The Heartbeat: "Step 1: Walk loud, talk loud, think loud — be unapologetically you."

Dear Wild Heart,

Have you ever been told you're "too much?"

When you're little, I think it's hard when you know the truth —?how to be authentic, how to read the energy of the people around you —?when the adults around you tell you what they want you to believe.

Then, you grow up.

And someone who's your peer (a friend, a classmate, a cousin) says something that echoes what the adults said.

That's when your heart breaks.

When you start to doubt yourself and think, "Maybe they were right all along..."

My mother always told me, "You talk too loud, you walk too loud, you laugh too loud."

Everything about me seemed wrong.

As a coping mechanism, I created a little buffer space. I thought (accurately) that she just wanted me to conform to what a good 'guai' Chinese daughter should do.

But then I went to Berkeley, and a friend of mine in the dorms said to me, "You are a lot."

He went on, "I bet it's hard to be in a relationship with you. You're probably a lot to handle."

That's when the protective buffer I had built around me disappeared. Evaporated. And I became the persona my mother had always said I was.

I now believed I was too much.

This is why I always say it's essential to understand 3 key stories in your life:

1. The story you tell yourself creates your reality = your mindset.
2. The story you tell others creates your community = your relationships.
3. And, the story you tell the world builds your brand = your career/business.

If you're running on autopilot, you could be the wrong character in your narrative.

You could be in a chapter you don't even like.

You could be in a mystery or a drama when the genre you really love is adventure or comedy.

Are you clear about what stories you're telling?

Keep in mind, that friend who said I was "a lot" was actually a lot himself. Rumors swirled around the kind of person he was. He demonstrated his character over and over, yet it took me years before I finally said:

Y'know what? I'm good, we don't need to talk anymore.

He was the same person who majored in Engineering and said to me, "What are you going to do with an English degree?"

Publish books. Launch a podcast. Build a kick-ass company.

Next week, on my F*ck Saving Face podcast, I'm going to have emotional intelligence expert and keynote speaker, Nicole F. Smith, on the show.

Here's what she says about walking loud, talking loud, and being unapologetically you:

If I'm too much, you can go find less.

That's exactly the vibe.

To help you rewrite your key stories, ask yourself:

1. What's the recurring thought I think most of the day? Is it serving me? Or, is it stopping me?
2. What do my relationships currently feel like? Are they filling me up? Or, are they taking me down?
3. Do I know how to talk about my business, my brand, or my work that others find compelling? How can I create such amazing results that my business continues to grow through one of the most effective referral engines: word-of-mouth marketing? Do my clients know what to say about me when they're talking about me to their network?

If you'd like to connect to get more support, schedule a complimentary meet + greet.

Love,

Judy

P.S. If you're a small business owner or solopreneur, you'll want to read on to find out what your NAICS code is.

What is a NAICS code?

As part of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, we're asked to focus on our 5-year Growth Plan.

In addition to diving deep into risk management, creating financial health for our company, and ensuring we're making a positive social impact, we're paired with a business advisor for 1:1 advice.

Last week, I learned about the NAICS code — which I then shared with the incredible women I coach as part of The Authentic Asian.

The NAICS code (North American Industry Classification System) is a standard used by businesses and governments in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to classify business establishments according to the type of economic activity they engage in. It helps in collecting, analyzing, and sharing statistical data related to the economy, enabling businesses to identify potential markets, study competition, and adhere to industry-specific regulations. Each business type is assigned a unique six-digit code representing its primary activity.

Here's what was helpful:

"What's your gross profit margin?" my advisor asked.

I told him.

"Do you know how that compares to your competitors? Because even if you think it's a lot or a little, if your industry standard is wildly different, that's valuable information."

When you're a business owner, you're usually heads down in your business, it's hard to have time to work on your business. I vaguely know what competitors are doing, yet because we're continually bringing in clients, I don't worry too much.

Yet, learning about the NAICS code and my benchmark was SO helpful in seeing how I currently stand. I tend to be super hard on myself, so this was a great reality check.

1. You can ask ChatGPT for your NAICS code based on what you do.
2. Then, ask what the average profit margins are.
3. Compare that to how you're doing in your business.

What result did you find?

Latest episode of F*ck Saving Face now live.

Episode 122: How to Embrace Your Authentic Self (Shamelessly)

What's inside:

• Breaking free from traditional expectations
• The power of mindset shifts
• Embracing your presence unapologetically

Listen on your favorite platforms

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Within 6 hours, we became a "Project We Love." Within 26 hours, our basic tier was fully funded.

Now, we're going for those stretch goals... please consider supporting today.

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About Wild Hearted Words, soon to be NiceTiger:

Welcome to a team of strategic creatives who create mighty results for your branding, marketing, sales, and platform. In a world of algorithms, you can be the anomaly.

You’re receiving this email because you signed up on my website, booked a call with me, or joined one of my events — and you're curious how to create a life and business you love, especially one that may not look like the one you were told you were supposed to live.

I started Wild Hearted Words because I believe in the power of storytelling. I also believe in living authentically. And, most importantly, I believe in helping empower others to thrive.

We're currently preparing to rebrand our company to reflect the talents of our lead gen experts, sales strategists, SaaS professionals, SEO analysts, creative thinkers, and big hearts (get ready!).

From the beginning of time ever after, there will never, ever be another you. #bewildlyyou

If you're looking to write your life and business story into one of success, then you're in the right place! I'm doing it right along with you.

Through my various marketing channels, podcast, and upcoming Kickstarter campaign for my next book, I share the tactics and tools I've acquired over the last 25 years to build a mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually healthy life. It's all rooted in the power of connection and being true to you.

As I always say in my F*ck Saving Face podcast, "Life may not always be pretty, but it is indeed beautiful —?make your story beautiful today."

You can do this. I have. And it's great over here. Join me.

Judy Tsuei Encinitas, CA