Thursday Press #30: let them see you sweat!
[19 MAY 2022] why the struggle matters to your story
“NEVER LET THEM SEE YOU SWEAT”
I hadn't yet been born when this famous ad slogan hit the airwaves, but I’ve heard it innumerable times since.
The slogan was originally conceived for a Gillette deodorant ad campaign. And it makes sense – for deodorant.
But in the decades since, motivational speakers and inspirational quote peddlers alike have taken this phrase and turned it into a mantra of “successful people.” The people who never seem to struggle and seem to have it all.
The struggle (or sweat), is made out to be unpleasant, ugly, something to be hidden.
Yet when we tell the stories of our most successful entrepreneurs and titans of industry, where do those stories start? In a humble garage, in a college dorm room, as a single mother working to provide for her kids.
They start in the struggle.
And our appreciation for the success is all the greater because we’ve seen what these people have overcome.
It’s a natural tendency to hide our weaknesses.
But as a solopreneur, your story is your brand. And your struggles are part of your story.
Today’s email comes from a lot of different thoughts I’ve been having lately. Internally, I know that I’m putting in the #work in so many different areas of my life, yet because I haven’t shown how much I was struggling beforehand, it’s so much harder for me (or other people) to recognize what a difference it’s made.
I truly feel like I’m having some sort of therapeutic revelation right now – and maybe that’s because I had to reschedule my actual therapy yesterday 😅 – but freaking let them see you sweat, First name / dude!
Be honest with yourself and your community and celebrate on the other side.
There are very few things about entrepreneurship that are “easy,” and I think we’d all be a lot better off if we stopped pretending they were.
We’re keeping it philosophical today, but if you’re looking for a quick Pinterest tip or two, head on over to IG. I’ve been answering a bunch of Pinterest questions there and they’re all in a highlight for ya!
From the ‘Gram
Hi, I’m Sarah — Pinterest marketer, former local journalist, and professional oversharer. Thanks for reading this edition of the Thursday Press! If you’re a fan of stories that turn into strategic Pinterest marketing tips, way-too-honest insights into online entrepreneurship, and the occasional cat picture, you’re in the right place.
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