Sharing Small Progress In Public (And Giving Others Permission To Do The Same) | Episode 85

Hello hello and welcome back to the Purpose & Progress Podcast.

Before I dive too far into today’s topic: small progress, I wanted to introduce a new mini segment, a soundbite from past guests. I’m thinking of calling it “Ask An Expert In Progress.” At the end of this episode, I’m sharing a little food for thought blurb from Melissa Mittlestadt, who was on my pricing panel from Episode 78. That episode is linked in the show notes.

But onto the topic of today—small progress. Not because I think you need to play small. But because you’re probably doing more and making bigger progress than you think.

Let’s back up a little.

I’m not a fan of being vulnerable or showing up “messy” or “imperfect.” At least not outside of entrepreneurship. I’ve learned to embrace the share-as-you-learn-and-grow mentality in business. I talk more about this idea with Cyndi in episode 66—she sums up this concept really well. It’s linked in the show notes. But this podcast and my newsletter are perfect examples. (Pun intended.)

In the past, instead of vulnerability, I’ve preferred aiming for perfection. Especially in my personal life, and especially especially growing up. Motherhood and entrepreneurship and maybe just maturity taught me (veryyyy slowly) that constant chase of perfection isn’t necessarily useful.

I’ve written about this idea in the past. But I’m also reading a book right now that gives us permission to lean into our perfectionism as a tool, rather than a character flaw. So I’ll link that too and I might be changing my tune a bit about perfection. I’ll write and maybe record more about it in the future I’m sure because this is hitting HOME for me and I imagine it will for lots of you high-achieving women too.

But in general, since we know perfection isn’t actually attainable, it’s better to get whatever you’re working on OUT in the world. Still up to your standards. Still in alignment with your values. Still when it and you and your perfect-fit people feel ready.

But out, not just trapped in your head and heart for all of eternity. Even with future iterations and improvements already in mind.

So that it can still guide people along on their journeys as you refine your own path. It’s actually more generous to allow time and space for feedback from the people you want to reach so that you can either meet their needs better, or make something even more aligned for future customers just like them.

For me, it’s the ultimate sign of confidence to share as we go.

Not because we know everything. Not because it’s perfect or will be the same forever. But because it’s intentional, public progress.

You can share via IG stories, in private communities, via your newsletter or podcast (like I do!), or anywhere you and your people like to show up and grow together. That empathetic accountability goes so far. It’s why I bake it into all my 1:1 and group offers. And it’s why I seek it myself with deep conversations, contractors, and thought partners.

My goal through my work is to take and encourage confident, meaningful action. Mostly through figuring out how you want to show up, what you want to be known for, and how that’s reflected in your messaging.

When you invest your time, energy, and intention into your brand messaging strategy, something special happens.

You start thinking about your business and your purpose in new ways. You start showing up in a way that’s consistent and clear. And you’re able to step into your brand message with confidence, no matter the context.

And confidence is contagious! If you feel good about what you’re putting out into the world, your clients and industry partners will feel it too—and they may even spread the word on your behalf.

But I’ll be honest. That’s what we do here, right? Sometimes I get massive imposter syndrome about not being able to “fix” things for my clients. Or not being able to quantify why whatever we co-create matters so much. Especially when they come to me already feeling discouraged, like they’ve tried so many other options or spent so much money already.

And it’s true…I can’t guarantee you’ll land the client or get the job. That you’ll go viral on social. That your revenue will even go up (right away).

But then I get feedback from clients over and over again that something seemingly small was enough to tip the scales and build momentum and change their energy.

And that 100% matters.

That shift, that progress, is the point. It’s what makes all the big change possible.

And the space I hold, the ideas I share and validate, the confidence and clarity we unlock together…THAT’S the offer, more than any containers I could create or the deliverables I could promise.

Here’s an analogy about progress that came to me as some post-workout musings…

The first time I tried my weightlifting class, I used all small weights because I had no confidence in my body’s strength. (Literally, they have XS-XL and you’re supposed to rotate the weights for each track.) I also had no idea what the instructor was saying half the time, so I struggled to follow along with each track’s beat-by-beat movement.

Now, it’s been over a year and a half of taking that class, sometimes as often as 4 times per week. And it’s the highlight of my day, every time. I can feel myself getting stronger, yet every class is still a challenge.

And the coolest part is that the muscle memory—the progress—is there, even when I had to take breaks.

Like when I was postpartum (pregnancy itself didn’t slow me down) or when I broke my toe. And just with having less time freedom to actually attend classes in between baby boy’s nap schedule. So even when I lose a bit of strength I had built up, it’s easier to catch up each time I show up the next time.

That muscle memory exists in business too.

It’s the same when you’re setting up your Dubsado workflows vs when you’re practicing them on Client #8.

Or when introducing yourself for the first time vs the 30th time. And then how different it feels when you’re introducing yourself the first time since you’ve pivoted or in a new context. Like you’re starting all over again. But you’re not.

Change is constant. But the past experience is still there informing the current one. The progress is always there too.

And sometimes we get lucky. That really good first hire in our business. Or a post that reaches thousands of perfectly-aligned people.

And yes, sometimes our first time is the best or doesn’t leave much room for improvement. (See my first launch of Peer Pods last year vs my “failed” launch at the beginning of this year.)

But most of the time, there’s lots of room for iteration and exploration.

And just because we got it “perfect“ the first time doesn’t mean that it will be “perfect” under different circumstances the next time.

The confidence that comes with a “just start” mentality is real.

Luckily, values-aligned action becomes more intuitive the more you take action…even if you’re scared or “unprepared.”

Because you can always know more, be better equipped, have more people on your email list, etc. But the point is that purposeful progress, right?

So, to that end, I’m hosting a free About You Audit on April 3.

It’s time and space for to share your About Page, homepage, social profile, personal bio—whatever you want—amongst multi-passionate deep thinkers like you.

With whatever state it’s in—nearly buttoned up, a messy first draft, or anything in between.

I give my honest, first impression feedback for the first 10 people who share something to review. And everyone in the room can chime in with supportive comments too. Because we’re so close to our own story, it’s always helpful to get outside perspective.

I also share some of my best universal tips that tend to show up across most industries and mediums.

And if you can’t join us live, just send me a link ahead of time and I’ll review it in the room with everyone else, then send a replay for you to watch on your own time.

This has been a favorite quarterly-ish event I host. I’m always buzzing afterword with all the good vibe energy and people give me really positive feedback about how much better they feel after hearing my insights and making those changes.

Hop on into the About You Audit on April 3 if you’re in search of vulnerable, imperfect opportunities for more confidence as you talk and write about the work you care so much about.

Sign up for free via the link in the shownotes or at ashleesang.com/aboutyou.

Be sure to check out all the resources in the show notes below or at ashleesang.com/podcast.

And come back next time (in 2 weeks!) because we’ll be in conversation with another ambitious and inspirational woman entrepreneur.

Now, onto our little bonus soundbite Ask An Expert In Progress segment with Melissa Mittlestadt.