Principles from Coco Chanel
Unapologetically Authentic: Lessons from Coco Chanel
Estimated reading time (2 minutes)
Happy Friday, everyone.
Welcome to Principles Friday, where I share one principle that can help you in your life or business, one thought-provoking question, and one call to action toward that principle.
If you also like to listen to the episode, here is an audio version.
Principle of the Week
“I don’t care what you think about me. I don’t think about you at all.” by Coco Chanel.
Coco Chanel was a French fashion designer and businesswoman who founded the Chanel brand. She is known for her timeless designs and innovations in women's fashion, as well as her independent spirit and strong personality.
Coco Chanel led an extraordinary life, and there are many interesting stories about her. One of the most remarkable is about her childhood. Chanel was born in a poor house in Saumur, France, in 1883, and her parents were unwed. Her father abandoned the family, and her mother died when Chanel was only 12 years old. After her mother's death, Chanel was sent to an orphanage, where she learned to sew.
Chanel's early experiences in the orphanage and as a seamstress influenced her designs later in life. She wanted to create clothing that was comfortable, practical, and accessible to women of all classes. She believed that fashion should be functional, not just decorative.
Despite her humble beginnings, Chanel became one of the most influential fashion designers of the 20th century, revolutionizing women's fashion with her iconic designs, such as the little black dress and the Chanel suit. Her life story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the ability to rise above adversity.
The quote "I don’t care what you think about me. I don’t think about you at all" reflects Coco Chanel's self-assuredness and confidence in herself and her work. She didn't let others' opinions of her or her fashion designs dictate her actions or beliefs. Instead, she focused on her own vision and creative process, which ultimately led to her success.
Question to Ponder
How can we maintain our authenticity and vision in a competitive industry where others may try to imitate or criticize us?
Call to Action
Take a moment to reflect on how much you allow others' opinions to affect your decisions and self-worth. Challenge yourself to practice Coco Chanel's mindset of not caring about what others think about you. Focus on what truly matters to you and pursue it with confidence and determination.
Video of the Week
Here is a video from the documentary “Discovering Coco Chanel.”
If you want to learn more principles, I interview founders on my podcast, The First 100, where they share how they acquired their first 100 paying customers. This week:
Episode 57 - The First 100 with Stu Heinecke, the Author of How to Grow Your Business Like a Weed & How to Get a Meeting with Anyone
Episode 56 - The First 100 with Rishabh Jain, The founder of Fermat
And that’s a wrap for now!
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