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Our speaking and business journeys are not always going to be a straight path from where we are to where we want to be. If that's the case, why does it seem as though successful business owners and public speakers are only sharing the highlight moments of their journeys? On this episode of The Speak to Scale Podcast we're pulling back the curtain and sharing the reality of the more difficult moments on your speaking journey. Whether you're in the thick of it now or you want to be better equipped to handle a difficult business season should it head your way, this episode unpacks what it looks like (and what to do) when you're not seeing the results you've been working so hard to achieve.

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Navigating Alopecia and Business Success

If you follow me on Instagram you may already know that I've been navigating some personal health issues behind the scenes. In October of 2020, I found a small patch of my hair was gone overnight. I was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata, an autoimmune condition where your body attacks your healthy hair follicles resulting in unpredictable, patchy hair loss.

It's just hair. Things could be so much worse. Aside from navigating some other autoimmune symptoms and trying to get clarity on what's causing the flare-ups - I'm okay. The impact of Alopecia Areata is much more psychological than it is physical. Our hair plays a big role in our identity. I've always been the one with the purple hair and I was terrified that I was going to become the woman with patchy bald spots or even, the woman with no hair.

With the unpredictable nature of Alopecia Areata, it's common to have nightmares about waking up to more patches or no hair... and they're not just nightmares. This comes with a lot of uncertainty that can be unsettling and feel beyond my control.

The same goes for our businesses and speaking journeys.

There are moments in our business journey where we can't see what's up ahead. We don't know what's going to happen next. Even in situations where we feel like things are out of our hands, we still get to decide if we're going to steer the ship or passively go along for the ride.

Steer Your Ship Through The Rough Seas

We have all walked through hard moments and we can walk through this season, too.

On the days when things feel out of my control or too heavy to carry, I remind myself that I made it through four years in prison where I had absolutely no control. I was told when the lights were on and when they would be off. I was told what and when I could eat, shower, or use the bathroom... if I could sit, stand, or sleep. In that season I still made the decision to steer the ship as much as I could and I know you can steer (even just a little bit) this season you're walking through.

I'm not saying that we can control the situation or the outcome, we can't. We CAN control how we react to these difficult season. We can control how we choose to cope with it and what we do behind the scenes when no one is looking.

We can't control the rough seas that may be ahead but we can control how we prepare for them and how we navigate them.

In prison, there was nothing in my control but I was able to find a glimmer of light in the darkness. I tutored young women to help them get their GEDs. This was my way steering my days and bringing some sense of purpose into a season where it felt like there was none. I thought to myself, "If I could help just one young woman have a second chance, maybe this season wouldn't be years wasted after all."

Personal Input vs. Business Success

Here I am walking through another season of uncertainty but this time its hair loss. This season of uncertainty has taught me so much about business and speaking success.

There are two main parts to the equation: What we put in + What we get out

However, this equation is not as cut and dry as we often make it out to be. It's not just "if we put in the time, we make more money." You can put in a whole lot of time doing things that don't impact your bottom line and end up owing money in the end.

Sometimes it looks like this:

If I pitch more events I'll book more opportunities.

If I speak on more podcasts I'll get more clients.

If I put more money into ads we'll get more sales.

If I post more on social media I'll get more leads.

Those statements do not reflect the quality of our work or the intention behind our actions.

Action alone does not guarantee success.

Speaking Success is a Long-Game

Doing the deep work that is required for success is not always easy. Doing it for a long time is even less easy.

While speaking may look glamorous, it does not always make us feel successful or glamorous. Maybe you've spent months submitting pitch after pitch only to hear nothing but crickets.

Those are the moments when we're tempted to say, "I don't want to steer the ship anymore."

Take a step back and get clear on your vision for what's ahead. A clear vision for where you're going (or where you want to go) allows you to take the right action steps that move you closer to your desired outcome.

What do we do when the vision seems cloudy?

What if we can't see it at all?

What if we don't know what's up ahead?

We must lean on hope. I get it - that part is easier said than done and some days finding hope feels like an impossible task. If you ARE doing the input part of the equation, it becomes a lot easier to have faith that the output will come... even when we can't see it.

Unfortunately, we don't see the progress we're making.

Take my Alopecia Areata journey, for example. I've been working for months to improve my health, support my immune system, and work to restore my hair. I've taken all the right steps and have been committed to the journey. However, my path has gotten bigger not smaller.

These are the things that can throw us off course, derail our mission, and maybe even lead us to throw in the towel.

We have to look for other hints of success and hold on to our vision for what is ahead.

While it may feel like I've taken steps backward in my Alopecia journey, I haven't. There are other changes that have happened in my body that I can look to as a reminder that even though I can't see the hair regrowth just yet - I know I'm healing just beneath the surface.

Prepare for Uncertainty in Speaking and Business

We have no idea what will be sent our way over the next twelve months. We don't know what type of seas we'll need to navigate. We can't control those variables but we CAN control the way we prepare for them today and every day.

Start Steering Your Ship to Success

Vision - Figure out where you're going and the impact you're going to make when you get there.
Action - Focus on the ACTIONS you need to take to get to that destination.
Habits - Turn your actions into HABITS. Speaking success is a marathon, friend and you're here to make an impact for the long haul. Settle in and commit to doing the work.
Support - Call in help for accountability. You don't have to walk this journey alone. Having others in your corner to remind you how far you've come will help you if the seas get rough.

The impact you're working to make is important. Keep showing up and doing the hard work... even in those seasons where it may feel like you're not making the progress you hoped for. Success is brewing just beneath the surface - even when you can't see it.

Ready to link arms with other business owners who are committed to taking action towards their versions of success? Join our free community for business owners who are on this journey. The one's who are working hard to scale their business from the stage and leave their audience better than they found them.

If you're not already a member of the academy, we'd love to invite you to apply to join The Speaking Strategy Academy. You'll get instant access to our A-Z speaking training system with video lessons, transcripts, scripts, templates, and more.... access to our live group coaching calls, personalized 1:1 feedback on your work from me, and an opportunity to present your work live in front of our community for hot seat coaching and feedback. What are you waiting for, friend? Apply today!

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