CharlieKenny.me

Hi Everyone… I recently felt that my time spent following a particular path was coming to an end. I sensed I was tired; my enthusiasm was down to a minimum … I felt we (my community practice and I) had run the race, now becoming yesterday’s flavour.

It wasn’t until I sat with a friend who – by pure coincidence- confided that she herself had felt ‘burn-out’ had become her constant companion.

Teri is a hard worker – the market she inhabits is competitive, and over time she’s learned to work ‘it.’ She’s very aware of all her smarts. Teri is well-versed in customer needs, fluent with what she has to offer and how to adapt, and most importantly, Teri has the experience to know when to stand back and give herself room.

‘It’s just I’ve found myself in a familiar downward spiral, Charlie.’

This was my light-bulb moment. (No, I don’t have many!)

I’m so glad you’ve confided in me, Teri! You have made me happy … I said.

Teri looked slightly indignant, smiled and carried on:

‘Charlie, have I triggered something in the deep mire that is over thinking? The thing you keep telling me to avoid?

Kind of, Teri. A moment ago I was thinking similar lines to you, now I feel better! You’ve made me realise how important it is to remember where it all started …

‘Where what started, Charlie?‘

Teri, we know each other pretty well. I would even suggest there are many in our network with whom we could be having the same conversation. 

‘Same conversation about what, exactly?‘

Teri, it’s the undermining of our confidence the holiday season brings us, half the population are away enjoying ourselves as we seemingly languish in self pity. Remember when you first started business, Teri?

‘It was a while age, but yes, it was tough times, I’d been made redundant, had to learn new skills … yes, so what are you saying? I need a holiday??‘

Not necessarily Teri – although please take me when you do go, please. 

We (you, me and many of our contacts) work to stay in touch with friends, listening for the opportunity to help and it’s tough when summer turns up. The phones go quiet, social media is full of distractions and to the last thing people wish to talk of is … business!

‘Except you and I, Charlie.‘

So, what I’m trying to do is placate my self doubts Teri … (yours too) … think how far we’ve come in a few short months/years, look at the how we overcame ‘seasonal business’ and how we succeeded by understand that the wheel continues to turn, we simply carry on, enjoy a little breathing space, sharpening the pencil as we support the offer our prospects know we provide so well.

Seasons change, close friends never really go out of fashion Teri, they take time to adapt.

‘You’re no fun, Charlie. Let’s have cake!‘