This contributor post was written by Tiffany Han.
1. Some people on the internet are full of sh*t.
A website (even a beautiful one!) does not make someone an authority on your business (or your life!). There is an endless number of experts on the internet, all trying to get your attention and give you their best tips. It’s up to you to know who to trust and who to listen to. Let everyone else go.
Better yet, start with listening to and trusting yourself. Helpful information is not hard to find. It will be there when you need it.
2. You only need to pay attention to what YOU are doing.
It’s been said before: keeping your eyes on your own paper is the best way to move your business forward. You don’t need to collect inspiration anymore. You need to move. And act. And create. (Stop stockpiling inspiration and get to work.)
3. Your creative genius is not found in your gmail inbox or on facebook or someone elses blog.
Creative businesses stem from creation. Not social media. If you’re feeling uninspired or having a hard time staying focused, step away from the computer and make something! With your hands! (I don’t think Excel was created to help inspire.) Tip: Need to get some stuff done? Make it your priority and tackle it first thing in the morning, before you turn on your computer (or check your smartphone!).
4. The success of your business does not determine the success of your life.
Likewise, the success of your life is not determined by any of the success of any of the following: your diet, your marriage, your job search, your online dating hunt, your marathon training, or that scarf you started knitting 9 months ago.
Trust this. You are more than your business. When things don’t sell or go as you’d hoped, it’s okay. Keep going.
5. Fear is a reality of playing a bigger game. As is doubt.
Learning to accept this, roll with it, and not let it stop you is one of the biggest game-changers you can make. Yes, fear feels really intense. Yes, it’s hard to move beyond it. But figuring out how is what makes the difference between people who make things happen and people who only dream about it.
Which camp do you want to be in?
Tiffany Han, CPCC is a coach for highly-creative people who want to wake up happy. If you’re feeling the growing pains of running your creative business and are ready to STOP spinning your wheels and actually get stuff done, her Good Morning Glitterbomb daily inspiration emails are sure to light your fire.
29 comments | Click here to reply
I just want to say THANK YOU 🙂
swiejkoI thought it’s only me, but I see there are more of us 😉
I am so printing this out!! This is exactly the point where I am right now. #2 and #3 especially.
AnneriThanks!
Thank you so much for these tips! I find them inspiring and comforting.
I’ve been wanting to start my own business for a long time and I’ve just recently taken the first few steps of making it real. It’s a scary time as I struggle with a fluctuating confidence. Your last truth about fear and doubt really resonate with me. It’s nice to know that those uncomfortable feelings are a right of passage when trying to self propel.
Thanks!
http://www.buffalobritty.blogspot.com/
BuffaloBritty[…] my last post 5 Truths that will Make Running your Biz (and your Life) Infinitely Easier (check it out if you haven’t already, it’s good stuff ifIdosaysomyself), I mentioned […]
My Secret Formula for Getting Things Done & Avoiding Internet Distractions | Paper & StitchAh exactly what I needed to read today – feeling much better now!
Tammy[…] 5 Truths That Will Make Running your Biz (and your Life) Infinitely Easier by Paper n Stitch […]
Weekend Finds (Reading, Cooking, Inspiration, DIY) - Sunshine Inspired DesignsThis is exactly what I needed today..In the works of creating my own blog presently, I always struggle with #2 and end up worried that someone made a post on an idea I’ve had in my “mind’s stockpile” so to say.. Thank you for such an inspirational post!
**& I’m off to make something 🙂
Jess[…]  5 truths that will make running your business (and your life) easier […]
Essential Reading: Articles and Posts for Fun – Campfire ChicI heart this post so hard. <3
AbbeyThanks, Tiffany, for putting into words what my gut already told me but my inner procrastinator was silencing! I have got to reprioritize my day and start doing instead of just thinking about it.
JenniferI am a dreamer & a stockpiler – transitioning myself into a doer and a faucet in my creative biz. Posts like this are so encouraging – and help me to focus on following what I already know I can & should do! #5 in particular – fear – is a toughie. Usually, the thing that is terrifying is exactly what I should try!
JenniferThanks Tiffany & Brittni!
As usual, Tiffany nailed it! Love these inspirational biz posts. “Some people on the internet are full of sh*t”. Amen!
CaseyThis is such a great post. Some things that one might not actually think about too often, but is good to think about and definitely creates a perspective. I love the poster idea!
Kanweienea KreationsBest. Reminders. Ever. Thank you!!! This should be a poster in my office.
Kerryamazing. i really needed to read this. thanks for this encouraging post.
kara coxThis is really great insight! Thank you for sharing these tips that can be used not only in business but in life in general! Sound reality check.
MackenzieTruth! x5! ♡♡♡♡♡! Thanks *so* much for this genius post.
lisaekströmI need to take some cues from you on this list and put them in action.
JennI totally needed to hear #3
AngelaVery helpful and motivational. Thanks for sharing!
http://topknotsandpolkadots.wordpress.com
ChloeSo true! I always try to follow my own ideas and carry on and – most of all – go with the flow. Some things have worked out (my first book will be published this week), some things didn’t (My Etsy shop is nearly dead). I keep in mind that I have a decent & fun job (editor/designer) and enough time to do the things I love (paint, crochet, blog, etc). But sometimes when I see other designers/artists/bloggers being super successful (and making a living out of it) it’s hard to value my own successes… So thank you so much for your advise!
LisetteFabulous!!!! I loved 1. & 2. but they are all relative!! Great post and very well written. Will def have to share. x
Nicki TraikosThank you for the great advice. There are a lot of things that I don’t want to do with my blog that other bloggers do such as having a ton of sponsors, giveaways, or guest posts. Thanks for reminding me to trust my gut!
Quyenhttp://liveitinerantly.com
-“When things don’t sell or go as you’d hoped, it’s okay. Keep going.”
TabbyThat’s what I need to do. Thanks for that!
These are such great tips! Thank you for sharing them! I particularly have to pay attention to the getting things done first thing in the morning one. It’s a well known (to me) fact that if I get up and have a lazy morning, nothing will get done. If I get up and start doing dishes or something, though, I’ll likely have a super productive day!
-Becca
BeccaLadyface Blog
As someone who jumps around from dream to dream and has a hard time finding my direction, I needed this. No matter what direction I go, I know I want businesses and to create. Sometimes fear and doubt wrangle me in and I accept that I’m not good enough since plan x didn’t work out. Thank you for this. Wish I had that quote before.
caroline [the diy nurse]Thank you Tiffany for that incredible valuable advise!
Nadine
Nadine of IaKTHANK YOU for writing this down and share it with the world… you absolutely nailed it!!!!
Sofia“Stop stockpiling inspiration and get to work.”
Lindsey HinkleThanks for this – I needed to read that. A very well-written and honest list!