Lessons Learned From 48 Episodes and 48 Years (the birthday episode)

This week it's my 48th birthday and it's my 48th episode

So I thought I would share the top 8 lessons I've learned in 48 years and in recording and putting out 48 episodes of this podcast.  Join me for laughs, antics and a few business tips learned the hard way, so you can learn from me and either avoid them or get things done easier.

Also, if you're catching this episode when it's released . . .

First, thank you because you are a true fan and you rock!  I appreciate you tuning in.  Second, I have a birthday giveaway going on right now, so be sure to head over to my Facebook Group and join the fun for all the giveaway scoop.  There are some awesome things happening, including delicious birthday treats (yep, wait to you see how I pull that off) and a killer business growth builder too.  Now let's hop into those 8 lessons:

1. Done is better than perfect.  Action is better than no action. 

Whether you are a closet perfectionist (raising hand) or are just making decisions out of fear, this tip is for you.  I come clean about my closet perfectinism and also about how I was hiding from the reality of being entrepreneur.  I also share with you why it's not only a disservice to you to not put your stuff out there, but also that the people are waiting - so git to it!  If you have some brilliant idea, business saver or something burning in your soul to share - JUST DO IT!  Leave perfection to someone else who has more time and less to do.

2. You can't do it alone.

The reality is entrepreneurship can be lonely.  Most of your previous friends, acquaintances, family (anyone who is not an entrepreneur) can't relate.  They imagine you sitting around eating bon bons and watching Days of Our Lives.  (That show is totally still on btw, I happened to see it at the car dealer the other day.)  I digress, the reality is - it can make you feel isolated, alone and sometimes just plain crazy.  So . . . you need to get out there and connect.  Which brings me to point two, sometimes you have to meet a LOT of coal miners before you find that diamond.  Also, sometimes you meet the exact person you are supposed to meet to push you to the next level of your business.  Breathe and keep on chugging.  Third, networking is NOT always a place to find business.  Phew, this one was a doozie for me to get.  In fact, most times it is a place to find your people, connect and find someone else who can relate to your everyday solo business owner existence.  Lastly, the five people you spend the most time with is who you will become.  So if you want to level up in business, in your health, in your life, or in anything - look at who you are spending time with and see if you need to make some changes or level up the playing field.

3. Change is the only constant, so get used to it.

Everything in life changes, seasons, days, even your body.  The human body sheds it's entire skin every 7 years (totally gross huh?). The lesson here, change is here to stay, so you might as well embrace it and get used to it.  Keep this in mind as you grow your business.  It will change as well.  There will be many iterations and it's ALL OK.  In fact, it's more than ok, it means your continuing to grow and learn and you are doing it right, simply because, you are doing it.  Think about all those people who gave up by now, you are still trucking - so keep it up!

4. Everything in life offers a lesson, it's up to you to receive it.

There really is no such thing as failure, just the opportunity for you to learn from what went wrong, tweak it and then do it again and again until you get the results you desire.  It's all mindset, and the only person who can control your mind, is you. You are the only one who can control your perspective, if you don't like the way your life looks, it's up to you to make a change.  I haven't run into a magic "change fairy" yet, but if you do, don't give her my number, she probably is SUPER pricey.  Lastly, all those do-overs are polishing you into the diamond you are meant to be.  Sometimes it can hurt and can be rough and tumbly, other times you just need a good friend to help you find your shine.  Those people are the keepers.

5. Always keep learning from people smarter than you.

I don't know about you all, but there are still a WHOLE lot of people who know more and have experienced more than I have.  I make it a priority to learn something new everyday. More specifically I learn something new from someone who is ahead of me on this journey. Keep in mind, if you are the smartest person in the room (and yeah it happens) than you ARE IN THE WRONG ROOM.  So move it, get to a new room - PRONTO!  Your brain is a muscle, and you MUST keep feeding it.  Every. Single. Day.  If you stop, it won't grow, if it doesn't grow, neither do you and then you really are stuck. TV rots your brain, your mom, grandma, any elder that said this - they were right.  67% of rich people watch less than an hour of tv a day (Warren Buffet).  If you want to be a millionaire, pick up a book and shut the tv off. In addition, Warren Buffet reads 500 pages a day.  (A DAY!) You don't have to start there, just start somewhere.  Last but not least, if you have people you admire, look at their daily habits and then mimic them.  Adapting their habits does a miraculous thing, it turns them into your habits and those habits lead to success.

6. Meditate and move your body, EVERYDAY!

I found meditation about 6 years ago - for real.  I would half-a$$ my meditation but I started to meditate for real (and do yoga) about six years ago.  I liken it really finding God for the first time.  Now I grew up Catholic, so it's not like God was an anomaly to me, it's just that we had never communicated.  I'm not saying you have to converse with God to meditate, what I am saying, is that spiritual piece of you needs peace and quiet every single day so that you can hear what it has to say. Call it your subconscious, call it your inner wisdom, call it whatever you need to call it, but in the end shut your pie hole at least 10 minutes a day and really listen to what it has to say.  I promise you, it will change your life.  And, the last part of this lesson - move it - every. single. day.  Your body was meant to be in motion.  Go for a walk, run, play hopscotch, dance with the dog, do whatever you want - just get out into the world and move because when you don't you lose wisdom, ideas and you get stuck - literally.

7. Be kind, to everyone.

This is a tough one, I'm not going to lie.  But I've learned the hard way - that sometimes those bridges you burn, burn you in the end.  I'm not saying you have to like everyone, or agree with everyone, but just be as kind as you possibly can.  You never know what someone else is going through, you aren't in their shoes, and that little bit of kindness you share today, may be the only kindness they receive.  Leave people better than when you found them and you will never be at a loss.

8. Let go of grudges, especially against yourself.

This last really is for you. Because when you hold onto anger and grudges, the other person isn't affected.  The only person still feeling the anger, hurt, resentment or negativity from that encounter, is you.  How many times have you had an argument with someone or "broke up" only to realize the other person remembers things completely differently and neither one of you can remember what you are upset about to begin with? I'm not saying hide your emotions. For the love of Pete, feel them.  Every single one, because that's what makes us human.  Feel them and then just let them go. Everyone is doing the best they can in any given moment, and if you look at every interaction as a lesson, you can walk away knowing you did the best you could too.

 

What lessons did you learn from this episode? 

Come and tell me in the Facebook Group.

Who likes ice cream?  Join me in my Facebook Group to get your free ice cream treat this week.

Share your photo of you enjoying your treat on Instagram and tag me @alisamconner. Download the transcript here