I used to live by a beautiful common and for many years enjoyed walking across this big expanse of greenery in the summertime.
A few summers ago on a hot day, I walked across it wearing sandals. The common is covered in clover in high summer and that day the bees were out in force gathering pollen.
Suddenly I felt a sharp pain in my toe as a frightened bee stung me.
It felt excruciating and as I limped home I didn’t even notice my mind was already creating a negative goal.
A few days later the swelling had gone down and my husband suggested we walk across the common again. It was a hot day, I had my sandals on and was afraid of getting stung again.
‘Let’s walk around the common on the road’, I said feeling disappointed. But as we turned away I realised I was at the mercy of a common negative goal called, ‘Don’t get hurt (again)’.
What about all those summers I had crossed the common in sandals, smiling at the buzzing bees and never suffered a single sting? Was I really going to let one sting stop me from enjoying my freedom and happiness?
‘You know what? Let’s walk across the common’ I said to hubby.
I was actually fearful as we walked across the grass, scared I would get hurt again (ridiculous I know, it was only a bee sting but that is how I felt), but we crossed the common without any ‘attack’.
We walked across the common yet again later that day and I was able to laugh at myself, my silly fear had gone.
This was a simple summers tale but you know what? Old memories can really sting. Don’t let them stop you from daring to moving forward.
Partnerships that didn’t work, clients that rejected you, projects that went wrong. I’ve experienced all of these things and they really hurt at the time. But if I had chosen to never work in partnership again, to never make another sales call, to never be publicly visible again, it would be hard to run a business. Once I let go of the past and moved on mentally, things began to flow.
Can you identify? Is it time for you to move on from uncomfortable or painful past experiences?
Taking new steps – try these…
- Remember why you are running your own business and what inspires you
- Notice where you hold back in your business growth
- Look back, what are you ready to let go of from the past?
- Try something new or try something you’ve been avoiding
Wishing you every success. Have a great summer everyone!