Compelled or Driven after Crafting Your Message?
One of the biggest differences I have experienced in growing my business is when I took the time to craft my message. I had to ask myself, “Who was I?” and “What did I care about?”.
Before I did that, I felt DRIVEN in my work. I was working hard because I had unmet needs (bills to pay) and there was always more to do. I couldn’t relax when I was “off” because I was always thinking of everything I “should” be doing. Work and clients weren’t coming easily so I just kept doing more…without seeing the results. My why was based on lack and not any real purpose.
After making a shift in my business and crafting my message, I found my “why”. I answered the question of who I was and what I wanted to share with the world. I moved into the space of purpose and passion with a big vision.
Now I feel COMPELLED in my work. My entire schedule and attitude has changed. I still don’t get it “all” done…but I can rest easy when I’m off knowing I have done “enough.” When I do work, the feeling of being compelled is a beautiful feeling of service and attraction. I desire to do the work to complete my purpose and create my vision.
It feel so much better to be compelled instead of being driven!
Driven was a yucky feeling and I think it set me up for failure from the start. It is a forced motivation from a sense of lack and fear. I’m glad to be out of it…and I wasn’t even aware I was in it until I experienced the new feeling of being compelled.
And, once I made the shift…the clients started coming…fast!
I’m focused on crafting your message this month for a number of reasons:
- It made such a big impact in my business/life
- I’m teaching it to my clients this month
I highly recommend that whether you craft your message with me or someone else, that you really set aside the time to do this important work. You can do it with a good business friend and be accountability buddies. It will evolve over time…
A good crafted message comes from answering the following questions:
- Who are you?
- What do you care about?
- What happened to you (good/not so good) and transformed you?
- What are you passionate about?
- What do you want to share with the world?
- Why do you want to do __________?
- What’s your big vision?
Once you have excavated your message and then carefully crafted it into language you will use, then it will serve the purpose of:
- Providing you/your business with direction & focus
- Be instrumental in your marketing efforts
- What you will become known for
- How your ideal clients will identify with you
I would encourage you to move out of the space of being “driven” and into the lovely feeling of being “compelled.” If you would like to join “my party” and craft our messages together, check out www.brandymychals.com and click on the live events tab. I’ll be talking about this all month!
Discussion/Comments: Are you currently in the driven or compelled space? How does it feel? Is there a change you would like to make or have recently made? How solid do you feel with your current message?
I really love your articles, Brandy. You always say something to me! I love my work and what I do and while I don’t feel “driven,” I’m often stressed and not sure I’m “compelled.” You gave me a lot to think about and I appreciate it. I’m looking forward to your call on the 15th.
Susan Berland
A Picture’s Worth
http://www.susan-berland.com
Thank you so much, Susan! Sounds like you are right on the cusp of moving into “compelled”…so happy to help you with that on the 15th – Yay! You are ahead of the game since you are out of the “driven” stage…it should be an easy step into feeling compelled and less stressed. I’m excited!
Brandy
These are very thought provoking questions Brandy! And I really enjoy your distinction between feeling “driven” and feeling “compelled”.
It’s important, especially for entrepreneurs who work closely with their clients, that they feel energized and not drained by their work.
Have a great day!
Hi Merlyn,
Thanks for your comment! Yes, I totally agree we need to be energized by our work…well said!
Brandy
Brandy – Very timely message for me. As an entrpreneur, working from home, it is easy to get side-tracked, then work in a frenzy, then wander off again. As you know I am a client of Ann Evanston’s and I listen to your Tele-Summits and the combination of both has helped me definitely move from the “driven” stage to the “compelled”. It is so much easier to work when there I feel a sense of urgency, but also am very focused on what it is that needs to be done. I love your approach and look forward to hearing more!
Thanks, Laurie! Thrilled to hear how much you are getting out of the telesummit interviews. Ann Evanston was awesome last week! I signed up with her also and look forward to implementing her suggestions…
I also work well with a sense of urgency. I made the change though so instead of my urgency coming from deadlines (as it used to) my urgency now comes from the desire to be done and off in time to be with my daughter. Then it provides focus instead of true “deadline urgency” and personally, I’m finding it more fun!
Brandy
I think you wrote this article just for me. I am very aware that I am stuck in the driven space- and it totally sucks! I often catch myself thinking about what I am capable of and how can it make money so I can pay the mortgage. I started out with passion, but got a little burnt and tired and frustrated and lost! Not completely though since I have been aware from the beginning of my own floundering. To remedy the situation I set aside time every day to refocus and stay aware of my real purpose and my real passion.
Hi Kristin,
That is great that you set aside time each day to refocus…so important!
