Success for 2014: June 2023

Hello Theo,

Welcome to July! I hope you are enjoying the warmer weather.

This month I'm looking foward to slowing down, eating lots of strawberries and watching Wimbleon Tennis.

And, hopefully, soaking up some sunshine, while gently reviewing the first six months of 2023 and noticing what I didn't get done...

Do you find yourself avoiding tasks or situations that you know you need to face?

Many years ago, I avoided dealing with a website issue. It felt too difficult and a lot of effort to sort out, plus I didn’t know where to get help.

So, I didn’t do anything for months and months and months.

What a waste of time!

It held me back from developing my business, until finally, I found someone who had the technical knowledge, and then …. the solution wasn’t as overwhelming as I had imagined.

If you’re running a small business, there can be so many tasks and challenges to deal with, it can lead to avoidance tendencies.

Avoidance can show up in different ways, including procrastination, making excuses, or diverting attention to other, perhaps, less important activities.

It could be avoiding, for example, having an important conversation, reviewing and tracking finances, promoting an offer, or making changes in your lifestyle.

Often, it's driven by a desire to escape discomfort, fear, or anxiety.

And it’s perfectly normal.

Are you avoiding something in your life or business?

While avoidance may provide temporary relief, it holds us back from addressing problems and challenges, which could move our businesses forward.

So, here are a few things to consider if you want to overcome avoidance….

~ Make a list of anything that you are avoiding dealing with or taking action on.

~ Reflect on why you tend to avoid certain tasks or situations. Is it fear of failure, judgement, overwhelm or lack of knowledge?

~ Do some research on the task or challenge, and ask for support from friends, mentors, or a coach. Is there someone who could be your accountability partner? I've found having someone I can confide in and update on my progress, very helpful in facing up to issues I’m avoiding.

~ Develop a plan of action for each task or situation you tend to avoid. A simple plan provides structure and reduces some of the uncertainty about the steps and action to take.

~ Practise stress management techniques to soothe anxious thoughts and to stay calm and focused. I find breath work, exercise, and meditation useful.

~ If you do experience setbacks or find yourself slipping back into avoidance, be kind to yourself. Reflect on what led to the setback, learn from it, and use it as an opportunity to make any changes and get back on track.

Developing strategies to address challenges, seeking support or guidance, and taking small steps will overtime break any habitual avoidance tendencies and lead to better business results.

If you need help to finally address anything you have been avoiding reply to this email or click below and we can arrange a time to speak.

Who I’m following ….

Christina Greve @christinagreve for Photography and Mindful Living. I’ve been a member of her Photography Academy since 2021 and she is an inspiration in terms of lifestyle, design and creativity.

Katie Brindle @katie_brindle, Life Healer and Expert Chinese Medicine Practitioner who is a constant source of natural wellbeing and health care expertise. I use her crystal Gua Sha tools for facial and scalp massage.

Stuart Sandeman @breathpod. His morning breathwork and meditation Instagram Lives set me up for the day.