Last year, I followed a simple principle in my business. I stopped following anyone I thought I should follow.
And I started only following those people who actually inspire me.
Notice the shift from the mental and the shoulds to the intuitive and the personal.
Often in business, we try to be smart, but it only makes us dumber.
Smart implies that others would agree that what you are choosing is practical.
But maybe being consistently more practical all the time does not feel that great.
If so, I’m asking you to pay attention to how you feel more than what you think (or what others think).
So last year, I stopped being so sensible, and I started being more honest.
I kept my activities private. I let go of the idea that I have to share every single thing I do online with everyone. I remembered that I’m allowed to have a personal life.
This is not a new belief. I talked about this in The Writer’s Workout. We get to set our privacy boundaries wherever we see fit, as we see fit. Nothing else will serve us. And this advice stands whether you have an online business or not. In fact, if you have an online business, it’s crucial to remember.
As I nurtured myself with daily inspiration, I felt more and more empowered, happier, less conflicted, more centered, and more myself.
I shifted all authority from outside myself to back inside myself where it belongs. Too often, I have listened to popular advice and unconsciously started following it without realizing it. But I can’t be myself and always fall in line with the latest trends. That’s just too tall of an order.
What’s awesome is that I am now in the habit of filling and refilling my inspiration tank. I don’t forget because I can feel if I start running low. And I don’t turn to outside approval when my energy dips, I turn within and do something that inspired me. And then I feel more like myself again.
And isn’t this the goal of life? To feel like the person you are meant to be and not the person anyone else thinks you should be?
We’ll talk more about how to fill and refill your inspiration tank. In the meantime, consider whether or not you believe you deserve a personal life rich with personal preferences or not.
Inspiration is impractical. And that’s why it’s so important.
So take a break from all the shoulds and have-tos, and have a little fun every day. Fun is allowed, and the only person who can create they type of fun you prefer…is you.
Stay tuned for more New Year inspiration. And share something you do to tune out the world and keep yourself inspired, if you feel moved.
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Such wisdom. I so agree, no more shoulds. Even something as simple as articles I feel I “should” read- I note they sit and gather dust a long time.
Screw them! Read what lights you up. 🙂
How interesting! I did something similar. Not exactly the same but along the same lines. I’d fallen into a habit of giving other people creative support at the expense of my own projects. I decided some time last Spring I needed to start putting my creative energy toward my projects first and then give others creative support. The habit was harder to break than I anticipated, but the effort has been well worth it. I have more creative energy now, and I’m enjoying life more in general.
Excellent example, Tammy! Go, you!