Go Big or Go Home

Yesterday, I was really inspired by Allison Nazarian's amazing blog post, "You're Either Following or Blazing.  End of Story."

Why?  Because being an entrepreneur is all about taking risks.  About blazing new trails.  Living on the edge.  Daring to be different.

If you're committed to success--real success, not just the this-is-kind-of-a-nice-hobby-and-better-than-a-corporate-job-but-doesn't-really-pay-the-bills mentality we've all been guilty of--at some point, you either need to go big or go home.

Back in December, I made the decision that this was a make or break year for me.  I was tired of mediocrity.  Of doing the same projects over and over again.  Of not getting the clients I wanted.  Of barely making enough money to get by.  Of not being 100% invested. 

It's scary to be bold.  To take risks.  To be different.  To blaze a new trail.

I threw out almost everything.  Clients, revenue models, processes, services.  And then I did some even crazier things.  I took on ANOTHER business.  I hired a staff person before I could really afford it.  I thought beyond news releases and monthly retainers and the same old tired, boring tactics.  I stopped hiding behind others' voices and opinions.  I dared to be ME.

It's a scary, uncertain path, though I'm lucky enough to have an amazing support system.  And at the end of the day, I feel much better knowing I went all in.  That I tried.  That I took risks.  And I'll take that over a known path any day.