When You Are Feeling a Bit Wobbly in Life

The life of a business owner and entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart. It’s an emotional (and sometimes financial) roller coaster. One minute you are feeling successful and very confident with yourself. The next minute you are questioning every single move and every single decision that you make. It’s your vision (and passion!) that give you the drive to keep pushing forward when many others give up.

I originally wrote this for those who are interested in starting up a canine business or for those who already have a business. Once I started writing, however, I realized that this topic can easily apply to many other things in life!

There is one thing that should be a driving factor behind all that you do. It’s the one thing that keeps us moving forward when confronted with failure, critique from others, and our own self-doubt. It’s your VISION that you have for yourself both personally and professionally. It's the vision that you have for your life today and your future.

Your vision can inform the how, what, and why for everything that you do. Your vision includes the kind of lifestyle you'd like to lead.

There can be a number of factors behind your vision. For me, for example, I want to help others. I want to make a difference in people’s lives and help them have healthier and fitter dogs. In addition to this, I want to have a business that allows me to have freedom in my life. This includes freedom to do what I love, freedom to live where I want to live, freedom to decide with whom I want to spend my time, and freedom to decide what kind of clients and students I want to have.

Being clear about the desires and passions that drive you forward is so very important. It’s also important to periodically remind yourself about your vision. Write it down, revise it when needed, and be sure to revisit it various times throughout the year. This is especially important when feeling discouraged, lacking motivation, and/or lacking direction in life.

Here’s one example where having a vision and reflecting on that vision helped get me out of a rut.

“This is way too hard. I’m not even sure if it’s possible. It’s so much easier to just keep doing what I’m doing rather than move forward into the unknown.”

I admit. I've said these types of things to myself during certain points in my life. I don’t know about you, but my drive, passion, and confidence seem to ebb and flow. Some days I feel on top of the world where everything seems possible. Other days I’m doubting and questioning everything.

Recently I was feeling a little low. I’m not sure what prompted it, but I was back to questioning myself and wondering if my vision and dream could actually come true. Soon after that, I started to question my future. I thought I had things figured out. I thought I knew what I wanted in life. As things got challenging, however, I felt myself falling back into “just settling” in life. I realized that this was happening because I felt like my vision and my dream were pulling further and further away from me.

I felt my vision was impossible.

I began to question everything I was doing.

My motivation was low.

My self-confidence was low.

My frustration was high.

I then took time to revisit my vision and reflect on my life. I asked myself, "What do I REALLY want??" These last few weeks I’ve been on Mount Desert Island, Maine. I came here for a “working vacation” and also to reflect upon my future. I thought I knew what I wanted, and that included ultimately purchasing a home up here in Maine. I wanted to spend time on the island to get a better sense of where, exactly, I’d like to live.

These last three weeks have brought so much clarity! I’ve revisited my vision and my goals. I’ve done some journaling. I’ve done a LOT of thinking and planning. And guess what? My vision has changed. I’m now imagining a different life for myself. I have new goals.

It’s OK if your vision and dreams change!!! Something isn’t working? Doesn’t feel right? Not a problem! REVISE AS NEEDED!

Revising why I’m doing what I do and the kind of life (and business) I want to have has given me more clarity. With this clarity, my motivation has spiked. With this spike in motivation, my confidence has spiked. Just a few weeks ago my vision was wavering. I had questions. I felt myself falling back into “just settling.” By making readjustments and getting clearer about what I truly want, I'm back on track, taking action, and moving forward instead of falling behind.

Having clarity about what you want both professionally and personally can help you follow what your heart truly desires. This can give you the drive, passion, and confidence to move forward when things get tough (and possibly scary!). THIS is why building a vision for yourself and periodically revisiting it (and possibly revising it!) are so very, very important.

If you are feeling frustrated, wobbly and low on motivation or confidence, REVISIT YOUR VISION!

Remind yourself WHY you are doing what you do. Remind yourself WHY it’s important to you. If your vision does not spark within you excitement, energy, and passion, you might need to revisit what you truly want. If you keep giving yourself excuses as to why your vision is not possible, perhaps it's time to take a closer look at WHY you keep making these excuses. Perhaps you were meant to be on a different path?

So where are you? Do you have clarity about what you want? Do you have a vision for yourself, your business, and/or your future? Are you feeling uncertain and skeptical about it all? If you are struggling, stop and listen to your heart. Stop and reflect. Feel what’s calling you. Do what it takes to get that clarity that you need! I promise, you won't regret it!

-Erica

Want to learn more about how I started up my canine business and how I manage the "mental game" when it comes to being an entrepreneur? Check out my interview on Nez Nation!

Vision photo ©Photographer No. 9

https://flic.kr/p/sgLpXi