Come along on this guided meditation to connect back with yourself, beyond the ego. We’ll clear your energy field, ask your Higher Self for guidance, and ground your energy back into your physical reality. After this meditation, you’ll feel a sense of calm and knowing that all the answers you need are always within you.

This meditation was written, recorded, and produced by Alyssa McDowell. Music track is Ocean Waves by Ambient Boy (on Uppbeat).

Warmly,

Alyssa McDowell

A special thank you to Alyssa for gifting us this incredible meditation. This is a beginner level meditation that brings deep insights to help you boost creativity and create more calm as you navigate your entrepreneurial journey. I hope you enjoy and head over to Alyssa McDowell’s substack for more meditations!

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the myths that Instagram “gurus” and influencers love to promote. From income figures to follower growth and viral strategies, we’ll unpack the misleading claims that are causing so much discouragement for entrepreneurs and content creators. You’ll learn the reality behind these so-called success stories, and we’ll set the record straight on what it really takes to build a successful business using Instagram. Whether you’re new to the game or feeling overwhelmed by these unrealistic claims, this episode will help you gain clarity and confidence in your own path.

Key Takeaways:

* The Truth About Income Figures:Those six-figure launches you see are often misleading and don't account for the hidden costs like ad spend, team expenses, or years of experience. Making big money takes time and trust, not just quick wins.

* Viral Posts and Follower Growth Are Overhyped:Going viral or gaining thousands of followers overnight is not always a sustainable strategy. Building an audience of loyal, engaged followers takes time, and the number of followers doesn’t directly correlate with revenue.

* Success Stories Are Selective:Influencers and coaches often showcase their wins, but don’t reveal the struggles, setbacks, or slow periods. Be mindful that everyone experiences ups and downs, and you’re only seeing part of the story.

* The Algorithm Isn't Out to Get You:There’s no secret formula to “hack” the algorithm. What really matters is producing valuable, high-quality content consistently. You don’t have to chase trends or overthink the algorithm—just focus on what resonates with your audience.

* You Don’t Need to Post Every Day:Consistency is important, but that doesn’t mean daily posting. Show up regularly with valuable content and give your audience time to engage. Stories are the real daily engagement tool, while feed posts can be less frequent but more impactful.

Actionable Steps:

* Audit Your Content for Alignment:Take a step back and review your content. Are you creating from a place of authenticity, or are you trying to follow trends that don’t feel right for you? Make sure your content reflects your values and what you want to convey to your audience.

* Focus on Engagement, Not Just Followers:Rather than obsessing over follower count, pay attention to how well your current audience engages with you. Strengthen your relationships with your community by responding to comments, asking questions, and getting to know them better.

* Experiment with Different Posting Times:There’s no universal “best time” to post. Test different times and days to see what works best for your audience, and don’t be afraid to adjust based on your engagement patterns.

* Stop Comparing Your Journey to Others:Remember that every business and brand is different. Focus on your unique path and avoid getting discouraged by others’ highlight reels or rapid success stories.

Resources:

* Study Hall Community:Continue the conversation and get deeper insights by joining our Study Hall Substack community.

* Connect on Instagram:Follow me on Instagram for more tips on how to navigate the world of online business authentically, without getting caught up in the myths. @isabelraejones

Next Episode Teaser:In the next episode, I’m bringing on Alyssa McDowell to dive into stepping into our main character energy, how she maintains a Buddha level calmness, and the healing journey we can take to really center back to ourselves! (PLUS Alyssa has recorded a magical guided meditation for us to Clear, Calibrate, and Reconnect to our Higher Self for greater creativity)

Call to Action:

* Subscribe & Share:If today’s episode resonated with you, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a comment with your thoughts. Share this episode with other entrepreneurs who need to hear the truth about these common Instagram myths!