If you have an idea, there are 4 people who determine if your idea is turned into action.
Whether it’s:
Starting a blog
Running a marathon
Opening an Etsy shop
Although I would tell you it’s up to YOU if that idea comes into fruition, no matter how much discipline you have, there are people that will influence you.
1 of the 4 people who will influence you is someone during the early stages of your idea…
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2018 --
I had just graduated college and moved in with my roommate Emily as we started our 1st corporate jobs.
About 3 months in, I decided I NEEDED something other than work.
I had started listening to podcasts on my 1 hour round trip commute to work, and I wanted to start one!
I don’t remember telling Emily straight up that I was going start a podcast, just that I was thinking about it.
Since I had no idea what I was doing --
I took a course from my favorite podcaster and started putting the pieces in place.
I learned in the course how important audio quality was, so I started recording in my little apartment closet.
Even in the closet, our heat and A/C could be picked up in the audio, and I was a budget-conscious, post-grad kid not looking to insulate my apartment closet.
I asked Emily if I could turn off the heat or A/C for the 30 (sometimes 60) mins while I recorded.
In the thick of the hot summer or depths of cold winter, she graciously said yes.
Even if I inconvenienced her, I'm not sure if she knew how much that small act meant to me.
It's like she saw my goal and made it a little easier for me to reach.
She even went as far to get me a cute door hanger that said "recording in progress" like I was legit or something.
She connected me with her graphic designer friend to do my podcast cover art and ran around Cleveland with me to take my first brand pictures for my website.
In those early days, the voice in my head said --
"I don't want to bother my roommate!"
"Who am I to do this podcast?"
"What are people going to think of me?!"
Emily helped make the voices in my head a little quieter, and not hold me back from moving forward.
It didn’t just help me start a podcast; it was a catalyst for all the other projects I would go on to do (like Substack).
If you have an idea --
Tell a friend, even in the early stages, even if it's scary.
You don’t need to tell everyone or post it on social media at the beginning.
Just 1 person.
You never know who is going to support you and how much confidence it's going to give you to move forward.
We all need an "Early-Stage Emily" in our life.
And if you can’t think of anyone you would trust — find a group or community in your city, a podcast, or Youtube channel talking about your specific idea.
Because even if you’re doing this idea alone, you shouldn’t have to feel alone.
—
P.S. I’m lucky Emily is still 1 of my biggest hype girls today! :)
Stay tuned for the other 3 people who determine if your idea is turned into action over the next few weeks :)