Receiving feedback is an integral part of personal and professional growth. However, it can also be one of the most challenging aspects of developing any project, especially something as personal and meaningful as a course that you've poured your heart into. The art of receiving feedback really goes beyond just listening to others’ opinions; it involves processing, understanding, and using that feedback to refine and elevate your work.
I’d like to share my own journey with feedback, especially as it relates to refining my courses. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences since I started in the online space.
Let’s face it—receiving feedback can be emotionally taxing. When someone critiques your work, it’s easy to feel vulnerable, especially if the feedback isn’t entirely positive. We often tie our self-worth to our creations, making it hard to separate constructive criticism from personal judgment.
For me, creating courses is not just a job; it’s a passion. I’ve spent countless hours crafting content that I believe will make a difference. So, when I first started receiving feedback, there was an internal struggle. I had to learn how to take a step back and look at my work objectively. Was the feedback coming from a place of helping me improve, or was it just a matter of personal preference?
This distinction is crucial because it allows you to filter out the noise and focus on the feedback that truly adds value.
Some of my students and clients have been sharing feedback on Course Design School, my signature course, regarding the content, the delivery, and the experience so far, and their feedback is inspiring some incredible changes. It’s amazing how their insights have opened my eyes to new ways of enhancing the course, making it even more impactful.
I could kick myself for not thinking about some of these ideas sooner, but instead, I’m embracing the gift of their feedback and getting back to work. Every tweak and adjustment is bringing me closer to creating the transformative experience I’m striving for.
As I embrace this feedback, I have now started a process of refinement. I am revisiting the course material, tweaking, adjusting, and sometimes overhauling entire sections. The process isn’t easy—it requires time, effort, and a willingness to let go of certain elements that I had initially thought were essential. But as I make these changes, I am noticing a shift. The course is going to be more streamlined, the content more focused, and the overall experience more impactful for the participants.
This process is teaching me a valuable lesson that I know but needed a reminder of: no matter how good you think your work is, there’s always room for improvement. Feedback is not a sign of failure; it’s a pathway to excellence.
Based on my experience, here are a few tips on how to receive feedback gracefully and use it to your advantage:
The art of receiving feedback is a continuous journey. It’s about embracing vulnerability, being open to change, and constantly striving for improvement. My experience with refining my course taught me that feedback, while sometimes challenging to hear, is an essential component of growth. It’s what transforms good into great and what helps us evolve in our work.
As you move forward in your own projects, remember that feedback is your ally. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it guide you to greater heights. The path to excellence is paved with the insights of others, and it’s up to us to walk that path with an open mind and a willing heart.
Ready to embark on your own course creation journey? Let's turn your expertise into a profitable online course. Book your FREE 90 Days to Course Launch Breakthrough Call.
Tracy Sherriff is a Certified Course Creation Expert who helps coaches, consultants, and other experts transform their expertise into a profitable online course in 90 days with just 5 hours a week—no overwhelm! Connect with Tracy by visiting her website, tracysherriff.com, or finding her on Instagram @tracy.sherriff.
Our bodies have the extraordinary power to let us sense when danger is present, and oftentimes they do so without us having to think about it. We become acutely aware when dis-ease sets in and hampers our normal functioning. As a nurse working in the hospital setting the changes experienced by people are often managed by medication.
Have you ever experienced a sense within your body that doesn’t fit into the usual five categories? It is fascinating to note that our body has over twenty senses internally and externally. These incredible sensory functions manage to keep us safe and connected to the world around us. Without going into the scientific depths of how our sensory receptors function, exploring with a curious mind can help us tap into the wonder they hold.
We have all experienced pain in our lives whether it be at skin level, deep into the muscles, organs, or emotionally. Each one of these has special properties that can stop us in our tracks when triggered. When the pain response is activated, we have a choice of what we do with it. As a nurse, I ascribe to the definition of pain as “pain is what the experiencing person says it is, occurring when they say it does.” Pain provocation, quality, radiation, severity, and timing are all explored.
The other sense that we recognize as important is our temperature. Our body identifies heat and cold and has built in processes to allow heat to escape or trap it in. This is another protective process.
We also have mechanical receptors that sense our body position, balance, and muscle stretch. Such complexities that we do not have to think through. We do not have to think about the way our joint is positioned in space. There is structure and organized function aligned within our body.
