Happy Birthday to Me!...CheckPoint

There are points in our lives where we all stop from just grinding and reflect on where we are and where we wanted to be.  I call these checkpoints.  For some of us it only happens on New Year's Eve when we have a "come to Jesus" meeting with ourselves and make false promises of changes to come in the new year.  For others it might be certain points in your life like your 16th birthday, your first day of college, when you got married, had a kid or even your first home.

My checkpoint for the status of my life are my birthdays.  It's my annual evaluation which allows me a lot of time to pivot or plunge full steam ahead if desired.  But this year for the first time ever I felt, and still feel a little, melancholy.

I've been bold and I've been brave and I KNOW without any doubt that an amazing future lies before me but during the process I'm just feeling the aches and pains.  I miss my steady, nice paycheck.  I miss...okay that's what I miss.  (Just kidding I love all of my former members at BizWorks). 

I've chosen this point in my life to fully believe in me.  To offer me the advice I offer to so many others.  Frankly, I'm amazing at what I do.  I elevate people's ideas to a sustainable reality.  I console and cajole entrepreneurs who would otherwise operate in a silos.  I bring brands to life.  I help entrepreneurs value themselves and their business.  I educate and inspire with seminars and speeches.  I DO IT.

Yet, today as I've deleted a document that was due today.  Today, as I have yet to make the final changes to my website (www.2ndChanceRVA.com - please visit on Friday).  Today, as it's my birthday I'm reflecting on my life and the people in it. Today, like every other entrepreneur out there I pay myself on the back for my accomplishments, I kick myself in the butt for my failures and I go back and do it again until I've done it right.

If we don't love our businesses like a newborn child we may as well quit now.  And I'm not quitting I've only just begun.  So, if not for you then in honor of Shirley E. Crawford Day shake the dust off your feet and get moving until you arrive at Your Best.  I'll see you there.

Don't Rain On My Parade...The Entrepreneur's Mantra

The Funny Girl is clearly belting the tune of our collective entrepreneurial hearts.  People in their well meaning ways try to keep you from taking the leap.  They want to provide your safety net but instead weave a net of negativity.

On this rainy day my reflections seem to revolve around my first parade. We practiced for weeks until the day but, since I was an orchestra gal rather than band, I'd never done a parade before.  So, there in the midst of my early twenties I joined my fellow steppers to be on display for thousands upon thousands of people and those at home watching the tv broadcast.

All of the work finally led up to the day and the sky was overcast.  The news predicted rain and I assumed that the parade would be canceled but, like a dutiful soldier, I showed up just to wait for the word to go home. Well I arrived to a bustle of activity.  I located my group and waited for the word...that never came.  

We were given basic instructions and placed in our order.  Did no one else feel the cold in the air? Did no one else know that people wouldn't come out in the rain?  Did no one else realize the safety hazards?  What was wrong with these people?

I asked a lot of internal questions but surely went along with the program. We assumed our positions and before we had walked two steps the heavens opened and do you know what happened.   The parade captain said move out...not go to our cars but "GET GOING."  No one cared that it was raining.  No one worried about the hazards.  This was the opportunity.  This was an honor.  This was our moment.  It was to be taken or to be lost and so we took it.

Years after I still received accolades and comments from people who saw me as they were OUT IN THE RAIN or who watched the live broadcast or rebroadcast of that Richmond Christmas Parade over two decades ago.  Logic says that when rain falls that our activities have to cease or be downgraded.  Logic says that no one will participate or care about your activities when it's inconvenient.

But Life says that you work hard for your moments and no matter what the temperamental weather brings you are to TAKE YOUR MOMENT.  Your business is not your fair weather friend and you can not be a fair weather friend to your business.  If THIS is what you are truly about then it is what you must be about at all times.  Rain or not this parade is going down!

Shirley E. Crawford

Small Business Whisperer * Speaker * Lecturer

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