build your beautiful self

via Discover Challenge: The Poetry of List-Making

I have recently experienced a complete onslaught of challenges in my business life. The roller coaster of entrepreneurial emotion has become incredibly nauseating in the last couple of weeks. I have been part of the elitist group that works for themselves (YAY…) and with that comes the responsibility of making your own way. If you don’t start and develop it, then run it and grow it, you’ll be broke. lol (it’s a cruel joke)

Over the last ten years or so I have come through the highest highs and the lowest lows and everything in between. There was never really a point where I have sat back and really assessed my state of being because I have not achieved what I deemed to be “successful.”

Apparently that is my own self loathing talking to me. Yes even the brightest stars wish they could shine more brightly, and everyone wants what they don’t have. Reflecting on all of the things in life that could tear one apart emotionally, and mentally, I realized something.  I am BADASS! Not because I have tons of money (I don’t), not because everything has worked out the way I planned (in fact NOTHING has worked out the way I planned) and not because I feel like I can conquer the world (insert pin prick spot, barely visible on a massive global map and that is how I feel). I am BADASS because I have pushed through the pain, the mental anguish, the “challenges,” the depression, the self hate, the plea to give up and go back to corporate, the begging for things to just once work in my favor, the wanting and longing for the easy button to appear and magically everything is easy, to a place of peace in my mind.

 

1. Give in to the problem

Giving in does not mean giving up. If you approach the problem, not to solve it, but to strategically find the message inside the problem’s core, you will not only find the solution, you will have developed one more piece to the puzzle of business life.  Think about it! When you are faced with a problem you needed to solve, maybe you were overcome with emotion, stress and anxiety at the onset. Once you work your way through that initial shock, you move into a problem solving mode. You research, reach out to others, find the cause, create a solution! How resourceful!

If you allow yourself to have the problem rule you emotionally, how will you be creative at all in finding an alternative method, or if you can find a method, will it be the best because you are not in the correct mindset to receive? Give in to the problem. Feel it for a few minutes, then give in to the problem and work with it to solve and create.

2. Persistence

In anything you want to do well, you have to persevere! Continuing on even when you hate yourself, hate what you do, want to give in will allow you to see success. I have had so many “I give up” moments over the last few years, but I still keep on keeping on! You have to stick with it and get over that instant gratification mentality. Think of what will happen if you keep on it for the next 5 years! Granted a course correction or 10 may be needed, but persistence pays off in the end.

3. Let it go!

Let it go! Get rid of the emotional attachment. Business is business, emotion should be standing in the corner with the dunce cap on. Feel it, breathe it, then let go of the negative. There is no place for negativity. Shit happens. Get over it and move on.

4. What is the worst case scenario?

What is the worst thing that could happen. You die. End of story. Nothing is as bad as that. If you built something once and it failed, you have the lessons and knowledge to build again but in a smarter and stronger place. The world is massive! Move to another city not far away and boom! No one knows your name! Simple as that! If you stay in the same spot, it is always possible to redeem yourself with the world by doing things different a second, third, maybe even fourth time around.

Nothing is as bad as death. Even maybe going to jail! At least you are fed. you are warm, and you can figure out how to have purpose no matter what. (don’t go to jail though, I hear it sucks 😉 Worst case scenario, death. It is the only thing that is permanent.

5. Take responsibility

“Yes I put myself here, it sucks, but now I can move on” No one made things happen to you that you didn’t choose to go along with so start owning up and moving on. It gives you a sense of freedom and clarity.

6. Take care of yourself

You will always come across problems/challenges. Be sure you are not self sabotaging by  eating crappy food, drinking things that aren’t good for you, and not exercising. Having a sound mind and healthy body with help you deal with life’s stresses. Take some time to breathe into your body and feel what it tells you. Take a vacation from work, life and the electronic black hole to recharge. I would say you could just take a break at home, but there you are still drawn to things you are trying to break from. Spend a night in a tent, rent a cheap motel room, drive to someplace you have never been before and enjoy the difference. Cut loose for a night and come back recharged. The world will not cease to exist if you are not there for a day or two.

 

 

The mind is a powerful thing. You can alter your physiologic state of your body by altering your thought patterns and choosing what to focus on. remember nothing is a bad as dying, so what is your worst case. Visualize the good and the bad, see both ways unfold in your mind and see how you will react prior to either item actually happening. You will find that your mind will give you the path and as long as you stick with it, grow from mistakes and realize that you too are a BADASS, life will not be so bad.

Here’s to rolling with the punches and creating something wonderful!