cold sweats, ai rants + calling BS on the coaching industry

Hi, it's me...

And I am writing to you realtime from the tender, juicy, gut-wrenching place of the *real work.*

But before I get into this story, I feel like it's becoming increasingly relevant to say out loud at the front of this piece of writing:

This email was written entirely, word for word, by me - the human behind this brand - not AI (Chat GPT or otherwise).

This matters because it's already beyond blatantly obvious when content - especially in the coaching space - is written by AI. 

I know you can feel it, too...And I am going to get in to why this distinction is really really important.

Before I do that, though, I want you to know that I absolutely enjoy/utilize AI in my business - I am launching a new Messaging Muse AI-based Tool for my IYB Community soon.

BUT...when it comes to WRITING to you - I have opted out of using it for the sake of connection and the sacred nature of what I believe emails like this one are meant to feel like.

So here is my personal guarantee that when you read my emails:

You will not find m-dashes

You will find a normal amount of alliterative language + the type of gaping spacing I've used for ages. 

You will find typos and grammatical errors, stylistic choices that are innately human.

You will hear my voice...the real, raw, writer that is me.

Please note:

I say this out loud not to shame anyone who uses AI to write their emails, but to be a voice for the value and importance of writing as an art form AND to emphasize how quickly the human brain (the OG ultimate super computer) has already begun to completely tune out messages written by AI...

I find myself doing it and deeply craving to read words written by my friends and colleagues without the intervention of the robots. 

Have you felt a sinking feeling lately realizing so many folks are opting into AI-generated content vs. their old way of writing, too?

Here's the beat drop for me and the proverbial line in the sand: 

If we are repeatedly trying to maximize "productivity" in the places where real connection is the actual point - then what are we doing? 

I have great concern for what this means for our future, for our brains and for our businesses that are built & based on human connection, authenticity and truth.

If there were ever a time in history for your voice to be heard...you know the rest. 

Ok, back to our story...

So I'm elbow deep in tax strategy, spreadsheets and cash flow analysis.

And in total transparency, I am getting sick to my stomach...  

Tears are welling in my eyes and I want to do anything, everything - but this - right now.

And this feeling is flashing me back to my junior year in Algebra 2 class when Mrs. Robertson was teaching us a concept on the board and everyone around me was very clearly getting it *but me.*

Then the worst thing imaginable happened...

She called on me.

I felt the flush of red cheeks and a cold sweat rip through my body.

I did not, in fact, have an answer. 

When she asked me for it, I froze.

"I...I don't know..." I stuttered back.

She leaned in and asked the same question in a different way.

I still had no clue.

And, by the grace, one of the class clowns in the back of the room, who happened to be exceptional at math - despite his straight C's since the 4th grade, blurted out the answer and saved my little teenage life.

I tucked my head when the bell rang and bolted out of the room.

And tbh, filling out this spreadsheet right now and digging deep into the math equation of our life...has me in that same cold sweat asking myself things like: 

Why isn't this more organized?

Holy hell, we spend that much on propane each year?

Omg, how did that credit card balance get so high?

Are we even qualified to be clients of this team? 

Being that this isn't my first rodeo in the money meltdown zone:

It's making me think about how the threshold of facing the things that feel excruciatingly hard, embarrassing even, are always the breakthrough zones where we really meet ourselves.

It's the ONLY place where real witness work becomes possible.

It's also the surrender spot where we open ourselves up for REAL support - the way I could have if I were a 10 times braver back in the class room when Mrs. Robertson called on me.

But what I see over and over again in the coaching space is a collective of individuals who are struggling to find their way forward, constantly obsessing about the "right" thing to do next, attempting to prove themselves with every next post while praying that the damn robot is going to spit out the gold they've been waiting for.

And underneath it all they still feel like the kid in the classroom getting called on who doesn't know the answer.

The hard truth is - the coaching industry has done this to itself...

And the performative ethos of too many brands out there have conditioned us into believing that in order to be win, we must:

1. Have it all together

2. Have all of the answers

3. Be constantly on the leading edge with super slick content that reflects this

4. Make it look like you're financially thriving.

...Could this be anymore exhausting? 

May I be the one call BS on all of it. 

For as long as I've been walking these internet streets and operating my coaching business, I have yet to meet someone who has all of the answers.

>>> Yes, even the cutest, most aesthetically-inspiring, sweet talking personal brands you know and love are a fellow human navigating their own mess in real life. <<<

And if I am being completelyyyyy candid - the ones who put themselves atop the digi-pedestals that we're so used to seeing *across the board* seem to have some pretty dysfunctional character qualities... iykyk  

I digress...

When I bring it back to the root, there's really ONE central thing I know for sure:

Being of highest service in the most aligned/authentic way you can be AND committing to building relationships with people in the process is a surefire way to build a legacy brand/business.

Great work that you're passionate about = Great results that people talk about.

And when you do great work that people talk about...

You are not going to be short on clients.

Promise.

Here's to uncommon courage and letting truth lead the way...

xo

Amber