We could also explore the internal receptors such as blood pressure, blood oxygen content, bladder stretch, having a full stomach, and lung inflation. All senses that we are fortunate we do not need to think about, recognizing how marvelous our body really is.
So, what happens when dis-ease sets in or medications interfere with the natural function of these senses? We become misaligned with our body and our internal senses can become dulled or impaired. It takes practice to stay in touch with these senses beyond the five. Taking time to activate your senses and observe them through meditation can help you live in harmony with your senses.
Christie is a dynamic wellness practitioner. As the founder of Wellness Haven and Health Christie offers a circular approach to wellness with offerings that honour the seven principles of wellness: emotional, environmental, mental, occupational, physical, relational, and spiritual. Christie is a life skills coach, happiness coach, a breath work facilitator, as well as a medical aesthetician. Christie is joined by her daughter, Abigail, who offers home organization and a decluttering service. At Wellness Haven and Health we encourage and support others in their wellness journey.
Learn more about Christie and her business:
As an entrepreneur, you make decisions every day. Some are small, like choosing a meeting time. Others are huge, like launching a new product. But all of these decisions shape your business. One key factor in making good choices? Confidence.
Let’s break down how confidence affects decision-making and how to use it to your advantage.
The Basics of Decision-Making
When you make a decision, your brain considers several options. It weighs past experiences, personal biases, and even your mood. Confidence acts like a filter for all these factors. It changes how you see the risks and rewards of each choice.
Confidence and Bias: A Balancing Act
Sometimes, we’re too confident. This is called overconfidence bias. It’s when we think we know more than we do or that we’re better at predicting outcomes than we really are. As an entrepreneur, your passion can make you especially prone to this. Being aware of this bias can help you make more balanced decisions.
Confidence in Uncertain Times
When things are uncertain (which is often in business), confidence becomes even more important. It’s what allows you to make decisions without having all the answers. Being confident doesn’t mean you have no doubts. It means you trust yourself to handle whatever happens.
The Two Faces of Confidence
Confidence is crucial, but there’s a catch. There’s a big difference between real confidence and just acting tough. Real confidence comes from skills, experience, and knowing your limits. It keeps you open to new ideas. Fake confidence can lead to hasty decisions and missed chances to learn.
Building Your Decision-Making Confidence
Want to boost your confidence in making decisions? Try these tips:
Wrapping Up
Understanding how confidence affects your decisions can make you a better entrepreneur. Remember, it’s not about always being right. It’s about making decisions with confidence and learning from them. As you run your business, let confidence be your guide. Just remember to balance it with humility and self-awareness. That mix will help you navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
Be bold. Be confident.
Karen Vaile is a Confidence & Mindset Coach and Founder of Karen’s Coaching Korner. She helps businesswomen gain the confidence to take bold action and achieve their personal and professional goals.
Karen’s mission is centred on transforming uncertainty, self-doubt, and apprehension into assertiveness and decisive ambition. Through her 1:1 coaching program “Create Your Confidence,” she tailors her approach to each client’s unique needs, helping each one to reach her fullest potential, attain her goals, embrace boldness, and embody confidence and grace in every aspect of life. Karen can be reached via DM.
In the fast-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, standing out isn't just about what you do—it's about how effectively you share your knowledge and expertise with the world.
One powerful way to elevate your business and personal growth simultaneously is by creating an online course. Here’s how embarking on this journey can help you become a better version of yourself in business:
Creating a course requires you to distill your knowledge into a structured, actionable format. This process not only reinforces what you already know but also challenges you to fill gaps and stay updated with the latest trends in your field. As you research, plan, and teach, you deepen your expertise, becoming a go-to authority in your niche.
Effective communication is key to success in any business endeavor. Developing a course demands clarity in conveying complex ideas, engaging your audience, and fostering understanding. As you craft content, explain concepts, and interact with students, your communication skills naturally sharpen, enhancing your ability to influence and connect with others.
Launching a well-crafted course establishes you as a thought leader in your industry. It demonstrates your commitment to sharing valuable insights and solving real problems for your audience. This positions your brand as trustworthy and authoritative, attracting potential clients who seek your expertise and solutions.
Courses provide a platform to connect with like-minded individuals, potential collaborators, and clients. Engaging with your course community fosters relationships built on shared interests and mutual support. These connections can lead to new opportunities, partnerships, and invaluable feedback that propel both your business and personal growth.
Creating a course pushes you beyond your comfort zone. It requires innovation in content delivery, engagement strategies, and problem-solving. Embracing this challenge nurtures your creativity and resilience, equipping you with skills to adapt to changes and seize opportunities in an ever-changing market landscape.
