The stories we are taught to believe are endless: don’t cry or you'll appear weak, don’t show emotion or people won’t take you seriously, don’t let your clients know you are struggling or they won’t think you are professional. Your vulnerability shows how fragile you are. Your stories of pain, fear, and conflict confirm that you’re not enough. 

In a society that systematically praises strength, fearlessness, and power, we are conditioned to lean away from the wholeness of being human. The dark parts of self are not to be seen by our community and even ourselves. And they must especially not be shown in our business. We push, dismiss, resist, numb, and/or avoid our fear because it’s not “supposed” to be here.

There is extensive discussion on emotional intelligence, and the impact that it has on our self-awareness, self-agency, and self-acceptance. We also know that gaining this wisdom and journeying through discovery would serve us well in business and in life.

How does this fit into the world of entrepreneurship.

Running your own business comes with a lot of pressure: pressure on your time and energy, pressure to perform a certain way, pressure to keep up the appearance of success.

As the Owner & Founder of your company you have many hats and responsibilities: accounting, finance management, networking, marketing and advertising endeavours, social media and website management, maybe management of your team members. With all this endless pressure, it’s easy to lose track of your why.

Why did you start your business in the first place?

Why do you want to do this everyday?

Why are you passionate about helping people in just this way?

Can you even recall what life was like before social media? How did you build your business? Network? Stay in touch with clients?

If you are like me, you have a push and pull relationship with social media. Some days you like it and some days you hate it.

Social media is a great way to say in touch with family and friends that are near and far. It provides you with a platform to be informed of current events (well – unless you are in Australia). If you are small business owner, it provides you with a platform to reach millions at a relatively low cost.

These are all great things, but, as we are all aware, social media often has a downside.