Why is it SO hard to BE YOURSELF?

"BE YOURSELF. As simple as this sounds, it's one of the hardest things to do". I love this quote from a JayZ masterclass.

The pressure to succeed can make us all clones.

Even if you're not well versed on rap music like myesle you can 💯 get what he was saying. In JayZ's world there are many rappers (known and unknown), it's easy to mimic what's working for other people for a quick win, but you lose your own flavour or sound in the process. This is true in any profession. For us as entrepreneurs, it's easy to emulate the big names, their style, and methods of doing business because they are clearly working, but we lose our vision, mission, and voice in the process.

Yes, doing things your way means you're not going to land on the money right away. It also means you have to endure looking like a fool before everyone thinks you're cool. Fear of public humiliation has robbed a lot of us of our genius. This was true prior to the age of social media and it's on steroids now with our addiction to 'likes' and 'follows'. We all want to be liked and to fit in. No one wants to stand out and be the last one picked for the team of life. It doesn't feel good, let's face it.

The crazy truth is that until we are okay being the last one left standing, we won't begin to live. The moment you do things your way, the natural response of those around you will be "You've changed!" and they won't be meaning it as a comopliment.

So, we all have two choices:

1. Go with the crowd. Be the first pick in a team that if you really look at it isn't winning in life at all.

Or,

2. Be left standing alone. Understand your voice and what you bring to the table that's unique. Become the leader that you were born to be, and slowly but assuredly begin to galvanize the troops behind your message.

Entrepreneurs, I'm sorry to say our only option is #2 , or else you better go get a job. The winds of choosing a different path blow cold and hard, but once you get used to the cold it will liberate more than it causes discomfort.

Hear this! Especially in a crowded market place, it's crucial to BE YOURSELF❗️ It's the only way we set ourselves apart. Do it your way and the competition becomes irrelevant in the mind of your target consumer.

When you do things in a manner that is true to yourself, the process of starting your own venture becomes freeing more than it overwhelms.

Forget the competition. Being an entrepreneur on a mission is a tremendous responsibility, there's a reason that business idea was assigned to you. Your unique signature is what it requires.

Slap fear in the face and tell it get out of the way, you need to see yourself just the way you are in the mirror of life.

Forget the rules. There are no rules. If your path isn't typical, why try to get typical.

Strive to BE YOURSELF.

The marketplace will reward you more for your difference!

P.S. Ever noticed how all the greats are always described as being eccentric. My theory, it just means they couldn't fit them into a box. Go be you!