Does it feel like no one in your life gets it? Whether you’re working on a side hustle or you’ve been doing this biz thing for awhile now.. It can feel like a lot.. And there are aspects that people working a regular 9-5 aren’t able to understand.
But hey, I do. I hear you, trust me. For years, I’ve done the sleepless nights because I have endless ideas, the mental chatter as I battle limiting beliefs, the pressure I feel as I compare myself to others in the industry. It’s a struggle, that honestly I forget how rewarding and beautiful this journey really is.
Sometimes, it’s all a bit much, and I honestly have days where I go from – wow wtf is happening to this is everything I’ve always wanted. Welcome to the emotional roller coaster that is being an entrepreneur. I figured you could use some transparency – so you don’t feel so alone and know I can empathize with you in it. So if you’re on coffee number 3 of the day and need a little boost, here are the biggest entrepreneur struggles that I face in this career path all the time, just like you.
JUST BECAUSE YOU WORK FOR YOURSELF DOESN’T MEAN YOU’RE AVAILABLE 24/7.
This. Drives. Me. Wild. While my schedule is quite different than most, it doesn’t mean I don’t have one. The amount of people who assume I can do anything, at anytime, i.e. get coffee, lunch, go to the beach etc. because they assume working from home = endless time off is wild. I CAN be flexible, but geez is it hard to set boundaries – I’m only human. And sadly, when I do – that is sometimes met with a guilt trip from the person inviting.
It is more than okay to set firm boundaries with loved ones – you have my permission!
YOUR TO-DO LIST IS ALWAYS GROWING AND NEVER ENDING.
Yes, even as you outsource. What you have planned for one day, can take longer than you anticipate and BOOP, sometimes it goes to the next day. I have a running list on my phone of ideas for my business that hit me at random times like, oh, I don’t know, when I’m asleep. Knowing you, I’d bet you have a similar list in your notes section. I look at it and sometimes it excites me, other times.. it terrifies me.
That should tell you how much I (and you) care about what we do. But there’s just something a little unsettling (but also a little exciting, right?) about it consistently expanding and getting longer and longer. I know I can’t be alone in this love-hate relationship.
IT’S HARD TO TURN OFF THE SWITCH TO PERSONAL MODE AT THE END OF THE DAY.
Okay can I get a little real REAL here? Sometimes, because I’m single – I think I might as well continue working into the evening if I want to. OR, is it because I continue working into the evening that I am single – hard to say haha. Regardless, I’ve gotten a lot better this year about setting business boundaries but it’s an ongoing process.
I’m not just an entrepreneur – I’m a sister, daughter, aunt, friend. I think because entrepreneurship does take so much energy, that I sometimes let my other roles slip – and it’s something I try to be aware of at all times while also giving myself grace.
YOU HAVE A QUIET, CONSTANT FEAR THAT YOU’VE FORGOTTEN SOMETHING
This is probably the worst one. It’s that small, whispering voice that says you’re getting it all wrong, you’re not forecasting enough or you’re not showing up in the right way. There’s no validity behind it, but it’s convincing. And consistent.
When this voice shows up, I pause to ground into my values and my intentions with my business. I remind myself of why I do what I do and that my reasons are heart centered – not from a place of ego or selfish monetary gain.
I hope this helps you find some encouragement that we all face hardships in entrepreneurship, and we all have days where we feel frazzled and uncertain about where we’re at. That is totally normal, and just in case no one’s told you lately, you’re doing a wonderful job, and you are just where you’re meant to be. Keep going, friend.
