Life Hack: Build Your Community

Being a woman in business comes with its share of challenges, but we can always tap into our superpower to help us navigate them. In this episode, #16 of the Living Inside Out Podcast, I share four tips for the new female business owner to help her win at life and business.

As a new female business owner, I wanted to do it all. Because I thought I could. So I built my first website in 2008 when website building was like neurosurgery. I share about that in the first and second episodes of the podcast. Like most start-up business owners, I did everything myself, but wasn’t masterful in all departments.

There is a saying in business that goes you can’t work on your business while working in your business. Take out time to zoom out of your business so you can make an informed decision about what needs to be done. You will find that you need help. From babysitting to having a shoulder to cry on and having someone to bounce business ideas off, your community is the one place that you should feel safe and comfortable requesting for help. You have got to create that community, using your intuition and the relationships you currently have. Also, be open to new friendships. Another business woman’s hack is to build your business network

Business Hack: Network for Business

Don’t run to every networking event you are invited to because you will burn out. Instead, be intentional about being in places where you can build community and grow in. Have a clear understanding of your audience and go where they are. You will; connect with the right people if you are authentic. In my early days, I believed I needed to be someone that my clients could relate to. But I soon found out about the power of authentic living. It is a force that breaks down barriers so you can connect with real individuals- how else will you know what they need? Or that you have something to offer them? Episode 3 goes into details about the concept of authentic living. 

Eventbrite is great for finding events. Meet Up is also a good option. Explore business networking organisations like Athena, which is specific to Women Entrepreneurs and BNI. These groups have chapters all over the country, BNI has chapters all over the world. Usually, the expectation of your commitment level is quite high so think before joining these weekly meeting groups. 

Life Hack: Know what’s on your plate

For a number of years, I hosted learning brunches. They were designed to equip us and elevate us by feeding the spirit soul and body. I really enjoyed them and still get people asking when I’ll be resuming them. The year I opened the shop, I scheduled a brunch event.

I did not understand that I had taken on a sizeable task that required a lot of my time and energy. I ended up cancelling the event because I just didn’t have the bandwidth to carry on. I learned a lesson. You cannot keep adding things to your already full plate, just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should attempt to do it all.

I get asked how I find the time to run my baby furniture company, record this amazing podcast- your words, not mine, tend to my family and start a coaching business too. Here’s how;
 A few years ago I figured out what my purpose was, which is to use my voice to help women play bigger. I understood that there Is nothing on earth that’s more important than fulfilling one’s purpose; it is, after all, the sole reason we were created. Your purpose must tick two boxes; glorify God, help others and a third- it grows you in the process.

So I placed my voice and message in the middle of my plate and arranged portions of everything else around it.  This allows me to spend time with my family, record the Living Inside Out Podcast and grow a second career as a speaker and mindset strategist – without being stressed.

Life Hack: Start the night before:

I believe the best start to a good day begins the night before. Planning your day ahead works wonders, and gratitude cannot be overrated.

Go to bed each night with three things that you are grateful for. Even better if you write them down. This helps to eliminate any lies that say you are not enough. Gratitude opens our eyes to the things we have, and the opposite, which is being oblivious to what you’ve been blessed with will lead you to focus on what you don’t have. This causes discontentment and neediness AND will have you chasing after things instead of making choices that produce results.

Another tip by my coach, Valorie Burton who is a bestselling author and life strategist is to have one thing to look forward to tomorrow. 

I want to end with an illustration I learned from Penny Power years ago. A candle is made up of two parts, the flame and the wax. The flame represents your passion, that which you do so effortlessly, it even infuses you with energy as opposed to drains you. The wax represents that part you do not enjoy. In my case its admin but both admin and speaking engagements are needed for my business function. What may be wax to you is a flame to someone else. 

This means that my admin and paperwork that I dislike so much is busy giving energy and life and joy to someone else. This little illustration really helped me to stop beating myself up because I am struggling to complete a project.

What life or business hacks have you used that works wonders? Please share either in the box below or on social media.

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