This made me feel better
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Hi Reader, Whenever something doesn't go "perfectly," it can really get me down. In my leadership class, we recently talked about how women and girls are culturally and socially taught to aim for "perfection." From our work to our relationships and appearance…you know what I mean. On the flipside, boys are often taught to be bold and brave. Of course, there are variations (and men can struggle with perfectionism too!). But there's a clear trend, and it sure resonated with me. Whether it’s a client project, a meeting, or a new idea—if it flops, I’ve failed in my mind. I’ve let down the perfection (even if I had a bunch of other “perfect” experiences before then). The thing about being an entrepreneur is there are plenty of opportunities to not be perfect. For instance, we have a lot going on with Drio and Monument Women’s Creative Alliance right now. Both are growing, which means our plate is particularly full—which means perfection is even more unlikely. I want to maintain our momentum, but I also want to have a life outside work. That means sometimes things fall through the cracks, I get behind on a deadline, or I forget to eat lunch…and wind up a little hangry. As my group reminded me: Being flawless across the board is, frankly, a pipe dream. (Even if you’re not in an intense busy period.) It’s been such a relief having fellow women to open up with. Every one of us has imperfect moments, yet most of us still hold ourselves to perfect standards. So if it makes you feel better… I, Rachel 🤚🏻, am not perfect. While I love sharing my accomplishments, I want you to know I experience my share of bumpy roads. Here’s what I do when I’m overwhelmed by it all: I start by creating a to-do list of my own tasks, plus a list of items I need to talk to Hazel about. I know she’s got a lot on her plate too. By keeping a list, I don’t need to bother her each time something pops up. When it is time to talk through things, I always end up feeling better—whether it’s with Hazel or our business coach. Having a sounding board keeps me grounded, especially when the Perfection Monster strikes. If all else fails, I show up. I do my best. I live and learn. This is your reminder to do the same. :) Maybe if we remind each other enough, we'll get more comfortable embracing our brave and bold sides too.
P.S. If you’re ready to be bold and brave with your online presence, we can help with that! Get in touch about website design or digital marketing strategy.
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Hi! I'm Rachel, the Left Brain of Drio.
Hi Reader, August was a month of evolving, connecting, and looking ahead. From continuing to grow long-term client partnerships and digging into important website privacy updates, to refreshing Office Hours and getting closer to sharing what’s next with WholeSite, there’s been a lot happening behind the scenes at Drio. Here’s a little peek at what we were working on throughout the month. 🌱 How United Way of Central Maryland’s Website Keeps Evolving We’re highlighting one of our favorite...
Hi Reader, Rachel and I recently went to a presentation for international exchange alumni (because of our Professional Fellows experience). During the event, one of the presenters shared how he’s now working with a peacebuilding organization called Mediators Beyond Borders. You know I’m all about a good analogy, and I absolutely loved the one he referenced. He described peacebuilding as similar to the Japanese art form kintsugi, which is done by repairing broken pottery using a gold substance...
Hi Reader, I don’t usually work late, but when I do, it’s because I’m fully immersed in something, head down, earbuds in. Recently, I was up late working on WholeSite, the AI-assisted website building tool we’re developing. When I finally came home, I asked my husband if he wanted to see what I had been doing. I hadn’t actually told him much about WholeSite yet, so I gave him the spiel. I told him WholeSite will allow entrepreneurs to create a high-quality WordPress website on their own. It...