’m at a place where I’m ready to let go of that narrative.
The truth is, I thrive in the quiet moments, away from the digital frenzy.
I’m the kind of person who can spend an entire day at home, basking in the simple joys, without feeling the urge to document every second.
The most precious moments in my life are the ones I hold close to my heart.
Between raising my four incredible kiddos, homeschooling the older ones, and nurturing my business, social media often felt like a thief stealing away my most sacred moments.
But since I deleted those apps, I’ve reclaimed precious time for the things that truly matter to me.
And you know what? I’m getting more of the important work done than ever before. (I never signed up to be a full-time content creator, so constantly feeding the social media beast often felt like a distraction from the work that truly lights me up.)
And you wanna know the most beautiful part of this journey?
I’ve discovered that social media isn’t the only path to business growth and success. Over the past couple of years, I’ve been crafting a method that allows me to build, scale, and flourish—all without relying on social media.
And let me tell you, seeing it all unfold seamlessly, proving that I don’t need social media to thrive, feels downright empowering.
It means I can keep fine-tuning this strategy, pouring more time into the work that moves the needle, rather than feeding the social media machine.
I’m not chained to my phone anymore. I’m reclaiming my presence in my own life.
In so many ways, hitting delete on those apps was the best decision I’ve made.
I’ve skyrocketed a single product to over half a million in revenue. Every single day, I witness this new method working wonders for my business, and I can’t wait to share more of it with those who resonate with this.
So, I encourage you to take a moment this week to reflect on what you truly want for your life and your business. Are there parts that no longer serve you like they used to?
Get crystal clear on your vision for the next 5…10 years, and then ask yourself if your current path aligns with that vision.
Because here’s the thing: Progress means nothing if you’re heading down the wrong path.
Moving forward, I’ll continue focusing on the marketing aspects that consistently bring me traffic and sales: my email list and Pinterest. Unlike the fleeting nature of social media, Pinterest is a search engine—a place where your content doesn’t just disappear after 24 hours.
Instead, it continues to be discovered by your ideal audience, day after day, week after week.
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you found this article through Pinterest.
That’s the beauty of it—Pinterest doesn’t just show your content to anyone; it shows it to the right people, those who are actively searching for what you offer. Imagine getting your business in front of customers who are already interested, ready to engage, and primed to purchase. That’s the power of Pinterest.
And if you’re ready to unlock that power for your own business, my course, The Pinterest Advertising Strategy, is the perfect place to start. It’s designed to help you harness the full potential of Pinterest, turning it into a consistent and reliable source of traffic and sales. Whether you’re new to Pinterest or looking to refine your strategy, this course will give you the tools and insights to take your marketing to the next level.
And if, like me, you’re wanting to build a life beyond the noise of social media, then buckle up, because I’ve got more goodness coming your way.
For now, you won’t find me on social media, but you can bet your bottom dollar that you’ll keep receiving these little love notes right in your inbox, the blog, and on everyone’s favorite search engine: Pinterest.
Ready for more? Join my newsletter and be the first to know about new articles published on the blog, business tips, and of course, all the best strategies and free resources. There’s a reason this list is 70,000 strong!
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Do Not Quit. You Are Closer Than You Think
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As an entrepreneur, I know firsthand that running a business can feel like a never-ending marathon. We juggle tasks, manage projects, brainstorm strategies, and often, in the whirlwind of it all, our personal health takes a backseat. Mix that into being a mother of 4 who works from home full time and it’s so easy to push my own health to the side. But here’s a truth bomb for you: prioritizing your health is not just essential; it’s non-negotiable. Today, I want to talk about the art of balancing and prioritizing personal health while running a business.
The Unseen Connection: Health and Business Success
Think about it: when you’re feeling your best, you perform your best. Your mind is sharper, your creativity soars, and your energy levels are high. This isn’t just feel-good talk; it’s backed by science. Studies show that regular physical activity boosts cognitive function, reduces stress, and enhances overall well-being. And let’s not forget, mental health is as crucial as physical health. A clear, focused mind is our most powerful tool in decision-making and problem-solving.
It’s a Choice: Choosing Your Hard
Here’s the thing: both neglecting your health and taking care of it are HARD. The difference? The hard of neglect leads to burnout, decreased productivity, and even health issues. The hard of self-care leads to longevity, resilience, and a thriving business. So, ask yourself, which hard are you choosing?
