I've Found My Passion.
I remember the excitement of finally finding my ‘thing’ (coaching and NLP). Doing the training felt relatively easy because I was in my zone. I loved every minute and it all made sense to me. Then I qualified and thought “oh heck, now I need to sell myself, I have no idea how to do that”. I went from easy learning to 3 years of a journey into starting a business. I had never run a proper business before (I tried a craft business, but it was more of a hobby I hoped to make money out of). It was daunting trying to work out all the must do’s, especially when it came to marketing.
I had a life-long story of hating charging people for my time or effort and being visible felt like a huge leap into the unknown. Most people who come across me won’t realise I’m an introvert and actually quite shy. I put myself forward when others don’t step up (which has landed me in many volunteering roles) because I’m passionate about making a difference in the world, even if it is just on the PTA making sure the kids can have a disco or a trip, but it’s not easy. I would say I’m fairly socially awkward but that isn’t in line with the feedback I get from people. So, the point I’m making is, the feeling I have inside does not necessarily match what others see in me and perhaps my story is not the right version of me.
But What Will Others Think of Me?
I think as humans we get very tied up in how others see us but then also only listen to the negative nagging voice in our own head. It can create a whole load of unnecessary angst and I’m going to use the words that are on many people’s minds these days – imposter syndrome!
Since I started my coaching training, I have done a lot of work on myself in these areas and although I have the odd doubtful day, I turn up as myself and that person is quite capable, and more than that, others see her as “inspiring, motivational, a leader, energising”.
Our clients are all of those things too. They are passionate about their businesses, but they still have the niggle that because they love it so much, maybe it isn’t a viable business. There are some businesses that traditionally don’t make a lot of money, but the passion is there. It can be intimidating to think you could ever be the first to make your fortune where others haven’t.
I Don't Want People to Steal My Ideas
And many of our clients are the first. They are the ones guiding new methods and ways of working to help with mental health, wellbeing and cultural changes.
When you are the first, the worry is that it won’t work. Or that no one will pay for it. Or even worse, perhaps someone will steal your ideas.
And they might.
The chances are they absolutely will. So how will you make sure you are seen as the parent, the leader, the one who started it all?
There are many fast-food restaurants out there, but we all know McDonald’s is the first. It doesn’t matter that others copied and may even be better, they will never be the first.
So, what if you are the first, but no one knows it because you were too scared to show up? It won’t matter that you thought of it first. Because someone else has picked it up and ran with it.
I was involved in a discussion recently where people were upset about having their ideas “stolen”. When I said something about Edison developing the lightbulb, some incensed people said he had no right to claim he invented it because it came from someone else. The reality is, it doesn’t matter because the other person didn’t develop it in the way Edison did. They may feel hard done by, but it doesn’t change history which means that because of the development, and because Edison was the name on everyone’s lips, it became the light in our life, and he became the parent. And now other people have developed it further with more sustainable options, but he is always known as the first.
How Can I Decide What to Focus on in my Business?
It can be very confusing when you are starting out in business, full of passion and enthusiasm, to know which direction to take. One of the most important first steps is to gain clarity. With our clients this means an intense 10-hour workshop resulting in a roadmap to where you want to be and guidance on how to get there. Then we add in some coaching to create small achievable steps to navigate the road; we delve into some NLP and other amazing tools to deal with the boulders, diversions and barriers that fall across the path. And if you still need guidance, there are many other options for working with us longer term. Because we know how difficult it can be to stop your brain scattering in the wind and catching on to any passing trend you see float by, we are there to keep you on the path. We also understand the hesitancy to shout about your business.
What if you annoy someone by posting too much?
What if you have your ideas stolen?
What if you just can’t do it?
What if you find social media boring or distracting or unpalatable?
What if people just don’t like you?
These are some of the biggest challenges business owners face which is why we are so passionate about mindset. We have been on the courses that say, “follow my exact route and you can’t fail”, then seen thousands of people (literally) struggle to put the process into place. We’ve also been those people who have struggled.
Running a business is rarely as easy as just following the steps. There is a lot of mindset work involved in doing that, especially when it’s out of your comfort zone.
So, if you are as excited as I was because you have found your ‘thing’, you are full of passion for making a change in the world, you have so many ideas you can’t get them straight in your head, you are worried you are an imposter in a world already taken up by the next big thing, you are thinking you may have to implement Plan B; take a step back and call us for a first date (that's one easy decision as it's without cost or obligation).
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Jenny Jarvis
Founding Partner of Q Branch, Jenny is a highly trained and experienced Human Transformation Specialist, Coach and NLP Practitioner who is passionate about positive relationships and giving founders and leaders the BOLD Confidence and tools it takes to build BOLD Brands and Cultures. She is also an inspiring keynote speaker and lover of french wine and cheese.
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