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Here's the thing: becoming qualified

I once read a quote either by or about Tony Blair, the gist of which was “The irony of being prime minister is that you’re more qualified for the job at the end of your term than at the beginning.”

It struck me as true, but kind of true of all jobs. True of running a business, buying a house, parenting and more.

You’re better at changing nappies when your kids don’t need them anymore than when you put that very first nappy on.

You’re more qualified to negotiate on house prices on your second house than on your first.

You’re better able to decide how much stock to order in your tenth year than in your first. (Note: I said tenth year. Not second. Not fifth. It takes a while.)

We learn by doing. And even if you think all you’re doing is making mistakes and holding it together by the skin of your teeth, you’re learning.

You’re learning how to design, prototype and launch a product. You’re learning how to stand up for what you need and want. You’re learning how to market yourself, and what works best for you.

It’s not easy, all this learning. And it’s certainly not always fun.

I have days where I just want to know everything without having to go through the process. But, like everything, the only way out is through. And I’m learning to trust that the longer it takes for me to learn something, the better it’ll stick. And that if something’s worth learning, it’s worth really learning through experience.

So here’s the thing:

One day, you’re going to be really qualified to live your life and run your business. I will tell you now: that day will be at the end. And at that point, you won’t want to do it anymore, because it’ll be boring.

Why will it be boring? Because you won’t be learning anymore.

We love learning, secretly. We’re motivated by it. It keeps things interesting, all the newness. Think about that moment when you have a new idea, and you can see the potential and you’re just itching to get started. That’s the motivation to learn, to find out what happens when you create this new thing. We want to experience what it’s like to do this one thing, to find out what it feels like and looks like and sounds like. It’s so fun!

Another thing: no one is more qualified than you to run your business.

(I talk about the comparison trap a lot, but that’s because we need reminding a lot.)

Some people may have experience in certain areas that make it easier for them to run a business. For example, my experience at notonthehighstreet.com has given me insight into online selling that has allowed me to jump right into mentoring clients. Not everyone has that, and it has made it easier for me.

Someone else may have worked in retail their entire careers, so when they set up their own business, it seems like they know how this whole thing works. They’re more experienced in certain areas that are helpful for them.

But you? You have experience and expertise in areas that are right for you. You’re learning where there are gaps and how to fill them.

Perhaps you have more experience designing, or keeping track of your expenses, or writing about your products. You don’t need to know it all. You can’t know it all.

You’re learning.

And every day, you’re more qualified.

Here's the thing: go slowly

Every Friday I post a “here’s the thing” blog. “Here’s the thing” is something my mum (and many other wise people) like to say when they’re about to make a good point. Hopefully these posts are also good points.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot over the last few weeks. Even before Christmas and before the January resolutions mania kicked in, I was craving (and finding) ways to go slowly.

In the last year, I’ve moved house twice, left a job, started a business, bought a flat, and started a big, lovely relationship. You can probably understand that I might need a little less doing.

But I don’t think going slowly is just for the aftermath of lots of big things happening.

When you’re running a business and doing everything yourself, there are always endless things you could add to your to-do list. It’s not like we can’t all reel off 20 things we could do today. And there’s also endless opportunity to worry that you’re not keeping up with what’s expected of you, with what others are doing. Thanks, Facebook for that “gift”.

But as I mentioned on my social media last week, science says we’re more likely to overestimate what we can do in the short term and underestimate what we can achieve in the long term. This one thing has changed the way I work more than any other.

Basically, I under-sell myself on what I can do in the long term. And as if to prove it, I give myself way too much to handle in the short term and then “fail”. Can you relate to that?

So, now, a different mindset: my life is a marathon, not a sprint. Ditto for my business.

I’m not here for the short term, just to make a quick fortune and then retire. I’m here to build a job that will keep me passionate, enthusiastic and excited for, well, the rest of my life.

So here’s the thing:

Go slowly.

Those resolutions that might be feeling hard or boring or overwhelming? Don’t sweat it. If you gave yourself more than, say, three things to do in January, your expectations were skewed. Cut it back. Give more to February and March. They’re perfectly great months to do things. This isn’t procrastination, this is marathon planning.

Overwhelmed by the day’s to-do list before you’ve even started? Just focus on three things. You don’t need to look further ahead than that.