Neglecting your health is an easy trap to fall into, especially when you’re caught up in the whirlwind of business. You might think skipping a meal, cutting down on sleep, or ignoring stress is a small price to pay for success. However, these small oversights accumulate, snowballing into significant health problems. This path, though it may seem easier in the short term, leads to a hard reality – burnout, decreased productivity, and a host of health issues ranging from chronic fatigue to serious diseases.
This isn’t just about feeling tired or under the weather; it’s about compromising the very engine that drives your business and life forward.
On the other hand, the hard of self-care, though seemingly daunting at first, is an investment in your most valuable asset – yourself. This path requires discipline, commitment, and the willingness to put your well-being at the forefront. It means making time for regular exercise, ensuring you’re eating nutritious meals, getting enough sleep, and managing stress. It’s about listening to your body and responding to its needs. This might mean saying no to a late-night work session or delegating tasks to make time for a health check-up.
The rewards of this path are manifold. By taking care of your health, you’re building a foundation of longevity and resilience. You’re not just working towards a thriving business but also towards a thriving self. With good health, you bring your best self to your business, enhancing creativity, decision-making skills, and overall productivity. You’re able to lead by example, fostering a culture of wellness within your organization. This isn’t just about living longer; it’s about living better, with the vitality and energy to enjoy the success you’re working so hard to achieve.
So, the question remains, which hard are you choosing? Are you willing to endure the short-term discomfort of building and maintaining healthy habits for long-term benefits? Or will you choose the seemingly easy path of neglect, with its long-term consequences? The decision is yours, and it’s a critical one. Remember, in this journey of entrepreneurship, your health is the compass that guides you towards true success.
Practical Steps to Prioritize Health in the Hustle
Schedule It In: Treat your health like an important business meeting. Put it in your calendar. Whether it’s a 30-minute walk, a yoga session, or a mental health break, make it non-negotiable.
Nutrition Matters: Eating well is fueling your body for success. Plan your meals like you plan your business strategies. Quick, healthy meals can be just as convenient as fast food if you prepare in advance.
Mindfulness Practices: Whether it’s meditation, journaling, or simply practicing gratitude, mindfulness helps keep stress at bay and enhances focus.
Delegation is Key: You can’t do everything yourself. Delegate tasks in your business to make room for your health. It’s not just about freeing up time; it’s about mental space too. If social media captions is on that list, sign up for Wordsmith already!
Listen to Your Body: Tune into your body’s signals. Feeling drained or stressed is a sign to slow down and reassess your priorities.
The Ripple Effect of a Healthy Entrepreneur
When you’re healthy, the benefits ripple outwards. Your business thrives, and your personal life flourishes. It’s a holistic approach where every aspect of your life gets a piece of the wellness pie.
The Reality of Rough Days
Let’s be real: it’s not always smooth sailing. There will be days when everything feels overwhelming, and your health seems like the least of your concerns. It’s okay. The key is to not let these days become the norm. Acknowledge them, learn from them, and get back on track.
Your Health, Your Wealth
Remember, your health is your wealth. Without it, no amount of business success can compensate. It’s the foundation upon which everything else is built. When you’re healthy, you’re in a better position to make sound business decisions, lead effectively, and enjoy the life you’ve built.
Merging Movement and Work: The Walking Treadmill Desk
I want to share a personal experience that beautifully illustrates how we can combine self-care with our work. Recently, I invested in a walking treadmill desk for my office. Now, this might sound like a novelty to some, but let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer.
The Concept: Walk While You Work
The idea is simple yet revolutionary. With a walking treadmill desk, I can take my daily walk without stepping away from my desk. It’s an incredibly efficient way to rack up the miles each day, all while staying on top of my work. I love it so much that I even moved my iMac to it permanently because I realized how much I enjoy walking while working.
Overcoming Initial Skepticism
Initially, I was skeptical. Typing and walking simultaneously seemed like a multitasking challenge that could end in more distraction than productivity. But, to my surprise, it turned out to be the perfect combination for someone like me – someone who loves to keep both body and mind active.
The Surprising Benefits
Here’s the crazy part: I can walk up to 5 miles a day while answering emails and working on projects. This isn’t just about physical health; it’s a mental boost too. Walking while working keeps my mind fresh and my body active, leading to clearer thinking and a more energetic workday.
Is It for You?
Now, a walking treadmill desk might not be for everyone, but it’s worth considering if you’re looking for innovative ways to integrate health into your busy schedule. It’s a testament to the fact that with a bit of creativity, we can find solutions that help us maintain our health without sacrificing productivity.
