The entrepreneurial title you are using, such as “The Success Expert”, could be self sabotaging your ability to up-level. I see people everywhere using powerful titles such as SUCCESS MENTOR or THE EXPERT OF _____________, when let’s face it, they clearly are not. It’s the same idea of someone calling themselves the MILLION DOLLAR REALTOR (yet they have never sold a house over $400,000), or the MILLION DOLLAR COACH (yet they’ve never made a million dollars). If someone is a EXPERT OF SOCIAL MEDIA, yet their social media following isn’t that big, it doesn’t add up. Was it something they were hoping to achieve along the way to success in that specific career? I personally have mixed feelings about these kinds of titles, especially ones with the word “success” in them.
A part of me feels like there really is no right or wrong as long as that person feels good about themselves, but another part of me thinks that if people want to see success right away, they have to totally be TRUE TO THEMSELVES and not hide behind a title that suggests something that isn’t real. This more so for their own good, so self-sabotage doesn’t set in. “Success” is obviously a subjective word that is different for everyone, however I think that in the business world if you have next to no clients, are not bringing in much income and feeling not your best self, it might not be the best choice for you. The term “success” by itself is usually connected to self-made success or financial gain, unless you are focusing it on a specific niche such as health success, parenting success, author success, etc.
I understand that people can “fake it ’til they make it”, or “dress for the job that you want”, but the issue is that internally and energetically this can hold someone back. They can develop beliefs of “being a fraud”, “not living up to their name”, or simply not feeling in alignment with who they are putting out there. People wonder why they put themselves out there online using a title that suggests massive results (right out of the gate) and yet they are not getting those results they are marketing themselves. It’s because they don’t feel in alignment with who they are being online! Then there is the other 10% that can take on any title and it works for them. The reason it can work is because that person believed it themselves. Belief is the most important piece.
Consumers/ potential clients can sense bull shit, if not consciously, subconsciously! The specific wording that is used for everything has to feel great and align with what you are here to do. There cannot be any hesitation what-so-ever. It has to fit perfectly. People need to feel confidence in explaining what they do and own it, at least for themselves. For some, the term COACH is too cold and black and white for the type of work they are doing, or the word CONSULTANT doesn’t encompass the style of work they do. Titles are so important, so the words people use are everything!
I know why people do it, because I tried out the “success” word in a title years ago when I called myself a Creative Success Coach. I was coming from the angle that my passion focused on helping women make success through their creativity and innovation. I liked the idea, but I quickly abandoned that title because it just did not feel right. It didn’t feel clear to be sometimes. I actually have played around with a few different titles over the years and many DID NOT FEEL RIGHT for me. But when I finally stopped worrying about what others wanted to hear and instead chose something that felt really good to me and the work that I was doing… that’s when the SUCCESS happened.
So to wrap this up, your title has to be in alignment with who you really are. You have to believe in it fully. It has to be a representation of who you are, what your skills are, the transformation that you help people receive and so much more. Or else, you’ll find a lot of resistance.
But, the entrepreneurial title you are using, such as The Success Expert, could be self sabotaging your ability to up-level. I see people everywhere using powerful titles such as SUCCESS MENTOR or THE EXPERT OF _____________, when let’s face it, they clearly are not. It’s the same idea of someone calling themselves the MILLION DOLLAR REALTOR (yet they have never sold a house over $400,000), or the MILLION DOLLAR COACH (yet they’ve never made a million dollars). If someone is a EXPERT OF SOCIAL MEDIA, yet their social media following isn’t that big, it doesn’t add up. Was it something they were hoping to achieve along the way to success in that specific career?
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You said it. #boom
This topic really does bug me. There are so many people posing as something they are not. Thank you for shedding a light in this!
For a long time I went by the title Money Coach. It never felt good ad I didn’t know why. I apparently needed something more soft and engaging. I was always good with money so I knew I could embody the title. I finally landed on Financial Freedom Mentor and loooooooove it.
Loving your honesty. Thank you. I love your title too by the way. It feels so honest and real.
I think the words use use to describe what you do is so important.
I am immediately turned off by the “fakery’ feeling titles. It’s a fine line between creating a title for where you *want* to be and being authentic to what you offer.
Thank you for this. I set out to assist companies set up
Their business properly so they can return to what it is they do best; their “why” behind their company! I personally like the title “the business boss”. I haven’t used it yet but I like it!! Any thoughts?
Well I do love it, but it makes me wonder what the result is that someone gets from working with you? It is catchy though.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you for sharing this. Such a big pet peeve when people call themselves SUCCESS COACHES and yet clearly are not living successfully.
To be honest I don’t want names to become too complicated or creative. I’d rather see who they are and that they’re authentic.
My questions are: do I like them? Do they have something interesting to tell? And sometimes: Can they help me or not? And to answer that, I need to feel I have a connection with them. A connection is built through an honest story. But I do get itchy so now and then by the titles some people use while I don’t buy their story.
This is spot on. I use the title provided to me by my school, and also the words I use to describe myself based on how I am in life: Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. Disruptor. Creative Badass. These are all based on the work I’ve done, the results I and my clients get, and the projects I created.
Hey Melissa. Thanks for your comment. Let me know if you want to hop on a free call and go over your creative business! bit.ly/wacfreedom