3 Simple Steps to Get Out of Your Own Way

3 simple steps to get out of your own way, start creating and grow your impact online

As an introvert and mostly behind-the-scenes type of gal and leader, I never thought I’d be someone who would share my thoughts and ideas almost daily for the world to see.?

When you think of creating and publishing content, do you worry friends, family or colleagues will see it and secretly judge you? That you won’t know what to do, or what to say? That you’ll have to have your words, visuals or ideas perfect? That you need another course, certification or credential under your belt before you can say what you really want to say?

There was a time when all of these thoughts were my own. And now I know, after just two or so years of publishing my thoughts and ideas almost daily—over 700 blogs, posts, articles and videos later—there will never be a time when I’m not putting free value out into the world.?

Sharing your unique ideas, points of view and perspective is one of the most powerful things you can do as a coach, leader and expert. Not only is it free, it’s healing for you, helpful for the people meant to receive it, and with each thing you publish—you add to an ever-expanding library and body of work that you’ll come back to for the lifetime of your career. As I prepare for maternity, I’ll be taking 4 months completely off from writing (unless I get an inspired download or two during breastfeeding which I suppose is possible)! Instead, we’ll be republishing top articles and posts from over the years during that time. The amount of peace this gives me is indescribable.?

This is one of the reasons I wish I had gotten out of my own way and started writing sooner. I’d have double the amount of content I have now. But that’s a different story ;)?

Here are 3 simple ways to start creating and grow your impact online.

1. Have a simple plan for how you will share your thoughts and ideas?

One that works with your interests and personality is key, which makes committing to the plan far easier.?

Are you a writer by nature? You can write a mix of long and short form posts, articles, blogs or talks. If you’re an aspirational author, these creations can become the framework of your first or next book. Maybe you’re someone who is comfortable on video? You can start a YouTube channel, livestream or create shorter video reels and repurpose on other platforms. Maybe you’re a speaker? You can start an audio series, do guest podcasting, release a podcast of your own, develop a keynote or TedTalk.?

Choose your ONE medium to go all in on and then determine your frequency.?

For example, will you publish content daily? Twice weekly? Once per month for the next 12 months??

Medium: _________

Frequency: __________

There’s your plan.

2. Generate and organize your ideas

My two favorite ways to generate content ideas:

1. Make a list of the things you’re dying to say (even if it scares you). Use these prompts to get your creative juices flowing.?

• What drives you crazy about your industry??
• What are you sick and tired of?
• What do most people think about a certain topic when the truth is something else??
• What are the 5 biggest challenges you’ve faced and overcame in your own life?
• If you were standing above a crowd of 100,000 people with a megaphone in your hand and had 2 minutes to tell them something…what would you say??

Make it a game to see how many content ideas you can come up with…you might be shocked to discover just how much you have inside of you. Repeat this every 90 days or as often as needed.

2. Think of your past and present clients. What struggles or challenges have you coached them around recently? For example, “The other day in a coaching session a client was struggling with x.” And then share your unique thought process for coaching them as you did, as if you were in conversation with the client (keeping the private parts private). Most coaches don’t realize almost every coaching session is rich with content. If you don’t have any past or present client sessions, who is someone you’d love to invite to a coaching conversation? Practice inviting someone new each week.?

When you have your ideas, prioritize what you will share, then start sharing.?

Don’t think—just go.

3. Watch your body of work grow?

Important distinction: many coaches and creators see a single piece of content as a once and done thing, when in fact every piece of content created is expanding your content library overtime, a la body of work. Just like a farmer planting seeds one by one in the spring to have an abundant harvest in the fall!?

Consider this: if you started writing two articles per week this week, 90 days from now you’d have 24 articles! That could be the equivalent of the chapters of TWO books or 24 keynote topics in the future. Pretty cool, isn’t it??

On that note: one thing I wish I had done sooner was to house all content whether it’s written posts, video or audio transcripts in one master file, like a simple and hassle-free google document. Not only will this file grow week to week, month to month, year after year which makes automating content in the future effortless for your team, it builds confidence in you, helping you to see your work and impact with greater responsibility and leadership.

There you have it! My best advice for simple, slow and steady growth, and having a bigger impact online and in the world.?

Of course there’s other more sophisticated insights I didn’t delve into here, like how to share your ideas in a way that directly speaks to the bigger outcomes you help your clients solve so people understand you can actually help them, vs. giving them tips, how to write call to actions that actually result in people reading your stuff and sending you a direct message with interest in your offer/program, etc., (subtle tweaks that make all the difference when it comes to attracting high-ticket buyers), as I wanted to keep it as easy peasy as possible for you to get started with the basics. Another day, another post. Or you can hire me to help you with all of that :)

Tag me in your very next (or first) creation, I’d love to celebrate with you.?

Xo

Stephanie