why selling your offers makes you feel guilty

There are 2 fascinating (yet highly annoying) observations I’ve made about creative entrepreneurs:

1. The ability to NEVER drink the mug of coffee when it’s hot. As soon as we pour a fresh cup we launch into a quantum leap until it’s cold. Can anyone explain this phenomenon?!

2. The ability to repeatedly squash our talents, skills, knowledge, experience, and expertise down into a tiny, insignificant pile until we either don’t feel like they’re enough OR completely forget we have them at all.

It’s just so bizarre that we consistently flush those assets right down the shitter when they’re what actually give our work value.

I haven’t been able to figure out exactly why this happens. Maybe because we’re so immersed in our businesses that the novelty wears off faster? Because we don’t have a boss around to give us raises or promotions or gold star stickers for a job well done? Because even when we share our biggest, boldest ideas, and even when those big ideas deeply resonate with our audience, we often don’t get instant, positive feedback?

Whatever the reason, the fact remains: IT IS A NASTY LITTLE HABIT AND ONE WE MUST VOW TO UNLEARN ASAP. Because diminishing the stuff you’re really good at prevents you from capitalizing on exciting new opportunities – even the ones that are the perfect fit.

If you don’t really, truly, absolutely believe what you’re offering the world is valuable, OF COURSE you’re going to feel egotistical when you talk about it!

Of course you’re going to feel guilty taking money for something you love to do! Of course you’re going to feel like you’re bothering people by explaining how you can help them! Of course you’re going to feel selfish raising your prices!

But how’s this for a new perspective: you already recommend everything to everyone all the time. Movies, hair stylists, TV shows, hiking boots, dentists, business coaches, mattresses, cars, podcasts, the appropriate amount of time to reheat your leftover maple bar in the microwave, restaurants, books.

And if you knew the book could help someone, would you not recommend the book if you were the author??

Selling comes down to your ability to confidently stand behind your business with the intention of being of service instead of feeling like you’re just taking advantage of your customers. When imposter syndrome pops into your head with: “if you love your work so much, it’s selfish to charge money” it’s your responsibility to trust your moral compass and clap back with a resounding: “an equal exchange of value for money is ethical, powerful, and safe. Bitch.”

Exploiting and leveraging are not the same thing. One requires greed – the other requires courage.

I hope this post encourages you to step out of your comfort zone – the people you can help won’t be able to find you if you don’t make yourself available to help them.