I’ve encountered many of entrepreneurs who, when I’ve asked how their businesses are going, respond by telling me they “took a break for a year because life got difficult”, but they’re ready to get back on track.
And you know what… I totally get it.
Life can be really hard at times. People we love pass away, relationships take a wrong turn, and we sometimes struggle with anxiety, stress, and depression.
But I’ve got a truth bomb for ya today….
NO ONE is immune to mishaps, curveballs, and obstacles along the way. Every human being has pain and suffering and is fighting their own battle for joy and success.
You’re not alone. We feel you. We see you. We hear you.
Sometimes, it’s true that we need a short break. A little disconnection. I’m actually well known for taking time to recharge and heal. I don’t believe in bottling up emotions or ignoring the difficulties in my life and business. I face them head on- even when that’s incredibly uncomfortable. I don’t use them as excuses to stop striving towards my dreams.
Our businesses are huge waves of momentum, and it’s up to us to decide how long we ride them.
The past couple of years, I’ve experienced and immense amount of pain, suffering, and gloomy days, but I always kept showing up- and the results flourished in my business (doubling and tripling my income every year).
Today, I want to share how I’ve been able to stay on track through difficult times, in the hopes that it inspires you to keep going and not put your dreams on hold. At that point, it’s like starting again and trying to catch another wave.
From my fur baby Fendi passing away in the middle of an important launch to facing anxiety head on, I’ve continued to move my business forward- even if it’s one grain of sand at a time.
Below are my best tips for thriving in your business even when life gets overwhelming:
- Embrace the fact that business does not always have to feel good
Your business will begin to dive the moment you believe that if you aren’t feeling “good” or at your “best” it’s not worth putting in the work. This is so not true. Life is diverse and full of “positive” and “negative” emotions- they should never be excuses to stop pushing forward. Maybe the WAY you put in the work changes. Maybe how MUCH work you’re putting in shifts. But we don’t stop. I myself have meditated 20 minutes before a livestream so that I can shake off something that happened that day. I’ve driven to my local library when I have stressful days and my internet crashes in the middle of a big podcast interview. I’ve checked notifications at the doctors office. Written blogs after arguments with my boyfriend. And finished launches in the middle of grieving loved ones. I have friends and clients who have continued to show up through divorces, diagnoses, new babies, and moves across the country. Did their strategies change? Of course! But think about it- do businesses shut down because the owner or CEO is going through a tough time? No! We put our big girl pants on and do the best that we can with what we have.
- Keep it simple, stick to what works, and let your non-negotiables be enough
By the same token, don’t expect to have the exact same levels of energy and motivation when life gets tough. Honestly, sometimes it may not be a major life event like a hubby getting fired or moving into a new state. Sometimes you could wake up, find out something really disappointing, and get stuck in a negative cycle throughout your day. Whether life is hard because of big or small events, what matters is that through these times you keep it simple. Don’t try to do everything- you will drive yourself bananas. Focus instead on the business tactics that generate the most results. Stick to what works rather than trying to put too much on your plate. This is how you stay disciplined AND give yourself breathing room throughout the process. Lastly, know what your business non-negotiables are- those 1 to 3 tasks you must do every single day to keep your business running. Do them, and don’t beat yourself up for not crossing off every single item on your to-do list. In tough times, this is more than enough, believe me!
- Take mini breaks when needed, and don’t let thoughts and emotions carry over
So… how did I finish a super successful launch in the middle of grieving? I gave myself time and space when needed. I processed my emotions. I took breaks. I went on walks. I took naps (lots of them). I felt what I had to feel and thought what I had to think. I allowed my journey to success to be messy, painful, and beautiful all at once. When you can do this for yourself, these mini breaks will make you feel better and move on to the next moment without bringing ALL of your emotions with you. I would much rather you cry 5 times a day and do a some work in between, than ignore your needs and quit your business because you lose the handle.
- Expect the lows, and hurdle them
I once heard a finance expert say “don’t create a ‘rainy day’ account, because that means that you expect rainy days”. I can’t say I agree, because honestly, yes I do. Life without suffering is not possible. Rainy days are coming, we can’t always be on top- and that’s OK! It’s part of being humans with hearts who feel and cry and think. Expect these phases (because that’s what they are) to arise instead of trying to live in a fictional world of perfection. Create the belief that no matter what happens, you will move through it rather than deluding yourself that nothing ‘negative’ can ever happen. This is important because when something negative does inevitably happen, it’ll seem easy to use it as an excuse to not show up for your business- and this can quickly become a habit.
Realistically, I know there are so many variables at play here. Believe it or not, I don’t have all the answers. Some people may need to take that year long sabbatical. Our journeys are all different, but what I encourage you to do is try to push through the tough times because as they came THEY GO. You’ve got this. We’ve got this. We’re all on this messy ride together.
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