The first event/book I ever wrote (and self-published using a local printer and those plastic rings you can make books with and sold ONLY at my “events” by the same name) was:
Work Your Own Way.
That was my message.
The title of my book.
The name of my event.
And my tagline.
I wanted to empower women who SAID they wanted to make a living WHILE raising their children. I wanted to show them how they could do it. I wanted to shout from the rooftops about how POSSIBLE it was to work your own way while being the primary caregiver to your kids…
In this book/event/business, I began with looking at how much work could cost you, once you factored in childcare, etc. I covered work-from-home proposals and also straight up entrepreneurial basics in the event that your boss said NO to your pitch. I covered office basics, including TOTALLY BRILLIANT HACKS regarding how to work with kids underfoot and how to take phone calls during NON-nap times.
I’d done it.
I’d lived it.
I was a “success” story.
I’d replaced my full-time income, while working from home, around my kids’ schedules.
Work Your Own Way, I shouted.
It took me a while to realize that while nearly EVERY woman said they “WISHED” they could do what I was doing….
it was a VERY RARE woman indeed who actually MEANT it.
Not having to take their kid to child care sounded GREAT, but they wanted to do it without giving up their uninterrupted lunch breaks, their manicures, sacrificing office relationships. They feared losing ground at work and/or losing their identities.
I get it.
Totally.
I gave up EVERYTHING
to pursue this life I have.
I burned ALL ships.
Abandoned any potential plan B.
To “work my own way.”
To make this a reality,
I worked harder than ever before.
I slept less than ever before.
And I fretted, a lot.
About money.
About time.
About the future.
Manicures happened on my birthday.
Christmas gifts were business books and office supplies.
Here’s the HORRIBLE part of the story.. of MY story.
It didn’t have to be this way.
But, back then “work your own way” meant only ONE thing to me: Make money without needing childcare. Replace my income without leaving the house.
NO WONDER MY SHOUTS WERE LANDING ON DEAF EARS.
While I LOVED my life,
my kids,
the tender moments I was able to embrace,
instead of a babysitter telling me about it later,
the long hours of just “being a mom,”
I was also exhausted.
And stressed.
I should have been more specific in my “dreaming.” I shouldn’t have SETTLED for “only” replacing my income while working from home. I could have put up MORE parameters for my success…. like,
Replacing my income while doing work that I loved and easily navigating wife-dom and mommy-hood and work.
That would have been a great start.
BUT, HERE’S THE THING.
MY OWN “WORK YOUR OWN WAY” MESSAGE WAS FALLING ON DEAF EARS BECAUSE I WAS BEING TOO HONEST.
I was actually telling people what it “cost” me.
{I always prefer honesty to B.S.)
No wonder they thought,
“Nah… I’ll just stay put.” lol…
Unfortunately, a whole lot of budding entrepreneurs are SEDUCED into self-bossing with phrases like, “WORK YOUR OWN WAY.” or “THE 4-HOUR WEEK” or “FREEDOM.”
This version of the entrepreneurial story is a seductive beast, indeed.
The bait & switch, however, is felt EARLY.
The standard “Work your own way” message is chanted only long enough for many to leave their day jobs.
Then… the same person who told you
— in that inspiring book you read —
that you could have it YOUR way,
will coach you on EXACTLY how to do it THEIR way…
for a fee.
And so it seems we’re pulled out of the corporate cubicle and then encouraged to follow another set of step-by-step instructions that lands us right back into another box….
following directions,
checking off a to-do list,
plowing through our days.
IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY.
In fact, doing what every other entrepreneur in your industry is doing makes for a really LONG and ARDUOUS road to success.
Doing it YOUR way.
Letting YOUR own UNIQUE sliver of genius shine,
Showing up ruthlessly and unapologetically YOU…
allows you to show up as NO OTHER,
make offers that can’t EASILY be price shopped,
reach people who KNOW that you’re their “go-to person.”
So, to you today I say,
You escaped the cubicle
RESIST THE BOX.
Today, I guess I’m still shouting,
DO IT YOUR WAY.
Don’t acquiesce
or compromise
or settle.
If you EVER want my help…
not for a “paint by numbers” template,
but to help YOU connect your OWN dots,
you can schedule time with me here: https://www.bmichellepippin.com/private-strategy-session/
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Becoming an entrepreneur is not easy, one must take the risks. There will be failures and challenges that may come but as long as you’re passionate and determined, you will surely succeed. Have courage and always give your best.