Your Thing is like a muscle (excuse me here for non-medically trained analogy coming up).
What I mean by this is that when you use it often and 'build it up' it becomes more and more easy to use/do. And stronger–it definitely gets stronger.
Very often, when I work with someone to help them 'find' their Thing (which is always a case of seeing what's already there btw, and not 'coming up with' something new) there is that moment where they 'get' they have it but hesitate about using it.
The hesitation is often a worry about it not working, not being strong enough, or not being as 'big' as other people's (!). But all of this is unfounded, because just like a muscle you can build it up, and get stronger and stronger. Body builders aren't born with giant muscles–but they are born with the muscle ready to be built up. Same with your Thing–you develop a set of skills, experiences, know-how and opinion and when you're clear on what it is, you can start to build it up into a process or philosophy and take it out into the world.
But you have to start
You don't get stronger without working out the muscle you have–or if we're talking literally–doing your Thing. So as soon as you 'see' your Thing, I highly recommend (and if you're working with me, I insist!) that you start doing it right away. Run an event or speak about it as soon as you can. Get blogging, get interviews, find a group you can share it with, just start 'working out'.
And this isn't just about your Thing, either–the same goes for your Marketing, sales conversations, writing, speaking, whatever it is you need to support you in your business. The more you 'do it' and work out the muscle, the more it will build up. And just like muscle, once you've built it up (the harder work) then you can 'maintain' it a lot more easily. Don't build it up and let it go–keep it working for you, maintain it and you'll get the benefit–a stronger body/business.
There's no excuse not to start either. Just because you've been lurking on the metaphorical or literal sofa for a while, doesn't mean you can't start today. Build up slowly, but do something. No-one expects you to be running marathons or be the head of an international CEO on Day 1, but if you don't start working your muscle out it's pretty safe to say it's never going to happen!
Want to talk more about this?
Leave a Reply