When something’s gotta give

Core Article: “When something’s gotta give…”

Paragraph I’m Pondering: “Very few people…

Powerful Affirmations to Inspire: “I respond to challenges…”

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When something’s gotta give…

Sitting at my kitchen table now, I love the coziness of watching the sun come up and peer into this little special corner of the kitchen. It’s the perfect space to create, think, and to feel….

This morning, I’m feeling a bit out of sorts as my Mom went into the hospital on my birthday. Crossing my fingers that she will go back to her senior home today. Having to make some tough decisions about her care on my own, since all of my siblings are traveling. It jolted me back seven years. At that time, I was facing some tough decisions in my business.

During that time, it wasn’t what I call a “come to Jesus moment” (those are when stuff really hits the fan and you’re down on your knees). Yet it was close because I was fed up with the narcissistic and slimy folks in the marketing industry, and all the clients that would come to me because so many were taken advantage of.

I knew something in my business had to change, and it was going to have to be me. Have you ever had a moment or moments when you realize things aren’t working and something’s gotta change, or you need to do something different?

For me, it meant going deeper and refocusing on my mission and purpose in life. Asking tough questions like, “Has my mission changed?” or “What do I need to do differently now?” That’s when I knew it was time to revisit and reconnect to it.

What’s interesting is that before that happened, I hadn’t ever reconnected with my mission before. And now I do this more often, finding it an incredibly helpful exercise. 

Here’s an exercise that helped me: (This can also be used for your personal mission/purpose in the world as well as your business.)

1. Take out a sheet of paper and set a timer for 15 minutes. (Yeah, 15 minutes really is the “go to” number.)
   
2. Then write the answers to these 3 questions:
   • What’s a defining moment in my life that shaped how I see the world? Write the story. As I’ve shared before, Bernadette Jiwa’s 5 C’s, and write them out. Context, Catalyst, Complication, Change, and Consequence. It helps me connect more deeply with what happened in that defining moment.
     
   • What problem did I have to solve for myself that I now help others with? If you don’t know the answer to this one, ask a family member, your friends, or colleagues. I’ve gotten terrific insights from asking them.
     
   • When I finish working with someone, what do I hope they feel differently about in their life and their work? Look at whom you’ve helped recently or in the past and recall the impact you made. One of my coaching clients, whom I had worked with for 5 years, shared with me the impact our work together had on her business and her life. The changes she made were simply inspiring.

And for me, it really inspired me to keep putting one foot in front of the other. As the years keep coming, the more grounded and resolute I feel about why I’m here and who I want to guide and impact.

That’s what I want for you. 

When you answer the questions above, you reconnect with your credibility, your courage, and fortitude for the work you set out to do in the world.

After I did that exercise seven years ago, I realized my mission needed to be clearer, so I could be more focused. 

My Mission: I believe purpose-driven entrepreneurs should never have to choose between integrity and income. My mission is to help them build trust-first, values-led marketing that transforms their life’s work into sustainable growth.

Your experiences, challenges, and what you’ve overcome to date are all part of your story. And your mission is buried in all the little moments that shaped you and the people you’ve touched. 

I’d love to hear your mission, or if you have any questions about this exercise, I’m here for you. 🙂

Hands at your back.
Always. 🙂

Shannon

Paragraph I’m Pondering

“Very few people or companies can clearly articulate WHY they do WHAT they do. By WHY I mean your purpose, cause, or belief – WHY does your company exist? WHY do you get out of bed every morning? And WHY should anyone care?”
~ Simon Sinek

Powerful Affirmations to Inspire

• “Opportunities flow to me from expected and unexpected sources.“
• “My income expands beyond my expectations.”
• “I respond to challenges with resilience and creativity.”

Weekly Photos

1. To celebrate my birthday and get out of town, we drove 7.5 hours north to one of our favorite little towns – Astoria, OR. It sits right at the top of Oregon, hugging the Columbia River. And you can drive a little west to see where the river dumps into the Pacific Ocean. It’s one of the most dangerous crossings in the world, so the sign said. 🙂
2. The drive up there is pretty amazing, so many forests, mountains, and more. And during winter, you get such interesting clouds that make for some pretty cool pics, like this one.
3. One of the many tankers that is parked in front of Astoria along the river.
4. This is one of my favorite pups, Henry, we hang out with when we stay with our dear friend Carren.
5. Well, that had to be at least one pic of Alice and me in Astoria. We’re standing in front of a very old Episcopal church where our dear friend is the Rector.
6. Astoria is a small city with many hills. It reminds me of a mini San Francisco: all the streets go up the mountain, and that’s where all the houses are. This pic gives you a little perspective of the uphill streets.
7. This is a pic I snapped while we were driving through the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest in Oregon. Alice really loved it because there’s the mountain line, then the clouds, then the mountain’s peak. She’s an avid stained glass artist in her spare time. She wants to create a stained-glass pattern from it. You know me, I LOVE taking pictures out of the car window as we drive 75 mpg. I’m often surprised by how they come out! 🙂

NEW: P.S. New Invitation – I’m going to launch my next Soulful Marketing Accelerator Co-hort in late February. 🙂 If you’re longing for like-minded community and ready to move through your fears to grow a purpose–driven business rooted in authenticity and aligned with your dream clients… Welllll. Go here to be first in line when I reopen the doors again. Would love to have you. 

P.S.S. Whenever You’re Ready: Here are 3 Ways I can make an impact on creating greater success in your business using marketing that’s aligned with your mission and values without feeling like you’re selling your soul.

1. Make Money Now Sheet – It’s one of the bonuses in my 7-Step Soulful Marketing System. I wanted to give it to you for free to help you create more success.

2. Love Books Like I Do? – I’m always reviewing the best nonfiction books – Where Buddha Meets Business.

3. Get my proven 7-Step Soulful Marketing System. It gives you the framework you need to implement authentic and connected marketing using online customer experiences and launching your products, services, or courses. It will help you create greater success.

It’s a simple system, especially if you love to read like me. There’s no video or audio. Plus, you get my proven templates, tools, and worksheets, all with tremendous value. And I’m pricing it incredibly low so it can be more accessible to more people. 🙂

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I appreciate your sharing. Thank you!

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