Finding Strength in Every Step: Learning To Rest, Not To Quit

By Tricia Scott.

Recently, I was invited to speak to a group of startups, sharing some of my journey's ups and downs. We had a great time, and the crowd asked some brilliant questions. Looking at the room full of inspired business owners, each with their own dreams and ideas, I could feel the excitement to get to those destinations, reach their goals and be the people they aspire to be, and it reminded me of myself, both at the beginning of this wild ride and still now to some extent (you all know I'm NOT the most patient of people!) 

If you've been here for a while, you've likely heard me refer to the staircase analogy and how we need only to see the next step in the journey, not the entire staircase. This stuff isn't new; it's been talked about in business development sinceforever. However, as I looked out into the crowd, I suddenly wanted to relay this message to the room, but, of course, I was already over my allotted time. 

It's a reminder we all need from time to time (including, and especially, me) because while the journey is fundamentally exciting, it's also scary and occasionally downright frustrating. If you've ever come within a hairbreadth of chucking the laptop out of the nearest window or stomping out of the office with a resounding FUCK IT, then read on because we are the same. 

So whyyy aren't we there already??? 

As business owners, things are great when we're ascending the entrepreneurial staircase. We may even be daring and take two steps at a time—total rockstars! But what about when we're not climbing? What about the days or weeks when the next step feels like a grease-covered mountain, or we need to take a step back to fulfil another commitment or catch our breath? 

What if the progress feels slow or non-existent? How do we keep perspective on the days when our ideas feel about as shiny as an old suede boot? 

Trust me. I know this feeling well, and here's what I've learned. 

Every step counts—the easy, the great, the slow, the sideways, the rolling downhill with a resounding weeeeeeeee, and the sitting-down-to-take-a-break. While they all feel different, none are insignificant—each is its own mini adventure on the way to a desired outcome, and each is actually crucial in shaping the future we want most. 

Lean in today and look around. Can you find value in this place? What can you celebrate? If you're struggling to find love for this step, what can you tweak or change to make it better? It doesn't have to be a massive shift; even a 1% improvement in your mindset will make a big difference. 

Remember, when entrepreneurs rest, we don't miss out. We recharge.  

Make the steps count; you were made for big things. This is your time and your journey; don't miss it wishing you were elsewhere. 

👉🏼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!