As a business owner with severe ADHD, sometimes my biggest struggle is idea overload. I am constantly thinking of new services to offer, and new ways to help my clients, and often my passion takes over and I’m suddenly spending the day creating new landing pages and excitedly sharing my new ideas with the world. A few weeks ago, I had an idea that made me feel more alive, more passionate, than any other idea I’ve had, and I instantly sat down to create a plan of how I could get it out to the world. This idea had “hey, you’re finding your purpose here” written all over it. Only, this idea is SO big, so game changing, that I’ve decided to let it simmer. Sometimes, the best things in life come to those who wait. Even when it comes to business.
Last week, my Instagram followers got a sneak peak into a new project I’m working on, with the promise that it would be launched in a few days. I was thrilled, and couldn’t wait to unveil my new baby to the world.
A few years ago, I made finding my purpose my mission, and when I made the choice to start my own business and work with female business owners to help them turn their passions into profit, while being authentic and creating lives they love, I thought I’d done just that. Really, that is my passion. But it’s more specific than that. It wasn’t until this new idea came to me, that I felt overcome with the sense that this was it, this was what I was meant to do.
Have you ever felt similarly? You’re laying in bed, or watching Food Fighters (ahem, if you haven’t watched it, you’ve gotta check it out, it’s awesome!), when an idea hits you. After a few minutes, you’re convinced that this idea is an amazing one, and you can’t wait to head to your computer and make magic happen. You’ve suddenly unlocked a passion, and working on it makes you feel more alive than you ever knew your business could make you feel. I’m going to go big here and say you may have found your calling. It’s intense.
You share your new product or service with the world, and people like it. Only, the attention it gets is nowhere near the attention it SHOULD be getting. What the heck is wrong with people?! Don’t they realize how AMAZING it is?
In a word, no. No, they most certainly do not.
It’s not that your idea stunk, it’s that you rushed something that deserves a whole lot more TLC than you could have possibly given it in a few weeks time. By only running with an idea on the fly, you didn’t give the idea time to mature, to really take shape. Now? Now you’re stuck with a flop, which is just downright depressing. Nothing takes the wind out of a business owners’ sails like the reality of nobody picking up what you’re putting down.
My aha! moment came yesterday, while I sat in church. I’d been mulling over my hasty announcement for days, agonizing over the fact that my idea deserved more time to grow, but knowing I’d already put a launch date out there to the world. I’m big on managing expectations, and I felt compelled to do what I said I would, on the day I’d promised.
Normally, this isn’t an issue. I get ideas, I scrap some, I launch others, I see what happens. I typically don’t feel the urgency to share my ideas, so I tinker with them, and don’t put them out there until they’re ready. If something doesn’t work, I get feedback, make changes. It’s not emotional. It’s business.
But not this time. This time, I was sick with worry that I’d over-promised, not realizing at the time just how big of a game changer this idea could be. I didn’t truly grasp how passionate I would be, or just how many people would instantly email me saying that the preview I’d put on Instagram was just what they were looking for.
Typically, I’m not one to mix religion with business, and I promise I’m not about to get all preachy on you. But, because my epiphany came while listening to the insightful Dr. Henry Cloud in church, it is too important to my story not to mention!
You see, we were learning about finding your purpose. It all started with video clips from our Global Leadership Summit, a HUGE event where people from all over the world congregated to learn about how to be a leader. I found myself in tears listening to some of the clips from various talks given at the summit, and instantly pulled out my phone and began writing down ones that stood out to me.
“You don’t know the meaning of success until you help others succeed.”
“Have a big vision, but take a small step.”
“If God is calling you to do something, he’ll give you the tools to get it done.”
I felt like this video was made just for me.
I spent the remainder of the service on the edge of my seat, eating up every single word like they were caramel dipped apples coated in white chocolate and rolled in cinnamon sugar.
We learned about the vital five step process to finding your purpose:
1. View Love
2. Surrender
3. Say “no”
4. Mind
5. Get Small
As I listened, I knew that my idea, my passion project, needed more time to grow. It deserved time, and love, and God’s grace, and launching it hastily because my heart felt like it was going to explode if I did not share it with the people that I knew were going to love it would be an epic mistake.
If you’d like to listen to the talk that changed my outlook on finding your passion (or, more specifically, executing your ideas!), head here. Even if you’re not religious, I’m confident you can find inspiration there! Fast forward to the 27-minute mark to hear snippets from the summit I mentioned being inspired by. The talk starts after that video is over!
Funny thing is, I almost did not go to church yesterday. My dog was sprayed by a skunk the night before, which caused hours of cleaning, plus a horrible nights sleep as my eyes were burning and my nose was running faster than a mob of single women chasing after Ben H. (please, let him be the next Bachelor). I woke up late, didn’t even have time to wash my face, and was SO tempted to skip it.
P.S. my house still stinks.
I’m so glad I didn’t because I believe that sitting quietly, teary-eyed, while the words being said pulled on my heartstrings, was a big step in my journey.
If finding your purpose is something you struggle with, I urge you to simply be open to it. Push yourself to try new things, be honest with yourself, talk to people you trust, and always be present. You never know where your inspiration will come from!
As for me, my passion for helping female business owners hasn’t changed, but it has evolved. While I am wickedly passionate about working one-on-one with women to design their businesses, I’ve felt myself longing for a way to connect with, and help, women that are in a place where spending the money to work with me in that capacity just isn’t an option. I’ve found a surprisingly strong passion in creating a sense of community, a place where women can come together and be themselves, without the risk of judgement, and form bonds with women who understand them.
I’m in a place where I believe I’ve found my purpose, and that is to help women, regardless of their financial situations, improve their businesses, and live wholehearted lives. In my opinion, the world needs more positive places for women to join together and lift one another up. More help and less hate. In my heart, I believe I’ve come up with a way to do just that. I’ve gotten great feedback, and while I’m still ridiculously excited to dive in, I want to take the time to nurture this idea, and really focus on making it something that is truly life changing for the women that embark on the journey with me.
So, if you’re someone who was anxiously awaiting my news today, I hope that you will appreciate my dedication to creating something incredible for you, and stick with me until it’s time to launch. At this point, my goal is mid-September. I won’t keep you waiting too long!
If you’re someone struggling to find your purpose, remember that it’s a slow process. Focus on the things you enjoy, get specific about your passions and start small. The journey is just as important as the destination!
For tips on finding your purpose, check out these great articles:
6 Keys to Finding Your Purpose
7 Strange Questions That Help You Find Your Life Purpose
3 Unexpected Ways to Find Your Purpose
Do you struggle with finding your purpose? Where are you in the process? I’d love to hear your story!
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