It’s more than safe to say that 2020 has been a crazy year! I don’t know about you, but saying “hindsight is 20/20” will never be the same. While nothing in the past can be changed, I wanted to take some time to reflect on the year and set intentions for moving forward.
In 2019, I hired a business adviser to help me create a strong foundation for my business and grow sustainably. This work continued into early 2020 and helped me refine my services and see what “backend” things I couldn’t do on my own efficiently. Just as our time working together was wrapping up, I had many in-person workshops and events on the books. I was very energized and excited about what was to come.
You know where this is going...
A global pandemic. I’d be remiss not to acknowledge that I honestly thought it would be over quickly. I remember thinking people I knew stockpiling and hoarding stuff was crazy. It was crazy… until we were the ones searching all the stores for toilet paper because the pandemic and essential item shortage lasted far longer than we expected. (Don’t worry; we are stocked now.)
As you all know, it’s 9 months later and the COVID-19 pandemic is still very real and very serious. It isn’t going to end quickly. When that became apparent, many of my bookings cancelled. I didn’t blame them, but I was disappointed that training and development budgets are often the first thing to go when money gets tight or the future is uncertain. It was a blow to my business and put a halt to all the energy and momentum I spent over a year building.
Hearing so many people spreading toxic positivity about how to stay positive to keep your business afloat was extremely difficult (fun fact: I despise toxic positivity). The internet was overwhelmed with entrepreneurs and experts encouraging a pivot to adjust to the pandemic. The idea of pivoting what I had spent so much time building was in a word: devastating. I dabbled here and there with virtual enneagram workshops, virtual consults, and even virtual mediation. However, it took me many months to see a business plan pivot as necessary.
There is great opportunity in adversity.
While I was debating what that pivot would look like, I spent hours upon hours considering my future. I applied for dozens of “real” jobs despite being overqualified or being uncertain that I really wanted to give up on my entrepreneurial journey. I wavered back and forth about my business, the products I offer, and if I had the mental fortitude to stumble forward in pivoting my business to virtual model.
Beyond the business impacts and changes, I underestimated how a global pandemic and subsequent quarantine(s) would impact my social and emotional well-being. I had gotten used to multiple in-person meetings and networking events each week, so it was really hard to zero out and then to transition to virtual meetings. That ZOOM FATIGUE was hard. If you talked to me in those early weeks, you often heard me say “I’m at my zoom limit for the week.” 😉
It took me a solid 5 months to decide that I need to make some changes for my business and for myself and then act on that decision. I’m equal parts relieved and overwhelmed going into 2021 with new ideas and plans for Harmonious Resolutions that are virtual based. Definitely excited to continue connecting with people virtually and bring valuable conflict and enneagram resources to the masses. While I know that 2021 isn’t going to immediately end the pandemic or change what we are facing now, I am hopeful and optimistic for the year ahead.
Entrepreneurship isn’t easy but I still believe it’s worth it.
Thank you for joining me on this journey! Here’s to 2021!