Why You Don’t Have What You Want

I’m not a singer. But there I am standing in front of my family and friends, a microphone in my hand. Inhale. Exhale.

How did I get myself into this?

It’s my birthday and for some bizarre reason, I’ve decided to sing, “Closer to Fine” by the Indigo Girls. Ever since I heard it at age 15, it’s been my theme song, the pronouncement of what my life is and what I’m trying to do. I know every word by heart.

And now I’m singing it. My husband Jeff and my friend Dahlia have my back, but this is about me and my voice making it happen. Or not.

I’m scared.

What Do You Really Want?

I’m thinking about why wedding vendors don’t go for what they want. There are a million reasons, and some of them even make sense. 🙂

Some of wedding professionals can’t even tell me what they want because they don’t know how to recognize it anymore. They’ve gotten that good at ignoring it.

But you know. Deep down, you can still find that dream, that voice that says, “I want,” that vision of a possibility. You can still find that spark of desire.

What’s holding you back?

The reasons and excuses are thousands of shapes and forms of the very same thing…

FEAR.

Fear of what might happen if you do. Fear of what will happen if it works. Fear of failure. Fear of what everyone…or maybe someone in particular…will think. Fear of what you’ll lose.

Fear kills dreams.

The Rocking Chair Test

Imagine yourself on your 90th birthday, sitting in your rocking chair. Think about what you want.

If you DON’T do it, how will you feel thinking about it when you’re old and gray, looking back on your life?

There’s NO LOSS in going for it.

True, it might not work. You might flop. You might open your mouth to sing and forget the words or hit all the wrong notes.

But every time you go for what you want that success muscle gets stronger. Your skin gets thicker. Your confidence grows because you know you CAN get what you want, and you know you deserve it, and you know that each and every action gets you closer and closer.

So get off your butt and go for what you want. Your business deserves it. You deserve it.

Take one action that scares the crap out of you today. If it leaves you trembling, it’s a sign that it’s exactly what you need to do because it means EVERYTHING to you.

Ask out that hot number you’ve been thinking about for months. Publish that edgy photograph. Say that thing you know is going to piss people off. Act on that crazy idea for your business.

Feel the fear and do it anyway.

Open Up and Sing

I haven’t had a voice lesson in years. “Stop singing like a little girl!” my voice coach used to say.

I sing off key. I lack power. I have no technique.

But I have a voice, and by God, I’m going to use it. (And not just on my birthday, either.)

What’s Stopping You?

There’s never been a bigger opportunity for your wedding business to succeed than right now.

How can I say that with the sluggish economy and unemployment and debt and political unrest and…?

The internet has leveled the playing field for us as small businesses. We can instantly reach an audience of thousands, millions, with one click. It’s never been easier to compete with the Big Boys and to find the people who are looking for you.

All you need is a song and the balls to stand up and sing.

 

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