Clarity Creates Abundance. I Went Broke Before the Lesson Stuck. Learn From Me!

You can't do it all. You CAN'T do it all. You can't do it all. How often am I going to have to drill that into my brain until it sticks?! If you're like me, you pile way too much on your plate; chronically. I recently had to hit rock bottom to accept the truth wiser people have told me for the past year; clarity creates abundance. An unexpected bill hit, a client couldn't pay for marketing work, and suddenly I was almost 100% broke. With hard work and help from my mom and boyfriend, who helped me set-up and make merchandise for local markets, I bounced back and even have a tiny bit of a head start towards next month's bills. These are the lessons I learned from the recent experience.

1. Make Sure You Have Completely Stable Side Income While Transitioning Jobs
The random gigs were just not reliable as my income slumped. My markets and online sales, while good, where not enough in the face of unexpected situations. I looked at other marketing and photography jobs I'd have been a shoe-in for, but I want to save my creative energy for my own business. I swiftly started a well-paying, low-thought part-time job with flexible hours that I'll tell you about soon!

2. Accept Help When It's Offered
I am a maker with a distinct vision. I'm stubborn and independent to a fault. I hate asking for help. Now I'm realizing the benefits of working as a team with my mom and boyfriend as we create a new business. I've recommended delegating and it's importance before, but now I'm making sure I do it.

3. Don't Be Shy, Put Yourself Out There.
I work with would-be small business owners that think most people will shut down their sales pitch, or that their markets will flop. The actuality is that most people say "yes" when your work is good and you're going to the right individuals and venues. "No" doesn't sting as much as you think. Just move on to the next opportunity. People can't respond to your work if you don't go for it. Putting myself out there saved me and continues to make our business money.

4. Focus on Less Projects, and Do Them to the Best of Your Ability
I had some awesome opportunities lined up, ones based on lifelong passions, but in the end, I learned the hard way that you can't spread yourself thin and expect to be successful. It never works. Celebrities that seem to have make-up, jewelry, clothing lines, and acting careers...they have hundreds of helpers, they are just the paid face of various industries. You're just you. Like my card at the top of this post says, take on less, and you'll find abundance. The ancient wisdom is true. I'm resisting future gig offers, now I know I need my main focus to be everything related to this blog and my body care line.

5. It's Not the End of the World if You Go Broke. Dreams Are Worth it.
You can lose it all and when you do, you realize it wasn't as bad as you feared. Through the stress of my recent near-broke scare, I still prefer the brand and income streams I've built for myself much more than working a conventional job! 1 Million times more! And I know I'll get my savings back up. I won't regret this sacrifice when our new business is booming.

Most Business Don't Profit For Three Years... According to a lesson taught by University of North Florida's small business center, most businesses do not earn a profit until three years in. If you're earning a profit (which, a lot of resellers I've interviewed here and here have, it's very possible) you're one of the lucky ones. If you're not, it's par for the course. I wanted to share this story because it's encouraging and helpful to others to see a story of failure (it's relatable, it helps others realize they're not alone) and at the same time, the story of triumphing over it. We'll all get there one day....

Anyone else struggling right now? Don't hold back, let's encourage each other to keep going through the hard times. The hand-painted post card, by the way, is by my business coach. She's obviously well aware of my biggest problem- trying to do too much. And keeping her painting near my desk continues to inspire me to clarify and stop killing myself!

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