Fashion Business Owner Musings: We Can Only Do What We Can Do
We can only do what we can do.
Sounds obvious. But this is something I think so many of us forget regularly. We tend to push ourselves so hard to do, do, do that we overlook how much we’ve actually already done.
There is truly something to be said for slow growth. This doesn’t mean taking your good old time to lackadaisically approach all your goals, perhaps accomplishing some of them but mostly just talking about them.
What it means is thoughtfully approaching your business in a way that is proactive but still do-able, productive but not draining. It’s the idea of doing what you can with what you have, and not feeling guilty that things aren’t moving fast enough.
I know we’re all impatient for things to happen. We often feel a little spastic, trying to get it all done. And I completely understand that sometimes that feeling is unavoidable– deadlines and diminishing bank accounts sometimes call the shots.
But what we have to remember is that we in business, just like in life, there is simply only so much we can do.
And when we ignore that fact and push ourselves beyond that point, we actually slow down progress, which is the opposite of what we were trying to do.
What happens is we burn out, exhaust our creativity, question our abilities, second guess everything we do, and wonder if we’re really cut out for this business.
That’s not good. Do you see how trying to do more than we can do, can lead to the end of a business? Do you see how it’s so important to listen to what our minds and bodies are telling us? Why it’s actually more beneficial to our businesses to accept the some of the limitations that exist?
I know what you’re thinking– and no, I’m not suggesting that you not try your hardest. I’m not suggesting that you give up when things feel challenging. And I’m certainly not suggesting that we can achieve our goals with half-assed attempts.
What I’m saying is this– trust yourself. Know that when you’ve tried your hardest, you’ve done all that you can do. When you honestly feel like you’ve exhausted your options, put forth your best ideas, talked to everyone you could think of, approached it from various angles, then you’ve done what you can do. And that’s all anyone can do.
Do you see the difference? I hope so.
Lots of love and encouragement,