Need extra sleep? Give yourself time to lie in tomorrow. And Sunday. And possibly Monday. Your brain and your body and your work will thank you for it.

Worried that slowing down will actually result in never getting anything done? Then let me tell you that it’ll actually mean you get more done and feel better about it in the long term. And isn’t that what we all want?

PS If you need support in prioritising your precious energy, or are feeling a little lost, a January review might be just the thing for you. I still have a couple of spaces left for these special £50 sessions. Email me to book a call.

PPS There are also still spaces available for my Small Creative Business Retreat on 20-22 March. A whole weekend of going slowly and getting a whole load of great work done…

Here's the thing: intuition

I believe that intuition plays a huge part in our lives, but also in business. I believe big businesses underestimate their CEOs’ and employees’ ability to work intuitively. I believe small businesses (especially if they’re creative) run on intuition by necessity. And I believe that if we were all to hone and cultivate our intuition, we’d improve our ability to make the decisions that are right for us.

Let me say more about that bit about small businesses…

We work alone. We work with innovative ideas and iterations that haven’t been seen before.

Time and resources are limited. When we’re making decisions about what colour to use on a product, or whether to put X or Y on Facebook, we work intuitively. Part of that intuition might include using information we’ve processed – consciously or subconsciously – about what worked before.

Yes, we might use research (our own or others’), but we certainly don’t have huge budgets and buckets of time for qualitative and quantitative data processing. For brand agencies, market researchers, and data analysts.

Once we’ve got the best possible information, ultimately most decisions come back to what feels right for us.

And that’s not to say intuition is always the knee-jerk initial reaction we have to a particular problem or decision. Sometimes that’s reserved for fear, or anxiety, or I’m-not-good-enough judgements.

Intuition is the deeper voice, the one that somehow knows, the one you’ve always had to lead you down the right path for you.

Intuition doesn’t care what other people are doing. (Comparison is the thief of joy.) Intuition works exclusively for you and your work.

Intuition is your way of learning, processing and deciding that can’t always be explained immediately. And it’s often quicker than going round the houses in trying to back something up.

Here’s the thing:

Intuition, like any other skill, needs cultivating. It needs practice. It needs conscious attention.

To make it really valuable to you and your business, you need to tend to your intuition, building up the trust you have for yourself.

A few things to try to cultivate your own unique intuition:

1. Think back. Remember a time in recent weeks or months when you made a decision or acted intuitively. How did it feel? How did you know it was the right decision for you? Did you “just know”? Were there still doubts? It could be as simple as deciding which product or image to put on your website’s homepage. What was the impact of your decision? Is there anything your intuition can learn for next time? (Even it’s just – hey, you were spot on!)

2. Make your fears and insecurities conscious so that they don’t get in the way of your intuitive voice. We all have fears and insecurities. And while it often feels like you want to push them down and lock them in a safe 20 leagues under the sea, that actually makes them stronger and more aggressive. As uncomfortable as it might feel, I thoroughly recommend writing out all the fears, worries and insecurities that come up for you in general and regarding specific situations or decisions.

Be really honest, and really specific. (“I’m afraid I’m a fraud, and one day people are going to find out.”)

Notice if and how you catastrophise (“This product will fail, and then no one will like me, and my business will go under.”)

When you’ve got a nice, big list, take it all in. Become aware of how your fears might be your knee-jerk reactions that block your intuition. Be kind to yourself – these fears aren’t “bad”, they’re just beliefs you’ve picked up to try and keep you safe. A little misguided, and ready to be heard but not followed.

3. Sit with your intuition. It really benefits from being respected and listened to. You might choose to meditate, or write down your ideas. You might just think about how you work intuitively while you’re cooking or out for a walk. The more space and intention you can give to this muscle called intuition, the stronger it will get. If you have a wave of inspiration or there’s an idea you can’t shake, write it down, say it out loud. Whatever feels right, even if you can’t back it up right this second. That’s your intuition asking for a louder voice.

Wishing you a wonderful end to the first week of the year, and lots of lovely intuition,

Like the sound of working more closely with your intuition? I’ll be covering it at my Small Creative Business Retreat (20-22 March). A weekend of relaxation, rejuvenation and re-connecting with your business (and your intuition!). What could be better? Book your place now!

So here’s the thing:

So here’s the thing:

Here’s the thing:

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