getting shit done in spite of myself

The Sum Total of My Advice About Flakiness, and Why I Won’t Be Writing About It Any More

I’ve been trying to figure out what to do here on The Complete Flake ever since — oh, I don’t know, forever? But really, since I decided to move the #customerlove challenge to its own site. Because I gotta say, I fell in love with Customer Love — not just the concept but the people, the excitement, the idea that businesses (and lives) can be changed by such a small thing.

It’s magic, I tell ya.

Soon after the end of the November challenge, I got an email that made me cry:

“I wasn’t sure how the mortgage was going to get paid this month, and now it’s COVERED, so this has been a HUGE boon.”

This Customer Love challenger grabbed the opportunity, jumped in wholeheartedly and worked her ass off to achieve a big success. Customer Love didn’t do that for her — she can claim all the credit — but it gave her a place and a format within which to spread the word and build excitement about her product.

I have never felt so fucking USEFUL in my life.

This is what I want to do from now on, to help even more struggling entrepreneurs kick-start their businesses so that they can make those mortgage payments and take care of their families.

I am working with Jonathan Wondrusch (@bybloggers) to create an amazing course — that I have to keep my mouth shut about, dammit. I WANT to shout it from the rooftops. Just trust me, it’s gonna be good. And I’m pretty sure it’s gonna help cover some more mortgage payments. But more about that in a month.

Right now, I’m wondering how to integrate Customer Love and The Complete Flake in my life. I don’t want to ignore my dear flakes, but I’m just not passionate about procrastination any more, you know? It’s a problem I will always struggle with, but I don’t find it fascinating AT ALL. I just don’t want to write about it any more.

What I’ve learned from Customer Love is that flakiness can be overcome with motivation.

If you want something badly enough, you will find a way to get it done.

It might not be neat and organized, it might be at the last second or even late, but it will get done.

If you have to force yourself to do it, maybe you need to look at your reason for doing it. Do you really WANT to do it, or do you feel like you HAVE to? If you feel boxed in and without a choice in the matter, I’d say take a look at that and see if there’s any way you can give yourself a choice.

That’s it, the sum total of my advice about flakiness, resistance, procrastination — whatever you want to call it.

Am I going to abandon The Complete Flake?

No, but I’m not going to focus on flakiness any more. I think it will just be my personal blog and I’ll talk about whatever without feeling the need to teach you anything, which seems to bring up all sorts of resistance in me, lol.

I’m not going to waste any more energy trying to make myself do what I don’t really want to do.

So let’s relax. Let’s just be ourselves here. What do you think?

Photo credit

  • http://twitter.com/AEIGratitude Angel Sullivan

    I LOVE this LaVonne!! I love that you’re shifting to something that feels better to you and that so touches people. I’d signed up for the last Customer Love challenge but wasn’t quite ready. I’ve got the e-book (which I still need to finish…eek!) so I’m wondering whether I should sign up again or work it from the e-book… does it matter? (Oh, and I cannot wait to hear what’s coming in about a month ;-)) Woo-hoo!

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Yay, so happy you agree with me, Angel! And yes, you should definitely sign
    up again because what we’re working on will help you all through the
    challenge. Shh!

  • http://www.informationjunkiesanonymous.com Ryah Albatros

    I think you’ve made an excellent decision, and I wish you all the luck in the world with your new projects!

  • http://twitter.com/EleanorWragg Eleanor Wragg

    Wow. I bet this took balls! Like you, I’ve been trying to figure out what direction to take my blog/site/online presence in, and I think I’m finally there. I can’t wait to hear about what’s coming up!!!

  • http://twitter.com/AEIGratitude Angel Sullivan

    Ack! Just tried to sign up again and it told me that I’m on it already…. What to do, what to do?! :-) (Thanks a bunch LaVonne!!)

  • http://imagemaven.com Marlene Hielema

    LaVonne, this is wonderful news. As you’ve probably figured out by now, NO ONE does the same thing for long when they’re in business online. The online world is nimble, and quick to recognize opportunities and also knows when to move on.

