You sit at your desk, perhaps even on the couch with your laptop or iPad, and start researching. “your niche” + “Business”. You type the words in and tap your fingers against the hard surface below while the results load and then you click away like a child in a candy store, excited about the possibilities open to you! Forums, websites, and sources of inspiration flood your screen and you’re overwhelmed but excited, again, by the possibilities. You create usernames, you leave comments, you send emails asking for advice or suggestions on where to start. And then finally you get the courage to setup and release into the world a website and possibly a blog. You’re proud, happy, and excited (again) by the possibilities and the opportunities that are going to come flooding to your door.
But then all you hear is silence and you swear the only one reading your blog, other than yourself, is your mom (because she thinks you’re awesome no matter what you do). You go back to the forums and view blogs and websites from the people who are in the same line of business who inspire you. Staring at their spaces you wonder what you’re doing wrong. These people seem to look like they have it together and are successful, why isn’t the same success reaching you, since you’re doing the exact same as them!
I fell into this trap as well, being ‘inspired’ by others but essentially copying everything they were doing. Yes, I’m being honest…I was one of ‘those’ people. I looked at those within my industry who inspired me and did everything they were doing, since it was working for them it must work for me. How wrong I was!!
It wasn’t until I spent some time, a process that took awhile and a lot of self-reflection but so worth it, with my notebook and my thoughts that I finally found my own voice and direction of where I wanted to take my business. It is tailored to me, my dreams, wants, desires, and likes and it’s made a huge difference for my business. Now when I’m looking at others who inspire me, I allow the inspiration to flow but now go back to my own voice and work on defining that, not brining someone else’s brand into my business.
You need to take this time and put in the hard work to define your brand and find your voice, because if you’re going to succeed (like the one’s you’re inspired by) you need to show everyone just how truly amazing and special you are!
Last night while I pulled my duvet up around my chin to protect me from the cold, I couldn’t help but feel a little depressed. Why is that no matter how much I move forward, I still feel like I haven’t moved an inch? That all the goals I have accomplished suddenly have me saying “well, those were a fluke” and I don’t actually take ownership of how hard I worked to achieve them. I just continue to look forward at my new goals, afraid I’ll fail and never achieve anything. I know I’m not the only one who goes through these moments. So instead of 
The more time I spend with others, my gift comes out, it shines and radiates from me. I will be sitting with my legs curled underneath me talking with someone about their passions and suddenly I have goosebumps and I’m shaking from excitement. My gift (if you’re wondering): I am a dreamer, motivator, and supporter through words and wisdom. I love to impart knowledge that just flows from me. Mix this gift in with my passion for helping women love and accept themselves in my boudoir sessions and I feel like I am on fire. It’s taken me a long time to realize this, but I’m learning to accept it and bless others with it! So, if you want to see me on fire, let’s meet and we’ll talk about your passions and where you want to go. We’ll both leave invigorated!!
But this workshop has forced me to look beyond my conservative and modest ways, and embrace a women’s body as God intended it to be seen. Beautiful, curvy, with flaws, big and small, and yes very sexy. It’s been eye opening, literally. Sometimes I embarrass myself when I catch myself staring at women walking down the street admiring their bodies.
