My overriding emotion this week has not been sadness, it hasnāt been anxiety or fear, itās been guilt.
Specifically, guilt that Iām not doing enough to move my business forward.
Iāve always prided myself in being the kind of person that jumps headfirst into madness, chaos and crisis. Iāll jump to do whatever I can to protect others. To protect myself, my business. To create. To innovate.
But I havenāt done that this week and Iāve felt so guilty about it.
Itās hard when you donāt have a big business, there are fewer people relying on you - itās āonlyā future opportunity that youāre missing out on, and you canāt touch that.
And then that feels like an excuse. And the guilt turns to shame.
Iāve watched others rise up with creative ways to pivot their business or support their communities, and Iāve fallen down that awful comparison hole and criticised myself for not doing enough. For not being enough.
And then I reflect and the shame grows.
I want to inspire you guys with something special, or at least bring some lols. I want this newsletter to be a beacon of light at the end of this weird week. You know what?
I WANT TO FIX THIS WHOLE GOD DAMN CRISIS WITH MY FINGERTIPS.
But Iām human. We all are. Which sucks, btw. And I know that if Iām feeling like this then someone else out there is too.
So instead, Iāll share my guilt and shame because as BrenĆ© says, thereās power in vulnerability and shame canāt survive if we share it.
So thank you for being here.
Itās time for a reality check
Nobody knows WTF weāre supposed to be doing
There is no āright wayā right now. Now is not the time for guilt or shame. Now is a time for kindness and patience. For community. For connection. For survival.
Are you surviving? Yep? Just about?
Excellent. Thatās enough.
Be compassionate with your expectations
For me, Iām acknowledging that Balpro is a baby. Itās young, itās agile, itās nimble. The business has taken some hits over the last few weeks, but I have time to create something special and I will build it in a way that works for me, supports my mental health and provides value to others.
We help companies grow whilst looking after their employees. See ya, shame š I must practice what I preach.
ā¦But also - Feeling more motivated than ever to take over the world? Go for it. Again: There is no right way.
Thereās great power in purpose
Iāve been so distracted this week that I wasnāt sure if this newsletter would get out the door. I didnāt know if I was up for it - every task Iāve done has taken 10 times longer than it normally would. However, now more than ever itās critical we have purpose.
Doing stuff - being productive - it helps.
Whether thatās making moves on a work project, getting out for a little jog or cleaning out your wardrobe.
Just do something.
Balpro OGās know what Iām talking about here: GET THAT WIN A DAY.
Ask for help
Iām a proud person and struggle here, but Iāve started asking for help. I wanted to join a program to help grow my business, something that a year ago I would have been too stubborn to even look at #missindependent.
Of course, I procrastinated and missed the intro discount. I set aside my pride and asked for the promotion to be extended, it was and Iāve been welcomed with open arms š¤
People are willing to give more than ever, people want to help support you. Ask for it. Accept it. You donāt always need to be the hero.
Just keep connecting
Weāre social distancing and yet weāre more connected than ever. Weāre texting back. Weāre answering the phone. Weāre turning our cameras on and doing video calls.
And corporates are finding the fun again, Iāve spottedā¦
Virtual pub quiz
Cyber dance parties *introverts everywhere shiver*
Fancy dress meetings
Group guided meditations
FaceTime coffee clubs
We have a āQuarantini? šøā family WhatsApp group which basically consists of memes, weird selfies and videos of us cheers-ing each other when cocktail hour approaches. Iāve also joined a WFH Run Club on Strava.
And of course, thereās always thisā¦
How are you getting on? Hit reply, Iād love to hear from you,
Amber
Every day Iām balancinā
Ps. Iām hoping that at least one person on my mailing list remembers Usherās Confessions album or else that top GIF provides nothing but a nice set of absā¦ Could be worse.
Donāt forget about Shout
Everyoneās mental health is being put to the test right now, remember that you can text SHOUT to 85258 for free, 24/7 support.
This service is being used more than ever and weāre looking for volunteers to join the team. Itās really one of the most special things I do each week. Find out more here or send me an email and Iām happy to chat to you about it.
Stuck for a WFH playlist?
Someone has put together a COVID-19 Quarantine Dance Party playlist on Spotify featuring Britneyās Toxic, Nellyās Hot in Herre and MC Hammerās U Canāt Touch this.
As always, hereās the Balpro logo, #Branding.