Don’t be a Gina…
Now more than ever women in business are under pressure, tonnes of it. I read an article or post the other day that talked about the 1950’s world and the role of the woman. To run the house, raise the family, look after everyone, caring responsibilities etc. We have since added full-time careers, businesses, side hustles, kids, homeschooling, extracurricular activities, drinking gazillion gallons of water, working out, attending all the biz development challenges and courses, making the most of our professional memberships, recruiting and training staff, extended families, stepfamilies, celebrations, gift buying, sport, socialising. We have various friend groups, PTAs, kids’ hobbies, other friends’ kid’s hobbies, nieces and nephews to see, grandparents and relatives to care for, houses to run, houses to rent out- the list is ENDLESS! And I haven’t even written anything there about looking after ourselves, our hobbies or the things that give us energy.
Please note with this quote ☝🏼☝🏼 it doesn’t just apply to Mum’s I don’t know a single woman in my life who isn’t on a major juggle- I just think this sums it up nicely!!
So, I write this post from the point of a business owner who has heard these comments before- many a time and sometimes it’s from the people that are closest to us right? You get it, you know it- our lives are busy! So, let’s call this advice-giver Gina! Gina is sitting there at the end of the phone, on the Zoom screen or in your inbox. She is coming at you with all these WONDERFUL ideas and no ways to help. I hope that I give you some ways to help, but more than that I hope that after reading this you reach out to someone and get some support in place- it’s not easy- but you will look back and realise it saved your sanity, your business, your relationships and your ever greying hairs!
1. You need to use your time better ⏰
Ok well, thank you, Gina- if only I had thought of managing my time better!! Gina doesn’t realise you have hit the stage where you don’t know HOW to manage your time better or that you spend so much time doing the do there is no space left for you to tackle this.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, you can’t get any more time, but you have to give yourself space, this isn’t an overnight fix but one thing I recommend doing- is listing everything you’ve got going on- and then really look at it what to you love, hate, tolerate. Even just doing this you will find stuff you can get rid of.
2. Can’t you just hire someone? 👨🏼🍳👨🏼🔬👷🏼♂️👩🏼🏭🦸🏼♀️
Oh, thanks then Gina- yea it’s on my list love but who, how, when? What do I give them? How do they read my bloody mind?
Ok so I am (obviously) a massive fan of outsourcing but it must be done properly and as with anything you only get out what you put in. So yes, outsourcing is a great idea, but you might not know WHAT you need help with let alone who can help you! When you have done the list, I’ve talked about- just take a quick glance down it- what could be outsourced? This will give you an idea of what you need most, a cleaner, a meal prep box, a social media VA or an all-rounder assistant. A great VA will take a discovery call with you and help you figure out what can be supported and what can’t- and even refer you to the right person, we do that!
So, while we can’t read your mind, we’ve done this before, we can ease the pain and help!
3. You don’t have to do all this you know- it’s your choice! 🙇🏼♀️
Well, kinda do if I want the life I’m planning for Gina! You see, Gina is the kinda person that will settle for an easy life, a steady but boring job, the same pub every weekend and the same routine day in day out. Gina isn’t a dreamer like you and that’s why she doesn’t get that you want to make these choices and explore avenues, both in life and in your business. So yes, while there will be things on the list you don’t HAVE to or WANT to do, you want to change the list, not the end goals!
So, it’s all about working out slicker, quicker things, killing many birds with fewer stones and making space to actually enjoy some of this stuff. Change the path, even change the game but don’t change the goals!
4. Have you tried meditating? 🧘🏼♀️
Oh, Gina! FFS! Of course, I’ve tried it, I can’t go on Insta, open a magazine or listen to another ‘mumpreneur’ without hearing how FANTASTIC meditation is!
That sentence could literally fall out of my mouth. I reckon I have been trying to meditate for 2 years! More! Thinking it will heal everything, calm my mind and I dunno, make me bloody magical or something. Then just last week I was on a session with the fabulous @Mindsetwitch and she said something that resonated- meditation isn’t for everyone. FINALLY! I’ve stopped now! I will do a guided session, but I am not sitting there trying to meditate on my own and trying to clear my head! I found it does the opposite and just brings to the forefront a whole list of stuff that I have forgotten to do!
I am a massive believer in wellness, self-care and making time for us, but I am now accepting that is a very personal thing and not a one size fits all. Sounds so obvious but if like me you are fed up with Gina telling you to meditate then fab, relax, throw that away and focus on something you actually like!
5. Somethings gotta give! 😭
Oh Gina, I know…but what!
Ok, this is the hardest part. And I briefly touched on it. Sometimes we are doing things for the sake of it, for the habit- that sh*t can go. But, other stuff, it does HAVE to be done. But what we can change is the how it’s done, the why, and the who by! It takes commitment, it can be painful but…
So, if you have had a Gina shaped chip on your shoulder for a while now or you’ve even found yourself saying these things, to yourself! Welcome to the club.
Book a call and we can chat it through.
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