Have you found your passion?
How long did it take you to find your passion? Did you know right away? Or did it take a few years (or decades) to figure out what really ignited your soul? Or perhaps you’ve already explored one passion and are ready to take on the next challenge. As women in business, it can be so easy to lose sight of our passion and ambition while juggling the many roles we play- wife, mother, daughter, friend, and entrepreneur, even when we’re lucky enough to be pursuing those dreams in the first place. We, as women, tend to receive the message from society that we need to pour our time, energy, and resources into everyone else first, which often leaves very little for ourselves. It can be difficult, when we find ourselves in that place, to determine what it is we truly want for ourselves and, once we do, to continue to make the choices we need to in order to make that dream a reality. Between societal expectations of how we prioritize our time to a tendency to underestimate our own capability it can be difficult to stay accountable. That’s where someone like Amy Goober, an action coach, can help you stay on track and move toward what will not only ignite your passion, but ignite the passion of others.
In the roadblocks to making your entrepreneurial passion a success avoidance looms large on the horizon. It can be so easy to focus on any of the smaller, more tangible tasks you have to get done during the day than focusing on the elements of those bigger projects that will move you forward. So what can you do to keep the Avoidance Gremlin at bay? Here are a few tips to help you stay accountable on those days where you’d much rather be watching Netflix.
1. Hone in on what's important to you
Take some time and clarify what it is you truly want. Are you avoiding the tasks at hand because you really aren’t passionate about the project anymore or is something else holding you back? Remind yourself of your goals, values, and mission and check in to make sure your business endeavors are still aligned.
2. Take action instead of complaining
If your business isn’t going how you envisioned, resist the urge to dwell on it and mull over every decision and setback you’ve had. Instead, take time to ask yourself, “What can I do to make it better?” Take ownership of your own journey (you’re the captain of this ship after all), and be proactive even when it’s difficult.
3. Coach yourself
You know that inner voice? The one that sometimes says you’re not good enough or that you’re an absolute rockstar? Yeah. That voice can be your biggest cheerleader or your worst enemy. The great news is, you have total control over how you’d like to speak to yourself. So, we know it may sound silly, but in those moments where you’re feeling like everything is too hard, talk to yourself out loud. Remind yourself that, “You can do hard things.” “You’ve done this before, and you can do it again.” This will help you push through those moments of doubt and help you create the momentum to keep moving forward. Speaking of reminding yourself that you can do hard things …
4. Celebrate your wins and take pride in your accomplishments
So often we forget, because we’ve been told not to brag about our accomplishments, that we have already done hard, amazing things before and we are more than capable of doing them again. No one can take that strength from you. If you’ve experienced it before, you can experience it again. And if you haven’t, you can cultivate it. Reflecting on your achievements is crucial for building accountability and self-confidence. So take time and remind yourself of the skills, talents, and strengths you already possess- they’re all the proof you need to know you have more than what it takes!
5. Keep the end in mind
It can be so easy on the road to success to realize it’s even longer than we thought. Like the yellow brick road in the Wizard of Oz, we may find ourselves wondering if we’re ever going to reach our Emerald City (though finding your community along the way sure does help, doesn’t it?). In those moments where your dreams seem a little too far away it’s important to let your vision for success continue to drive you forward. By keeping that end goal in mind, it will help you travel just a little but further until success is within your sights.
Staying accountable is more than just checking items off a to do list. It involves reconnecting with yourself, setting meaningful goals, and taking action to make your dream a reality. It can be so easy to let self-doubt and other responsibilities take over. However, by staying focused, reminding yourself what you’re capable of, and celebrating the incredible woman that you are, you can move toward your passion and your goals with confidence.
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Melissa Gilbo & Amy Pocsik
Co-founders of WBL