Make your mess your message…
These words were spoken by Robin Roberts as she received the Arthur Ashe Courage Awards at this years ESPYS. Quietly, Roberts is a personal hero of mine, who has overcome battles with breast cancer and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), spoke with the eloquence and humility she’s shown since joining the staff of ESPN’s Sportscenter in 1990. Her journey is one for all of us to study and her courage and determination is something we should all consider emulating.
Make your mess your message…
Last month I discovered that my Mom actually reads my blog. Yes, this shocked me. Honestly I never assumed she’d ever click the link. She proceeded to tell me it was good, that she enjoyed my writing, but didn’t understand why so many of my blogs are so personal. I told her that I sometimes use this as a platform of my own self-therapy. To reiterate what I have learned as a person and a small business owner – to not only help others but myself. It’s my personal online therapy but if it helps someone else out…well then I’m happy.
Make your mess your message…
As an adult, as a professional, but especially as a small business owner we have the pressure of trying to appear that we have it all together. Show no worries, show no fear, and keep any and all struggles to ourselves. But this can also derail your path towards success. Your story – your compelling story – is what drives you down that road to success in a Range instead of a Tercel.
Lets take Oprah Winfery for example. Oprah was someone who was not supposed to “make it” based off her looks alone. African American female, overweight, not the most gorgeous Halle Berry-esque woman (and don’t tell me I’m lying because we all remember what Oprah looked like before she became OPRAH). But, because she exposed herself, pulled back that veil, and allowed the world to see her everything – the world responded and she is where she is today. She exposed her vulnerability and a nation of households and housewives took her in each and every afternoon. And look at where she is now!
Make your mess your message…
I’ve said it time and time again in private, amongst friends and family, that this has been a tough year both personally and professionally. If you read the post before this one you’ll get a hint into my mind in 2013. But I’ve also allowed my friends and family into my personal even more – exposing myself for them to know what is really going on. This is something I generally do not do in that I am that person who always wants everyone to assume that everything is fine and to not worry about me. Instead I’ve learned that my actions do the exact opposite and to stop responding to questions regarding how I’m doing with “I’m cool. I’m always cool”.
Make your mess your message…
It may sound strange, weird or even crazy but the things you try to keep quiet about are the things that are critical to your success as an entrepreneur or a professional as a whole. Your compelling story is a key to your success. People love the “started from the bottom now I’m here” type stories (shout out to Wheelchair Jimmy). Hell, people love a good struggle – though they don’t think you’re struggling – and how you fought hard, kicked ass and made it to where you are now.
Make your mess you message…
So what should you do now? Write a blog. Share your story in 500 characters or less. Share your journey. But write it out so that when you are talking to clients, or when someone comes across your site or blog they can learn more about who you are and become even more compelled to hire you because they see you as not only a professional but also as a human being – someone they can relate to and someone they don’t mind doing business with.
Thoughts?
#BOOM
website(s): http://www.NOLA-Ice.com and http://www.CaulfieldHoldings.com and www.TheNOLATruck.com
Twitter: @NOLAIce @NOLAIceNOLA @TheNOLATruck
THE ENTREPRENEGRO 