This year I’ve been struggling a lot with my notions of how my life is supposed to be as a business owner.
If you don’t know my story, here are the highlights:
- I quit my job September 10th, 2014 (I did the 2 weeks notice).
- Flew to Texas for 2 weeks, where I launched my first company Aloha Crate.
- I went from working in marketing for a corporation to being my own boss. In a matter of 24 hours. This was the most impulsive decision I’ve ever made in my entire life.
- Aloha Crate sold November 2015.
- Now I’m working with my boyfriend in the real estate industry, until HAUS of LOV takes off.
I’ve read all the books, listened to the podcasts and worked with coaches.
According to all the successes I learned about, I’m supposed to wake up before the sun, get my sweat on, meditate, journal, make breakfast, and put on real clothes.
Trying to miracle morning my life like the “perfect entrepreneur” has done nothing but contribute to my stress levels which have been out of control.
I’ve been bending over backwards to make coaching calls and webinars that were at inconvenient times for me (being in Hawaii) because I was afraid I would miss something and that I was letting my coach down. (Recordings are my friend now.)
Over a month ago, I finally sat down and just thought about what made me happy. What calmed me down — before I was trying to model my life after successful people. What nurtured my mind, body and soul?
And it came to me. The two most important things in the morning are making a pot of green tea & going to yoga. I haven’t been to yoga in 1.5 years.
I’ve been doing HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) and lifting weights because this was the “most effective way to lose weight and stay fit”. Not many people mention that if your stress levels are through the roof, and your exercise routine stresses you out, it will only contribute to your rising cortisol levels. High cortisol levels make you fat. It took me a long time and a lot of research to realize that HIITs and weights were only stressing my body more, which is why I was growing a belly instead of a six-pack.
I like waking up at 7, making a huge pot of green tea and grabbing a green smoothie from the fridge. After I brush my teeth, I grab my drinks and sit down in my office and plan my day. If I don’t have a game plan, I am lost. My exercise, gratitude and meditation come with my morning yoga class, which I walk to. After yoga, I shower and put on lounge clothes, a little make-up and get to work. Wearing real clothes sucks. I need to be comfortable to be productive.
The lightbulb finally went off. Just because it seems like everyone is doing something and it’s working for them, doesn’t mean it will work for you. And it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks of your life as long as you are peaceful and moving toward your goals.
Find a movement that makes your heart sing. It could be barre, pilates, running, spin, weights, HIIT, karate, kick boxing. Keep trying something new until something clicks. I love to go on long walks and take yoga classes. My sister loves to lift weights. To each our own.
Listen to what your role models and the ‘greats’ do, try something new. If it doesn’t work for you, it doesn’t make you any less of a success.
We’re not one size fits all. Define your version of success. Create a life that makes you happy.
