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Hillary Merwin:
Hot. Coming in hot. Hello, hello. Welcome to scaling aside. Hello. Oh, and I’m Hillary. Sorry. It’s like I tried to do it. I love it. No, just keep rolling, keep rolling. And who else is here? Hello? Hello, nobody, Dasha. So your name,
Joshua Aguirre:
Joshua.
Valery Aguirre:
So the three of us are here, like you,
Hillary Merwin:
you’re here. We are here. And this is an alt episode where we’re going to take a quick look into some common challenges that entrepreneurs face questions that our listeners might have, although this is one that we came up with on our own. So if you do have a question you want to submit, you can submit it to contact at scaling side hustles.com. But for now, we are going to cover this topic and we’re going to set a timer. We’re only going to take 10 minutes to cover this topic. And then we’re going to have a surprise, I have a surprise for you guys at the end. So this is one of our all episodes where we’re going to be covering some of the common challenges that entrepreneurs face. If you would like to submit a question. You can write us at contact at scaling side hustles.com. And we can answer that question on air. So the one that we have today is this is a good one. This is one I really relate to how do you overcome impostor syndrome and self doubt? I guess specifically, specifically, like talking about entering the entrepreneurial world? Yeah. So Oh, I forgot to mention we’re in a we’re going to keep ourselves to 10 minutes on this. And after that, after we’ve completely answered this question. Just kidding. I have a game. I have a surprise for you guys. I just, it’s a game. So stick around for that. So okay, I’m setting a timer. Boop, boop, boop. How do you overcome impostor syndrome and self doubt? And do we use that? Yes, it just me too. Because I Okay. I think the main issue is like, at least for me, I can get in my head about like, do we really need another entrepreneur? Do we really need another copywriting business? Like if the market feels so saturated in that sense that I’m like, what? Why am I doing this? Like, let’s just let everyone else do?
Joshua Aguirre:
Yeah. Yeah. So everybody that I’ve met as an entrepreneur has impostor syndrome, and I think that feeling grows, the bigger you get in business. So like, you would look kind of up at somebody who’s making millions of dollars if you’re not there yet. And you would say to yourself, like, oh, they must feel qualified to be where they’re at. But in reality, like their level of imposter syndrome, is typically much higher than yours.
Hillary Merwin:
I think you have more experience and are qualified.
Joshua Aguirre:
I think people just like stumble and trip through like success a lot of times. And so it’s not like they they have the degree, they go through that traditional amount, you know, method and they they feel qualified at every step, like, usually the success will outpace them. And so they’ll feel that imposter syndrome, but and probably sometimes
Valery Aguirre:
it’s just like, by luck. So it’s like, can I replicate what just happened again? Because right to just hit the jackpot one time? Yeah. Am I really gonna hit it twice?
Joshua Aguirre:
Yeah, I was, I was reading. Somebody posted this on Reddit. I mean, they’re their businesses, doing millions of dollars. They feel very successful. But they have an incredible level of impostor syndrome. And they’re just asking the public, like, what can I do to cover this? And the majority of the people that were commenting were like, stash some savings away, you know, so that when reality kicks you in the face, you’ve got, you know, a failsafe and I think that’s such a bad way to give advice. Yeah, person
Valery Aguirre:
because I’m, what I’m hearing is they’re saying, you probably will burn and fail, right? We’ll have a backup, or something that’s so messed up.
Joshua Aguirre:
And that’s, that’s an answer to like a practical problem, like everybody should have a business continuity plan. Yeah. You should not have savings. Yeah, it doesn’t necessarily, like fix the imposter syndrome feeling that we all have. And, you know, what I would say is like, putting, putting that in perspective for yourself, means just like, daily affirming of who you are and who you want to be, but in like that present tense, because that will put into perspective, like the vision that you’re trying to create for yourself. And as you approach those ambitious goals, you feel less like an imposter because you’ve, you know, you’ve written that into existence. I’m not huge into manifestation or anything, then I’m not really going down that path in this conversation. I’m just more talking about like, psychologically, like how you accept that reality. It becomes easier to accept, the more you’re affirming it and writing it down and putting it in front of you and read doing it.
