On Growth in a small Business + Free Printable

"Busy" seems to be a default state of being for many people, including me. When I was working a 9-5 AND running my business from 6-midnight - I could legitimately claim to be so. Now that I am running my business full-time, I am no less "busy" working on projects and managing the day-to-day, but I have noticed how staying in this mindset has been affecting my life. And not in a positive way.  

In my marriage - my patient husband has to constantly remind me to turn off the screens, and be present instead of trying to squeeze in just a little more work. In my friendships, I've noticed how absent I am - sparing only time for the bigger events - which hardly nurtures that much needed bond.  With my physical health, I have to set a timer to remind me to get up and stretch - my busy-ness locks me in my little office cave, stuck in a sitting position, and putting on pounds. And finally with my mental health, daily isolation paired with the fear that I'm not able to accomplish as much as I should is hardly a beneficial combination. 

*Cue breaking point, and binging on motivational books and podcasts.* My current favorite words of wisdom are "Slow growth is still growth" from Lara Casey's book Cultivate. In the book, Lara talks about how her life was on a similar, unfulfilling path - and the steps she took in order to control its direction. She listed where time and heart is typically invested: friends, family, money, career, spiritual life, health, environment, recreation, romance - challenging herself to nurture the areas that were withering. I related to this advice on so many levels. 

I hardly have it all together, but I have come to terms with the fact that all the elements that make up life, can never be wrapped in a perfect bow. There will always be something askew, and if I wait for that perfection - the only thing I'll be gaining is a long list of Would've, Should've, Could'ves. Real change, long-term improvement and personal growth cannot be instantly gratified. "They require commitment, tending, tilling, weeding, and the ability to let go of the need for perfect results."

So in the spirit of personal growth, I'm sharing a pretty, free printable, with Lara's advice. May it give you a little encouragement when progress seems slow. 

Download