Spring is here...are you growing a new venture?
The birds are chirping, the buds are bursting from their cozy pods, and I’m breaking out the flip flops! (Yep. I’m still a Florida girl right down to my bright turquoise toe nails.)
Spring is here, and it’s a new season! Aren’t you as excited as I am?!?!
Spring is the perfect time to start that new venture that you’ve been dreaming about. You know, that one you put in hibernation over the winter months. (Your winter months could have been December 21-March 20 or some other time of barrenness and isolation.)
I hope you DO burst from your cozy pod and bring your new idea out into the open! You can BLOSSOM & BLOOM this Spring!!
However, starting new things is not for the faint of heart. It takes self-discipline, a tribe of people to support you, and a lot of belief in what you’re growing and sharing with the world. Once you get started, there will be times of difficulty and obstacles. IT WILL TOTALLY BE WORTH IT to push through, but it won’t be sunshine and roses all the time. Storms, pests, and weeds will arise.
I know that feeling of continuing to bump against obstacles when you’re being brave and starting something new. It can be exhausting! And defeating. When I face these times, I take comfort AND find strength in this word from the apostle Paul to Timothy, the man he was mentoring in Spiritual Leadership:
For GOD has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
When fear arises, this verse reminds me to focus on the power, love, and self-discipline that can come from GOD alone.
Tricks to Overcoming Obstacles
In the work of growing my business, having an active and large family, and staying true to my faith, I’ve learned some tricks to working through these obstacles and achieving success.
Here are some coaching tips I share with my clients (and that I use myself!!):
1. VISION
Developing a clear vision of where you are going is key!
I know that can be hard work and doesn’t come naturally for everyone. Actually, most of us need to reserve some thinking and/or prayer time to more fully develop this. But, when you have a distinct picture of what you’re creating and the impact you’ll have on your community because of it, you’ll have an easier time staying motivated through the daily grind.
Some helpful questions to consider while developing your vision:
What are you creating and what will it actually look like?
Who are you serving?
How will lives be improved by my contribution?
What is the financial potential? How will that positively affect my family and loved ones?
What skills will I develop along the way?
What positive implications will there be for my family?
In what way will my faith be more visible and a witness?
2. VALUES
You must clearly identify your values to stay aligned and true to yourself.
Your values are like the rudder of your ship. They are under the surface of the water secretly guiding your way, maybe even without your awareness! You make decisions every day (big and small) based on your values. When you’re aware of your values, you’ll make better decisions.
When starting new things, it’s easy to get confused. Before you know it, you’re following the advice of well-meaning friends, family, and experts that mean well, but don’t have the same mission or values as you do. In order to feel, act, and BE aligned, you have to identify your values.
Some helpful questions to consider:
Use my values questionnaire to help you take the first step. (link to PDF, join email list)
What feelings do you want to leave with the people you serve?
How do you want to show up for your family?
How do you want to treat the people you work with?
What actions will support your values?
3. TEAM OF SUPPORT
"If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far, go together."
Seriously. This African Proverb stands the test of time.
I know. You don’t want to bother anyone. I used to have a major problem with this--now I only have a minor one! Haha!! It really came into focus for me when a friend said to me, “Selena, don’t you know that it blesses me to help you? Every time that you don’t let me in, you stop me from receiving a blessing.” Ouch. She was so right. That was probably 10 years ago that she lovingly told me that, and I remember it to this day. Every time I want to resist help, I remember that by allowing others in, I’m giving them access to receiving a blessing. It actually takes a great deal of humility to accept help. Please. Accept help from others. Let them into the mess. It will relieve a burden from you and bless another.
Some places to get support:
Ask for prayer
Take note of your strengths and weaknesses. Who around you is an expert where you have a lack?
Can you trade with anyone?
Household tasks
Menial tasks
Counseling, Coaching
Cheerleaders!!
Really, I suggest you form a committee in your mind with a variety of helpers and support.
Finally, be comforted with this...the Holy Spirit is at work behind the scenes and has wonderful surprises waiting for you!
Just as a gardener or a farmer has to do the hard work with the land before he or she can reap a harvest, so must you! You have to take daily actions--planning the crops, preparing the soil, planting the seeds, fertilizing the soil, pulling the weeds, etc.
One day, the bounty will be ready for you to enjoy the reward and feast with your friends and family!
Coach Selena
Want to “dig” into this more?? (See what I did there…)
Book a coaching chat with me, and let’s talk about my private coaching options. I would love to work alongside you as you start building your new thing!