A well-intentioned mentor once told me, “Your content is too light and frivolous. You sound like a teenager. Nobody in the business community will take you seriously. Tone things down.”

At first, I wondered, “Maybe she’s right about that…”

Later, though? I realized, “Uh, wait a sec: if I ‘tone things down’, then my content will be just as bland and forgettable as 90% of what I see out there. No schwanks.”

I chose to keep doing my thing.

But… what if I hadn’t?

What if I had decided, “Well, my mentor is much more experienced than me. She’s probably right. I’ll do what she told me.”

What would have happened then?

Let’s imagine that alternate universe…

– Instead of creating delicious business training programs like Obsessed filled with creative, amazing people, I would probably run a program called: “Get Your 7-Figure Business in 7 Days! The Limited Time Masterclass Bootcamp Intensive.” *cringe*

– Instead of infusing my newsletters and other content with inspiration from my fave TV shows and characters—and having a total blast with my writing—I would probably groan every time I had to write a “professional-sounding” newsletter. In fact, in this alternate universe, writing would feel like such a miserable chore that I would probably procrastinate and barely write anything at all.

– Instead of trusting my gut to pursue screenwriting in addition to my biz, I would likely still be here with those stories floating in my head… instead of landing paid (and super exciting!) writing assignments, scoring high-powered representation, and selling scripts in Hollywood.

I’ll stop right there, because fantasizing about this “alternate universe” is making me feel seriously depressed.

My point is: as a business owner, you’re going to have lots of well-meaning people feeding you all kinds of advice.

Consider everything. Don’t blindly follow their advice. (And yes, that includes any advice that I dole out.)

When you solely follow other people’s advice—fearing that “they know better” than you—what typically ends up happening is that you build a business that might work for someone else, but makes no sense for you. A bleak, desolate business plan and lifestyle that feels like sad gray cubicle, not a guilty pleasure.

Even if you find yourself at a swanky party where Beyonce struts up to you and says, “Honey, get in Formation, because I have some business advice for you.”

Even then?

Even if Beysus herself is giving you advice on how to do things better?

Consider it. But don’t blindly follow it.

Do what you instinctively feel is right for you. Feel your intuition and trust it. Own it.

At the end of the day…

You are a business owner—not a business advice-follower.

#MicDrop