Have you ever felt the least little bit of resentment about your decision to be an entrepreneur? It’s a holiday Monday here in Canada as I sit and write this article. It’s a gorgeous day out there and I could sit on my front porch all day and enjoy reading a book. Before coming into my office to get just ‘a few little things’ done, I was wondering to myself –
“How many entrepreneurs, on a day like today, have feelings of resentment about their decision and choice to work for themselves?”
I decided it was time to write and share a few tips that I use to ‘survive and thrive’, mentally, as an entrepreneur. It always comes down to mindset and that’s one area where I do excel. My study and implementation of critical thinking skills has saved me on more than one occasion (or holiday Monday!) from those ‘poor me’ feelings.
Now, don’t get me wrong. There are times when I do host, and have, my own pity parties. I’m human, after all. But I manage them and, by that, I mean – I schedule them. I plan it, I time it, I have it and I get over it. But that’s not exactly what I’m talking about here.
It’s not always easy being an entrepreneur. It can be lonely. It can be hard. It can be challenging. That’s when it is vital to have some survival tips. Here are my favorite 5 – check them out, try them out and let me know your thoughts, OK?
#1 – BE AWARE. As I sat on my front porch this morning, enjoying my latte on a beautiful, sunny holiday Monday morning, I did become aware of my feelings – a bit of resentment building up as I watched my ’employee’ neighbors going out and about their daily activities – their plans of having fun. For me, I recognized that I had a few things on my mind that were weighing me down – not much, not heavy – but just enough to cause me to feel a bit of resentment. Now, what I do know for sure is that I must tackle those emotions when they begin to happen – and they typically occur when I am tired! That I know for sure. What do YOU know for sure about your own thoughts, feelings and emotions when they start to drag you down?
#2 – SHIFT YOUR THINKING. This is the key to success. You must shift your thinking. For me, I always start out with remembering that I “GET” to be an entrepreneur, to work for myself, to set my own hours, to get things done when I choose to get them done. I’m at my desk right now because I made that choice and that decision. When you shift your thinking and focus on your WHY and the fact that you have the POWER to control your thoughts, you can easily turn it around.
#3 – USE A TIMER. For those of you who know me, you know I work with a timer – in my case, either the one on my I-phone or my famously branded egg timers, LOL! So, once I make the decision that, whether or not it’s a holiday, work will get done – I immediately make a list of priorities – I make a decision on how much time I will dedicate to that list – and I make a decision on when I will get to my desk. I’m an early morning person – so I came right in off the porch and got to work. I will remain focused and crank out the work until the timer goes off. Then, that’s it. I’m done. And I celebrate my decision and my accomplishments – turn off the computer – close the office door and move on into the day.
#4 – PLAN SOME FUN. This is another key to success. If you don’t have anything specific planned, then it’s just too easy to go back into work mode – and then the resentment can build and, before you know it, the day is over. Another holiday come and gone! Stop that! Take charge. Plan some fun – for me, today is all about exercise, fresh air and friends. My bike is out and ready. I’ve got my meal planned for the BBQ later – and I will also return to the chair on the porch to finish reading my book (“How to Deliver a TED Talk” by Jeremy Donovan)
#5 – GET AWAY FROM THE OFFICE. For those of you who have a home office, this can be a challenge. So, it is critical that you follow the steps listed above, and physically remove yourself from the area of your home office. I’m thinking a drive and a walk on the beach are in order today, too. In that way, I physically am removed from the ease of slipping back into my home office and getting just a few more things done. NOPE. Not for this gal today – and it should be the same for you.
Otherwise, you will be getting up tomorrow (Tuesday – a regular work day) with feelings of resentment. I know. I’ve been there. Don’t do that to yourself.
THESE ARE NOT COMPLICATED STEPS!
People often look at me and think “oh, it’s easy for you – you always have things under control”. No, I don’t. I’m human – just like you. I have a full plate, a busy business, a hectic schedule. However, I am VERY aware of time and that time is passing by and it is up to me to take charge and live my best life. Each and every day.
Summer is coming – take these survival steps to heart and get yourself ready to enjoy your summer. Don’t let the days and weeks and months slip by so that, before you know it, September is here and you end up wondering… ‘where did the time go’?
THAT MAKES ME A BETTER ENTREPRENEUR.
THAT MAKES ME A BETTER COACH.
THAT MAKES ME FUN TO BE WITH.
THAT KEEPS ME HAPPY.
What will you do to take charge?