After 12 years of entrepreneurship, I finally feel like I’ve made it.
Not because I hit a business milestone, but because I finally let myself fully feel what I’ve built already.
Almost 14 years ago, I awoke in a jail cell for the third time. And now, look at how far I’ve come - coaching thousands of women all over the world, marrying my best friend, and becoming a mom to 3 healthy children.
But it took me stepping outside of my reality to truly see all that I’ve accomplished.
You see, what we do never feels like enough. We get caught up in shiny object syndrome, always chasing an ever-moving goal post. Instead of looking back to see how far we’ve come, we only look forward at how far we have to go.
Goals are important, yes, but not at the expense of your right now.
Break the Cycle
So, what did I try to do to feel like I was enough? I chased the next goal, hoping that when I reached it, then I could have happiness and freedom.
But there’s always another goal, isn't there?
Getting lost in the chase of what’s next only makes time speed up, creating a ripple effect of guilt that causes stress to elevate, and feelings of inadequacy to rise.
Eventually I got fed up with the chase, fueled by comparison.
I stopped looking so far ahead and stopped pretending I could control my future.
Instead of chasing I started focusing on the process of each day: being who I am meant to be in each moment and being present right where I am.
Being wealthy financially didn’t feel like enough until I anchored into gratitude for my reality.
And most businesses aren’t set up for us to have these moments. In fact, for generations businesses have one sole metric for success: revenue growth.
Now we are realizing that we’ve got the money, house(es), cars, and THINGS - we just want our lives back.
Hustle with Balance
Business isn’t black and white, the gray area scares us so we avoid it. We only feel productive when we are checking boxes - and it’s not the way to live.
I know how it feels…
The devotion to reaching goal after goal.
Setting timelines to push harder.
But what if these things can coexist with…
Having dedicated space for reflection.
Gratitude looking back and excitement looking forward.
Aligning your ambition with peace means having dedicated moments and space for both pushing and pulling back.
Making sure your business is set up to support your central nervous system, not always being in overdrive.
Your goals and ambition feel possible when you are confident after looking back to see how far you’ve come. You don’t get lost and miss out on the life you are living to chase a goal that (hypothetically) you think will make you enough.
My life is rich because I allow myself to feel it. I shifted from being so focused on the outcome that needed to happen and into the choices I can make right now.
This choice is yours too - this space of alignment for your ambition and drive to live with your peace and fulfillment, this is where freedom is found.
Digging Deeper
Finding peace in the entrepreneurial roller coaster isn't always easy. It requires a deeper understanding of ourselves, our motivations, and our desires.
Set up recurring time blocks in your schedule dedicated to each goal. Before you do any sort of goal setting, do reflective work where you look back.
Now that your time is organized, let's dive into some practical ways you can align your ambition with peace.
1. Cultivate Mindfulness: Take moments throughout your day to pause, breathe, and check in with yourself. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or simply focusing on your breath for a few minutes, can help you stay grounded amidst the chaos of entrepreneurship.
2. Practice Gratitude: Take time each day to reflect on what you're grateful for. Whether it's the support of your partner, a successful client meeting, or simply the beauty of nature outside your office window, cultivating gratitude can shift your perspective and bring more peace into your life.
3. Set Boundaries: As a mom entrepreneur, it's easy to let work bleed into every aspect of your life. Set clear boundaries between work and personal time, and stick to them. This will help prevent burnout and allow you to fully enjoy the time you spend with your family.
4. Focus on What Matters Most: Take a step back and reflect on your values and priorities. Are your current goals aligned with what truly matters to you? Adjust your schedule as needed to make sure you're pursuing goals that bring you joy and fulfillment.
5. Seek Support: Don't be afraid to reach out for support when you need it. Whether it's from a mentor, coach, or fellow mom entrepreneur, having a support system in place can make all the difference in navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
Remember, true fulfillment comes not just from reaching your goals, but from living in each moment fully. Presence and peace is possible if your business is built to support it.