“No matter what happens, keep on beginning and failing. Each time you fail, start all over again, and you will grow stronger until you find that you have accomplished a purpose—not the one you began with, perhaps, but one that you will be glad to remember.” ~ Anne Sullivan Macy
Last week I felt a bit demotivated. I found it hard to meet my deadlines and complete tasks on my to-do list. I still managed to push myself out of my comfort zone and tried my best to keep my eyes on the vision I created at the beginning of this year.
Not sure where this temporary lack of motivation came from though. Maybe because the weather outside is grey and depressing. Maybe because I put too much on my plate. Maybe because I’m impatient. But maybe because the reward for my work is not here yet.
When I was young I was told that I am talented but lazy. This led me to believe that I don’t have to work hard to get things. They will just happen for me.
At the same time, I was also told that not knowing things is a reason to feel ashamed, because people will laugh at me. This conditioned me into believing that asking for help is not acceptable nor is admitting I lack some knowledge.
Stepping onto the entrepreneurial journey was new to me. Something I was drawn to for a long time but I had no role models in my family to guide me on how to start and stay on track to achieve success.
I had to challenge these two beliefs from my childhood on my own.
1 – First – Talent is not enough.
You need to put in work to see results. If I don’t set up goals and complete them consistently, nothing magically will happen.
2 – Two – Surround yourself with like-minded people.
Being an entrepreneur is very often a lonely game but without other people things are even harder. I need a community of like-minded people, so I don’t completely isolate into a hermit mode. Plus, it’s good to know that it’s not just you. That others face similar struggles.
I need a business coach or a mentor who keeps me accountable, so I keep going in the right direction. Especially when self-doubt kicks in. I need a biz-buddy I can share both: my success and celebrate it, or a failure so they can pat my back and help me keep my spirits up.
It’s good to surround yourself with people who are ahead of you so you can learn new things, get inspired or motivated.
Here’s what I learned today:
- I know something other people don’t, so I can teach them. Other people know something I don’t know (yet) so I can learn from them. That banishes my false belief about asking for help, and being ok with not knowing everything.
- I need to remember that it’s ok to be a student. Actually, you are a student of life. You will never know everything and there will always be something new to learn.
- Losing my motivation last week forced me to accept the fact that I am only a human. Imperfect human being who is trying her best but sometimes gets tired.
- I managed to slow down, take it easy and get some rest rather than quit.
- I didn’t shame myself for not achieving my weekly goals.
- I appreciated the efforts I took and also saw how far I have come. I know there is more ahead, and I know there will be days like this again – when I would loose my motivation and would not be as productive as I planned for.
- However, I’m not afraid of going slowly anymore. As long as I keep moving, I am making progress and this is what counts. I have my eyes on a bigger picture and I regularly reconnect with my purpose. I adjust to new opportunities and circumstances.
- The fear of success is stronger than the fear of failure. I know how to fail and rise. What I don’t know is how to work hard on something that matters to me, stay on the course and succeed.
And that is my new goal:
Keep going, no matter what, and see what happens. I might discover my new purpose that is worth remembering.
In conclusion, last week’s temporary demotivation served as a valuable reminder of my humanity and the need for self-care. It made me confront and challenge the limiting beliefs I had carried from my childhood, realising that hard work and seeking support are essential components of success. Embracing the entrepreneurial journey has taught me the importance of surrounding myself with like-minded individuals, mentors, and coaches who can provide guidance and accountability. I have come to appreciate that asking for help and acknowledging my own areas of growth are not signs of weakness but opportunities for personal and professional development. By embracing a student mindset and accepting that progress may be slow at times, I have learned to value the journey and appreciate how far I have come.
Moving forward, I am determined to keep my eyes on the bigger picture, regularly reconnect with my purpose, and adapt to new circumstances. While the fear of success may be daunting, I am committed to persevering, working diligently on what truly matters to me, and discovering a purpose worth remembering. No matter the challenges that lie ahead, I am now equipped with a newfound resilience and determination to keep going, knowing that each failure and setback only strengthens my resolve to achieve greatness.