Hillary Merwin:
So what an example of that, like if I’m struggling to feel confident in starting a copywriting business, are you saying that every day I need to like, is this like a mistaking post it notes on my mirror with affirmations? Or am I journaling? Or what does that look like?
Joshua Aguirre:
Yeah, I mean, I think it’s different for everybody. Like some some people sticky notes in front of the mirror works well, for me. What works well is like journaling, the antithesis of my insecurity. So well, I
Hillary Merwin:
What, what
Joshua Aguirre:
if, if I feel insecure, becoming a copywriter? I’ll write down I am a confident copywriter.
Hillary Merwin:
Okay, I understand that in theory, I’m trying to see if that resonates with me, like,
Valery Aguirre:
I know because you feel fake.
Hillary Merwin:
Yeah, I feel fake. Like. I’m not saying it’s not a good practice. And I’ve done that before. And it has helped. I know, I’ve done I’m like, I am creative. I am capable of doing the shirts. Yeah, I think it is. Yeah, it’s just a practice of continually doing that.
Valery Aguirre:
Yeah, affirming that until you really believe it. Just kind of like how it works biologically, when you’re having not a great day. And it’s like just smile, and then eventually you will turn that around. Like that’s actual actually works. Yeah.
Joshua Aguirre:
Because we’re not talking about, you know, impostor syndrome. Like being in a place of insecurity when you’re not successful. Imposter syndrome is like being in a place of insecurity when you’re already successful. So, like, you’re just affirming that reality to yourself. And in changing your psychology.
Hillary Merwin:
I think what you mentioned in the beginning, too, about, the most successful people have impostor syndrome. And I know I’ve listened to interviews with like, people I respect a lot. And I love when they get vulnerable. And they’re like, alright, like, I look at them, like, oh, my gosh, you’ve accomplished so much. And I, there’s nothing I appreciate more that when someone in that position can be like, I don’t even like I have impostor syndrome. I doubt myself every day. Like Val, what you said about am I going to be able to repeat this over and over again, like, there’s almost more pressure on you. But for me, it helps to know that everyone feels that way. Like it helps my own impostor syndrome to be like, Okay, let’s, we’re all imposters Great. Let’s, let’s get that out of the way. And just focus on doing the word
Valery Aguirre:
Yeah, can actually be a practical way of thought, just to be like, okay, just as a reminder, Val, like, even frickin Steve Jobs, or Bill Gates or whoever, Oprah sometimes feel down.
Joshua Aguirre:
I just don’t, I just don’t think comparison helps.
Hillary Merwin:
It’s like comparison. It’s like a comedian. It’s like, it’s humanity. It’s like, it’s, it’s human nature to feel that way. And so we’re kind of in this together, like, yes, you’re not alone. Yeah.
Joshua Aguirre:
Okay. So the other the other thing that we were talking about is like self doubt, and, like, feeling like, you know, the market is too saturated. And, you know, you don’t want to, you don’t know if you’re going to be like successful before you go in it. So that’s like not impostor syndrome, we’re talking more about, you know, self confidence, self doubt. I think that, you know, people see market saturation, as it relates to like one industry as a reason not to get into that industry and not to get started. However, you know, the industries might be the same, like, that’s where we see saturation, but there’s no one individual who’s exactly like you, that’s entering into the market. And that’s where the unique value is added in. So as long as you’re aligned to your passion, like, you don’t have to be doubtful that you’re entering into a saturated market, if that’s what you’re meant to do. Or at least you know, that’s the general direction of where you’re meant to go. The purpose for your life is to start down that path. And then eventually you’ll start to narrow down the niche and niche niche
Hillary Merwin:
cache you guys. Wait, this is good, because I remember when you were, oh my gosh, we have a minute and 20 left.
