…is you.
It’s cliche, I know, but it seems to be something that we have trouble remembering and believing.
We like to blame others or our circumstances. I know because I used to be the same way, but since I’ve started taking responsibility for my actions, I’ve seen a huge increase in productivity and progress.
Yep, you guessed it: there’s a story coming.
Back in December of 2010, soon after I quit my job and started working on my business full-time, I started delving into the Austin networking scene.
I was barely 21 years old at the time, and I had this feeling that my age would work against me in building my business, especially as I was trying to move more in the marketing consulting direction.
So I came up with a simple solution: I started wearing a suit to all the networking events I attended. It was a sure-fire way to get people to trust me and dismiss my age right?
Well, for a few weeks, I signed on no new clients at all. Then I went to a brainstorming group where I was asked what my business challenges were. The funny thing was that I wasn’t wearing my suit this day, because of other errands I had to run that day.
When I told the group how I felt about my age working against me, they tore me up!
First of all, most of them couldn’t even guess my age right. I apparently gave off the impression that I was much older and much more established. In fact, those that had already seen me around said the suit put them off talking to me because I seemed like a “corporate guy” (not at all a good fit for Austin).
The point is, my age wasn’t even a factor in their minds. They saw me as an outgoing and innovative entrepreneur.
I had invented a barrier to success because I was scared to dive into the networking world. I was scared of failing to connect with my peers, and the suit made me feel like I was on a pedestal.
But my solution to my lack of confidence was the very barrier to success. By letting go and having confidence in myself, I became a (self-proclaimed) networking superstar.
So let go, and get out of your way. Stop wasting time trying to solve problems that don’t exist.
How to Get Out of Your Way
It wouldn’t be fair if I just left you with that. There’s a secret to getting out of your own way.
It’s super simple, actually: ask for help. Get yourself an accountability partner and an objective opinion. It’ll work wonders for your bottom line.
Have you ever stood in your own way? Share your story in the comments!
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