So you started you business and you've done everything right. You work 2 jobs, stay up late, set up systems to automate services for customers, and get advice from the best. You read all the business blogs and your branding is on point. But everywhere you look, you see people seemingly doing better than you. Or here comes someone who started their business a few months ago bragging about the success they are having on social media. Now your upset, unhappy and feeling unmotivated. But guess what?! I'm here to tell you that it doesn't need to be like this! I'm here to help you understand how to handle these emotions and not let it get the best of you.
I call this my do's and don'ts of business jealousy because it will happen to you, but it is all about how you deal with it!
Don't:
-Assume: Here's an example. You see someone doing well in your area of business after only a few months and you're hating. But wait, do you know their story? Do you know they stay up all night working on orders? Or they use their lunch break at work to return client calls? You don't know what they are doing to make themselves so successful, so don't assume they have some unfair advantage they may not have. Are putting in all the hard work you could be?
-Give into the hype. You need to know that Instagram follows, Facebook likes, Twitter followers and whatever else don't always equal money. People tend to see someone has 19,000 twitter followers and assume they are making tons of cash. I know several people who a lot of likes, they are "internet famous" and you see them everywhere but their business isn't booming. Also, anyone can tell you they are making money. "Hey girl, I make 6 figures every month!". See, I just did it! But how would you know that through the internet? You wouldn't. Don't worry about how many likes and followers you have, worry about putting out awesome content.
-Spend time staring at social media profiles: Feeding off my last point, remember people only put things on social media WHEN THEY ARE AT THEIR BEST. Studies have shown that social media actually makes people depressed because they think everyone else lives are better than theirs. LIES. No one is writing about how their business is at a stand still or having difficult days trying to get themselves to be productive.
-Get mad at that person: Why are you ragging on someone else's success? Be happy that someone else built up a successful business as proof that you can do it too!
-Just do what is trendy because everyone else is doing it: Are you staying true to yourself? The worst thing to do and the best way for customers to not trust your brand is to CONTINUOUSLY CHANGE YOUR BRAND BASED ON TRENDS. Are you constantly changing things in your business because everyone else is? Bad idea. This is especially true when you have a primarily online business. People don't really get to know your personality in-person so your internet presence needs to be consistent. When you stay true to your brand and do what is meaningful to you, you do your best work and your customers can see that.
Do:
-Manage your time better: Are you really working on your business as much as you could? Are you spending an excessive amount of time on things like social media, watching your favorite TV shows or going out with friends? What could you be doing to spend more time working on the business? When you hear success stories, you will hear stories of spending nights and weekends burning the midnight oil. You hear about the TV being the babysitter for the kids. You hear of people whose struggle was very real. You may say, "Well I'm starting my own business so I don't have to do that!" and you will get there one day. But right now chica, you need to be on that grind.
-Admire and Get Inspired: Does your business crush do something awesome that you admire? Do they have a weekly column you love? Do they have particular things about their business that you find clever? Draw some inspiration from that and do something that is completely your own. Now, this is very important: DON'T COPY PEOPLE. I repeat, DO NO COPY OTHER PEOPLE'S IDEAS. Its not flattering, its wrong and you will be getting a few angry emails and a DMCA take down notice.
-Connect: Connect with people you think are inspiring and great. I can tell you I'm in a few Facebook groups where people are in business and you can connect and talk about the difficulties of business. Networking can get you to the right people and sometimes the exposure that you need.
-Remember that journey is yours and yours alone: Everyone is going to have a different experience when it comes to their business. Stop comparing yourself! We are all great and that is what makes the world an interesting and exciting place to be! If you are doing all you can and being the best you can be, your time will come!
I call this my do's and don'ts of business jealousy because it will happen to you, but it is all about how you deal with it!
Don't:
-Assume: Here's an example. You see someone doing well in your area of business after only a few months and you're hating. But wait, do you know their story? Do you know they stay up all night working on orders? Or they use their lunch break at work to return client calls? You don't know what they are doing to make themselves so successful, so don't assume they have some unfair advantage they may not have. Are putting in all the hard work you could be?
-Give into the hype. You need to know that Instagram follows, Facebook likes, Twitter followers and whatever else don't always equal money. People tend to see someone has 19,000 twitter followers and assume they are making tons of cash. I know several people who a lot of likes, they are "internet famous" and you see them everywhere but their business isn't booming. Also, anyone can tell you they are making money. "Hey girl, I make 6 figures every month!". See, I just did it! But how would you know that through the internet? You wouldn't. Don't worry about how many likes and followers you have, worry about putting out awesome content.
-Spend time staring at social media profiles: Feeding off my last point, remember people only put things on social media WHEN THEY ARE AT THEIR BEST. Studies have shown that social media actually makes people depressed because they think everyone else lives are better than theirs. LIES. No one is writing about how their business is at a stand still or having difficult days trying to get themselves to be productive.
-Get mad at that person: Why are you ragging on someone else's success? Be happy that someone else built up a successful business as proof that you can do it too!
-Just do what is trendy because everyone else is doing it: Are you staying true to yourself? The worst thing to do and the best way for customers to not trust your brand is to CONTINUOUSLY CHANGE YOUR BRAND BASED ON TRENDS. Are you constantly changing things in your business because everyone else is? Bad idea. This is especially true when you have a primarily online business. People don't really get to know your personality in-person so your internet presence needs to be consistent. When you stay true to your brand and do what is meaningful to you, you do your best work and your customers can see that.
Do:
-Manage your time better: Are you really working on your business as much as you could? Are you spending an excessive amount of time on things like social media, watching your favorite TV shows or going out with friends? What could you be doing to spend more time working on the business? When you hear success stories, you will hear stories of spending nights and weekends burning the midnight oil. You hear about the TV being the babysitter for the kids. You hear of people whose struggle was very real. You may say, "Well I'm starting my own business so I don't have to do that!" and you will get there one day. But right now chica, you need to be on that grind.
-Admire and Get Inspired: Does your business crush do something awesome that you admire? Do they have a weekly column you love? Do they have particular things about their business that you find clever? Draw some inspiration from that and do something that is completely your own. Now, this is very important: DON'T COPY PEOPLE. I repeat, DO NO COPY OTHER PEOPLE'S IDEAS. Its not flattering, its wrong and you will be getting a few angry emails and a DMCA take down notice.
-Connect: Connect with people you think are inspiring and great. I can tell you I'm in a few Facebook groups where people are in business and you can connect and talk about the difficulties of business. Networking can get you to the right people and sometimes the exposure that you need.
-Remember that journey is yours and yours alone: Everyone is going to have a different experience when it comes to their business. Stop comparing yourself! We are all great and that is what makes the world an interesting and exciting place to be! If you are doing all you can and being the best you can be, your time will come!