Achieve. How I Stay Inspired As An Entrepreneur.

Oct 20, 2020

I am the founder of 1Evalution, a boutique coaching firm, author, and a certified life coach. Being an entrepreneur is fulfilling, but it is also challenging. However, I am mindful every day of my purpose, which keeps me encouraged and inspired.

It was not my plan to become an entrepreneur. I became an entrepreneur because I was seeking my purpose in life. After being diagnosed with breast cancer and having a reoccurrence within five years, I left my corporate job of twenty-nine years. I permitted myself to take five years off before seeking other employment. During this time, I became a professional volunteer, and after the five years passed, I was stuck. I didn’t know how to move forward or what to do with the rest of my life.

Although I felt stuck, deep down inside, I knew God was not through with me. So I started searching for my life purpose, questioning what I am to do with the rest of my life? I was wandering around observing how others were living their lives while trying to understand what is the greater purpose for me. I began to lose confidence and a sense of being. I realized that without my corporate job, I had nothing to associate myself with or to be a part of, so I felt this overwhelming sense of emptiness. I began to unravel, crying out internally, desperately wanting more for my life.

Finally, I sat down and identified, prioritized, and defined my top five values. Now I had a foundation. I knew whatever I did with my life going forward would have to be aligned and satisfy my five values. Eventually, I enrolled in a coaching program. It was during my training to become a coach that I had my first emotional breakthrough and started to tap into the person within me. This breakthrough was the beginning of my transformation.

I was looking outside for the answers when all along they were within me. I started to get to know the person within. I learned that I had become an emotional prisoner and was holding myself hostage. I had to confront my fears, which had a stronghold on me. Fear had one mission; to prevent me from growing and maintaining a life of status quo. I was unfulfilled and knew there was more to my life, so I was determined to move forward. Although this was a pivotal time in my life, going through the training to become a coach and having a coach guided and helped me tap into the person within.

The more I tapped into the person within, unmasking my feelings and facing my fears, the more confidence I gained. I knew in my heart that I wanted to work with women empowering them to do the same. I had found my purpose and prayed for God to guide me. It took months before I could articulate my vision, and I questioned myself - am I good enough – who do you think you are - I finally gained the courage to admit that I wanted to help women unmasks their feelings, pursue their dreams and live the life they desire.

This process of transformation taught me that whatever is going on inside can have a direct impact on every area of my life, including my business. So I strive to live healthy in all areas of life and be my authentic self. Although there are days more challenging than others, I am grateful that I found my purpose and am committed to living a purposeful and more fulfilling life by empowering women to do the same.

On those days that are challenging, I am mindful of my purpose and refer to my list below, which helps me stay focused, motivated, encouraged, and inspired.

STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR WHY - IT IS YOUR PURPOSE

Know WHY you started your business, the foundation - your vision

Manage your expectations, know that it takes time to build a business

Acknowledge you may not be where you want to be, but continue to work on your processes

Be clear about the value you add

BE INTENTIONAL - TRAIN YOUR MIND – BE FOCUSED IN HEART AND CLEAR IN MIND

Start each day with prayer and gratitude

Be aware of negative versus positive thoughts

Be conscious of your behavior

Work your plan, be flexible

BE YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF – AWARE OF OBSTACLES

Surrender to self

Seek out and confront your obstacles

Do your best, show up your best, give your best

Commit to ongoing personal and professional development

KNOW YOUR VALUES – THE CORE OF WHO YOU ARE - BRAND

Make principle, value-based decisions

Define and know the characteristics of your brand, personal and professional

Know what is important to you

Make decisions and choices based on what is important

SUPPORT - YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO IT ALONE

Surround yourself with people that believe in you, positive energy

If you need help, seek help (mentor, coach, therapist, accountability partner)

Know that you may lose some relationships along the way

Embrace new relationships

ALIGNMENT - CONNECT AND MAKE SURE ALL ASPECTS ARE IN SYNC

Everything you do must be in alignment with what you want to achieve

Your thoughts, words, habits, actions all must be in alignment

Develop new behavior and habits

Review, reevaluate and make changes to your plan, if necessary

BE COMMITTED - TO YOURSELF AND YOUR CLIENTS

Have the integrity to remain consistent with your actions

Be disciplined, stay the course, and follow-through

Stay strong and be courageous

Challenge yourself, go beyond your comfort zone

ACKNOWLEDGE YOURSELF - BE CONFIDENT IN YOUR TALENTS, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Celebrate even the smallest wins

Be mindful that you took a leap of faith, trust God

Know that you are making a difference

Believe in yourself - you can achieve what you desire

DOCUMENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS - AT THE END OF EACH MONTH, QUARTER, YEAR

Name one thing you accomplished

Acknowledge how it made you feel

Articulate what you learned

Take positive energy into the next month, quarter, year

DON’T LOSE SIGHT OF WHAT’S IMPORTANT

Embrace trials and tribulations

Remember this is your purpose

Start the year with a vision of a positive future

Enjoy the journey