Be Courageous

My brave insight into being a big hearted Boss Lady, and for those about to take the next step…

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Do one thing everyday that scares you.” Well, I am nailing it, because I’m sh*t scared by being a business owner everyday. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Don’t worry, this is not a 3 minute pity party— that would not inspire anyone. Sometimes though, motivating others can come from showing vulnerability as a leader and saying, ‘f$&k this boss stuff sucks sometimes!’

We give so much of ourselves that inevitably, cracks will appear at some stage.

Do you know why this happens?

Because it is hard work constantly doing the 1% of things that the other 99% of the population do not want to do. That is what being a business owner is. It is exhilarating and exhausting at the same time! We can’t turn it off, we cannot hide from responsibility. It’s UNRELENTING. But, we do it because we love it. We are driven simply by achievement and creating something meaningful for ourselves, and others.

We CHOOSE to run our own business — a conscious decision we continue to make everyday, every week, every year… and it can be terrifying at times.

We CHOOSE to be leaders — to create a supportive culture that makes our teams happy and feel nurtured. In doing so, we often put the best interest of others before ourselves.

That’s what a good boss does right?!

This ongoing assumption that we do/or don’t bend over backwards for our team festers expectation and often, less appreciation. It can be soul destroying for a big hearted boss like myself.

We wear many hats — mum, dad, partner, friend, business owner, practitioner… sometimes, something has to give. Sometimes we need to say ‘enough’.

We need to start saying ‘NO, it’s my business and I’m calling the shots’.

We need to STOP trying to make everyone happy ALL the time.

We need to be OK with NOT being OK sometimes.

Leadership is not about pandering to the minority, it is about creating a new majority; inspiring others to step up by creating a positive workplace to be proud of.

Running a business is hard. Being a good boss is harder! I used to be terrible at it. I would often paint rainbows and promise unicorns in the hope that others could see my vision and the opportunities I was trying to create for them. Finally, I realised that respect comes from bulldozing straight through a forest, not beating around the bush. I started tearing off the bandaids and surprise surprise, I got better results.

Why? The most successful leaders are known for making better decisions. The quicker you make decisions, the faster you create meaningful change. Growth does not come without change, and failure is caused by lack of determination to make it happen.

The only person who can grab your business by the balls is you!

Being a business owner takes courage…

The courage to be humble, vulnerable & brave.

The courage to have difficult conversations.

The courage to make hard decisions.

The courage to react accordingly.

The courage to apologize when you are wrong.

The courage to get back up.

The courage not to choose the easy way out.

Above all — The courage to act.

Because once you act, your confidence shows up.

When YOU show up, others will too.

Take time to reflect on how far you have come since you started. Be proud of yourselves because I sure as hell am.

BE COURAGEOUS

Here is my virtual keyboard cuddle… 🙇🏼‍♀️

Business sucks sometimes, but we are in this together. Stronger together. 💪🏻

We’ve got this… You’ve got this!

For those of you who made it this far, please do me a favor — give your boss a hug, high five or fist pump. They never ask for it, but sometimes they need it!

Being a business owner can be lonely — stand next to them, beside them, support them. They need you just as much as you need them.

Gratitude works both ways and is often the greatest gift you can give.

A final shout out to my amazing team at Western Region Health. I know I can flip from Oprah, to Jessica Pearson from ‘Suits’ but you are why I do what I do and I freakin’ love you.

#gratitudist 👊🏻❤️🙏🏻

Bringing you my best…

Big love,

Jade. xx

Does this resonate with you. I’d love to hear your challenges, fears, love and passion when it comes to running your own clinic… vent away… I’m listening!