How Do You Know When You're Sharing Too Much?

A couple of weeks ago, I shared my personal brand model with a business mentoring group.

Part of what I teach is the importance of being real and sharing your story, because we’re in a trust recession, and people buy from those they know, like, and trust.

After the call, someone messaged me and asked, “How do you know when you’re sharing too much?”

That’s a great question. While it’s important to be open, not everything needs to be shared.

Here’s how I think about it.

I’ve shared different struggles on YouTube, Instagram, and inside the Christian Business Builders group. But most of the time, I’m not in the middle of the struggle when I share.

For example, early in our marriage, my wife struggled with an eating disorder and exercise addiction—something that could have taken her life. That was one of the hardest seasons we walked through.

But I didn’t talk about it publicly at the time. Not because I wanted to hide it, but because I wasn’t in a place where I could share it without making it about myself. It wasn’t the right time.

Now, years later, we talk about it openly because we know our story can help others who might be going through something similar.

Same thing with our gym business. When we lost $1.2 million and almost shut down, I wasn’t documenting every moment. I shared bits and pieces, but the full story came later, when I could talk about it with a clear perspective.

That doesn’t mean you should never share in real-time.

When we lost Duke in August, I posted a video right after we said goodbye. I wanted to honour the relationship and the years we had with him.

So how do you know when it’s too much?

• Are you sharing because you think it will help someone, or because you want validation?

• Are you looking for encouragement, or are you just venting?

• Have you processed what you’re going through, or are you still in the middle of it?

  
  

Your position matters.