Embracing the Unexpected: Lessons Learned from a Bank Holiday Head Cold

By Tricia Scott.

Last weekend was a bank holiday in the UK, and I was in bed with a head cold... The audacity! 

I had plans for the weekend, which included getting ahead on various projects and taking a walk or two, but there I was in my PJs, coffee on the nightstand, and a snoring cat by my side.

Of course, there are worse things (except my bright red nose), but I couldn't help but feel a little frustrated. 

"The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry." ← This doesn't help btw.

It would have been easy to allow the frustration to take over at this point; I had planned to be able to go into the coming weeks perfectly planned and ahead of schedule with time to work on some other projects that are starting to gather dust in the wings, and a change to that meant juggling of schedules, timescales and ideas, but, if we've been friends a while, you'll know that I am a firm believer that delays and roadblocks happen for a reason and setbacks are simply bruises and not tattoos, so what to do? 

I focused on being well - taking full advantage of my lack of smell and taste, I drank a glass of pure celery juice; I also purchased grapefruit oil extract recommended by a wonderful new friend and contributor to Create Evolve Overcome magazine and had a large sparkly cup of water by my side (along with my coffee obvs, I'm don't claim to be a saint!) 

I went at my own pace - until I felt better, I worked at my own speed and capacity. If that changed, I gave myself the grace to stop, drop, and nap toddler-style. 

I remembered to be grateful. Working for ourselves can be challenging, but it also comes with the freedom to choose our own schedule. This meant I could work from my bed (or not), and I didn't have to 'ring in sick' to register a sick day at the office. I could move my projects around freely and catch up when I felt up to it - without external pressure. 

As I write this, I am reminded that often, the most pressure we feel is that which we put upon ourselves, and it doesn't have to be that way. Yes, there will be deadlines and external factors (of course), but do we really need to be so hard on ourselves? 

Where can you let go of the plan, just a little today? In my experience, if it doesn't go exactly as you hoped, it's because there's something better around the corner. 

Look out for the extraordinary this week, and I bet you'll find it.

I believe in you (always).

👉🏼If you want to journey with me through 2024, I email our Hello CEO mailing list every Monday. To join, head to The Homepage and sign up!

Tricia Scott is a passionate startup business mentor and the Founder and Editor of The Female CEO - Create Evolve Overcome, a platform and digital magazine holding the space to showcase female entrepreneurs from all over the world. 

The Female CEO is gaining global recognition daily and Tricia is able to bring her own level of expertise as a start-up mentor and multi-company director to her very exclusive table along with her team of brilliant Guest Editors and Contributors. You'll usually find her with her MacBook in one hand and a coffee or a glass of something fizzy in the other. Reach out anytime!