While so many people are writing about the pandemic and sharing openly how they feel or how they are pivoting their business, I don’t feel compelled to do the same as what others do. I’m certainly sympathetic to expressing it and building community and connections as a result of the event. I’m also losing sleep and sincerely concerned for my family. However, to keep my sanity with all the social input on this historical event, I’m running; running hard in my own direction.
I find this time, a time of renaissance for me where out of adversity, I’m creating content at an exponential rate as a way of having control of my world. I’ve recorded 20 podcast episodes, I’ve launched my website, I’ve created promotional videos for my business, and I’m about to start creating my course content and more copy for my website detailing my services. The content creation process is my way of meditating as well as bettering the world when it looks like it is standing still or going back in time.
I’m reaching out to current and new connections multiple times a day because I’m scared of not having enough pipeline when my current contracts come to an end. It’s a trying time to understand if I’ve presented myself in enough places to allow the seeds to grow or do I need to keep pushing. As an entrepreneur it’s a time of experimentation to understand if there are more clients out there who value my services or has everyone mentally closed their minds to new opportunities with all that is going on in the world.
I also deal with self doubt about what content I’m putting out in the world. Should I be putting out my thought leadership or technical food safety hat on to express how I view the trying times of COVID-19. It would be so easy to follow what everyone else is doing.
But why follow when you can lead? I find that by the time you jump on board to follow what everyone is doing, you get lost in the noise. Instead, I’m running towards new opportunities that I’m hoping by the time this pandemic slows down, I’m ahead of where everyone else is in their business. I want to be the person that inspires others to also consider creating or doing something different. In multiple connections this week, I’ve shared with people what I’m doing and they’ve said on more than one occasion, “I need to be doing more of that” and both are following up with me to continue the collaboration.
So running away is not a bad thing, it’s the only sane thing to do to be ready for amazing opportunities and create my own destiny.
Be well and thank you for taking a few moments to read my post.
If you would like to comment, please do so and I’ll be sure to respond.
Deborah A. Coviello
Founder, Illumination Partners and Host of the Drop in CEO podcast.
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