You should do this.
How I deal with those who think they know better.
The tyranny of the shoulds (thank you, Karen Horney).
You should: start a YT channel, create a Tarot deck, offer this service, write another book, go back onto social media, do monthly events. . . etc.
Many wonderful suggestions from wonderful people who imagine that my business would be enhanced by following their advice. Other than writing another book, the answer is thanks but been there, done that, not interested, nah.
Sometimes you have to turn off the podcasts, avoid social media, shut the door to all advice for a time and focus.
Focus. What do you want? YOU? No one else.
I’ve been in this entrepreneurial game for two decades. Traction was so hard in pre-social media, yet I’d argue that the “attention economy” is no easier. Be on social media. Don't be on social media. You still need to show up whether clients or customers arrive. Your devotion is to YOU.
I appreciate the advice, but I’m happy with the simple business I’ve built over 20 years.
I still think about ways to expand Shivaya Wellness but it always comes back to: I’m happy. I’m not so happy with slow weeks, bust years or difficult clients but that’s all part of the entrepreneurial game — and valuable lessons to hone my character. Yet the more people claim to be a healer/reader/seer, the more I am invisible. This year, my business made a huge pivot and I became a referral-only reader. It was chancy move — would people bail? Think I’ve retired? Yet after some initial wonkiness, I’m so glad I took the risk. It’s important to shake up the chess board sometimes!
Plus, I like my relative anonymity.
Some people do know better. Say thank you and consider their advice.
There is a wealth of information online from those in this industry, including me. If you trust us enough to listen, consider how our wisdom can improve your business. I’ve gotten so much help and great advice over the years that I still appreciate and utilize.
As I’ve said many times, there is nothing special about being psychic / telepathic, as dazzling as it might be to those who do not yet recognize it in themselves. If you can make a business out of being a reader/healer, great. Just remember you are no better than anyone and be humble enough to see yourself as a perpetually curious student.
Even if you receive unsolicited advice about your business, there might be a nugget of gold in there. Sit back and review. If they grow annoyed that you didn’t follow their directive, cut that dead weight out of your life.
You can always become a sharper player, no matter how long in the game.
Pay attention to passive income ideas. Listen to podcasts and read books from people from various backgrounds, beliefs and industries — you’ll always gain something from their stories. Just this morning, I weighed whether to go back on social media (X) because of the new subscription platform / passive income stream — then said, Nah. Definitely don’t want to go back there. But I still considered it!
Define your personal definition of success. Yours, not anyone else.
Everyone has a different notion of personal success and if you can define it, you won’t find yourself building a dream that doesn’t belong to you. We are shaped by our early environment and our parents taught lessons about success, money, business, etc. We were held captive to their wounds, insecurities and unconscious behaviors that may have been in direct contrast to what was taught as earthly success.
Are you building a business to please someone? A parent? Your spouse? The judge in your head? It’s a valuable question to consider because it will be the torpedo that sabotages your business down the line.
What parents, teachers and religious leaders view as success may be very different — if not in opposition — from your own. Sort, define, recognize and reshape. Or simply throw it out because it isn’t yours!
Being an adult is taking ownership of our lives, working our way through short-sightedness and the outright lies that remain in us, while using our brilliant insights and abundant self-encouragement to claim our place. Success will follow our natural enthusiasm for life.
When you understand WHY you do your work, your focus will be on that definition, rather than chase advice or compare yourself to others. What is “success” to you? Fame? Wealth? A certain number? Happiness in helping others? All of the above? Be honest with yourself — then build your business.
This is my personal definition of success.
Time — to play, write, dream, read, paint, see friends, sleep. Free time is the pinnacle of success for me. Money and worldly recognition is great — but comes nowhere near unobstructed time in my precious and limited lifespan.
Keep my business and personal life as debt-free as possible.
Complete autonomy. I call the shots in my business and life. No one else.
I live a simple life but after years of scrimping to build my biz, I don’t hesitate to pay for luxury whenever possible (good food/natural medicine/healers/time off to travel, read, rest).
Doing a virtual session for clients at home in yoga pants, surrounded by stones and a steaming cup of tea. No commute. No traffic. No boss. No road rage.
Not knowing the day because it doesn’t matter unless there are commitments to the outside world.
Helping others feel more positive and excited. I never tire of clients sharing their lives with me.
As business continues to grow, I am more generous with money.
Time to write books. I’m in the process of writing my latest book now.
Flexibility. I can keep or close my business to have new adventures. There is no ageism in my line of work — and if I want, Shivaya Wellness can remain open until the day I die.