Let’s face it. Running a business can be hard on the heart. Especially if you’re neurodiverse, HSP, emotional, or empathic. It can seem so easy for others to shrug off a failed launch, a challenging client experience, or a mean social media comment. So often, we see other entrepreneurs sharing a Behind The Scenes story that’s supposed to be honest and vulnerable but it really comes off more as “but look at me now” than “…and that sucked“. When the truth is, sometimes it just sucks and there’s no fancy spin to it.

When all we see is what people choose to show us, it makes it that much harder for us to set realistic expectations for ourselves and our businesses. We aren’t seeing the whole truth.

So what do you do about it when it’s hard? What do you do about the mean comment, or the challenging client, or the launch numbers that weren’t as high as you wanted? Or that other situation that you haven’t really told anyone about.

I’m not going to lie to you. This work is considered simple, but not always easy. However, here’s a short list to get you started/motivated:

1. Fuck those people.
   First and foremost, you are here to do big work in the world and that means that there will be people who have a problem with that. Maybe they preferred you when your boundaries weren’t so strong. Maybe they preferred you small and quiet. Maybe they’re just jealous. Whatever it is that’s getting them all up in themselves, you do you the best way you can.
   
   
2. Keep going.
   There are people out there publishing and launching mediocre garbage and the more you hold out on yourself, the more play those folks get (and for real, the worse off your clients are). Do your clients a favour. Heck, do the world a favour, and get back in the game. Your less-than-perfect stuff is going to be at least 80% better than most of what’s out there. #fact
   
   
3. Stop the comparisonitis in its tracks.
   When you notice that you’re comparing your Behind The Scenes with someone else’s curated and edited social media post, call it by name. “oh look, I’m doing it again” – not to diminish yourself but to point it out so you can recognize it. Then look at the post with a critical eye. What is it about this person, this post, this particular circumstance that you want? What would that look like for you? How would you do it differently? Take notes. Then get back work.
   
   

Last…sometimes it’s just hard until it’s not so hard anymore. If that’s the case, be gentle with yourself. Keep taking your small steps forward and nudging beyond your comfort zones. This work isn’t always easy but you don’t have to be alone in it either.