The Power of Reflection: Navigating my transformative entrepreneurial journey

Can you believe it's been a whole year since I said goodbye to my big girl job in corporate America and dove headfirst into the world of entrepreneurship? Time really does fly when you're chasing dreams! While I might not have everything figured out just yet, I can tell you one thing for sure—I’m not the same person I was back then.

This journey has transformed me in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

I’ve been through it all this past year—laughter, tears, and everything in between. And you know what? I wouldn’t change a thing. Each moment, whether it brought joy or challenges, has taught me something valuable. I made it a point to pause and reflect along the way, to really dig into what worked and what didn’t.

So, here are three nuggets of wisdom I’ve picked up on this rollercoaster ride:

1. Growth Takes Time

In a world where we crave instant gratification, it's easy to fall into the trap of expecting overnight success. I've been guilty of it too. But I soon learned that building something meaningful requires patience, effort, and a whole lot of grit. I had to roll up my sleeves and dive deep into personal growth. That meant taking on odd jobs, pushing my comfort zone, and embracing patience like never before. It’s like planting seeds—you have to nurture them and give them time to flourish.

2. Just Start, Even if You’re Scared

Starting something new can be downright terrifying. Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of doubts and fears. But you know what’s scarier? Regret. So, I took a deep breath and plunged in. Whether it was making that first social media post or showing up at my first popup event, I realized that the hardest part is often just getting started. It’s like ripping off a band-aid—the anticipation is worse than the actual act. So, I embraced the discomfort and did it anyway.

3. Embrace Failure as Your Teacher

As someone who is a perfectionist, this lesson hit me hard. But guess what? Failure isn’t the end of the road—it’s a detour to success. Whether it was a product flopping or revenue being slower than expected, I’ve faced my fair share of setbacks. Instead of letting them knock me down, I chose to see them as valuable lessons. Each stumble taught me something new, whether about my business or myself. Take my attempt at launching a women’s community, for example. I dove in headfirst without really testing the waters, which taught me to always validate your idea before going all in.

Now, if you’re feeling inspired to start reflecting more in your own life, I’ve got three simple tips to get you started:

Carve Out Time for Reflection: Set aside regular moments to pause and ponder. Whether it’s journaling before bed or taking a quiet walk in nature, find what works for you. By having a designated time for reflection, it will help to make it a consistent practice.

Write It Down: There’s something powerful about putting pen to paper. Start a journal and jot down your thoughts, feelings, and insights. You could even use prompts to guide your reflections if you're not sure where to start.

Seek Feedback: Seek opportunities to discuss your reflections with others. This could be a trusted friend, mentor, or even an online community. Hearing different perspectives can provide valuable insights and help you see things from new angles.

Remember, reflection isn’t just about looking back—it’s about moving forward with intention and purpose.

Now that I've shared my journey and reflections with you, I'm eager to hear about your own experiences. What lessons have you uncovered from your moments of reflection?