This post is different than most I put on the blog. It was inspired by a recent Instagram post that really hit home with a lot of my followers.
A [few weeks/couple of months] ago, I visited Joshua Tree National Park. The scenery was incredible, I captured some amazing photos, and I felt re-invigorated and inspired by the trip.
What I didn’t capture in photos was that the day before I sobbed in the lap of one of my best friends, while lying on a bed in a beautiful Airbnb on a perfect girls weekend trip that I had dreamed of taking for years.
I cried uncontrollably about how hard things felt, how off center I felt, how my focus was being challenged, how I was physically ill all the time and so exhausted from it.
As a company, Lisa Gilmore Design is in a major, major growth phase.
Which is wonderful and also hard.
Business ownership is hard. And, I might be biased, but creative business ownership is harder.
You put your passion, your creativity, your personal talent out there - for the world to see, critique, and decide if they like it or not. If you’re lucky and persistent you gain clients, you attract people that support your dreams and help you make a living for yourself, and maybe one day, others that will work for you.
Growth is amazing and also hard.
Leadership is amazing and also hard.
Figuring out how to constantly provide the best service and do the best work can be exhausting.
But it’s also so amazing and rewarding-- the most fulfilling adventure.
If there’s any of this that resonates with you, just know that you’re not crazy. You’re not alone.
We are all human.
Sometimes we mess up. Sometimes we kill it.
Sometimes we need to put our heads down, focus, and pull ourselves back up above water.
Take time to breathe.
Take time to get inspired.
I find inspiration from women who kick ass in business. Spanx founder Sara Blakely is at the top of my list.
I took her Master Class to learn more about how she founded and lead her company from a feminine perspective, with soul and heart.
My biggest takeaway from that class was Blakely’s advice to identify and hire your weaknesses:
"As soon as you can afford to, hire your weaknesses. What you're not good at is usually what you don't like."
Sara said hiring your weakness allows you to focus on the things you are particularly good at.
I’ve taken a hard look at my weaknesses, and now I’m in the process of leveling up.
Don’t believe me, just watch.
