Many things get me in the mood for dancing. Spending time with my other half is one of them.
After another six months of serving mastermind clients and all the love poured into the sharing of The Branding Retreat happening in May, I took eight days and seven nights to be on retreat with my husband in Arizona. Travel and time away always re-energizes…
These were days filled with much adventure and no technology ~ no email, no texting, and no social media. If we needed to make a call, we were asked to do it in our room. The time was magical. My son and husband joke that I'm not much of a rule follower, however, these rules were some I was so happy to abide by…
The following are three things that came out of our daily and, many times, multiple-times-per-day meditations, hikes, tai chi, yoga sessions and more. They may not be new truths, however, maybe today, in the way I'll share, they will support you in a deeper way to start the week the way you know you'd like to consciously end it…
3. Self-care is the new client care. The success of your business has everything to do with the client care you deliver, and you can't deliver it without caring for and nurturing yourself (even if it's just 10 minutes each morning, do it: wake for YOU vs. for others via email, text or social media…meditate, read, sip tea while watching the world — or birds — go by). In other words, as I love to say, "nurture the nurturer". It's a beautiful thing when we care so much about our clients that we prioritize taking care of our soul and the level of peace felt in it, so they, too, can benefit from it.
Self-care, what I'd love to call "the new client care", is how we're able to turn around and deliver our genius to help clients in whatever transformation we've promised them (in other words, results). So, yes, it IS about self-care, but the why lies in so we can be about heartful, generous and fabulous client care. Care for you and you will be caring for others in a way that is unmistakable. In short, clients have invested a lot of time and energy to work with you and they deserve to feel the self-care you give yourself, on a more consistent basis. If you want to be known for delivering a high level of passion and service, focus on treating yourself kindly as you build your empire. You can't give from what you don't have, but everyone can always **feel** when you're giving from what is considered your overflow.
2. To disconnect is to connect. When we disconnect from technology email and social media, our quality of life increases and we get back to the important work of being relationship architects; women who value relationship and the home we're creating above what others have to say to us in social media. Social media is fickle, but our real life relationships sustain us. No matter what business we're in, or if we do a lot of online marketing or not, there will be times of heart-filled hustle and of hours changing to meet deadlines. That's entrepreneurship.
Sometimes, this means working early in the morning and late into the night on whatever big push, new project or beautiful offering we're birthing. But, where are your relationships while you're doing that? Are they being taken care of? What do you have set in place to make sure you are loving those who love you? In planning yourself back into your schedule, make sure to highlight these key relationships.
First thing in the morning, give to self, by reading a favorite book, meditating or by simply breathing in and out more consciously, and then, slip into presence, maybe sipping tea in the company of your kids or partner (as the saying goes — the days are long, but the years are short). See them off with a smile and a peace about you, without rush. In other words, plan the week as well as that first hour or two in the morning in a way that actually sees this time of filling yourself and your home up as part of your important "work" in the world. Because it is. When you disconnect from technology for a time, and especially during the all-important morning hours waking for yourself vs. for the online world, you have the emotional and physical space to truly connect with the very people who will continue to support and add purpose to your entrepreneurial journey and ventures.
1. Support from others is key to your success. Each time I go away, I am reminded of how true it really is. The week I was away was made possible by HAVING my assistant. She kept the ship afloat. She dealt with scheduling and on-boarding new clients, handled website issues, called to follow up on things, updated budgets and event planning documents, etc. Each day, she also did the invaluable task of going into my email and deleting anything she knew wasn't important for me to come back to (or if it was important, she dealt with it herself). I came back and it only took me 15-20 minutes to go through all my emails! Glorious. So, whether you're a fresh or an experienced entrepreneur, with or without a team, you know and can feel that you need support. The emotional support may come from loved ones for a time; however, it must also come from someone who can actually take things off your plate so you can focus on what you do best…
It could be as easy as a college intern who works with you for school credit, or you could hire a virtual assistant who works for you for 30 minutes per week, to start. Whatever you can afford, will afford you more time working in your genius (the place where you more quickly earn your professional worth), not to mention, afford you the time needed to get away for longer periods of time unplugged (!), because you know that everything is and will BE well taken care of. It takes time to find the right person and to train them, yes, but it is well worth it. In getting the support you need, which could also be a mentor to help you prioritize and plan the dare to delegate, you free yourself up to do more of the things mentioned above. You can deliver greatness to your clients (and get known for it) and also spend more time with the very people that you chose to be on this life journey with.
Win-win-win.
I hope you're dancing about something you did for yourself (and therefore everyone else in your life) this weekend…
Here's to being and creating magic this week!
And, don't forget: there IS creativity and success in stillness.
🙂
Much love!
Life is good,
