Many times as entrepreneurs, in order for us to grow as individuals and business owners, we must make a choice to stand for something we believe in regardless of how others view what we do. To follow our hearts towards making a difference in the world. This where true fulfillment is found. It is not in anything monetary or external to us. It is found within each of us when we do what we feel is right and in alignment with our reason for being.
You are now listening to Leverage for Growth. Hey everybody this is Jesse P. Gilmore founder of Niche in Control and creator of the Leverage for Growth, welcome to the daily leverage edition.
Today’s topic is this “What do you stand for?”. Sit back, relax and welcome to today’s daily leverage.
So this morning, I was doing my morning routine of stacking and reflecting on a song that I heard yesterday that I can’t stop listening to.
I didn’t understand why I was so into this song until I read the lyrics and they are a representation of where I am now in my life and business
It revolves around taking a stand for something that you believe in
Before I get into what I stand for, I want to read these lyrics to you and I want you to feel what he is saying
The song is Hope by NF. The music video is an accurate representation of the imagery that is happening within the song
He is talking about the imposter inside of each of us that tries to hold us back
For him, the imposter took over for 30 years and today he is taking a stand and leaning into the better version of himself
Listen to these lyrics and feel what he is saying
Then I will discuss why this is important and how it relates to entrepreneurship
Hope
I’m on my way, I’m coming
Don’t, don’t lose faith in me
I know you’ve been waitin’
I know you’ve been prayin’ for my soul
Hope, hope
Thirty years you been draggin’ your feet
Tellin’ me I’m the reason we’re stagnant
Thirty years you’ve been claimin’ your rightness
And promisin’ progress, but where’s it at?
I don’t want you to feel like a failure (failure)
I know this hurts (hurts)
But I gave you your chance to deliver (deliver)
Now it’s my turn
Don’t get me wrong, Nate, you’ve had a great run
But it’s time to give the people somethin’ different
So without further ado, I’d
Like to introduce my
(My album, my album, my album, my album, my album, my album, my album)
Hope
What’s my definition of success? (Success)
Listening to what your heart says (the heart says)
Standing up for what you know is (is)
Right, while everybody else is (is)
Tucking their tail between their legs (okay)
What’s my definition of success? (Success)
Creating something no one else can (else can)
Bein’ brave enough to dream big (big)
Grindin’ when you’re told to just quit (quit)
Givin’ more when you got nothin’ left (left)
It’s a person that’ll take a chance on
Somethin’ they were told could never happen
It’s a person that can see the bright side through the dark times when there ain’t one
It’s when someone who ain’t never had nothin’
Ain’t afraid to walk away from more profit
‘Cause they’d rather do somethin’ that they really love and take the paycut
It’s a person that would never waiver
Or change who they are
Just to try and gain some credibility
So they could feel accepted by a stranger
It’s a person that can take the failures in their life and turn them into motivation
It’s believing in yourself when no one else does, it’s amazing
What a little bit of faith can do if you don’t even believe in you
Why would you think or expect anybody else that’s around you to?
I done did things that I regret
I done said things I can’t take back
Was a lost soul at a cross road who had no hope but I changed that
I spent years of my life holdin’ on to things I never should’ve kept, full of hatred
Years of my life carryin’ a lot of baggage that I should’ve walked away from
Years of my life wishin’ I was someone different, lookin’ for some validation
Years of my life tryna fill the void, pretending I was in
They get it
Growing pain’s a necessary evil
Difficult to go through, yes, but beneficial
Some would say having a mental breakdown is a negative thing which on one hand I agree with
On the other hand, it was the push I needed to get help and start the healing process, see
If I’d have never hit rock bottom
Would I be the person that I am today?
