So last week I had all these questions running around and around my mind!!!! This week, I’ve come up with some answers…..yeah.
Now I know this is not all business related, but I believe when you have your own business, it is as much a personal development journey as it is a business one – and when you’re a Business Coach like I am, you owe it to yourself and your clients, to be really honest about this stuff.
In fact – if I was to pick one thing that was the most important thing you could ever do in life, it would be self honesty. Not self beating up because you’re crap at everything. Not self sabotage. Not self abuse. Not self harm – just honesty plain and simple. The good and the bad. From what you eat, to who you don’t really like, be 100% honest about it with yourself.
And sometimes…….we share.
So what have I come up with??
If I only had 2 months to live, I would be working as little as possible, trying every remedy on the planet and spending time with Elodie – but let’s not think about that one, it’s toooo depressing, and my heart aches for people that are truly in that situation. Believe me, I’m not making light of this situation by asking this question – it’s merely a discovery about what is truly important. Bottom line is – it’s my health and Elodie.
Now if I won lotto, there are many aspects of my business that would stay and some would change. I would have a much bigger team, so I could just do the bits I truly truly truly love. Speaking, writing, events, high price coaching. I would also spend more time on product development for my side businesses (I am The Entrepreneurial Diva after all) which would increase my passive income considerably. I would build my retreat and seminar centre, and offer all sorts of programs for people, especially those that need financial assistance to start their own business.
If we could live anywhere in the world, it would probably still be Sydney, but we would relocate for 2 months every Christmas, and experience life in another place.
My perfect day / week / month / year looks a little like this.
- Up early, exercise, work, school with Elodie, clients / workshop / networking / event, school with Elodie, home to hang out, bed (a special cuddle would be nice).
- Week is 5 days work, 2 days off, 1 social thing with friends / family, 1 networking event, 1 theatrical event (movie, show, concert), 1 pamper thing.
- Month has 1 day sailing, 1 day trip out of Sydney, 1 social event at home and 1 business event of my own
- Year. 12 weeks off. A long weekend every 3 months. No work in school holidays. Relocate every Xmas and 1 ski trip, 1 sailing trip, 1 staycation every year. Every event / seminar I want to go to.
If I could have any number / type of team around me – what would that look like? I still have work to do on this one, but with the changes I have been making it is getting a lot easier to work with the right people, and I now have a pretty good team around me. As my business grows, I do know who I need to add, and what I need them to be doing. I have a clear income goal to allow me each additional person – or extension of hours.
Whilst, I am ok with my current weight, I would still like to shift the last 15 kgs, some of which will be done my surgery. So as of July 1st, I’m back to the gym, and cutting down on the incidental calories – the alcohol, and nibbly food that adds empty calories to your day.
My social life is where I really want to pick up the pieces. I’m going to start having dinner parties / lunches etc again. I love doing it, but have let it go from my life. No more. I’m also picking up the phone and calling a friend everyday again…..there is life outside Facebook!!!
Heart singing moments for me – all involve entertaining or Elodie. Entertaining from the stage (I’m going to start singing again – not for the $$ but because I miss it and I love it), entertaining clients with events, and entertaining friends…..and anything with Elodie. Sailing is also going to come back into the mix, because it’s 2nd only to me being on stage in front of a huge crowd to making me feel alive.
Finances – well, self honesty again here. I have a huge mortgage and other financial responsibilities, so I’m really going to be working on shifting the scales between what comes in and what goes out. Simple things – the credit card has been taken out of my wallet. I don’t need it there – if it’s there you can justify those additional purchases, so I’m not going to tempt myself!!!
Relationships is a hard one for me, because one of my highest desires is being liked by people – but I am practising saying no, being stronger with some people and having better boundaries. I think one of the mistakes we can make with this, is wanting to explain to people what’s going on. It’s actually not a conversation you need to have with them (sometimes it’s appropriate), you simply need to change your behaviour.
Even if you haven’t just had a milestone birthday, I would encourage you to do this exercise (or a similar one). As the new financial year kicks off in just a few days, I have so much clarity around shifts that need to be made. I know my 41st year is going to be an awesome one!!!!
If you want an injection of Awesome, check out this video from an Awesome modern day poet – Sekou Andrews.