“I am extremely grateful for Eileen Bild and the Powers That Be who sent her to me as an extremely empowered mentor and guide.”
–Joanne Victoria
In moving forward through life’s trials and tribulations, finding balance can be tricky. My mentee, Joanne, discovered her inability to effectively take her business to the next level was being hampered by a work-life imbalance. She accidentally discovered this as our mastermind mentoring session proceeded to break down her comment when asked about her business challenge and her answer included, “getting everything done.”
Joanne originally wanted to be mentored regarding further clarity on a tagline, branding data, and niche market expansion. Sometimes when peeling away the layers of what is keeping us stuck, we are sparked by an underlying connection catching us by surprise.
“Who knew that I would find myself in a similar place to my clients, i.e., between a rock and a hard place as regards to my business and personal life,” exclaimed Joanne. “I am Joanne Victoria, The I Know What Works coach, partnering with IT Pros in the Technology, Telecommunications, Entertainment and Mass Media markets. I help people to aim for a 50/50 dispersal of time and energy between the two, and I found myself with a family issue, devoting as much as 70% to that issue, my personal life, and the remainder, 30%, to my business life”
As her mentor, I began our session by addressing her business challenges, which also included finding best prospects and determining best social media avenues. We talked about LinkedIn and email lists, but the turning point at this beginning stage was when Joanne shared she was extremely tired. This translated into rushing to get things done, family comes first.
But, in reality, she was having to pick & choose where to invest her time and energy. Her natural tendency is to believe, “I can do it all.” Ultimately, this led her to where the truth was revealed. Joanne simply could not take any more data and needed to stop, reflect and regroup.
This mentoring session gave Joanne the time and space to look within for the answers she was seeking.
I asked her to give a percentage to where her efforts were being directed and what became evident was the imbalance. Family being 70% and work being 30%. For eight to 10 months she had been running in this capacity, others in her family being adversely affected, developing a crisis situation. The red flags were signaling Joanne; however, she was unable to take the necessary steps alone to achieve the results she desired. When the percentages were calculated, she understood now where her blockages have been.
“You can imagine the outcome and how I felt, says Joanne! After speaking with Eileen Bild and discovering the dilemma I was in, there had to be extreme strategies to get back on track.”
Joanne was behind on work, feeling irritated, having blocks in leaping forward, and feeling stuck in sludge. Joanne had not realized how much she had been putting herself last, having become too involved and engaged in her family drama. She realized this squashed possibility for things to exist for a positive outcome for her business. Being disenfranchised, Joanne could not have peace; therefore, her passion for work was eroded.
“I feel like I am floating, lifeless and there is a shell around me, lamented Joanne. I am deprived of my personal power, marginalized and weakened.”
Now, in the mentoring, we could move forward. Joanne envisioned stepping stones and gave a meaning for each one with actions steps.
“The strategies Eileen and I discussed were simple enough, some I have used and prescribed to my clients, others that were new and felt powerful right now. I had to implement immediately,” Joanne shared. “I will endeavor to make the work/life balance plan as close to 70% work and 30% personal as possible using the following takeaways from the mastermind/mentoring session:
✅ Clarity – Eileen asked the questions and I was ready to answer those especially as relates to how I was feeling personally, and how this affected me. I realized how hard I had taken on this family issue and this position placed a hard shell around my being. I was disenfranchised, dis-empowered, and unable to complete all the tasks my work required. With new information and a renewed sense of stepping fully into my purpose and passion, I am taking one day at a time feeling on track with my sights set on success and fulfilling my intentions.
Transforming being disenfranchised into letting go and allowing; dis-empowered into empowered, and acceptance of new opportunities/possibilities are key for inner peace, effectiveness, and getting unstuck.
✅ Plan – Eileen helped me design a plan for moving forward. I like plans, even if in the middle of the plan my intuition and God’s help assist me along the way.
With a concrete plan of action, there is encouragement from within for envisioning what is wanted, and it feels achievable. Motivation allows for creativity and in Joanne’s case, intuition to be a force in her recovery, regrouping, and movement forward.
✅ Strategy – The plan includes strategies: meditation, establishing boundaries, and many ways for me to become stronger in mind, body, and spirit – so I can be there for me. Strategies are beneficial and productive. Establishing boundaries between personal and business is vital.
Taking care of oneself builds the foundation for being fully present for others. Reaching one’s fullest potential is mastered through self-preservation, self-actualization, and shifts or transformations beyond where you are today. Releasing what is holding you back is liberating, freeing the mind to think clearly, make informed decisions, and give a sense of accomplishment for each step along the new path.
“I will be standing on the rock, not holding on and sinking with it, to be in a better place to help my clients. The timing was right for Eileen and me to speak about this topic. They (whoever they are) say the teacher shows up when you need one, and Eileen Bild did that,” Joanne says with gratitude.
I Can See Clearly Now
In our society, the Biblical passage has made it into common usage most often as “Love Thy Neighbor” and the “As Thyself” is overlooked and forgotten.
When we do not care for our self, we have nothing to give.
Thank you for highlighting the importance of self-care.
You are most welcome Jeanine!