Business as a Personal Growth Journey

If anyone could have told me 5 years ago all the lessons I would have to learn, and all the setbacks I would have to overcome both personal and professional in order to become a full time entrepreneur, I am not sure if I would have continued on.  

Just kidding, I most definitely would have because I saw my business as a path towards freedom as well as an opportunity to share my heart and soul with others.

And while these are both great sentiments, they have required much more from me than I could have ever imagined.

I recall the first business course I ever took, it was called Launch Your Genius.  It was sold to me on the promise that you don’t even need a website, all you need is a cell phone and a big dream! 

I had both of those, and was willing to pay big bucks to see my dreams come to fruition.  Well in all honesty I borrowed the money from my Dad - I promise I will pay you back one day Dad!

Unfortunately for me, there was a bit of miscommunication between the marketing team and my actual mentor, as the first thing I was told on my very first coaching call was that:

I needed a website…

...and an email list and CRM of at least 500 people…

...and a Canva account…

...and at least a $500/m marketing budget... (you gotta be kidding me!👀)

My heart broke as I came up against my inevitable failure.

Eventually, I did get all those things.  But not within the 4 month time frame of the program.  Still working on that marketing budget😉

But that was only the beginning...

The next thing I had to do was show up as the face of my business, which was awful considering that I did not like pictures of myself. 

To overcome this I created the 30-Day Selfie Challenge and set to work on neutralizing my own judgment towards myself by posting pictures daily - I was actually surprised at how effective it was!

And seeing that this was a very common problem experienced by many women, I created a Facebook group and about 30 of us did the challenge together. 

That was probably the second best Facebook group I ever created 🤣.

As an entrepreneur you try many things.  And many things will not work. 

It is hard not to take it personally, because in the idea stage there is such excitement, such complete exhilaration that this will be the thing that will truly help others. 

Then launch time comes and that very thing falls flat on its face.  What then?  This is the hard part no one talks about.

The invevitable failures that are a necessity of the entreprenurial journey.  

But here’s the thing.  I don’t think anyone nails it once.  Has one epic idea and then everything is perfect.  I think when we see people succeed it is after a mountain of setbacks, failed attempts and repeated tries.  

Falling down doesn’t make or break an entrepreneur, but rather how you get back up and keep going after the inevitable disappointments.  How do you navigate failure?  Do you get up, shake it off and keep on?

I think it was Alex Hormozi who said, “People cheer for you at two points along your journey, when you begin and when they can finally see that there is no denying that you will make it.  But nobody cheers for you in the messy middle.  And that is truly when you really need it.”  

The messy middle!

This is where personal development becomes imperative.  Where trusting yourself is non-negotiable.  Where your inner world becomes the foundation that your outer reality is striving to catch up to. 

The work becomes holding the pose long enough and staying vigilant during the gestation period when nothing seems to be happening.  

You cannot see a seedling sprout beneath the soil, nor would a farmer plant a seed only to dig it up and check on its progress everyday. 

The intention sewn into that seed must be worthy of the wait, your goal must be worthy of you. 

For me, right now my goal is to have a life that is one big enjoyable Soup.  I don’t want to create a life I need a vacation from, I want to enjoy every single moment of the rest of my life.  That is a goal worthy of me.

If you are an aspiring entrepreneur looking for a supportive practice, please check out my 40-Day Sacral Release to release stagnant energy holding you back and help you move forward with your goals: https://IntentionsYoga.kartra.com/page/40-day-sacral-release

Check out my YouTube Channel for more supportive yoga practices: http://www.youtube.com/@IntentionsYoga

And please visit my website for yoga and coaching support: www.intentions-yoga.ca

With Intention,

Alecia