I had a disappointing moment recently.
There was a project I was looking forward to. I thought I had it in the bag. But then it fell through.
You know how it is when that happens… you second-guess everything. Did I bid too high? Did I come on too strong? Should I have played it cooler?
Every time a disappointment like that comes up, it puts you at a crossroads.
You can zero in on that negative feeling and how to prevent it in the future. Or you can reflect on the entire situation, honestly assessing what you did well and what you might do differently in the future, and giving yourself credit for taking a risk.
The first path is tempting. If you can find a way to avoid disappointment, then you won’t have to feel that rejection… that blow to your confidence.
But the only sure way to avoid those feelings is to avoid the risk that leads to them.
And if you avoid those risks, sure, you avoid that moment of disappointment, but you also avoid the good things that come from taking risks.
A year down the road, I can almost promise you you’ll be more disappointed by the risks you didn’t take.
Being open to disappointment — knowing you might fail and trying anyway — that’s how good things happen.
That’s how opportunity finds you.
It’s also how you grow and learn new things.
As you build your business, learn to recognize the disappointments as badges of honor, as signs of your courage, and as chances to learn. When an opportunity presents itself, your choices are to try or not to try.
Choose to try!Disappointment isn’t necessarily a negative emotion. It’s an unpleasant one, for sure. But it’s part of the process.
If you try to avoid disappointment in your business, you won’t get very far… and if you do, it won’t happen very fast.
Rather than trying to avoid it, lean into it. Ask yourself what risk you took that led to it. And what you’ve learned from it. Above all, give yourself credit for taking a risk!
New on the Site
Live events can be a career game changer. They give you a chance to deepen your skills. Even more important, they provide an opportunity to make connections. In this post, find some helpful advice from event veterans on making the most of your next live event, whether it’s virtual or in-person.
You can’t do everything perfectly all the time. Mistakes happen. What matters isn’t the fall. It’s how you forgive yourself, how you get back up, and what you do with your comeback. Suzanna Fitzgerald recounts a recent public mishap she had… including the steps she took to set things right.
It’s easy to worry that following up with a client will make them view you as a pest. But that’s not what happens at all. When you follow up, you help potential clients know you’re serious about offering your services, you give them additional information about your level of professionalism, and you help them see you believe in the value you offer. Rebekah Mays shares easy ways to get in a follow-up habit.
Mark Your Calendar
October 20: Successful digital copywriters tend to have certain habits in common. In this live interview, I’m joined by Nick Usborne. Together we’ll explore some of the most valuable habits you can develop as a freelance writer. This is going to be a fun one! I’ll post details for the event to the site soon.
October 26: One of my favorite ways to learn about writing is to listen to a professional analyze a piece of copy, highlighting the things that are working and why, along with the things they would change. That’s why I’m so excited about this webinar with Sandy Franks. Sandy is an experienced Copy Chief and knows more about direct response than just about anyone you’ll ever meet. In this event, she gives us a chance to look over her shoulder as she dissects samples of copy. You’re sure to come away with several insights that will make you a stronger writer.
Around the Web
Digital marketing is changing fast. Here are 42 trends to watch.
Looking to improve the SEO on your site or a client’s? Start with these five simple steps.
People want to have a good experience with you — with your website, your email, your product or service. HubSpot looks at 16 trends that show the growing demand for a good experience.
Working on landing your first client? Try one of these 10 proven ways to find and land copywriting work.
That’s all for now. Make it a great week!
