The Elephant In The Room
I made $3,401 last month—my lowest revenue in 5 years.
Before I go further, I hope this post doesn't resonate with you.
Because it would mean you are thriving right now.
If you are, stop reading and get back to work—I'm celebrating you!
I remember what thriving is like.
Hitting nearly $120,000 for 4 years, with ease, was incredible.
However, $3,400 is not the amount of someone hitting a 6-figure year.
When my wife and I moved from New Jersey to Oregon in January, the plan was for my income to continue, so she wouldn't have to go back to her PT job.
I failed.
My wife had to return to work, and during her pregnancy, to boot.
I'm grateful for her support, but there's an ego hit that I couldn't step up to the challenge and be the man who provided.
I'm asking myself—how much of this is personal, how much collective?
I don't like to play into cultural narratives that say "times are tough," and instead ascribe more to the mindset that we create our own economy.
People are thriving right now, so why not us?
While that mindset may serve, it can also spiritually bypass the reality of how things are, and adds to the individualistic critique of so-called "spiritual" entrepreneurs.
As I reflect on the financial downturn and speak with others in the industry, it's clear that the state of the world has presented its challenges for meditation teachers and wellness coaches.
People are afraid, and when people are afraid, they conserve.
There is another factor at play.
To paraphrase Mac Miller, "It ain't 2021 no more."
I didn't realize I came up in the gold boom of the coaching industry.
It was pre-AI and in the early Pandemic, people were at home with more time, questioning their lives, looking for support, and felt safer investing in courses and coaching.
They also hadn't been burned by spending $10,000 on a coach or program that didn't live up to the hype.
It makes sense that people are more wary, and the fact is that now, when people have a problem, they open up Chat GPT and get their coaching—em dash and all—for $20 a month.
How are we to move forward?
I'll admit there have been some low moments in the past weeks.
I sat with feelings I thought I'd never have to experience again.
The sense is like being lost in a desert, needing water but having no idea how to find it.
During these times, I remind myself— This is when most people quit.
Then comes a strange awareness:
I was made for this.
I freaking love the journey.
And like any grand adventure, there will be highs and lows.
What I know for sure is I'm not going anywhere.
I've been at this for a decade.
While there is a part of me that wants to react in desperation, that ain't the play.
I'm here for the long game.
Instead, I'm asking myself, how can I look back on this moment, ten years from now, with love for how I showed up when things were hardest?
How did I serve those I can in the ways I can?
I'm sympathetic toward people who just started a year ago - how are they feeling right now?
Like starting a bank in 2007, they might think this is just how it is.
If that's you, remember it takes 5 years to build anything substantial.
If you can feel the feelings of isolation, disappointment, and bitterness, and remind yourself, "This is when most people quit."
If you stay through that, you have what it takes to succeed.
Please, do WHATEVER YOU CAN to not be desperate.
Don't fall for fast promises.
Slow, Juicy Growth is the mantra for those playing the infinite game.
So if you're new and failing, keep failing forward.
If you're a seasoned coach, I hope this normalizes and ignites your devotion to show-up powerfully during this time.
You'll build resilience you can call on your whole life.
Whether new, seasoned, or just feeling the sting in your own way—If you feel like I am speaking to you in this post, I want to hear from you.
What are you struggling with?
What are you hoping for?
What are you disillusioned by?
If I can, I'd love to help. But more than anything, I want to widen the conversation.
I hope that by addressing the elephant in the room, we can all feel less alone and work together to rise.
Wherever you are, know I'm rooting for you.
When you win, we all win.