When I Get In The Way

Having run my own business since 2018, I have done a great deal of growing and a lot of learning. Something I realise is that I often get in the way of myself.

• I get in the way of my vision.
• I get in the way of my motivation.
• I get in the way of my achievements.

I do this in a variety of ways.

Vision. I like NEW stuff; I get excited by the prospect of building something, developing something, launching something. But this stands in the face of my vision. My singular, focused strategy that I have already planned and laid out.

When I realise this, I get so frustrated but have to park that and instead choose to visualise my vision. I have now elected to visually depict my vision to see it and look at it daily. This strategy prevents me from falling into “The New Trap” and launching this, that and everything in between.

Motivation. I stand in the way of my motivation in several ways, not least of which is having a bold Merlot of an evening, even though I know I will feel less rested and start the next day less inspired.

On a day-to-day basis, I stand in the way of my motivation by:

• not setting up my day right
• not cleaning my desk
• not making my cuppa
• not keeping my phone off until I am engrossed in a task
• not doing the BIG tasks first

The days I start my day right, I get so much done!

Achievements. I stand in the way of my achievements by not celebrating. I would argue that being in business since 2018 and paying myself every month, even throughout a pandemic, is pretty great. However, I very rarely choose to celebrate. I instead focus on the “shoulda, woulda, coulda’s” or race off onto the next thing.

The ways I now choose to incorporate celebration into my life is to take a break and grab that cup of tea, go for a quick walk, take a bath, sneak into the hot tub—little moments to think “job well done” before moving onto the next thing.

These periods of reflection allow me the opportunity to pontificate and gain perspective. Sometimes standing by the kettle offers a great epiphany.

One final way I stand in my own way is by not recognising my need. As a woman specifically, there are some times when I just cannot find the energy for one reason or another. Sometimes I need to rest, sleep longer or eat chocolate. On these days, if I try to work, I might as well be trying to roll a boulder up a mountain; everything is more complicated, nothing goes in or out of my brain coherently, I mangle simple tasks.

On these days, I am honest with myself and my clients. I manage my diary to hit deadlines, but maybe I work in the evening, at 5 am, or between naps. Whatever I need.

For me, it comes down the recognising these facts, how I stand in my own way and accepting that this is just who I am. As long as I can deliver for my clients and have enough money to feed my cats, it’s all fine by me.