#18 How to learn to grow with your business growing pains
Podcast transcript:
Happy Monday! I'm back with a new episode of this podcast. It's been three weeks! Even though I planned to produce one episode a week for at least a year, life - and work - got too busy. While my outstanding new chief of staff, Alex, is making sure this episode gets published today, I'm flying out for a two-week business and networking trip to NYC (yay!). My business is also getting busier, so I've had to find new ways to navigate it all and survive the growing pains of getting to the next level. This means that moving forward, I've decided to publish a new episode every other week. I wish it were different, but I'm already stretched, and it's really the best I can do. Even with this new schedule, knowing what else is on my plate and what is still to come this year, I might miss an episode here or there.
Perhaps you've experienced this before, or you're going through the same thing right now. You've been working diligently for weeks or even months on your business or to generate positive change for yourself or your career. All of a sudden, opportunities show up everywhere.
You get tired, can't seem to get through this tsunami of options that keep coming at you and start feeling overwhelmed. You're feeling the pressure to take advantage of them and make something significant happen in your life but don't because you don't know where to focus your attention first: everything looks so enticing. It's hard to choose, so you keep spreading yourself too thin.
In this episode, I want to look at these busy seasons up close and discuss the strategies to manage the growing pains accompanying them. I will provide tips for staying sane when things get too busy and making the most out of these hectic times. I will also talk about why it's important to give ourselves permission to take a break every now and then, especially when we're under so much pressure.
Ever since I became an entrepreneur, I've struggled to reap the harvest of my hard labor. Sometimes I've planted seeds for months or years without seeing any sprouts come out. But each time, without exception, once they did, they all decided to come out at once! I remember one time, I'd just started the next iteration of my web agency; this was back in 2010-2012; I'd put out some ads online for specific services I wanted to offer, and suddenly, in a very short period of time (those were the good days of online marketing haha) my inbox was buzzing with all kinds of customer inquiries and projects. It was amazing but also such a learning curve.
The growing pains were massive, and I couldn't navigate all of them well. Even though this was a great time - I made a lot of money and learned so much - it also pushed me to exhaustion. I couldn't help everyone, so some customers got frustrated because their offers came too late or I didn't deliver the expected quality. I also left money on the table. All in all, this was a good experience but had I been more prepared, and had I taken the time to pause and think about the best strategies instead of running around like a headless chicken, my business would have grown even more - and more sustainably.
I see this with other entrepreneurs too. We work hard and have to push through when we're building something new, and nobody seems to be interested in what we're doing. Things are quiet, and we have time to procrastinate and feel sorry for ourselves. But then, all of a sudden, things take off, and everyone wants our attention. It's incredible - but it also brings its own set of challenges. Take my client and dear friend Loubna. A wonderful storyteller, a creative generalist with many talents and interests, and a communications expert who doubles as a super-connector, social activist, and networker. In the past year, Loubna has been working hard to build her brand and position herself as an expert.
She also went to every possible networking event she could think of. Always bringing her best and most bubbly self everywhere she went. As a result, after months of doing work behind the scenes and wondering when things would start to take off, all of a sudden, she's so in demand and receives so many offers and opportunities that she doesn't know where to put her focus and energy first. She's got offers to give workshops, write for magazines, help organize amazing conferences, support people writing books, receive storytelling requests, and so much more - it's all incredible. Still, it's also been overwhelming for her, to the point that she needed to take a break for a few months to catch her breath and figure out what she really wanted.
Loubna is one of my favorite people, and I'm happy to report she has found her focus again and is building a beautiful business and network. She did need to make some tough choices and accept that she wouldn't be able to say yes to everything. Loubna is an excellent reminder that, as entrepreneurs, we need to learn how to give ourselves permission to take a break now and then. When it feels like the world is crushing down on us, or when things seem to be picking up too quickly, it's ok to take a step back and pause for a moment - or even longer if needed! It's probably one of the smartest things you can do when you're building something valuable and sustainable.
It's essential to be mindful of the hustle, not just because it can be hard to keep up with but also because if we don't stay in control, it can take a toll on our mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Taking care of ourselves is essential as entrepreneurs - we need to make sure that our bodies, minds, and spirits are replenished so that we can keep going strong.
