Stop Hustling, Start Connecting
Drowning in to-dos, but still not getting through? The problem might not be your workload. It might be your messaging. When people get what you do, everything gets easier. It’s not about working more. It’s about saying it better.
We’ve all been there, drowning in the never-ending to-do list of running a business. There’s client work to deliver, admin to juggle, marketing to manage… and that moment of panic: “Wait, did I invoice them?”
It’s easy to believe the answer is always to hustle harder. But here’s what hit me square in the face this month:
All the hustle in the world won’t help if people don’t understand what you do or why it matters.
And I didn’t learn this from a business seminar or a productivity book. I learned it in a room full of artists.
The Secret Ingredient The Grind Forgot
I’ve been leading an Artist Incubator for the Marin SBDC, and these creatives are wildly talented. I'm talking about people who’ve been practicing their craft for decades.
But when asked to explain their work in a way that would resonate with a buyer, they soared into heartfelt odes about their process, passion, and pigment choices… while the buyer quietly wondered, “So… will it fit over my couch?”
The conversations were about as effective as me trying to explain the virtues of skinny jeans to my teenager.
So, we worked on shifting the language from technique-focused to value-centered - from “what I made” to “how this moves you, sparks a memory, or honors someone you love.”
And guess what?
As soon as they started using words their audience connected with, doors opened, conversations flowed, and sales happened.
Not because they hustled harder. Not because they changed their art. But, because they were finally being understood.
Say It Simply, and Mean It
Here’s where this circles back to you, my fellow business owner.
We do the same thing. We get so deep in our process, jargon, and clever frameworks that we forget: people want to know how we can help them.
Not how many certifications we’ve earned or acronyms we’ve trademarked. Not the intricate details of our 14-step method.
Simply say what you do and why it matters to them.
Clarity cuts through the noise, builds trust, and best of all, it saves a ton of energy. Energy you can spend doing your best work, taking a real lunch break, or enjoying the summer. (Preferably with your feet up and a popsicle in hand.)
Need help finding the right words for your business? Let’s make it easier for your people to say yes. Book a free call today.