Brandy
I loved reading this Brandy. And I have come to realise that I have moved away from driven and am now developing a sense of compelled since doing the SNCC work with Ann Evanston. I have a deeper feeling of service in all that I do and look forward to sharing what I’ve experienced with others. Although I am working a lot more, it is with a sense of joy and optimism instead of fear and desperation. Thanks for sharing this .
Fiona Stolze
Inspired Art and Living
http://fionastolze.com
Hi Fiona,
Wonderful to hear joy and optimism are leaving fear/desperation in the dust! Yay!
Brandy
FABULOUS! thanks for sharing these gems….I like your compelling theory. A few months ago, I was definitely driven, and yes – going nowhere. I am getting a little more focused, and that is helping.
I love your question – What happened to you? What transformed you? This is soooo key! Rachel
Hi Rachel,
Thank you for your comment..isn’t it weird how when we are “driven” we can end up going nowhere? I had the same experience…
Look forward to connecting with you more soon,
Brandy
I love the idea of real urgency, the urgency that goes with my goals, with what’s important to me, not with artificially set deadlines.
Thanks for sharing, Brandy!
Hi Diana,
Great clarification – yes, REAL urgency vs artificial deadlines…
Look forward to seeing you soon…perhaps at the workshop?
Brandy
What a pleasure reading your insights Brandy! I look forward to reading more
Welcome Osnat – thank you for your comment
Brandy
I am driven at the moment — and still have yet to re read about leveraging to combat my time issues. I need to set my intentions, leverage my time and craft my message! Now how did you say I fit all that in my day? I need to go back and read leveraging time again …
Yvonne Hall
http://www.facebook.com/wildforwildtree
Hi Yvonne,
It is a process…definitely not one day – LOL! And, I love walking people through this process to get results that you can then redefine as you develop further. I’m not sure there is ever an “arrival” date…???
Brandy
I think that Driven is a word that describes my husband and our business over the last few years! I would love to see us move to the compelled space, and have myself been working on that — because we are a team, we both need to be on the same page and that is my challenge. I love that you listed the questions to ask, and am going to think about that and share with him, too. Wish I could be in on your call on March 15th,but have a meeting that night that conflicts!
Hi Donna,
Bummer you’ll miss the call, but I will likely record it. If you register (free) you should receive an automatic email with the recording…let me know if you don’t
Brandy
You’ve got me thinking and I can so relate to the driven part…I’ve felt that. It is such an amazing transition to move to a space where you can enjoy your off time as much as your on time. Kudo’s to you for encouraging people to make that transition.
Darcie Newton
Discipline for profit, none for jammy zins and memorable necklaces
http://www.mywealthspa.com
Thank you, Darcie! Yep…I’ve also fallen in love with bedtime! LOL!
Brandy
What a wonderful perspective! I completely relate to the difference between driven and purpose/passion. I have experienced both, and I don’t think I’ve settled yet on one side of the other. I definitely have times of knowing my purpose and feeling my passion, but then sometimes I fall back into that driven, uncertain state. For me, writing is a way to explore these issues (and I love asking questions, so your list is terrific). Great post – thanks for sharing.
Judy Stone-Goldman
The Reflective Writer
Hi Judy,
Thank you, high praise from The Reflective Writer – yay!
Brandy
Boy, this is a good question, Driven or Compelled? I think I have a tendency to get caught up in “driven.” I get so many ideas and end up running around like the proverbial chicken (and I need my head!) Thanks for the list of questions and I look forward to your call.
Pat Zahn, Photo Solutions Superhero
http://www.PatZahn.com
Hi Pat,
Great to have you on the call, looking forward to it! Perhaps a “brain dump” of ideas will help clear the space (I have to do this regularly – LOL!)…
Brandy
I’d say I’m moving into the compelled side of things since moving into the social media coaching. I’m getting my own licensed SNCC site by the end of the month and, after a little sense of panic for a short while, I feel strangely calm and have a sense of purpose I have never had before. I am sleeping well most nights, taking the time to do things with my family and for myself etc etc. Of course, I have been doing a LOT of work on crafting MY message over the last few months – and that message is forming. I love feeling compelled not driven!
Louise Edington
Finding YOUR Freedom!
http://louiseedington.com
Yay, Louise!
It is so wonderful to find your message…don’t be discourage if it evolves and changes with time as you continue to keep branching out into new work and adventures!
So exciting
Brandy
Hi Brandy,
How exciting to clarify our purpose! Your questions are wonderful food for thought, and we should seriously reconsider them every so often. I imagine we’d have profound new insights each time. Sorry I’m unable to join your call “live”, and I look forward to the recording.
Robbie
Hi Robbie,
Great, if you register the recording should be sent automatically to you…I always say “should” when technology is involved – LOl!
