I need you to know one thing today: You are amazing.

No, I'm serious. You may not really see it or feel it, but you are.

You keep showing up in the lives of your students and staff. You keep improving your studio and making it better. You keep making hard choices and hard decisions and maybe it feels like no one ever pats you on the back. Well, I am today.

I KNOW you are working long hours and making all the hard decsions. I know you agonize over hiring decisions and performance dates and all the million little details that makes your studio keep chugging along.

I know the days are long and the nights are short and you are wearing all the hats.

I know sometimes your employees let you down and teachers make you nuts.

I also know that you LOVE the work that you do. You love the arts and you love making the lives of your students better with music, dance, art, theatre, or whatever you offer at your studio.

I know you have big goals and sometimes you're just tired.

Today, I want you to write down 3 things you are thankful for. Go ahead-- grab a random sheet of paper. What is good right now? What goal have you accomplished? What staff member is supporting you incredibly well right now? What are you celebrating? A new name of your studio? A second location? A record-high enrollment? A stellar recital performance? That you made it through the September rush? It doesn't matter how big or small--just close your eyes and push thankfulness out into your life right now.

Feels good, yes?

It's a trick I play on myself regularly, especially when things are hard. I stop. I think of 3 things that I am grateful for. It's amazing what shifts in that moment. My heart lifts. My mind clears. I feel grounded.

I want you to know that I am praying for you. I know you, the business owner, are carrying a heavy load. A huge responsibility. That's why I know you are amazing.

I hope you feel that today.

I'm sending you a giant air hug right now!

((HUGS))

Carry on, strong one. You've got this.

I passionately believe that you are wired with your exact personality and strengths for a reason!

God made you for a purpose and if you are constantly frustrated or banging your head against the wall, it's a clue that you are NOT in your sweet spot! (Don't worry. I've been there. We ALL have!)

Often, we become martyrs. "I'll just do this. No one else wants to."
Or, "I'll be nice to my staff. Even though I suck at this, I'm the boss. Someone has to do it." 

Newsflash: Your staff might LOVE to do what you HATE to do! That's because they are wired to do it!

Last week, I was consulting with a business owner who, in the past, had begrudgingly put together their complicated class schedule. His business partner told me, "I LOVE doing it! It's like a puzzle!" They both truly did not understand the other one's point of view. That's because we are ALL unique, with gifts and talents in different areas. If someone loves Excel spreadsheets, by all means, let them handle the details and the data! If someone else loves to come up with the big ideas, let them!

Have you taken the time to really discover your strengths? Have you intentionally focused on them, instead of improving your weaknesses? Deep down, do you actually believe life is just hard, so when things come easily, it's almost cheating? Like it doesn't count? 

One of the best tools for finding your strengths is the book "Strengths Finder." Grab it here, on Amazon (link here) and take the test online (the code is in the back of the book). Once you have your results, read the chapters about your strengths. Now glance at the other chapters. Can you relate to the other strengths? Or do they actually repulse you? It's okay. We are all different. And when your whole team can cover the wide variance of strengths, you can cover a lot of territory and can get a lot accomplished! I have team members who LOVE chatting with clients, others who love the numbers and details, and others who prefer to stay in the background, working on the inner workings of the whole operation.

Every time I hire a new staff member, I give them take several personality assessments. I want to know what they are good at and I want them to stay in their strengths. Why? Because they'll have more energy to get the tasks done, they will be happier, and they will stay longer! I want you to do the same thing! BELIEVE that God has wired you for a unique path. It won't look the same as your spouse or team members. That's good! You are called to do something that no one else can do. Embrace it. Lean into it. (I'm STILL learning this.)

And if you are thinking, "I have no idea what I'm good at," then it's time to buy the book Strength Finders and discover some of your unique gifts. At first, they may seem too simple. When you read your strengths, you may say, "Yeah? So what?" But the key is that other people do NOT think those skills are easy at all! They are "easy" because you are wired to do those things.

If you've been told you're bossy, you probably have Leadership skills.
If you talk all the time, you probably have the gift of Communication.
If you tend to go with the flow, you probably have the gift of Adaptability.
If you love to take in information, your strength could be Input or Learning.
If you tackle big things and get a lot done, you probably have the gift of Achiever.

What if you could take some time to discover exactly how God has wired you and dream about how you could turn up the volume on those things in your life? What if it shifted things in your business? What if it actually made life easier and, at the same time, more fun AND made your business grow? (Hint: I know it can!)

I believe in this stuff.  But I'd love to hear your thoughts. Send me a message. Or reply to this blog.

Do you agree? Or disagree? Do you stay in your strengths? Or do you find yourself frustrated and can't figure out why? I'd love to help.

Don't stay stuck. The world needs YOU. Beautifully unique YOU.

Need help with your marketing? Want to shine your light and make a bigger difference in the world?
Let's talk. Schedule a free call here: 
https://www.neveralonebusinessservices.com/new-project-call.html