Hello, everyone!
It’s Michael Pickens, CEO of Botanical Enlightenment, and I’m really excited to share something personal with you today. If you’ve been with us for a while, you know that our mission at Botanical Enlightenment is to create high-quality botanical supplements that improve the lives of both humans and dogs. But today, I’m going to talk about something even more important than the products we offer: mindset and courage.
These two elements have shaped my journey in ways that have not only transformed my personal life but also shaped the way we do business at Botanical Enlightenment. I truly believe that mindset can make all the difference in both your personal and professional growth. And that’s why I want to take a moment to share something that had a profound impact on me—and continues to inspire everything we do here.
Recently, I had the honor of being interviewed by Jack Canfield—yes, the author of The Success Principles and co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul. During our conversation, we dove into some of his philosophies, and one of the ideas from his book Maximum Confidence really stood out to me. This simple yet powerful philosophy has been a guiding force in my life, and it’s one that I believe has had a direct influence on the success of Botanical Enlightenment.
That philosophy? “So what, do it anyway.”
The Life-Changing Power of "So What, Do It Anyway"
I first encountered this idea when I was 21, full of dreams, but also filled with doubt and fear about how to make those dreams a reality. At the time, my cousin Amber handed me a copy of The Success Principles, and when I read this phrase, “So what, do it anyway,” it felt like a lightbulb went off in my mind.
I was overwhelmed by the idea of taking risks, and I wasn’t sure if I had what it took to succeed. But this one statement—“So what, do it anyway”—gave me the courage to push past the fear, the uncertainty, and the doubt.
I started to take risks, knowing I might fail, but trusting that either way, I would learn something valuable. And that mindset, that belief in moving forward despite fear, doubt, or uncertainty, has made all the difference. It’s led to personal growth, new experiences, and ultimately, a life full of fulfillment and purpose. I’ve done things I never imagined were possible, even when they seemed too scary at first—and every step of the way, I’ve learned something important, even if it didn’t always work out perfectly. After all, either you win, or you learn.
Embracing the Philosophy in Our Business
This “So what, do it anyway” philosophy wasn’t just life-changing for me personally—it has also shaped the way we’ve built Botanical Enlightenment. When we first started this company, we didn’t have all the answers. We didn’t know exactly what the path forward would look like. But we knew one thing: we had to take that leap of faith. We had to go for it, even without knowing every single step ahead.
And that’s exactly what we did. We built this company one step at a time, making decisions based on what we believed was right, not based on fear of the unknown. We’ve taken risks, trusted the process, and continuously worked to improve everything we do—whether it’s creating high-quality supplements or improving the lives of both humans and dogs.
We did it anyway—even when the path wasn’t clear—and I’m so proud of everything we’ve achieved so far.
What’s Holding You Back?
Now, I want to turn the question over to you: What dreams or ideas have you been hesitating to act on because of fear, doubt, or uncertainty? Are there things you’ve been putting off because you don’t have all the answers yet?
I encourage you to embrace Jack Canfield’s words: “So what, do it anyway.”
It’s that courage to take the first step—even when things aren’t perfect—that leads to growth, success, and fulfillment. If you wait for the “perfect moment,” it may never come. But if you take action despite your fears and doubts, that’s where the magic happens.
Moving Forward Together
At Botanical Enlightenment, we’ve built something truly special because we’ve embraced this mindset. We didn’t let fear stop us. Instead, we chose to push forward—we did it anyway—and we’re so proud of what we’ve accomplished so far. And none of this would have been possible without the support of our amazing community—people like you who believe in the same values that drive us.
I’m so grateful to have you on this journey with us, and I can’t wait to continue sharing more lessons and insights as we grow together. I hope you’ll apply the “So what, do it anyway” philosophy to your own life and take those leaps of faith that can lead you to new, exciting places.
I’d love to hear from you—what dreams are you going after, even if it feels a little scary? Drop a comment below, or reach out to us directly. Let’s keep this conversation going, and let’s keep pushing forward, no matter what!
Thank you for being part of the Botanical Enlightenment community. I’m excited for what’s ahead.