Why Buying More Courses Won't Fix Your Business Problems
I sat there on my phone, debating if I should buy another $37 course. If I hit that purchase button, it would be the THIRD purchase of the night. I quickly set my phone down. I knew throwing money at the problem wasn't the real answer, but I also just really needed my business to start making money.
Fast forward three years, and let me tell you, one of the biggest lessons I've learned in entrepreneurship is that the answer to your entrepreneurial restlessness isn't to buy more courses, to finally find "the key" in something the business gurus are saying, or to throw money at your problems via hiring.
As entrepreneurs, most of us are quick pivoters.
And that's our strength! We entrepreneurs aren't as risk-averse as many people, which means we are quick to see that something isn't working and make a change. While this is a strength, it's also our weakness. We can be too quick to think that the problem will be solved by a quick change instead of recognizing the value of sticking with something and making small changes until that thing works.
This leads us to "spaghetti at the wall syndrome" (my official diagnosis 😅), when we just start desperately trying new things. This can look like hiring help, a spending spree on new courses or coaches, signing up for every free webinar you come across, or thinking up a bunch of new offerings to launch immediately. You know the feeling!
Instead of giving into that feeling, I've learned to key into it as a symptom of a deeper problem. When we feel that desperation, we need to do two things:
1. Fix our eyes on our Generous Father
2. Have a good goal-setting session
(where we find the 20% that's really going to move the needle in our business, and get super dedicated to making THAT happen.)
Here's why:
We are looking for a savior.
We recognize a deep pain in ourselves (i.e. “my business isn't making money”, “I'm burnt out”, “I'm a workaholic”, etc.) and we want a quick fix.
But there are no quick fixes to our heart's deep needs.
Often when I feel this desperation, it's because I've fallen into the place of believing that my business' success rides or falls on MY wisdom and efforts. I've started to believe that I need to eek out provision for myself, and I have forgotten the abundant generosity of my Father (Ps 36:8). I've probably been ignoring the things I need to lament before the Lord; business disappointments that are beginning to color my mindset and create a mindset of scarcity and self-reliance.
When we begin to feel this way, what we want is a lazy fix - to make a hire or purchase or decision that will sweep our problems and grief away.
What we need is to bring our complaints to God, to remind ourselves of the character of our God and all the ways He's been faithful to us in the past, and then to move forward in faithful action on the things He's calling us to do.
I know this state of mind well because it's one I've had to learn to navigate, and it's one I see so many of my entrepreneur friends wrestling with, too. There are so many businesses and offers out there who promise to be your savior. And many of them have great advice and resources that can help our practical business problems! But good things make terrible saviors. And we aren't able to truly utilize those resources when our hearts are looking for a soul-deep solution.
And this is why I created the Voca Society, and why I write the devotionals I do.
Because we can keep buying courses or hiring coaches or listening to more podcasts and we won't be able to truly utilize them as long as we are in that place of desperation.
The only thing that resolves that feeling is Jesus, and it's only once we find our rest in Him, that we can even see clearly to make wise business decisions and to faithfully take action strategically and consistently. When we are firmly and confidently settled in Him, everything in our business begins to fall into place.
I've found that there are many successful business owners who got to where they are VERY differently. Because business isn't about finding the perfect way forward. It's about consistency and iterating again and again based on customer feedback. It's really that simple. So it doesn't matter if you scaled because of YouTube or Coaching or digital products or high-ticket offers or low-ticket offers. There are lots of ways to go about building your business. What DOES matter is that you learn to be consistent and keep iterating. And that's nearly impossible to do when your soul is all over the place.
As Christians, this means that the battle ground for your business is fought in your soul.
The world calls it "mindset", which is absolutely true. But it's also so much more than mindset. It's soul work.
I see so many women set out to become entrepreneurs and GIVE UP because the entrepreneurial battle is tough. You need faithful Christian sisters to come alongside you in that fight. You need daily reminders of who Jesus is to you as a business woman. And you need to diagnose your problems correctly, so you can find the right solutions.
You will be amazed at the incredible progress you can make in your business when you clean out the desperation cobwebs in your soul. You NEED that clarity. It's not about doing more. It's about focus. And let me tell you from experience: business clarity is almost impossible when your soul is foggy. Spiritual clarity allows us to actually utilize the courses, coaches, and resources we already have and do it from a place of abundance in Jesus. It helps us to get our eyes off ourselves and on serving Jesus and others with deep confidence.
So next time you feel that desperate feeling settling in:
1. Lament your business disappointments properly
2. Remind yourself of the generous God you serve
3. Do some ROOTED goal setting and take action on your 20%
Here are a few podcast episodes I've done that will encourage you along the way:
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