Beyond immediate benefits, courses offer a sustainable revenue stream. Once created, they can be sold repeatedly without significant additional effort, allowing you to leverage your time and expertise effectively. This passive income stream not only supports your financial goals but also frees up time for further business development or personal pursuits.
Ultimately, creating a course is about making a meaningful impact. By sharing your knowledge and empowering others to succeed, you contribute to their growth journeys. Witnessing the transformation and success of your students brings a deep sense of fulfillment and reinforces your purpose-driven approach to business.
Creating an online course isn’t just about expanding your business—it’s a transformative journey that enhances your skills, expands your influence, and fosters personal growth. It’s an investment in yourself and your future, offering rewards that extend far beyond financial gains. Embrace the opportunity to share your expertise, inspire others, and become the best version of yourself in business and beyond. Start today, and unlock the potential that lies within you.
Ready to embark on your course creation journey? Let's turn your expertise into an impactful learning experience that transforms lives. Book your FREE 90 Days to Course Launch Breakthrough Call.
Tracy Sherriff is a Certified Course Creation Expert who helps coaches, service-based professionals, and other business owners successfully scale their business online with high-quality, high-impact courses and programs. You can connect with Tracy by visiting her website tracysherriff.com, or finding her on Instagram @tracy.sherriff. You can also connect with her in the Happy Healthy Women in Business Facebook Group.
Many of us with a creative idea, vision, or project often struggle with the same thing: the gap between having a brilliant idea and bringing it to life.
The common problems of perfectionism, procrastination, and overwhelm get in your way and prevent you from making any real, significant progress. You dither for months, years, and sometimes even decades, all without taking action on your creative dreams.
I know because I’ve been there. But over the last ten years, I’ve been able to overcome those problems and launch the passion projects of my heart — and I want the same for you.
I’m using everything I’ve learned to outline the 5 mistakes you’re making that prevent you from taking action — and the 5 solutions to fix them.
Mistake #1: Trying to “Figure it All Out”
You want to start a blog so you start researching the best web host, the best cross-posting tools, the best SEO strategies for headlines and metadata. But when do you get around to actually launching that blog?
You want to start a podcast so you start researching the best microphones, the best editing software, the best way to soundproof a room. But how long does it take before you get around to recording your first episode?
You want to start writing a novel so you start outlining every character backstory, every plot twist, and researching every setting for total accuracy. But at what point do you actually sit down and write your first page?
There’s a point when trying to “figure it all out” stops being about planning and starts being about perfectionism and procrastination.
The solution?
Limit your research and planning.
If you find yourself stuck in the research and planning phase without ever moving forward into execution, it’s time to STOP and just START. Set a limit for yourself — define the absolute most important pieces to know and figure out the rest later. Remember: as painful as it might feel, you don’t need to have everything figured out all the time.
Mistake #2: Waiting for “Inspiration to Strike”
When you wait for inspiration to strike, or when you wait until you “feel like it” you oftentimes never get around it.
The solution?
Well, here’s a secret successful creatives have discovered: Your muse doesn’t suddenly appear by itself. You can summon your muse — simply by showing up before it appears.
The great Steven Pressfield, author of The War of Art, says:
“When we sit down each day and do our work... The Muse takes note of our dedication. She approves. We have earned her favor.”
Sitting down, showing up, and getting ready to work is how you summon your muse so you can get things done.
Mistake #3: Setting Lofty Goals
How familiar does this sound?
“Okay, I’m going to sit down and outline my whole novel.”
“All right, I’m going to sit down and wireframe my entire website.”
“Great, I’m ready to sit down and finish mixing my latest music track.”
And then what happens? You start feeling overwhelmed by the huge task. Or you start getting bogged down in details and minutiae. Or you start thinking that it’s going to take forever to finish and begin to get discouraged.
The solution?
Use time bound limits. Give yourself a set amount of time to work, and then stop when the time runs out. It doesn’t matter if you complete the task in one sitting or not. All that matters is that you made progress. Setting a time limit hinders your overwhelm and procrastination, because you know you only need to start — you don’t need to finish. Which brings us to mistake #4.
Mistake #4: Trying to Make it “Look Right” or “Sound Right”
You start writing your novel and spend hours tweaking the first paragraph or first page. You spend so long trying to find the perfect words to convey what you’re trying to say that you never move past the first chapter.
