When "proven" strategies are WRONG ... [🐝U]

“I don’t feel like talking to anyone”

“I’m not feeling well”
… sent on a Tuesday for a call scheduled Saturday

“I can’t log in to my newsletter platform”
“I don’t have a link:”

“I slept on my good ear” … so didn’t hear the alarm
(gotta admit this 1 is my favorite & definitely the most unique)

Over the years I’ve heard every excuse imaginable for cancelled calls.

Some creative.
Others pretty predictable.

& a few so unique I almost had to admire the effort.

The truth is…
Most of those excuses aren’t laziness at all.

They’re usually a signal that something is out of alignment.

I realized something was “off”

The reminder started earlier this week as I reviewed a personalized growth plan a mentor created for me.

On the list of suggested monthly growth strategies
→ start a podcast
→ launch a vlog
→ run webinars

My reaction was immediate.
Not excitement.
No curiosity.

More like a very strong internal
“absolutely … NOT.”

To be fair, I have tried.

A few years ago, I decided to start a podcast.

You know…
because every “expert” says you should.

I researched microphones.
Bought equipment.
Even emailed a few potential guests.

I told people it was coming soon.

Then…
it quietly never happened.

For a long time, I thought that meant I lacked discipline.

What I eventually realized (& reminded of this weekend) was something else entirely:
I was trying to build a strategy that worked for someone else's personality … not mine.

The problem with most “proven” strategies is simple.
They’re proven for someone else.

& if your personality doesn’t match the strategy…
it’s like wiping your face with sandpaper.

What I forgot …

This weekend’s conference reminded me why the “personal plan” felt wrong

Somewhere along the way I lost track of something important:
who I actually am as a person.

How I naturally work.
How I think.
How I interact with the world.

Because when we ignore that …
We end up building a business that feels like it’s fighting us every step of the way.

The knee-jerk reaction last time of “I don’t want any more clients.”
… that doesn’t mean I don’t want ANY clients.

It doesn’t mean I can’t help through coaching.
But just like anything in life, just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

& yes, I did build a job instead of a business.
But I do love the work I do
& how I do it.

The challenge is more in filtering the “right” person to help.

Which means I need to design my business to work with the right people …
in ways that align with who I am
Not just more people.

The personality part most people ignore

Over the years, I’ve taken a LOT of personality assessments.
→ Myers-Briggs
→ DiSC
→ Typefinder’s 16 personalities
→ KOLBE
→ & several others

It took me even longer to figure out what any of those results were actually supposed to mean for my business.
(& I’m still figuring it out)

For example, in Wealth Dynamics, my primary profile is a Lord.

Which basically means:
→ Analytical.
→ Detail-focused.
→ Systems-oriented.

Also…
Very introverted.

In fact, my report literally showed:
0% on the extroverted side of the chart.

So yes…
→ I can show up on a podcast.
→ I can speak on a stage.
→ I can be a guest interview.

But that doesn’t magically make me an extrovert.

It just means I’ve had almost 40 years of practice pretending to be one.

… & if there were awards for that…
“the Oscar goes to…”

Just because you Can doesn't mean you Should

The same thing happens in business all the time.

Somewhere along the way an “expert” with a “proven strategy” says something like:
“You should start a podcast.”
“You should build a YouTube channel.”
“You should host webinars.”

& maybe those things work incredibly well…
For their personality.

But if the thought of doing that makes you break out in hives?
That’s important information.

There’s a difference between:
→ being hesitant about something new
&
→ having a deep internal repulsion to it.

Most of the time, your gut already knows the difference.

Your business needs to fit You

Before you worry about:
→ funnels
→ marketing tactics
→ content platforms
→ lead generation strategies

You need to understand 2 things first.
1 - Who YOU are.
2 - Why you’re doing the work.

Because otherwise, you can end up in situations like one of my coaching clients.

They were a vegan…
Working for a dairy farm.

Technically possible.
Emotionally miserable.

Here’s what that looks like for me, according to Wealth Dynamics…

Alignment changes everything

Even as I shift toward a more client-light business, my “who” & “why” haven’t changed.

What’s changing is how I structure things so they align better with how I work.
→ More writing.
→ More thinking.
→ More systems.

Less random conversations with people who aren’t a good fit.

That doesn’t mean I don’t work with clients.

I still do mentoring calls.
I still do consulting.

But I’m drawing a much clearer line in the sand about who.

For example:
I’m updating the questionnaire people fill out before booking a discovery call.

Based on those answers they’ll either:
→ get the link to book a call
or
→ get invited to subscribe to the newsletter instead.

Because if someone can’t spend 2 minutes honestly answering a few questions
They’re probably not going to follow through on anything else either.

& this is important.
→ Scheduling a call doesn’t help.
→ Buying a book doesn’t help.
→ Signing up for a course doesn’t help.

Even showing up doesn’t actually help.

What actually gives you momentum?
Action.

Clarity & confidence only comes after action.

Everything else just helps you focus on the right action.

The next step: matching strategy to your business stage

The other thing that matters (which we’ll dig into it next time) is where your business is right now.

Because different strategies work depending on:
→ how established your business is
→ how much revenue you're generating (vs needing)
→ what stage of growth you're in

The tactics that work for someone just getting started are very different from what works when you're established & building authority.

When you use the wrong strategies for your personality or your stage of business…

Everything feels harder.
It takes longer.
It costs more money.

& eventually it starts messing with your mindset.

A quick Self-Assessment for this week

In the meantime, spend a few minutes asking yourself:
→ Are you naturally introverted or extroverted?
→ Do you make decisions more on facts or feelings?
→ Do you start quickly but struggle to finish?
→ Or do you research forever before starting?
→ Do you enjoy fixing what exists… or creating something from scratch?

None of those answers are right or wrong.
& you’ll realize you fall somewhere in the middle
depending on the what & why

But they do change how you should build your business.
& the closer your business aligns with who you naturally are…

The more flow you’ll experience.
Less friction.
Less frustration.
… for you & your clients

Make it a great “self-assessing“ week!
EG

PS:

If this newsletter helps you think differently, grow more honestly, or feel a little less alone building your business … there are a few ways you can support it (& keep it free for everyone).

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