My experience with the walking treadmill desk underlines a crucial point: prioritizing health doesn’t have to come at the expense of work. In fact, when we find ways to merge the two, we create a sustainable lifestyle that supports both our business goals and our personal well-being. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most effective solutions are those that address multiple aspects of our lives simultaneously.
I want you to remember that taking care of your health while running a business isn’t just a good idea; it’s essential for your success and well-being. You have the power to choose your hard. Choose the one that leads to a fulfilling, healthy, and successful life.
Now, I leave you with this thought: What small step can you take today to prioritize your health for a better tomorrow? How can you apply this lesson to not just transform your personal health, but also to elevate your business?
Take this moment to reflect. Your journey to a healthier, more balanced life as an entrepreneur starts with one choice, one step. Remember, in the dance of life and business, your health is the rhythm that keeps you moving gracefully.
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In a world that keeps on scrolling, we find ourselves on the edge, our hearts encompassing unsung dialogues aspiring to be heard. We’re the quiet ones, the thoughtful dwellers amidst the digital rush. The noise often rushes past us, as we cautiously curate our words to fit into bite-sized captions and short-lived stories. The essence of who we are, what we think, and what we feel, somehow gets lost amidst the hashtags and trending audios.
But have you ever paused and thought – what if we didn’t have to fit ourselves into these tiny, curated boxes? What if, instead of shouting amidst the noise, we chose a quieter, more authentic path?
Imagine a space, a humble abode online, where your thoughts could flow freely, unfazed by the character count or the algorithm’s changing tide. Your very own space, where your ideas could take their time to blossom, to resonate with souls who seek the deeper discourse, the authentic narrative.
Social media isn’t the villain in our story, but perhaps, we’ve been casting it in the wrong role. It’s merely a gateway, a small invite to the grander narrative awaiting in spaces we truly own. A blog, a newsletter, a podcast – a space online where our ideas can breathe, expand, and find the ones who’d cherish them.
Transitioning from the curated to the authentic is a humble journey. It’s about embracing the simplicity, the human touch, unpolished yet real. Each thought shared, each story told, unveils a layer of who we truly are, building connections rooted in the essence, not just the appearance.
Let’s not rush through our words to keep pace with the scrolls. Let’s instead, invite people to pause, to reflect, to connect. Through the small window of social media, let’s give a glimpse into the world where our ideas roam free, uncurtailed by the ‘trending’, unfazed by the ‘viral’.
Let’s start envisioning social media as merely the threshold to our digital dwelling, rather than its main gathering area. It’s the charming entryway where we welcome our visitors, offering a light, warm appetizer before leading them to the hearty, heartfelt feast awaiting in our own cozy domains, be they blogs, podcasts, or newsletters.
How can we morph these ephemeral exchanges into lasting relationships?
How might we offer an invitation that is both enticing and sincere?
How can we extend an invitation that’s both alluring and genuine?
Let’s start with the foundation.
Begin by carving out a sanctuary in the digital realm that resonates with your essence—a website, a blog, a podcast channel, or a newsletter platform. Maybe a combination of a few of these. Let this be the space where your thoughts are no longer confined by character counts, where the essence of your narrative flows organically, undiluted by the whims of algorithms.
Now, transform your social media platforms into inviting doorways rather than destinations.
Share snippets of your thoughts, teasers of your content, glimpses into your world that pique curiosity and beckon like-minded souls to explore further. The objective is to transform followers into readers, listeners, or viewers in a setting where the connection deepens and where the exchange of thoughts and ideas flourishes amidst a landscape of respect and receptivity.
Consistency is your companion on this journey. As you keep sharing, keep inviting, and keep expressing authentically, you’ll notice a community growing around your digital homestead. It’s not merely about gaining followers but about nurturing a fellowship bound by shared values, thoughts, and explorations.
In the process, fear not the pace of the digital scroll. Remember, the race is not to the swift but to those who keep running. And in a world driven by speed, perhaps the most radical thing we can do is slow down to seek understanding over likes, connections over clicks, and authenticity over applause.
Be patient. Authenticity, though a less traveled route, bears the potential for meaningful interactions and lasting bonds. With time, as your digital sanctuary brims with sincere dialogues and deep connections, you’ll discover that the core of your narrative has not only withstood the digital whirlwind but has expanded, matured, and thrived.
