Crush it, hustle, outwork the competition. These are all too often familiar themes that are associated with modern day business.
It’s been known however, and for years, that multi-tasking and pushing to the extent of burnout only results in, well; fatigue, misery and burnout.
Sadly the former actions are not always correlated as being detrimental to the very business that you’ve worked so hard to build.
What then if you love your business, but are hugely impacted by the competitive and sometimes ruthless nature?
Is there a way to still do business, only with sensitivity?
Years of deep reflection have led me to see how sensitive I’ve been all my life. As a child I was an inquisitive explorer who absorbed colour and nature. But I also had an uncanny ability to attract people who wanted to share their stories (and often woes and problems). I became the shock absorber to replace hurt, problems and pain. I didn’t realise that this would in later years cross over into my career and although it has provided important facets of entrepreneurship, it has also required a lot of boundary setting.
Photo by Mary Taylor
As an entrepreneur at least in the early stages, we have to be responsible for all of the essential components, attracting and maintaining a sustainable client base, marketing, networking, managing finances and not forgetting practicing the craft.
Whilst this may all be manageable in theory, sometimes there is one component which overwhelms. It may be interacting on social media or managing others, navigating business relationships or conversely, working for long periods of time alone.
Having a morning routine which allows you to connect to yourself can help. As does recognising what you like to do and what you don’t and making a strategy to implement the positive.
For example, with social media, is it possible to schedule some posts so that you don’t have to be constantly online?
Can you arrange meetings at a time that suits you or do some online rather than too many in-person events?
Of course there are times when there’ll be bumps in the road and even rejection. Being in business means putting yourself out there. As Tony Robbins says; ‘Business is the ultimate self-development tool’.
One way to consider ‘rejection’ is to take the emotion out and see it instead as an interaction. It’s all data.
What are you learning about your processes or actions and how can this help you to move forward?
This is where a support group can also help. You’ll learn that the things you may consider as negative feedback are merely part of the human condition and of being in business.
Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash
Then celebrate because being sensitive is a beautiful trait. It allows us to understand, and often relate to others in ways that are marvelled at. It allows us to feel our energy and to honour and respect it in others. It sets us apart and that in business is a success.
Main – Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash
About the Author: Felicia Jones