  • http://abbykerrink.com Abby Kerr

    Three cheers for clarity and boldness! There can be some hesitancy around dropping or even minimizing a part of your brand-up-to-now {trust me — I’ve been there}, but when it’s time to shed a part of your identity, you KNOW it and you MUST act. Happy for you, LaVonne!!!

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Thanks so much, Ryah! I love what YOU’RE doing, btw. :)

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Lol, it didn’t feel like balls, more like a big relief. It’s fascinating to
    watch how people are evolving through their blogs. Really looking forward to
    seeing what’s coming up for you!

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Oh, that’s right — should have told you, if you’ve signed up once, you’re
    in until you unsubscribe from the list. It’s just an email list, nothing
    official. You’re free to take part or not, no obligation! :)

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Marlene, I’m just starting to figure that out, lol! Thanks for the
    encouragement. :)

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Coming from the niche expert, that’s high praise indeed, thank you! You’re
    right — I started the post not knowing what I was going to say and by the
    end… I HAD to post it. I feel so much better now!

  • http://lindaeaves.com Linda Eaves

    “I have never felt so fucking USEFUL in my life.”
    LaVonne – I think this is just swell. You’re on your path. Kudos!

  • Anonymous

    Haha, Lavonne–wasn’t I tweeting recently that you may have to have another persona?? ;)

    Congrats on your newfound (altho it was likely there all along) non-flakiness, and your part in the customer’s ability to pay mortgage-awsome!

  • http://twitter.com/TishaBerg Tisha Berg

    Hi LaVonne!
    From one flake to another :-), I have changed cloaks on my blog so many times over the past year it’s a bit dizzying. But I think what’s true (and great) about the online world is that the fast pace and flexibility allows our creativity the freedom to roam wild – truly a wonderful thing! Bravo to you for continuing to follow your creative instincts…and inspiring us all in the process!

  • http://www.pattyk.com Patty K

    Yay Love On! I’m so happy to hear that you’ve gained some clarity and that you’re working on exciting stuff with Jonathan.

    Isn’t this just a great hint: “I have never felt so fucking USEFUL in my life.” (I also noticed not a bit of “flakiness” in your approach to customer love…you put together an amazing community. I’m in awe.)

    I think, too, that you’re entirely right: if you have to force yourself to do something, that’s an indication that something is wrong.

    Looking forward to seeing what you do next!

  • http://twitter.com/AlisonGresik Alison Gresik

    I knew all along you were too powerful and positive for a limiting moniker like “Complete Flake”, LaVonne. It’s been so fun to watch you molt out of it into something spectacular and motivating.

  • http://www.williehewes.com Willie Hewes

    Wow, awesome. You’ve given up being a flake. I’m shocked and impressed. And kicking myself for not checking out this customerlove thing earlier. Oh well, no time like the present..,.

  • http://www.everydaybright.com Jen Gresham

    LaVonne,
    The great thing about being amazing is that it follows you wherever you go. And so will your fans. Mwah! And congrats.

  • Rdurantjr

    I woke up this morning to Patty K’s inspiring blog and was amused at her quote of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Having a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.” And now I read where you are moving past an idea that is no longer working for you. All this against a backdrop where I’ve been contemplating changes of my own. Thank you both, ladies. You’ve given me some great ideas to reflect upon.

  • http://www.anencouragingbird.com BirdyD

    The next one is February – can’t wait! :-)

  • http://www.anencouragingbird.com BirdyD

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

    You’re moving up into your new self – how beautiful to witness!

    And I’m SO happy to see that you are diving deep & strong into #customerlove. It’s so good to know that it’s going to be there for the long haul.

  • http://www.YourBusinessYourSelf.com Sue Mitchell

    Yay! Hoping for more stories from your life. :)

  • http://www.heroicdestiny.com David Crandall

    WOOHOO!!! I’m so happy that you are catching up with what all of us think. ;)

    We adore you and know that you are an awesome, wonderful, beautiful woman who can do (and HAS done) amazing things!!! I say keep writing here…but do it about what life is like AFTER being a complete flake. Tell us about motivation and getting things done. That’s the LaVonne that I’ve known. ;)

    Bad Ass!

