I get a lot of people reaching out to me saying something like “I want to start posting on social media and grow my personal brand so I can land more clients.”
And I think this is great—social media has been such a powerful tool for me, and it’s where I get the majority of my clients (the rest come from referrals).
But when I ask why they’re not posting, their answer always comes down to one thing: they’re afraid of looking stupid.
Afraid of embarrassing themselves.
Afraid of what others will think.
Afraid of being cringe.
And I get it, these feelings and thoughts can be hard to overcome and they have stopped countless people in their tracks, but I’m here today to tell you to embrace those uncomfortable feelings.
So let me know if this sounds familiar…
You feel that initial spark for a great idea.
An idea that could get your design business on the map.
One that you’ve seen work from someone you admire, but that you’d like to put your own creative spin on.
There’s just one catch: the idea requires putting yourself out there.
That’s when the little voice inside your head starts getting louder.
And so instead of risking embarrassment or being labelled as cringe, you let the idea fall by the wayside.
If this sounds all too familiar, you’re not alone. I was right there with you not too long ago!
The truth is that you have to embrace the cringe, and believe me, it’s terrifying at first.
But over time, this cringe turns into comfort.
Comfort with trying something new…
With going out on a limb…
And with putting yourself out there!
Then, as you inspire people along the way, that comfort transforms even further into confidence.
So here’s my challenge to you…
The very next time you view cringe as an obstacle, think of it instead as an opportunity to overcome your own barriers.
After all, the voice inside your head is definitely louder than any critics out there.
So what’s something you want to try but can’t bring yourself to do?
Maybe there’s a TikTok trend you’d love to hop on but just can’t envision yourself doing.
Or maybe you want to launch a design channel but fear the thought of someone you know seeing.
For a brief moment, put yourself in the other person’s shoes…
They’re likely more worried about themselves doing something cringey than anyone else!
And in all honesty, you might be surprised by just how much support you get when you go outside of your initial comfort zone.
The best part is, even if an idea or two fail, you’re learning every step of the way.
It’s the single reason why every self-growth book on the face of this planet mentions failure as a key part of the process.
But believe me, it’s worth the risk for those small wins that add up over time.
The bottom line?
You have great things ahead of you, but if being cringe is keeping you from moving forward, then it’s time to kick what other people think to the curb.
Chat next week,
Abi 🙂