Cara Loenthile on Handling Feedback, Business Growth, and Life Goals

Managing Professional Feedback

• 🧠 Thought work is key to managing defensiveness when receiving feedback, as your thoughts about the feedback are what make it hard to hear.
• 💡 The first step is to believe that feedback isn't automatically right and that others' thoughts cause their feedback, not your personal failings.
• ✅ Once self-esteem and self-regard are solid, feedback becomes neutral, allowing for objective discernment of useful information.
• ⚠️ The question should not be how to discern useful feedback while defensive, but rather how to avoid feeling defensive in the first place.

Business Growth and Mindset

• 🚀 The thought "This is the secret to life" helped launch the business, but limiting thoughts about sales and money prevented reaching higher revenue in the first year.
• 📈 The thought "I'm doing pretty well not trying that hard. Imagine what would happen if I tried" fueled the second year's revenue growth.
• 💰 A shift in perspective from consumer debt (bad) to business debt (normal and necessary for growth) was crucial for scaling.
• ✨ The thought "This is fun" characterized the third year, leading to expansion and increased revenue, driven by enjoying coaching and teaching in groups.
• 🌍 Currently, the thought "I'm changing the world" drives the business, with money being a byproduct of impact.

Life Goals and Confidence

• 🎯 The desire for a "life goal" often stems from a perfectionist fantasy that having one will magically make life better, more fulfilling, and productive.
• 💡 Instead of a vague "life goal," focus on setting smaller, actionable goals for shorter timeframes like a week or month.
• ⚡ To build confidence and overcome the "I don't know enough" thought, choose a specific thought to practice and redirect the brain, rather than trying to stop thinking negatively.
• 🛠️ The goal isn't to achieve "full confidence" (a fantasy), but to be willing to act and move forward in business even while feeling doubt and fear.
• 📈 The difference between a six-figure and seven-figure business can be the willingness to show up with a "half-managed mind" rather than waiting for perfect confidence.