The Art of Letting Go

You've heard it before and likely experienced it yourself: the same actions beget the same results. Unless you change at least one thing in your routine, you can't expect anything other than the same old same old.

I’ve written about this many times. We tend to have an inexplicable fascination with holding on to things that no longer serve us, that do not bring the desired results, that do not make us happy, that (add your woe here.)

Like the alcoholic who must first hit rock bottom, we, too, have to reach a low point where it is clear that the pain of staying in this routine is greater than our fear of changing.

I know, I know... you’ve heard it all before and you’ve successfully made changes before that improved your life. What's the big deal? I bet you can look back and clearly see it was a good thing you broke up, quit, started a new workout routine, or had the courage to take your career to the next level. This is your quick reminder that all those changes probably felt really big at the time, it is in hindsight that we know they were the right decisions to take.

Instead of talking about the clichéd reasons to make changes, I want you to think about your rock bottom. How far are you willing to let it go before you act?

If you read my final PhotoBizCoach Tipsheet or are part of the group on LinkedIn, you have already heard that I made big changes recently. I shut down the PhotoBizCoach website and renamed my LinkedIn group (almost 40,000 people strong!) to Creative Entrepreneur Forum.

Over the last two years, I have attracted more and more creative entrepreneurs. My CreativeLive classes were smashing successes and hundreds of people contacted me to tell me how much the information has helped their careers. And suddenly it seemed that my brand, which was specific to the photography business, was holding me back from reaching entrepreneurs in many different lines of work. Potential clients were turned off by my überfocus on a small segment in the market, and some were confused by my multiple websites and branding. I knew I had to act. So I asked myself, "What do I want to achieve? Is where I am now still serving me?"

Those are the very same questions I want you to ask yourself. If your honest answer is "No" then it is time to act. (Please refer to my article, This is Why You Are Not Getting Ahead.)

The good news is you're already past the toughest part! Simply making the decision to change is where so many falter. The actual change itself is merely in its execution and follow-through. Once you know where you are going, you can map a plan to get there. That's why many find it easier to focus on the end result and then reverse-engineer. What do we need to do to achieve the desired result? When does each phase need to be complete?

It all sounds so simple. Because it is! The problem is we have been conditioned to fear rejection. Surely our friends, family, and tribe will never accept our new path! They'll beat us down with the dreaded 'unlike'!

I watched my LinkedIn newsfeed anxiously as some group members bowed out. I suppose they liked the exclusivity of being part of a group of photographic artists. At the same time, I saw an influx of new people joining the group—and that excites me!

Not everyone is meant to go the entire distance with you. Some are only there for a short while. The art of letting go is a lifelong lesson.

Please consider joining my LinkedIn groups and sharing my message by inviting your friends to the Creative Entrepreneur Forum and The Women’s Code. Whether we are together for months or years, I am honored to be a part of your lives. Thank you for letting me in.

At her lowest point, Beate Chelette was $135,000 in debt, a single mother, and forced to leave her home. Only 18 months later, she sold her image licensing business to Bill Gates in a multimillion dollar deal. Chelette is a nationally known ‘gender decoder,’ respected speaker, career coach, consummate entrepreneur, and author of Happy Woman Happy World. Beate is also the founder of The Women’s Code, a unique guide to women leadership and personal and career success that offers a new code of conduct for today’s business, private, and digital worlds. Determined to build a community of women supporting each other, she took her life-changing formula documented it all in a book Brian Tracy calls “an amazing handbook for every woman who wants health, happiness, love and success!” Through her corporate initiative "Why Acting Like a Girl Is Good For Business" she helps companies with gender diversification training, and to develop and retain women.

And because we get this asked a lot... Yes, The Women's Code expressively includes men. Women leadership, gender equality, and better balance is an all-inclusive subject. We need and support our men.

To purchase her book, visit Happy Woman Happy World.

If you'd like to book Beate as a speaker on New Leadership Balance or Creative Entrepreneurship for your next event please contact me via LinkedIn's in mail.