In Part 1, we discussed the foundation of reinvention, highlighting the importance of a growth mindset and embracing individuality. Now, let’s take a deeper dive into the practical aspects of this journey. We’ll uncover the courage needed to face change, understand the crucial role of failure in growth, and I share a personal experience and strategies to help you navigate reinventing yourself.
Finding the courage to reinvent yourself
Although we experience change regularly in our lives, many of us are not very flexible and open to change. At its worst, this fear of change creates inertia trapping us in a state we don’t want to be in, but are also too afraid to do something about. When addressing fear with my clients in sessions, I often refer to Mark Twain’s quote about courage not being the absence of fear but the resistance and mastery of fear. To resist and master the fear we need to tap into our courage.
This courage is not something that just sits there, but becomes accessible only through using it – it’s a muscle that we grow through using it. Fear does not magically disappear, it’s overcome through our courage. And approaching your life transformation through a reinvention perspective – which implies mindful intentional reinvention opportunities – is your means to overcoming the fear of change during personal reinvention.
Often the fear of failure, the unknown or success holds people back from their personal greatness. In that moment of decision, ask yourself: what is the smallest step I can take at this moment that will get me closer to my goal? At the next reinvention opportunity ask yourself the same question and then take the next step. This is how you flex and strengthen that muscle of courage. Be realistic and remember that reinvention is a gradual journey towards the transformation you seek. But what’s the point?
Why does reinvention matter?
Personal reinvention is always a choice. Regardless of the motivation – whether voluntary or forced into it by life events – we seek change by taking a different approach to our lives. The choice to follow the path that brings the greatest joy, peace and satisfaction fuels our efforts and decisions to create what aligns with who we are. This journey has been a difficult one for me in the face of my decision to start my own business.
The programming of what’s right for business, how others have made it work for themselves, and who they are in their business hasn’t particularly worked for me. I became frustrated by this. If it worked for them, then why isn’t it working for me? I realised later that it worked for THEM because they did what worked for THEM. It doesn’t specifically work for ME and that’s OK. Realising this was one thing, but making different choices was another ball game altogether! My first step was to decide what business I wanted to build and what FELT right FOR ME.
I’m an introvert and never regarded myself as a natural marketer, much less promoting my services on social media. As an introvert, I find it draining to engage with people constantly, whether online or in person. And to make matters worse for me in the initial stages of starting my business, all the advice out there was from an extroverted perspective and the “push-marketing” style.
I kept thinking:
- I could just get someone in to do the marketing for me.
- Just continue following how the extroverts are doing it and find my way through.
- Maybe another course, seminar or book will help me with marketing and business and how to be more “extroverted” with this business stuff.
- I could just focus on marketing to people I know and they will refer me.
Do you resonate with this as a business owner at all?
Reinventing my business approach
I reached a point of being done with feeling stuck in my business, feeling my passion being snuffed out and my creativity stuck. These were indicators that it was time to change things. I started looking at things differently and the misaligned soul-frustrating state drove me to start asking different questions:
- How can I be more effective as an introvert in my business?
- What am I here to bring to this world?
- How does my life purpose inform my marketing decisions and activities?
- What feels more aligned and resonant with ALL the information that I have gathered through my research?
When I started narrowing down with these questions the answers started creating a more resonant approach. This was not a quick fix, but a journey of exploration, letting go and acceptance. So where did this personal reinvention journey get me? In this article, I will share the outcome of question 1: How can I be more effective as an introvert in leading my business?
The lightbulb of this specific question was that each of us, extroverts and introverts alike, have something to contribute to this world in our own special ways. We just have to be courageous enough to connect with what that is and share it with the world. For me, contrary to my perceptions and fears of public speaking and being in big groups, it was connecting with my love and gift of storytelling. When I delved into my Human Design profile, it brought to light what my soul purpose is and how I can apply this in my business.
Even though I have always boxed myself in as a “people-shy introvert”, this is not how I showed up in life naturally. The explorations around fear of public speaking, networking and assertiveness in decision-making brought to light that previous experiences caused me to box myself into the “people-shy introvert” box. Approaching things from a growth mindset allowed me to apply strategies that worked for me.
Strategies that helped me reinvent myself as an introverted leader
Through this exploration, with the help of my mentor, I started exploring how to leverage my strengths. Reinvention here didn’t mean that I was moulding myself into an extrovert, but rather optimising my traits to lead my business effectively. As a life and business coach visibility and influence are important, but I apply methods without compromising my nature and integrity. It’s all about knowing who I am, where the boundaries of my comfort zone are and how far I will stretch these.
An example of how I stretched myself to be OK with creating videos for my YouTube Channel, was creating numerous videos on my phone without posting them. This was just to start doing it and slowly becoming accustomed to being in front of the camera. I was not going to be a victim of the “people shy introvert” box and withhold my gifts from the world.
It was uncomfortable to watch that first video – the inner critic had a field day! But then, the more I started creating reels I started liking what I was saying and had a deep feeling that my clients and potential clients needed to hear this. This approach also allowed me to get a feel for the aesthetics in the videos: where to place the flowers, which spots are better for lighting, volume settings, etc.
