Here’s a paradox.
I’ve had some tough months and years with my business, and I see so many of you feeling the pinch, confusion, fear, and frustration. I’m hearing about soaring prices, changing demographics, and things being noisier and crowded in the marketplace. And 2024 is going to be an excellent year for us.
It’s a weird place to be in for me, too. I’ve settled into a place of peace, abundance, and happiness. I don’t want to brag or make it seem like my life is perfect. But, looking back, I can tell you what I’ve learned.
These ‘back up against the wall’ moments are a gift because you tend to have a ‘fuck it’ attitude with your business. You plant a ton of seeds, you take some bigger swings, and you’ll overthink less.
Here are some things I’ve done when I’ve been stressed in my business.
🍋 Get help. Invest in coaching, a mentor, and networking. It has never failed to help me level up.
🍋 Clean up and come up with a plan. Something about cleaning your workspace and your home before sitting down to make a plan of action is incredibly empowering and soothing. Laying out a roadmap helps me remain grounded when I’m spiraling and brings me back to the joy I get from running a business.
🍋 Make some tough choices to cut back. Often, stress stems from high costs and revenue not being high enough. Stop making excuses, putting it off, and cut out some of the expenses you don’t need right now. You might be surprised how little you miss them or how easy it is to rip the band-aid off. There have been times when I cut out anything other than essentials, and although I missed some of it, it was empowering and made me hyper-focused on getting to a more comfortable place.
🍋 Map out your values. This is the most important one. Take some time to list out what you value the most. Is it freedom? Money? Connections? Then, review your decisions and see if they align with your values. If family time is at the top of your list, but you’re spending all day and night in your business, then you must re-align your life with your values.
Finally, I want you to see advice from your peers and trusted loved ones, but take time to set in and trust your own guidance. Remember who is giving you advice. If you don’t want the life they are living, then don’t worry too much about the advice they’re giving.