What’s Possible When You Stop Apologizing
When was the last time you apologized for something you didn’t need to apologize for? Maybe it was for your price, for being too direct, or even just for existing. Or, maybe you felt the urge to downplay your brilliance or shrink back to avoid stepping on anyone’s toes. But what if I told you that every time you apologize unnecessarily, you’re blocking yourself from reaching your full potential?
It’s a pattern many of us entrepreneurs fall into – where we’re apologizing for our choices, our mistakes, and even our desires. The problem with this is that it perpetuates a cycle of self-doubt and weakens our confidence. I used to do it, too! I would shrink from asserting my worth or charging what I knew my services were worth. Back then, I wasn’t proud of my abilities, and I was apologizing for owning them.
So, what happens when you stop apologizing for yourself and your business? You begin to step into your true power. No more apologizing for your decisions, for raising your prices, or for pursuing your desires. When you do this, you start showing up fully and unapologetically, and the world starts to take notice. Your energy shifts, and people feel your confidence.
Let me share an example from my own journey. Early on, when I started charging for my coaching services, I would apologize for the price. I would say something along the lines of, “I’m sorry, but my rate is $100/hour.” And you know what happened? People picked up on that energy, and some even questioned the value I was offering. But when I stopped apologizing for my rates and started owning my worth, everything changed. I no longer wavered when sharing my fees, and I didn’t feel the need to make excuses. I valued my time, and others started to value it too.
This goes beyond just pricing. It’s about your presence and how you show up. Are you shrinking to fit into a box someone else created for you, or are you proudly claiming the space that’s rightfully yours? When you stop apologizing for who you are and what you offer, you create space for others to do the same. You inspire others to step into their own brilliance. You begin to lead by example.
So, I challenge you: start paying attention to where you’re apologizing unnecessarily. Is it for your brilliance, your rates, or your ambition? Every time you catch yourself apologizing, stop. Replace it with confidence, and notice how the world responds. When you own your brilliance, you give others the permission to do the same, and that’s where true business growth begins.
Christine McIver, Business Optimization Expert