3 Things on How I Overcame Project Fatigue and Achieved a Life of Freedom
A Journey to Sustainable Success
Are you tired of starting projects and feeling defeated because you never completed them?
For the past seven years, I've run a digital agency that helps business owners scale their businesses with streamlined operational systems and digital products. This agency has grown to generate over $5mil in revenue, which is decent revenue but was never my real goal.
Back in 2011, I left my corporate job to start a business. I aimed to create a life of freedom and autonomy that allowed me to be home with kids when I had them.
For me to live a life with the freedom and autonomy I desired, I had to stop chasing success:
I needed a clear vision of what success was for me in life & business
I needed to set my expectations
I needed to focus on my self-care to fill my cup
If this sounds like you and you have been starting projects and feeling defeated when you don't complete them, let me save you some time and give you the recipe that ultimately allows me to plan and achieve my success.
Thing #1: Clear vision of what success was for me in life & business
First thing first, I needed to know what I was working towards.
For years, my vision for my life and business was cloudy. I tried journaling, meditation, and other things to get clarity, but it never came. I followed the guru's advice of creating 5-year, 3-year, and annual plans and felt defeated when I never achieved them.
For my life, I do what feels good. I schedule business availability around my kids' school hours, school holidays, and family trips.
I create a quarterly business plan with three projects I want to achieve. I review this plan with the team every month to ensure we are on track, and we renew it every quarter.
Once I had this vision planned, I no longer started projects that weren't aligned with my vision.
Thing #2: Set my expectations
My mentor recently said to me that resentment comes from your expectations not being met.
I have felt huge resentment toward my agency over the past two years. I felt that it wasn't giving me what I needed, but in reality, it gave me everything I needed to have the life and family I have now.
I was expecting more income for myself. This required me to do one or two things—generate more revenue or lower expenses. At this time in my life, I didn't have the time to generate more revenue, and my expenses were already low, so my expectations had to change.
Once I accepted this, my resentment disappeared, and I began to enjoy the business again and see an enjoyable path forward.
Thing #3: Focus on my self-care to fill my cup
I spent the first five years of my business with my head down, working. By the time I looked up, I was 40 lbs heavier, miserable, and unhappy with all the things I missed out on.
In the last 18 months, I added weekly fitness, massages, and annual solo trips to my routine. I have realized that when my cup runs on empty, I am no good to the team, clients, kids, or my husband. They all appreciate me more when my cup is full.
It is not selfish to focus on yourself.
By doing these three things, I no longer feel defeated by what I thought success should be.
What I learned is that success has no deadline. My decision to leave corporate for freedom and autonomy will become what I desire it to be, not what anyone else does.
By doing these three things, I have found peace in my journey.