I've tried many things to get through my busy seasons without burning out, but often what I tried left me even more overwhelmed because it didn't take me - the human - into account.
In the past few years, I've realized that to get through busy periods in my business and navigate the growing pains of success, I have to do things that feel counter-intuitive. Instead of pushing through and working harder, I have to slow down. It's like an action movie. When the hero of the story is in the midst of the storm, there's a quiet intermezzo so they can take a breath and reflect on what's just happened before they set out to win the day.
In my busiest months, I list everything I have going on and consciously decide what needs my attention right now and where to let go or delegate. I take a step back, look at everything that needs my attention, and prioritize what will help me make the most progress. Then I create a plan to focus on what is most important and make sure I stick to it while letting go of the rest.
So, how do we thrive when things get busy?
By slowing down and taking the time to assess her opportunities, Loubna was able to stay and find a strategy that works for her so she can continue to grow as an entrepreneur without burning herself out. Well done, Loubna; I'm so proud of you! I do the same. When there's too much going on, I focus on essential tasks and discard anything that isn't helping me move my business forward. Here are a few more strategies that have helped me manage growing pains and thrive when life gets busy:
Make every minute count. When I feel overwhelmed with projects going in all directions, the best thing I can do is take a good look at the time available and decide what I will and won't do. Then, I split my time up into 45-minute pomodoro sessions and make sure I'm maximizing each one. I also schedule walks, tea and coffee breaks, and other relaxing mini-moments I can have throughout the day.
Find support. When I am at my busiest is when I realize I need support. It feels counter-intuitive to delegate when there is too much to do and too little time, but that's precisely when you must. If not, you'll keep working in your business and won't get to the fun part of working on it. Reach out to your network, find a mentor or an accountability partner, hire a virtual assistant – do whatever you need to make sure that you are not alone.
Prioritize rest and sleep. When we get overwhelmed, we forget to rest. We work late nights or skip meals, and eventually, we crash. To make sure this doesn't happen, I prioritize rest in my day: scheduling bedtimes or blocking off weekend afternoons for friends or to do something just for fun - I'm better able to use my "work" time more efficiently.
Let go of what doesn't serve you. This includes the idea that you need to say yes to every opportunity, do everything yourself, or that you can't delegate. Learning how to let go of activities that don't serve you is key to thriving during busy times. Remember that it's ok to say no. To tasks, people, things that clutter your schedule, bad dates, and uncomfortable clothing.
What can you learn to avoid overwhelm next time? Think about things you can implement on your own, outside of this list, that you can incorporate next time things get busy. It's important to remember that everyone has their way of dealing with busy periods in their business, and the most important thing is to find what works best for you. By reflecting on your experiences, taking the time to prioritize and plan, reaching out for support, and letting go of what doesn't serve you, you can thrive through the business.
Remember that the busy season is simply that, a season. It has an end date, and you can push yourself for the short time it takes to complete, knowing that you will be rewarded for everything you put in - if you manage it well.
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Yes, that's it for today! I hope these strategies help you manage life and work when it gets busy and help you thrive in your business. Being an entrepreneur should feel good every day. That's why busy seasons are also a great way to improve your workflows, hire help, and get clear on your long-term goals. Just remember to take care of yourself and stay focused on your end goal.
Before you go, here's this week's "f*ck it, let's do it" experiment. Find a moment in your busy week to slow down and review your schedule. What are you doing this week? Why are you so busy? Is everything on there necessary to get you to your goals? Chances are, some of it can be taken off your plate. Look at everything and pick something non-essential to remove from your list. Just let it go!
If you're feeling up to it, here's a little act of daily rebellion this week: go on LinkedIn or social media and reach out to someone you genuinely admire. A writer, a coach, a business you find inspiring, and just say hello. Let them know how much you appreciate what they do or share something new that you've learned from their work. Not only can this help make connections in your industry, but it's also a fantastic way to step out of your comfort zone and show gratitude for their contribution to the world by sending positive vibes.
Stay focused, stay curious, and keep growing. Talk to you next week! Bye!
Just a heads up: I am not a therapist or doctor! If you're not feeling your best mentally or physically, and you need some help, please make sure to consult with a medical professional or a therapist.
