07/27/2024
Supporting the business goals and dreams of others is a labor of love.
I recently found myself in conversation with one of my Escape Velocity coaching clients - an excellent leader on the path to building her profitable consultancy. She was wondering how to accelerate the path to launching full-time by 3 months.
In my belly, I knew there was only one move she needed to make - a lead domino that would knock down all the others in the chain at the right time. She was already an impact-oriented leader and had thought through the kind of impact she would have and why that mattered. That’s close, but not exactly what I was sensing. What she needed to do was imagine the impact her consultancy would have on her – giving her the ability to live her priorities and experience autonomy over her time, brilliance, and energy… She was ready to direct the course of her life and to truly trust herself and her Creator to get her the clients, work, and success she was aiming for.
I saw the moment happen: her eyes got wide and a little emotional, and she understood how having her own consultancy would change not just the world, but her world. And I knew from then on, she had the will to make it happen - no matter what.
As breadwinning women of color and Black women (or others with lots of responsibilities and people counting on us) we can focus so much on our duties that we grow numb to what we want for ourselves in our career and our lifestyle. By prioritizing the needs of others and surviving day-to-day, we can atrophy the very dreams that would propel us to the next level of impact and income. But that’s a solvable problem.
When we take a break from the busyness & give ourselves permission to imagine the bold future we intend fully realizing its potential impact on us and our families, it builds hope, tenacity and persistence – fodder we can use to make it happen.
My dare to you: over the next 24 hours, give yourself 20 solid minutes to reflect on what you want for yourself in your career or future business in the next 18 months. Really listen to your heart on this one and write down what comes to mind. Try not to focus on the needs around you - the question is more like “If I were 100% honest, what do I want or need to be true in the next 18 months to truly thrive in my life? How does my work play into that?” When you do, you’ll be one step closer to making it happen.
Feeling really bold? Post your answer below (anonymous or using your name if you’d like!)
Melanie Rivera