How to Overcome not Wanting to Show up as a Spiritual Entrepreneur
I get it! There are those days when the phrase “can’t be bothered” isn’t just a phrase but an all-consuming and devouring feeling.
Yet, here I am writing about how to overcome not feeling like writing, which is a habit I’ve committed to every week. SO, I wanted to share how I manage to show up every week even when I really don’t feel like it.
Especially as an entrepreneur, all the time in the world is yours, and it can be a matter of how and when you show up.
So, how do I overcome it?
Set a timer/ Use the Pomodoro Technique:
Life changed for me when I started using this Pomodoro technique because when I’m able to compartmentalise time into chunks and commit for just 5 or 10 minutes, it makes a huge difference, versus becoming too overwhelmed and not starting at all. As long as there is a concise and actionable task, it’s much easier to just start and follow through for the period of time allotted.
Do the habit you need to, coupled with a habit that you want to (AKA habit stacking):
Essential oils are my ultimate vice. It uplifts and invigorates me so much, yet I’ve committed to myself that I’ll only turn on my aromatherapy diffuser if I sit down and write. And this way, I can enjoy the diffuser and ease into the flow of the habit that I need to do, which is writing.
Commit in the most effortless and easiest way possible:
I usually commit to my writing the minute I arrive at my desk, yet this morning my routine took a different turn and I found myself eating breakfast at my desk first instead of sitting down. That’s ok. Bring in compassion, take this time for yourself to enjoy your breakfast, and commit to starting after you feel nourished. Sometimes we cannot commit because we feel depleted from the get-go, and instead of pushing till a point of burnout, rather saying to ourselves, “It’s alright that things didn’t go as planned this morning, but I will still show up, but just in a more pleasurable way”. Figure out what works for you - whether that’s taking the day to work from home, or showing up in your pyjamas.
Remember why you committed to the habit in the first place, and the identity of those people who follow through:
My ultimate goal is to start and run a successful business, and write a book. So to accomplish these goals, I need to step into the role of a successful business owner and writer. You know the classic question of, “What would X do?”, has an instrumental purpose. In order to create and share your vision, a huge part of it is also stepping into the persona of someone who is successful and exhibiting their traits.
I always try to remember the phrase, “Successful people do what other people won’t” (of course given the bounds of ethics). Show up the way a successful person would, instead of allowing the thoughts in the mind to control you. Yes, you can acknowledge you feel tired, and yes you don’t have to push yourself, so dear one I invite you to find ease.
Indulge in the rewards:
After I set a timer, I do sporadically check how much time is left on my timer. I grant myself the grace of checking and giving myself the grace. This allows me to know how much time is left, and continue keeping on until the finish line. And there are random questions and distractions that arise, but instead, I write them down on a side note and allow myself to indulge in those after the timer is up. It’s also important to set a timer for break time and properly indulge. If you need - make it proportionate! If you work for 20 minutes, then give yourself 20 minutes off if you need. After all, this is an off day. Or if taking those 20 minutes off is crucial for creating 20 minutes of work - then do that! Because creating 20 minutes of work is better than not having a start at all. And the truth about creating is that once we move into the flow of something, we subsequently want to edit, to add, to subtract. But sometimes it’s befriending that part of ourselves that is resistant, and just applying ourselves through a stream-of-consciousness method. Just let it out.
AND THERE YOU HAVE IT! My timer just went off, so I’m going to unapologetically indulge in my break time post-writing this article in one sitting. YAY!