Let’s be honest. Life is hard, being a business owner is hard, and while computers are AMAZING, I think they have created a dynamic that keeps us busier than ever before. So how do we manage? How do we find joy, rest and peace in this life of constant work, ESPECIALLY as a small business owner? The answer may not be what you are thinking.
A couple years ago I was blessed to get to work with a coach that walked me through the Clifton Strength’s alignment. I still say this was a major eye opening, life changing experience. Long story short, we are all different. We all have different strengths, and those strengths may not necessarily be things you are “good at”. According to Gallup, true strengths are actually those things that are energy givers. They may not be things we are particularly talented in, but we love doing them. So how does this help us in a world of never-ending to-do lists? Simple! Once you know what those strengths are, find a way to work from those strengths. Instead of a day that leaves you exhausted at the end, you spend your day doing the things that are energy givers.
Let me give you an example of what I mean. From my top 5 personal strengths, 4 are relationship building and 1 is executing. The analytical/thinking strengths are actually not even in my top 10…the first one doesn’t even show up in my list until #15! So how on earth do I spend my day looking over financials and being a bookkeeper?! Because I am good at it! Just because those are not my strengths it doesn’t mean I struggle to do them. I just found a way of working through my strengths. Why do I love bookkeeping? Because others hate it. My #2 strength is responsibility. That means being responsible for things gives me energy! My #3 strength is “Developer” which means I LOVE helping others become the best them they can be. I love to empower people and help fill the gaps to bring them to an awesome level of confidence. I took the work that I do, and I flipped it to work from my energy givers. I love my workdays. I may be tired at the end of the day, but it is that GOOD tired! So here are some tips to help flip your days to days of energy:
1. Find out what your energy giving strengths are. You can learn more about that here: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspx
2. Consider finding a coach to walk you through them. It was amazing how much I learned about myself while talking through these with a coach!
3. Outsource those things that are energy drainers or find a way to minimize your time working in them.
Still need some direction? Message me! My #4 strength is connectedness which means even if isn’t what I do in my business, if I can help you in ANY way that feeds my soul. Start living that life you can fall in love with.
