I have written many a blog post in my time and as I looked through the notes section on my phone, I discovered a series of blog posts drafted including this one written on 08/08/2018.
What is so interesting to me about it as how it ministered to me four years on, how much I still need to take on board and how much I love my writing! Yeah I said it.
So here it is. Future Juanita is grateful for the insights too…
You often see writing prompts that ask “What would you tell your 16 year old self?”. As I evaluate the next steps for TGRG, I wondered what I would tell 27 year old Juanita about moving into the world of business and contracting and I think I’d tell her this…
Dear Juanita,
Vision is key
As I write to you from your future I wanted to share the biggest lessons I’ve learnt about being a business woman that I wish I’d known.
I know you’re a planner and this will come in handy in business but there’s an additional skill you’ll need to apply. Visualising the future beyond “wanting to work” will be crucial to your success.
Make sure you have a clear idea of what the future looks like personally and professionally. Be clear on your values and know there may be times they don’t align with a client’s. That’s ok. It’s doesn’t always work out and you’ve learnt to speak up when a partnership may not work.
And that business coach you hire to be your independent sounding board is awesome, one of you better investments.
You’re a bitch when you’re tired – self-care is vital
Running yourself into the ground is not smart nor clever. By the time you reach me, well-being will be a buzzword amongst major organisations but you shouldn’t leave your care to anyone else. You’ll learn to recognise that you’ll infinitely benefit from knowing when to leave environments that threaten your state of mind.
You’ll go on your first international holiday and learn how 7 days can literally change your life simply because you changed your environment. Holidays are not a luxury, they’re a business necessity.
Family is key. You haven’t mastered the art of not taking the stresses of work with you but don’t worry. I’m making you a promise that we’ll have a break at least twice a year as it’s part and parcel of the business thriving.
We’ve seen deaths, cancer and heart attacks in the last three months alone. Hopefully you get the importance of looking after your health and living a life beyond work.
Keep it thrifty
You’ll hire an office within the first three months of your first business thinking that’s what you do. Here’s where your planning muscle begins to develop rapidly as you’ll quickly learn that taking on overheads with no clear idea where clients are coming from is problematic.
You should listen to Sade’s advice to avoid the outlay but it’s ok. You learn that lesson beautifully so you won’t make that particular mistake with TGRG.
Having a kickass accountant helps and you’ll make sure that you’re savvy about where you invest your money. Hiring a VA for the first year or so of the business will be a positive move and really does make a difference as you start business number two.
You’ll learn that starting a business savings account for HMRC’s cut is a smart move. There’s nothing like paying your tax bill early.
You’ll make investments in additional ventures and independent training. Not everything will be for you but the point is it’s better to try and learn than never to try at all.
One thing though – don’t follow the money. You’ll make decisions that don’t always make you happy and whilst that can’t happen all the time you still want to be passionate even when pissed off.
Learning never stops
We love learning and the investments in courses have been great but don’t forget there’s also no shame in learning from others or not always knowing the answers. Don’t let being tired ever get in the way of learning something new.
You already have an e-book obsession but you’ll also develop a wicked Audible habit. We’re trying to build on our French at the moment and you know what? You’re already pretty good.
It’s ok to say no
This kind of marries up with the self care thing. There will be situations you’ll stay in far too long that will be stressful not just for you but those around you. There will be times you will say no.
And one of your senior managers will teach you that sometimes things don’t quite gel and there’s no shame in that.
Remember that fear is an illusion. There’s always a solution to any challenge. You always land on your feet. Don’t be afraid to leap once in a while.
Learn to trust yourself and your instincts
You already know our philosophy is to get to know yourself as there’s no one you’ll spend more time with in a lifetime. Well another skill you’ll build is your instincts.
2018 you is trying to embrace the Danielle Laporte idea that if it doesn’t make you say “hello yeah!” then don’t do it. You’re better when you’re passionate and you have to trust that things will work out the way they’re supposed to.
There are no failures, only blessings.
Have the last seven years been perfect? No.
Have you tried your best?
80% of the time.
The 20% is filled with challenges but you’ve never claimed to be perfect. The fact is your passion to deliver remains when you believe in a project but also when you’re doing your best to take care of yourself.
We still have much to learn but remember the best strategy is to be true.
