It seems like during the most chaotic times is when our resilience and adaptability are truly tested. And, it’s often in these moments where we have to set aside our emotions and gain a sense of control to make rational decisions, sometimes quickly.
I recently found myself in one of these situations...I was forced to pivot a huge part of my program that the women inside have invested thousands of dollars and have been looking forward to all year, due to not one but TWO major hurricanes.
Cue an obvious panic attack, right?
I’ve been in business a while and I’m not new to shifting things quickly when necessary, but this was pretty daunting. So, in sharing my story, I hope to provide insights and actionable steps that can help you through your own difficult seasons.
A Planned Retreat Disrupted
At the end of September, my husband Eric and I had planned a family vacation to London, coinciding with a private client retreat I was hosting on Anna Maria Island, only miles from our hometown in Florida.
But 3 days before our departure, a hurricane was forecasted to impact our area…
While our home was safe from direct harm, you can probably imagine the emotional turmoil of leaving my kids and family there, along with others who faced potential devastation. This guilt and uncertainty weighed heavily on me.
Knowing that Anna Maria Island had experienced some of the worst storm surges in almost 100 years (and that it was the place where I had originally planned to host our women’s business retreat one week out), I found myself in a situation where I needed to pivot – and quickly.
Adapting to Change
I learned in this moment of surrender that this vision was lost and that this plan wasn't going to work. But as an entrepreneur, I always have the opportunity to create a new plan.
“Even when we're in the shit, there’s always opportunity and choice, even when it feels like shit keeps getting thrown at you.”
I knew I needed to do something because these women have committed, they paid for a service and I was going to give them that. Instead of letting panic take over, I had to ask myself, “What is within my control?”
So, during my 10-hour flight back from London, I replanned the entire retreat, relocating it to Orlando (central Florida) and reaching out to vendors and clients in record time. I surprised myself and luckily had some help from some friends in my team to pull some details together, but everything was reset.
It’s pretty amazing how quickly you can adapt to unexpected changes in such a short amount of time when you’re mentally equipped and prepared to do so. This experience taught me that it’s not just about managing chaos; it's about recognizing opportunities within that chaos and trusting ourselves to make quick, informed decisions that stay aligned with our goals.
TAKEAWAY: In times of uncertainty, list out the things you can control versus what you cannot. Take a second to breathe before you do this so that you can think clearly. This will help you focus on actionable steps rather than getting lost in anxiety.
Honoring Feelings
While I felt like everything was finally back on track, we got more news: another storm was coming.
And not like an, “Oh, it’s no big deal” kind of storm, but a possible category 4 hurricane. We’re talking major destruction headed towards our barrier islands.
After getting the tracks from the storm, I decided it was still safe to hold the retreat in Orlando. So on that Sunday, everybody flew in, well aware of the storm approaching, with high hopes of still having a successful time.
The start of the retreat turned out to be as transformative as the rest, with the deep conversations and heartfelt connections that I had hoped for.
But, during our first day there, the storm proceeded to get stronger. Airports are closing, people are evacuating and once the reality of it all starts to hit me…I just break down in tears.
At this moment, I knew I needed to choose my family. I needed to be home, even if I knew everyone was going to be okay. I made the tough decision to go downstairs and tell everybody they needed to rebook their flights and go home the next day.
I lost it. I was bawling in front of everybody. I felt like I failed. I felt like I was letting my family down. I felt like I was letting my clients down. I was holding so tightly to rebuilding this vision and all of the energy and time and money that went into this.
I realized that while adapting is essential, so is honoring our feelings and what matters most. It’s okay to feel the weight of our responsibilities while also striving for balance.
TAKEAWAY: You can be sad, you can be grieving, you can be upset about a vision or a thing that was lost or that didn't work. And at the same time, you can feel grateful for what has worked or grateful for the lessons or happy about something that is working well.
I’m not going to lie and say it didn’t suck, but I’m grateful to flex my adaptability to this challenge.
Take a few minutes to write down three things you're grateful for right now, alongside one thing that’s causing you sadness or frustration. This practice can help you acknowledge your feelings while also focusing on the positives in your life.
New Paths Opened
Even though I decided to take the loss, it was the best and right decision because it always ends up working out the way it’s meant to. Like I tell my clients in similar moments, “This is happening FOR you.”
Since our time was cut short, I decided that we would choose our next retreat destination together. We played a fun little game where we put all the vacation spots in a bowl, and as we went along, each one we chose was not the place (find out where we’re going by watching us play!).
We got to end in such a beautiful place I'm really grateful for and it will be so cool to have all the same women back and get the opportunity to do it again.
The lesson that I took away from this was learning that making the best decision for the long term is usually going to be your hardest decision. Don't ever cling so tightly to something that you lose sight of the bigger vision.
TAKEAWAY: Embrace the idea that sometimes, what you thought was a setback can lead to new opportunities. If you find yourself facing a difficult season, lean into your values and what matters most to you (things like family, your mental health, communication). Think of ways to keep those priorities front and center, and remind yourself that you don't have to abandon who you are and what's most important, even in tough times.
By making proactive, long-term decisions, you create space for outcomes that align with your greater vision.
Conclusion: Lessons Learned
As entrepreneurs, we will face storms—both literal and metaphorical. It's essential to adapt, prioritize, and embrace new opportunities during these times. At the end of the day, it always ends up working for us.
My mastermind, The Freedom Collective, is designed to help you organize your business around family-first principles and build lasting relationships with other women in diverse industries. It includes a retreat, just like this one, that’s focused on enhancing your leadership and business model to ensure long-term success without sacrificing your personal well-being. This is a beautiful place where I'm only allowing one woman from each industry, so it can be a great opportunity for networking and to build some referral partnerships.
If you're ready for the next steps in your journey and need the pieces to put it all together, let’s have a conversation. No pressure, just book a call with me and we will connect.
Kommentare