|
Whew, the last 2 weeks were an ADVENTURE.
When I shared with a friend that we’d be driving to Phoenix for spring break, she thought I was insane.
It’s a 17 hour drive… and we have 3 energetic boys (one still in diapers), so I see her point.
My husband, James, was far more confident than I… I’m usually the planner, but I relinquished everything to him and he mapped out 2 overnight motel stops on the way down (and just one on the way back after our week).
I put myself in charge of car food. Sandwiches, homemade lunchables and our beloved vacation foods: Mint Oreo Thins, CheezIts and peachy rings.
I was fully convinced the drive was going to be hell, filled with the quintessential “are we there yet?” and “I’m boooorrreeeeed”. Nonstop bickering… and a crying toddler demanding OUT of his car seat.
Our plan was heavily dependent on the kids watching movies but we forgot to order one of those screen holders you put on the back of a headrest to hold the screen so they could all watch (and couldn’t find one anywhere in town).
My husband channeled his inner MacGyver, attaching the screen to the seat with rubber bands and prayers… and surprised the boys with a new switch 2 so they could BOTH play on nintendos during the drive. He was optimistic.
I, on the other hand, was mentally preparing myself for hell as we loaded up our Tahoe (but comforted by the fact that that if shit hit the fan, I could always take out my hearing aids 😅)
What I wasn’t prepared for was my kids to be super freaking chill and have the time of their lives.
Leaving me to wonder in the passenger seat… what do I do sitting here?!
I pulled out a relationship conversation card deck and started asking James questions. They were silly at first, but this unexpected space for us to just talk ended up being a highlight of the trip.
Well, tbh, it didn’t take much to take that spot considering we all came down with the stomach flu at our airbnb clinging to whatever toilet or tupperware we could find.
But the point being…
I was so caught up in trying to guarantee a smooth trip (and fearing that it wouldn’t be) that I almost ruined it.
I was making my enjoyment of the trip dependent upon my kids' behavior and experience.
I feel dumb admitting that.
But how often do we all do a version of this?
You decide that launching is hard, so therefore it IS hard.
You set a goal and when it takes shape differently or things move slower than you’d like, you’re immediately unsatisfied. Frustrated even.
I still fall into this (clearly).
But what I’ve gotten better at over the years is noticing when I’m unhappy, unsatisfied or unsettled, I ask myself:
What external things am I trying to control?
Because the truth is the ONLY thing we have control over are our own thoughts– and even those sometimes go rogue.
What we spend our time thinking about impacts our reality.
If we think launching it hard, how can it not be?
If we “hate social media”, how could it ever be enjoyable?
If we fear others will say negative things about us, how likely is it you’ll hold back?
What we think changes our experience.
I know you know this, but I also know how sneakily we can dismiss it.
So let this be a nudge for you as you start Q2:
Where in your business (or life) are you bracing yourself or sludging through?
Where are you trying to control EXTERNAL factors?
And how can you challenge your own thinking to back control of your experience?
Maybe a little deep for an email that mentioned the flu, but I hope it got you thinking in the best way 🙂
Heather
|
|
Heather Sager • Certified High Performance Coach for Visible Leaders
Helping business owners speak, lead and live—better.
🔗 Let's Work Together | 🎧 Listen to the Hint of Hustle podcast [new episodes drop Apr 7]
|
PS - even with the flu, the trip was awesome. My oldest participated in an epic baseball camp and tournament and got a super bowl sized ring. They will forever remember this trip as the time where mom and dad let them have unlimited screentime 🤣. Personally, I read FIVE BOOKS which was a record.
Oh, and those conversation cards I mentioned were from BestSelf Co (I’ll link them here). Not an affiliate, I just love this company and I use their planner too.
PPS - If you have big ass goals this year in your business, but feel like you’ve been bumping up against a ceiling and you’ve been thinking about working with a coach to break through into that next level– one who challenges you, sees your blind spots and holds your vision with you, I have 2 options to work together this spring. Hit reply and let’s see if its a fit
🎧 PODCAST PLAYLIST
The pod is back soon! In the meantime, here's the top downloaded epsiodes from the last few months:
|