Supporting Yourself Supports Your Business
Launching a new career and business is at once energizing and exhausting. I find that I have days, weeks even, of unbridled excitement and creativity. Sometimes I can’t sleep at night because my mind is racing with ideas. I keep a notebook on my laptop called “Brain Dump/Ideas” to capture all the stuff that comes into my head before I can forget it. And I will forget it!
We’ve all heard if you do what you love, it will never seem like work. I was always skeptical of this until now. I absolutely love my chosen path. I love that I am continually learning, growing, improving my practice, and I’m beyond excited to be able to share this with others and help them! So yes, it doesn’t feel like work to me. I can easily spend all day immersed in research, planning, writing, learning, and of course, teaching. I am often happily working away on my laptop, listening to music at 10 pm; not something I ever did happily in previous careers. I even love the business side of running a business! Give me all the numbers to crunch, the software, and the technology to implement. I am here for it!
Marketing is probably my least favorite of all the business things, it doesn’t come naturally to me, but I enjoy learning about it and finding my way. Mastering social media in middle age is something I’m determined to do! However, when you are your brand, it requires a level of vulnerability you have to be at peace with because you have to put yourself out there knowing that you may feel foolish or look foolish, that some will like you and others won’t. It can bring up feelings of insecurity you haven’t experienced since you were a teen simply yearning for acceptance and validation: easily hurt feelings on one end or Sally Field levels of “You like me! You really like me!” when people are encouraging. (Shout out to all of you who get the Sally Field reference - you are my people.)
Running your own business is full of ups and downs, highs and lows. “Will I make any money this week, this month?”, “Will anyone sign-up for my classes?”, “Will anyone engage with my posts?” One week it’s an influx of engagement, the next crickets. It can be deflating to work so hard on something, love it, and want to share it with the world, only to get no response. I have at times come to truly understand what is meant by “screaming into the void.” But it’s a normal part of this life. It’s going to happen, and it’s ok. I forge ahead even when it’s tough because when I reach someone and help them, well, that’s what it’s all about, and that’s the biggest reward. I love what I do. I believe in what I do, and I’m never going to give up.
When something works, great! Keep doing that. When it doesn’t, figure out why and try again. When things aren’t going the best, don’t take it personally if you possibly can. Learn and grow. Be open and flexible to change and listen to what your ideal clients are telling you!
All this said, living 24/7 cycling through the highs and lows gets exhausting. Even positive high energy expends energy! So sometimes I hit the wall. I’m just plain tired and unmotivated, my mind is blank, and I can’t come up with any ideas. I know I have to keep at it, but my mind is tired. So how do I forge ahead?
I’ve built my business around helping people managing stress with yoga, breathing techniques, and meditation. So when I’m tired, unmotivated, stressed, I practice what I preach.
I take a break. It could be 5 minutes, could be a day!
I close my eyes and breathe. Meditate.
Listen to music that makes me happy.
Take a walk.
I do some yoga to move my body and shift my focus.
Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. I’m in this for the long haul, so it’s essential to listen to my mind and body. When I do, I’m more productive, I’m calmer, and I find my creativity reignites. Give it a try if you like!
Businesses require efficient systems to run effectively. So do humans!
You are more critical to your success & your business’ success than any tool, software, process, etc. If you’re giving everything to your job or business, find a system to support your mind and body! You’ll thank yourself later!
Do you have a system to support yourself? Let me know by leaving a comment or sending me a message!
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Learn more about me and what I teach on my website (megdyoga.com) or by following me on social media (@megdyoga).
