There is something that I’m seeing within much of the online business world lately.
You’re probably feeling it too.
There seems to be an intense pressure to put on a show, to be perfect, and to look like an ideal “6-figure,” immaculately dressed, entrepreneurial woman. Because of this pressure, a lot of entrepreneurs seem to be offering services and creating coaching businesses that look pretty much the same, where you can choose to hire those entrepreneurs based on their lifestyle alone.
I mention this because I feel that pressure too sometimes… The pressure to make my own life look a certain way that will be impressive to my audience and potential clients.
And you know what…?
I actually live a very simple life, and I love it.
Now, I don’t mean simple like poverty. Those are very different things. There is even a quote from Charles Fillmore that states: “There is a great difference between the simple life and poverty.”
My life is fairly uncomplicated, and looks like this right now:
~ I rent my house. In fact, I currently don’t wish to own a home, mostly because I desire flexibility more than anything else. Even at my rental house, I maintain a month to month lease, just in case a great opportunity to relocate shows up.
~ I didn’t own a car for about 8 years, and now that I do have one, I fully own it, and have no car loan to pay off each month. I met a man the other day who pays $800 each month toward his car loan, and when we asked him how much he was enjoying the new car, he admitted that he didn’t even like it. Why are people paying so much money for something they don’t even love!? Seems crazy to me.
~ I work in my business about 4 days a week, and spend the rest of the week creating projects (like my book, and several new training programs to bring to wider audiences at conferences and within Universities and companies.)
~ I like being a “one-woman show” in my business. Yes, I am supported by a few key people in the background (my virtual assistant, writing mentors, publicity coach, and web designer), but for the most part, I enjoy the simplicity of not being “boss” to a team of employees.
~ I like being barefoot. Which you probably already know.
~ I also enjoy clothing swaps and thrift shops. The jacket in this photo was only $3.50, and it makes me feel like a million dollars!
~ This summer, I’m thinking about working a couple days a week at a dahlia farm, simply because it sounds like it would be really fun. A month ago, I asked myself what would make my summer enjoyable, and the answer I got was “Maybe you should work at that flower farm?” I’ve been feeling the need to be around more flower energy lately, mostly because the book I’m writing for women entrepreneurs has a great deal of information about parallels between the natural world and generating wealth.
As you can tell, I am in love with the simplicity of the entrepreneurial life that I’ve designed for myself.
At the same time, I also appreciate wealth in many ways.
I especially like borrowing wealth, like I did when I spent several weeks writing my book in a $1.5 million dollar waterfront mansion. Not long ago, I spent an evening touring 2 private jets. I also like purchasing luxuries for myself, and will gladly spend a large amount of my income on plane tickets, as well as training and education to enrich my life.
But if there’s any message to leave you with today, it’s this:
Don’t feel pressured to look a certain way, have a certain amount of something (number of cars, certain income level) before you go out and offer your services or products to the world.
If you want to live in a 10-foot by 10-foot mini home, please don’t be swayed by the pressure to buy the McMansion. If you feel that you would be satisfied with $8,000 a month in your business, don’t feel like you must push to earn $20,000 a month. And on the flip side, if it is your honest intuitive dream to own a multi-million dollar company, and to be the CEO, go for it.
Wherever you are now, don’t feel pressured to appear as though you are at a certain level before you start helping others. You are already valuable, and your life and business doesn’t ever need to look a particular way.
© 2015 Ava Waits
Ava Waits is an inspirational speaker, sales trainer, business mentor, and forthcoming author. She believes that making money should feel like bliss, and through her work, she provides innovative business, money, and marketing guidance to entrepreneurial women worldwide.
Ava first used entrepreneurship to pull herself out of poverty, going from food stamps and the food bank line, to signing on over $17,000 worth of business in one month. She is passionately committed to helping other women release financial constriction, feel content with money, and live richer lives through entrepreneurship. Ava’s clients often receive surprise income, travel the world with their businesses, and start signing on new clients at their highest prices yet.
As a speaker, Ava has been interviewed on television, and has been invited around the country to inspire audiences at business events, women’s organizations, and financial companies. To connect with Ava, and to view article and video archives, please visit www.AvaWaits.com.
