Episode 146
Ep 146: Do we need to be with what is (rather than chasing something more)?
Ever feel like you're on a relentless hamster wheel in your solo business? You're not alone! In this episode, I talk about the importance of stepping back and simply being with what is, instead of always pushing for the next big thing. It might feel scary, but taking a breather from all the striving - even if just for a week or two - could be just what the doctor ordered!
Transcript
Foreign.
Speaker B:Welcome to Unfrazzle, a podcast for solo business owners with a big vision who are ready for a kinder, more sustainable approach to productivity.
Speaker B:I'm Louise Miller and each week I share bite size insights to help you step away from the hustle, stop faffing.
Speaker C:And stay focused so you can make.
Speaker B:Your brilliant ideas happen and make a bigger impact in the world.
Speaker B:Before we dive into today's episode, if you enjoy what I'm sharing here on Unfrazzle and you'd like to support the podcast, you can buy me a cuppa by going to buymeacoffee.com louisemiller and making a one off donation.
Speaker B:I'll pop a link to that in the show notes.
Speaker B:Okay, grab yourself a cuppa and let's get started.
Speaker C:There's so much to love about being.
Speaker A:Your own boss and making money on your own terms, isn't there?
Speaker C:But it's not easy.
Speaker C:I've been doing this for 10 years.
Speaker A:Now, and lately I've been noticing how relentless it can feel.
Speaker C:Running workshops and free challenges, inviting people.
Speaker A:Into make it Happen club, thinking of new ways to bring value to the people who've chosen to hang out in my calm corner of the Internet.
Speaker C:Looking for opportunities to bring more of those people into my world.
Speaker A:And in the back of my mind, I'm very aware that I haven't signed any new one to one clients in a long time.
Speaker A:Which could be because I don't talk about it enough.
Speaker A:But I love what I do and I'm so fortunate that there's nothing I do in my business that I hate.
Speaker C:You know, I built it that way on purpose.
Speaker C:But there is always something coming up on the horizon that needs effort, time and attention.
Speaker A:And sometimes it feels like that never ends.
Speaker A:And I see that with my clients too.
Speaker A:You know, we haven't finished the thing that we're working on and we're already thinking about the next thing.
Speaker A:We all do it and it is totally understandable because we're not where we.
Speaker C:Want to be and so we're always doing more, moving on to the next.
Speaker A:Thing and the next thing and the next thing.
Speaker A:It does make sense, but it can start to feel relentless and exhausting as well, can't it?
Speaker C:And recently I have been wondering what might happen if we allowed ourselves moments to just be with what is to serve our clients, deliver the things that.
Speaker A:We need to be delivering and do.
Speaker C:The minimum that keeps you present in.
Speaker A:People's minds without pushing for something more.
Speaker C:How long would you feel comfortable staying in that mode?
Speaker C:A week?
Speaker A:Two weeks?
Speaker C:A whole month.
Speaker C:I know that times have been tricky.
Speaker A:For many small business owners lately, and.
Speaker C:If you are genuinely struggling to pay the bills, that might feel like a.
Speaker A:Luxury you can't afford.
Speaker A:And I totally understand and respect that.
Speaker A:So please know that I'm not minimising the very real challenge of bringing enough money into your business.
Speaker C:But speaking personally, my life is simple.
Speaker A:We don't have kids, our overheads are relatively low.
Speaker C:We've designed our life this way on purpose.
Speaker A:You know, things never feel unsafe for me from a financial point of view, which I realize is a very privileged position to be in.
Speaker C:And if you're fortunate enough to be.
Speaker A:In that position too, if you know that you have enough and that will look very different for everyone.
Speaker C:Would you benefit from taking some time.
Speaker A:To just be with what is, instead of always pushing for something more to.
Speaker C:Notice how far you've come?
Speaker C:Would you of five or ten years.
Speaker A:Ago recognize the you of today?
Speaker C:How have you changed?
Speaker C:What have you achieved?
Speaker C:What would happen if you let yourself.
Speaker A:Be with that a while?
Speaker C:If you let go of the striving not forever, but just for a brief moment.
Speaker C:So I'm not going to pretend that that's easy, right?
Speaker A:It feels uncomfortable for me too, but.
Speaker C:I am pondering giving it a try this summer.
Speaker C:So for me, that would look like.
Speaker A:Showing up for my clients in Make It Happen Club, supporting my one to one clients, writing an email to my list every week, and posting in LinkedIn.
Speaker C:When I feel like it's Every summer, I take a break from recording new episodes of the podcast, but I will.
Speaker A:Make sure that there's something new for your ears.
Speaker A:Every Tuesday.
Speaker A:As usual, I'm going to go back through some old episodes and republish some of my favourites.
Speaker A:But beyond that, everything else can wait.
Speaker C:Even if it is just for a couple of weeks.
Speaker C:You know, I don't always need to.
Speaker A:Be working on the next thing.
Speaker A:It's okay to take my foot off.
Speaker C:The gas for a moment.
Speaker C:Nothing terrible will happen.
Speaker C:And if you've ever heard me share.
Speaker A:The story that led to me starting my business, you'll have heard me talk about feeling like I was on a hamster wheel in my old job.
Speaker A:It wasn't a good feeling and it ultimately made me ill.
Speaker A:So if I start to feel that.
Speaker C:Way again, always chasing the next thing.
Speaker A:Because I'm not where I want to be, I'm realising that I need to consciously step off that hamster wheel so.
Speaker C:That I can have a rest, get.
Speaker A:Get some perspective and recharge my batteries.
Speaker A:And I am very good at managing my energy and not overdoing it and giving myself plenty of space.
Speaker C:But what I've come to realize that there is still always this thing in.
Speaker A:The back of my mind that there is something more I need to be doing.
Speaker A:And I'm constantly thinking about the next thing and the next thing and the next, instead of just allowing myself to be in my business as it is.
Speaker C:Right now, doing the things I love.
Speaker A:With the people who are paying me.
Speaker C:To do it, sharing valuable things for.
Speaker A:The other people in my world and just allowing that to be okay just.
Speaker C:For a short while.
Speaker A:You know, I trust myself to pick up the pace and dive right back in when the time's right.
Speaker A:I'm not afraid that if I just.
Speaker C:Take my foot off the gas for.
Speaker A:A minute, I'll never get going again.
Speaker A:That's not something that worries me.
Speaker C:So how about you?
Speaker A:Have things been feeling a little bit relentless for you as well?
Speaker C:Would you benefit from being with what is for a while and what would that look like for you?
Speaker C:Are you brave enough to give that a go?
Speaker C:So, as always, I hope that this.
Speaker A:Helps and I look forward to seeing you again soon.
Speaker B:Thank you for listening to Unfrazzle.
Speaker B:If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share it with a friend who needs a dose of calm productivity in their life.
Speaker B:And I'd love it if you could leave me a rating or a review as that will help more people discover the podcast.
Speaker B:And if you're struggling with productivity right now, take my free assessment to find out what's really getting in the way.
Speaker A:Of you getting things done.
Speaker B:It takes less than three minutes to complete and I'll send you tailored resources and insights that will help based on your score.
Speaker B:You'll find that@louisemiller.uk quiz and there's a.
Speaker A:Link for that in the show notes.
Speaker B:So thank you so much for being.
Speaker A:Here and I look forward to seeing you next time.
