This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 1
Natalie’s Day 1 Challenge: Take some time to think about your biggest challenges, then list down 2-3 of them and write a few lines about why you think they are holding you back.
My Challenges:
#1 – My Health
Running a business with PTSD and it’s accompanying anxiety and depression is not easy. Hell, functioning is sometimes not easy! Compound that with the fact that, for me, it also led to short-term memory loss and it’s a miracle I get anything done (I used to have damn near super-human memory so this has been really crippling for me).
And since losing my precious Niko… Eskie (American Eskimo Dog), support dog, best buddy, only “child”… in April after being together pretty much 24/7 for over 17 years, the tricky rollercoaster of the grieving process has been added to the mix.
As a matter of fact, I took a year off to spend with and care for Niko. I only returned a couple of months ago and, at the same time, changed my niche and started this new website (excuse the mess because it’s not quite finished). I’m using Natalie’s Challenge to jumpstart my blogging routine.
#2 – Consistency
All those nigglies in #1 cause me to struggle with consistency. I go all-in with clients and always fulfill my commitments. Client work always comes first. But when I’m struggling, I often have nothing left in the tank after that. So that means that blogging, social media, networking, marketing and other things necessary to build my business further suffer… including seemingly simple things like posting to facebook or asking for testimonials and photos to go with them. So, even though I have huge goals and dreams, and I know exactly what I want… and what to do to get there… I’m not getting there as fast as I’d like. But I need to keep reminding myself that with my HUGE, complicated goals (you’ll hear more about them during this blog challenge) this shit’s gonna take a lot of time.
My Solutions:
#1 – I’m blessed to have an amazing medical team (doctor, counselor, Theta Healer) helping me navigate those challenges.
#2 – I finally felt I was ready to have another puppy and be able to love him for himself, not just be looking for Niko in him. Hearing a story about Matthew’s puppy underscored how important this is for me. Then, unexpectedly, I was blessed to find this cutie from Windy Hill Farm Pups so I’ll be leaving Monday on a 10.5 hour drive to Ohio to pick him up and bring him back home to Rhode Island on Tuesday.
#3 – I’m accountable to super-coach Matthew Kimberley every Friday via his Single Malt Mastermind (aff). Wildly helpful to be accountable to someone who supports you and wants you to succeed.
#4 – I’ve been taking part in this round of Todd Herman’s 90 Day Year (aff) because I was impressed with it and saw it as the perfect solution to my daily struggles. I was right. Superb!
#5 – I’m a strong believer in systems and I’ve been using them in my business since the beginning. I implement and iterate systems in my business to help me as needed. I’m currently doing a full-scale review and improvement of my entire business, including ALL of my systems.
Hot Tip! – Evernote. If I could only recommend one tool for you, it would be Evernote. When I finally tried it in July 2012, it transformed my life and business and how I function. I use Evernote for everything. It has literally become my backup brain and memory. So many people are asking me about it, I’ll be doing a workshop to show you the ways you can use it to help you after I get the new puppy home.
#6 – SUPPORT. I cannot emphasize this enough!! Support, support, support!! Entrepreneurship is hard work. Lifestyle Business is very misunderstood. And online business in general has not yet become a widely accepted career choice. When we’re doing that, it’s absolutely necessary to have support from people who get what we’re trying to do and actually care. And let me forewarn you that your family and lifelong besties most likely won’t be those people. (Yes, no matter how much undying support they’ve given you in the past. Trust me. It was an excruciatingly hard-learned lesson.)
One of the best things you can do for yourself and your business, is to find a coach to work with on your journey. The other critical thing… a support community of people who “get you.” As part of my new mission and movement, The Success Rebelution, I’m starting a free community so you can find that for yourself. So if you’re a Success Rebel… defining and designing success YOUR way… you’re welcome to join.
Doing Natalie’s 10 Day Blog Challenge would also be a great way for you to get started or re-focused with your own business. It’s free to join and you’ll gain lots of clarity from doing so. I encourage you to join us! There are many ways to participate and it’s not hard.
If you don’t want to do that, maybe work on it with good ol’ pen and paper on your own… trust me you WILL benefit from doing it. And pop a comment in below to tell me what you’re struggling with so I can help.
By blending lifestyle business + social entrepreneurship, and empowering success from the inside out, I help heart-centered, purpose-driven, multi-passionate entrepreneurs make a living, a life, and a difference ...all at the same time. Ready? 
