As entrepreneurs, we all follow our own paths. 

For some of us, the rise to success can be a long, slow, painful process. 

For others, things just seem to magically fall into place.

I believe that the latter isn’t a result of magic, however, but is a sure sign of an entrepreneur who understands the importance of learning from, adapting to, and growing with their business.

I took the time this week to reflect on the 10 lessons I’ve learned after 8 months of taking on my therapy practice full-time and working on my podcast coaching business @wellnesspodcasters.

In this episode, I share the lessons every entrepreneur must learn in order to build a long-term, healthy and sustainable business through the lens of my own experiences. 

Listen To The Episode Now:

Listen & subscribe on your favorite platform:  Apple Podcasts  |  Spotify |   Google Podcast  | iHeartRadio

For those who didn’t know I took my therapy business full time in November of 2020. Prior to that, I was doing it part time and was working a 9-5 out at a university. Once it was going super well, I decided to go full time in order to help more women entrepreneurs feel confident in both life and business. All this to say, it’s been a frickin’ roller coaster ride. Because of all the ups and downs, I wanted to share some of the lessons learned! I’m sharing this in hopes that you can learn through my journey and also feel a little less alone.

Lesson # 1: Revisit your boundaries

It’s so important to revisit your boundaries because we put them in place for certain seasons, for certain people and for certain things that don’t align… but then we forget about them.

• Take inventory on your boundaries 
• Are your boundaries helping you?
• Revisit your values if you feel like your boundaries are going against them

I found myself breaking my own boundaries in terms of time management, in terms of what I accept, and in terms of self doubt as well. For example, I have a boundary with myself not to make rash decisions. And I was finding myself making these big decisions without actually going through the decision making process.

Lesson #2: Stop doing things just because others are doing it or someone told you to do it

In the middle of 2020, I went through a coaching experience and I quickly found myself seeking validation from my coach. I realized I was saying “yes” to things not because I believed they were for me but because someone else told me I would be good at it. 

• Ask yourself what your gut is telling you about your decisions
• Are you trying to seek validation from others?
• If you find something just doesn’t feel right, you may want to take a step back 
• Ask yourself if what you’re working on is truly aligned with your business 

Sometimes our old unhealthy habits, like pleasing people, can be triggered and resurface. So how do we combat this? Make sure if you’re doing something, it’s because you love it. Not because somebody else told you to or because other people are doing it. You’ll feel so much better if you follow your gut. 

Lesson #3: Less is more and simplicity is key

It’s OK if you don’t want to add all the things in your business. I saw people doing group coaching programs, having VIP days, workshops, putting out digital products, and it forced me to ask myself what I wanted to do. I’m someone that has to try things before I can roll it out. I ended up starting a group coaching program for wellness and mental health professionals. And while I love serving that community, and I love the women that were in the program. I found group coaching just didn’t feel good for me. I found myself lit up when I was working with them one on one. That was what I truly wanted. Instead of relaunching the group program and having a whole new set of students, I decided to use the information that I learned from this group and create a digital product called Wellness Podcasters Academy.

• Listen to what your body is telling you. Your body will tell you everything you need to know. (For example, I was filled with dread when I thought about relaunching my group coaching program).
• Block out the outside noise
• Focus on the one thing and let your mentor/coach guide you

Lesson #4 Put reflection time in your calendar

In the spring, I was so overwhelmed. I was running my podcast, running my therapy business, running the group coaching beta program, while simultaneously creating the program and the content for it while also showing up on Instagram.. and also trying to hold my personal life together. Yeah! I’m exhausted just reading that! It is so important to put time in your calendar to reflect. 

• Focus on a reflection period and don’t add more to your plate
• Focus on one thing you feel is going to help you through whatever it is that you’re going through (whether it is something specific in business, something specifically in your mental health journey, etc.)
• Choose to not put too much pressure to do it all
  • Go to therapy, read the self-help books, buy the course, but focus on ONE thing at a time
• Understand your brain cannot take all that information, You’re not going to be able to implement all those things. 
• Give yourself space to look at the material, look at your business, and to really think about what’s going to work and what lights you up. 

Lesson #5: Start small. You don’t have to do it all at once.

I feel like I went full time with my therapy practice, it was already at a point where it was growing a waitlist for months. I just thought “okay, let me add something else to my plate,” and it was the worst. Just start small. You don’t have to add a million things on your plate!

• Start with small goals
• Let go of things that hold you back
• If it doesn’t bring you joy, let it go
• Take a break! You deserve it, girlfriend.

I hope these show notes helped and you’ll take some time to listen to the podcast episode where I dive into all 10  lessons every entrepreneur must learn. Remember, it’s okay to have hard months. You will bounce back and you’ll get your energy back too! But it takes some work and some reflection time. 

Resources Mentioned: 

• Fearless Chase Retreat
• Hannah Nieves ( My Biz Coach)
• Download: The 7 Steps To Starting Your Podcast

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