9 top tips for staying sane when business/life is tough
Do you agree that the road is never straight as we work towards achieving our goals?
The bigger our vision, the mightier the challenge, the twists, turns, and frustrations as we navigate the journey to realise our dreams.
Some days or weeks it feels like two steps forward and five back, right?
Or worse, one step forward and 10 back. And you just want to scream (or cry… or run away).
My clients have big goals for their businesses, and I’m always on hand to guide and support them when the going gets tough.
Well, the coach/mentor (that’s me) has her own challenges and curve balls happening at present… so I’m practising what I coach. (Note to self: Stop. Breathe. Think. Smile. :))
Like many others, I’ve created an enormous vision for my business of supporting people around the world to achieve extraordinary success in business and life – as they define it.
Yet, right now, it feels like I’m constantly being slapped in the face. Not much is going to plan at the moment.
Does any of this sound familiar?
It’s uncomfortable, frustrating and energy zapping… each day. But I’m feeling determined, so here’s what I’m doing to get through it all.
9 top tips for staying sane when business/life is tough
I hope you find them helpful for when life throws curve balls at you.
1) Stop. Breathe. Think
This is ‘code’ for reconnecting with our vision and passion. What am I going to achieve and WHY?! Why do I want to achieve this big vision? Is it important enough for me to push on?
For me the answer is yes. (Smile)
2) Do one thing
What’s the one key thing that will make a difference now? Work it out and focus on it. Do it!
If you have a team, what can you delegate for others to focus on?
3) Get support
There will be others who can guide and support you. Ask them to help. Don’t go it alone. Don’t pretend to be the expert – surround yourself with great people who know more than you.
Confide in your closest allies – let them be there for you. They’ll be feeling your pain too, and let them know how they can support you. It might be as simple as a shoulder to cry on, a dinner out, a glass of wine, sharing the load at home….
4) Learn from the difficulties
If we’re willing, there’s growth and learning from every experience we endure. Ride it out, but look for lessons – new knowledge that you can use and perhaps share with others at a later time. It’s always there – if we look for it.
5) Tweak the strategy (if necessary)
In our excitement, often we give ourselves a lot of work to cut through. Sometimes it can become overwhelming, then we procrastinate, live in fear, or do it badly.
Rethink your strategy. Can certain deliverables be moved to another time? Can anything be simplified or removed yet still achieve the goal and the vision?
6) Be kind to yourself
We can be demanding of ourselves – I know I am. So be kind – give yourself a break – cut yourself some slack. Give yourself some credit for how far you’ve come. Believe that you will achieve the goals and the vision – as it means so much to you.
7) Nurture yourself
Stress can make us miserable and sick. What’s the point of that? Look after the fundamentals in life – your wellbeing and vitality. For me that means exercising, re-doubling my efforts to eat well (as I can dive for the sugar at these times), and sleep (as much as possible).
8) Don’t give up
Believe in yourself. Believe in your passion and purpose. Believe in your vision.
Know that the universe is throwing this hard stuff at you to test your mettle – it’s checking whether you’re really committed to your goals and vision. When you’ve achieved them, the warmth of success will be greater because of the difficult journey (you may doubt this right now, but it’s true).
9) Gratitude all the way
Be grateful for the small things in life. Be grateful for the big things in life. Be grateful for the most important people in your life. (Smile)
Be grateful for the challenges (even when they suck). You’ll be the wiser for them and you will become a teacher because of them. You’ll be able to pass your wisdom to others, as a servant leader. Do you like the sound of that? I certainly do.
Stop. Breathe. Think. Smile. It will get better. I believe that to be true!
QUESTION: What do you do to look after yourself when life and/or business isn’t going to plan? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment below.
Would some guidance from me be helpful to you? If so, please arrange a free 30 mins Skype strategy meeting with me. Here’s my calendar to make an appointment. I’d love to support you in some way to gain ‘seductive clarity’ in any aspect of your business or life.
