If you’re starting a business — or you’ve been at it for a while but feel like you’re constantly hustling for crumbs instead of clients — here’s a tough question for you:
Are you really running your online business like you mean it, or are you accidentally treating it like an expensive hobby?
It stings, I know. But I want you to sit with it for a moment.
Because this is where we either play small, or we get serious about how to grow your online business.
Not just dabble, not just hope someone stumbles across your Instagram post from six months ago — but build it like a business that deserves to thrive.
If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking:
“I’m doing all the things, but still struggling with how to get coaching clients…”
Or
“I started this business to have freedom, but right now it just feels like stress on steroids…”
Then you, my friend, might be stuck in the gap between where you are and where you want to be.
And the good news? That gap is not fixed. It’s expandable.
But first, let’s talk about the internal game you might not realize you’re playing — and how it’s keeping you from stepping into the version of yourself who actually reaches those goals you wrote down in your planner. 😉
You’re Dreaming Big but Thinking Small
You’ve probably heard the phrase “act your wage” before — maybe from financial guru Dave Ramsey. He’s all about living within your means so you can grow your wealth.
But let’s flip this concept on its head (a business mindset shift)
What if acting your wage isn’t just about money? What if it’s about your mindset, your habits, and the way you’re showing up in your business every single day?
During a client meeting a while back, she shared something that hit me square between the eyes:
“I wish my salesperson would act their wage. They set these huge goals, but some aren’t putting in the effort to actually achieve them.”
Yikes.
It got me thinking about how many online business owners (especially when they’re starting a business or trying to grow their online business) fall into this same trap.
They set bold goals:
Land 5 coaching clients this month.
Launch the course they’ve been sitting on for months.
Finally grow their email list beyond friends and family.
But their daily actions? They tell a different story.
✔️ Endless tinkering with branding.
✔️ Consuming more free trainings than they can implement.
✔️ Hoping clients magically appear because they posted once on LinkedIn.
Friend, let’s be honest — that’s not acting your wage.
That’s playing safe. That’s operating from your current normal instead of your desired normal.
And there’s a massive difference between the two.
Your Self-Image Sets the Ceiling
Here’s the kicker: your internal self-image — the one you don’t think about every day — is calling the shots more than you realize.
Your self-image creates your “normal.” It tells you:
- What kind of coach you believe you are.
- What kind of income you expect to make.
- What feels safe versus risky in your actions.
When you set a goal outside of that comfort zone, your brain basically throws up a big “NOPE” sign.
Procrastination (aka creative avoidance) sneaks in.
Self-doubt shows up in disguise (often as perfectionism or busywork).
And you end up with mental ping-pong between your dreams and your doubts.
I know this because I’ve lived it.
There was a time when I admired other entrepreneurs and thought, “Yeah, but I could never do that because…”
- Because I wasn’t a natural writer.
- Because I was terrified of public speaking.
- Because social media felt like a massive time suck.
But here’s what shifted for me (and what can shift for you):
I realized I didn’t have to stay stuck in that “normal.”
I didn’t have to let my high school English teacher’s critique define my writing ability (two books later, she can eat her words).
I didn’t have to stay hidden from stages because public speaking scared me (hello, keynote speeches and even TEDx).
And I didn’t have to dread social media when I could use it strategically to build real relationships.
Case in point? My friendship with bestselling author Bob Burg began with smart, intentional networking online.
None of that happened by accident.
It happened because I made the decision to upgrade my internal normal to match my external goals.
Upgrade Your “Normal” to Match Your Business Goals
Now let’s talk about you.
If you want to grow your online business, it’s time to stop operating from your past limitations and start creating new ones that serve your future.
Ask yourself:
➡️ What comfort zones are keeping me stuck right now?
➡️ Where am I hesitating to go all in on my goals?
➡️ What characteristics do I need to embody to attract coaching clients consistently?
Because let’s be clear — if you’re still thinking small, you’ll act small. And if you act small, you’ll stay small.
But when you expand your self-image, your actions follow suit.
You’ll start seeking out smarter collaborations.
You’ll prioritize lead generation over tweaking your Canva templates.
You’ll spend more time in conversations with potential clients than doom-scrolling Instagram.
And most importantly?
You’ll shift from wondering how to get coaching clients to confidently attracting them because your energy and actions align.
Confucius said it best:
“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.”
Adjust your normal.
Adjust your daily habits.
Adjust the version of yourself you bring to the table every day.
Because— you’ve already got the knowledge. You’ve already got the skills. You just need to trust yourself enough to act accordingly.
Let’s Wrap This Up (But Not Before A Question)
So, tell me:
Are you showing up every day as the business owner who’s already achieved what you say you want?
Or are you waiting for some external proof before you give yourself permission to play at that level?
Be honest.
Because the only thing standing between you and your next level isn’t another online course or a magic productivity app.
It’s you.
It’s your mindset.
It’s your willingness to act your wage — not the one your current self believes, but the one your future self demands.
And if you need a nudge to get there faster (with a little tough love and a lot of clarity), my Sweary Digital Planning System is your go-to.
It’ll help you kick procrastination to the curb, set goals that scare you in the best way, and finally create the action steps that will grow your online business without the burnout.
Let’s do this.
