Over the 16+ years of building my business (and helping so many other introverted business owners do the same), I’ve learned a few truths… Fundamental principles that I’ve learned along the way, through my own experience and the clients I’ve helped.
And honestly? I really, really wish someone had told me these things earlier.
They would have helped me pay attention to what really mattered.
I would have moved forward faster.
I would have made better decisions sooner and felt more confident about the possibility of the success of my business!
So, if you struggle with:
- When to decide to let something go and try something else
- What’s it going to take to make your business work
- How to market your business on repeat when everything you have to do is outside your comfort zone…
This is for you.
Here are three key truths that will help you move your business forward, especially if you’re an introverted business owner:
1️⃣ The longer we try to force something that doesn’t fit, the longer we stay stuck.
Are you trying to market your business by pretending to be an extrovert, but it feels super uncomfortable or awkward, and it’s not at all how you naturally show up?
The answer isn’t to try harder.
That doesn’t create success. It creates burnout.
Instead… find another way.
Look at what you’re doing and ask: If I could do this differently, what would I do instead?
And then try that.
It may or may not be the answer… but at a minimum, it’ll move you towards the answer and away from the uncomfortable things that you already know aren’t working.
2️⃣ If you want your business to work, you have to ask the right question.
For example, a number of my clients have shown me their business and their marketing and asked: “Can this work?”
And every time, my answer is:
👉 You’re asking the wrong question.
Asking “Can this work?” implies that the answer is outside of you.
It suggests that there’s a magic setup or perfect combination that will work, and if you don’t get it exactly right, it won’t.
It suggests that your success is out of your hands… and that no matter what you do, it’s possible that it’ll never work.
But none of that is true.
Whether or not your business will work isn’t a given. It isn’t a gamble that you’re banking on.
There are things you can do to move your business towards the success you’re looking for.
Decisions you can make.
So many things you can try.
A better question to ask is: “HOW can I make this work?”
Because you have more control than you think.
More choices.
More agency.
And when you lean into your ability to take control, explore your options, and make choices that work best for you and your business, you’ll get where you’re trying to go much faster.
There’ll always be questions, and doubt, and even fear…
But making choices and taking action can help keep them in perspective and at bay.
And every choice you make will help you learn more about what will and won’t work.
3️⃣ You don’t have to go as far outside your comfort zone as “they” say you do.
You’ve heard it: “Success lies outside your comfort zone.”
It’s said like it’s a whole truth unto itself… and I can assure you that it is not.
Success isn’t “out there” in some place where you have to get super uncomfortable to achieve it.
Could you? Sure.
Should you? Maybe.
Do you have to? Nope.
You can find the success you’re looking for by leaning into your natural strengths — the ones inside your comfort zone.
They are inside your comfort zone because you’ve done them before.
Maybe you prefer to communicate through writing, so throughout your life, you’ve done a lot of writing.
So it’s no wonder writing is in your comfort zone.
So in your marketing, what should you consider doing?
Market your business by writing.
And if you’re an introvert who’s perfectly happy talking in front of people? If that’s in your comfort zone, do that!
My point is: You get to choose.
And the fact that it’s comfortable for you should be a reason to do it, not a reason to look for something else.
I always ask my clients: What are you interested in doing to market your business?
And then we start there.
Why get uncomfortable if you don’t have to?
What if success can be found inside your comfort zone?
The thing about these truths is they aren’t magic formulas.
They’re anchors.
They can help you stay grounded when you’re feeling lost.
They can remind you that your business doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be successful.
And in those moments when you’re feeling doubtful or facing a difficult decision, they can help you find your best answer.
My hope is that they give you the perspective I wish I’d had earlier, so you can focus on what truly matters, trust yourself more, make better decisions… and move your business forward in a way that works for you.
What if your marketing strategy was custom tailored to your introverted, quiet style?
