Bible: "Don't think you're better than others" Ephesians 4:2
Bible: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or from a desire to boast" Philippians 2:3
Bible: "Don't compare yourself with others. Look to your own work to see if you have done anything to be proud of." Galatians 6:4-10
World: Wake up everyday and say, "I am ENOUGH"
(fun fact, we actually aren't enough without Jesus and a whole lot of grace)
World: You have to put yourself first to be successful.
World: Perform, head down, hustle.
World: Do what feels good and let your heart lead you.
Let's just say there are mixed messages for a faith-filled business owner and although typically we know what's right, what's wrong, and what we are supposed to think, in reality some days it's hard. It's hard to keep your eyes on your own paper when the very platforms you need to use to grow your business are build on the foundation of competition, impressing others, and gaining followers to yourself and not to your creator.
I have been an entrepreneur for 15 years and in that time what I have noticed is the extreme pressure to perform and standout in business to reach a non-existent level of success in which the bar keeps raising and on the complete other spectrum a message that implies business, profiting and financial success are bad.
I have spent more time in my Bible in 2023 than perhaps ever before and I feel a calling to speak more to Christian business owners who struggle with finding a balance in growing a successful business and doing so in a, integrity filled Biblical way that is humble AND profitable.
I have absolutely not always done this well. Maybe that's why I should talk about it. I have been caught up in comparison, hustle, and pride. There were years of my business that were probably ran on ego alone. I have had long seasons of never feeling good enough and working towards a perfection that didn't exist. Thankfully I'm not there anymore.
This blog is for the person who scrolls social media and with each swipe of the finger feels less and less worthy of being successful. First advice, stop scrolling so much. Second advice, let your business plan be based on how this blog began.
If you feel like you NEED to think you're better than others, your business career will be filled with anxiety.
If you feel like you NEED to achieve a certain award, amount of likes or follows, your business career will be filled with disappointment. It will never been enough.
If you feel like you NEED to produce work as good as _______ or you NEED your work to look like someone else's in order for it to be good, your business career will never be satisfying.
It wasn't until I learned not everyone liked me and not everyone liked my photography that I began a healthy journey towards true business success. I needed to redefine "success" and redefine "fully booked."
I often would think if I booked more weddings than anyone then I was better than everyone - HAHAHAHA. Bless my silly young soul.
I often would think if I had more likes on a post than someone else then my picture was better - HAHAHAHAHA. Most pictures on the internet now get the most likes because someone in them is either popular or not wearing enough clothes.
To this day I am discouraged when I look at what gets the most attention and my work is nothing like that BUT THEN I am reminded, I am not called to run my business like that. I am reminded there is a place for me, my business and my style, if I stay in my lane. I am reminded that at this stage in my life, my bigger purpose is to help others navigate this very hard business world with hope, joy, and healthy confidence.
To the person who desires to run a business that feels good, on the days you make money and on the days you don't, simply stop looking around so much.
Accept you're likely not THE BEST and the best is overrated.
Accept that success doesn't have to mean you're better than someone else, it can mean you have built a business that serves you.
To the person who wants to build a business but hasn't yet out of fear due to comparison, STOP.
Your dream, your purpose, your connections, your talent, your ability, your vision, is different than everyone else's. The world needs your take on it. If you want to be a photographer but there are 87 others in your county, who cares. Life is short.
Keep your heart focused up and your eyes down, on your own business, and anything can happen. Anything.
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