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How I Messed Up Big Time: Lessons Learned from Deleting My Entire Email List

This week, I'm going to share a story that's a bit of a cautionary tale. It's not often that mentors and business coaches talk openly about their mistakes, but I believe there's immense value in learning from them. So, buckle up as I recount one of the biggest blunders I've ever made in my business journey.

The Catastrophic Mistake

In October of 2022, I was in my usual hyper-productive mode, juggling multiple tasks at once. Rushing through my to-do list, I decided to tidy up my email list by removing unsubscribed contacts. Little did I know, disaster was looming.

In my haste, I embarked on a deletion spree without paying attention to the finer details. Clicking away like a mad person, I inadvertently selected and deleted my entire email list and customer contacts—25,000 contacts gone in a flash. 

The Panic and Aftermath

As soon as I realized what I'd done, panic set in. I sought help from my email service provider, but there was no magic undo button. Thankfully, they provided a CSV file of the deleted contacts, but the damage was done. I had lost vital tagging information, payment plans were disrupted, and access to programs was revoked for paying members.

Lessons Learned and Coping Strategies 

• Slow Down and Focus: Rushing through tasks invites disaster. I've since learned to slow down, focus on one task at a time, and avoid multitasking chaos.
• Caffeine Control: Cutting back on caffeine helped reduce my anxiety levels and allowed for more mindful work.
• Triple Check Everything: I now triple-check crucial actions and delegate tasks that trigger anxiety.
• Expect Mistakes: Embracing the fact that mistakes happen has made me more resilient. Every misstep is an opportunity to learn and improve.

Moving Forward

Despite the fallout, I've managed to salvage and rebuild. Mistakes, no matter how colossal, are part of the entrepreneurial journey. 

Remember, even successful business owners stumble and fall. It's not about avoiding mistakes but about how we respond and grow from them. So, give yourself grace, learn from your blunders, and keep moving forward. You've got this!

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