Business Owners: It’s Time We Got Real
I recently shared some behind-the-scenes struggles from my own journey, like battling imposter syndrome, recovering from burnout, feeling isolated, losing alignment with my values along with having self-doubt as a leader.
The vulnerability clearly resonated, judging by the reactions, and it made me realise how rarely we discuss the reality real founders face trying to juggle it all.
It hurts hearing of so many leaders wearing masks and getting stuck rather than harnessing obstacles to help themselves and others grow. Pretending everything’s fine when it’s NOT does no one any good.
Today, I argue we need to get comfortable with discomfort and have more real and honest conversations about entrepreneurship’s ups and downs together. We can learn so much from this, and look at how it is possible to overcome these really common challenges of running small businesses, and get to a place where we are thriving and living our true version of success. .
Owning Your Whole Story is Powerful
The highlights entrepreneurs share publicly often showcase straight success. We publish revenue rocking upward, teams expanding seamlessly, happiness permanently peaking.
Behind closed doors, progress is rarely ever linear. It shows up in tiny steps towards goals, small wins, coming back from a sideswipe and breakthroughs following messy breakdowns.
Yet we hardly talk openly about those pivotal dark moments of learning, and what we did to overcome these challenges.
Allowing people into our tales of overcoming adversity builds bonds rooted in empathy that superficial wins can’t cultivate alone. Leaders confidently airing past uncertainty makes excellence feel attainable. It also sparks community.
Owning the real, raw, vulnerable pieces of your business journey is authentic and real and incredibly inspirational to others, as well as seeing yourself exactly what you are able to achieve when your back is against the wall.
But first, we must walk that talk.
3 Ways You Can Lead Vulnerably
I know baring unfiltered struggles feels terrifying, and asking for help is hard - especially when people expect instant greatness. But good things come to those who show up, look at their blocks and pave the way for others by showing what is possible.
Here are small starter steps:
Be honest with yourself. Where are you holding yourself back? What is stopping you from achieving what you really want from your business?
Are you truly happy with where you are at right now? Are you putting up with things/people/situations that frustrate you? Are you scared of making change or asking for help?
Are you truly creating your version of success?
Ripping off the fake entrepreneur masks portraying polish is long overdue. Getting real and asking for help is where the magic awaits.
As a coach who’s lived many entrepreneurial lives myself, and worked with hundreds of small business owners, I know there's always a way forward, no matter how stuck you feel.
My mission is guiding business leaders to embrace and learn from challenges so they can unlock sustainable success that is true and authentic to themselves.
If you’re struggling in isolation currently, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together we can get you back on track feeling focused, motivated and energised to create the business you know you deserve.
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📣 Hi, I’m Emily and I help business owners achieve their full potential by overcoming burnout, overwhelm, self-doubt, and limiting beliefs.
💭 In my private practice I work with founders, business owners and entrepreneurs to work through the challenges that are holding them back, and help them to create profitable businesses they love.
💭 I am also a coach with Centered Excellence, and work alongside Recruitment Business & Executive Search Owners to build 7 and 8 figure businesses using a strategic system that enables them to create systems & high-performance teams that connect, engage and convert exclusive or retained customers and deliver 50%-250% more profit.
💭 I’ve worked in HR for the last 20 years, so I can support small business owners struggling to create cohesive teams; attract and retain talent; manage people issues or complaints; or implement policies and procedures.
Always open to hearing how I can help you, so drop me a DM on LinkedIn to connect or contact me here.