If you show up in the morning, to your life’s work- your most precious project- in a bad mood, that’s okay.
It’s okay to get new headshots taken with an extra 15 pounds on you.
It’s okay to be grumpy during a client meeting.
It’s okay to show up to your project without motivation.
It’s okay to come as you are.
Right now.
Imperfect.
It’s okay to feel down, low, sad, and frustrated.
It’s okay to feel grouchy and impatient.
It’s okay to feel nervous or “not ready yet”.
For a long time I thought I had to get in the right mindset to work on this blog, this business, this website, this work…
I didn’t want to interact with potential customers or colleagues if I was in a bad mood.
I didn’t want to write if I felt sad or tired.
I didn’t want to be on social media if I wasn’t “on” and “up” and “ready”.
Because, I was afraid I would turn people off.
I was afraid if I didn’t performing at 1000%, I would make mistakes, or give people a bad impression.
I was afraid to show any cracks. If I did, I might lose the ground that I’d gained.
I didn’t want to show any imperfections for fear that it would ding my credibility, or hurt my chance at success.
So, instead I waited.
I always waited until I felt really motivated before I would ever work on my business.
I waited until I felt “up” and “on” and fully energized.
I waited for the perfect mood, environment and circumstances before I took steps forward.
To be honest, I didn’t get much done.
(which just served to increase those periods of feeling low)
I kept waiting because I was afraid I’d mess it up.
I always waited for my “best self” to arrive before I’d take a seat at the table.
So, I rarely sat down.
People really do want to see you as you are.
Because, those ideal moments are few and fleeting.
And, if you wait for that, you’ll spend way too much time waiting.
Amateurs wait.
Leaders take a seat.
Even if they’re cranky, or frustrated.
Even when the dishes need to get done.
Even when they have 15 more pounds to lose…
Motivation will always come in waves, but it doesn’t have to stop you from moving your project forward.
Go above your motivation. Take action in spite of it.
Besides, people want to see the real you. Not a shiny, perfect version.
So, even if you don’t feel great, give yourself permission to speak, write, create, and connect anyway.
Come as you are.
Because when you do, you’ll give others permission to show up as they are.
And the world could use more of that.