Submitted by Katie 1/4/10
This past year and a half have been possibly the most difficult of my life. My husband and I own a business together in a dying industry. This business was owned by my parents for years, and they ran it successfully for all of those years. They retired at the top of their game and we excitedly took the business over. Little did we know the market would turn, the industry would change, and I would dive into the murky depths of depression.
My husband and I had a decision to make: close the business and declare bankruptcy, or evolve. Evolving would mean massive change — even more blood, sweat and tears put into our business, even less time with our two young children, more money problems and potentially more marital stress.
I was afraid. Very afraid. I was afraid of failing. I was afraid of not knowing how to evolve. I was afraid of not knowing what I was doing. I was afraid of having to face my business peers after failing. I was so focused on what could go wrong, it was difficult for me to see what could go right. The option of closing our doors would be so much less painful, even with declaring bankruptcy. How crazy is that? I network constantly for my business, so why couldn’t I actually learn from the success stories that I heard about daily? Stories that all involved fear and failure at the beginning, and all involved success in the end. All of these people were right there in front of me and yet I was still afraid to reach out to any of them.
So, what did I do? I saw a therapist. I read your book. And I talked to my husband. And talked and talked and talked. We decided to go on a business retreat, just the two of us, to face the reality that I was so willing to deny. During that retreat, we did something amazing — created our vision board. Only then could I see that our dreams could be reality and while it might be hard, it can be done. As it has been done by so many successful people around us.
Then, I reached out to some business people I admire, swallowed my pride, and asked the most important question I could ask: “How did you do it?” And then I listened. And listened. Took notes, and listened some more. And you know what these people did for me? They called back with more ideas for me to help me grow my business! And they referred me to other people who could help me grow my business. There was no judgement, no question that I couldn’t survive and even accomplish every dream that I have. Their faith in me helped me conquer that fear that laid in the pit of my stomach. They gave me the foundation to believe in myself.
I don’t know what 2010 will hold for me, but I can tell you this. I’m no longer afraid. Evolving is so much more exciting to me than just rolling over and dying. And I’m going to just keep reaching out to people and listening.
Submitted by Katie 1/4/10
RELATED POSTS:
Dear Katie,
Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring and courageous story on my website. It is very moving and I am sure will provide enormous inspiration for the many who will read it in the months and years to come.
The lesson you impart on courage, on stepping forward not in the absence of our fears but in their presence, and on harnessing the power of vision through your vision board is powerful.
I am so glad to hear your business is doing better and wish you (and your family) not only enormous success and happiness, but also a lifetime of continued evolution. If we aren’t growing, we aren’t living!
With gratitude and admiration,
Margie