One Step At A Time

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Hi Friends!

I look at this daily to keep me anchored and motivated towards my big WHY

I look at this daily to keep me anchored and motivated towards my big WHY

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed with all the projects you wanted to complete that you didn’t know where or how to get started? I asked my friend this question the other day and she said, “Welcome to being an entrepreneur.” It’s so true. As an entrepreneur you are a one-man show (until you can afford otherwise), and there are a lot of different hats you get to wear to run your own biz. I’m constantly challenged with new activities that aren’t particularly in my zone of genius that are necessary to build a successful entrepreneurship. The same friend I spoke of earlier (who owns her own successful business) also gave me great advice about how to deal with overwhelm. She said, “Take it one step at a time and get out of your head and into your heart.” Exactly what I needed to hear. As a single mom and business owner, I’m constantly learning how to juggle my home life with my business life. I’m always trying to figure out how to keep moving forward and not get stuck in the overwhelm zone. I wanted to share some tips that are currently helping me to keep calm and carry on!

  1. Download your projects – Write or type out a master list of every project you want to get accomplished. Then, be specific and write every step you need to take to complete each project. When we are clear on the exact steps to take, then eating one bite of the elephant at a time isn’t so overwhelming.
  2. Discover your specific WHY – A “why” statement explains why you are doing what you’re doing. In other words, what is the big reason/picture for why you are doing all of these projects? I’ve heard this saying so many times and for so long I had no idea how or why it was important to discover and specifically articulate a big “why” statement. I now see that it is massively important to tap into your big “why” because it’s the anchor and driving force that keeps you going when you don’t want to go anymore. It’s meant to be something bigger than yourself. When you say or read your statement you should feel an emotional connection to it so you can get back into the mind frame you need to keep moving toward your big “why.” For example, I didn’t discover my big “why” until after I lost my husband, Andrew. I created my business out of a desire to make his legacy known because when his book, A Gray Faith, was published (a month before he passed away), I felt it was my mission to share his words with the world. Andrew became my big “why.” All it takes is for me to look at his picture in my office (I’m looking at it right now as I write to you) and I feel anchored and clear about why I’m writing, why I’m speaking, and why I’m coaching. My WHY keeps me focused and motivated to keep going when it’s hard.
  3. Delegate when necessary – There are some things on my list that would take me 10 years to learn on my own (i.e. techie skills), so I’m choosing to hire someone to teach me how to use the technology I need to learn for my business. If money is tight, see if you can barter services with someone who is strong where you are weak. Where there’s a will there’s a way!
  4. Create a mantra – So my new mantra is, “Take it one step at a time.” I’m getting a sign made with that saying and putting it in my office, so I can see it every day. When I start feeling overwhelmed and begin pacing around my house, I repeat, “Take it one step at a time.” and (a phrase my gymnastics coach used to tell me), “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Can you tell I have a bit of a patience problem?
  5. Stay connected to God – On the days I make time to connect with God through meditation and prayer first thing in the morning, everything I do after that seems to flow from inspiration. Connection with God keeps me out of my head and into my heart, thus when I go to create (i.e. content for my blog, books, etc.) it comes from a place of inspiration. Some days I have to just hit the grind and force myself to do things I don’t want or like to do. It is on these days especially I find when I start my day from a place of peace and connection to God the rest seems to fall into place. I’m then in the mindset of having faith and trusting that what needs to get done that day will get done, all the while being proactive to co-create with the Ultimate Creator.

I hope you find these tips useful and encouraging when you feel stuck. The best thing we can do is to keep moving with purpose. If you’re connecting to what I’m saying and want to take it to a deeper level, shoot me an email at [email protected] to set up a complimentary coaching session. In the comments below, I would love to hear your advice on what helps you to move onward and upward even when you’re feeling overwhelmed and stuck. Also, I’d love to read your big WHY statement. Thank you so much for being willing to contribute. I learn so much from each of your posts and I’m inspired by your stories. I want to support and encourage you to continue pressing on even when it’s not easy. Keep the faith! Love and Blessings.