You and Your Business Are Two Separate Entities
I’m keeping this newsletter short and sweet, but it contains one of the most important lessons that I’ve ever learned in my business: You and your business are not the same. Now, don’t get me wrong. As a small business owner, you are the face of your business. Your personality, values, and stories show up in everything you do. But if you work with the mentality that you ARE your business – it becomes really hard not to take everything personally.
When your business fails, you fail.
When someone says No to your services, they are saying No to you.
When you don’t fill a program, it’s because people don’t like you.
When not enough people come to an event, it’s because they skipped your party.
OUCH. No one wants to run a business like that. But the truth is that most entrepreneurs are running businesses exactly like that. And it hurts. Every. Single. Day.
So let’s stop that, shall we?
I decided about four years ago that Monica Shah and Revenue Breakthrough would be connected through the personality, messaging, and values of my business – but that they were very distinct entities, too.
There are days when Monica Shah needs a break, even when Revenue Breakthrough would have her cross more things off her to-do list. And so Monica Shah takes those days off.
There are weeks when Revenue Breakthrough has a hard week – team chaos, client fears, IRS bills.
But Monica Shah – she has a great life full of family, partnership and fun – even on the hard weeks. In fact, it is Monica Shah’s great life that makes it possible for Revenue Breakthrough to keep going during the hard weeks.
When someone says No to Revenue Breakthrough, she is not saying No to Monica Shah. Monica is still beautiful, smart, and (dare I say it?) charming!
I could go on and on here.
I’m telling you – this separation has literally saved my business, my life, and so many of my relationships.
After 15 years of being in business, I no longer derive my identity, my happiness, and my need for approval from my business. Because my business can do that on her own.
Revenue Breakthrough is an entity with her own desires, needs, and soul. Sometimes they conflict with Monica Shah and other times they are in alignment, but both parties work together to run the show.
This week, I invite you to spend some time drawing lines between yourself and your business.
Journal on the following questions:
Who are you? What do you like to do? What are your needs?
Who is your business? What does she like to do? What are her needs?
What things are you currently taking personally in your business?
What do you need to let go of, and let your business take responsibility for?
For more on this topic – jump into our FB Group, where I’ll be posting videos on this topic and more later this week. Come join us here!