Valery Aguirre:
I quickly quickly Oh,
Hillary Merwin:
I didn’t Josh, you have been a mentor for me, obviously helping me like when my freelance career and I know you sat down with me early on and kind of had me write out like the skills that I have and which ones like bring me joy and I’m passionate about and how that was specific skill sets like speaking Spanish writing, whatever my softer skills, relational, like being able to connect with different groups of people and those communication skills. Now I’m saying it doesn’t sound very unique and positive. But you know, and like my personality and how all of those things coming together creates like unique offering and so that helped me to in my confidence of like, yeah, it’s I’m not just a copywriter, I have all these other things that complement it as well. And so I can do unique I can offer unique services like yeah, and my, you know, experience living abroad and all those things. So I think that can help grow your confidence to just like writing out what are these unique skills that you’re bringing to the table and not just looking at them individually, but the combination of those? Yeah, really cool.
Joshua Aguirre:
I think that that’s the golden nugget for for this episode because it’s a matter of like, looking at all the pieces to the puzzle. Before making a judgement on like, what that complete picture looks like. Love it.
Hillary Merwin:
Okay, we’re at 10 minutes we did it. I feel more confident to you. Okay, guys, moving this episode along. I have a game that I came up with. It’s time for
Valery Aguirre:
business, the game stuff and businesses game
Hillary Merwin:
so this game is called guessing phrases real or fake jargon or baloney. So what’s gonna happen is I’ve looked up for real business jargon phrases. And I have created for business jargon, fake jargon phrases. I’m gonna read one off, I’m gonna read the definition. If you’d like me to use it, in a sense, I can do that as well. But I’ll give you my contract. And you are going to tell me if that is a real business phrase. Or I made it up?
Valery Aguirre:
Ooh, fun. Okay, let’s see it.
Hillary Merwin:
Are you ready? Yeah, yes. Okay. First phrase. Make Hey,
Valery Aguirre:
make Hey. Oh,
Hillary Merwin:
no, no. I’ve written out beautiful definitions and sentences. Okay, so I can’t quickly respond. No, like asked for what does it mean?
Valery Aguirre:
Oh, okay. Okay. All right.
Hillary Merwin:
Make a definition. Used to describe an opportunity to be productive during the working hours. Can you come in early tomorrow so we can make hay?
Valery Aguirre:
No way. What’s the origin?
Hillary Merwin:
The origin Okay. Etymology I did not get that deep. So is that real or fake?
Valery Aguirre:
I almost want to say it’s it’s so ridiculous that it’s real. That your final
Hillary Merwin:
answer? Yes. It is real thinking thing and telling you about that sound is like, Hey, that’s not such an awkward I did come up with that sentence. So let’s take a tomorrow. That sounds kind of sounded
Joshua Aguirre:
fake. I thought it was may taste.
Hillary Merwin:
Okay. Number two, thought shower, a group discussion to generate new ideas or clever solutions to company challenges. I’ll use it in a sentence. We’re running out of ideas. Let’s schedule a thought shower for next Wednesday.
Valery Aguirre:
It sounds so it could be inappropriate. So I’m gonna say it’s fake. Because I think you you took like, brainstorm sesh into another. Another room. The bathroom.
Hillary Merwin:
Gosh, do you agree real or fake?
Joshua Aguirre:
I’ll never use that in business.
Valery Aguirre:
All right. Yes.
Joshua Aguirre:
I don’t I think there’s some really weird creative people out there. Real. Yeah.
Hillary Merwin:
Josh, you are correct. That is a real frame. According to indeed.com
Joshua Aguirre:
Isn’t that I never I never want to work at that company.
Hillary Merwin:
Don’t you dare ever schedule us for a thought.
Valery Aguirre:
A lot of toilet humor.
Hillary Merwin:
All right, next phrase. Ready? Yes. Hand in the honeypot.
Valery Aguirre:
Oh, you made yourself last one gets really thought shower.
