These last few weeks have taught me a lot. The number one lesson learned? When running a small business, do not get fucking comfortable. Why? The second you stop brainstorming and thinking like a huge-ass business, sales drop, numbers drop, engagement drops...this is my truth, as I am sitting here with under 50 orders for the month of July, a month that should be one of my busiest.
I.dropped.the.fucking.ball...like huge.
Ya, know what though? I'm ok. The second I stopped panicking, I realized that it.is.ok. I needed a break. I needed a breather. I needed time with family, time with my kids, time at my cabin. I needed to find a new normal for all of us after losing a grandparent and my parents separating.
Truth? Yes, I panicked a little...like, oh my gosh, we are buying a cabin and I am going to have a mortgage but I don't have enough money coming in, panic...but then I went to my happy place...aka...Harbour Island, OUR island...that sounds so fucking cool...property A135...and I realized that instead of panicking, I needed to embrace the slow. I slowed down. I napped. I read a book. I healed my mental and physical pain. I listened to my kids laugh. I took a swim. I drank some..or a lot.. I had fun and realized my priorities. I never forgot them, but this was a perfect reminder.
During this time, after the panic subsided, the brainstorming began. The crazy, creative mind that never stops was in full force. This is what I love. I love the ups and downs. I love to try new things and if they don't work, at least I tried. I love to see my successes and failures on paper. It proves to me that I am trying and failure is ok. We can't always win...I can't always win. It showed me that money in the small business game, is a game. It is not guaranteed. You always need to be working for it. That is the life of a small business...literally..the.life. If you aren't willing to work for it, you are guaranteed to fail. I will tell you that right now. Do not be afraid.
So..what does this mean for me? My goals? My plans? It means this. It reminds me of this:
Today I am a dreamer.
Today I am a doer.
Today I am taking names and not quitting.
Today I am focused.
Today I am driven.
Today I am me. I really don't know who else to be.
Take a look at some of my intentional vision and all of the reasons why I am doing what I am doing...
