Is that Irritating Imposter Syndrome Back?
Try this - it will help your business in several ways, but will also be a pick-me-up when you aren’t quite believing in yourself.
A couple of years ago, I was working with a mentor and she suggested that I reach out to 10-20 people who had worked with me in the past, and ask them what they liked most about working with me.
Are you kidding me?!?
That has to be the most uncomfortable thing ever. Suggesting to people that they say nice things about me? (and, ummmm - what if they don't?) Aren't I putting them on the spot? Making them uncomfortable? Isn't this just weird?
Well, in the end, it turned out to be one of the best exercises I have ever done. Not because it fed my ego, but because it helped me see how I do what I do differently than others who do the same thing.
And that's the only way we can connect with our clients.
The only way to stand out online.
The way to find the people we love working with, and who value what we bring to the table. I have an entire program on what makes you different, but let's just start simply.
Can you articulate what your clients/members/attendees value the most about you? If not, ask them.
Just ask them.
Ask your clients what they value about you the most. I sent all of my newslettersubscribers a copy of the email that I used to ask my clients. Subscribe below if you want to get that email copy and my newsletter.
Oh, and one other thing - just about everyone who responded told me that they were touched or honored to be asked - wow!
So, what do you do with these kind words once you receive them?
You know when someone sends you an email that says they loved your webinar, or that they found an old article you wrote and it totally clicked? Or that they met you at an event a year ago and you said something they still think about?
When someone says something like this, put it in your Kind File. This can be a folder in your email, a Word doc, or even a real, physical file - whatever works.
Then, on those days when you simply think you aren't good enough - or have crazy impostor syndrome - or are just exhausted - pull it out.
Read it.
Believe it.
And as a tip, you can also use this as a starting point for asking for testimonials for your website.
And another tip? This works just as well for our personal lives as our business lives.
Bonus: don't just gather these kind words - be sure to send them, too.
I have kept a copy of every single email that each of my readers has sent me thanking me for the newsletter. Every. Single. One.
If you ever read something and it touches you, or shifts your perspective, or you thought it was creative, or it made you laugh - TELL THEM.
“be the beginning of someone’s Kind File”
It's okay if you don't personally know the person. They won't mind. This is hard stuff, especially when we do so much of it alone, by ourselves.
It will make their day - I promise.
Be the beginning of someone else's Kind File.
