In the world of business and entrepreneurship, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. As of October 30, 2024, I’ve come to realize that the longer I’m immersed in my business, the more I seem to lose my sense of self. This is a lesson I’ve learned over the past two years, and I’m eager to share my experience and insights with you.
When we start out in business, it’s natural to look up to successful people and try to imitate them. If you want a popular YouTube channel, you might try to emulate Mr Beast. If you aim to be a knowledge creator, you could model your newsletter after Jay Clouse’s. We’re told that to be a successful creator, we should repurpose our content, have a welcome sequence, and build a value ladder. But there’s a fine line between learning from others and losing ourselves in the process. It’s normal to be inspired by others, especially when we’re new to something. Just like when we join a social media platform, we often adopt the tone and style of the first few accounts we follow. However, it becomes a problem when we become so consumed by imitation that we stop thinking for ourselves. We keep doing things the way others do, without taking the time to reflect and find our own path. That’s exactly what happened to me in the last one to two years. I was caught up in a cycle of doing things because everyone else was doing them. I’d write 8 – 10 emails for the enrollment window when I launched a project. When making a YouTube video, I’d worry about where to direct the viewers’ attention after catching it. I even felt compelled to have an interview show just because it was popular among my peers. Looking back, I can’t help but laugh at myself.
This realization led me to think about my project, Small School. Initially, my focus was on helping other knowledge creators make a full – time living from their work. But now, in October 2024, I’ve had a change of heart. I’m thinking about building a small – scale education business on the side, without giving up the great work I’m already doing. Maybe that’s why I rebranded it to “Small” School. This way, I can break free from the rigid “business ways” that had been holding me back. I can create value for my audience in a way that brings me joy. And that’s exactly what I want to encourage you to do too. I’ve decided to prioritize fun in my business. It’s a shift I’m making for myself.
Recently, I did something fun to put this new approach into practice. I added a page to my website. On it, I’ve outlined several points, but one stands out in particular. I’m now allocating time to explore companies and projects that align with my interests in education, knowledge – sharing, and creation. I’m open to working either full – time or on a contract basis. After four years of working alone, I’m eager to collaborate with other talented people. Working in my own little bubble wasn’t healthy, and I’m ready to break free and have some fun while doing what I love. This refreshing approach to business was inspired by Derek Sivers. I read his book “Anything You Want” last week, and it made me realize that I could run my company in a way that suits me. I also came across an amazing interview with him that was published a month ago, which further solidified my new – found perspective. In the end, business should be about more than just making money or following trends. It should be a source of joy and self – expression. By finding our own way and prioritizing fun, we can not only rediscover the passion that drove us to start our businesses in the first place but also create something truly unique and meaningful.
