Finding clarity and purpose in slow seasons
Filed under: Feel-good entrepreneurship
Spring is here.
And it's time for a change up in routines: sprouting new ideas, making plans for warmer weather (if we ever get past this cold snap we're having in Vancouver), and revisiting the lessons learned from the last few months.
This has been an interesting time to reflect on as I recently came back from a 3 month trip.
That’s right — my husband and I traded winter in Vancouver to travel through Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan and South Korea. It was an absolutely incredible experience where we fell in love with amazing cultures and made so many fond memories. A life goal of ours that was originally meant to happen in 2020 (but then you know, COVID happened), this made it all the more meaningful when we finally got to pack our bags and go.
So fast-forward to the transition back to everyday life, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't feeling lost and completely out of rhythm.
I went from having fully-booked months to traveling and having no responsibilities (other than to live life) to having the most free time and capacity since I went full-time with my business.
No matter how much I reassured myself that this slower period was temporary, of course I felt a little stressy about this. It IS April and tax deadlines are just around the corner ☠️
I was in a constant state of worry. I thought about getting a 9-5. Then a combination of heart-to-heart convos with good friends and having the time to rethink my business strategy gave me a renewed sense of purpose. Ultimately, what helped the most was deciding to look at things in a different way. Sharing this in hopes that it helps others too - especially those of you who might be feeling “behind”.
Throughout our lives and in business, each season serves a purpose. Even the slow ones.
We need to remind ourselves that we're not machines that consistently churn out work — we’re human. Each month, quarter or year can vary widely from the last, requiring us to be adaptable and open to different challenges.
It’s in THIS season that I've had the space to find clarity and move with intention. A season where:
I truly reflected on the first 2 years in business, taking the lessons I’ve gained and applying them to what I’d like to create next.
I'm focusing on the areas of my business that haven’t been tended to. Including creating this newsletter and streamlining my own processes (which as an ops person, I can spend hours blissfully flowing through).
I’ve prioritized meaningful connects with other creatives and entrepreneurs. I SO enjoy exchanging ideas and business tips, and love that I can be completely present without the mad rush of a back-to-back schedule.
I can drop the multi-tasking and focus on high quality delivery. I’ve been able to add more value for my clients whether re-reviewing the finer details of a budget or looking a few more steps ahead in project plans to get ahead of potential challenges.
I’m revisiting old interests and hobbies, spending a few hours each day learning about anything and everything that sparks my curiosity. This keeps the inspiration levels high and even helps inform my future content.
The bottom line is — we get to decide what each season is for. There are seasons where we need to hustle and others that ask us to take a step back so we can continue to give back to our businesses (which in turn give back to us). Taking what you need will help you maintain momentum in a more sustainable way.
And for when we are feeling behind, know that we also get to decide what success looks like. For me it means freeing up my clients time so they can make the impact they want to make. It’s being there for my favourite people, going on that once in a lifetime trip, and having a flexible schedule that fills my cup day after day. Focusing on this allows me to move through this season thoughtfully and make this next chapter count.
If this resonated, I would love to hear what you think! What does this season have in store for you?
Let’s do this together,
Kathrene
