Don't Brand Yourself: Creating and Sustaining Peace While Building Your Brand or Career

So you've started the business. Your blog is now live and you're publishing great content. You've just got the new job...but, you haven't spent much time with your partner, you haven't gone to the gym in weeks..you're easily agitated. What's up?!

Peace. Balance. These are two words that we are all constantly searching to define and sustain as we journey through life with careers, entrepreneurship goals, families and everything else. Balance looks different for everyone because we are all balancing so many different things! So maybe it's peace we should be striving for rather than "balance."

Peace is defined as the freedom from disturbance; a state or period in which there is no war or the war has ended. But, is it possible for us to achieve that same peace in the midst of war? I say yes. Things can get chaotic and hectic pretty quickly, so how do we handle it all? How can we preserve our peace while also seeking success?

First, let's look at the statistics of our attempt to "balance:"

• 26% of our work is done outside of working hours.
• 40% of people use their computers after 10 pm.
• 21% of the workday is spent on social media, entertainment and news.

Honestly, this doesn't shock me. Are the stats a surprise to you? I imagine they're probably not! We live in a culture where we are just expected to keep going and rest later..or never? We don't know how to disconnect! This is not conducive to this concept of balance and peace that we often preach to one another. Part of success is self-discipline - getting an adequate amount of sleep for maximum productivity, eliminating digital distractions during work so you can leave work guilt-free and ready to prioritize YOU when you get home.

So, what steps can we take to ensure that we are not neglecting self as we start and continue our careers and pursuits of goals? Let's talk about it. 

It starts with the mental:

Sis, LET IT GO! -- What things are you holding on to that are keeping you from the next level? We have a tendency to hold on to the way things were "supposed" to be and we get caught up in the when's, how's and the what if's. At some point, we have to take the experience and lessons gained and MOVE. ON.

Start being honest -- with yourself AND those around you (this includes your friends/family, employer, clients, customers and target audience). -- Do you need support? If so, what do you need from those around you in order to feel supported? Check in with yourself!

Be proactive, not reactive. Don't wait until you need self-care to practice self-care.

Now, let's get practical:

Eliminate multitasking whenever possible. -- Stop trying to do everything all at once! Women, especially Black women, have a tendency to think that if we don't do it, it won't get done. As a result, we literally attempt to do EVERYTHING!

Take time for YOU! -- When is the last time that you made time for yourself outside of work/family? Set and KEEP boundaries to your work day so that when you get home, you can truly take care of yourself. We have been programmed to just keep going and to take no breaks for fear of being "selfish." But it is okay for you to step back and tune into yourself! Stop feeling guilty for having rest days. Don't force plans..don't force productivity. TAKE A BREAK (or two or three).

Be intentional. -- Not just about setting goals towards entrepreneurship or your career...be intentional about living your life! Enjoy your weekends and vacations. Leave work at work and REST.

This is a call to action for you to find peace as you grind and hustle to be successful. How do you maintain peace + balance as you build your brand or career?

With Blessings & Imperfections,
Bre

P.S. Here's a Self-Care Checklist to help you be more intentional about taking care of YOU.