As I head into my 11th month on LinkedIn I find myself craving more “real talk” in business.
I want to hear from people when things didn’t go as planned, or when you royally fucked things up. Share those details and what you learned from the experience. I believe in learning from my own mistakes and sharing them here, so others can learn too.
Putting down our guard and exposing our vulnerabilities is as effortless as a sloth running a marathon. In a digital age where everyone strives to maintain a meticulously crafted image, the thought of being authentic and imperfect feels a tad bit uncomfortable.
The truth is behind the polished façade, we are all flesh and blood, capable of fumbles and stumbles, and there are some topics that even the bravest of business mavens prefer not to confront under the public spotlight.
Today, I aspire to engage in a discourse concerning those elusive topics — the unmentionables, if you will — those subject matters no one wants to touch with a 10-foot pole.
Your greatest ally is a challenging contract -
Over the past month, I have made a significant error in judgment regarding a new client. This serves as a reminder that even after two decades, I have yet to fully learn from previous experiences with difficult clients. These clients often desire a miracle outcome without putting in the necessary effort. To prevent such situations, it is crucial to have well-defined contracts that clearly outline the expectations and obligations of each party involved. It is essential to take the time to create a contract that both parties comprehend and agree to, with a clear exit strategy in case of any disagreements.
Important to remember — To speak up when parts of a contract makes you uncomfortable. That has always come back to haunt me, so when you indecisive about something, listen to your gut always. Remember NO is a complete sentence.
Befriending employees can be difficult, and it’s perfectly acceptable to choose not to - One of the greatest joys of my life has been working alongside some of the most dynamic and innovative people. I truly don’t consider myself a titled leader. Rather I am a learner. However, that can be a tricky line to walk. I learned the hard way that mixing business with pleasure is like mixing oil with water — it doesn’t work! Letting personal issues cloud my business judgment (and vice versa) was a slippery slope, but I’ve finally learned to set boundaries and keep the two separate.
Deep down, I can’t shake off the idea that there might be outliers to this principle. However, the harsh reality is that as much as I crave to be besties with our fantastic colleagues, being the integrator means making tough calls that won’t earn you a popularity contest. That’s the way the cookie crumbles, and it’s perfectly fine.
Keep in your mind: As much as you’d like to be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s just not feasible. However, by treating your colleagues with kindness and consideration, you can at least guarantee a smooth ride on the work wagon. It might not win you popularity points, but it’ll definitely score you some points in the respect column.
People who do the same thing as you do aren’t automatically competition:
We’ve been fed the lie that we’re in a constant catfight, clawing our way to the top. But a wise woman (my mother) suggested I embrace jealousy and fear like Olympic sports and run towards them. I discovered that instead of avoiding people who did what I did or what I wanted to do, I should rally behind them using my voice and my whole heart!
The Internet is a fantastic place where everyone can find their own niche. Believing that there can only be a sole champion in any given field is downright preposterous. Rather than regarding your peers as fierce competitors, they should be esteemed, valued, and even imitated for their skills and expertise.
A lesson for the ages — Not to assume that because someone’s life/business looks “perfect,” it must be. Everyone is human, everyone could use another friend or support system, and no one is too “big” to approach to consider a new friendship or partnership.
Work/life balance does not exist:
You know that whole “she’s got it all figured out” idea? That doesn’t exist. No one has found that “perfect balance” because it doesn’t actually exist.
There will be days when your personal life suffers, and days when you need to choose life over work and your business suffers.
Sometimes one must take the lead and the other must follow, you can always steer in the right direction. Just keep in tune with yourself and the rhythm of your business, and you’ll know when to give it that extra oomph or take a step back and focus on life’s other adventures.
What do I wish I knew earlier? That everyone feels out of balance at some point. Even the people who have the resources to have nannies and VAs still feel like they’re not getting to spend 100% of the time they want on work or life. That’s completely normal. It’s impossible to be in both places at once — Just make sure to keep tabs on both your professional and personal worlds and communicate with them regularly, and everything will be A-okay!
Walking away is okay even from a payday!
Talking about endings is about as enjoyable as a root canal. Sure, we all love to hear about those big success stories where entrepreneurs sell their companies for millions and live happily ever after, but the reality is that most businesses quietly fade away or get passed on.
Not every ending is a Hollywood blockbuster and sometimes it’s best to just close the book and move on, no matter what the audience thinks. So, if you’re feeling the urge to call it quits, don’t worry about judgment — it’s totally cool to throw in the towel and start a new adventure.
Guess what? Very few people will encourage you to end something if it’s still making money. And I understand why. At the day’s closure, the paramount verdict is the one that ensures your well-being and your happiness.
Everything in life has a time and a season and when you feel that you’re ready to move on and try something new, know that you’re not alone and that in life you can have many different stages, phases and adventures.

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