Someone asked me what I would being doing if I wasn’t doing StartUp FASHION. It threw me a bit because I really wasn’t sure how to answer that question. I love what I do so much that I’m not sure what I’d be doing otherwise.
Then I got a little sad. Because I thought to myself, why aren’t you able to answer this question?
So I sat and thought about it, realizing that I love writing and would love to be doing that, if I wasn’t doing StartUp FASHION.
Then I thought, nah, I’m not a trained writer, I can’t write books or tell stories. Where would I even start?
And then I realized that I had fallen victim to something that I don’t believe at all- the thought that I can’t do something because I’ve never done it before, that something I love to do couldn’t possibly be a career, that I wasn’t good enough at something to pursue it professionally.
Oops.
I spend so much time encouraging fashion brand owners to work towards their goals, to believe in themselves and their abilities, and to look past the fear of failure, yet I am guilty of it way more than I thought I was.
I mean, I teach a class all about how to launch a fashion business, even if you have no prior experience!
Why do we do this? Why do we assume “I can’t” long before ever saying “I can.”?
Why do we have to go through a period of doubt and dismissal before thinking that maybe this thing is possible?
Why can’t we look at a challenge and believe in our gut that we’re completely capable and totally ready to take it on?
Here’s what I’m thinking we need to get better at…
The ability to re-adjust. Though change comes easy to some of us in some aspects of our lives (myself included), in other areas, the ones that require us to constantly adjust the way we think about something or the way we approach something, it’s a lot harder. Maybe because in these areas, we’re putting ourselves out there a lot more that we’re usually comfortable with. I don’t know. But whatever the reason, re-adjusting our beliefs needs to become a simpler and calmer process.
Reflecting on what you have accomplished already. Every step you’ve taken towards your goals is an accomplishment. Even making the decision to go after your goals and dreams is an accomplishment. Recognize what you’re capable of.
Trying something with the knowledge that it may never work exactly how you think it will. You will have a plan for what your business will be. It’s important to be open to the idea that it may not come together exactly as you have pictured it. And that’s OK.
You can do this.
Lots of love and encouragement,
