It's easier than ever to be a dabbler. To be distracted by the next shiny object. What? AI? OOOOHHHH - let's go try that! As if trying to keep up with LinkedIn posts, Facebook Lives, Tweets, YouTubes, Podcasts, Blogs, TikToks, our actual jobs and our side hustles, and who knows what else wasn't enough. A little drip here, a slash of the paint brush here, and we're hoping for something beautiful. Well, unless you're Pollock, you won't end up with a Beautiful Mess - but simply a mess.
I know I'm guilty of it. I've got an account on just about everything - I'm not just a dabbler, I tend to be an early adopter dabbler. Any given day, I'm supposed to be marketing on every channel available to me, and feel guilty when I don't.
Those are all small satellite distractions though. The real danger in dabbling is when we dabble in our big rocks. Trying to balance family, finances, work, physical health, mental health, spirituality (for some), and fun - at a minimum. Where do we spend our precious time, our limited energy, and ultimately, our hopes and dreams?
Being a dabbler is often a sign of being talented at many pursuits. You love to paint, but also cartoon, and write, and enjoy photography, and are even ranked high in Valorant (google it, if you must). Dabbling in hobbies can be fun, if expensive and time consuming. Dabbling can also be a sign of ADD or ADHD - which can have bigger effects on your life than how packed your craft room or entertainment cave becomes. It's when dabbling begins to affect your bigger life choices that it becomes truly detrimental.
For me, perhaps my biggest failure from dabbling has come in choosing which of my two side-hustles to focus on: Keynote Speaking, or Presentation Coaching. Surely doing both is possible, right? I see people doing it all the time. I've dabbled in both since 2004, and never fully launched. The more people I talk to - people in the businesses I'm dabbling in - the more I know I have to focus on ONE, get to a point where it's self-propelled, and then add the other into the mix.
Even typing that, I'm conflicted. Presentation Coaching is a passion - helping others develop their messages is something I love to do, and I'm extremely good at it. BUT - I love to give keynote speeches, and heaven forbid I miss out on opportunities on stage! FOMO - Fear of missing out at it's worst. Because fractured focus - dabbling - results in less success in both worlds. By not fully committing, I've cost myself and countless potential clients and/or audiences my full attention, and my full talents to benefit them.
Tough as it is, I have to make a choice in 2023 - and that choice is Presentation Coaching. Helping individuals, training groups, and producing a course or two for those that prefer learning at their own pace. If a speaking opportunity comes along, I'll take it, but my focus is on growing the coaching side of my side-hustle options. You probably won't notice - which is something else I've struggled with - thinking my making a change will bother people. In fact, lets face it, you don't care unless I'm doing something you need in your life anyway.
Does any of this hit home for you? Is your focus where you want it? Is dabbling sabotaging your success? If you could (and you should) only focus on ONE pursuit in any area of your life, what would it be? I know - you're thinking "I need to focus on EVERYTHING - and multiple streams of income are a GOOD thing". Sure. I agree. Eventually.
Start and stick with one. One job. One side-hustle. One relationship. One diet. One exercise plan. Build a successful core, and build out from there. Five years from now, you'll be glad you did - because if you don't, chances are five years from now you'll still be right here. Dabbling.
P.S.: Need to develop your profitable message? Whether you're promoting your business, or intent to inspire the world with your experiences, I'm here to help. Message me, and lets take 30 minutes on a free consultation call.
#Focus #SideHustle #Career #Motivation #Inspiration #Distraction #MultipleStreamsofIncome #Hobbies #Speaking #Coaching #Toastmasters
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