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Hey YOU!

I'm still recovering from my *finger in the door* incident, but the eight other fingers I've got are working just fine so I can write this week's newsletter.

For those of you who missed that, I slammed two of my own fingers in our sliding doors last week. Ouch! It was a big reminder for me to slow down in my personal life.

My work life is sustainable, why shouldn't my personal life be, too?! I guess, I'm a work in progress.

I still managed to launch an amazing brand and website for Laura O'Connor Collective so I'm definitely not letting this *hiccup* hold me back.

There's something that I've been thinking a lot about this week and I thought that we could chat about it...

...how can you tell the difference from growth based fear and plain old apathy (as in, "I just don't want to do this thing")?

I personally wish I had listened to my feelings of apathy (my lack of interest and enthusiasm) for certain marketing strategies that were "promoted" as being highly effective...earlier on.

But mistakes experiments are going to happen...and they're going to teach you something about what YOU like or don't like when it comes to running your business.

You've probably got your own list of strategies that you've tried, hated, and abandoned when you first started out. (Hit reply and tell me yours!! I *seriously* want to know!)

Only when I learned to listen to my own intuition and my instincts, did marketing my business started to feel right.

Marketing is ever evolving...it changes, the same way you and I change as people. So it makes sense that you're going to do what works until you feel called to change it up.

Sometimes it's a small tweak and sometimes it a major change! The important thing is that is feels RIGHT!

Lately, I've been really focused on visibility (a.k.a. being seen). I've been focusing most of my energy on SEO, offering my signature workshop talk in business communities, and being a podcast guest!

But one of the things, I'm struggling to get excited about is traditional networking. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE meeting values aligned people but the whole "let's jump on a call" (before I've even said hi!) or attending in-person events (because that where will I park anxiety is real) just isn't speaking to me.

I have met some great people because of coffee chats, and have even been introduced to some amazing clients because of them...but I still can't decide if I want that to become one of my usual strategies to get client leads.

Scrolling communities like LinkedIn to meet my quota of calls for the week feels a bit weird to me. But maybe it doesn't feel weird to you (I'm seriously not judging)...if it feels good DO IT!

I have learned that networking doesn't have to be icky, and I don't have to hard sell or buy what the other person is selling on calls...yet something still doesn't feel like it's the right fit for me.

Maybe it's because I'm an extroverted introvert with AuDHD and anxiety...or maybe it's something else. That brings me to my latest thought...is it fear or is it apathy?!

I'm a firm believer in allowing things to be easy (as in you don't have to struggle for something to be worthy) but I also believe that growth comes from getting outside our comfort zone (as in facing our fears).

I guess that's why I've felt conflicted about this.

So here's how I'm thinking about it...traditional networking can sometimes fast track the results...but what I'm already doing (SEO, podcast guesting, community workshops) will also get me there...in a way that feels less icky to me.

I'm still getting outside my comfort zone when I'm talking to small groups or doing 1:1 podcast interviews, but I'm being visible in a way that feels good to me.

That DOESN'T mean I never jump on connection calls, it just means that when I do it's because I really want to (not because I think I have to).

Going slow, or steady at your own pace is the way to go!

👉 If a new brand or website is on your list this year, I’m booking projects for late February and March. Payments plans available! Just email me back or book a discovery call here.

Thank you so much for giving me space in your inbox! Missed a previous email? Catch up here!​ xo Emily Lauren 🍒 Custom Branding Anything but vanilla branding so you can stand out and call in dream clients! Learn more about how we can work together when you're ready! → View my services here!​ ⚡️ Brand Vibe Quiz I am working on updating the brand vibe quiz so it includes a Mini Brand Clarity Workbook! Perfect for those still in their DIY era or getting ready to think about a full rebrand! *COMING SOON* Take the quiz → Take the quiz!​ 🍰 Freshly Baked! I recently finished working on the Laura O'Connor Collective's brand and website. Laura is a communications and marketing consultant who helps mission driven organizations and companies that need clarity and momentum! → Check it out here!​ ​