You’re an entrepreneur and you want to succeed, right? I do, too! But here’s the truth – all of us have had days (and sometimes weeks or even a month) when we just can’t seem to get where we’re going. Maybe we’re doubting what we do. Maybe we can’t seem to wrap our minds around what we’re trying to write. Maybe our vision for ourselves and our business has gotten stale, or been beat up a little bit. Maybe a customer walked away with no explanation. As they say, “it happens.”
So here’s a totally fail-safe little secret – one way to change your results is to change your environment. Changing environment forces us to change our thoughts. And changing our thoughts affects how we feel, which in turn drives our actions, and actions we take (or not) become our results.
Chances are, if you are out of sync with yourself and your work you are:
- Hanging around people who are not positively supporting you right now.
- Tired of “thinking about it,” whatever the issue is.
- In a routine that isn’t currently supporting your moving ahead.
In other words, you are stuck in a rut! I have a 5-step “Vision Refresher” action plan for you. Time for a personal retreat. Here are your 5 rules:
1. Go alone, you don’t want to have to serve anyone but yourself right now.
2. Pack your briefcase with the materials you need to work on your “in a rut” issue.
3. Take along at least one new book you’ve bought but have not read (it can be a business book or fiction, doesn’t matter.)
4. Give yourself a minimum of three days (that means four nights away, no cheating and taking a half day at either end for travel).
5. Set an intention to rest, recreate, and let your mind wander.
Now, go make a reservation someplace and get gone. If you are harboring negative and guilty thoughts, remind yourself that you are the shepherd of your business and your soul, and right now for whatever reason they both need attention. Say “recreate” with a slightly different emphasis and you’ll realize it is re-create. You need to re-create something in your work, and in yourself. That takes a little time out. No reason to feel guilty about that, is there?
I’d love to hear from you what your “rut” is and how changing your environment got you going again. Let me know where you go and what you got accomplished. Send a picture, even. I won’t be surprised at the positive changes. I hope you aren’t either!
Mitch Tublin says
January 23, 2011 at 9:46 pmSue,
This is a valuable reminder for all of us to step away to get clear.
No need to punish ourselves.
Thanks,
Mitch
Mary Ellen Miller says
January 23, 2011 at 6:01 pmThanks for the wonderful advice Sue. For those of us who can’t go away for four days even my upcoming women’s weekend at church is something to look forward to as a time to “get away.”
Dr. Robert Fenell says
January 23, 2011 at 12:39 pmSue,
Getting away to get out from under the “stuff” is a great remedy to get clear. Thank you.
Dr. Robert Fenell
Kiyla Fenell says
January 23, 2011 at 12:36 pmSue,
Sometimes I find myself in a rut of playing too small for what I was created to do. Raking leaves helps me to clear my mind and give me the creative ideas to move out and above. Maybe it is the physical activity combined with the fresh air. Then I need an adjustment afterwards;) Thank you for the great post…as always!
Kiyla Fenell
Trudy Scott (Food Mood Expert) says
January 23, 2011 at 1:47 amLove it and it worked for me recently – I was in stuck with revisions to the last few chapters of my book and boy did it help to be in Maui. I did go with my husband but 2 days I was alone working on my book, enjoying the sea air and views and being super-productive!
Trudy
Get Clear Goals with Lynn Moore says
January 22, 2011 at 9:59 pmYou write this kind of adivce so well Sue!. Very clear, easy to understand and empathetic. Ruts are not nice places to be and are usually a tap on the shoulder from the Big U. Those who are paying attention will do as you suggest and soon be re-aligned.
Lynn
suepainter says
January 22, 2011 at 10:44 pmThank you, Lynn.
Dr. Patty Ann says
January 22, 2011 at 4:43 pmGreat post Sue!! We all get in a rut from time to time – in both our businesses and our relationships! Great advice for breaking free!
Dr. Patty Ann
Gregg Pechmann says
January 22, 2011 at 7:26 amGreat points Sue.
I did this last year and it help me tremendously……
Heidi Alexandra Pollard says
January 20, 2011 at 6:53 pmGreat post and strategy Sue – it is so true that sometimes we need to take a step back and collect. I recently experienced my first customer walking away before completing her program – she was satisfied I delivered as promised but through the coaching program realised she actually needed something else. It has taken me a while to grapple with it and now I realise I didn’t give myself the gift of time and space to reflect and regroup.
Love your advice
Heidi Alexandra
Jeff Brunson says
January 20, 2011 at 5:14 pmWhat great guidance. I did a personal (alone) retreat like this to move me forward in producing my book. It was something I shall never forget. NOW … you’ve got me wanting to do this again. I have a 2011 plan that I’m very excited about. Doing this around some specific things in that plan that I’m also a bit concerned about could be just what the doctor ordered.
Jennifer Longmore says
January 18, 2011 at 5:15 pmSue,
I so appreciate your gentle style and laser-like focus in lovingly honing in on exactly what may be going on AND how to move through it. Like Laura, whene I need clarity, I clean (bathrooms, clutter, my car, whatever) and always feel like I have a fresh perspective afterwards.
Thanks for such a great reminder of how to move through the inevitable ruts!
Jennifer xxoo
Lisa Manyon says
January 18, 2011 at 2:42 pmSue,
This is wonderful advice and if we are honest with ourselves we all have times where we need new perspective. What do you suppose it means when we’re craving a month-long retreat away from everything?
I cannot wait to see you soon and discus this in person.
Write on!~
Lisa
suepainter says
January 18, 2011 at 3:02 pmIt means we need a month long retreat away from everything, LOL! Truly, no kidding.
Laura Hollick says
January 17, 2011 at 11:38 pmI am a big believer in the inner is reflected in the outer.
When we make changes in our environment it is a reflection of our inner world changing.
One thing I’ve noticed about myself, when ever I want to clear my mind, I start cleaning my studio… and voila my mind gets clear.
I love how you identify the importance of our environment as a critical piece in our state of being.
suepainter says
January 17, 2011 at 11:46 pmI notice that I often want to clean out – throwing old things away that don’t work any longer. Decluttering space is ONE way to change our environment, for sure.