I love a good farming metaphor! This was a great piece! Thank you. The community building part is so important. One theme I’ve seen with clients over the years is this thing of cultivating relationships being for folks who are in an expansive season, like to be struggling or lonely makes people unworthy. Yet, feeling other people’s vulnerability and humanity does a lot to create connection, intimacy and reciprocity. I went through a contraction season and couple of years ago. I struggled with a lot of self doubt about the value of my work, even though that’s not what the contraction was about. It took relationship and connection to help me see what I was collapsing. One friend said recently when I recounted that time, ‘oh I wish you’d reached out about this sooner, this has nothing to do with the value you offer’. And you know, she’s right, I should have reached out sooner. I was contracted in my own self doubt. We really, really need each other.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, it definitely resonates. We feel like we can be "outward" and meeting people and connecting when things are going well... but that we should stay "inward" and try to fix things on our own when it's not flowing.
Happy to be connected with you here, contraction, expansion, we're all on this journey together!
Great analogy! As a solo developer I'm hoping to find more community too, but I don't know where I fit in. I struggle a lot with self-worth, and self-promotion, and I think this plays into it. Because of health challenges, my work moves at a snail's pace, and I've had to take unanticipated breaks. I also lack professional experience, so I worry I won't be able to keep up, or be looked down on by other developers. I don't have much of a business so far either, only a few paid subscribers. All I have besides that is not giving up and not losing hope.
But I really enjoy your newsletter and wanted let you know that. It's your success and kindness combined that really inspire me. And your realism - that there's not just one shortcut or hack that's going to bring success. It's also been really comforting to hear from someone experienced that SaaS startups can take time, that slow momentum still counts, and that I'm not wrong for wanting my app to have its own brand instead of relying on my face or my story to sell it, despite seeing other types of businesses grow fast that way.
I have a secret to to tell you: everyone feels like they don't fit in and like they don't really know what they're doing.
Those who make it figure that they might as well try stuff, put themselves out there even if it's uncomfortable, meet people, and figure things out along the way.
So you're definitely on the right track! Don't let your thoughts derail you, and especially if you're bootstrapping it's going to take time, that's normal. You can still use your story to help bring awareness to your app, but it doesn't need to be the only thing you do to promote it :)
Thank you ❤ This is so reassuring to hear. Yes, I am bootstrapping! You're right, I need to start putting myself out there. I do really want to share my story someday, and I also want to start posting short demo videos of features to IG so I've been figuring out how best to create those in the meantime.
First off, I love your analogies! I have family members in farming and they know a competitor fox when they see one. :) I feel like community is more important than ever, especially as more of us work from home offices. When contraction happens, it’s too easy feel isolated otherwise!
Thank you! I agree. I love working from home but it brings a lot of challenges, too. And it's harder to express yourself during contractions when you haven't built relationships yet, but it doesn't mean you should hold back either.
I love a good farming metaphor! This was a great piece! Thank you. The community building part is so important. One theme I’ve seen with clients over the years is this thing of cultivating relationships being for folks who are in an expansive season, like to be struggling or lonely makes people unworthy. Yet, feeling other people’s vulnerability and humanity does a lot to create connection, intimacy and reciprocity. I went through a contraction season and couple of years ago. I struggled with a lot of self doubt about the value of my work, even though that’s not what the contraction was about. It took relationship and connection to help me see what I was collapsing. One friend said recently when I recounted that time, ‘oh I wish you’d reached out about this sooner, this has nothing to do with the value you offer’. And you know, she’s right, I should have reached out sooner. I was contracted in my own self doubt. We really, really need each other.
Hi Chela!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, it definitely resonates. We feel like we can be "outward" and meeting people and connecting when things are going well... but that we should stay "inward" and try to fix things on our own when it's not flowing.
Happy to be connected with you here, contraction, expansion, we're all on this journey together!
Nathalie - I love reading about your farm and that you have an IT business going as well. You've created a beautiful life. xo Sherold
It's so nice to see you here Sherold! Sending lots of love your way!
Great analogy! As a solo developer I'm hoping to find more community too, but I don't know where I fit in. I struggle a lot with self-worth, and self-promotion, and I think this plays into it. Because of health challenges, my work moves at a snail's pace, and I've had to take unanticipated breaks. I also lack professional experience, so I worry I won't be able to keep up, or be looked down on by other developers. I don't have much of a business so far either, only a few paid subscribers. All I have besides that is not giving up and not losing hope.
But I really enjoy your newsletter and wanted let you know that. It's your success and kindness combined that really inspire me. And your realism - that there's not just one shortcut or hack that's going to bring success. It's also been really comforting to hear from someone experienced that SaaS startups can take time, that slow momentum still counts, and that I'm not wrong for wanting my app to have its own brand instead of relying on my face or my story to sell it, despite seeing other types of businesses grow fast that way.
I have a secret to to tell you: everyone feels like they don't fit in and like they don't really know what they're doing.
Those who make it figure that they might as well try stuff, put themselves out there even if it's uncomfortable, meet people, and figure things out along the way.
So you're definitely on the right track! Don't let your thoughts derail you, and especially if you're bootstrapping it's going to take time, that's normal. You can still use your story to help bring awareness to your app, but it doesn't need to be the only thing you do to promote it :)
Thank you ❤ This is so reassuring to hear. Yes, I am bootstrapping! You're right, I need to start putting myself out there. I do really want to share my story someday, and I also want to start posting short demo videos of features to IG so I've been figuring out how best to create those in the meantime.
First off, I love your analogies! I have family members in farming and they know a competitor fox when they see one. :) I feel like community is more important than ever, especially as more of us work from home offices. When contraction happens, it’s too easy feel isolated otherwise!
Thank you! I agree. I love working from home but it brings a lot of challenges, too. And it's harder to express yourself during contractions when you haven't built relationships yet, but it doesn't mean you should hold back either.
Thanks Nathalie! Sending love back.