Stop Pressing the Snooze Button

Being an independent or small business owner means you need to have your head completely in the game.

Take time out to do a mental check-in to see how you’re feeling – mind, body and spirit. Your health is critical to the health and vitality of your business.

Each and every one of us has a story. I share my story to help others learn that all things are possible. We all have shit to deal with and no one’s life is perfect.

After all, it’s not like we live in Leave it to Beaver as June Cleaver wearing a dress and pearls while vacuuming.

That’s way too easy!

Here’s a little piece of my story to illustrate what can happen if you choose to hit the snooze button…

The Big Kahuna

In the fall of 2011, I hit a wall. I call it the “Big Kahuna.” I didn’t know what to do or where to go, because I didn’t want to be weak.

At the time, my lifestyle services business Domestic Concierge was growing fast. I was solely managing the business and supporting myself. On top of that, I was living in San Francisco, one of the most expensive cities in the country.

Dorothy, you’re definitely not in Texas anymore!

I was working hands-on with my team during the day and running the business operations at night – every night.

It was important to do everything my team was doing because my end goal was to learn from them, as well my customers, at all times.

When the Big Kahuna hit, I was completely burned out. I felt empty, lonely, depressed, and lost.

There was a lot of stuff that I had tucked away because I didn’t want to make the time to deal with it. Then all of a sudden it all came crashing down on me, as if the universe was calling out, “IT’S TIME!”

David, a friend from college who I hadn’t seen in years, looked at me and said in his Forest Gump voice, “Jen-nay, you look hard. How have you been?”

Well, this time I spoke the truth, tears and all. David made a phone call to the founder of a retreat program.

I fought it and said, “I don’t have time to go,” because apparently I never had time for anything except work.

But soon I found myself on a plane headed to Arizona. I knew I needed help, and I decided to stop pressing the snooze button.

I went to the program with an open mind and open heart, and for the first time I wasn’t afraid to ask for help. I needed help. I was tired of carrying so much weight.

All that weight was just pain.

I hope that by being open, I’ll help you avoid some of the same mistakes.

I’d blocked out the pain for so long and buried myself in work that I forgot to take care of myself. I became depleted and had nothing left to give to anyone – not even to myself.

Through my two-week journey at the retreat, they helped me recognize patterns in my life and let go of dead weight that I’d been carrying.

They helped heal me through shamanic energy and breath work.

They helped me reconnect with my spirit and soul.

They helped me learn how to love myself.

They helped me find balance through yoga, meditation, and qi gong.

They helped me transform my life, nourish myself, and feel whole again.

Most of all, they helped me find ME. To completely surrender and let someone finally help me was a personal milestone.

Don’t kid yourself; I know you have a story. Just like everyone else that I’ve shared my story with. We all have stories of pain, but it is how we can take that pain and work through it no matter how difficult it may be. Through pain there will be strength.

When you have the courage and strength to let go of pain, you’ll be amazed at how you feel.

Rising from the Ashes

This kind of transformation doesn’t end after you’ve healed. It’s the beginning of a journey in which more shit will likely be thrown your way. It’s up to you to decide how to deal with it.

Despite how much I tried to avoid it, I still had many obstacles thrown my way. I dwelled on it and thought, “How in the hell could this happen to me? Why would this person lie to me? Why would this person steal from me?”

It hurt like hell to be taken advantage of, and it’s hard to trust people who misrepresent themselves.

But I did it to myself, and I take full responsibility for it.

I fell many of times while trying to launch my tech start-up. I got screwed over many of times, wasted a lot of money and had nothing to show for it.

But I never gave up. I picked myself back up and kept going.

So when shit happens (and it will), don’t let it pull you down. Use it to push you further. Remember your goals and keep going even if you feel like you can’t. Just do it!

What I learned

What I’ve learned throughout my journey is to let go of what no longer serves me. I see all the valuable lessons I’ve learned and how they’ve helped me become stronger and keep moving forward.

Here are the most valuable lessons I’ve learned:

· Be grateful.

· Count your blessings each and every day.

· Take care of yourself.

· Remember to breathe.

· Find the joy in life.

· Surround yourself with people who care.

· Let go of those who don’t lift you up.

· It’s okay to be weak.

· It’s okay to cry.

· It’s okay to fail.

Do yourself a big favor and let go of the past so you can create new and beautiful stories.

It feels damn good to let go of dead weight and to keep chasing my vision. It’s so hard to be the sole founder of a woman-owned start-up. But I don’t let that get in my way – I’m breaking the code.

You have the choice to keep moving ahead. No one is stopping you – only you can do that.

Living Your Purpose

You can make the choice each day to live your life to highest potential. Pay it forward. Be kind, generous, and compassionate.

You can still put your needs first without being selfish. You’ll be amazed at the beautiful stories you’ll now create.

Chase your vision and never give up when the going gets tough! Embrace change and embrace challenges – you’ll grow and thrive!

Here are two of my favorite books that you may also enjoy:

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho“…whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It’s your mission on earth.”

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra “Everyone has a purpose in life . . . a unique gift or special talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals.”

My most recent articles:

The Solopreneur Movement: Setting Up Your Business for Success

The Solopreneur Movement: Be Fearless

Creating an Online Presence That Makes an Impact

Is the Internet the New Placement Agency?

Jennifer Taormina is the Founder and CEO of SourceList. She is passionate about helping and educating customers and service professionals on the best practices for recruiting, online presence, building relationships, and managing their businesses more efficiently.

You can contact Jennifer directly at jennifer@sourcelist.co and follow her @TheSourceList.