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What I stand for at the beginning of 2016

It’s the start of a new year, and I’ve been reflecting on various things, as seems to be the custom. I’ve worked through my workbook, The Year’s End. I’ve written out a lot of things. I’ve even chosen a word for the year (more on that in another post).

And one of the things that felt right to share was a little reflection on what I stand for, right now, at the beginning of 2016. I love stories – the telling and the listening – but we’re not often at the end of a story. I wanted to capture where I am right now, mid-story. Because I’ve been building my business for over a year and a half. I’m learning a lot. And things are shifting and changing. A great time to remember what I stand for!

This post is a variation on an exercise I do with clients, both on one-on-one calls and in person at retreats and workshops. In various ways, I help to brainstorm thoughts and ideas and principles and values that feel inherently right to my clients, and we try to keep going until there aren’t any left.

What follows is what came up for me.

***

What I stand for

Taking care of yourself is taking of your business, so you’re worth investing in.

Progress, not perfection. In fact, perfection is a myth.

The beauty is in the imperfection.

Excellence is worth working for. Quality is my catnip.

What you do is more important than what you look like.

The image you project, the ideas you put out there will attract people. Make sure they’re attracting the right ones. And the right things.

Satisfying, sustainable business. Not quick-win, bottom-line, six-figures-in-ten-days.

Optimism, potential, opportunity. It’s always there. But you might need to take care of yourself and get a good night’s sleep before you can see it.

There isn’t a destination. It’s all about the journey, about learning and improving. Repeat to fade.

I can’t do everything. But I can do anything.

Structure, plus flexibility for best results.

Who you are and what you value will shine through, so get clear on that. Everything else will follow.

Portfolio careers, multi-passionate businesses, authentic mixed media product offerings are the future. You can make jewellery and offer graphic design at the same time, as long as they’re both true to you.

Retreats work. Rest, laughter, meditation, nourishment.

We are each the creators of our lives. We get to choose, over and over again.

***

So, what do you stand for?

Maybe you’re feeling a little windswept by new year’s resolutions and the weight of trying to do the “right” thing in 2016. Take a time out. Take 10 minutes and write down all the things you care about, all the things that are important to you.

You could complete the following:

My best work is…
I love it when…
The truth, for me, right now, is…
My catnip is…
… works.
I am…

Inspired? I’d love to hear what you stand for in the comments!

The Year's End

You’ve been running on auto-pilot for weeks, and you aren’t sure what you’re even trying to do anymore.

You feel like you should be planning a jam-packed, full-on 2016, but you don’t even know where to start.

You want to have a handle on the numbers and finances, but spreadsheets scare you.

You’ve got a huge list called ‘Things To Do In 2016’, but it’s mostly in your head, or on that receipt you might have thrown away. It’s been wedged into that mythical time called “January”.

You want more work-life balance. You’re ready to be really honest about what you want and need on personal and professional levels.

It’s time for a change.

Sound familiar? You’re in the right place. I’ve got something awesome for you:

The Year’s End: a workbook for your small business

I love the promise of a fresh year, a fresh start. I also love spreadsheets.

This year, I’ve created a beautiful package for you to help you look back at 2015 and look forward to 2016.

It’s based on the way I look at my own business: the balance between financial analysis, thinking about my happiness and satisfaction, and of course doing good work.

More than that, it’s based on my work with small creative businesses. I’ve been working with creative entrepreneurs, designers, makers, writers, for over six years, and I know the ins and outs of selling products online. This workbook assesses all the different areas of your business, helping you to see what’s going well and what needs to change.

It’s also based on my knowledge and experience of what it means to be human. I know that you can do anything, but you can’t do everything. In the workbook and video, I talk about how to find the things that are right for you.

I believe that how you feel is as important to your business as what you do. Indeed, they lead to each other much of the time! So you’ll find plenty of questions about what you want, how you feel, and what you need for each area of your business.

For those who are financially nervous, are prone to over-worrying or sticking your head in the sand, I’ve created an easy-to-use spreadsheet to give you a pretty clear indication of how you’re performing financially. And I talk you through using it and understanding it on a lovely video.

Cost: £25

What you’ll get:

A 29-page printable and editable workbook
An introductory video
A spreadsheet with two sections: looking back and looking forward
Two videos on how to use the spreadsheets

Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive an email within 24 hours with a link to all the goodness.

Who it’s for:

The workbook is written for small creative businesses who sell products that they source or make themselves. It’s relatively applicable to service-based businesses as well, as long as you’re willing to do a bit of translation on the wording yourself!

I’ve designed the workbook to be applicable to small kitchen-table businesses, and bigger businesses with teams, premises, and big-figure turnovers. My experience is that, when you’re running your own creative business, the themes are pretty similar, no matter the size.

What you’ll need:

A printer to print the workbook
Alternatively, a Chrome web browser or Adobe to type into the workbook
Microsoft Excel or compatible software to use the spreadsheets
Tea or coffee and a quiet spot

About me

I’m passionate about small creative businesses and the brilliant people behind them. My unique blend of industry experience and creative intuition allows me to guide entrepreneurs towards their full potential. I work with people at every stage of running a business – from newbie to veteran.

I both consult and coach, so my work comes from a place of broad experience, as well as skills and approaches that help you to find your own inner knowledge and wisdom.

This workbook is space for you to find your own answers, but within a structure I’ve designed to suit the needs of most small creative businesses. And the videos, as you’ll find out, are approachable and open – just what you want when you’re planning your next year of brilliance!

Any questions? Please get in touch here.

Here's the thing: you can't do everything

We think we can. We think we should be able to. We’re told that doing everything is just standard practice. It’s not even a big deal, it’s just what’s expected.

Successful business, perfect relationship, amazing friendships, a house that’s always clean, tidy and stylish, a perfect body, relaxed and highly effective parenting, picture-perfect holidays. That’s the picture. Be quirky, original, AND entirely acceptable.

And at this time of year, we add the idea that “this is just Christmas. This is what it’s supposed to be like: stressful, over-worked, doing everything because everything has to happen.”

It’s that feeling, when you look at your to-do list, that you cannot drop a single thing. They all need to happen before the end of the day. Because they just do! There’s no option!

When we’re over-worked, overwhelmed and have gone too long without sleep, rest and a calm moment – that’s when we’re even more susceptible to thinking we have to do everything. Ironically.

But here’s the thing: you can’t do everything

You’re not super-woman. You’re not superhuman. You, too, are limited by time, fallibility and the human need for sleep.

That’s not to say you’re not strong, resourceful, successful, and doing your best.

Let’s accept that those two things can happen at the same time. (I know you might need to suspend your disbelief for a second. Play along with me…)

If you’re both human and striving to do your best, what does your to-do list look like?

Perhaps you buy the mince pies for your Christmas drinks, instead of making them. Perhaps you cancel the entire thing.

Perhaps you pay for all your presents to be gift wrapped.

Perhaps you let go of a whole load of things.

Perhaps you ask for all kinds of help.

Now, this last one is where it gets tricky, I know, but if you can’t do it all, and some things really need to get done, asking for help is where it’s at.

You’re allowed to ask for help. All kinds of help.

Need a boost or help prioritising or to get it off your chest? I’m here. Get in touch.

I wish you a week of doing your best, but acknowledging that you can’t do it all. Welcome to the club.

Jenny xx

PS I created a little #inspiredadvent thing over on social media, which features a little word a day to prompt you. Today’s is simplicity. Appropriate, non?

What I stand for

The Year’s End: a workbook for your small business

Cost: £25

What you’ll get:

Who it’s for:

What you’ll need:

About me

But here’s the thing: you can’t do everything

Enter The Forge