I’ve been working really hard on something behind the scenes for several months now. The idea came to me years ago, but the action began in January. Monday, we released that idea into the world to a select few people (join the MFM newsletter to get in the know), and it was terrifying. I wrote a personal email to family and friends about it, but when it came time to hit send, I had to walk out of the room and Ranna clicked the button.
I’ve been trying to rack my brain to figure out why it’s felt so scary to put it out there. It’s a financial commitment, for sure, but not really one greater than what I’ve dealt with in the fine jewelry world before. In fact, it’s a significantly less financial commitment than I’m used to. I think, though, the reason I’ve been so nervous and scared to share it is because it’s something different. It’s something I care very deeply about, something I’ve never really worked this strategically around before. (Obviously at this point you likely hate me because I’m not even telling you what it is, but I promise this story is relevant to the post title.)
I hold a long-standing belief that everything works out. Somewhere deep in my gut I know things will be okay, in some fashion. Things might not always turn out how I had envisioned in my mind (lol never), but somehow, someway, it will be okay. I put out this new thing I’ve been doing into the world on Monday, and all weekend and last week as I’ve been really focused in preparing, I keep telling myself everything will work out. Likely because I don’t really know what else to believe otherwise. And I have to believe in something, or I’ll just hole up on my couch and never try anything new.
I was putting my daughter to bed the other night, and I remembered something I read (probably on Instagram) - “What if it all goes well?” I spend so much time thinking about all the things that could go wrong (to protect myself, duh) - what if it’s a total flop and I just spent all this time and money on something that didn’t work? what if I FAIL? what if I realize I’m not actually cut out to run this business and I have to stop? who will I be then? what will I do with my life? - But what if it all goes right? What if the dream you have actually comes true? What if all this work I’ve been putting in actually comes to fruition? We get the press I hope we do, we get the right partners, products sellout quickly, events are booming, we crush our financial goals and grow how I envision we can. What if?
I spent last weekend with my best girlfriends. It was a sort of last-minute thing, but I’m so glad we pulled it off. One of my best friends, a fellow small business owner, and I kept coming back to idea of manifestation and creating the life you want to live. I know it sounds woo woo, but what’s the harm in believing in it? Getting excited that something good might happen even if it doesn’t? I think I do that anyway so pretty low risk for me personally. But the reward? Could be f*ing incredible.
Anywho, my friend, Ellen, and I just couldn’t leave this idea alone. I think of it as the Picasso Theory - Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working. I can’t just be sitting on my couch all day hoping I’m going to get the email that will change my life. I have to be doing the work, day in and day out, to create the opportunities that will change my life (whatever that means for me). It’s a hard concept to put into practice, and I’m still working on it every freaking day, but I’m banking on the payout being worth it. Already, I stop myself on some days and realize that I’m doing the dang thing, that I’m in it right now - the manifestation I put out there a few years ago. It’s so hard, and I feel alot of pressure often, but I’m doing it. I’m running a business I feel proud of, I employ someone full time and support countless others in their jobs, I’m momming to the best of my ability (and she’s pretty fantastic so maybe I’m doing an okay job because she’s actually a nice human that other people enjoy being around), I’m still in love with my husband and we work on our marriage constantly, I have two dogs (the dream!!! if we’re being really honest. I’m obsessed with them), I’m taking big risks and putting myself out there even when it’s scary. I’m doing the dang thing. It’s hard as hell alot of the time, but I’m doing it. And whether it’s luck, manifestation, hard work, experience, or a combo of many things: It’s all going to work out. Somehow. Someway. Right? It has to.
Do you believe in all this? Have you seen it work out with your own eyes? I’ve heard too many success stories to stop now.
In solidarity,
Mary Frances
Small Joys Lately (if you’re wondering the background of this - read here):
