How I conquered my fear of failure...
Marcia Armstrong, MBA
Certified Customer Success Specialist: Maximizing Customer Lifetime Value 10+ Years | Personal Finance Disruptor | Lead Facilitator - National Financial Literacy Programme | International Speaker | Mentor
Welcome to?#bankonit?with Marcia, a monthly newsletter designed to redefine wealth, inspire your financial life, and give you actionable insights from an award-winning Personal Finance Strategist. Like what you’re reading? Subscribe and share with your friends. Let’s dive in…
I want to get vulnerable here and share a journal entry of mine:
I am worried again that I won't be able to make A Purpose Life a self sustaining business that I can run full-time and still survive.
That was the fear that reared its ugly head which made me question the decision I made at the end of 2020 to bank on myself full-time and turn down job offers to work at another subsidiary of the bank given its closure in Barbados.
Over time I sought out the skills, tools, and resources I needed to not let that fear of failure stop me. I redefined what success meant to me.
I launched A Purpose Life in 2020 and did coaching part-time while I worked at the bank. From 2021, I went full time and revenue earned collectively from 2021 - 2022 was approximately $21,000. Admittedly in 2021, I was learning about online business and my industry and hardly sold my offers as I knew nothing about lead generation, marketing, or sales.
That year was all about investing in my personal and professional development. I hired a high ticket coach, joined memberships, bought courses and books, you name it. I invested $67,000.00 in myself.
Moreover, I felt comfortable knowing I had close to six figures in my bank account which was an accumulation of my severance and money I saved two years prior to my redundancy.
At the beginning of 2022, I realized that I needed to put myself more out there and that is when the momentum started to pick up. Of course, when you do so, you can expect some rejection along the way but the key is not taking it personally although it stings.
I made a vow to show up consistently in my business. I started writing journal entries in my gratitude journal as doing this shifted my mindset and my perception of the world. Tip: It is a great idea to look back at past journal entries and see your thought process, fears, and hopes.
Further thoughts are expressed below...
What if A Purpose Life fails... and what does failure look like? Right now my business only made $13,000.00 this year and before I had a job to support me. If I am concerned with what people think then no one would know if it fails and I can keep doing what I am doing. A Purpose Life is not funding my lifestyle but I am still growing it. If my business never funds my lifestyle who is to say another job can't? If things are not going according to plan I need to realize that even when everything in my life has not gone to plan I still survive.
Looking back at the above journal entry, I felt so anxious. I had doubt, hopelessness, and fear about how I would take care of my bills. But my faith in God reminded me that these thoughts were not mine. I mean it was God who told me after I reached my 10th anniversary at Citi, that it was time to embark on entrepreneurship although I did not have a clue what I was signing up for.
I started to put some sticky notes around my desk with affirmations such as:
Visualization also worked where I would take a few minutes at the start of my day and see myself operating at the highest level in my business. I engaged all of my senses and it made the impossible feel possible. I continued to write in my gratitude journal.
A lot of what I wanted was manifested. Right now as I write this article the revenue I made in the 1st Quarter of 2023 has surpassed what I made monthly in corporate as well as the revenue made collectively in 2021 - 2022. I was so busy impacting lives that I only recognized this when I completed my 2022 tax returns.
Looking back I was never a failure... I get to decide what failing means to me. You also get to decide what failure means to you. I will continue to pursue my goals whether I attain them or not because failure to me is the person who never tries and misses the mark every single time.
I run through challenges, and new experiences because it is not about the destination but the journey.
Success also has its unique definition for me which is doing what I love, creating impact, transforming lives, using my voice to speak on issues, spending time with loved ones, and having the time and freedom to do what I want, when I want to do them. What I have found is when you make an impact, money follows easily.
领英推荐
Whatever success looks like to you, that is what you should be working towards.
If there's something you want, something you desire, or things you're working towards but you have fear and doubt, I hope my story helps you.
Till I Write Again,
Your partner in wealth
Marcia
Want to work together?
Amazing. Here are a few ways we can do that right now...
>>?Finance Breakthrough Session
Feeling overwhelmed with your finances and not sure what your next step should be? Book your free?30-Min Finance Breakthrough session?today to get started.
>>?The Wealthy Millennial Society Personal Finance Course
The signature course that gives you the tools and management skills you need to master your finances in 8 weeks--even if you weren't taught how to manage money, feel like you don't make enough, or aren't good with numbers.
The final cohort begins in October 2023.?Sign up for our waitlist today.
>>Master Your Money VIP Intensive
Schedule your pre-VIP Day Kick-off?call with Marcia today!
You bring the vision and financial goals and I'll bring the guidance and strategy so you build wealth with confidence and more income.
Your VIP Intensive includes:
? Pre-VIP Day Kick-Off Call (30 mins)
? VIP Pre-work resources, worksheets and swipe files
? VIP Day intensive (up to 5 hours)
? Post-VIP Day Wrap-up Call (30 mins)
? 7-Day Email and WhatsApp Support
>>1:1 60-Min Financial Consultation
Ready to level up your finances? In our?1:1 Finance Strategy session, we'll discuss your financial goals and formulate a solid plan of action.
In this session, you can:
? Get clarity about your finances
? Know your EXACT next steps (no guessing)
? Create sound financial goals
? Identify ways to increase your income and reduce expenses
? Create a strategy to repay your debt and build savings
Multifacted Entrepreneur ????| Amazon Published Author: The Marble & Jam Series ?????????? Caribbean Language, Culture & Social Development Customer Service Representative: British Airways ??????
1 年What a heartwarming story! Such an inspiration to me and others. P.S. Journaling is indeed amazing. Sometimes you just have to pause and say " Wow I came far, fell into some potholes lol but thank God I made it. ??Marcia Armstrong, MBA - Personal Finance Strategist
Engaging leaders to grow and transform teams | Training catalyst for collaborative service-driven cultures | Disney Institute Trained CX Professional | Certified Instructional Designer & Virtual Trainer | Barbadian Mom
1 年So appreciate you sharing your story Marcia Armstrong, MBA - Personal Finance Strategist if only because people see someone after they've achieved success but have no clue of the consistent struggle and effort over the years that got them there! You are an amazing coach and financial guidance counsellor who shares selflessly whenever asked; so happy you stepped out on this entrepreneurial path but happier to be a part of your network ??
Experienced Compliance Officer | Operations Management | Team Leadership | Business Analysis | Process Improvement | Digital Transformation
1 年This was a very enlightening newsletter to read. It's good to see how you have overcome your fears and kept going. I can definitely relate to that. Keep going and I wish you further success in your coaching business. And a little unsolicited advice, I think you would do great with coaching others who want to take the next step and become professional coaches/ online entrepreneurs themselves. Just develop a framework based on your own journey and offer that to other professionals. I would be one of your first clients ??!