I don’t believe so
I’m a prime example of what happens when you choose to not accept defeat and face your demons
Took me thirty years to realize that if you want to get the opportunity
To be the greatest version of yourself
Sometimes you got to be someone you’re not to hear the voice of reason
Having kids will make you really take a step back and look in the mirror
At least for me that’s what it did, I
Wake up every day and pick my son up, hold him in my arms
And let him know he’s loved (loved)
Standing by the window questioning if dad is ever going to show up (up)
Isn’t something he’s goin’ to have to worry about
Don’t get it twisted, that wasn’t a shot
Mama, I forgive you
I just don’t want him to grow up thinkin’ that he’ll never be enough (enough)
Thirty years of running, thirty years of searching
Thirty years of hurting, thirty years of pain
Thirty years of fearful, thirty years of anger
Thirty years of empty, thirty years of shame
Thirty years of broken, thirty years of anguish
Thirty years of hopeless, thirty years of (hey)
Thirty years of never, thirty years of maybe
Thirty years of later, thirty years of fake
Thirty years of hollow, thirty years of sorrow
Thirty years of darkness, thirty years of (Nate)
Thirty years of baggage, thirty years of sadness
Thirty years of stagnant, thirty years of chains
Thirty years of anxious, thirty years of suffering
Thirty years of torment, thirty years of (wait)
Thirty years of bitter, thirty years of lonely
Thirty years of pushing everyone away
(You’ll never evolve) I know I can change
(We are not enough) we are not the same
(You don’t have the heart) you don’t have the strength
(You don’t have the will) you don’t have the faith
(You’ll never be loved) you’ll never be safe
(Might as well give up) not running away
(You don’t have the guts) you’re the one afraid
I’m the one in charge
I’m taking the (no)
I’m taking the
Reigns
In the end of the music video, he is fighting with himself for control
This is what happens in each of us when we are feeling called to take a stand for something we believe in
For me, I stand for
Why is this important?
Many times as entrepreneurs, in order for us to grow as individuals and business owners, we must make a choice to stand for something we believe in
Regardless of how others view what we do
Regardless of the opinions of others
To follow our heart towards making a difference in the world
This requires us to step into a decision
Step into controlling our own life direction
With guidance from our heart
That tells us where true fulfillment is found
It is not in anything monetary or external to us
It is found within each of us when we do what we feel is right
And in alignment with our reason for being
So make a decision to take a stand today in something you believe in
Now it is time for the daily leverage.
Where in your world whether in your life or business, have you been having an opinion on something but not taking a stand in hopes of not offending anyone or fear of what others might think?
Is it in your life with your health or body?
Is it in your life with your spirituality or self-direction?
Is it in your relationships with your spouse, partner or kids?
Is it in your business or finances or team?
Once you have located where you have been reluctant to take a stand and you know what you need to do
What are you willing and able to do about it today?
That is the end of our daily leverage. This is Jesse P. Gilmore and you have been listening to the Leverage for Growth podcast.
Thanks for joining me on the Leverage for Growth podcast. I believe in you and your capabilities. I hope you spend the rest of your day feeling inspired. But keep in mind that inspiration is fuel to propel you into action. If you do not take action towards your own growth and the growth of your business, then that inspirational fuel that you’re feeling is wasted.
Put your ideas into action by joining me in the next live event. It’s online. Go to nicheincontrol.com/nextliveevent. We have events every other week and we cover all sorts of topics that will grow your business when you put them into action. So these events are for you to put that inspiration and creativity into practical action to grow your business. I would love to see you there.
Go to nicheincontrol.com/nextliveevent. That is nicheincontrol.com/nextliveevent. See you there!
At Niche in Control, we unlock your potential within you and your agency through the development of you as a leader. You step forth to discover the potential you have always had. We help you with clarity of vision, strategies coming from a place of competence, operational systems to develop consistent client results, retention, pricing and packaging to differentiate you from the rest of the market and finding, developing and managing the right team to support you in the realization of your vision. Stop playing small. Rise to your potential. Your time is now. Can you feel it?
Melanie Sommer:
I’ve gotten more time, more clarity and more money.