Yep, new insights and deeper clarification each time
Brandy
Instead of compelled I use the words intention & intending. I’ve found myself highly stressed when forcing my idea of acceptable timelines for accomplishments or when I’ve become impatient with the process. That kind of energy only generates more of the same. I find intending puts me in much higher positive energy place and consequently I get much better results.
Lisa Ann Landry
I’m an exuberant force of light… Come light up your life
http://www.imagedevelopmentgroup.com/speakers.html
Hi Lisa,
Great…being impatient with the process definitely leads to stress so whatever you can do to have that “higher positive energy” as you describe it is good in my book
Brandy
Hi Brandy,
I love the way you have written this. For a long time i struggled with this and the less inspired I felt. I began to really get into the feeling of how I wanted to feel in my business and how i wanted my clients to feel. I began to notice what excited me and what i was passionate about and how I could share my journey and help others in theirs.
Thanks again,
Eleanor
Hi Eleanor,
Love it…paying attention to what excites YOU is awesome!
Brandy
Brandy, this is such a great reminder that we can lose sight of why we started our businesses in the first place. It’s so easy to get off track and pursue things that aren’t really in our best interests. I think that pushes us into the “driven” mode – we’re not focusing on our strengths, but our “have-tos.” I can totally relate to your story and love the questions you’ve posed. I recently revised my “why,” but I think I may take a stab at your questions to see if I’ve nailed it or not.
Warmly,
Lis
http://31daysblogchallenge.com
Hi Lisbeth,
Sounds good…and our message can always evolve as we do in our business. Focusing on “have-tos” is so easy, but not fun!
Brandy
I feel like your questions will really help me focus and hone in on what I want to do with my business and more importantly, why I want to do it. I’m in the process of revamping my website and I think answering these questions will drive that project forward with a purpose rather than just a “getting it done” objective. I like the idea of an accountability buddy as well. Valuable info!
Hi Robbi,
Great, happy to be of help. I totally encourage my clients to walk through this process before redesigning print or online materials, naming workshops/products, etc
Brandy
Great distinction Brandy – compelled vs. driven. One thing I tell my coaching clients is that language follows breakthrough. Take the time to get in touch with your why and things like discipline are not needed.
Yes and Yes, Bill! I used to always try to use discipline and it didn’t work…and now it isn’t needed
Brandy
Great questions Brandy…and as a mother of 4 working I often feel driven and compelled for different reasons. Running in a million directions with purpose…but not exactly what I am aiming for! I love that you found the balance and leverage to be just compelled enabling you to spend more time with your daughter…as you know for me its all about the kids:) I’m still setting intentions and developing my message (and sending them into space..lol) so this is really good timing for me…I was on the call last week with Ann – it was awesome! Looking forward to next weeks. Thanks for the thought provoking questions and the insight. Keep it coming.
Rita Brennan Freay
ritabrennanfreay.com
@Rita4kids
Thanks for the encouragement and kudos, Rita! Glad you were on the call last week…next week will be great!
Brandy
Important distinction, and what a fabulous set of questions to get us all thinking. Brandy I love the powerful new you!
I believe I was driven before and am now compelled. I have found my calling and I as so excited to get all my bits in place. Still would like to hear more. There is nothing more rewarding than the feeling that everything is aligned. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and journey.
Jennifer Duchene
Home Makeover Mixtress blending lifestyle and laughter
http://LYShome.com
Thanks, Jennifer! I would you agree, you have found your calling
If you want to hear more, check out the call next week…of course, I’ll be sharing more about this all month – it’s very “top of mind” for me right now!
Brandy
Great post Brandy, so relevant for me right now. I really need to create my message, figure out what I’m doing. It’s so true that living in passion is such a better space. Although I don’t feel driven, I also don’t quite feel compelled yet either.
Thanks for the points/questions, it will help me in my process. Much appreciated!
Lisa Vitale
http://lisawifemom.wordpress.com
Hi Lisa,
I believe that crafting your message will move you into the compelled space…have fun with it!
Brandy
Hi Brandy – As always, you have some insightful ideas. I had a real breakthrough on my “voice” this week with regard to my blog and business presence. I am compelled by my purpose, I just need to organize the clutter and drudge work that takes time away from the compelling part of my work!
Debbie
Hi Debbie,
Yay – love breakthroughs! Very true that the clutter and drudge work keeps us feeling driven…I did a major overhaul last December
Brandy
Brandy,
Loved this post! I have it bookmarked now! Thank you for sharing your insight with us!
Carrie Hansen
Studio C Interior Design
http://www.studio-c-design.blogspot.com
Welcome Carrie! Glad you enjoyed it
Brandy
This is awesome!
I am really working on this right now, reinventing myself, crafting my message and building a blog.
I want my message to resonate with me and my vision.
Thanks for sharing the wisdom.