How to succeed in business as an Introvert.
4 Tips that I have found useful in running my business.
Anyone who knows me, knows I am the biggest introvert around.
I am more than happy to be alone for days, sitting in my quiet and safe space. Why? Because it is easier. It is easier than pretending to be someone I am not. It is easier than trying to judge how people will feel/react towards me. It is easier to feel in control, this way. BUT. It is also not helping me to achieve any dreams, try anything new or work on my extreme anxiety. So, here is a little insight into what I have done and continue to work through to build my business.
1.Remind myself of my TRUE worth.
Whether you believe and trust God with your life or not, almost every belief system talks about your life having a purpose. I am Christian, so I believe that my TRUE worth comes from my creator, my father and my saviour. The bible talks about us as being handmade, chosen, made to be like Him, seen, understood, loved beyond measure to the point of complete sacrifice, fully accepted, redeemed, co-heirs with Christ. There are many, many days that I wrongly question my worth, but if I can come back to this amazing truth, then I have good grounding to face the day.
2.Build/find a support system.
There will always be people who believe in you. Whether they are the people who religiously “like” your posts, the family who mind your children whilst you work, the husband who believes in your worth and sends you constant reminders of this. The flipside is that there are always those who doubt you, question why you are bothering, fill your mind with negativity, never “Like” your posts etc. These are not the people to surround yourself with. Spend more time listening, talking to and seeking advice from those who believe in you, those who encourage you and fill your cup. There may be people you leave behind or spend less time with. That is more than ok. Some people are not your people. This has been a massive lesson for me, I am a people pleaser and want to be accepted by everyone, so ignoring this fuels my anxiety, but the kind of support I have found in a few people, has been worth it.
3. Fake it til you make it.
Do it anyway. And do it scared.
I still get anxiety with EVERY single photo shoot. Every single one, I have to battle my body’s desire to just postpone, give up and shut myself in my safe zone. But I have a strong belief that you follow through with doing what you say you will do. So I cannot let people down. I force myself to pretend. I go through the motions and push myself through the anxiety. And I always feel better for it, afterward. I made a choice to not let the crippling anxiety stop me from reaching for another dream and following my purpose. It sure does make it hard, but it can be done.
4. Make it easy on yourself.
Find ways to make it easier on yourself.
I have a fear of talking on the phone. I don’t know why, I just do. So I email/text/message/use social media, any other way I can to talk to clients. Yes, it is probably not the “best,” way to do it, but it takes some of the pressure off for me. It allows me to say more of what I need to say, without judging someone’s tone of voice at the same time.
I also chose the times, days and locations I shoot at, specifically. By choosing the “best” conditions for me, it has taken some of the stress away. I can know how long it will take me to get to the location, I know where the better light/spots are to shoot in, I can picture the area in my mind and be better prepared. This allows me to have established a kind of routine and familiarity, which helps to overcome the anxiety around the unknown factors, such as meeting people for the first time.
I still get anxiety with EVERY single photo shoot. Every single one, I have to battle my body’s desire to just postpone, give up and shut myself in my safe zone. But I have a strong belief that you follow through with doing what you say you will do. So I cannot let people down. I force myself to pretend. I go through the motions and push myself through the anxiety. And I always feel better for it, afterward. I made a choice to not let the crippling anxiety stop me from reaching for another dream and following my purpose. It sure does make it hard, but it can be done.It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
