How long has it been?

This week, I’ve been reflecting on the early days of my business (nearly 7 years ago!). Like most people, looking back now, I see how unprepared and unaware I was.

I cringe when I think about some of the presentations and pitches I made… Honestly, I’m not sure how anyone took me seriously — let alone handed me large sums of money 😅

It was entirely thanks to blissful ignorance that I did those things. And while that’s embarrassing to admit — I’m starting to realize there was some real power in that ignorance.

Because I didn’t know what I didn’t know, I was willing to try things that the older, wiser me of today wouldn’t risk. It was that same ignorance that allowed me to take some of the biggest leaps — and biggest leaps forward — in my business.

Thankfully my business has continued to grow each year, but not nearly at the same rate as in the first few years. Of course, it’s easier to see significant growth when you’re starting from zero, but I don’t think that’s the whole story…

I’ve learned a lot in seven years… My business is stable… And now I have even more to lose. Because of that, I’m much less likely to take chances, try new things, and put myself out there in the ways I did back in my first few years.

When I was taking bigger risks, I found bigger rewards. That’s not to say I didn’t fall flat on my face at times (oh, I did!)… But those big leaps — successful or not — were what propelled my business forward.

Of course, I don’t want to promote making uninformed, ignorant, thoughtless decisions, but I do wonder if losing that tingling feeling of excitement and nervousness is holding us back from achieving even more?

While our initial decisions might not have been perfectly researched, they were fueled by our entrepreneurial spirit.

When I look around at some of the people and companies I admire most, one thing I’m starting to realize is that they aren’t holding themselves back for the sake of comfort. They’re embracing the same spirit that got their business off the ground to take them to the next level.

When was the last business decision you made that gave you butterflies? How long has it been since you worked through the night because you were so excited about getting a new idea out into the world?

I’m starting to realize it’s been too long.