The Legal Blog

“You’ve damaged the tendons in your right foot.” 

Ouch – those words from the podiatrist surely confused me. 

“For the next 10 to 12 weeks, you should avoid any activities (including driving) that may aggravate the injury until the pain has gone. We’ll immobilize the foot and ankle from moving using a boot.” 

My first thought “Seriously, how will I survive?”

Those thoughts overwhelmed me.

I spent the next few hours thinking “how will I do this new normal?”

So much of my day to day activities included driving, walking, lifting.  How would I manage?

The Impact

As the days passed, and I slowly found alternatives and assistance from friends, family, neighbors, delivery services…I began to feel a bit more confident. 

A friend agreed to take my daughter to and from school every day. Neighbors took me to doctor’s appointments. Grocery delivery: the best invention ever!

I built my village. 

The overwhelm faded into a motivation and confidence that yes, I would be just fine.  I also began to think about how my thoughts of this sudden challenge had evolved over time. 

At first, all I could think was “how will I ever do this,” which caused that feeling of overwhelm and complete inaction on my part. 

Once I arranged a few alternatives and lots of assistance, I began to think, “Wow, I can do this.  It’s actually great to have the help,” which caused my feelings to evolve into confidence, gratefulness, and yes, even a bit of joy.

The New Normal

As my new new normal settled in, I realized that this experience was a replication of that time, not so long ago, when I made the decision to move from “employee” to “solopreneur.” 

The same thoughts “how will I ever do this new normal all on my own,” caused those same feelings of confusion and overwhelm.

When I was an employee, my sole responsibility was to do my job – do the tasks that I was an expert at doing.  I didn’t worry about sales, profits, and definitely not taxes.

As a small business owner, and in my case a solopreneur, all this and more fell on my shoulders alone. There was so much I didn’t know.

How did I succeed?

What did I do to move forward?

I changed my thoughts, my ways,  actually my life.

Day by day, I figured out something new, I learned something new, met someone new. I hired a tax accountant, and not one but two coaches. I subscribed and learned a new legal office management software; and even bought and learned bookkeeping software. Actually surrounding myself with people who were also building a new business gave me so much support. 

Yes, that’s right: I built my new village.

What About You?

Have you built your village? 

Running a small business is hard work – but you don’t have to do it alone. 

Focus your time and efforts on the value, expertise, and experience you bring to your business. 

For everything else: build your network, specifically your village; and you will succeed.

Are you and/or your business Florida based? If so and you need help building your village, we’re here for you. Contact us here.

Want to take the first step to legally securing your success?  Get your Free Ebook today!