I’m smiling as I write the Day 3 blog from sunny Palm Springs.
The part of me that’s mischievous and loves to “stir things up” is quite pleased that Day 1 and 2 have started some interesting conversations.
It’s the text from the always-affirming George Kansas, who is holding space for my High-Priestess. The hand-written note from my buddy Laura Gisborne, thanking me for my courage and vulnerability. The 5:45 am text from my dear friend Patty Farmer, who is always so generous with her acknowledgment of my work.
But more than all that… it’s the emails and private Facebook messages from people who have been on my list and I am only now just getting to know.
If you’ve reached out to me, thank you. I appreciate so much that you are in the conversation.
Tomorrow I will share with you what I am noticing from this grand experiment and will invite you to take a look at how you are showing up in your own business. But first… I need to set the record straight about something.
It appears that me being transparent about my entrepreneurial journey has triggered some reactions.
It’s a welcomed elixir for many who are craving authenticity in this world of thought leadership. Apparently, there are also those who would rather I close the curtain, not be quite so revealing and refrain from donning my superhero cape once again.
While the last group represents the minority, it is worth addressing as I suspect there are others who feel uncomfortable with my vulnerability.
So here is what I want you to know…
- Me, letting you into my world costs me nothing. It’s a risk I am willing to take to show you that what you are feeling is not unlike the stuff that I bump up against after 30 years at this game. The only difference, perhaps, is that I have a higher threshold for stress and overwhelm and I have tools for moving through the feelings more quickly. But we are still the same.
- This process serves ME as much as it does you. These next 60 days will require a lot of me. Between the launch of a program, multiple speaking gigs, taking a new company to market and having a life, I need to step into the best version of myself to be fully present. Writing will do that for me. And hopefully it will invite you in for a few reveals that you won’t find elsewhere.
- I know that when I make a promise to you, I will keep it. While I am not always great at keeping promises I make to myself (going to the gym, not eating crap or having only one glass of wine) I am really good at keeping promises to you… my tribe. Proclaiming something publicly is a strategy that nudged me to backpack through Europe for 3 months, get my MBA and start my first business. It works for me. Maybe it would work for you too.
- Our industry needs this. I’ve grow quite weary of thought leaders who appear to have all their shit together. Their proclaimed perfection makes me feel less than, doubt that I’ve got what it takes or feel like I am so far behind I will never catch up. My intent is to let you see all of me… the part genius who built 7 successful businesses and has a happy healthy personal life, and the part wobbly one who still wonders if she has what it takes to pull it all off.
So has this landed with you, dear reader? Are you pondering how something like this might look in your business? I hope so because that’s what we will be talking about in tomorrow’s blog.
Bottom line is this… it takes a lot of energy to be someone you are not and it fuels you with energy when you give yourself permission to be exactly who you are meant to be.
Please join me in your own beautiful authenticity and share what’s coming up for you by posting a comment below. ;0)
Much Love,
Jane
PS. For those who are asking… OK, so “where’s the beef” and wanting hard-core business-building strategies …. we’ll get there, I promise. We’ve got a full 30 days together. So stay tuned. Besides… vulnerability and authenticity ARE hard-core business-building strategies. It’s just that not everyone in the industry may be used to them as a way of business or life.
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Thank you for the insights today, Jane!!
Thank you also for ignoring those that would have you not be revealing. You sharing your fears and doubts and then what you do about them is a huge help to each of us! We experience the same issues and knowing that someone as wonderful and accomplished as you goes through same/similar challenges, is a huge help!!
You ROCK!!
Awesome, Kerry. Thank you for you for letting me know these blogs are helpful. We are all the same, right?
Vulnerability and authenticity are important in business and I appreciate your putting it all out there! Balance, organization, accomplishment, spirituality,confidence, and honesty. These are things true about me that I am putting out there.
Cammie! Thank you for your words and I am excited you are putting it out there and declaring it. xoxo Jane
Thanks for this. I’m loving it and look forward to the next day’s adventure. It gives me an added “permission” to show who I am to my tribe too. It’s the only way to go in my view.
GO Linda!! Thank you for sharing and I am excited for you to show up in a way that is truly authentic to your tribe. :o)
Well said! Some people get threatened by authenticity and try to undermine it through criticism. I’m so glad you are being open and real as well as your usual heart-based self!
I am in awe of your courage and willingness to be real and raw dear Jane!
You have inspired me sharing yourself so authentically !
I have made a commitment to get back to my journal practice w my wise source soul self each morning .
It’s been a season of deep change and transition for me and as I ground in my new life in North Carolina
I just celebrated another New Year June 1st – I feel a deep yearning to reclaim / reclarify my passion, power and purpose !
Ann Marie – I am excited to share this in a way that is touching so many. Good for you to get back into your daily journal practice… I don’t know where I would be without mine. My journal time is a sacred time every morning. xoxo Jane
Jane,
Thank you for your openness and honesty. As you said, it’s long overdue in the world. Besides we really have nothing to hide, because the truth is that our friends, clients and others, already see us as we truly are. And perhaps we would think we had less to hide if we listened to who they say we are to them!
Joyce – you are so right with nothing to hide… those who truly know us, truly know us – faults and all. I am honored to have you on this journey. :o) Jane
Love this: “vulnerability and authenticity ARE hard-core business-building strategies.” You are so bang on Jane; thank you for having the courage to do this, and show the way. It’s hard enough building a business than trying to build on on sand – what everyone else is doing or something that is not genuinely connected with our true self. Journalling and asking questions to dig deeper on our big why we do this – something I do with my clients, and forget sometimes to do myself. Thank you!
Jane I really appreciate your vulnerability and I think it’s a great encouragement. Keep up the good work. I can definitely glean into your insights.
Thanks Cassie! I am sooo enjoying this journey!
finally starting back at the beginning and binge reading. thank you for doing this.