Do you ever feel like you don’t have your shit together enough to teach, write, set an example, or just be a grown-ass adult? I mean, if you can’t get drag your ass out of your pajamas, how the hell can you write a book? Or run a business? Or be a leader?
This is how I feel right now. I have bronchitis. My chest is all infected and gross, and I feel like I’m breathing underwater.
I’m pretty sure you don’t care about that. I mean, I’m writing to you, not spraying you with germ-infested spit particles as I croak in your face. But even if you’ve never had bronchitis (and I’m thrilled for you, if that’s the case), I bet you can relate to how I feel right now.
Because frankly, I feel a bit broken.
A bit broken
I had a cold for two weeks before I got bronchitis. And another virus before that. That’s in addition to my chronic pain condition, which I’ve spoken about somewhat before.
My chronic pain is generally under control these days. It’s been years since I’ve considered myself “a sick person.”
I don’t have a photo of my pork vindaloo but here’s my chicken madras. Yum.
Instead, I’m a working mom. I own two successful, service-based businesses with my husband. I’m a great writer and book coach (if I say so myself), and I cook a pretty kick-ass pork vindaloo.
I’m also a bit broken. When I get sick, I feel a lot broken. It seems like my world is crashing down.
Perhaps I’m a bit dramatic. I’m sensitive to getting sick because I have an epic health history worthy of its own HBO series.
That’s okay.
What’s not okay is when I spiral into thinking I can’t.
I can’t be a successful business owner because I keep getting god damn sick. I can’t provide value. I can’t be an expert, guide others, or contribute in a meaningful way to this world. I’m a bit broken, so I can’t.
This was the thought spiral I fell into last week.
Thankfully, I have a strong business coach who pulled me up by the scruff of my neck and refused to let me sink into the murky well of “can’t.” She reminded me that being a bit broken doesn’t mean we can’t do valuable things—big things, even.
Is that really true?
How do we know this is true? Because everyone is a bit broken. Everyone has their baggage. This is how I know you can relate. We all have scratches and scars and giant, oozing wounds. Everyone.
And yet, people do great things in this world. Broken people do great things. People who are far more crushed than me accomplish incredible achievements.
So I can do great things with my business.
And you can do great things.
If you feel broken or bruised, it’s okay.
It doesn’t haven’t to stop you from doing meaningful work in this world. It needn’t prevent you from speaking up, stepping forward, and helping others.
And it certainly shouldn’t be the reason you don’t write your book.
Are you holding back?
Are you holding back because you feel unqualified to do the thing you really want to do?
Are you discrediting yourself because you don’t have life all figured out? Because you don’t quite have your shit together? Because you get sick too often, are too young, too old, too rich, too poor, too unqualified, too broken?
Sometimes that’s me.
When I get sick, when bronchitis barrels into my life and turns me into a germ-infested croak monster, I discredit myself.
I am eternally grateful to my business coach for reminding me that being a bit broken doesn’t mean I can’t.
Who will pull you back?
Do you have someone who can pull you back from the brink when it all feels a bit much? I hope so. Life is hard—especially when you feel drawn to do big things—and we all need some help along the way.
Find your someone.
Find someone who can remind you that being broken doesn’t mean you can’t.
If you don't have someone and your “big thing” is to write a book, send me a message and let me know. I'd love to be that person for you.
P.S. If you’re curious, I get business coaching from the incredible Jenny Shih and her team, which includes the super-strong Stephanie Hayes.