Everyday Extraordinary: Caitlin Crumpton

Being in flow feels like you've unlocked real life magic.

Getting into flow, however, can be extremely difficult — especially when the things that lead to flow are the things that push you out of your comfort zone. When I felt the call to move across the country, I followed it, but it took time and hard work to build a life that felt aligned with who I am and what I want.

As an entrepreneur, I’ve worked really hard to create opportunities for myself. When I see someone doing something I want to be a part of, I reach out and ask to get involved. 

 

One of the hardest journeys is working up the nerve to ask for what you’re worth. Over time, I’ve adopted the mindset: they’re not just paying for your services, they’re paying for you. That not only includes the quality of work I bring to the table, but also the years of experience and learning I’ve acquired that has gotten me to this point.

Entrepreneurship is not linear. There’s a lot of ebbs and flows. My biggest advice is to keep going — as long as the overall trajectory is positive, focus on the long-term instead of getting caught up in the daily ups and downs.

Working for yourself can be an incredible source of freedom and flexibility, but it also comes with a lot of invisible work. Your next gig is never guaranteed, so you’re not just doing the work that comes with your job, but you’re also hustling and networking and pitching to secure more projects.

 

Of course, putting yourself out there means you’ll be faced with rejection more frequently. This is great practice for not taking things personally. Most of the time, if someone doesn’t want to pay your rate, or they don’t resonate with your work, collaboration is going to be really difficult. Not taking the jobs that don’t align with you leaves room for more and better to come through. Rejection truly is redirection, and knowing that brings immense peace. 

When I get overwhelmed, I make sure to prioritize any practices or habits that benefit my emotional, physical, and spiritual health. When everything feels out of control, I remind myself of the things I can control, like sending emails or calling potential clients, and I ignore everything else. I fill the down time with nourishing activities like reading, going to the beach, and working out so that I can be a well-rounded person and not just someone who lives to work.

 

My biggest piece of advice is to take the time to really discover who you are. There’s so much pressure from society, especially on women, to fill predetermined roles or expectations. Take those big risks, follow what makes your heart beat, and you’ll get closer to your truth. Who you are isn’t in the successes as much as it is revealed to you through failures, rejections, and closed doors. It requires a level of action and taking those leaps of faith and trying and succeeding and failing to understand what you’re made of.