melissaharris89@gmail.com 11/3/15 melissaharris89@gmail.com 11/3/15

Do Something You've Never Done

I’ve always thought of myself as a daring person. Ask me to try it and I will. Ask me to do it and I’m down. I believe that when it comes to most things, you should try it at least once. ‘If it’s not going to kill me, then why not’ is my motto. My curiosity peaks when something is presented to me that I have yet to experience. Unitl I realized everything is damn near new as an entrepreneur.

At the beginning of your entrepreneurial journey, there is one rule you must stick by no matter what (if you ever plan on being successful that is):

Say Yes To EV-ER-Y-THING.

And I mean everything, especially the things you’re not ready for. And you know that you’re not ready for it because you’ve never done it, but you have all the intentions of doing it in the future. The only way to become great in the future (because we're all striving fro greatness) is to start practicing in the present. You won’t be perfect. You may not even be good, but that’s okay. After you do something you’ve never done, you’ll be better the next time around. You will know how to prepare. You will understand your weak points. You will be clear on the outcome you want.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING YOU’VE NEVER DONE

When you do something you’ve never done it isn’t easy. Most of the necessary things in life aren’t. Even though there will be a lot of doubt and hesitation, you must do it anyway. Because it’s in the challenge that makes you better.

I recently hosted a call for the first time. I figured it would be like public speaking. I’ve spoken in front of crowds numerous times. I was a speech major for goodness sakes. Talking to 20 or so people that I can’t see from the comfort of my couch should be a piece of cake. Don’t you know, two days before the call I started thinking about ways not to do the call. Although, I knew without a shadow of a doubt I would do the call, the part of me that wants to grow professionally, that’s aspiring to be something more, that knows this is only the beginning of greater things to come, would not let me back out. But the part of me that was nervous, that wants to stay small because I’m good at small, the part that feels like an amateur, did not want to do the call.

The day of the call came. I let my fear take the back seat, and I spoke for nearly two hours on organization. Did I stumble, yes. Did I lose my train of thought, a few times. But I also received a lot of great feedback, and I truly had a good time. I learned that I would absolutely do it again.

Doing something you’ve never done before will bring out the parts of you that you are aiming to be. But don’t think for a second that the fearful version of you won’t make it’s debut. Know that she is always coming for the ride, because she is trying to protect you from shame, embarrassment, defeat, and failure. She doesn’t know this, but she is also protecting you from happiness, fulfillment, purpose, and adventure. Acknowledge her but never allow her to make decisions when it comes to pursuing your goals. Her defense is strong, and she’ll win every time if you don't kick your offence up a notch.

When It Comes to Doing Something You’ve Never Done Before I learned this:

Do It the Way You Would with Your Best friend- With good friends your personality shines the greatest. You’re at ease and full of confidence.
Always Put Your Best Foot Forward- Prepare as if you were at the top of your career and getting paid top dollar for it. Get in the habit of putting in the work to perform your best. Your best is your personal best. Only compare yourself to you and self.
If You Mess Up Just Keep Going-It’s all about how you finish, people barely remember the beginning and can never recall the middle. Always finish strong.
It’s Only a Big Deal at That Very Moment- Once it’s over it’s now a thing of the past. Meaning, you’re on your way to the next new thing.
If you’re scared, DO IT ANYWAY- PERIOD

~~WHAT HAVE YOU DONE NEW LATELY?? COMMENT BELOW ~~

Feel Free,

Mel

melissaharris89@gmail.com 10/20/15 melissaharris89@gmail.com 10/20/15

Can You Start A Business Working Full time?

Many people are under the impression that the only way they can start a business is to quit their job, use all their savings, and take the biggest risk of their life on what they’re passionate about. Although this approach has worked for a few , they are the exceptions, the outliers. Many people are apprehensive about taking this route. There’s way too much risk involved and no guarantee that you’ll get what you’re seeking. (But if you’ve been on this Earth long enough you know by now nothing is guaranteed.) So since you can’t quit your job and dedicate all your waking hours to building a business of your own, you can’t do it at all right?

WRONG.

There are multiple avenues to building a business, and a business takes time to develop. But more importantly, you need time to develop. Just like when you ask your boyfriend to put dirty dishes in the sink when he's done and the next morning you find a dirty cup on the counter, change doesn't happen overnight, neither will your business. Having a full time job while building a business is tough, but it’s not because you have a full time job. It'sounds because starting a business is HARD. Let me take that back.

Starting a business is challenging.

There are so many different things to grasp. What’s even worse is it’s hard to know where to start. Even when you finally get the guts to start, it’s hard to know if you’re on the right track. On top of all this, you’re working a job you can't stand and finding the time and energy to work on building a business is a challenge.

While all these things remain true, there are millions of people who’ve done it, so there’s the answer to your question:

Yes you can start a business working full time.

Now that’s out the way, there are some key things to keep in mind:

1. If you want to start a business working full time you must dedicate time daily to growing your business.

If it’s 10 minutes, 15 minutes, or an 1 hour, set an alarm, start your timer and focus on nothing but your business for that allotted time. This is going to keep you consistent and motivated. Consistency produces progress and action produces motivation. Stay consistent in order to stay motivated.

