Have you ever felt that flutter of nervousness mixed with excitement when considering a new direction in your business? That sensation where your heart beats a little faster, your palms get slightly sweaty, but there’s also an undeniable spark of anticipation?

That’s exactly where the magic happens—at the intersection of fear and excitement. And that’s what I’m diving into today.

When Your Intuition Knows Better Than Your Strategy

Recently, I faced a significant decision in my business. My intuition was persistently nudging me to completely restructure the Blissful Biz Academy. Not just minor tweaks or updates, but a total overhaul of my signature program.

I resisted initially. After all, the logical approach would have been to focus on marketing my existing offer better, not rebuilding it from scratch. “My offer is good,” I told myself. “Just focus on selling it. That’s where the mindset blocks are.”

In the past, I might have stopped there, doing what seemed strategically sound on paper. But I’ve been working on deepening my connection to my inner voice, especially in business decisions. So instead of brushing that intuition aside, I sat with it.

I asked myself: What feels right? What feels like expansion, not just restricting fear masquerading as practicality?

And then I knew. I set up a brand new masterclass, restructured the Academy from the ground up, and began updating all the content. Currently, I’m working with an incredible group of women, guiding them through launching their signature online programs and setting up automated sales systems.

Yes, it’s demanding work. But it feels good. It feels exciting. It lifts me up in a way that merely “selling harder” never would have. I know, deep in my soul, that this evolution changes everything—for my students and for me.

The Power of DSD: Doing Something Different

Several years ago, a dear friend introduced me to a concept that completely shifted my perspective: DSD—Doing Something Different.

Though it sounds deceptively simple, this concept has been behind every significant leap in my business journey. When I look back at the moments where everything expanded and I reached a new level, it wasn’t because I perfected what I was already doing. It was because I gathered my courage and did something radically different.

Like this rebuild of the Academy. The safe choice would have been making minor improvements to the existing program. But that wasn’t what my gut was telling me to do.

Doing something different rarely feels convenient or easy. It’s often messy and vulnerable. It frequently appears illogical on spreadsheets. But I’ve learned that’s precisely where things start to open up in beautiful, unexpected ways.

Why Your Butterflies Are Your Best Business Advisors

That fluttery, anxious energy that appears before you try something new isn’t a warning to retreat. It’s your intuition’s way of saying, “Pay attention! This matters. This is where growth happens.”

I felt those butterflies when I launched my first program, constantly checking my email to see if anyone would buy. I felt them again when raising my prices for the first time, literally dreaming that all my clients would leave. And I especially felt them when leaving my stable advertising career to become a business coach—my hands were physically shaking as I handed in my resignation.

Those butterflies in your stomach aren’t telling you to play small. They’re nudges pointing you toward your next level of growth.

Think about when you last felt truly alive in your business. It was likely when you:

• Pitched a dream client you thought was out of your league
• Raised your prices significantly
• Created and launched something new
• Had a difficult conversation you’d been avoiding
• Hired help or built a team

Each of these moments probably felt simultaneously terrifying and exciting—that’s your inner wisdom speaking.

How to Differentiate Between Fear and Intuition

This is crucial: not every scary opportunity is the right one. So how do you tell the difference between fear that’s holding you back versus your intuition legitimately warning you?

When it’s fear holding you back, it feels small and contracting. Your body physically shrinks, your breath becomes shallow, and the voice in your head sounds like criticism or judgment: “Who do you think you are?” “You’re going to look stupid.” “Nobody will buy this.”

But when it’s your intuition guiding you—even if it’s guiding you to pause—it feels different. There’s a sense of expansion, even when the message is “not now” or “not this way.” Your gut feeling doesn’t come with criticism; it comes with clarity. It might not be logical, but it feels centered and grounded.

My Biggest DSD Moments

Sometimes hearing others’ stories helps us recognize patterns in our own. Here are some of my most significant “Doing Something Different” moments:

1. Leaving my stable advertising career to become a business coach when everyone thought I was crazy. I had the corner office and the good salary, but something inside kept whispering there was more.
2. My first five-figure month, which required completely reimagining what I thought possible for my business. I vividly remember the moment I decided my services were worth premium prices—I was walking in a park, and it felt like the whole world opened up.
3. Saying no to a high-paying client because they weren’t aligned with my values. I was shaking when I sent that email, but it created space for my dream clients to find me. Within a week, two ideal clients reached out.
4. Starting this podcast! I procrastinated for months, worried about technical aspects and whether anyone would listen. Now it’s one of the most fulfilling parts of my business.

How to Embrace Your Own DSD Moments

Ready to start embracing these moments of beautiful discomfort? Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Notice the Dual Feelings

Start recognizing those simultaneous feelings of fear and excitement. They’re illuminating your path to growth. When something both scares and excites you, pay attention.

I keep a journal specifically for tracking these moments. Whenever I feel that flutter of “this is scary but exciting,” I write it down. This helps clarify what’s merely fear versus what’s an opportunity for growth.

2. Start Small

You don’t need to reinvent your entire business model immediately. Perhaps your DSD is having that overdue conversation about boundaries with a client, sending a proposal to your dream collaborator, or posting a vulnerable story you’ve hesitated to share.

3. Try the “Future Me” Exercise

Create a “Future Me” journal entry. Write in detail about how your life and business will differ 12 months from now if you take this leap. Get specific about the possibilities. Connect with the version of yourself who already made the leap.

4. Listen to Your Body

Check in with physical sensations. Place your hand on your heart, take a deep breath, and ask: “Does this feel expansive or contracting?” Your body knows the answer before your mind does.

The Permission Slip You’ve Been Waiting For

If you’re waiting for a sign to do that scary-exciting thing tugging at your heart, consider this your permission slip. Whether it’s:

• Creating that signature program you’ve been contemplating
• Raising your prices to reflect your true value
• Starting that podcast or YouTube channel
• Writing your book
• Hiring your first team member

Remember: the difference between where you are and where you want to be is often just one brave decision to do something different.

I’ll share something personal: Every significant breakthrough in my business came directly after a moment when I wanted to play it safe. Every single one.

Comfort zones are like cozy blankets that feel wonderful on a Sunday morning. They’re warm and familiar, making us feel safe. But if we never leave that blanket fort, we miss the sunrise, the adventure, the connection with others.

My most profound business evolutions happened when I was simultaneously thinking “I can’t believe I’m doing this” and “I can’t believe I get to do this.” That knife-edge between terror and exhilaration? That’s where your business finds its wings.

Your DSD Challenge

Before we conclude, I have a challenge for you. This week, identify ONE thing that both challenges and excites you in your business. Write it down. Then, take one small step toward it.

For example, if it’s raising your prices, perhaps your first step is simply drafting the announcement email (not sending it yet, just drafting it). If it’s launching a podcast, maybe it’s researching microphones or brainstorming your first five episode topics.

Remember, that butterfly feeling isn’t telling you to stay small. It’s inviting you to spread your wings. And on the other side of that initial discomfort is a world of freedom and possibility waiting just for you.

Keep Listening