19 May Why I Choose Transparency

The question was posed to me, Was I afraid that I would lose business because I talk about my "struggles" on social media and on my blog?

I have to be completely honest about this. In the beginning, I was very afraid that transparency would kill my business. I was worried that because I am a fixer, not being able to some times fix my own issues would cause people not to pick up the phone to either call me or answer my calls.

But, as I went along, I realized that the upside to this transparency was actually good for me; And what is good for me personally supersedes what is good for my business.

I just want to clarify a few things.

1. I don't post everything that happens to me and or my family on social media.

2. I am incredibly closed with my feelings and my life. In fact, I was once asked if I was even human. Posting simple things that happen in my life helps to push me to be more open.

3. I am a living witness that you can be successful and still be depressed.

4. You can be successful and still not be sure of yourself.

5. It was the public declaration of a well-known pastor about his bout with depression that got me to recognize my own depression. This allowed me to seek help and start to live my life over again.

6. The business only focused posts get 47% fewer views/comment/interaction than my "transparent" life posts.

7. I am not that moved by money. I have been blessed to have a lot of different revenue streams. Therefore I do not have to rely on any one stream. I have also accomplished most of my dreams. I am living on gravy right now.

8. The majority of my clients are clients because of me, not my company persona.

9.  I personally only work with clients I like. So it is important that they know what they are getting: Genius but Crazy.

10. If I can save someone from committing the same mistakes or help them through the areas I have struggled with, then any business I have lost is worth it.

The truth is my business is thriving. Like any business there are ups and downs. How you handle both of those seasons - will ultimately determine the success of your business. In life there are ups and downs -- and how I handle each determines my happiness. I want my happiness to thrive as much as my business.

So I post about the ups and the downs and how I handle each. At the end of the day, balance is more important to me than bottom line.

#ByrdOlogy -- it isn't a science -- you won't find it in a book -- Just some things I have learned in my years of business and relationships.