Boss Moves: The Truth About Entrepreneurship, Balance & Building Your Brand | #ABalancedLife
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Losing a 'secure' job can be a divine redirection towards entrepreneurship.
- ❖Embrace internal healing (forgiveness, self-awareness) to overcome self-sabotage.
- ❖Seek external support from coaches and therapists to gain perspective and guidance.
- ❖Cultivate discipline and set self-imposed deadlines to drive your business forward.
- ❖Celebrate every small victory to maintain momentum and combat discouragement.
- ❖Not all opportunities or 'good money' are right for your specific path; practice discernment.
- ❖Shift from a follower ('W2 brain') to a leader ('CEO brain') by defining your own vision and goals.
- ❖Rest is crucial for creativity and effectiveness; disconnect from the 'booked and busy' mentality.
- ❖Your entrepreneurial 'ease' is often a reflection of grace and purpose, not a lack of effort.
Insights
1Job Loss as a Catalyst for Entrepreneurship
Dr. Tyranny's journey into entrepreneurship began unexpectedly after she lost her 'good job' in higher education shortly after earning her doctorate and getting married. This period of depression and anxiety, marked by applying for over 300 jobs without success, was ultimately framed as a divine redirection, forcing her to consider a path she previously feared.
Got to October of 2016... I lost my good good job. To say the rug was pulled from up under me is an understatement. I was depressed. I was anxious. I had no idea what I was going to to do. I lost my sense of self, my identity... God had shut out all of those doors because he had something else for me to do.
2The Pivotal Role of Coaching and Internal Work
A conversation with Dr. Jackie, who challenged Dr. Tyranny to 'make the job you want,' combined with ongoing work with a life coach and therapist, was instrumental in her transition. This support helped her address internal issues like insecurity, resentment, and the need for external validation, allowing her to embrace her authentic self and entrepreneurial calling.
She looked at me over the phone and said, 'Girl, why are you waiting for someone to give you a job? You have years of experience. You have a doctorate degree. You are the job. You go make the job that you want.' And that just hit me right between the eyes because I never considered entrepreneurship... I had to get that stinking thinking under control. I had to get that insecurity out of the way.
3The Necessity of Celebrating Small Wins
In the face of social media's curated success stories, Dr. Tyranny emphasizes the critical importance of celebrating every small win as an entrepreneur. She maintained a planner for years, documenting daily achievements, no matter how minor. This practice serves as proof of progress during challenging times and combats feelings of inadequacy.
It is pivotal that you put horse blinders on... you have to celebrate every win. I don't care what it is, you have to celebrate it. I literally wrote what I was celebrating for that day. I sold five copies of my book today. I just secured my 10th client today... I needed to go back and look at how far God had brought me.
4Prayer and Discernment as the 'Secret Sauce'
When making strategic business decisions, Dr. Tyranny relies heavily on prayer and listening for divine guidance. This allows her to discern when to move forward, when to pause, and when to decline opportunities, even if they appear financially lucrative, recognizing that 'all money ain't good money.'
This is where for me, sugar, I pray... listening to God and him telling me when to move, when not to move, because there may be some times when it may be a great opportunity. It may be the most money you have ever seen and God will say no. And you have to okay, am I going to listen and be obedient or am I going to run out there? Because all money ain't good money, sugar.
5Overcoming the Urge to Quit and Embracing Discomfort
Dr. Tyranny openly admits to wanting to quit daily during her early entrepreneurial years, even applying for traditional jobs. She realized this desire stemmed from discomfort and a lack of conviction in her new path. She reframes this discomfort not as pain or failure, but as a necessary process of growth and self-discovery, allowing her to fully embrace her creative and charismatic aspects.
Have I ever thought about giving up? Absolutely. At one point it was like every day... The reason why I was giving up is because I still was not convinced that I could do this... It was taking me through some changes that I did not like. I can now look back and see that those changes and the the stretch and the discomfort, it wasn't pain... It was just that process that I was going through so that I could see me and truly all that I had more clearly.
Bottom Line
The perceived security of a W2 job is often an illusion; layoffs can happen unexpectedly, making entrepreneurship a potentially more secure path for those who control their own destiny.
Entrepreneurs should not fear leaving traditional employment solely for 'security' reasons, as true security comes from self-reliance and adaptability, not a fixed paycheck.
Develop skills and a mindset that transcend traditional employment, viewing job loss as an opportunity to build a resilient, self-directed career.
The 'ease' or 'glamour' seen in successful entrepreneurs is often a manifestation of divine grace and purpose, not an indication of a struggle-free journey or a lack of effort.
