If you’ve seen the latest Batman film, you are familiar with the idea of letting go of one thing before you can fully embrace another.
No spoilers here. Just know it’s something of a theme.
And for good reason, because it’s one of the ideas I’ve found to be the most helpful in growing (and shrinking and growing again) my business.
Going on Faith
For some reason, I attract entrepreneurial people. Nearly all of my friends have owned their own businesses at one time or another. Of course, many of my clients are entrepreneurs as well.
Here’s one thing we’ve all learned: the work will come when you need it.
The universe abhors a vacuum. If you have room for more clients and more work, it will come. But here’s the tricky part:
First, you have to let go of all the junk that’s cluttering up your business.
Stuck in Fear
Look around you. Do you see a few clients you’ve been hanging on to for some unattractive reasons?
- Maybe you keep helping them out of a sense of obligation.
- Maybe you’re convinced that the next great job is coming from them any minute.
- Maybe you’re just afraid to let go of something so familiar.
That old client is occupying part of your mind – a part you can’t use very well as long as he’s there.
Make no mistake! This client is comfy. He’s set up a little tent city. Oh look! They have running water now!
Evict that freeloader and see what comes to replace it.
Spiraling Upwards
You have a choice. You can consciously replace your junk with new clients and new work that you want, or you can let things happen on their own and get whatever comes.
The first option takes you on an upward spiral of more profitable clients (who, happily, are also more fun).
Choose the second option and watch your business unravel further as you attract more of what you already have.
Trust me, I’ve done both.
First, Let Go
The first thing you have to do is let go.
- Maybe the universe requires a demonstration of your faith.
- Maybe letting go makes you work harder because it takes away your safety net.
I don’t know why it works. I just know that it does.