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The reason it’s so difficult to talk about because I take it so personal and have poured 10 years of hard work into my business.
To have something like this happen…has been so incredibly hard.
SOMEONE STOLE MY DIGITAL PRODUCTS
I had someone steal my products, upload them for the world to download for free, and had to deal with the fall-out behind the scenes because of it for months. To say it was hard would be an understatement. For a long time, I had no idea this had even happened. It wasn’t until I suddenly saw a drop in sales that made me wonder what had happened.
I had a solid business, great products, and a killer marketing strategy in place. I built my dream business. Months went by until I decided to take a closer look at what happened and discovered the problem.
My best selling products, stolen by a stranger, uploaded for free, for the world to download.
This wasn’t the first time someone had stolen my products. Sadly, I see it happen all the time. It was just the first time this had happened and really affected how my business was doing financially.
HOW IT FELT
First, I was angry, so angry. Angry at this person for taking what I had worked so hard to build. Then the sadness kicked in. Then doubt. Then some more anger. I questioned what the point was of building a business when someone could come in and just take what they wanted without any consequences.
THE TRUTH: THERE’S VERY LITTLE YOU CAN DO
There’s very little you can do when digital products are stolen, and the damage that occurs because of it happens so incredibly fast.
In the 10 years of being in business, it has been the HARDEST thing I’ve had to deal with, and I’ve never had something made me question what I was doing creatively as much as this.
After a lot of hard work and trying many different things, I managed to get my stolen products taken down. The sad part is that they were up for months without me being aware. Regardless, the damage from having this happened can’t be undone. The only thing I can do now is move forward.
The really sad part about it is that this site is still up, and this person if earning money by stealing other people’s products and letting the world download them for free.
As a creative business, it sickens me to know that there are people that think it’s OK to do this.
It also makes me sad knowing that there are photographers and other creative people that go to these sites to download products for free, knowing they are stolen instead of purchasing them from the actual creator who put so much time into making them.
THIS IS THEFT AND IT’S NOT OK
People might think it’s an innocent thing to do, that it’s just them doing it, but here’s the truth; I am a small business, and pour my heart into what I do because it’s what I love. My family of 5 depending on my business financially. This is not a side hobby, this is what we count on and I know so many other small businesses that are in the same boat. So when someone downloads something for free online…I hope they realize it will affect that creator in a negative way.
It’s not innocent.
It’s not OK.
And as someone who works in the photography industry as a photographer AND creator, I know how common it is for photographers to share digital products. To split costs and do a group buy. To trade preset packs and digital products. I’ve seen threads on Reddit from photographers, specifically asking for my preset collections and listing what all they would be willing to trade for.
I see it happen all the time and know that it’s not just happening to me and my business, but is a massive problem in the digital product world.
What bothers me most about it is because I know the people that are doing it, are photographers. Photographers who are also trying to make a living doing what they love. Photographers who want to be booked by clients who value them, their time, and hard work. I know how much it would hurt them to have clients who just took screenshots of the gallery instead of purchasing prints or digitals from them. They are no different than me. They want to be valued.
Sometimes I wonder how a photographer, in the same creative industry as me, would be OK with stealing from someone online.
THIS WASN’T THE FIRST TIME MY PRODUCTS STOLEN
The first time I found one of my digital items stolen and posted for free I remember reaching out to the other creators whose products were next to mine. I explained what had happened, how upsetting it was, I knew they would be just as upset as me and that if we all stood up together, we could make a change. maybe even put an end to it.
Sadly this is what she said;
“Don’t bother…There’s nothing you can do and talking about it will only make it worse so don’t bring it up anywhere”.
I left that conversation with my head hanging low because I knew they were right. There was so little I could do, and bringing it up could potentially make the problem even worse by drawing more attention to it.
But after having this happen, at such a large scale, I knew I was done being quiet about it because it’s a problem that affects so many small businesses, and I want people to realize it’s not ok.
I WANTED TO QUIT
I had days of wanting to quit because when you spend 10 years building something from the ground up and then have something like this happen, you feel so knocked down from it.
Then, after all the sadness and plenty of support from my husband, who I don’t know how many times had to lift me up over the last few months and remind me that I had it in me to do bigger and better things, I decided that he was right.
Just because something like this happened doesn’t mean that I couldn’t take what I had learned over the 10 years and apply it in a new way.
