063: The Hidden Cost of Playing Small: Why Most Entrepreneurs Stay Stuck in Their Comfort Zone

How many of us feel this? This terror of being truly seen?

I had a fascinating conversation a couple weeks ago that left me thinking about something I see all the time in my work with entrepreneurs.

A brilliant individual - successful by any traditional measure - sat across from me (virtually) wrestling with what felt like an impossible choice. They had achieved extraordinary success in their previous career, built wealth, gained freedom. They'd done everything "right."

Yet something was missing.

They felt called to create something new, to share their wisdom, to help others. But there was this hesitation. This resistance. "I'm more of a low profile person," they shared. "The idea of putting myself out there feels... exposing."

I sat with that word. Exposing.

How many of us feel this? This terror of being truly seen?

The irony wasn't lost on me. Here was someone who had managed billions of dollars, made high-stakes decisions affecting global markets, and yet the thought of sharing their authentic voice with the world potentially felt more frightening than any trading position they'd ever taken.

It got me thinking about all the ways we play small in our businesses and our lives.

We tell ourselves stories:

- "I'm not ready yet"

- "Who am I to teach others?"

- "I need more certifications first"

- "I'm just not the type to be visible"

- "What if people judge me?"

But here's what I've learned after working with hundreds of entrepreneurs: these aren't really stories about capability. They're stories about safety.

According to research from the University of Pennsylvania, 70% of people have experienced impostor syndrome at some point in their careers. Among entrepreneurs, that number jumps to 84%.

We're literally hardwired to seek safety. To avoid exposure. To stay in our comfort zones.

But here's the thing about comfort zones - they're not really about comfort at all. They're about fear.

And fear, as I've come to understand it, is often wisdom in disguise.

When we feel that resistance to being seen, to sharing our gifts, to stepping fully into our power - that's not a sign to retreat. It's an invitation to lean in.

This is what we call the Love-Led Leap in Sacred Business.

It's that moment when you decide to go all in on creating the life of your dreams by sharing your unique gifts with the world. Not because it feels safe. But because it feels right.

Because everything is connected.

Your business isn't separate from your spiritual journey. Your fear of being seen isn't separate from your capacity to serve. Your comfort zone isn't separate from your calling.

They're all part of the same beautiful, messy, sacred dance.

So what if we reframed "playing small" not as a personality trait, but as a temporary choice?

What if that discomfort you feel around being visible isn't a signal to retreat, but rather a compass pointing toward your growth edge?

What if your resistance to "putting yourself out there" is actually a doorway to your deepest service?

Here's what I know to be true: The world needs your voice. Your perspective. Your unique way of seeing and being in the world.

Yes, it feels vulnerable.

Yes, it feels exposing.

Yes, it feels uncomfortable.

But that's exactly why it's worth doing.

As Marianne Williamson wrote:

"Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you."

So I invite you to consider:

- Where are you playing small in your business?

- What gifts are you holding back out of fear of being seen?

- What would become possible if you took the Love-Led Leap?

Remember: Your comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing grows there.

And growth? That's what this journey is all about.

With love and possibility,

Phil

P.S. If this resonates, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Where do you feel called to play bigger in your business? What's holding you back? Drop a comment below and let's explore this together.

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Happenings

We are hosting our first members of meeting of the Sacred Business Network this month! Excited to welcome some friendly new faces into the community.

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Who We Are Celebrating

Leslie Lynch

Leslie Lynch

’s work with Block Therapy is deeply inspiring. As a massage therapist with over 30 years of experience, Leslie brings both expertise and vulnerability to her practice.

Earlier this year, she faced her own physical and mental health challenges that her usual therapeutic methods couldn't fully address. Instead of letting this derail her, she discovered Block Therapy - a fascinating approach that works with fascia, the connective tissue that links every cell in our body.

Through this method, which combines body weight, gravity, and focused breathing, Leslie experienced profound shifts in her own healing. Now, she's dedicated to sharing these transformative techniques with others, offering a complimentary 9-day program to help people start their healing journey.

What stands out about Leslie is her genuine desire to empower others with practical tools for self-healing, combined with her deep understanding of how the body's wisdom can guide us back to health. You can learn more about Leslie's work and access her free program through her newsletter "Les Blocks."

Like feeling empowered?

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Here is what I want to share this week …

Making Art Requires Commitment

I was moved by

Toku McCree

’s recent piece on devotion and what makes a truly great coach. His insight that excellence comes not from skills or knowledge, but from presence and deep personal development, perfectly aligns with our philosophy of Sacred Business.

Just as Toku found that working on his Tarot deck flourished when he approached it with devotion rather than just habit, we see the same truth in business - success flows not from checking boxes or following formulas, but from showing up with your whole heart day after day.

What caught my attention was his observation about great coaches: they meditate daily, go on retreats, write poetry, do embodiment work - practices that mirror the frequencies we work with in Sacred Business.

It's a great reminder that creating something meaningful, whether it's art, coaching, or business, requires more than technical knowledge. It demands we cultivate a deeper relationship with ourselves and approach our work as a sacred practice rather than just a set of tasks to complete.

UW 018: Devotion, 'Good' Coaching, and Moving To Substack

Turn Substack Into a Course Platform

While most creators focus on paywalling their content,

Landon Poburan

shares a great strategy: turn Substack into a course platform that sells solutions, not just subscriptions. This shift in mindset transforms how we think about value creation - instead of hiding content behind a paywall, we can keep our main insights free while offering deeper transformation through structured courses and workshops.

This resonates with our own thoughts around abundance and service.

He provides a clear, practical guide to set this up using Substack's built-in features, showing how we can create more value without needing expensive course platforms.

What I appreciate the most is how this approach lets us focus on real transformation rather than just content creation, allowing us to serve our audience more meaningfully.

Don't Paywall Your Content, Do This To Monetize Instead

Memorable Quote

To be free of fear is to be full of love. Adyashanti

Thank you

Wisdom Quotes

for sharing this beautiful reminder.