Even when growth looks instantaneous, it’s not.

Today, I was on TV. (You can see the TV clip here.)

In the 4th quarter of 2019, I made the most money I've ever made in my coaching business. 

And my third podcast interview just came out recently (you can listen to it here). 

What do all these things have in common? 

One minute they didn't exist at all, and the next minute, they did. 

And I think it can be really easy to look at them and see them that way. Suddenly, things are changing. 

But of course, that's not the whole story. 

Because here's what's true: I did so much quiet, behind the scenes, un-glamorous work on my way to these accomplishments. 

And I also spent countless hours coaching myself and getting coached by others so that I could show up and do that work.

I spent a lot of time crying and asking myself why I left my cozy, corporate job. 

I spent a lot of time trying to create things to share with the world (that's you) while also deeply worrying about what people would think of it (and me).

I spent a lot of time learning how to feel incredibly anxious AND keep showing up. 

I also had a lot of help.

I had tons of personal cheerleaders. I had so many supportive people in my life telling me that what I was doing was important, and that I could do it. 

And I want to tell you about the messy side of things. I want to tell you about all the people and all the effort it's taken to keep me on track, to keep me going. 

Why?

Because you are also doing incredible things. And you're seeing your own journey from the inside. The messy bits. The whole supporting cast. 

And sometimes, you're questioning yourself. You're questioning what you're doing, whether or not you can actually do it. 

And you're comparing your glorious, messy inside life with what you see everyone else doing. 

You want to know what my life is really like? My cat just drooled onto my keyboard while I was typing on it. It was totally gross, y'all. And also hilarious. 

That is the kind of stuff that's happening behind the scenes in my life. 

Unglamorous work. Overcoming my own bullshit (we teach what we need to learn, y'all). And weird shit my cat is doing. 

Also, interpersonal conflict. Grief. And so much self coaching. 

I talk a big talk. And I believe in it. I truly believe that coaching creates amazing things and it does it fast. 

But I also don't want y'all to think that it's all daisies and rainbows. It's not.

I have so much fun in my business because I prioritize fun and make it happen. It's not magic. Just like it's not magic that I had an amazing 4th quarter. 

Whatever big thing you're working on, it won't be magic either. If you want to get there, you have to do the work. You have to keep showing up. You have to choose yourself and your goal again and again. 

Because there will be messy moments. There will be disruptions and obstacles and heartaches. 

It's the keeping going that gets you there. 

The moment when you get invited to go on TV or you hit your numbers or you get to announce something cool you did - that's when things SEEM different. When it SEEMS like everything changes. 

But everything was changing all along.

Everything was changing every time I sent my newsletter out even when it wasn't perfect.

Everything was changing every time I did an insta post even though I felt nervous and uncomfortable. 

Everything was changing every time I pitched myself as a podcast guest, even the times when people said no or didn't even reply to me. 

If you want big results, take small steps. And do whatever you have to do to keep taking them. Because that's what really creates every single thing you want.