Accepting The Challenge
The other day I was thinking about the reality of being a business owner and the challenges that exist when trying to build a successful business. After getting through the decision and excitement of becoming an entrepreneur, you find yourself actually doing it, managing a business after taking that proverbial leap of faith. Our businesses depend on us to feed them with our passion until they becomes fat off of our effort and we’ve done more than enough to chew on the fat. But, that’s isn’t always easy when you face the challenges, setbacks, pitfalls or fall short of your own expectations. Somehow you have to find the oomph to get back in the game, refreshed and reenergized.
Day 1. Day 365. And Year 5 (and beyond)
It may be hard (or not!) to pin point that exact moment that you made the decision to start the journey, and at that time even if the obstacles were in plain sight there was a fire in us (in you! in me!) that burned straight through the fear, knowing the idea was worth the heat of the work. Personally speaking, I can go as far as saying there are times I didn’t even realize I was working so hard because I loved what I’d been doing that much - even taking less than I knew I deserved because I was excited to be DOING the work, as opposed to doing nothing at all. And trust, I don’t take pride in that. Just honest realization that we are willing to accept challenges without putting much thought into it, when we’re leaning into our why and our passions.
Acceptance (of the challenges) becomes a recurring theme and it doesn’t happen once, it can’t. Finding the fearlessness and bold determination to say yes to our ideas is a never ending process that happens over and over again, every day, every week and every moment we decide to stay in business and operate one. Every moment we pursue (as in take action, approach, the process of attaining) our dreams, or visions.
Between the things you love to do, and the tasks you don't, but have to, it’ll take nothing to accept some of the challenges that come with running a business. You’ll need confidence and reassurance to accept other challenges, for some re a must to accept a therapist, legal team and accountant… and the rare but occasional few will require a hostage negotiation team. Let’s keep it real. But all of that shouldn't stop you from being willing. And how do we know that we’re able if we do find ourselves willing? By accepting every challenge. By continuing to see our dreams coming true, knowing it’s coming THROUGH us - not to us. Period.
When we see glimpses of our effort our creativity and power can be renewed because we learn (through experience) what happens when we don’t back down. But first, accept the challenge.
The beautiful thing about our talents and interests, presented to us fully baked through our ideas is that we are all capable of seeing the big picture through our imagination. With it we can see what isn’t there and create the blueprint; outlining the steps that will get us there. Use your imagination every time you hit a roadblock. Trust it, count on it and ask it to lead you. Then remind your body, mind and spirit that it’s here to serve your imagination and help make it real. That’s YOUR job. Solo or fully staffed, taking action turns potential into motion and every challenge we accept helps us pick up speed and close the distance. Even when the outcome or final result isn’t seen - yet and even and especially when we are open to creating something bigger (and different) than we could have imagined.
Today and tomorrow, when you think about how much effort you’ll need to see results, accept the challenge, remembering every step of the way the first time you said YES. To your business and to yourself. Do it again. And again… and again.
What’s the hardest challenge you’ve had to accept to keep your business (or life) moving forward? Comment below and share and inspire someone else on their own journey.
Until next time, keep activating your greatness!
XOXO,
Kimmy The Great