And now I just stuck that song in my head. Good job, Kayla. Your coworkers don’t need to hear you singing.
Because yes. I have coworkers.
I’ve been floating around the interwebz for a while, some of it slightly stalkerish, most of it not, spending a lot of time with other fabulous men and women who are starting their own businesses.
I’ve noticed something interesting.
Everyone seems to want to make themselves into a clone of Tim Ferriss. Of Marie Forleo. Of Gabby Bernstein. Gala Darling. Leandra Medine. Etc. Etc. Etc. Of the bloggers that are living the good life, who sit there, drinking margaritas on some exotic beach somewhere, preaching about life and making more money then they know what to do with.
Yes, I was there. Three years ago.
You see, we neglect to remember that every single one of those people lying on a beach somewhere started the same way you did. Hustling. Before and after you go to work. During your lunch break. The hours where you really should be sleeping. Going slowly slowly, and nearly peeing in your pants with excitement when you sign up that first client, or sell that first product.
Why can’t we be open about where we are in our business? With everyone moving so quickly, and with people so fast to judge you and your business, it’s hard to tell if people would take you seriously. Because if all you’re doing all day is instagramming pictures of your last beach vacation with the occasional inspirational quote thrown in, does that make you an expert on something? No. It doesn’t.
Are we so desperate for other people to see us as successful that we don’t want to say anything about the job that we do for eight hours a day, five days a week?
If I was on Instagram, honey, this is what you would see.
What would happen if we admitted the truth? If everyone was honest about what they did and how they spent their time?
Would it be so terrible for people to know that I have a job- one that has absolutely nothing to do with anything I want to do for the rest of my life? If they knew what YOUR day job is?
I don’t hold anything against those people who are genuinely able to support themselves doing what they love, and taking a vacation every once in a while. Or having a lifestyle completely different than mine. Do I have a bit of suspicion if all I see them talk about is their glamorous life and all the wonderful things they do? Yes. It feels like they’re trying too hard to convince me of how absolutely wonderful their life is, and if I only bought their product, my life would be just as excellent as theirs.
Maybe it’s not about other people. Maybe deep down inside, it’s about us. It’s about how we feel. That we don’t think that we’re a success if we’re still working another job to make ends meet. If we have some months where we do not earn a single penny doing what we love. If we aren’t off gallivanting on some fabulous vacation, but trudging to work in the snow and sleet, working on 3 hours of sleep at a job that sucks out our soul. That we’re not successful yet, because we don’t have enough Facebook likes, Twitter followers, people signed up for our newsletter, or page hits a day. Not to mention the fact that most people aren’t making the amount of money that we think they are, or have THAT many people subscribed to their newsletters. (Facebook and Twitter are another story.)
Why not?
What exactly, is so terrible about being human? About starting? Businesses don’t fall out of the sky, nor do perfect humans. Things take time. Let’s face it. You’re not going to magically start making boatloads of money right away. Nobody else did it. Nobody is expecting you to. Except for maybe yourself.
So I’m putting a stop to this now.
My name is Kayla.
I have a day job.
And it does not make me any less of a person, of a coach, of a businesswoman, of a success at the life I’m leading, then if I didn’t.
It just makes me me.
And every day, I’m hustlin’…
xoxo,
Love, love, love and as a fellow day-jobber, I totally feel you. I think we think it makes us less of an entrepreneur if we admit to having a day job. But why not? Since our coaching sesh, I am more likely to admit it to my clients and you know what? It INSPIRES them. They’re like, “Seriously? And how do you do it?” I think there is some admiration that you can get from being completely honest about the work you do during the 8-5 hours and it shows commitment that after your long, crazy day, you still put forth time and effort into doing what you love.
Cheers to you Kayla! And you know what?
My name is Jessica. And I have a day job!
Honesty is always where it’s at. Honesty and being authentic. Because you know that if someone is willing to go out on a limb that may make them uncomfortable, there is a certain amount of understanding you can be sure they’ll have for you, no matter what you’re going through.
And your clients think you’re inspiring, Jess, because you are! xoxo
Yes yes and yes!
Wen I started my business, I went out and GOT a job! I had realistic expectations of how fast it wold all come together, and I had debt. Lots of debt.
Think of your job as an angel investor or a business loan. How else would you be able to afford to design your awesome new website, or hire that business coach, or save for that big trip you’ve been dying to take? Keep your job til you feel totally comfortable living off just your savings and/or business income. You’ll be doing yourself a favor by not going into scarcity / survival mode!
Love how you tell it like it is Kayla. LOVE you.
xx
Excellent thought about my job being a business loan… Survival mode and cardboard boxes aren’t my thing
Love you too! Xoxo
Great post!
“Because if all you’re doing all day is instagramming pictures of your last beach vacation with the occasional inspirational quote thrown in, does that make you an expert on something? No. It doesn’t.” <- excellent point
I think it's amazingly fabulous that you are wise enough to continue working your day job while you build your dream! Most people are not in a position to drop it all and chase their dream. More of them should follow your lead
Thank you so much, Christina
I try to make smart decisions lol 
Loved reading this Kayla! For the majority of us, i think it comes down to vulnerability. We’re afraid to put ourselves out there and be open about our desires, goals, and dreams.
I particularly loved your self-intro as a hustler!
Thank you so much
I agree- a lot of it is vulnerability. But at a certain point, we need to realize that everyone else is just as vulnerable as we are, and all us vulnerable people have to stick together
Great post!! Totally agree– I, for one, take odd jobs here and there in order to pay my rent because my coaching business is not 100%
And there’s no shame in that
Someone once asked me why I wasn’t a “rockstar” yet. Which was a real annoying question. I wasn’t a rockstar in their eyes because I hadn’t “made it” as publicly as other folks in my field. I’ve learned to move at a pace that works for the other priorities in my life. It won’t be fast cash, or stardom anytime soon, but it allows me to be the best at my #1 job: being a mom.
I can’t believe someone actually said that to you…
Mostly because you ARE a rockstar- to the people who know you, and especially your kiddies.
And if someone is going into business to become a ‘rockstar’… chances are, they’re doing it wrong.
xoxo
I love this “Businesses don’t fall out of the sky, nor do perfect humans.”
Amen.
Im loving this post. I have a day job and i tell people that all the time.
I do say that i am so cheap because of that day job and the fact that i don’t have the same overheads. But i plan to change that as of this year. No more devaluing my self and service because i have a day job