Lessons Learnt
I recently attended Brene Brown LIVE, I booked tickets months ago, had it locked in my calendar and finally the day arrived where I looked at the date and realised that it marked 12 months since I took the leap of faith and concentrated full time on my business.
What a nice way to celebrate this milestone. The event was fabulous (12 pages of notes later), I felt even more sure that I was in the right place, doing the right thing in my business. I suddenly found that I was even more excited to see where I can take it.
With hubby travelling for work, my mum had the kids to give me a break from a LONG period of solo parenting. My business partner took the lead and ensured that I didn’t sit at home on this special day (working into the night). She knew that we needed to raise a glass and celebrate the milestone, so off we went for dinner. We talked a little about our business – The Vault Mastermind - what we have coming up, the everchanging landscape of social media and brainstormed some other opportunities to service our community of business owners.
Then in true form she gave me some of my own medicine… So, what have you achieved in this year? How do you feel? What are your lessons? Where will you be this time next year? I am lucky to have found such an invested, smart and thoughtful business partner.
Here are some of my lessons:
Celebrate success, even the small wins or tasks – because you learn quickly that there is always something else to do. You never tick something off and relax, it’s onto the next thing!
Watch your expectations, stay realistic – I am a wife, a mother of 2 small children with a hard-working husband. This year if I analysed my ‘working’ hours I am still part-time. This kindergarten year of odd hours and different times has been a challenge.
Ask for help, given the above I am lucky enough to have a strong support network around me and without the help of my mum half of what I have achieved would have been extremely difficult. I am learning to ask for help. I have also learnt that it is good for me, good for my mum and lovely for my daughter who has some special one on one time with her Nonna.
STOP the comparison – this is the thief of joy! With high expectations on myself added with comparing my business journey to others, this is a recipe for disaster. I learnt very quickly to watch my own backyard and focus energy on my own business.
Keep learning – join webinars that align with your business, choose wisely where you spend your time and what you will invest in that will provide you insight. Everyday there is opportunity to learn something new if you are open enough.
Find your business support network and nourish them – being in your own business is a lonely sport. No one quite understands the isolation you can feel at times which can lead to a slippery slope of overthinking and imposter syndrome. Before that hits you between the eyes, find your support crew and nourish them. I text my bestie my little updates, wins and tasks that I must complete – she cheers me on. I am also lucky enough to co-work with my business partner on some non-Vault days which increases my productivity and it is so good to have someone to bounce my ideas off.
Some nice reflection and there are plenty of ideas for the next 12 months, I can’t wait to share what is around the corner… stay tuned!
Tanya Camilleri