Over the last couple of days, I’ve been thinking a lot about the things we do that make us feel more like ourselves. It seems crazy that anyone would ever do anything that leaves them feeling less like themselves, but sadly, it’s way more common than you think.
Here’s the crazy thing. It happens a LOT in entrepreneurship. We get so caught up looking at what everyone else is doing and trying to keep up, that we can end up running a business that doesn’t feel like our own.
Yesterday, I was given the opportunity to speak at an event that aligns with so much of the work I’m doing. The Blue Mind Collective is a summit that speaks to the deep emotional connection we have with water and how the interplay directly impacts our lives.
I found myself surrounded by incredible people. Some of whom I’m blessed to have in my local tribe, and many who were on my ‘global tribe’ list. And here’s whats crazy…. by leaning into this whole tribe thing, for the long haul, I’ve witnessed a shift. People who were on my global tribe list are now moving to my local tribe list. People who I’ve followed on Twitter, whose books I have devoured, whose work has influenced mine profoundly, are becoming friends, mentors & collaboration buddies.
This is the meaning of tribe.
This crew, these friends, this family. All walking their own path. All figuring this shit out as they go along. But all having each other's backs. No matter what.
There is infinite power in these relationships.
It’s funny. I wrote about tribes exactly a month ago. Fresh off the back of an awesome speaking opportunity at Blue Mind. Riffing on the all amazing synchronicity that happens when you choose to surround yourself with the right people. Celebrating all the good stuff.
And then boom, 30 days later and the real value shows up. These moments, when you are covered in the metaphorical blood, sweat and (not so metaphorical) tears of entrepreneurship, when you understand what it means to have a tribe.
And so, at about 6 am, as I was flicking through the training manual that I’d just printed off for a final check, I fell down the stairs.
Not just a couple. I slipped at the top and bounced my way down the entire staircase, landing in a heap at the bottom somehow still holding my laptop in the air, with the hundred or so pages of workbook scattered around me.
It hurt. A lot.
Give first.
Think long-term rather than short-term. I know, this isn’t what you want to hear when you are desperate for your business to start making money. But building a brand that gives first is the smartest move you can make. Giving first can come in so many forms — It can be as simple as offering your advice for free, letting people try your product, going out of your way to help someone out. But please please please remember this: Don’t try and be tactical about it. Don’t offer your help and then throw in a sales pitch at the end. I know it might feel counterintuitive, or even downright crazy if you’re struggling to make any sales…. but generosity makes for good karma… you’ve just gotta trust it.
My two worlds have collided. In the very best of ways. I've been spending more and more time exploring this concept of using business as a force for good. In purpose driven business. In conscious capitalism. That I noticed something interesting happening in my branding work - I realised that the clients that I was most excited to work with were those who were working towards something bigger than a paycheque. They were organisations who were making an impact - who were using their work to help important social or environmental causes. They were entrepreneurs who were doing epic work in the world and just needed help crafting it into an awesome brand.
Every Wednesday morning, at 8 am, I have a call with my mastermind buddy, Lucy. What’s a mastermind buddy? Well, for me at least, it’s someone you connect with on a regular basis to talk business.
The concept of mastermind groups came from a guy called Napoleon Hill in the early 1900’s. He wrote about the mastermind principle as: “The coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony.”
And for me, the introduction of this call into my weekly routine has been one of the biggest game-changers for my business. Lucy and I have walked through some pretty big stuff together. Business launches. Business fails. Hiring & firing. Negotiating big deals. Learning to say yes. Learning to say no. Big picture strategy stuff. Day to day decisions that have the potential to make or break you.
I’ve just spent the last 10 days in Bali. Here’s how most people spend 10 days in Bali: They kick back by the pool. They go visit stuff. They go out to eat. They surf. They hang out with friends. They relax.
And here’s what’s interesting… I did all that stuff. But I also worked my ass off. I worked with clients most days. I surfed when the tide was right and worked when the wind got up. I still got to go exploring, I just took my laptop with me and checked into a co-working space to get a few hours work done. It turns out that work/life blend is waaaay easier than work life/balance.
