Seven lessons from seven years in business

It’s that time again. November of each year reminds me of the time I leapt into The Balance Collective 100%. With a financial safety net of a little bit of savings and redundancy money, I decided to make this my only source of income. I had to feel the fear, and do it anyway; I felt like it was “now or never”. It was a calculated risk, and I was betting on myself. Now, it’s seven years on, and I like to use this mark in the calendar to reflect on what I have learned since I become self-employed. It’s time to share my seven lessons from seven years in business.

 

Out of all the blogs I put out, this is probably the most self-indulgent of mine; so, thank you for taking the time out of your day to read my reflections. However, I know how useful I have found articles like this in the past, so if you are on the cusp of making a big career change, maybe these observations will help you too.

 

Before I started this blog, I had to double-check the date. Seven years didn’t quite seem right, it didn’t feel possible that those many years had passed. However, when I start to consider the milestones that have happened in that time, it’s clear how time can play tricks on you. Whilst it only feels like “yesterday” that this all started, in reality, my children have started and moved schools, I’ve moved decades (celebrating a BIG birthday), and we’ve lived through a monumental time in history (many times over!). 

When I turn my attention to the business, that has grown and changed in the same way as my personal life. In the early days of being “The Balance Collective”, it felt like a separate entity to me. Now, it’s one and the same; integrated into my career the same way that I was as an employee. This is obvious when I look back at some of the “anniversary” blogs I have written over the years. Whilst I’ve not maintained one for every one of the seven years, it’s clear to see how whilst I have been changing because of the business, the business has also been changed because of me. It’s a paradox knowing which one has the greatest influence!

 

So, with all that in mind, here are the seven lessons from seven years in business. You could even call them, the seven things I know about my career now.

To make it slightly less self-indulgent, I’ve added a coaching question to each point; hopefully, they will help you reflect on how your career has changed!

 

 

1. I am braver

This is a theme that comes up a lot in my annual reflections. My self-confidence grows from the experiences I have had. Like anything, sometimes time is needed to prove a concept, and to see that the service that you provide, and the skills that you are honing, are needed. When I look at my communications (especially through blogs, my social media, and my emails), I am to be clearer on who I am, what I do and what I want! There are things that I have said NO to, that I know would have been a year even two years ago, and likewise, things I say YES to, that I know I would have shied away from in the past. 

 

When you think of your plans for the next 12 months, what would saying YES more allow you to do?

 

2. I channel my energy into what works

I’ve got seven years’ worth of information that can help me see what works and doesn’t – both professionally and personally. With a slightly more predictable income, I have stepped away from the feast-or-famine approach that I experienced in the early years of my business. Whilst I am in no way as financially stable as I would like to be, especially right now, this does give me the head space to plan more, and better, to make sure that I cannot burn out.

 

When is the last time you reflected on where your energy goes? 

 

 

3. I am less sensitive to rejection

I am much more comfortable will sharing how fear of rejection is a bit driver for me. It’s something I’ve always known, but the DISC profile assessment has helped me understand my personality preferences better. It’s enabled me to take an emotional step away from the internal chatter that tries to convince me that I’m a failure! The most significant way this shows up is within the frustration of “ghosting”. When a client gets in contact, says all the right things but doesn’t actually engage me as their coach or trainer. Before, it would crush me. Now, I’m simply not the right person for them!

 

How can understanding your fear helps you move forward from difficult moments?

 

 

4. I am investing more 

This is a big one for me, but the return on investment is massive. I have spent more ON the business, both financially and time; from new branding photography to courses and blocking more time out to work on what I need to move forward. This has spilt over into my personal life too.  Investing doesn’t have to mean cash; it can be time, attention, and knowledge. Very simply, it’s breaking the status quo.

 

What do you need and how can you bring it into your life?

 

5. I am considering the future more.

I still can’t believe I’m seven years in. It’s passed so quickly, so I wonder now how quickly the NEXT seven years will come. By that stage, I will be 50, and my kids will be 17 and nearly 24 years of age. I can’t even imagine what will have happened during that time. So, as my life experience changes; I am asking myself will who I work with and for change? I predict as I age and grow, so will be client base; so what they will want and need will change. So I am working on future-proofing myself and my business (see point 4!)

 

Where do you see yourself in the future? What will you need to do now to transition into that new stage? 

 

6. The issues of the world influence what I do.

I am aware of my privilege, as well as becoming stronger with my values, ethics, and beliefs. They have always driven me, but they have been done subtly, I feel. However, now is not the time to be neutral or stay out of the conversations. One of the things I vowed is to speak up when I see injustice and amplify the voices then need amplifying. I’m making imperfect progress and would encourage everyone to do the same, with the issues that keep you up at night.

 

What imperfect progress can you make?

 

7. I am learning to lean into patience.

I am impatience; the way I walk, talk, and read demonstrates that. However, with the other lessons that my life experiences have given me, patience is the one that I am learning the most. My default settings for most things are control and action, and I can get disappointed if progress or answers are not made at the rate I expect. But that is MY issue; so instead of frustration, I am trying to push through the discomfort of a slower pace. I already can see the impact; my decision-making is better!

 

How could patience help you? 

 

 

Thank you for reading and allowing me the space to share these thoughts with you. If you are on a similar journey to me, I’d love to read your reflections; either pop them in the comments section on the blog or head over to Creating Careers to Enjoy on Facebook.