#BizConfidenceChallenge update!

Are you following along the #BizConfidenceChallenge? I have been blown away by the depth and brilliance of the replies so far. I wanted to celebrate this Confidence Journey we've started together, by highlighting a few of the replies here. You can find more on Instagram here. (If you can't see photos below, you might need to click through!)

If you haven't joined in yet, it's not too late! Just sign up here and reply to one of the past challenges (below) or start with the very next challenge! (You'll get the next lesson on Thursday and the next challenge on Monday.)

@taraswiger is hosting a great #bizconfidencechallenge to inspire us all to celebrate our achievements. Three things I am proud of: 1. Getting out of my shell and meeting new knitterly friends #4plycooperative 2. Getting my monthly newsletter off the ground 3. Taking positive steps to improve my photography skills.

A photo posted by Louise (@louisetilbrookdesigns) on Nov 5, 2015 at 1:02pm PST

 

I'm doing @taraswiger ‘s #BizConfidenceChallenge for 6 weeks. Today is name 3 things you are proud of. 1) I joined #tsliftoff 2) By doing LiftOff I have re-evaluated my business which has led me to 3) I am starting a new venture that makes my heart sing! A photo posted by Gina Mitchell (@ginamitchelldesigns) on Nov 2, 2015 at 2:42pm PST

For Tara Swiger's #bizconfidencechallenge the 3 things I'm most proud of: 1) my designs, but especially this one, my Starry Night socks 2) my colorways 3) my ability to keep it together and keep on going despite multiple chronic illnesses, even though sometimes I feel like everything is too hard. This is what I do and who I am. #happyfuzzyyarn #starshipbiz #creativespoonie

A photo posted by Riin Gill (@happyfuzzyyarn) on Nov 5, 2015 at 5:19pm PST

 

#bizconfidencechallenge. Three things I've done that I'm proud of are 1- joining the Starship 2- closing my retail shop to focus on designing and craft shows 3- going to CGOA in Manchester NH in July 2014 which inspired me to go in a new direction when I sold a design to Red Heart yarns A photo posted by Susan (@leftycrochets) on Nov 2, 2015 at 12:41pm PST

Day 1 #bizconfidencechallenge. I'm proud of my yarn and booth design, my first ever ecourse in color exploration and my creative spirit that never lets me down!

A photo posted by Lisa (@flyinggoatfarm) on Nov 3, 2015 at 2:49am PST

I'm running late in the #bizconfidencechallenge, but I'm going for it… 3 things I'm proud of: 1) running #cornerchair while raising two little munchkins 2) able to figure out website stuff & coding without any prior knowledge of it 3) having really expanded my business and my goals this year #homegrownbusiness #calledtobecreative

A photo posted by Katie D (@cornerchair) on Nov 4, 2015 at 6:10pm PST

For the @taraswiger #bizconfidencechallenge here are my 3 things: 1. I finally decided to pay for professional photos of my designs. E.g. The Winona Shawl above. 2. Opened an #etsy shop, and it didn't suck. ???? 3. Built up my instagram following to over 1300. Thanks Tara for all the inspiration! ????????????

A photo posted by Brenda Castiel -Knit Designer (@bcastiel) on Nov 5, 2015 at 2:27pm PST

Week 2:

Last week’s reaction to the #BizConfidenceChallenge blew me away. YOU have so much to be proud of, you have so much to build your confidence on! So…what’s up with the self-doubt? Why do you doubt you can do awesome things when you’ve already done SO MUCH? Often self-doubt (or lack of confidence) is tied to fear – we hold ourselves back (or think we're not good enough), not because we have any proof, but because we're afraid of … something. When I ask my clients and students what they're afraid of, the answer usually surprises them. (It's easy to let the fear rule you, without ever even knowing it's there!) And yet their answer never surprises me – I’ve either felt it myself, or talked to MANY makers who have! But once they identify the fear, we can work with it. We can question it, challenge it, or just allow it to hang around. (@Elizabeth_Gilbert_writer talks about letting your fear ride with your creativity in #bigmagic). That's your challenge this week: Look at WHAT lack-of-confidence is holding you back from. (Sharing your work? Social media? Sending a newsletter? Hiring help? Taking the next step?) Then ask: What am I afraid of? If I did the thing now, what am I afraid of happening? Finally ask: What's the WORST that can happen if that fear comes true? Could I survive it? And what's the REALISTIC outcome? This isn't (necessarily) going to dispel this fear forever, and that's not our goal. Our aim is to see it for what it is and RECOGNIZE THAT YOU CAN SURVIVE IT. You see, even the most confident, brave people feel fear (of being “found out”, of being judged, etc.). The difference is, they feel confident that they can handle it, and so the fear doesn’t keep them from doing what they need to do. ✨To take part in the challenge: Share a photo inspired by either *What your fear holds you back from doing in your biz *What you're afraid of *Your worst case scenario and tag it #BizConfidenceChallenge! New to the challenge? Learn more and sign up for free lessons in profile!

A photo posted by Tara Swiger (@taraswiger) on Nov 9, 2015 at 7:45am PST

This represents the scariest & simultaneously the most amazing challenge I've ever faced as a maker & entrepreneur. This is the floor plan for the new, purpose-built Yarn Love studio. More than 1000 Sq feet of yarny goodness & 4 times our current capacity!!!! ???? ???? ????

A photo posted by Katie Franceschi, hand dyer (@yarnloveyarn) on Oct 29, 2015 at 6:16pm PDT

 

#notebooks – I've been afraid of “launching wrong” so I'm just doing it! @ amysnotdeadyet.etsy.com #bizconfidencechallenge #starshipbiz #etsy A photo posted by Amy Crook (@amysnotdeadyet) on Nov 10, 2015 at 2:28pm PST

This week's #bizconfidencechallenge from @taraswiger is about acknowledging the fear and challenging it. My biggest fear in my business/podcast is that no one will like what I've designed/what we record to share in the podcast. Worst-case scenario is that could be true, BUT realistic scenario is I still love what I do, so I'll carry on. I'll be fine regardless of what others think of me/my designs/the podcast. Now to remember that on a daily basis. It can be difficult when I'm in the midst of all the things I do. I love sharing and I want others to love what I share. What about you? What's your biggest business fear? #starshipbiz

A photo posted by C.C. Almon (@cc_almon) on Nov 11, 2015 at 3:47am PST

Know some friends who could use a confidence boost?

Share the challenge!