You know, they say you shouldn’t mix business and personal experiences. Over the last few years, I have met hundreds of corporate executives, business owners ranging from large to small, and several ‘celebrity’ figures.
Do you know what they all had in common? They didn’t hide anything. Ever. If they were going through an amazing experience or a horribly rough patch in their life, personal or professional, it was shared.
This freedom allowed them to connect with their target audience. They connected better to those who they were working with whether it be their employees, their partners, or their consumers. Why?
I asked that same question when I first started my own company. I had always thought it was ‘bad business’ to bring your personal feelings to work. And, in many cases, this is still the belief. But, as a writer and the owner of a relatively large organization, I have also found this to be true.
Instead of people looking at you as if you are ‘superior’ to them, they look at you on the same level as they’re on. No one is better than anyone else. Everyone has a purpose in their life. Everyone has incredible times. Everyone struggles from time to time. And, everyone wears some type of scar (if not many scars).
Personal Hardships
I’m going through an extremely complicated, difficult time right now. That doesn’t stop me from producing high-quality work. That gives me more ‘umph’ to push harder.
About 6 months ago, my husband left our family and we’re currently going through a very complicated, heartbreaking divorce. I am the single mother of two beautiful little boys. It’s just the three of us in this beautiful life.
I’m happy. My kids are happier than ever. I am not perfect and my life isn’t perfect… but it’s perfect to me. I have a company that I am beyond proud of and, more importantly, I am working hard to provide my two little boys with the most incredible life possible.
I didn’t stop living. I didn’t stop pushing and I will not stop pushing myself as hard as I can to continue growing my company. I have worked extremely hard to get this far and my company is still growing at an impressive rate.
I still produce high-quality work. I am still sending out proposals. I still attend all of the meetings I schedule.
Dreams don’t stop just because someone let you down.
Basically, what I am trying to convey here is whatever you’re going through, keep pushing forward.
You’ll get through this and time heals all wounds. Time may not heal the wound completely and it will more than likely leave a scar on your soul, but this is only one chapter in your book of life.
There are so many more chapters and with each chapter will come new adventures. Everything happens for a reason.
Taking Personal Pain and Transforming into Entrepreneurial Excellence
Every great leader, every corporate executive, and every professional leader in general has likely experienced pain of some sort during their journey to where they are now.
The thing is… what did they do with it?
Instead of focusing on the pain, or the heartache, they use the pain as fuel to push them forward even further. Instead of using the pain as an excuse to back down, they use the pain as a reason to push harder.
The other part of it… always be optimistic. If someone you love or loved leaves your life, let them. Look at the positive side of it rather than the negative. If they left, they don’t deserve you. You deserve better. You deserve someone who will love and support you through all chapters in your book of life, not just the ones that are most convenient for them.
Finding an Outlet
Another way leaders get through personal hardships is to find an outlet for the pain. Many work more hours or find a new hobby. Those who have children often take more trips.
Don’t bottle it up. This will not only affect your personal life, but it will affect your professional life as well.
Talk about your experiences. Share what you’re going through. Show those who are just starting out on their journey that even a CEO experiences hardships. Show them how to push through the pain.
Karissa and Holistic Confidence
My best friend, a passionate and confident leader, and a huge inspiration to me each day, hosts a video chat nearly every morning. I look forward to listening to her words of inspiration every morning when I wake up.
Karissa has several products she can introduce you to. Her main organization is known as Thrive. If you haven’t heard of it, get ahold of her and just ask. She’s more than happy to answer any questions. She’s not pushy. She’s more concerned in ensuring you are confident in yourself. She’s more interested in helping others than selling her product(s).
Yes, her products are important to her and she believes in them fully, but that’s not what she considers as her main purpose and that’s what makes her business so inspirational. If you visit her page by clicking here, you’ll see exactly what I am talking about. She is here to inspire you, to push you to your best potential, and to bring sunshine to your day.
The ‘Professional’ Image
Basically, what I am getting at here, is we (as the general public) see many professionals as having PERFECT lives. They have it ALL figured out Their lives are literally a dream come true.
They are usually a dream come true, that’s a generally true statement, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any pain in their life. That doesn’t mean their isn’t any struggle. That doesn’t mean their lives are perfect. It means they have decided to look at the optimistic side of life. They have made the decision to use what they are going through as more fuel to push forward in their career… to push forward in their lives.
Never give up. Everyone is a little broken.