  • http://twitter.com/alisonmacleod Ali Mac

    This is so brilliant, LaVonne. I’ve seen you change over the last couple of months, right under our noses. It’s so inspiring. The power of action, indeed.

    And I may sugn up to the next #customerlove challenge. Think I need it. :D

  • http://www.bybloggers.net Jonathan Wondrusch

    So excited to see you moving forward like this, LaVonne! And I’m even more excited to be working with you on the CL product. Such a great team!

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Ha! Thanks, it was so much fun to write that headline, lol!

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Yes, you were! I will never doubt you again – until the next time. :p

    Thanks!

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Thanks, Tisha! That’s what I love about the online world too — it’s not only okay to change your mind, it’s expected. Woot!

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Thanks for remembering my fake hippie name, Patty!

    To be honest, I struggle to keep it together in customer love, but I’m learning that nobody keeps it together all the time. For years I thought, “I’m a flake, there’s nothing I can do about it so why try.” Now I realize that it’s the lack of trying that defines a flake. If you’re trying and you fail now and then — you’re just human, that’s all.

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Alison, you are freaking amazing.

    Everybody, click Alison’s link and go learn about The Year of the Book – if you’ve always wanted to write a book, you need to check it out.

    A. Maz. Ing. #thatisall

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Haha, you make it sound like I was TRYING to be a flake and I GAVE UP. Was I? Hmm. Food for thought.

    Don’t worry, Customer Love runs again in February, with loads more awesomesauce. Meanwhile, check out the forums and the Tuesday #customerlove tweetchats, in which the inmates have taken over the asylum!

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Mwah back! Thank you, Jen… and I LOVED your great interview with Sonia Simone. You need to do that more often. Serious talent there, girl!

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Thanks — can’t wait to see your own changes!

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Thank you so much, Birdy! Yes, it will be there as long as there’s a need for it. :)

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Yes, absolutely – stories! Man, I got a million of ‘em, lol.

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Ooh, great advice, David. Yes, motivation. Hmmm…

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Awesome, Ali! I would LOVE to see you in the next challenge. Let me tell you, it so much FUN.

    Thank you, sweetie, and be sure to use the #customerlove hashtag when you tweet your launch. Post it in the forums here, too. :)

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Me too, my supah smexy friend and JV partner! We ARE a great team. :)

    Oops, got work to do — later!

  • http://pluckychickenheart.blogspot.com Mari

    Hey there Lavonne!

    I have been a fan a fan of your writing for a while now and you don’t know me from Adam but I just want to say, “AWESOME,YAY,and YOU ARE ON!” You are bigger than your flakiness and that has been coming through in your posts for a while now. So I wish you all the very best. I’ll keep reading by the way and thanks for showing all of us that being small doesn’t help anyone.

    Mari

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Wow, Mari — thank you for the vote of confidence! You’re so right… being
    small doesn’t help anyone. I didn’t even realize that’s what I was doing. I
    thought I was just having fun with the whole flake thing, but the only
    person I was fooling was myself. Thanks so much for your wise comment. :)

  • http://twitter.com/a_creative_life Melissa Dinwiddie

    Hey LaVonne, love this post! (And for anyone reading, that quote was ME! Customer Love helped me pay my mortgage not just once, but TWICE over!)

    Feeling useful is the BEST. The course I launched has done the same for me. Yay LaVonne! Yay Customer Love! Yay reformed Flakes!

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Thanks, Melinda! I was absolutely thrilled when I got your email… and I’m
    so impressed by all that you have done with your course. :D

    LaVonne

  • http://www.byjanet.net/purple Purple Panda

    great to see evolution! will there be a separate site for customer love? I should probably get on the customer love bandwagon.. I haven’t been applying myself at all and I need to pay the bills… no jobs yet. Need to MOVE on my goals.

  • http://completeflake.com/ LaVonne Ellis

    Goodness, yes! The new site is at http://customerlove.me – we’ve just
    finished the latest challenge, but the next one starts on June 1. Thanks so
    much for your comment!

    ~LaVonne

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