About a year ago I made a small list in the front of a notebook that I use for absolutely everything. I always know it’s there so often times, I flip right past it searching for the blank page or whatever it is I’m looking for. This morning though, as I was about to start flipping through, it caught my attention. I honestly can’t tell you the last time I stopped and looked it over or paid it any mind at all.
The list is simply my reasons “why”. Why I do what I do. Why I choose to still put time and effort into my small business (especially after this past winter). Why I face the trials and error with it. Why even though, I’m no where near where I want to be (let alone where I was), I continue to work at it. I’m no expert or biz whiz…but I did turn absolutely nothing into quite a bit of something. At least it was quite a bit of something for me.
When the list caught my attention, I actually stopped this time. One of my “why’s” was to share my story. I’ve accomplished that. If you know me or follow much of anything I do, you know it’s been a rough two years around here…realistically almost four years if you go all the way back to Hurricane Matthew. Regardless, I share it, all the time. It’s just apart of who I am now.
Another of my why’s, was just to be real. Again, that’s something I’ve stayed true to. For me, it can be so discouraging when you’re scrolling through social media and you see the glitz and the glam. The influencers with the huge, gorgeous, pristine, nothing out of place homes. The beautiful families and all of the stunning vacation pics they share. The countless amounts of clothing, make up, pretty home decor and everything in between. But life isn’t all pretty homes, clothes and magazine worthy adventures. It has an ugly side. A messy side. Which is why, being real made my list.
Amongst, a handful of other things- having a life I enjoy is also jotted down. I like to be in control of things. I’ve always said that. Even still, I’ve dropped the ball more times than I can count. I’m so far from perfect especially in the business world. I get burnt out, I procrastinate from time to time and I certainly make mistakes. But at the end of the day, I’m accountable for that. I have to learn from that and fix whatever it is thats wrong. But I grow from it and I think thats one of the biggest things that keeps me going. All of the lessons that come with having a small business. It gives me a life I thoroughly enjoy though. That I can have control over. That I make the rules for. It gives me freedom but still keeps me in line.
The list is full of simple reminders for not just the hard times. Not just for when you’re ready to throw the towel in. Not just for when you’re questioning what on earth you’re even doing anymore. But it’s also a reminder for the good days. For the days when everything seems great and you’re feeling confident and in control. It’s a reflection of the person you want to be, why you do the things you do and also, to allow you to see how far you’ve come. How many of those reasons “why”…you’ve stayed true to and can actually see in your life now.
We all have things we want in life, somethings can be extravagant and some can be simple. Regardless, put it in writing. So every day or even just every now and then, you can reflect and remind yourself, just why you choose to do what you do.
-MC
MY WHY…
- Financial freedom
- Perfect credit
- Make plans whenever/Travel/Be spontaneous
- Comfy home
- Help others
- Buy what I need/want, whenever
- Enjoyable life ❤
- To share my story/encourage others
- To be real
Marilyn Colwell 