As I sit here writing this I am positive that every one of you reading this has felt this at one time. Imposter syndrome is a pretty common term that many are familiar with. If you weren’t familiar with that term before this minute, I’ve just described it above. Now you can put a term to that awful feeling you have had, and maybe even currently have now when it comes to different things in your life and business.

The funny thing about imposter syndrome is that it can sneak up on you even when you’ve been a master of your industry/craft for a long time.

As a professional writer, I've learned something that many consider controversial: I don't believe in writer’s block and have worked really hard to teach myself how to show up on the page when I sit to write.

Fear.

Such a small word can render us immobile. It has the capability to stop us in our tracks with all the force of a Mack truck. But remember, it's a hurdle that can be overcome with the right mindset and strategies.

Do you have your own fears? There are many types of fear. We are going to focus on entrepreneurial fear, the things that are keeping you stuck from creating that business plan, launching that product, offering that service, or the growth mindset to move your business forward.

“I am just so over this! I just want this book to be finished already.”

I had to smile as my client vented her frustration to me recently. She wasn’t saying anything I hadn’t heard before.

“More than 80% of Americans want to write a book.” This quote is taken from an article on Forbes.

Do you know the percentage of people who actually finish and publish their books? Well, the statistic on that is a little harder to find, but my research showed that it was less than 8%…

How often do we give ourselves unexpected things to look forward to?

Birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, the 4th of July… most people expect those here in the United States. We know they are coming regardless of whether we celebrate them or not. They are expected.

But how often do you get to experience the feeling of anticipation that encircles you when you are looking forward to something?

How often do you say, “I should” to yourself in a day? A week? A month? Did you know that the words you say create the mindset you operate with? And “should” is a no-no!

Rest stretches beyond sleep into several areas of your life. Once you understand the gift that rest is, and how productive it can actually make you, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to prioritize and incorporate into your life.

It is no secret that these last few pandemic years have seen a dramatic increase in anxiety, depression, and even increased suicide rates. It seems there isn’t a day that goes by that I do not discuss the state of mental health with at least half of the people I encounter.

The simple fact is that most people who come to me for consultations see stress as their single biggest issue. From this, anxiety, sleep issues, moodiness, etc… all circle around like vicious vultures.

There are simple things you can do for yourself to begin your de-stress journey now.

In one of my favorite books turned movies, Eat, Pray, Love written by Elizabeth Gilbert, there is a hilarious scene that takes place in a barber shop. In this movie scene the character, Luca Spaghetti explains what he believes is a problem with Americans, “You feel guilty because you are American, you don’t know how to enjoy yourself…” You can watch the full clip here. He goes on to explain that Americans do not know, “Dolce far niente.” This, when translated according to the movie, means the sweetness of doing nothing.

What does life look like after burnout? In some ways that picture is a little different for us all, largely depending on how significant the burnout was and whether it was work burnout; life burnout; or some combination of the two. Generally speaking though, the most significant visible difference can be seen in the level of “busy” people are.

Did you know, playtime is not just for kids; it can actually make us stronger in business?!

Engaging in playful activities allows us to tap into our creativity, problem-solving skills, and resilience. Playtime helps us to develop important qualities that are highly beneficial in the business world.

As a child playtime taught me to think outside the box, adapt to unexpected circumstances and to work collaboratively with others. As an adult entrepreneur, I can appreciate every single one of those experiences in an extremely valuable way.

Are you your own fan? Do you look at your life and cheer yourself on? Do you take time to make the hurdles and sticking points in your life better? Do you take a minute to reflect on things and quiet your racing mind? Do you take time to exercise? Feed your brain?
For the majority of my adult life, both personally and in business, my answer to those questions was a resounding, “no.”