What I learned from my bummer vacation
The thing I like best about travelling is the new perspectives that it offers.
Sometimes those perspectives come from the differences of a place or culture. Sometimes they simply come from not being at home.
And having just gotten back from vacation, here's what I'm reflecting on.
Fulfillment comes from accepting that you can't have everything you want.
After grinding all summer, this trip to Germany was the thing that was getting me through. Counting the days until I could take a breath, take a break, and recharge.
And the moment we got there, my partner Joe got COVID.
It wasn't the trip I wanted. It certainly wasn't the trip Joe wanted. But it was the trip we got.
And while Joe was resting in bed and I was touring through the mountains of Bavaria without him, it took every ounce of my energy to shake off the disappointment, stay positive, and look for some source of meaning this moment was meant to deliver.
For 18 months now, I've been working hard rebuilding BE Lean into what I want it to be for the next phase of my business. And you know what, the work is paying off!
I've successfully made the shift from being just the "systems guy" to being the "scalability guy." And that (not so) simple shift has led to a more consistent pipeline of great clients, and well paying work that is more aligned with my purpose.
What more could I ask for?
But seeing my vision become a reality didn't feel the way I expected it to. I've been stressed. Felt burnt out. And little seeds of doubt have crept in asking, are you sure this is what you want?
There's a pretty good chance that you've felt the same way. A lot of "successful" people feel that way.
In fact, I've seen a lot of close friends and colleagues create incredibly successful and impressive businesses, all the while sacrificing their joy and well-being along the way.
I told myself when I started BE Lean that I wouldn't follow those footsteps. That I'd never let the desires or ambitions of my business overtake my quality of life.
And yet here I am, feeling those same feelings.
But here's the thing I hadn't appreciated. The goal post doesn't matter. It doesn't matter whether you want to build a simple lifestyle business or a scalable empire. It never happens exactly the way you want it to.
And, you know what? That's ok.
Because when you accept that you can't have everything you want to have, you open yourself up to what you're meant to have. And what if that's even better?
A friend and colleague of mine offered this nugget to the conversation...
What if "having it all" means having the highs with the lows, and loving it all? Being with it all. Listening to what you're meant to learn in the lows so you can shed what's not working and elevate to an even higher high?
Yes, the trip to Germany wasn't what we expected. It had both highs and lows. But this shift in perspective wouldn't have happened without the lows. And I feel a greater sense of peace because of it.
So if you're the kind of person who goes after what they want with gusto, who sees their vision in vivid color, who works tirelessly to make it happen, take a beat and ask yourself... what can I learn from my lows so I can elevate to an even higher high?
Better yet, gain a new perspective by talking to someone you trust. A friend, colleague, coach, or consultant.
Because what if there's an even better future than the one you thought you wanted?
