Reclaim Your Professional Identity

29. What I've Learned Walking Through All Four Stages

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Title: 29: What I've Learned Walking Through All Four Stages

Host: Nathan Pearce

Release Date: May 5, 2025

Duration: 13 minutes

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Episode Summary

In this deeply personal episode, Nathan steps away from the coaching voice to share his real journey through all four stages of side hustling. From the late-night restlessness of Stage 0 to the beautiful mess of Stage 3 growth, he reveals the fears, doubts, and breakthrough moments that shaped his path. This isn't theoryโ€”it's the honest, unfiltered story of what it actually takes to build something meaningful from scratch.

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๐ŸŽฏ In This Episode, You'll Learn:
  • Why waiting for permission to start your side hustle is keeping you stuck in Stage 0 โ€ข How to move from overwhelming options to clear direction in the discovery phase โ€ข The real reason most people never validate their ideas (and how to push through the fear) โ€ข Why "done consistently" beats "done perfectly" in the growth stage โ€ข How to build systems that support your growth rather than exhaust you โ€ข The mindset shifts that make all the difference at each stage of the journey โ€ข Practical actions you can take right now, no matter which stage you're in
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    ๐Ÿ’ก Key Takeaways:

    ๐Ÿ”น Clarity comes through action, not thinking โ€“ You can't steer a parked car, so pick a direction and start moving

    ๐Ÿ”น The fear of judgment keeps you from the possibility of impact โ€“ The world needs what you have to offer, even if it's not perfect yet

    ๐Ÿ”น Saying no is just as important as showing up โ€“ Protect your energy for what matters most as you grow

    ๐Ÿ”น You don't need permission to start exploring your ideas โ€“ Stop waiting for approval that will never come

    ๐Ÿ”น Systems beat perfection every time โ€“ Build processes that support sustainable growth

    ๐Ÿ”น You're not behind or late to the party โ€“ You're exactly where you need to be on your unique path

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    ๐Ÿค” Reflection Questions:
    1. How long have you been waiting for permission to start something meaningful?
    2. What's one idea you've been keeping private that might be ready to share with the world?
    3. When you think about your biggest fear around starting or growing your side hustle, what comes up?
    4. If you knew you couldn't fail, what would you try next?
    5. What's one thing you're saying yes to that you should probably say no to?
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      ๐ŸŽฏ This Week's Action Step:

      Identify which stage you're in and take one small action:

      • Stage 0: Write down one idea you want to explore for the next 30 days
      • Stage 1: Pick one direction and commit to it for the next month
      • Stage 2: Share something publicly, even if it scares you
      • Stage 3: Say no to something that doesn't align with your priorities
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        ๐Ÿ”— Resources & Links:
        • Free Side Hustle Starter - Stage Zero: rfsh.co/stage-zero
        • Newsletter Signup: rfsh.co/newsletter
        • Risk Free Side Hustle Program: rfsh.co
        • Previous Episodes in the Four Stages Series:
          • Episode 26: Stage 0 - The Pre-Commit Phase
          • Episode 27: Stage 1 - The Discovery Phase
          • Episode 28: Stage 2 - The Validation Phase
          • Episode 29: Stage 3 - The Growth Phase
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            ๐Ÿ’ฌ Join the Conversation:

            We want to hear from you! Which stage are you in right now, and what's your biggest challenge? Share your thoughts and connect with fellow listeners:

            ๐Ÿ“ฑ Connect with Nathan:

            • LinkedIn: Nathan Pearce
            • Email: [email protected]

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              ๐Ÿ“ Share This Episode: Found value in today's episode? Share it with someone who might need to hear that they're not alone in this journey.

              โญ Leave a Review: If this podcast has helped you in your side hustle journey, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more professionals who are ready to reclaim their professional identity.

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              Remember: You don't have to know exactly where you're going. You just need to be curious enough to try. Start messy, stay open, and trust that clarity will come.

              #SideHustle #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalIdentity #RiskFreeSideHustle

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