Why Being Yourself is One of The Best Investments for Your Business

You are one in a million... It's time to act like it!

Meet Your Best Investment: Yourself

As women and designers, we are constantly bombarded with what we “should” look like, what our designs “should” look like, what we “should” be doing, how we “should” act. 

First, I want you to toss the word “should” from your vocabulary — RIGHT EFFING NOW.

No one should tell you what to do, how to act, how to look — and that means you as well.

There is no one else in the world like you — and that is a great thing. I want you to feel the power that comes with being YOURSELF.

In the social media age, it can be incredibly intimidating to do that. You’re always seeing examples of other people’s lives that lead you to think maybe you should be doing something else. 

But remember what I said a few weeks ago — comparison is the thief of joy … and that Instagrammer who appears to be showing you that life is greener on the other side … well, she’s just using a filter, with a lot of green tints. 

Be. Yourself. Seriously - do it.

Look, I’ve been there. It’s not easy. I struggled with “being myself” early in my design career. I lacked confidence because I didn’t go to design school. I operated purely on logic and instinct. I faked it until I made it, pretending I had everything together, that I had all the answers.

But here’s the thing about being yourself: Work becomes infinitely more enjoyable, you no longer expend energy trying to be someone you’re not or trying to control something you can’t. 

You attract clients who are drawn not only to your designs and your processes but your energy and ultimately YOU.

Use Your Own Voice.

Use your own voice in your marketing, on your blog, on social media, on the phone talking with a potential client, and I guarantee you will attract clients who like YOU for YOU.

We all possess an innate ability to sense when people are being authentic, and we enjoy being around those people more than someone who is putting on pretenses. 

Yes, you might not be everyone’s cup of tea and not every potential client is going to sign up with you — and that is OK. But you will have more fun working with those who do hire you and your referrals will become more relevant because they will speak to your character, your energy and everything else that makes you you — not just your amazing designs. 

Okay Michelle, how do you "be yourself"?

So how do you uncover just who you are? What your brand is? Think about these three things:

1. What makes YOU special?
2. What area of design are YOU best at?
3. What do clients tell you they enjoy most about working with YOU?

As for me? I’m professional but fun.

I use the words SMART, STYLISH AND FUN. It might seem odd to relate the word fun with working with an interior designer, but I gotta be me. And you gotta be you.

So go write down your list and post it somewhere you can see it every day.

If all else fails, remember this: Always be yourself. (Unless you can be a unicorn, then always be a unicorn. 🦄)