I’m at a weird growth place in my business... I have not accepted where I am in my business or my success. I am stuck in the place where I nickel and dime, do things with a discount because I think I have to, cut corners and not do things officially because this is how I hustled in my business for so long.
Today I had a speaking engagement in New York City. I live in Baltimore and I freely take vending and speaking engagements in New York. I woke up this morning feeling like I didn’t want to go. I just went to the Jay and Bey concert, I was tired and have a lot of personal home issues I need tending to.
But in typical hustle mode, I got up. I woke after only 4 hours of sleep and got ready for the bus. I had to stop at my shop because I also agreed to vend at this event
. I got a big bag of merch, a hang rack, my travel bag with my clothes, a book bag and a mannequin for my set up. I got into an Uber to arrive at the bus for 7am. Unfortunately as I arrived, the bus was pulling out to leave. I jumped back into the Uber and went across town to another bus to be told it was sold out. I was speaking on a panel and I felt I was obligated to be there (not contractually but morally for myself). I hopped back in the Uber for the 3rd time and any smart person would take this as a sign to go home and just call it quits. But I took it as a sign to go harder and fulfill my obligation.
I took the 8am bus, lugging 3 bags and a hang rack and my signage and a mannequin. As soon as I arrived in New York my first thoughts was “why am I here?” I’m tired. I’ve been going at it since Essence Fest and other big events... why REALLY are you here? I had no real excuse to my self of my I am not being kind to myself. Why I am not listening to my body and resting as needed. I’m so caught in a hustlers mentality and I have a staff and I say out loud I transitioned my hustle to a business, but mentally I haven’t.
I made a new friend today and he asked, “are you comfortable with your success?” And the answer is No, it scares me. I am not afraid of not being successful, I am afraid of my success. It terrifies me to know all the things I dreamed of are here. I function like a person who doesn’t have much, because it’s what I know.
I went to the event... fulfilled my “obligations” and I am now heading home. I canceled dinner plans, purchased a new bus ticket and I decided to leave New York City. I am meeting with my assistant and marketing team on Monday and I want to reevaluate my schedule. I no longer have to do “everything” that falls in my lap. I don’t have to break my neck and be everywhere because I need to be seen and I need people to know about my business. They know, they’ve heard of me and if they don’t... they will.
I look silly walking with a rack and 4 bags (and I left my damn banner in the Uber). I’m not being kind to myself and I’m exhausting the use of my energy in the wrong places. I could of been more productive from bed today.
As you become more successful, you have to shift too. Not just your business, but your mentality.
Today I had a speaking engagement in New York City. I live in Baltimore and I freely take vending and speaking engagements in New York. I woke up this morning feeling like I didn’t want to go. I just went to the Jay and Bey concert, I was tired and have a lot of personal home issues I need tending to.
But in typical hustle mode, I got up. I woke after only 4 hours of sleep and got ready for the bus. I had to stop at my shop because I also agreed to vend at this event
. I got a big bag of merch, a hang rack, my travel bag with my clothes, a book bag and a mannequin for my set up. I got into an Uber to arrive at the bus for 7am. Unfortunately as I arrived, the bus was pulling out to leave. I jumped back into the Uber and went across town to another bus to be told it was sold out. I was speaking on a panel and I felt I was obligated to be there (not contractually but morally for myself). I hopped back in the Uber for the 3rd time and any smart person would take this as a sign to go home and just call it quits. But I took it as a sign to go harder and fulfill my obligation.I took the 8am bus, lugging 3 bags and a hang rack and my signage and a mannequin. As soon as I arrived in New York my first thoughts was “why am I here?” I’m tired. I’ve been going at it since Essence Fest and other big events... why REALLY are you here? I had no real excuse to my self of my I am not being kind to myself. Why I am not listening to my body and resting as needed. I’m so caught in a hustlers mentality and I have a staff and I say out loud I transitioned my hustle to a business, but mentally I haven’t.
I made a new friend today and he asked, “are you comfortable with your success?” And the answer is No, it scares me. I am not afraid of not being successful, I am afraid of my success. It terrifies me to know all the things I dreamed of are here. I function like a person who doesn’t have much, because it’s what I know.
I went to the event... fulfilled my “obligations” and I am now heading home. I canceled dinner plans, purchased a new bus ticket and I decided to leave New York City. I am meeting with my assistant and marketing team on Monday and I want to reevaluate my schedule. I no longer have to do “everything” that falls in my lap. I don’t have to break my neck and be everywhere because I need to be seen and I need people to know about my business. They know, they’ve heard of me and if they don’t... they will.
I look silly walking with a rack and 4 bags (and I left my damn banner in the Uber). I’m not being kind to myself and I’m exhausting the use of my energy in the wrong places. I could of been more productive from bed today.
As you become more successful, you have to shift too. Not just your business, but your mentality.
1 comment
Thanks for your transparancy. I initatied the start of my business but I have not move forward at all. I follow you on IG but you have been very inspiring and such a motivator. To read about someone who is a business owner but can admit I still have things a struggle with or want to be better at just goes to show that we all have to take a step back and re-evaluate what we need to do to be better so that everything around us runs better. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to meeting you soon. I going to download the e-book for starting a t-shirt company for under $500. I haven’t started just because I do not know where to begin. I’m unsure if I should use a company to print my shirts/ideas/designs or if I should buy my own print machine. It’s hard trying to start and you do not know where to begin.
- E
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