“I wish I could be a freshman again.”

I was at my best friend’s wedding, and her little cousin was asking me about U of I – my alma mater. (ILL)

She was headed there this Fall and nervous about her Freshman year.

I told her that Freshman year could be pretty terrifying, but it’s also a clean, blank slate.

I was so excited for her – listening to her plans to travel abroad and her dorm assignment.

It got me thinking about the firsts our culture celebrates:

• First year of middle school, high school, and college
• Your first big internship
• Your first real job or promotion
• Your engagement, marriage, and starting a family
• Your first house

Our friends and family celebrate with us. They bring cards and gifts. They say things like, “I’m so proud of you.”

But your first business, or your first launch? Not so much.

If you’re lucky, you have people who are excited and cheering you on when you first make the leap.

But the celebration quickly fades when you no longer become relatable.

• Friends complain about their bosses, but you no longer have one.
• People talk about “time off” or “stupid meetings”, and you set your own schedule.
• Old co-workers say work has been slow, and you know they get their paycheck either way.
• Family talks about that “cringe” person on social media, and you know you have to find a way to market yourself too.

You did all of the right, relatable things for years…but then you veered off the path. ↪️

And here’s the kicker: you’re a beginner again.

Like a freshman in college, you quickly realize a few things…

• You have no idea where you’re supposed to go
• You have to do something, and you’re pretty sure you’re going to be bad at it
• You feel pressure to already be there, even though you know you just started
• Nobody actually wears their lanyard around their neck (thank goodness my older friend Shannon told me this the summer before I left🙏)

But UNLIKE college, this time, you’re on your own.

No admissions counselors. No dormmates in your class. No professors keeping you accountable.

This is why so many entrepreneurs procrastinate: because it’s scary to do something new alone.

There are a lot of fears, and not a lot of people to talk to about them. Things like…

• Fear of sounding like everyone else, but also afraid to stand out and be controversial
• Fear of not wanting to be seen as a beginner, but also afraid of feeling massive imposter syndrome
• Fear of being judged, but also afraid that not creating anything won’t pay the bills

These fears block creativity, and they most definitely block sales.

That’s why they’re the biggest obstacle standing in the way between you and the 🔥killer content🔥 I know you can create that will start changing your business.

So if you read those fears and thought, ‘oof those sound like the pesky little thoughts inside my brain,’ I’ll give you the same advice I gave Sara:

“Don’t overthink any of it. Say yes to invitations. Never be afraid to make the first move. And have fun.”

The same is true for you and your marketing.

Press send. Don’t be afraid to just talk to people. And have fun.

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If you find yourself procrastinating when it comes to your marketing, you can take the guesswork out of it. 🥳

Rooted Resources has a content calendar with prompts, templates, and even captions that help you stop overthinking and start creating.

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