New email system, old habits

It’s with some shame and embarrassment that I’m switching websites and email delivery systems again. This email and my website should have a different look than you’ve been used to for the last year or two.

I say shame and embarrassment because in the past, I’ve often used building websites, changing systems, etc., as a distraction from what I now consider the “real work.” Working on systems like this feels fun and productive for me, and often is. But it’s also a way I’ve hidden from the scarier, more vulnerable work that is much more important to me and my business.

I’ve struggled with this decision for the last few weeks. I’ve wanted to become more aware of this tendency and make new choices. But ultimately, I chose to switch to a new system (yet again) because this new one is cheaper, simpler, requires less tinkering, and offers fewer opportunities to be sales-y. With the last system, I could create automated email campaigns that send you different invitations to coaching, etc., if you clicked certain links or engaged with my content in a certain way. And I could endlessly customize and edit my website. In a way, this felt like I was taking my coaching business seriously.

But the more I’ve sat with it, I’ve realized: I don’t want my engagement with you to be automated in any way. I don’t want you ever to feel like I’m trying to convince or manipulate you into a “sale.” I don’t want my communication with you to feel like anything other than me sharing what inspires me and letting you know what I’m up to. And I don’t want to spend my time tinkering with my website.

Instead, I want to spend my time getting as clear within myself as possible, writing powerfully about what inspires me, and offering support to people who can use it to help build a brighter future for themselves, their communities, and the world. I trust that that is the best way to be successful and fulfilled in this work.

So, thanks for bearing with me as I change systems yet again. This time, the underlying intention is to focus my energy on creativity and service (not sales) and to minimize the amount of website/systems tinkering I allow myself to do.