Another “people shy introvert” box item was “I’m not a great networker”. Turns out, I am – when I’m doing it my way. I started with my immediate network – small groups and one-on-one interactions and it’s grown considerably over the last few years. The important thing for me with these strategies was to always be aware of my energy needs and to stay in balance with my centre.
The work and social environments HAVE to be in coherence with this otherwise I start spiraling into my frustrating not-self spaces. This means nourishing my personal needs by honouring my need for solo downtime. Creating these spaces recharges me and fuels my creativity.
Shifting perspective to reinvent yourself
The core realisation for me throughout this process was that my introverted nature is a strength rather than a limitation. I just needed to find the right way for me to be in my business. Starting somewhere and building my skills and confidence comes through acknowledging my unique style and contribution. Honouring who and how I am without shrinking into the “people shy introvert” box gives me the reinvention opportunity to stretch my comfort zone continuously.
This is the same guidance I offer my clients, who for example want to create video content but often say that they need to be more eloquent to create effective video content. They believe they need to focus on written content platforms instead or getting a speaking coach. Now while that’s not a bad idea, it’s not a prerequisite – there are ways to improve your video presence without needing a speaking coach.
The prerequisite here is knowing and honouring who and how you are. It’s all about resonance and connection with your audience. So while you’re building your business and visibility, practicing is a great way to start building your confidence. When you show up in integrity with who you truly are, you access your greatest assets without forcing yourself to be someone you’re not.
The effectiveness of showing up on social media or building your network as a business owner depends on your creation of systems and strategies that align with your personality and boundaries. It’s more about the value you provide and being genuine in your engagements with your audience. You can find your own unique way of sustaining a connection with your audience.
Throughout my discovery process, I refused to be a slave to the algorithm and follow the “post-3-to-5-times-a-day” advice to be front and centre with my audience. I learnt that marketing is not about being the loudest out there, but about being authentic and providing valuable and resonant content for my audience in a manner that suits my personality.
The role of failure in reinvention
“Failure” is part of the game. I see it as a reinvention opportunity to do or think about things differently. Although things haven’t gone the way I hoped or planned in my business in the early stages, I don’t see this as failure. I see this as the reinvention opportunity I needed to change direction and follow my own path. We are wired to fear failing, the unknown or even success.
However, when you look at your business as a journey of continuous expansion, every experience is an opportunity to grow, course-correct and transform. It’s never too late to change the way you think. It will be too late when you realise that you could have but you didn’t. Again, even at that point, it won’t be too late to make a different decision for yourself and your business.
In future articles, I will explore the resistance to change in greater detail. This introductory article sets the stage for the series, framing the concept of reinvention and inviting you to embark on this journey with me. Here are 6 reflective prompts to kick-start your own reinvention quest.
Top tips to connect with your unique energy in your business
- Find strategies to build your brand that align with who and how you are.
- Build connections and community in a way that feels authentic and manageable for you.
- Use storytelling, speaking or writing styles for your content creation that uniquely express your ideas without needing to be constantly “on.”
- If you stay true to your voice and build a personal brand that resonates with your true self, your unique energy signature will attract the clients that resonate with you.
- Follow your path and what feels right for YOU. You will have less need to follow the gurus and marketing strategies that don’t align. Instead, you’ll create marketing that is heart-centred and aligned with your soul, which creates a unique resonance for your soul-crowd to find you.
The reason why you feel that marketing yourself and your services is crass is because it’s not aligned with your energy signature. Marketing can be heart-centred and who you are helps you achieve this alignment. By focusing on your heart-centred values you can attract the right clients, grow your business and bring more soul into your marketing. This approach feels more aligned and less of an effort.
Reflective prompts for you
- What aspects of my business feel stagnant?
- How/where am I conforming to others’ business and marketing strategies instead of following my own path?
- What fears or beliefs are holding me back from making changes in my business?
- What strengths, talents and experience do I have that are underutilised in my business?
- What is 1 small step that I can take today toward reinventing myself as a business owner?
- What reinvention opportunities have I overlooked in my business?
Takeaway
Reinvention is a powerful, proactive and continuous journey, fueled by courage and resilience. By understanding that failure is not a setback but a valuable opportunity for growth, you can overcome the fear that often holds you back. I hope that the personal story and strategies I’ve shared, help you align your actions more with your true self.
Reinvention is about making intentional, mindful changes that resonate with your unique strengths and values. Embrace every challenge as a chance to grow, stay true to your authentic self, and harness the power of a growth mindset to navigate your path. Remember, every step you take brings you closer to the transformation you seek.
Keep shining!
Would you like to explore more soul-aligned ways of doing business? I invite you to book a free Business with Soul Insights Session.
Finding the right approach suited to your personality and energy levels can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be.
This is a free 75-90-minute guided clarity and reflection session that will help you hit the reset button, realign with your goals, and walk away with aligned actionable business insights.
This isn’t just another meeting. It’s a powerful thinking space designed to:
- Identify what’s truly working and what’s out of sync.
- Identify key areas where strategies need to be realigned or improved.
- Develop and prioritise immediate, actionable steps to address current challenges.
Let’s make your next steps your best steps!