We often get so caught up in our lives that we forget to stop and evaluate where we are and where we are going on our life journey. This week was big for me, I ran 10 miles (stopping only to fill up my water bottle), I reorganized my office, I had a positive sales call which I feel confident will turn into a sale, and I sold a business I have owned for over seven years.
The week came with a flood of emotions from proud, to relieved, to sad, to excited. It also made me stop and think about what is important in life and how I really want to shape my journey ahead.
The week came with a flood of emotions from proud, to relieved, to sad, to excited. It also made me stop and think about what is important in life and how I really want to shape my journey ahead.
Balance
Work-life balance is hard to achieve for most of us and seemed crazy impossible for me this year as I operated two business; one I was selling and one I was starting. I also have two tween/teens and a husband who expect me to be present and pleasant.
As an entrepreneur it is easy to let your business become your life. I love being successful, doing good work I am proud of and helping other businesses grow, but my family is what drives my happiness and makes me a better person. Setting a hard line for myself on when to leave work, both physically and mentally is important.
Caring for Self
So I am doing it again, I'm going to run the Dallas Half Marathon. Three years ago I joined a running group so I could run my first 5K and I wanted to do it without stopping. Like Forest Gump, I just kept going. And now, I will run my second half marathon (13.1 miles).
Exercising, participating in hobbies and winding down are all so important. Not only do they relieve stress, they brings happiness, creativity and increase productivity.
Earlier this month I learned that the closing of the sale of my business had once again been delayed. I was disappointed and I wasn't sure I wanted to participate in my daughter's Girl Scout camping trip from Friday afternoon through Sunday evening. I worried I would get behind on work (home and the office),but I decided to still go. Not only was this a good bonding experience with my daughter, it was a nice break to just laugh and hang-out with other moms. A weekend of love, laughter, beautiful weather and horseback riding really helped my disposition and cleared my mind of many stresses.
Give Back
I am firm believer that if you put good out 'there,' you will get good back. This comes in helping others, being a loyal friend, being a good boss, vendor, parent, child, spouse...
You don't need to be a doormat, nor should even say yes to everything, but look for opportunities where your skills can truly make a difference in someone else's life. We all have different gifts - caring, listening, work or money. Give with love and not boastfully, without expecting anything in return. It is amazing what a difference this can make in your own life.
Do Good
In life the best we can do, is the best we can do. It was very easy last year to beat myself up for not maintaining a high level of sales for a business I was trying to sell, while also growing a new business. Everything took longer than expected, I had less free time to devote to my family and I worked my staff pretty hard. At the end of the day all I could do was the best I could do.
Sometimes that means sacrifices. To be able to care for my current client base, I had to slow my growth. I said no to things I wanted to say yes to, I missed out on a activities at my kids' school and I slept through more than a few morning workouts, because I was exhausted.
Beating myself up is not going to make me more successful. Restructuring my life and business, being present, being organized, being happy and doing my best is all I can really ask of myself.
Most of the time I can more quickly tell you what I am doing wrong easier than to say what I am proud of. However, this week I can say I am truly proud of many things:
· I was able to take a poorly run franchise territory and grow it to one of the top grossing regions
· I built a stellar team who liked working for me and who I too enjoyed and learned from
· I found a good buyer to take over the business and carry on its success
· I was able to create a new business and produce good work while running another business full time
· I am a good mom and am somehow able to still find time each day to connect and spend time with my children and husband. I love that we sit and have dinner each night together.
· And I ran 10 miles; Really this one amazes me. I am no athlete and I do not have a runner's body. How lucky I am to have a 5:30 am Saturday morning running group that keeps me motivated. It's cheaper than therapy and good for the waistline.
I know it's bad to be boastful, but it's ok to be proud of yourself. What have you done that makes you feel proud? Now doesn't that feel good?
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