Or you start working on a design and find yourself repeatedly adjusting the colour palette and font choices, going back and forth, but never actually getting around to the rest of it.
The solution?
I have a saying: “Make Bad Art”.
Now, this doesn’t mean producing poor quality work. It simply means that you don’t need to get it right the first time, or even the second, third, or tenth time. When you create with the intention of doing it badly — on purpose! — you get rid of that perfectionism and procrastination.
Remember, you can always fix it later. The key is to simply make progress, bit by bit, even if it doesn’t look or sound the way you want it to at first. Give yourself permission to be bad at something and I promise, you’ll see life-changing progress in your creative pursuits.
Mistake #5: Thinking Your Idea is Unoriginal
How many times have you thought something like this:
“Someone else is already doing my idea.”
“What do I have to say that a dozen other people already haven’t?”
“There’s nothing original under the sun.”
Many of you worry that your idea isn’t original. You see other people doing it and think that it’s not worth doing yourself. You get imposter syndrome. “Who am I to do this, when other people are doing it better?”
The solution?
Find your “twist.”
Because here’s the secret: Being unoriginal is actually a GOOD thing! It means there’s a market for what you’re creating. It means there’s an audience for it. People want what you’re making.
You just need to figure out what YOU bring that no one else can. What’s the differentiator that comes from your perspective, your personality, your background, your experiences? Find the “twist” that is unique to you and you’ll stand out — even if you think you’re unoriginal.
One of the toughest things when it comes to creativity is bridging the gap between having a brilliant idea and bringing it to life. By limiting your research, summoning your muse, setting time bound goals, embracing “bad art” and finding your unique twist, you can overcome the obstacles that hold you back. It's time to stop dithering and start doing.
Ready to take the next step? Visit candicelee.ca to see how we can work together to finally bring your creative vision to life.
Candice is a multi-passionate creative entrepreneur dedicated to writing, music, and mindset shifts. As a multi-six-figure bestselling novelist, wellness e-com founder, affirmation product designer, and amateur music producer, she brings a wealth of experience to her role as a Creativity Facilitator. Candice helps clients overcome indecision, refill their creative wells, get rid of blocks, and take action on their passion projects. With an enthusiastic and empowering approach, she offers 1:1 coaching and workshops to guide people toward their creative goals. Candice's mission is to inspire and support others in achieving their dreams so they can find fulfillment and joy.
Let’s admit it: starting a new creative project can be scary.
Maybe you’ve gone months without writing a single word.
Maybe it’s been years since you last picked up a pencil to draw.
Maybe it’s even been a decade since you played a single note on your piano or guitar.
But there’s something inside you that wants to take action on your creative work.
There’s an itch in the back of your mind, or an urge in your heart. It’s getting harder and harder to ignore it.
But you’re scared. You start thinking, what if I’m not good at it anymore? What if I try and I fail? What if I share my creative work with the world and get crickets?
I’m here to tell you, it’s okay if you’re afraid. We’ve all been there. It’s understandable to feel
that way if it’s been a while.
But there’s a way to move past that fear, to curate your own personal inspiration, and to dive into the creative work that excites you. Here’s how.
Step #1:
Get something to write on.
Take a piece of paper and a pen. Open a notes app on your phone. Open a blank Word doc on your computer. Whatever is easiest for you.
Step #2:
Think of one thing that inspired you to make and create.
Maybe it was a video/book/blog/album/painting/animation/movie that made you think, “Wow,
I’d love to do that, too!”
Maybe it was a specific person who encouraged you.
Maybe something important or significant happened in your life.
Dig deep and find that one special moment that sparked your creative urges.
Step #3:
Note down how it made you feel, and why it inspired you. Why and how did it make you want to create?
What was it about that album that made you want to play music? What did your 8th grade
teacher say that made you want to write? What about that animation made you want to draw?
Really sink into those emotions and note it down in as much detail as possible.
And finally, Step #4:
Every time you feel afraid to pick up that pencil, every time you feel that fear of putting fingers
to keys, I want you to pull out that note you just made and remember. Remember how it feels to be inspired. Remember why you wanted to create in the first place.
Channel those memories, those moments of inspiration, and I guarantee, you’ll be able to power through that fear and bring your creative vision to life.