Hillary Merwin:
Definition definition being closed off to feedback for the sake of promoting your own ideas. Sentence. You need to listen to your teammates ideas and get your hand out of the honeypot. holding back the laughter is that Bs are real.
Valery Aguirre:
I think it might be real. Like there’s been too many real ones back to back. So statistically, it should be a BS one, but I feel real.
Hillary Merwin:
What’s your final answer?
Valery Aguirre:
Real, Josh? Yes.
Hillary Merwin:
That is fake. I came up with that on my own.
Valery Aguirre:
Wow, it sounds like it was like backtracking. Well, we’re thinking of hand in the cookie jar
Hillary Merwin:
thing. But I’m saying hand in the honeypot Winnie the Pooh style. So who I came up with that All right moving along, leaf blowing. Definition. When a company tries to do too much and fails to niche down instead of reaching their intended audience, the company confuse their consumers with their constantly flowing real or fake real Fake. This fake I came up with that this morning as someone was annoyingly blowing their leaves next. Leaf blowing Okay, next one, boil the ocean boil boil the ocean vo il to describe an action or project that wastes a lot of time. Don’t boil the ocean by manually entering client contact information.
Valery Aguirre:
I say that’s real because I could totally see that being a useless activity because you’re boiling the ocean for like, stop wasting your time. You’re not gonna get anywhere. I’m gonna say
Hillary Merwin:
real. Real Josh. Think it is real. Josh. I’m sorry, I didn’t know that one. Don’t boil the ocean. Okay, next one. Hungry Hippo.
Joshua Aguirre:
Would you call me? Well,
Hillary Merwin:
funny, you should say that. When a client is demanding work that is outside of the agreed upon project scope. This client is a real hungry hippo. He keeps asking for more changes on the website. Real or fake?
Valery Aguirre:
I want to say fake, but I’ve encountered some Hungry Hippos in my career. But I’m gonna say fake. I feel like it’s something cute that you made up,
Hillary Merwin:
Joshua. Real. It’s fake. I made it up. But I think we shouldn’t we should indicate I
Joshua Aguirre:
think I think that would actually be a very valid meme. Yeah,
Valery Aguirre:
I think hippos are pretty aggressive animals while they are. But okay, is it a
Hillary Merwin:
hippo? They’re very aggressive. Are you go to more jumped the shark. When a company struggles to stay relevant to its consumers and clients. I don’t know how an aquarium is useful. It feels like the company has really jumped to the shark. Big shake. That’s a real. I’m stomping you guys more than I thought that is a real phrase between two indeed.
Valery Aguirre:
Nice.
Hillary Merwin:
Last one last one. Frogger. When you are being reactive to a client’s needs and dodging fires, instead of leading with a strategic roadmap sentence, you need to stop frog during this project and come up with clear solutions for your clients. We would have said
Valery Aguirre:
you need to stop frogging frog ring. What did you
Hillary Merwin:
say? Frogger for augering frog I think it’s I think it’s referring to the 90s GameBoy game Frogger
Valery Aguirre:
I’m gonna say real
Hillary Merwin:
real. I made that up you guys. I made it up. I was thinking about the game that I used.
Joshua Aguirre:
I was gonna say fake until she’s said the last sentence.
Hillary Merwin:
Guys, I wasn’t keeping score. Antonio, were you keeping score? So we’ve we’ve taught our listeners nothing. We’ve just confused them with business jargon phrases. That was fun. I’m really shocked that I confused you.
Valery Aguirre:
I’ll this business talkie talkie is ridiculous.
Hillary Merwin:
ransack yellows. Well, that was fun. I think we’re gonna wrap it up. Wrap it up. And this was fun. Let us know what you guys thought of this episode, kind of a shorter form. Getting direct to those questions. And again, if you want to submit a question about something you’re struggling with as an entrepreneur, get up at scaling side hustles.com and email us your questions. All right, we’ll see you guys next time.
Valery Aguirre:
Hope you had fun with us. Bye, guys. Bye