Last week I was speaking with a client about the vision for her business and her life. She is currently in a transition period – she spent years building her business at the expense of some of her personal hobbies and enjoyment. She is now ready to allocate more time to the pursuit of activities that make her happy.
One of the avenues she is exploring to make this happen is to develop a new revenue stream. One where she can work less (have time for fun!) but still keep her income level steady.
She was feeling a bit overwhelmed with some of the decisions she needed to make. She knows that her schedule is pretty tight right now, so to research this new revenue stream, she would need to delete something off her calendar.
“I would devote the time to researching this idea if I just knew for a fact it would be a success. I have so much on my plate already, I really don’t want to add anything else unless I know for sure it’s going to work.”
Wouldn’t life be great if we had a crystal ball?
- “What is success?”, I asked.
- She replied, “Finances. I need to make $X for this to work.”
- “Is there any other definition of success you are willing to consider?”, I questioned.
- After some thought, she exclaimed, “Yes! This idea could lead to another idea. Or, as I’m researching this, it might lead to some contacts I wouldn’t have otherwise made. Also, if I decide to go down this path – my creative side will certainly be fed.”
- “Ahhhh . . . additional ideas, new contacts, creativity . . . these outcomes would also signify success?” I replied.
- “They would. So even if the financial outcome at the beginning isn’t what I had hoped, there are certainly some secondary benefits.”
The moral of this story isn’t whether or not my wonderful, fabulous, creative client decided to pursue this new revenue stream. Instead it’s that she was able to push through the overwhelm she was feeling by expanding her perspective.
Sometimes it can be difficult to deal in absolutes, black and white. How could you know for sure that this new venture would be a financial success? But when she expanded her view of success to include new contacts, additional ideas, and a creative outlet she had some additional data to use to make her decision.
Is it possible for you to expand your perspective? Please comment below!
Image courtesy of renjith krishnam / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Awesome! I am so much agree with her! for me Passion, the support and talented team around you and love what you do, then success will come. Thank you for sharing!!
Richard –
Thanks for the comment! Obviously, businesses need to make money – but I agree, that isn’t the only measure for success!
Lisa
Sometimes, all we need is a person who asks the right questions – and we figure out the right answers. Good for your client! It can be so hard to break out of a feeling of being overwhelmed.
Alana –
thanks for the comment. I hope you continue to stop by all month – as the theme this month is to break through the overwhelm!
Lisa
Overcome overwhelming… great achievement indeed! I think that sometimes just let things go can be the best solution, then new ideas and possibilities come and you grab them with new energy !
Clara –
Great suggestion! Often I have clients who say, “I’m so overwhelmed I need a nap!” and I’ll say “Take one!” This is your brains way of protecting itself. Just set a timer . . .
Lisa
Thanks for sharing. When it comes to the world of business, there is no guarantee of success. Only the opportunity to explore what is possible.
Carol –
Exactly! So deciding what has value in the exploration process certainly can be key!
Lisa
Lisa, what a thought-provoking post. Most businesses do need to generate revenue but the benefits that can be gained in shifting your perspective definitely reach beyond financial.
Thanks Julie!
Lisa
Thanks Lisa,
Nice little story. To me, “overwhelm” sounds like looking at the same old things in the same old ways. As you suggest, broadening our perspective allows us to also look at new things in the old ways, the old things in new ways, and (God help us) new things in new ways. And when we’re not clever enough to help ourselves, that’s when we need a friend, coach, mentor, or even an inspiring book.
Robbie
I appreciate the comment. If nothing changes, nothing changes! Getting out of the “I’m paralyzed to make a decision rut” can be tough . . but having someone else asking a couple of questions is invaluable!
Lisa
Lisa, such a thoughtful post. While we all are in business, much can be gained by shifting our perspective.
Julie –
I agree. I recently had a conversation with a friend who said, “tracking all that information is to much work”. I replied, “What is possible if you track it?” She answered, “well, I would finish the hours needed for a certification 2 years earlier.” Sometimes I think we just need to put a sign up that says, “Is this perspective serving me well?” It doesn’t necessarily mean we change – but at least we have the awareness to choose to change!
Thanks for your comment!
Lisa
What an inspiring idea, Lisa, thanks for sharing! So many times we get stuck into seeing the money being made that we forget why we want to pursue the idea in the first place ;)
There’s so much to take into consideration when deciding whether to work on a task or not.
Delia
Exactly! No guarantees, but if we can find some secondary benefits sometimes it can take the pressure off. Thanks for your comment.
Lisa
Great thoughts Lisa! I am a person that when I feel overwhelmed for any reason, I try to take time and leave things on hold. This will help me to clear my thoughts and ideas of what is the outcome of my projects.
Remy
Interesting approach. What strategies do you use to “come off of hold”? Many of my clients, when they put things on hold, the task tends to slip their radar. How do you put it on hold, but then make sure you come back to it?
Lisa
[…] Eliminate Overwhelm by Shifting Your Perspective – When my client expanded her view of success to include new contacts, additional ideas, and a creative outlet she had some additional data to use to make her decision. […]