Candice is a multi-passionate creative entrepreneur dedicated to writing, music, and mindset shifts. As a multi-six-figure bestselling novelist, wellness e-com founder, affirmation product designer, and amateur music producer, she brings a wealth of experience to her role as a Creativity Facilitator. Candice helps clients overcome indecision, refill their creative wells, get rid of blocks, and take action on their passion projects. With an enthusiastic and empowering approach, she offers 1:1 coaching and workshops to guide people toward their creative goals. Candice's mission is to inspire and support others in achieving their dreams so they can find fulfillment and joy.
This is the work that changed everything for me.
As I look back, I see how my self image was a direct reflection of how I experienced life in my physical reality. I spent so many years trying to find myself. Now I know we get to create ourselves by using our minds. There is a vast difference between the two.
See I was searching outside myself for the answers. Who am I? What am I capable of? What am I worth? I thought confidence was something you had or didn’t have. I allowed my outside circumstances and results in my life to dictate my worth. My worth was dependent on achieving and being the best. I was only worthy if I was winning or coming in first place. I’m sure some of you can relate to this.
What I have come to know is that the image we hold of ourselves dictates our reality. This is referred to as our self image. We have an image we project to the outside world, what we wear, how we do our hair, how we carry ourselves AND we also have our inner image, the one we believe about ourselves. It’s that inner voice that plays over and over in our minds. The one that guides us, the one that determines our outside world. The one that the universe responds to. Our minds will always try to prove us right. If I have the thought that I'm not good enough or unworthy of money, then I will have experiences to show me I'm right. Alternatively, if I have a strong and healthy image of myself and my abilities, then I will have experiences that show me I’m right. Our belief in ourselves will dictate our results.
Our belief in ourselves is crucial because we will never outperform our self image!
Learn more about Kelly and her business:
February, the month of love. Valentine’s Day has passed and with it the roses are drying, the chocolates are consumed, and the jewelry is worn or it’s found a home in the jewelry box. Lovely, but all temporary things. In life we see events unfold in our personal sphere and we cannot always control it all. What we can control is how we handle it. Lead with love. How do we do this?
Remember, you are your most valuable asset and it is essential to invest in you. Take personal inventory of what you like and don’t like then show yourself compassionate acceptance. Next to grace, make an honest plan on how you can nurture yourself in all parts. Understanding the importance of developing self love and acceptance is key to moving forward in life and business. It enables you to be firm in your boundaries and to identify what is acceptable in other relationships. Love that genuinely comes from deep within automatically flows out and spreads to others. As leaders and entrepreneurs leading with love will build a stronger community.
Christie enjoyed a long career in nursing and is now pursuing her passion in self development. Wellness Haven and Health offers Life Skills Coaching, Happiness Coaching, and Neurodynamic Breathwork. Encouraging self empowerment for all clients with a focus on the seven principles of wellness.
It's an unsettling sensation, feeling like you're out of your depth, as though you're pretending to be someone you're not. Imposter Syndrome (IS) is that nagging voice that whispers, "You shouldn't be here. Everyone will figure out you don't belong." The irony is, often this sensation doesn't stem from others' judgment but from our internal expectations and ego.
The Myth of "Should"
Central to imposter syndrome is the notion of "should." I should know this. I should be better. I should have achieved more by now. These statements reveal more about our expectations than about our actual competencies or the reality of the situation.
When we're starting in any new field, be it a job, hobby, or life change, there's an intrinsic period of learning. We're beginners, and there's an entire journey ahead filled with mistakes, lessons, and growth. Yet, our ego doesn't always let us comfortably inhabit that beginner space. We want to skip ahead to the part where we're experts, competent and confident.
The Ego's Fear of Being a Beginner
The ego is all about maintaining a sense of identity and pride. It doesn't like the feeling of being "lesser than" or inexperienced. Consequently, when we find ourselves in a position of learning or when we're out of our comfort zone, the ego panics. It tells us we're frauds and that we're not good enough.
Karen Vaile is a Confidence & Life Coach and Founder of Karen’s Coaching Korner.
She helps businesswomen create the confidence they need to take the bold action necessary to achieve all their personal and professional goals.
Karen's mission is centred on transforming uncertainty, self-doubt and apprehension into assertiveness and decisive ambition. Through her 1:1 coaching program “Create Your Confidence” she tailors her approach to each client's unique needs helping each one to reach her fullest potential, attain her goals, embrace boldness and embody confidence and grace in every aspect of life. Karen can be reached via DM.
Karen is happy to be a Happy Healthy Women Toronto, ON Trailblazer.
