Habits

I can feel your presence behind me looking over my shoulder, watching me and micromanaging away. The energy is strong, I turn around and there’s no one there.?

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I just remembered, I work for myself now, but the feeling stays with me for a long time.? Day in and day out. I feel guilty, stopping for a few minutes to take a break. This hold on me is very strong.? I dare move, take a break, make some coffee, prepare breakfast, do a 20-minute meditation.?

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I feel guilt, running through my chest, reminding me, I’m not working. Bloody work ethic embedded in my soul.? I dare a little bit more taking a full hour lunch break.? I use my time a bit more effectively. I meditate or listen to some music, watch youtube videos. Constantly checking the time on my phone.?

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At exactly 2pm, I stop and continue working. I continue on until 4:30pm taking another break. There are days, I work until 8-10pm. Diabolical.?

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I’m exhausted. I haven’t produced enough work. What am I doing? Shock realisation, I’m an employee working in my business. WTH, this is madness. I stop, I can’t believe it! What a realisation. I stare out the window a bit disappointed with myself. How can this be? This isn’t the first business I’ve started. ARRGGHHH! I feel a bit down with this thought. After allowing myself to feel bad, a strong sense of relief makes me shake my head.? It now makes total sense.? Transitioning from a manager to a self-employed entrepreneur can be both exciting and challenging.?

• It requires a shift in mindset.
• Habits
• Approaches to both personal and professional?
• Boundaries?

I had a sudden urge to stop and ground myself. I was shaking with excitement and disbelief. I was asking myself, what exactly have you been doing for the last 6 months? How much have I produced in terms of what I call, green light activities and red light, which is basically, which is what is bringing in revenue vs content to become more visible.?

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I’ve come to conclude that there are ways to help break free from old managerial habits and successfully embrace my new role as a self-employed entrepreneur.? Here are my 5 tips:

1. Set Clear Boundaries- as a manager, I was accustomed to structured schedules and constant oversight. Now, I needed to establish clear boundaries for work and personal time. Creating a daily schedule that includes specific work hours, break times and leisure activities. Adhering to these boundaries to prevent burnout and maintain healthy work-life balance. Taking breaks is not a sign of laziness but a necessary part of staying productive and creative.?
2. Cultivate Self-Compassion and Patience: The guilt of not working every moment is a leftover from a managerial mindset. Practice self-compassion and acknowledge that building a business takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself and recognize that taking breaks, meditating, and recharging are essential for your overall well-being.
3. Develop a strong personal brand – as a manager, the company’s brand often overshadows individual contributions. As an entrepreneur a strong personal brand is crucial, showcasing your expertise, values, and vision. Using SM, Blogging and public speaking opportunities to establish yourself as a thought leader. A strong personal brand will not only attract new clients, but also create trust and credibility.
4. Cultivate a network of support – as a manager, we often have a built-in support system within the organisation. As an entrepreneur, you need to create your own network. Surround yourself with other entrepreneurs, mentors, coaches, and advisors who can provide guidance, support and most importantly accountability. Join? associations, networking events, and online communities to build meaningful connections. These relationships can offer valuable insights, opportunities, and emotional support.
5. Invest in Personal Development: As a manager, you might rely on your team for specific tasks and expertise. As an entrepreneur, continuous personal development, is important. Invest time in learning new skills, attending workshops and reading books relating to personal growth and business. This will enhance your capabilities and also boost your confidence, creativity and empowerment to tackle challenges head on.?
6. Prioritize self-management and discipline: as a manager, your schedule and priorities might have been dictated by organisational needs and meetings. As an entrepreneur you need to take full ownership of your time and productivity.? Develop strong self-routine and minimizing distractions. Use productivity tools and techniques, such as time blocking or pomodoro technique, to stay focused and efficient. Regularly review your progress and adjust your strategies to ensure you stay on track with your business objectives.?

By implementing these tips, you can break free from the old habits of being a manager and embrace the freedom and responsibilities of entrepreneurship. Trust yourself, set clear boundaries and prioritize your well-being. With time, you’ll find a rhythm that allows you to thrive both personally and professionally.?

Today, Creatives, Designers & Artists entrepreneurs hire me to help empower them to unleash their potential, scale their business and become more visible because they are sick & tired of inconsistent income.? So I help them structure their business from overwhelm, align their processes with their vision and focus on clarity on their next step effectively. The bottom line, I add an extra 100k into their business guaranteed.?

Are you curious to know more about what I do? Comment below “HABITS”?