Girl, if I have to say one thing about being a event consultant, it’s that it’s hard. I don’t mean like learning to like waking up at 5 am to go to work hard, I mean how to tie your shoes hard or learning how to whistle hard.
Event Consultant
There’s tons of trial and error; there’s anger and tons of self-doubt. Extreme highs and extreme lows. It is the biggest and baddest roller coaster ride you’ve ever gone on. But I know you can do it.
The Event Consultant Inside Yourself
I’m willing to bet you’ve done it already. Think about it. Did you ever sell Girl Scout cookies, a dessert at a bake sale, or maybe candy bars for school? Right there are three perfect examples of how you may have already been an entrepreneur. Can you remember how you got people to buy your product? Do you remember your successful moments and your most challenging customer? It was hard, but you can now tie your shoes and even whistle, right? It didn’t happen overnight, but it did happen.
Glittered Pine Cones
Looking back, I see that I was always destined to run my own business. It started at the age of eight when I decided I wanted money to buy a horse. I had lofty dreams back then. In fact, I had no idea where I was going to put said horse or how I was going to feed it, but I was certain that if I could buy that horse, everything else would fall into place. I had absolutely nothing to sell—well, at least nothing I was willing to part with for the greater cause. I couldn’t spend money to make money—I had none.
There were three huge pine trees next to our house that were always dropping pine needles and pine cones. One day, I gathered up all the pine cones and decided to set up shop, making beautifully decorated, glittered pine cones. My poor, poor neighbors. I probably harassed them every day for a week, selling my lovely, sparkly pinecones door to door. Needless to say, I did not buy a horse with my profits. But I did learn a valuable lesson: creativity can equal money. I later sold painted snails and apple pies to those wonderful folks on my block. (Though the painted snails weren’t as big of a hit as I thought they would be—go figure, that business failed.)
Use a Mantra When the Going Gets Tough
You might currently be in a season of self-doubt and wondering if this entrepreneur thing is really for you. I get it. I’ve been there too. That self-doubt will always be recurrent, though, I’m sorry to say. It might hide its ugly little head for days, weeks, or months, but eventually it will pop up and say hello like a unwanted relative on your doorstep. So when these moments come, think about what you’ve already accomplished, no matter how small they may be. You’ve already done it. You’ve already sold those cookies, pies, and candy bars—you can do it again. Having a wedding planning business is no different. Even if you are an introvert, you can be successful—I’ve seen it done. Today I want you to pick a mantra for yourself. I want you to repeat it daily, but when you’re doubting yourself, I want you to repeat it at least five times a day. If you need help coming up with something, here are a few to choose from:
- Be a warrior, not a worrier.
- Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.
- Every day is a second chance.
- Commit. Succeed.
- Don’t be afraid to give up the good and go for the great.
- Choose purpose over perfect.
- Don’t give up. Great things take time.
- I am enough.
- Confidence is something you create within yourself by believing in who you are.
- A negative mind will never give you a positive life.
- Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.
