3 Things That Make Showing Up Easier Even When It’s Hard
Part of being a business owner is having flexibility and time freedom – at least that’s the goal, right?
But the flip side of that coin is that, if you’re a solopreneur still building out your team, when hard times come, you don’t get the luxury of pausing everything and waiting for the hard to pass.
You have to figure out a way to continue “business as usual” as much as possible even though your life might feel far from normal.
If you’re a business owner and you’ve ever gone through a tough season you know what it’s like.
Maybe it’s because a family member passes away and you want (and need) to take some time off.
Or maybe you’re in the thick of it with your kids and you feel so exhausted that showing up falls to the bottom of your list each day.
Or maybe you’re unexpectedly sick and really need to prioritize rest.
The point is that there are many different times and reasons in life that showing up can be hard and I’ve personally experienced many different seasons like this.
During each trying season, I’ve realized that there are 3 things that make showing up a little bit easier, even when it’s the last thing you want to do.
- People
Sometimes it can be difficult for business owners to ask for help. We often don’t want to be a bother to others and we like to believe that we can handle everything on our own.
But when you find yourself in a tough season, PEOPLE are a key necessity.
Whether it’s a friend to be your listening ear, a business mentor to guide you during a difficult season, or team members to provide some extra support, having the right people in your corner can make showing up feel just a tid bit easier even when things are really, really hard.
These are the people who also often believe in your vision and can offer encouragement during challenging times that can be the boost of motivation and perspective you need to keep going.
Lean on these relationships for guidance, inspiration, and a sense of camaraderie that can help you stay dedicated even when faced with adversity.
- Systems
I know, I know…
You hear people preach having systems in your business all the time and while all of that talk can feel noisy, you never really appreciate a system until you really need it.
Implementing well-structured processes and routines can streamline your work, making it easier to maintain momentum even when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
From project management tools to automated email campaigns, effective systems help you stay organized and on track, reducing the chaos that often accompanies challenging times.
For example, who wants to deal with chasing down clients for invoices when you’re already stressed the heck out?
By relying on established workflows, you can minimize stress and maintain a sense of control during tough times.
- Frameworks
Let’s face it: when you’re hit with a challenging season, being creative is almost unheard of – and understandably so!
Similar to systems, implementing certain frameworks in your business – specifically for your content creation – can help take the guesswork out of things and keep you moving in a positive direction.
By following frameworks, you can maintain a clear sense of purpose, stay aligned with your business’s mission, and find your way through difficult situations with confidence.
This can ensure that you continue to show up consistently (if you choose to) and authentically, regardless of the challenges that you’re faced with.
For example, in my business one of the things that I want to stay committed to (even when it feels hard) is sending a weekly email to my list.
Even if that means that everything else falls to the wayside, I want to consistently show up for them, but the only way I can do this with ease is by following proven email FRAMEWORKS that I’ve created and followed for years.
My email frameworks allow me to write an email in as little as 30 minutes (even if I’m not in the writing mood) and still deliver value to my audience – which is always the ultimate goal!
Without frameworks like this in place, I would be stuck spinning my wheels and staring at a blinking cursor hoping for the words to find me.
Life is precious. Every day is a gift. Build your business in a way that lets you enjoy the good times and have resilience to make it through the challenging times.
And there’s no right or wrong way to navigate them, but my hope is that these three things give you greater insight about what I *try* to rely on when challenges come my way. Hoping for better days ahead for all of us.