Navigating boredom in business - a two pronged approach

As entrepreneurs I think we have to be careful to resist our boredom, but ALSO maybe the boredom facilitates our growth. 2 prongs here....

When I say resist our boredom - I think there's a place for doing the things that we find boring in our business - maybe the follow ups with staff when you've asked them to follow a particular procedure. Maybe it's the marketing that's not your thing. Or the receipts and invoicing at the end of the month (my least favourite job).

The boring stuff doesn't really give us that spike of dopamine our brains are wired to seek.

Or maybe we label it boring and actually there's a part of us that feels less than 100% capable around a particular area (probably the case for me that there's something in there I find hard)

If I reflect honestly, it's actually both boredom and frustration that have brought me to where I am.

25 years in 15 different businesses.

There was a period we were opening bar, restaurant, restaurant, nightclub, restaurant,.... all in relatively quick succession. I now wonder if that was a case of doing the things that were interesting in business with less focus on the boring. New concepts, new designs, new menus, new locations, food tasting, wine, cocktails... the fun stuff.

The hard parts... operations, staff, finances, managing partnerships.... all essential to long term viability.

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On a more personal note, it's also how I came to my coaching business.

I'll tell it for those of you who might be new to me.

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10 years ago, I looked into my future and knew that I wanted more for myself.

...more? um no, maybe it was I was searching for something different.

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I wanted different conversations.*

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I knew I could live here happily, doing what I was doing, in my current businesses... but I also knew the next 20 years would be relatively the same.

I was bored with the vision of my future - already - and I hadn't even lived it.

I knew I would be having the same conversation with chefs and waiting staff. The same issues with my partners would keep reoccurring.

I didn't know the solution, yet.

What I did know was that I had to make a change if I wanted something different in the future.

So I followed the breadcrumbs of my interest... and now I'm bored of the story so let's just say the rest is history.

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I've heard myself say I'm so bored with this problem (it happens in business and personally).

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Frustration leaches in, but that gives me the energy and sometimes the courage to try another way...

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BUSINESS REFLECTION PROMPTS:

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How do you tolerate boredom in your business?

What does being bored allow you?

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Allow yourself to consider in your mind or on paper this weekend. I like pen & paper. There's something about seeing the words written out that helps uncover & clarify the ideas in my mind.

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*and now I get to have them all day with business owners from all different industries - it's the best job people!

Whenever you're ready here are 3 ways I can help you (or someone in your network - feel free to share)

• If you're local or planning a visit to Adelaide, join my Morning Momentum walking community. It's an opportunity for us to meet, get to know each other, chat with other likeminded business owners & professionals. I'm there as a resource and sounding board (and coffee partner of course) for whatever's on your mind. Let me know if you fancy joining us I'll send you details for our next one.
• Another one for the locals in SA - if you haven't yet accessed the Women In Business Essentials or the Digital Solutions funding. Here is my direct referral link if you want to book in. $99 for 3 hours of mentoring. Get in touch if you want to chat about it first.
• Private 1:1 coaching with me. If you want to work on your goals for the coming year and you're ready to get started, let's chat about what you're hoping coaching will help you with. I'm less prescriptive than your average business coach - we find the strategies that work with your way of being. Here's what a recent client said:

"Sarah helped me find how I work best and that might be different to someone else. I was able to action a lot of things in my business immediately because everything felt so clear to me and the steps were laid out. I was getting where I wanted to be, rather than being stuck because we uncovered exactly what was holding me back. I now definitely feel so much more in control, a lot more accomplished and that I have achieved something I've wanted to do for ages in our time together."

Want to grow by word of mouth and referrals, creating a business that sustains you in so many ways (internally and externally)? I feel you and I've got you! That's exactly how I've done it in my coaching business. It is 100% possible to have and maintain a full list of clients you love without sacrificing what matters to you.

Or perhaps you are more established, have staff (and the issues that come with it) and you crave to talk to someone who understands the challenges of business from the inside out.

Someone, who's not your partner or friend, but who gets this part of you... and can be your guide and trusted advisor along the way.

If that sounds like one (of the many) things you're looking for (because let's face it, we're complex beings and have so many ideas), book a call in my profile - we can chat about it.

Find out more about my coaching packages here.

Success (inner and outer) ?? Fulfilment ?? Impact ?