TIME FOR CHANGE
I took some time to take a look at my business and how I want to move forward and know in my heart that I want to make some changes. To focus not just on one aspect of what I am good at, but the many things I enjoy doing.
The truth is; there’s still plenty of sad days and a little anger towards this stranger, but more so, there’s a drive-in me to do something even more amazing. To use this to push me past my self made limits of what is possible and try something new.
Sometimes bad things in life happen, and they are out of our control. But deciding how to move forward will always be up to us.
CHOOSING TO SEE OPPORTUNITIES
We can choose to see the opportunities rather than feel defeated. We can see hard times as things that strengthen us in the long run.
I’ll continue working hard, just in a new way. I’m putting the days of sadness, anger, doubt behind.
CHANGE IS UNCOMFORTABLE BUT NECESSARY
Here’s what I know for sure; Change is uncomfortable but necessary.
My biggest wish is for you to be here for it all. I’m turning a new page, with a new dream and, most importantly, hope.
The last few months were incredibly hard, but I’m more than ever excited about what’s to come. To each of you who have shown support to me and my business; thank you for always being there. You have no idea how much that means.
This wasn’t easy to share, it wouldn’t have been easier to just keep it all to myself, but I felt it was important to share what happened so I can truly put it behind me and move forward.
I spent the last week re-vamping my homepage and re-organizing the blog and want to put more effort into adding new content here to help all of you.
HERE’S WHAT I’LL BE DOING NEXT
After 10 years of being in business, I’ve built a striving photography business, a million-dollar e-commerce site, and The Essential Studio Manager, which is a software used by thousands of photographers around the world to manage their photography business.
Simply put; I bring a lot of knowledge to the table when it comes to building businesses, managing, and scaling. I love taking ideas, making a plan, and making it happen. It’s what I love to do, and it ties perfectly into what I love to do. Helping other business owners build and scale their own business.
There are big things ahead, I can feel it.
I can’t wait to share everything I know with you, so you can use these same methods with making your dreams a reality too.
Here’s to bigger and better things.
And to the person who stole from me; You’ll never personally know me. You’ll never know the pain you put me through or the struggle I had to face because of your action. Stealing my digital products seemed so innocent to you. You probably had no idea that my family was financially dependent on my business and that your actions would push us to have to move from a home we loved and start over again.
As hard as this was for me, I also know that I have I am strong enough to push past this and continue doing great things with my life and business.
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As I was completing my monthly income report, I’m calculating everything, and that’s when I see it. $1,007,325. There are a ton of milestones to hit as a small business owner, and reaching 1 million in overall income was incredibly special to me!
Not just because of the money, but because of my own belief that it was possible. I am the only person who knows the hard work, dedication, failures, triumphs, doubts, and setbacks that came with making this happen — believing in myself enough to lose all sense of limitations and realize that the possibilities are endless for me as long as I never quit.
A girl with a dream who decided to go for it. These last few years have been absolutely incredible, and it seems like every day I wake up, something exciting is happening.
I know we’re only two days into May, but I just hit my one MILLION mark, I am moving my entire business and life to Maui on the 29th. My family and I get to call Hawaii home, which means I get to explore a slice of heaven every day and finally live right by the beach. AND my 29th birthday is on the 26th. Whoever said you couldn’t have your cake and eat it too was dead wrong.
To celebrate this little moment of my life, I wanted to write out some lessons I’ve learned in the last few years. I know at the end of the day I am no different than anyone out there reading this. Everyone has it in them to chase their dreams; at the end of the day it’s a choice you have to make. You might wonder, is it all worth it? Is it hard? Does this bring happiness? I couldn’t imagine doing anything else with my life than living it to its full potential. I love chasing my dreams.
Here are 10 lessons I’ve learned. I’ll start at the beginning.
1. SUCCESS HAS HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
I will always consider this part of my life as a huge turning point in my life. I had to bike my daughter to school every single day because we only had one car, and my husband worked an hour away. Rain or shine, I had to bike to her school to drop her off and to pick her up. I’m sure most people thought it was because I loved biking. No. It was because that was my only means of transportation at the time.
I remember biking that trip countless amounts of times with the hot Florida sun beating down on me, thinking to myself; this is it. THIS is your start. This isn’t going to always be this way. If you put your mind to it, you can make big things happen. I thought about how amazing it would be if one day I could look back at that time of my life and think ‘remember when.’ Today is that day. I told myself never to forget that time in my life.
