#116 Turning your “crossroad” into purpose

Did you know that there are less than 100 days (97 to be exact) left in 2022?

The question is, how are you going to make these next 97 days count?

I talk a lot about “the plan” and how to create a system around your daily, weekly, and monthly habits so that you can create a work-life balance. That, in my opinion, is the first place to start so that you can reach your dreams, hopes, wishes, and wants. But, I am not going to talk about that today.

 What I really want to share with you is how so many women like you are starting businesses later in life. A.K.A. finding their purpose. 

I actually hate speaking to “finding your purpose” because it has become so generic. 

But the truth is, all the conversations I have, circle back to this. Just the other day I was taking a long beach walk with a friend (who has had a long and stellar career in advertising) and she’s just not feeling it anymore. Thus she’s feeling a bit lost and for lack of a better word, hopeless.

You and I both know that she’s not hopeless. She’s simply at a crossroads. 

As I share my three tips with you today ask yourself a few questions:

1️⃣ How much time do you spend dreaming about turning your hobby, idea, or passion into something fruitful?

2️⃣ When your friends come to you for advice, what is the number one theme or problem you are trying to help them solve?

3️⃣ What would your life look like if you could create something like this for yourself? 

We both know that starting something new is daunting and hard and those thoughts could be the very thing holding you back. Today’s tips are really more like steps that speak to the “what if” or the fantasy of what is truly possible.

Tip #1
Starting something new requires both commitment and discipline. When I pivoted from having a solo, 1:1 private consulting practice and scaling it into a digital space, I had no idea how hard it was going to be. I was “told” by all the “gurus” out there that it would be easy, all I had to do was “X, Y, Z.” So not the case. However, what has kept me here and kept me going is that commitment and the discipline to simply keep moving even when I felt depleted, frustrated, and exhausted. 

Tip #2
Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will your next big idea. As a creator, you are always evolving, learning, and growing. Thus so will your idea and business. I wish I had some visuals of all the iterations of myself over the past several years, so I could show you the journey and the process. It takes time to master your message and solidify your brand identity. But the important thing is to start. Start somewhere and keep it simple.

Tip #3
You can’t do it alone. Finding others who are either creating something similar to you or have already done it will be crucial to your growth and success. I have had several mentors and collaborations that have helped me carry out my vision. Looking at yourself through a new lens, by how they perceive your vision is helpful no matter what industry you are in. Finding your people early on will change the trajectory of your pursuit of purpose and meaning.

The fact is, starting anything new whether it’s a job, a business, a family, or moving to a new city is hard shit. Change is never easy. However, despite obstacles, learning to focus on small victories (what I like to call milestones and tasks) is going to be the fuel to your fire. 

Most important here - is how can your experiences and your expertise impact others. Because at the end of the day, you have so many gifts to share, sometimes it’s just hard to recognize them. 

If you are at a crossroads,  already a business builder or a creator just starting out and you are seeking guidance and or a community, I do offer a free workshop from time to time. I will introduce you to a few ways where you can begin to see things from a whole new perspective. You can learn more and sign up here.  

If you liked today's tips, stay tuned for Part II next week!

Have a great week!

P.S. If you are digging these three tips, you can get them in your inbox each week. Sign up here.