Over the last months (& in fact few years), there has been a creeping, sometimes galloping, sense of overwhelm and stress that has woven into so many of our lives for so many reasons. Where before we may have found ways to manage this pre pandemic, the post 2020 world continues to both deliver almost constant challenging news, external shocks and difficult trading conditions.
Although we're all susceptible to these knocks, life as a micro business owner is perhaps disproportionately effected given that we're often working & managing alone with perhaps a feeling that there's less back up than we hope for.
Before this How To Guide starts to feel bleak, there are lessons, ideas and reminders that can help us navigate life right now and at any time when it becomes a 'bit much' for whatever reason. In fact, each time life does become too much, it gives us the ideal opportunity to pause, learn and build in new resilience.
Given that, at the time of writing, we're entering the pre Christmas silly season of busy, distracted and speedy, I thought now was a great time to share some ways to help us all when it all gets a bit much.
Recognise what is really important. There's nothing like a knock to help us refocus on what's really important but why not have that as your focus all year round. Knowing what we really want out of life & business, and making that the focus of all our decisions and actions, can create a huge shift of perspective if things get tough or challenging. Why not write your dreams down, add them to your wall or make your purpose your guiding light.
Nurture your networks all year round. When life gets challenging, it's imperative to know who you can turn to. Friends, colleagues or networks who can share your burden or help you find solutions and ways forward. It might just be a tribe who help you get 'unstuck' through chat and laughter. For a micro business owner, this is a business strategy too. In the absence of a big team or business partners, knowing who will help you make good decisions, get past hiccups or develop your next steps will safeguard you and your business.
Self care is more than a warm bath. How often do we see content about self care that seems to imply that if only we had a long bath, all will be well? Self care can be so much more than that, and should be. You may ask yourself how you're implementing personal boundaries to take care of your energy. You might want to consider how much you're trying to do alone. There may be an opportunity to understand how you're ensuring you are healthy and positive enough to face a challenge if ones comes along.
Be mindful of the outside world. There is no doubt that the impact of the outside world has become more oppressive over recent years. Not just negative news, but tsnamis of it each day. Just because we can absorb 24 hours news, should we? Notice how you're really feeling the world or being impacted by outside expectations. Despite this being the 'norm', make space in your life to notice where you can reduce this noise, to listen to your own thoughts to seek solutions.
Trust yourself. It's often said by sage folk, that we all have answers within us. It doesn't always feel like that, but if we're able to quieten our worlds enough, you can more easily get good at listening to your 'gut' for answers or as a torchlight through difficult times. Learning to trust yourself, believe in yourself and, more importantly, draw on the real experience and wisdom you already have, can be a game changer.
Challenge, change and disaster. A very wise friends said to me recently that things can often be a challenge, there can often be change, but things are a disaster a lot less often. Learning to distinguish which is which is key. Challenge is a chance to find answers we didn't know we needed. Change gives us the opportunity to course correct as we go. If we can learn to live with the knowledge that life is always uncertain, but that our own resilience can create stability within that, then we can more quickly find ways forward when it's all a bit much.
And finally, don't forget laughter. The world around us is so serious in many ways, but it's ok to laugh in the face of it all. What ever lightens your life, seek it out to provide perspective when you need it. Much of life is ridiculous and many problems can be unpicked with a giggle. Dancing, singing, coffee with a friend, a little light binge watching of a favourite comedy - they can all help us see the funny side when needed.
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