Those bike rides turned into a source of motivation for me. A way for me to think hard about my next move and focus on making the right changes to change my life. I learned to love the feeling of feeling defeated, that’s what gave me the drive to push harder in the right direction. I had to learn how to go into this as the underdog and build my way to the top.
The people who struggle, the ones starting at rock bottom have something others don’t. They have a fight deep inside to make things happen for themselves. Don’t ever underestimate that.
2. HELP AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE
I had someone tell me to throw in the towel shortly after starting my photography business. It was a group of other photographers, and I understand why they said it. I wasn’t good at the time. I didn’t understand the business, or pricing, or any of that. I just had a little dream to do something I loved. They weren’t able to see the person I would become.
I remember thinking to myself; No. I will not throw in the towel. I WILL make this happen, and when I do, I will help others do the same. I will use my strength to encourage those around me, not tear them down. Helping others pursue their dreams is at the core of who I am.
I love seeing people succeed in something they are passionate about. I have coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in turning their business into a profitable business and love pushing them in the right direction with the same strategies I used to build my own business.
I am incredibly proud of those people, for making the decision to put in the hard work and chase their dreams. One of the people I’m overly proud of is my sister. She is incredibly talented in what she does as a graphic designer. And my husband who for years has stood by my side and helped me build my business is now going after what he loves with is web development. I love seeing that spark in people’s eyes when they talk about something they are passionate about.
The amazing thing about it is this; everyone can pay it forward. The more people I can help succeed, the more they can inspire those around them to do the same. It’s a chain reaction, and I hope that my doing can help people all over this world go after their dreams.
3. IT’S NOT ABOUT THE MONEY; IT’S ABOUT FREEDOM
What’s more amazing than hitting one million? Being 100% in control of my life. Making decisions based on what I want to do, not on what society tells me to do.
I created my own business. I work for myself. I can work from anywhere in the world. I spend every day with my husband and children. I love what I do. My husband was able to quit his job and is now going after his own dreams. We are moving our family to Maui, Hawaii because we think it will be fun to live on an island in the middle of the Pacific.
I’m in control of my life, and that is priceless.
Having built a business that gives me full financial freedom is why I work so hard. It’s not about hitting one million; it’s about being in control of what I do with the life I have. The possibilities are endless when you can create a life you love and be in the driver’s seat. I could care less about fancy watches, or clothes. The expensive things most people dream about getting if they made the money. I care more about spending the life I have doing something I love, with the people who mean the most to me. At the end of my life, that’s what I want to look back on. I’m not in this for the money; I’m in it for the freedom.
4. I HAD TO DO IT ON MY OWN
Want to get there fast? Put in the hard work yourself. I know there’s all this talk about networking and mingling, and making the right connections with the right people that can connect you to other people who can help you get to where you want. Not for me. I know where I want to go and have done it by myself. I might be hardheaded with this, but I’ve learned that the fastest way to get somewhere is counting on yourself to get yourself there. Putting in the hard work and focusing on yourself. I can promise you that there is not another person in this world willing to work as hard as me on my business. Same goes for you and your business. Networking with others might be a great way to up our social life, but the truth is that you are the only person in this world who cares about the success of your own business. Learn to enjoy working by yourself, for yourself. Don’t expect others to be passionate about making your dreams a reality.
Become a lone wolf entrepreneur and do the work yourself.
5. YOU CAN’T FAIL IF YOU’RE NOT WILLING TO QUIT
We live in a world where people prepare a plan for failure rather than focusing more on making their dreams a reality. Stop spending time thinking about failing and how you can continue after not making it and start focusing on not quitting. Focus on making something work and push forward. Re-train your mind to focus on continuing to work even when it’s hard. When you get tired, learn to take a break instead of quitting.
Realize that making your dreams happen is supposed to be hard. It’s supposed to test you over, and over again. When you pour your heart into something and don’t see it happen the way you want, it’s hard. That’s how it’s supposed to be. This is where grit comes in. You have to keep going even when you don’t see any change at all. You have to have a special kind of vision in your head to continue something that doesn’t work over and over again until one day, it works. Believe in your dream, your vision, and keep going.
Many people are scared of failure; the idea of not making it happen is often enough to get them to quit. The idea of putting so much time, energy, and effort into something they love and have it not be guaranteed can be paralyzing. But here’s the thing, if you learn to change your focus you’ll realize that the only possible way to fail is by quitting, then the solution is pretty simple; Don’t Quit.
