1. Turn up the volume. You already have an opinion, and a voice. You don’t need to yell. But please! Turn up the volume so that people can hear you.
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2. Stop apologising. You have every right to want what you want (so long as it’s legal). Shame can go skulk off – it has no place in your life. Stop worrying what other people think of you – they’re not – they’re too busy worrying about what other people think of them.
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3. Stand for something but don’t stand for everything – you’ll be too busy and exhausted to be effective. Make sure your something connects with what earns you money. Relate it to what you do and ensure your clients and community understand the connection.
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4. Be specific – it’s genius. The whole point of marketing is to be seen and you’re not seen when you blend into the beige brigade. Stop worrying about appealing to everyone. You’re just making yourself invisible.
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5. Most (normal) people hate asking others for favours. But people can’t read your minds (most people, anyway). You think you’re being obvious with your hints – you’re not. Pull up your big girl pants and ask for the best possible scenario. The worst that can happen is no. Don’t start with little asks and try to warm people up. You’re in a stronger negotiating position when starting high.
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6. Nobody’s listening. Get used to repeating yourself. It’s not obnoxious – it’s helpful.
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7. When you’re feeling low, open YouTube and seek out some banal twit saying something idiotic. It shouldn’t be hard. Now, don’t you want to counter that with some quality internet content? Thought so. Get back to work.
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8. Being self-employed is the most accelerated form of self-development going. Feel terrified sometimes? Then you’re probably doing it right.
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9. If there’s something that you enjoy doing and people are impressed and pay you for it, for the love of all things holy! Don’t refuse the money! You’ve stumbled on the holy grail. Just because it’s easy and fun doesn’t mean it’s not valuable. Do it well and enthusiastically and take the damn money.
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10. When starting out, you need money through the door as quickly as possible. Go for the easy cash flow first. You need to be paid for a million reasons, not least of which it proves there’s a market for your ‘thing’.
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11. Treat confidence as an action, not a feeling. Feelings won’t feed you, pay your bills and bring in more clients. You can’t afford to have days off because you’re feeling unconfident. Make confidence a daily action and the feeling will follow. Plus, you’ll be accruing experience.
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12. Don’t let your competitors squat in your brain. If their marketing makes your squirmy, then unsubscribe, unfollow, block or defriend. You can tell yourself you “need to keep up” or you’re “looking for inspiration” but that’s not really true, is it?
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13. Bold people take decision-making to ninja-level. Bold people don’t solicit opinions from their mother, husband, best friends, and everyone on Facebook. They are not your target market.
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14. When you hit a roadblock (as everyone does), move around it as quickly as possible. Momentum is a most precious thing – do all you can to keep rolling.
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15. Being bold or authentic isn’t about sharing every single thing that appears relevant – that’s narcissism.
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16. Branding is about highlighting the thing you want to be known for. Your marketing shouldn’t include everything you sell. Highlight only what you want to sell more of.
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17. If business is slow, it’s likely you’re not marketing enough.
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18. If people aren’t buying, it’s not because they hate you and are laughing at you behind your back, but because they haven’t understood the value of what it is you’re selling. Communicating the value of what you’re selling is at the crux of what you do. This should be enjoyable – if it’s not, work on it.
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19. Don’t let anyone make you feel intimidated – they’re trying to play games with your head. Either remove this person from your life or learn how to see right through it. Or, better yet, amp up your awesome to start intimidating them.
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20. If you’re not getting through your ‘to do’ list, it’s not because there’s something wrong with you, it’s because there’s something wrong with your list.
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21. Stop waiting for people to come to you. Pitching is a shortcut to getting what you want. It’s the most important thing you’ll ever learn in your business. Practice by talking to people and talking to yourself. Write stuff down, then throw that out and write it again. How do you build anticipation and desire? That’s your million dollar question.
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22. Stop hiding from your clients. Pick up the phone. Have conversations with your clients, prospects and broader community every week – not necessarily about business. Something will always come out of it and you’ll feel reinspired.
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23. Follow up and always do what you say you’re going to do. Most people don’t follow up and plenty of people talk the talk and then flake out. You’re got a natural advantage by doing these two simple things. And if you find that you’re the flake, then stop saying yes, when you want to say no.
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24. You’ve got to be bold to be joyful and enthusiastic. Some see joy and enthusiasm as an affront and try to pull you down a notch. Protect your attitude – these are your biggest business assets.
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25. When people compliment you – believe them. Ask if you can use their words as a testimonial. Don’t believe the criticisms while ignoring the compliments.
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26. Creativity CEO days will change your business. Go to an art gallery, a hotel, a fancy restaurant, or out in nature. Hopefully without wifi. Take your laptop. See what comes from it.
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27. When you feel crazy and like the world might end, you must leave the desk. Go out: get a massage, beat up a punching bag, eat noodle soup, scale a wall, bake a cake, go walking with a friend. You do the world no favours by going grey and bitter at your desk.
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28. Raise your prices. Especially if it’s just you. If you’re a sole trader, you likely over-service your clients plus, by nature of your you-ness, you’re in limited supply. Raise your prices and don’t follow with an apology. If someone wants to object, it’s your choice whether you’re going to explain these, but if so, concentrate on the value you offer. Don’t tell people about your costs – it’s irrelevant to them. Focus on your fabulousness, your track record and your limited you-ness. Then assume they’ll buy. Nobody wants to buy from a vague, insecure, anxious person. Your confidence signals trustworthiness.
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29. Unless you’re an ambulance paramedic or something similar, your work isn’t that big a deal. And isn’t that awesome? If you start feeling like an ambulance paramedic, take it as a sign that you’re in dire need of a holiday, stat!
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30. To continue being bold, you’ll need get your energy and focus back again and again. Some days, you’ll need to do this several times a minute, every minute, all day long. So make this a priority – and remember self-care isn’t just for hippies. People at the top of their game know how important rest and recuperation are.

Want more? Time for the Hustle & Heart program.