You are exhausted yet can’t sleep.
Your mind is swirling with so many thoughts.
Or perhaps you feel so tired that you sleep all of the time.
Maybe you feel your business isn’t where it should be. You could be contemplating starting a new job, or you could be ready to give up altogether.
You feel burnt out.
And to make things worse, as you mindlessly scroll through your social media feed, you are bombarded by luxury photos.
A woman lying by an infinity pool or perhaps drinking champagne on a yacht has the caption, “living my best life while working 10 hours a week and making $100K+ months.”
Meanwhile, you are in your sweatpants, in desperate need of a shower, glued to the computer, and exhausted as you are barely scraping by.
Perhaps you even slap on some makeup, feeling compelled to show up like you have it all together while on the inside, you are crumbling.
So how do you stay balanced, feel positive, and keep going?
Step 1: Permission to accept that your success may take time.
You probably don’t want to hear this, but here’s the deal.
Entrepreneurship, especially in the beginning, is effort. It can be draining. And it can feel like an emotional rollercoaster.
Sometimes it may feel like everyone else just miraculously rolled out of bed one day and was awarded millions of clients and dollars with little to no effort.
It seems like they have it all together, and it is super easy for them.
In reality, 99% of the time, it isn’t.
What you don’t see is what happens BEFORE someone makes it big. You don’t know the years of hard work, the long days, the sacrifice, the problem-solving, or the rejection.
You aren’t privy to the struggles they experience. You only get a small glimpse of their glamorous lifestyle and how they are winning.
You see what they want you to see. And many times, you don’t see that they are human too.
So, why am I telling you this?
It’s essential to recognize that there is no “secret magic formula” that everyone knows except you.
Yes, there are tricks of the trade and time-saving shortcuts that a great coach or mentor can help you with; however, your success will take some time and be a learning curve.
Once you accept that you are in it for the long haul, you can relax and know that you are moving at exactly the right pace. There is no rush. You can continue to put in effort without burning out. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your business is no different.
Step 2: Permission to stop comparing yourself to others.
Although other people may seem to have a ton of success, it has most likely taken them some time to get there. Even if they appear to have massive success right away, perhaps they have experience or some leverage that is helping propel them quickly.
And just because they show up as “successful,” everyone experiences challenges. You never know what is going on for someone else.
So stop comparing yourself.
You do not need to feel bad because you aren’t making $100k months. Each person and experience and timeline is different.
Know that you are not behind. You are exactly where you are meant to be, and everything is always working out for you.
You may also be pushing yourself because you think everyone has everything together and feel like you “should” have the same elements together already. You “should” have your email funnels set up, have launched your challenge, or have your group coaching program underway.
And you may feel behind. You may be afraid of being judged. What will other people think? You “should” be doing better.
The truth is that each piece of your business takes time, and if you are in it for years ahead, you have time to get it all done at the right moment.
You always have opportunities to improve what you are doing in the future.
You did not need to accomplish your entire growth strategy yesterday.
Yes, it can feel like there is so much pressure or competition. The bottom line is that there is no need to worry about what other people are doing or what others think. What matters is what is suitable for you at this moment. So make sure to move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Know that the only place you need to be is where you are.
Step 3: Permission to show up for yourself first.
The number one reason why businesses fail is their energy.
And 20% of U.S. small businesses fail within the first year, and only a third of companies have survived after ten years. If you want to be around ten years from now, you need to persevere, and at the same time, if you do not feel good, you will not ultimately succeed.
As an ambitious entrepreneur, it’s easy to burn the candle at both ends.
Perhaps you feel tired and love the adrenaline hit of staying up late to get everything accomplished.
Or maybe you feel guilty about not doing everything you think you “should” be doing” and feel like you can never take a break.
Maybe you feel like you need to be a superhero and “shouldn’t need” rest.
Or maybe you feel like you don’t have enough time for self-care.
If any of these sounds like you, you are not alone.
There is a stigma about needing to recharge, as though if you need a break or need rest, you are weak, lazy, or even not good enough.
And the truth is, everyone needs to take breaks and take time to rest and recharge.
Energy is everything.
After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
So take care of yourself first by being mindful and intentional with yourself and your energy.
Show up for yourself first.
After all, how can you perform well if you feel drained?
Taking breaks can help you become more focused, concentrated, and productive.
While ignoring breaks for extended periods can lead to heart disease, diabetes, stress-related diseases, and injury.
Pro Tip: If you struggle to take a break, remind yourself by setting an alarm, placing a reminder somewhere, such as a post-it, or scheduling it in your calendar. Plan something you love so you look forward to it, and then write down how it impacted you, so you remember the positive impact in the future.
Step 4: Permission to feel good.
Sometimes you may feel burnt out because you are out of alignment with yourself. In short, you may be doing many things that don’t feel good or right to you.
When you feel resistance, ask yourself, “Do I want to do this?”.
Generally, if it doesn’t feel good, the answer is no.
Be curious and find out why you are feeling the way you do.
Is there another way to move forward, or is there a better way to frame your thoughts around your resistance?
Tap into what fills you with energy each day and fill your cup with activities that excite and motivate you. What would bring you joy and genuinely light you up inside? Where do you feel your best? How could you do more of that each day?
Allow space to make time for activities you enjoy. Remember, the more joyful you are, the more creative, inspired, and productive you will be.
Also, recognize what drains you. It’s time to release toxic thoughts, people, and situations that no longer serve you.
Create a no-list to protect your time, space, and energy.
How can you create healthy boundaries?
Be mindful and intentional by focusing on being versus doing. Live in the present moment and tap into what brings you joy to create more happiness. And always remind yourself that you are loved.
Recap:
You are your priority when building your business. Your success may take time, and since you are in it for the long haul, it’s imperative to take great care of yourself to foster your long-term success. You have permission.
Step 1: Permission to accept that your success may take time.
Step 2: Permission to stop comparing yourself to others.
Step 3: Permission to show up for yourself first.
Step 4: Permission to feel good.
What one thing can you do today to fill your cup? I would love to know. Please email me and let me know what you think.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Michele x
