Hi there.
It's Sue.
And thanks for joining me for tips and talk day.
These are bite-sized topics that I pull from community questions and
things that I'm observing in the world of handmade small business.
If you'd like to submit a topic,
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My favorite number is two for real.
I know,
I know.
You'd think it would be number one,
right? I mean,
who doesn't want to be at the top in the lead,
the winner,
if you will.
And yes,
that position is great.
And I've been there.
My share of times the leader in sales contests in my
early corporate days,
the manager of the top sales team,
as I advanced in my career and achiever of other things
I've attempted in my life too.
If you want to hear about that on a personal level,
take a listen to tips and talk episode number 78.
I'm guessing you can identify times in your life when you've
been on top too.
So you'll be able to compare what I say here with
your own experiences.
Maybe it's becoming homecoming queen holding a position on the PTA
or being the leader for a nonprofit or a club event.
Spots at the top can have many faces and don't get
me wrong.
I enjoy and work to achieve that position.
But in other cases,
I like being number two better.
Maybe I'll say this a little differently.
I like being number two,
just as much.
How about that?
Here's why being on the top automatically places you in a
position of defending your turf.
If you're in an elected position or leading a team,
your performance will dictate your ability to stay in that spot.
So the pressure is on,
you're also in a position where critiquing is at an all
time high by nature.
Unfortunately, we judge people all the time and holding the top
rank, magnifies the analysis of you.
Many expect you to be perfect when you were in the
number one spot,
because I mean,
how did you get there after all?
You're also the benchmark to beat.
If someone wants to challenge your post,
that means there's talking analysis about your performance,
which can be hurtful.
I also learned that being on the top can be lonely
in quite a few positions.
I've been privy to confidential information and behind the scenes knowledge
that had to stay with me,
that meant a limited sounding board to hash through action steps
or ideas for improvement in this spot.
You see behind the scenes and all the messiness.
Most people don't know about to be honest,
sometimes it's nice.
Just not to know of course being number one comes with
a lot of great honors to the achievement you feel when
you've reached your goal.
It can come with recognition and respect with those around you.
And of course,
that feels great too.
And it also includes the ability to affect progress and or
change in your area of control.
Success or failure starts and stops with you when you're in
the Primo position.
Some people thrive on this and some don't care for it
at all.
Me, I've been in both spots times where I've loved being
in the lead and others where I couldn't wait to pass
the torch.
I guess in summary,
to this point of the conversation being number one has its
definite pros and cons.
Now let's talk about the value of being number two and
why this is my favorite number when you're in second place
and you want to reach for the top,
you have a vision and a position to strive for.
Maybe you're like me in that.
It keeps me motivated and energized to go for more.
In that quest,
you may challenge yourself to increase your knowledge or skills around
things you've never considered for yourself before.
Or you may stretch herself to do things you never thought
you'd be capable of when your desire and motivation are great
enough to push you out of.
What's comfortable to see what can be possible.
It's the best feeling in the world,
but guess what?
Most of the time we get trapped in our heads and
we become the obstacle standing in the way.
There is nothing like the feeling of success.
When you break through your self-imposed barriers,
by being a business owner,
you hold both spots.
Number one,
and number two,
as the owner,
you run the ship.
Of course,
even if you have a team of people working with you,
you're the one who envisioned and started the ball rolling with
your company.
You put in place the structure,
the plan,
no matter how formal it is,
and let's not forget the whole maker methods behind production and
presentation of your products.
You're also the one who people come to with questions or
to get approval of new ideas.
That's all part of your role as the leader and owner
of your business,
your number two spot comes in when you consider your business
among others within your industry,
depending on what definition do you want to give to these
rankings? There's always someone doing things that you perceive to be
a step higher than you,
bigger or better if you will.
And I know this can be intimidating.
I've experienced it.
Another maker who's been in business longer and has more sales.
Someone who seems to be more creative than you in product
promotion, or is ahead of you with social media followers and
on, and on the next time you see someone progressing ahead
of you.
I want you to reposition your thinking and open your mind
to the benefit of being second.
Seeing a fellow maker succeed,
proves that it's possible for you to it's evidence that there's
a path to that level while your road does not,
and actually should not mimic someone else's.
You can take clues from their actions to spark ideas for
your own forward progress.
Seeing others do what you've been afraid to do can spark
action in you and open your mind's eye to a whole
new level of opportunity.
You never dared believe is possible.
I'm here to tell you that it is possible and being
number two provides the motivation for you to get there.
That's a wrap.
I'm a get to the point kind of girl.
And this is what you can expect from these quick midweek
sessions. Now it's your turn go out and fulfill that dream
of yours.
Share your handmade products with us.
We want them and they bring us both so much happiness.