6. THIS IS JUST THE START OF IT ALL
I’m excited to see what my feature holds. Proud to have found this sense of freedom so early on in life. I’ll continue putting the people who mean the most to me first. Without them, nothing would matter. I’ll keep working hard on the things I’m passionate about, wherever that ends up taking me. I’ll try to help as many people around me so they too can go after their dreams. Focusing on what matters most & living life to the fullest. I’m just getting started. Think about it this way. If you get to 85 years old, how much more time do you have left? What do you want to do with that time?
7. BET ON YOURSELF. EVERY TIME.
Bet on yourself. Every time. Most people think it’s a safer bet to bet on someone else. It’s safer to get that job at that big company. It’s safer to go to college and get a degree. It’s safer to follow a path that many have traveled. The safest bet you can make in life is on yourself. You are in full control of what you put in, and what you get out. People might consider working in another company as the safe bet, but you’re leaving your job and future in the hands of someone else. Someone who might not even really know you. When you work for yourself, you’re betting on yourself. You can hold yourself accountable. You deal with failures and celebrate the victories. At the end of the day, I’m willing to bet on myself every time because I know I have it in me.
8. TURN “I DON’T KNOW HOW” TO “I CAN LEARN HOW TO”
I can’t tell you how many times I hear the words. “I don’t know how to do this”. Everything you know how to do, you had to LEARN how to do. Just because you’re no longer sitting in a classroom with a textbook in front of you, doesn’t mean it’s time to stop learning. This is called life, and anything in life you don’t yet know how to do, you can learn. There’s nothing you can’t learn how to do. Think about ALL the things you know how to do…those skills didn’t just happen magically, you had to learn them, one by one. I didn’t know how to use a camera, I had to learn. I didn’t know how to do run a business, I had to learn. I didn’t know how to build a website, I had to learn. There are so many things I’ve had to teach myself how to do. The phrase “I don’t know how to do this” is going to get you nowhere. You have to change it to “I can learn how to do this” and you’ll quickly realize that you’re unstoppable.
9. YOU COULD BE ONE DAY AWAY FROM FIGURING EVERYTHING OUT
If someone would have predicted my future, I probably wouldn’t have believed them. Life is funny in the sense that you never really know what lies ahead. Business is the same way. I spent years putting in the hard work and didn’t see any of my hard work pay off. Nothing seemed to be working, but I kept going. I told myself that struggle was part of the process and knew I wanted it bad enough to keep going. Then one week, I tried something new, I changed up my strategies, and all of a sudden it was like the puzzle pieces finally fit together and things were happening how I wanted them to. I felt like I unlocked the right door and I finally understood how business works. I continued with the strategies that worked and changed the ones that didn’t until eventually, everything seemed to run exactly like I had wanted it to. Here’s the thing though, the few months before figuring out the right strategies, I wanted to quit. I was so close in tossing in the towel because I felt like things were never going to change. I was working so hard, but somehow I wasn’t attracting the right clients, which meant I wasn’t making enough money and felt ultimately defeated. I had no idea that I was so incredibly close to figuring it all out. I now know that you never have any idea how close you are to figuring things out and that you could be one day away from that happening. So if you feel like things are just not working out for you, and you’re thinking about quitting, remember this; you could be one day away from figuring it all out!
10. YOU ONLY HAVE ONE LIFE; IT’S TIME TO LIVE IT TO THE FULLEST
Everyone has the same 24 hours a day. And everyone only has one life to live. What matters is how you spend those hours, because that’s how you’ll end up spending your life. The thing is, you have no idea when your last day is, you wake up every day with time on your side until one day you wake up and you realize that you don’t have any more time left. You need to realize that every day you wake up, you wake up with a choice. A choice to live life on your terms, to go after things you want to do or continue letting your potential go to waste.
Think about getting to your last day, and standing around you are your life dreams, the ideas you had, your talents, and ambitions. And for whatever reason, you never went after those dreams, decided to not act on your ideas, and let it all go to waste. What was the point? You only have so much time left, and you never know when that last day arrives. The way I see it is that life is made up of dreams. The thing you see around you every day, are there because someone had the courage to go after their dreams and create them. Learn to live life and stop worrying so much about the little things, because those things won’t matter when you’re no longer here. What matters is how you lived your life.
DON’T LET YOUR DREAMS GO TO WASTE.
YOU HAVE IT IN YOU TO MAKE THEM HAPPEN.
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I'm Elena, your
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