A letter to 2010 me, on my 6th entrepreneuriversary - When I Grow Up

A letter to 2010 me, on my 6th entrepreneuriversary - When I Grow Up Recently I got an email from Upwork, asking me to be part of a collection of stories theyre putting together. They asked, If you could mentor yourself on your first day of work, what advice would you offer, having the knowledge and experience you do today? I told them that this would be perfect for me to reflect on this week, since my 6th entrepreneuriversary is on March 19th. I can hardly believe it! Heres what the current me would say to my former self on her very first day of being a Woman of the World (as I like to call it). Dear 2010 Michelle, Its me! Your future self! Writing to you from the future! Isnt that the coolest?! I know, right? Science. Anyways, I am just so extremely impressed with you. And proud of you. Proudpressed, Ill call it, because Future You still likes to make up words. Do you understand the scope of what youve done? You have taken  31 months to build a super strong foundation for your business while working that dumb Executive Assistant job, and all that time the Nos you had to give to happy hours, the weekend nights spent with clients, the sneakiness at your desk to get in some blogging or twitter time pays off. There is not one single day in the next six years where you have to pull the emergency cord. Even better, the five months severance you saved before quitting goes virtually untouched, because it takes only one month of full-time work to make enough to cover your expenses. And even better than that? You dont question your choice for even a minute. This is kind of insane. You decided, in the middle of a recession, to become The When I Grow Up Coach. Full time. As a grown-up job. Scratch that its not  kind of insane. Its very insane. But know whats even more insane? You made it work. Not only did you make it work, actually, but your dreams came true! You co-authored a published book with one of your best friends, who you wouldnt have met if it wasnt for your business. You raised almost $30K for your Avon Walk team  because of an annual bundle sale youve been co-running, which wouldnt have happened if it wasnt for your business. Youve this-close to twice selling out  a program that was catered around your strengths and preferences, that you run with two of your favorite people, that you never would have met if it wasnt for your business. (Applications are open through Friday!) You have  worked with hundreds of clients personally, allowing you to get your PCC credentials, offering a top-shelf rate for your time, and having a consistent waiting list of six months or more (although you have room right now for 1 more client to start next month and another for May!). You have been published in HuffPo and featured in very large print! in  New York magazine. You have led two multi-day online workshops based on this work that were watched by tens of thousands of people. Your site was named one of the Top 100 Websites for your Career by Forbes. Forbes! FREAKING FORBES! For being The When I Grow Up Coach, of all crazy things. For taking a chance on a new dream. For  staying true to who you are and whats important to you. For continuing to experiment with what you want, clarify what you need, and build on what works for you. These six years also brought two bouts with boob cancer, which was pretty much the most awful ever. But lets not dwell on it. Its  only made you more amazeballs, and brought you the daughter youve been dreaming about. Your life in 2016 is seamless, 2010 Michelle. You wake up in the morning feeling like yourself. You go through the day feeling like yourself. You go to bed at night feeling like yourself. No more looking around and thinking, How is this my life? in a way thats not filled with appreciation. No more being told youre too loud. No more wearing clothes you otherwise wouldnt be seen in. No more feeling like youre wearing a mask for 40+ hours a week. No more commute (NO MORE COMMUTE!). No more being shut inside all day. No more working below your skill level. No more being unappreciated. No more unfullfillment. No more yearning for your days to have meaning. No more resentment for Mondays, Wednesdays, or any-day-that-isnt-Friday-or-Saturday. Right now, in March of 2016, life feels scary thanks to stupid cancer.  You get comfort, though, from  the unconditional love, understanding and support of your family and friends. You get comfort from the work you get to do that allows you to  know you are making a positive impact in the world. You get comfort from knowing your days arent wasted, and that you have followed through and made a success from the passion-based work you are meant to do. 2010 Michelle, youve done good. Youve done so, so good.