What do you do when you take two steps backwards?
Dec 03, 2024
When I started CBWS, the "Work from Home" (WFH) movement was a whisper and an anomaly. I knew I wanted more control over my life and imagined spending more time with my kids and family.
With any business and life, clear intentions are paramount.
The path is filled with unknowns, but at least intentions provide a guiding light. In 2024, it's more common to "WFH," and more people take my work as actual work and not playing, which was my reality for years. I don't know how long you've been around my sphere, but through 2018, I traveled approximately 32 weeks of the year teaching.
My initial intention - to be around for my family - was being taxed. One of my lowest moments was when, during an interview to get my kids into a remarkable decades-long support program, I asked,
'What was the school counselor's rationale for submitting my children to the program?'
The answer left a black mark on my heart and was full of devastating double standards:
"Absentee Mother."
I looked at the interviewer, stunned. They tried to soften the blow and shared I was WORKING after all. Not everyone can be home - every day - when the kids get off the bus. The interviewer stressed that even they weren't home at such times. But, you know, the term 'Absentee Mother' is chock full of negative meanings, and at the moment, I took it to heart. Plus, I didn't have answers to some of their questions about my children. So, it was a low moment!
I share this with you not to be a downer but to show how easy it is to get off 'intention.' It wasn't all work; there was a lot of additional travel related to my ailing parents during this time, too. However, it was a wake-up call.
I shared with Bianca, "We have to make some changes."
We did, we took two steps back and did the planning and prep work. It took time and I had a lot of pushback from others saying, 'it can't be done this way.' Luckily, I didn't listen to them, and I'm so grateful Bianca and I made the changes before 2020!
Over the years, there were times I didn't work as much. Times I didn't work at all. And times I worked 12-hour days.
All on my terms, though, and with my original intention kept in my heart.
These days, one glance at social media will show you dozens, even hundreds, of WFH entrepreneur whizzes, all trying to sell you their secrets to "success" - many, if not most, promoting the hustle. But what do these gurus really know about you and your life - much less your business? Your family? Your why that got you here in the first place?
Here's the thing - hustle culture isn't sustainable. In order to create a business that sticks around through life's ups and downs, you have to create something that works for you. You have to be intentional about your energy, boundaries, systems, and commitments. You have to know how to harness the power of your passion while still planning for the real-life bumps in the road.
And, maybe most importantly, you'll need support - someone (or ideally many someones) to encourage you, provide an honest, informed perspective, and give you the real talk that no online 30-second video can truly replicate.
What's your personal intention with yourself and business? Sometimes, people try to separate personal from work, but that doesn't happen when you own the company. So, as we all prepare to head into 2025, let me ask you: Are you living your intention? Is it time for adjustments?
Do you have the support that you need?
As you reflect on your intentions and consider what adjustments might be needed to create a business and life that align with your values, remember that you're not alone in this journey. Building a sustainable, intentional business requires a community of like-minded individuals who truly understand the unique challenges and joys of your path.
That’s why I created The Carry-On Collective—a space to connect, share experiences, and support one another through every stage of your business and personal growth. It’s a place where you can find real encouragement, bite -sized content and the kind of understanding and accountability that only comes from people who walk a similar path.
Whether you’re navigating a big transition, seeking advice, or simply looking for a supportive community that gets it, The Carry-On Collective is here for you. Let’s carry on together—intentionally, sustainably, and with purpose.
