What’s Working, What Isn’t—and Why I Keep Asking That Question
This is for you if you are building something meaningful and constantly asking yourself what is working, what is not, and what it will take to grow without losing yourself in the process.
One of the most consistent things I’ve been doing lately is asking myself a simple but powerful question:
“What’s working, what isn’t—and why?”
And when I say lately, I don’t mean casually here and there. I mean almost daily. It's become a part of how I lead myself.
At first, I thought I was overthinking. Maybe even obsessing. However, the truth is that this has become a tool—my internal compass for navigating life as a full-time entrepreneur.
The Reality Behind the Scenes
I spend a lot of time creating content. Not just because I enjoy it (though I do), but because it's a foundational part of what I do. It’s how I build visibility, connect with people, and share what I do and how I can help others.
But beyond content, there are countless other tasks—strategies to test, relationships to nurture, systems to build, ideas to explore. And some of these things? I know I should be doing.
Others, I am intuitively led to do.
Some, I test and never revisit, wondering if I gave them a real chance.
And then there are a few things I’ve done over and over again—things I’ve seen real results from.
What I’ve learned is this:
Entrepreneurship is a gritty, layered, emotional, high-stakes kind of work.
It’s not just about execution—it’s about evolution. Daily. Weekly. In real time.
How do you navigate the emotional weight of building something from scratch?
Moving Fast—Or Just Moving Forward?
One piece of advice I keep hearing is this: Move fast.
But honestly? I don't think I'm moving fast enough. At least, not in the way I think I should be.
There are some things I know work. But they aren’t quick wins. They’re slow builds. They require patience, consistency, and long-term thinking.
At the same time, there are other things I like doing—because they’re easy now. Comfortable. But I’ve come to a realisation:
Just because something is familiar doesn’t mean it’s effective.
What’s something that used to challenge you, but now keeps you stuck?
What used to stretch me now feels like a comfort zone. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing—until comfort doesn’t move the needle.
The Turning Point: “What Got Me Here Won’t Get Me There”
I recently caught myself becoming too comfortable.
Tasks that once stretched me have become second nature—and while that’s progress, it’s also a warning flag.
Because the very things that got me to this point?
They won’t take me to the next.
That realisation sparked a reset.
I sat down and asked myself:
“What am I doing that’s working, and what am I avoiding that I need to try?”
Here’s what came out of that reflection:
What I Need to Do More Of (Because It Works)
Sharing My Story and Transformation
This is more than just storytelling—it’s the bridge that connects me to my people. Not just to gain likes, not sales. My journey holds weight. My transformation has value. It’s the story of how I bet on myself. It is the story of discovering my gifts. It’s the story of stepping outside my comfort zone. It’s the story of building my confidence, and the list goes on. All stories that shaped who I am today, that influence how I show up, the things I create and the people I serve.
Asking for Help
This one is hard but powerful. I don’t have to carry everything alone; I know this. Much of what I have been assigned carries weight that I cannot bear on my own. I may have received the assignment or the vision, but I need copilots to help make it a reality. This means I have to ask.
I recently had a conversation with a colleague about a project I am working on, and her words of wisdom to me were, “Carey, if you want it, ask. The worst they can say is no.” This sparked a thought in me: it could be the most audacious thing I am asking. Since that conversation and reminder, I have been asking even more.
What I’m Not Doing (But Need to Try)
Telling More People What I Do
It sounds simple, but visibility isn’t automatic. If people don’t know what I do, they can’t connect, refer, or work with me. I need to speak up more, share clearly, and do it more often.
Pitching for Opportunities - Even Those I Am Not Qualified For
This one feels vulnerable but necessary. The doors I want to walk through may not open on their own—I have to knock. I have to pitch. I have to put myself out there. I put myself out there not for the opportunities that feel safe, but for those that challenge me to dig deep.
Moving Forward with Intention
I’m still learning how to strike a balance between patience and urgency.
I’m still figuring out how to stretch without burning out.
And I’m still asking the question:
What’s working? What isn’t? And why?
Because the answers to that question don’t just shape my next steps.
They shape my growth.
My habits.
My business.
My impact.
So if you’re in that place—navigating the in-between of knowing, doing, and becoming—
You're not alone.
Keep asking. Keep iterating.
And don’t be afraid to move beyond what feels easy.
Because what got you here won’t get you there.
ABOUT ME
I’m Carey-Lee Dixon, a creative at heart with a deep-rooted passion for helping others by sharing my story, my journey, knowledge and skills. I am a creative partner to women ready to show up boldly and build with intention. After years of side-hustling alongside my 9-to-5 job and honing my skills in branding and design, I stepped fully into my journey as a full-time entrepreneur, committed to helping women grow their presence with clarity, courage, and confidence.
Through shared experiences, I’m creating a space for others who seek more than just a good job with a big title that lacks heart or purpose. Instead, they want to lean into their purpose, do what they love, and make an impact by showing up boldly, courageously, and with intention. Whether you're starting fresh or scaling something meaningful, you may find something here that will shift your perspective and inspire you to take action, creating and living a life of intention and authenticity that feels like yours.
If you find value in what I share, there are a few ways to support me and help grow this community:
Engage with the content—like, comment, and share with others who might find this valuable.
Spread the word—tag me or reference what resonates in your reflections.
Work with me—I offer branding and design services.
Explore further—you can connect with me on Instagram and YouTube or purchase my journal notebook, designed to help you reflect, plan, and move with purpose.