Bring 100%

The other day I was being interviewed by the very sweet and super smart, Sean Malarkey  (I’ll share the interview with you once it’s up), and he asked to me share one piece of advice that I would give entrepreneurs, and without thinking about it, I said “Don’t sell crap.”

To explain further I went on to say, “You might make money selling crap, but at the end of the day you won’t feel good about it. When you sell programs, products, or services that you’re proud of, because they’re really good, you have a glow about you that’s irresistible.”

I was a little shocked by my own candor actually. But, you know what? It’s true. It seems like more than ever before there is a prominent message to “start before you’re ready,” which I totally agree with, but I think it’s getting confused with, “rush it, and put out whatever you can produce,regardless of the sacrifice made by rushing,” You should start before you’re ready, but you shouldn’t forfeit the quality of your work in the world. Start, sure, and then be steadfast in your commitment to create something amazing.

Some people live their whole lives not putting themselves out there because they haven’t perfected their craft, honed their words into perfectly polished speeches, or become the perfect boy or girl for their fantasy relationship.

Imperfections can be found in everything. Perfect isn’t the goal. But do your best.

Be well educated about your craft and hone your skills, outline your speech and have an end result in mind, and show up fully in your relationships with the willingness to grow and learn.

You don’t have to know everything. But do your best.

You don’t have to have it all together. But do your best.

When you do your best, you feel it. In your work, in your relationships, in your art. When you halfass it, you also feel it. There’s an energy in being attentive to the quality of your actions and work that is conveyed to the recipient. What you do and create in the world is instilled with intention. Integrity is established, trust is built, lives are changed. In my life I have done both my best, and my easiest, and in the end I have pride in my best. Even my best from ten years ago, which has evolved so significiantly, I am still proud of because I know that at that moment in time I gave it my all.

Give it your all.

Doing your best is an act of self love. You deserve to be represented in the world by the highest quality actions, work and presence you can deliver. – Tweet it!

Don’t settle for mediocrity or money. You are full of wisdom and grace and beauty and magnificence. And I’m not just blowing smoke up your petunia– you really can do it and do it well.

I’d love to hear about what areas of your life you are going to start showing up 100%, where perhaps before you were at 85 or 90%. Tell me in the comments below.