Staying True to Yourself in Business by Natalie Sweet

We’ve all had a “non-traditional” past year. We have all had to think on our feet, get creative, and possibly even make a pivot. It’s been a wild ride but the fun’s not over yet. As we embark on another springtime and things start anew, it’s a wonderful time to remind ourselves that staying true to ourselves and our vision is imperative.

I know you’ve heard this before but I must remind you again, there is only one, unique you. Your values and vision for your business are yours and yours alone. How cool is that?! The problem is, sometimes we lose sight of that. In this Instagram-era of perfectly curated moments, it’s easy to lose yourself. It’s easy to get swept away by everyone else’s “perfect” lives/careers/clients. It’s equally easy to lose sight of your own unique goals and perspectives. It’s as if sometimes your focus just goes out of focus.

I’ve fallen victim to this myself, though I hate to admit it. As this past year has left me, like many, rethinking a lot of things, I found myself suddenly overwhelmed by feeling like I needed to “keep up” with everyone else’s business moves. Each new fad I’d see splash across my Instagram feed would send me down a rabbit hole; do I need to learn this new technique? Do I need this course? This new blade? Is it time to offer teeth whitening?! My head was spinning right round baby, right round, like a record, baby, round, round, round, round, if ya know what I’m saying. It left me feeling pretty scattered.

I soon realized that I owed it to myself to calm down and re-FOCUS. I needed to reacquaint myself with my core values and my vision for my business (which is probably different from Susie Q’s business), I absolutely could not thrive unless I was being myself. After much meditation and several spill-your-guts journal-entries, I need to focus up and bust my butt to stay true to myself.

My top tips for keeping you focused and on track (even during a pandemic):

Connect with Your Wins

As my friend and mentor, Erin Skipley would say, you must “tap into your wins and connect with that energy” because let’s face it, that’s who you are! Think about a time when you shined, a time when you persevered, or a time when you overcame the odds and felt accomplished & awesome. Think about a time when you truly made yourself proud. Really feel​ it. That flush of power and energy? That is ​you​! Now take that winning attitude and focus your “Let’s Do This” laser directly on your business.

Know Your Why (And Get Excited About It Like, All the Time)​

And I mean all the time. Spend time daydreaming about what an impact your work will have on your clients and how that feeling of satisfaction will permeate all of your life. Write it down including every delicious detail. Bask in it, baby! The more passionate you are, the more focused you are. The more focused you are, the more inevitable it is that you’ll achieve your goals. Your focus will lead to actions and your actions will get you to where you want to be. Dream it then do it!

Put Your Blinders On

​Have you ever seen a racing horse and how they wear peripheral blinders? That’s to keep them focused on a singular thing, the finish line. It does not allow them to get distracted by what’s happening besides them lest they may veer off track and never reach their goal. I’m suggesting that you put on your blinders! This can be tough but it’s crucial. It doesn’t matter what everyone or anyone else is doing in their business, your business is your business. Someone else’s business is none of your business. If you have to, set boundaries with your social media usage or create a daily journaling ritual to recommit to your focus. Do whatever feels good to you, inspires you, and keeps your eyes firmly on the prize. I urge you to put the blinders on, stay in your lane, and slay all day.

“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting,” E.E. Cummings said. I just wanted to remind you that you are worth the fight.

Follow Natalie @bunnys_la and get inspired by MEI-CHA artists @meicha_official!