088: Working for Something MORE than just “Work”

Passion Design Project

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Starting and running your own business can and usually is a daunting task. People on Instagram love to show the beautiful, exotic, freeing part of working for yourself, but what's usually lost in that are the grueling hours of nothing happening or the numerous rejections that occur when starting out. It's super easy to feel like you're taking one step forward and then getting pushed 10 back from all directions. If you've started your own biz, I'm sure you are well aware that it's not all fun and games. Since going off on my own, I've had the best times and also the lowest lows I've ever felt too. Times when it feels like nothing (at all!) is working out or ever will. It can be a little bit soul-crushing and cause weeks of lost motivation. For me, it became an endless cycle of 'how will I make money this month?' A revolving conversation in my head wondering if I could even make it on the path I was on and what I would do in worst case scenario. It may seem pretty simple that I first off had a big attitude problem, but more than that, I want to talk about the bigger picture, because that's what this mentality stems from. When we do work, we have to think about WHY we are doing the work. What does it mean to you? This is why a lot of people want to get out of their jobs because the job means nothing to them. It doesn't hit any of their personal passion points and therefore, it doesn't fill them up like work should. In the same way, even if you are working at something you love (like I was), if things aren't working out, or you're in the building phase, simply loving what you're trying to build isn't always going to cut it. And that's when you have to remember why you're doing it. I'm assuming that if you are starting your own thing, or if you work for yourself, you're doing it because you want to and not because of the big paycheck (even though that could be a goal). So for me, once I began putting all of my focus on how I would make money, paying bills, money this, money that...that's when I hit my lowest points. I lost all focus on the big picture because I couldn't see past the next paycheck. My worth turned from something I was trying to build to defining myself by how much money I was bringing it. So I did a little mental exercise with myself. I envisioned having all the money I wanted...and then what? I realized I didn't even know where I wanted my business to be at that point. Was were my major goals? By using all my energy striving for money, my business had somewhat lost a lot of it's meaning. I was working for nothing more than money. So today, I'm asking you, what are you actually working for? The world tells us that money and fame are what matter. And I think those 2 things are great, but the bigger picture: what are you trying to build? What do you want people saying about you? Pretty sure I don't want people saying, Oh yeah, she paid her bills on time. Gross! I know it's easy to lose focus on what you're working towards when the world throws so many things at you. So remember these 3 things: Focus on what you WANT not what you don't want. Stop saying the word "But.' If you want something, say it to the world and don't give excuses or feel the need to justify it. Write down what you want. If you aren't sure and worry that it might change, write down the most meaningful thing you want right now (that seems semi-far-fetched). We aren't here just to put in hours, work our lives away, and retire. I want you to make the absolute most of every day AND do something every single day that gets you a tiny step further to what you really are working towards in life - your bigger picture. And as always, have the best day ever!!! Thanks so much for listening!! I would love if you'd leave a review & subscribe on iTunes...HOW TO LEAVE A REVIEW FROM YOUR IPHONE: 1. Open podcast app 2. Search for "Passion Design Project" 3.