2. If you want to start a business working full time, Get A Mentor.

Find someone that’s doing what you’d like to do and pick their brain, donate your time, allow them to take you under their wing. They have done everything you’re trying to do. What better way to learn things you don’t know other than from someone who does? Quick note: They are being super ultra mega generous in giving you knowledge they’ve learned from trail and error. Show your gratitude by taking the lead on this mentoring partnership (schedule the time and place, create questions and always make it convenient for your mentor)

3. If you want to start a business working full time, you must Be Patient.

Time goes by so fast. Am I the only one who can remember being 6 years old playing with her Barbies and riding bikes outside? That was yesterday. I’m a whole grown-up now. The time will pass regardless. It won’t go by any slower or faster just because you’ve decided to build a business now. Stay the course and in due time your vision will materialize.

And that leads me to #4

4. If you want to start a business working full time, Write out your vision.

Describe what you will be doing once you’ve reached where you want to be. Revisit this vision weekly or whenever you feel like quitting (because you will). This will remind you of what you can have if you only keep going. Truth is, your vision is already yours. The moment you decided what you wanted, that became your fate. Now it’s waiting for you to come get it.

5. If you want to start a business working full time, Do Not Feel Crazy for Wanting to Start a Business.

Just because you’re working (probably in a field unrelated to what you’re passionate about) and want to start a business, doesn’t mean you’re crazy. It means you have aspirations for yourself. It means you have a greater life in store for you and those you love. It means you’ve worked a 9 to 5 and realized you not bout that life. Please, embrace this simple fact about yourself because fighting it will only haunt you.

Yes you can start a business working full time but it takes consistency, guidance, patience, motivation, and never fighting who you really are and what you truly want. You have big goals and aspirations for your life, but just like you can’t meet someone today, marry them tomorrow, and expect to have an amazing marriage for the next 50 years. You can’t think about starting a business today and have an amazing business tomorrow. Get to know your business. Learn what makes it tick. Allow your business time to grow and make mistakes, because that’s the only way the two of you will learn to live as one.

****What are you tossing and turning about at night? What are you wanting to do but feel like your 9 to 5 is stopping you? Let me know in the comments below* 😉 ***

Feel Free,

Mel

melissaharris89@gmail.com 10/13/15 melissaharris89@gmail.com 10/13/15

How To Take the Pressure Off When Trying Something New

Fear has a funny way of stopping you from attempting something new.Fear can make you feel inadequate, disorganized, and silly. There's no need to attempt something new for fear to creep up. All that's needed is a thought. A thought about:

taking a risk or making a change.

And that's when fear arrives, waiting for you, ready to help you unthink that thought.

It's a real challenge getting past something that's literally invisible but feels so real. Real enough to stop you from adding much needed novelty to your life.

I recently wanted to do something new - something I've never tried before, but have wanted to do for some time now. I will admit, I was nervous to take the first step. The pressure from the outcome of this "new thing" was weighing on me. As if I was about to save millions of little puppies with what I wanted to do.

It's ridiculous the amount of pressure we take on unnecessarily when expressing ourselves creatively.

I wanted to eradicate this pressure, and that's when I had a thought: Why not give new creative outlets a name. A name that doesn't make me nervous or hesitate to start. And there it was. A seven letter word that couldn't intimidate me if it tried. (Unless I put the word Group in front of it, then it would piss me off.)

Project.

Everyone loves projects don't they? Projects don't have to save the world, make tons of money, or be life changing. No one questions why you're doing a project or how long it's going to take.

It's nerve wrecking telling others your hopes and dreams (as if dreams aren't meant to be farfetched). Nonetheless, we still hesitate to share our deepest desires with others in fear that they may sound outlandish or insignificant . Sometimes we hesitate to admit our deepest wants with ourselves. Once we acknowledge our wants we must either go after it or allow it to eat us alive.

I used to put my serious face on when I got ready to work on my goals or talk about them. I assumed for others to take my goals seriously, I must take them seriously, so I must look serious when it comes to my goals. Sounds downright silly.

There's been a message ingrained within us that goals are serious business, there's no room for mistakes and God forbid you take your time.

I'm realizing that approach feels all wrong. I learning to just DO instead of FEEL my way through every scenario in fear I could make a wrong turn.

When you're having fun and doing something you love, do you sit down and size-up what you're doing? Do you explain why this is bringing you joy? Do you plan each moment out? Absolutely not. A singer sings without realizing what she's singing about. A writer writes what he feels. An artist paints what brings her inspiration. In order to release our creativity we must be relaxed, anxiety free, and full of passion. Don't allow fear or pressure to stop you before you dare to begin.

Leave that serious face for when the student loan companies call your phone. Let that fun, creative, and adventurous side into the limelight when working on your craft. For it's only just a project.

***What new projects are you doing in your life? I'd love to know. Comment Below. Don't be shy ;-)***

Feel free,

Mel