So, now what?
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If you take stock of the past few months there are many reasons to hide under the covers:
COVID. Black Lives Matter. Recession. Hurricane Season.
Oh yeah, don't forget homeschooling.
We just did our end of year school "drive by celebration" to pick up our kid's stuff.
And now we're researching what we will do in the fall because we're not doing that again.
A lot is up in the air.
So, now what?
Business as usual is over.
How do you respond?
Do you keep going or change course?
Shut it down?
On a good day, there are always more questions than answers when you have your own little business.
Always.
It's something entrepreneurs and small business owners must come to terms with. It's not easy, but it's so worth it.
Now we have MORE unanswered questions.
Questions we for sure need to be asking.
For me, I don't have the option of waiting to see how things pan out, and neither do my clients.
Besides, I don't like to live my life that way.
One way I move forward in times of uncertainty (the kind of my own making and the kind that is thrust upon me) is this:
I focus on what I know for sure, versus all the things I don't know.
The latter is paralyzing and snuffs out business momentum fast.
What I know for sure is usually one thing, or maybe just a few.
Then, I ask myself "what's the next right thing" to take action on.
Just ONE THING.
Whether that is in my marketing, my self care, my family, or my allyship with Black Lives Matter and people of color.
What never ceases to amaze me is as I go through the next right action, it always clarifies the next right action after that.
It's something I coach on A LOT.
Clients often get overwhelmed with the uncertainty in their work and then either freeze up or start working furiously on busy work.
This is totally normal, but not really useful.
So we catch our breath, acknowledge it's hard and then find the next right thing to move forward with. Just one thing.
For example, here's what I know for sure around my own little business:
I want to take extra good care of my clients during this time. (I find it a relief to focus on them, when the rest of the world feels wobbly.)
I know how much I want to earn THIS month. (I've stopped looking at year end goals. Instead I chunk down my focus into 30 day increments, because so much is up in the air and my brain finds this much more doable.)
I know that I want to finish my little book by the end of this month and move into the editing phase.
I know that I want my work to be reflective of being a good ally to all people of color.
Focusing on the next right thing versus all the things I don't know how to solve yet, or that overwhelm me, is my secret sauce to progress.
Perfect progress? No.
Think progress, not perfection.
Perfection is impossible because we are humans - flawed, goofy, loving, blemished, cranky, and our gray is showing too these days. Ha!
Sometimes it's taking breaks and logging off the internet for 48 hours to refuel and stay sane.
Sometimes it's going to bed really early for three nights in a row until you can think clearly again.
Consider taking good care of yourself AND taking action on the next right thing for you, your family and your work.
If you focus only on uncertainty you will tip right into paralyzing fear and end up hiding under the covers.
We cannot hide out.
Everyone needs us right now.
Our Black citizens especially need us white coaches and practitioners with "Karen" privileges to listen, learn and pitch in.
Our clients need us to help them engage life and work in new ways.
Our families need us to be high functioning.
As coaches, we were made for this.
Why?
You know that you're usually the highest functioning individual in the room, right? High functioning feelers, thinkers and doers are needed right now.
Here's to your next right thing,
Karin
PS - Of course, if now is the right time to receive coaching on your message, services and marketing get in touch. Whether you need to regroup your business, take this time to invest in your future or need help thinking fast on your feet, click here to take the first step and let's see if I can help.
PPS - For Past Clients - please know you are always welcome to join my Grads Only monthly coaching club, for a season or as long as you need. Get in touch for more info.