There’s nothing like a bit of straightforward talking from like-minded women who know you and your business intimately, and aren’t afraid to ‘say it like it is‘.
I needed a proper dose of reality last week. I’m one of those fast-moving, action-taking, ideas-generating women who likes to get things done. Now. Everything. Immediately. I have to force myself to slow down. To wait. To be cautious. To think carefully before jumping in with both feet.
I love my work. I love my clients. I love the volunteering that I do.
Simplicity is beautiful
However I also have to remember that simplicity is beautiful. Simplicity is simple. Simplicity is good for you.
In a recent attempt to declutter my life and my business, I found myself filling up the space (and more) when new opportunities started falling into my lap. However I am only one woman. I do only have 24 hours in the day. And only 7 days a week. Plus two gorgeous children and a husband.
When I met with my mastermind group on Thursday, I was very grateful to be reminded to focus on ONE thing.
And my ONE thing is helping ambitious women who want to balance career with family life to get clear on what they really want, then find the confidence to take action and DO IT.
My clients
99% of my clients are women. 98% of my clients are mothers. Well, not surprising when your independent coaching practice is called The Confident Mother. One third of my clients are in a career i.e. already employed; one third of my clients want to go back to work after a career break (or maternity leave) and the final third are women in business.
I know my own strengths: inner confidence, smart, intelligent, an action-taker, creative, inspirational, a ‘go big or go home’ attitude, I have intregrity … however I am also aware of my, hmmm let’s call them, opportunities for development. I love creating and I have a tendency to try and do too much (hence why my mastermind is so valuable because they rein me in). I’m a (reformed) perfectionist. I work hard. I’m stubborn (my husband will testify to that one).
KISS Sherry KISS
Therefore I need my mastermind group to remind me to KISS (keep it simple Sherry). And it’s not as though I don’t know this because that’s exactly what I have blogged about in the past. I don’t offer too many ways to work with me because simplicity IS beautiful.
Simplicity is good for your confidence because you don’t have to fuss and worry about many things at the same time. Simplicity is good for your confidence because it offers clarity. Simplicity is good for your confidence because you can really focus on your strengths.
Yes simplicity is good for your confidence. And remember, KISS.
What about you? How or why is simplicity good for your confidence?
One night while staying at my mum’s, my mind was racing and I couldn’t sleep. At around 2 am she sussed that I was wide awake and come into see me. I burst into tears and said how overwhelmed I was. In only the way a mum can she said very simply ‘how about you focus on one thing?’.
What do I say to others and then ignore my own advice.
Such a powerful thing to do.
Yes absolutely Dale. Love your mum for saying that.
Overwhelm is awful.
I think so many of us women can fall foul to it. We feel we have to be all things to all people, and we’re at the bottom of the pile trying to keep it all together.
Your Mum sounds very wise and sensible.
I really need to simplify my life! I function so much better when I only have one thing to focus on, or a clutter free environment, yet I am naturally drawn to over complicating things, and am quite untidy and seem to attract clutter somehow! I am vastly improved but need to simplify more….a big declutter of everything – home, business, technology and mind seems to be in order…big and complex project though eh 🙂
Oh yes me too Esther. I’m always being drawn to overcomplicate things which is why my mastermind group is so fabulously brilliant for me.
Recently learned to focus on one thing. Focussing on more means something might be missed leading to more stress. Keeping it simple is the best option.
Good post!
Thanks Shan. Glad it’s something that resonates for you.
I love simplicity.
Stops me from having to think too much. I know that sounds weird, but everything can seem so busy and frantic and urgent.
Slow things down, keep it simple and go with your flow.
Great post and great reminder.
Absolutely simplicity makes life easier. Less complicated.
Great post Sherry, and great advice for Gents as well as ladies, many men feel that they have to be juggling many things and are far less likely to admit to being overwhelmed until it reaches a crises point
Thanks Mike. Glad you appreciated this and I know it fits with your philosophy on time management too.
oh what a fabulous reminder to keep it simple, love a KISS
Thank you Caroline, glad you enjoyed the reminder.