mirror, mirror on the wall

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My business is built on authenticity. Partly I mean that I intentionally creating something that thrives when I’m my most authentic self (instead of when I squash her into something more streamlined and manageable).

It also means I’m dead set on empowering my clients to build businesses that thrive on their own authenticity: authentic unfiltered passions, preferred clients, and work rhythms.

I believe that this is core to setting you up for success. Seth Godin says: “There’s endless good advice just a click away. The art is in creating the conditions for people to choose to act on the advice.”

So many clients come to me right after completing an incubator or accelerator. Why? Because they’ve gotten so much great advice that’s great for business generally but not designed for their specific, authentic selves. And then they don’t know what to do next.

This is why you need great mirrors. And it’s why I love getting “FWD: [test]” emails. When we check ourselves in the mirror, we’re not likely to get an accurate view. Actually even in real life we prefer our mirrored selves, not our real ones.

And metaphorically when you check your business self in the mirror you may get something distorted back- maybe “the fairest of them all” or maybe something far more critical. (Not that you’re not the fairest of them all - just like, let’s get a real answer here.)

Really seeing my clients & their vision - mirroring back to them the soul of their own work - that’s the real magic for me. And those “FWD: [test]” moments give me real life, in the moment chances to do that - to help you “create the conditions” that are authentic to you, so that you act on the great advice you’ve acquired along the way.

Do you have a good mirror? One who really knows you and who gives you a real answer, and not just canned affirmations? These can be made anywhere - through communities, coaches, and colleagues. But they take time, care, and insight to build so that your “mirrors” know you well enough to see what’s authentic to you - to point it out when it’s right and call it out when it’s not.

How to put this to work:

1. Who are your mirrors?

   Again, these could be coaches, could be peer thought partners, could be biz communities. I’d suggest having 2-5 people who know you enough and understand your business to help you check what’s aligned. Write down their names.

2. Where do you need them?

   Where are you doubting alignment? Where do you feel unclear? Sometimes this will show up in big things like launching a program and sometimes it’ll show up in the small stuff like sending an email.

3. Reach out!

   • If you’re happy with how many names you wrote down in number 1, make sure you’ve checked in with them about whatever your thought of for number 2.

   • If you don’t have mirrors or you need more, take some steps to line them up.

   • I will shamelessly offer my clarity workshops and monthly coaching as resources here.

     

   • I also always welcome your “FWD: [Test]” emails!

   • Consider joining communities locally or virtually to add to your roster.

This Cool Thing I Found

Events, free stuff, or cool links I’ve found lately.

📚Kanopy

A streaming platform for “thoughtful entertainment” is FREE with your library card! They stream documentaries, independent films and more.

✏️Black Wing

Anyone else love a good pencil? I recently found Blackwing pencils and cannot wait for my essentials set to arrive.

Cheering for you,

I’m Laura Green - a strategist empowering creative leaders to build businesses they love. My work focuses providing you actionable insights and customized strategies to find more impact and less friction. I want you to have the clarity, confidence, and energy to make good stuff happen, to drive profit, and to get back to doing the work you love. As for me - I love charts, good beer, nerdy nature books, and sneakers. When I’m not spinning up spreadsheets, you can find me gardening, hanging with my wonderfully wild kids, or sneaking in a nap. ✌️