Aspiring entrepreneurs should avoid comparing their difficult beginnings to others' seemingly effortless success, understanding that their unique path is also graced, even if it feels challenging.
Focus on identifying and aligning with your personal purpose and calling, trusting that this alignment will bring a sense of 'ease' and effectiveness, rather than trying to replicate others' methods.
Entrepreneurship can expose deep-seated emotions, fears, triggers, and traumas that remained hidden in the 'safe road' of a 9-to-5 job.
This journey is not just about business strategy but also intense personal development and healing. Ignoring these internal issues will lead to repeated self-sabotage and the desire to quit.
Integrate therapy and coaching into your entrepreneurial support system to proactively address psychological barriers that emerge, transforming them into strengths for your business.
Key Concepts
W2 Brain vs. CEO Brain
The 'W2 brain' waits for external direction, job descriptions, and goals from a supervisor, leading to passivity. The 'CEO brain' actively sets vision, mission, values, and long-term goals for the business, driving self-leadership and proactive decision-making.
Horse Blinders Mentality
Metaphorically putting on 'horse blinders' means intentionally limiting your view of others' successes (especially on social media) to stay focused on your unique path and avoid comparison, which can lead to discouragement and attempting to run someone else's race.
Lessons
- Engage with a life coach or therapist to address internal barriers like insecurity, self-sabotage, and past resentments, which are critical for entrepreneurial growth.
- Implement a system for celebrating every small win, such as a daily planner to record accomplishments, to build resilience and maintain motivation.
- Prioritize prayer and discernment when evaluating business opportunities, understanding that not every lucrative offer aligns with your purpose or is 'good money' for your journey.
- Actively cultivate a 'CEO brain' by setting your own vision, goals, and deadlines, rather than passively waiting for external direction, even if you are a 'company of one'.
- Build a supportive 'tribe' around you—friends, family, or mentors—who will hold you accountable and offer constructive criticism, not just 'amen' you.
Navigating the Entrepreneurial Journey: From W2 to CEO
**Acknowledge the Call:** Recognize that job loss or dissatisfaction can be a divine redirection towards entrepreneurship, even if it feels scary or uncertain.
**Engage in Deep Internal Work:** Address underlying depression, anxiety, insecurity, and resentment. Seek professional help from coaches and therapists to process past hurts and redefine your identity beyond your job title.
**Embrace Self-Leadership (CEO Brain):** Shift from waiting for directives to proactively setting your own vision, mission, values, and goals for your business. Take leadership courses if needed.
**Build a Supportive Ecosystem:** Surround yourself with a 'tribe' of people who will provide honest feedback and encouragement. Invest in legal counsel and other professional support to mitigate risks.
**Celebrate Every Win, Big and Small:** Document your daily accomplishments to build a track record of success, which serves as motivation during challenging periods and combats feelings of inadequacy.
**Practice Spiritual Discernment:** Use prayer and introspection to evaluate opportunities, understanding that not every financially appealing venture aligns with your purpose. Give yourself time to make calculated decisions.
**Cultivate Discipline and Self-Care:** Set self-imposed deadlines and boundaries. Prioritize rest and breaks to refresh creativity and prevent burnout, recognizing that productivity doesn't always mean constant activity.
Notable Moments
Dr. Tyranny's unexpected job loss in October 2016, shortly after earning her doctorate and getting married, served as the catalyst for her entrepreneurial journey, despite initial depression and anxiety.
This personal crisis highlights how significant life disruptions can be powerful, albeit painful, redirections towards an unconsidered path, forcing individuals to redefine their identity and purpose.
Dr. Jackie's direct challenge to Dr. Tyranny: 'Girl, why are you waiting for someone to give you a job? You are the job. You go make the job that you want.'
This pivotal statement shifted Dr. Tyranny's entire perspective, moving her from a mindset of seeking employment to one of creating her own opportunities, illustrating the power of external validation and a reframing of one's capabilities.
Quotes
"Girl, why are you waiting for someone to give you a job? You have years of experience. You have a doctorate degree. You are the job. You go make the job that you want."
"That W2 ain't sure. It ain't secure. Those people could come in there and fire you today, tomorrow... I feel more secure in entrepreneurship because I know it's just me and God."
"Who I was was so wrapped up in what I did... we get so mixed up in what it is that we want to do... instead of asking the question, 'Well, sugar, who are you?'"
"All money ain't good money, sugar. As an entrepreneur, you need to understand that all money ain't good money."
"If our Lord and Savior had to rest, you think you don't have to."
Q&A
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