My lovely friend tagged me in a post on instagram from the West Midlands Small Business Awards this week for me to enter and my first thought was well I haven’t achieved that much have I?! I told her that and she told me, direct quote:
“you have self taught yourself so many elements of the job. There are so many strands to success and you’re so early on in the business that I don’t think success has to equal money your brand story and the inspiration that made you start the business, the final push that made you go for it, what you’ve had to teach yourself and what you’ve built in such a small space of time. Lots to nominate yourself for”
She gave me food for thought but I thought I’m still not too sure so I sat down and wrote down a list of all the things I have achieved so far in my business and thought do you know what Di actually in fact you have achieved a great deal and in a time of my life where everything was going against me I kept going so actually yeh I am going to enter the awards for New Small Business.
I clicked send on Friday night for my application with exactly this face 😬 because I still thought should I be entering?
Self doubt is my worst trait, I’ve always had it and in recent years I’ve tried to overcome it but it just doesn’t seem to go away. I hate it. I’m the biggest advocate of self love, kindness and believing in yourself. My business is built on kindness and I believe everyone should sprinkle it everywhere like confetti, starting with yourself so why can’t I?! I continue my journey with this and maybe entering these small business awards is my first big step?!
But let’s take a moment for the cheerleaders, not the bring it on types but the friend type. The friend that sent me that message, that fabulous type. The ones who support you, tell you the truth, send the messages that mean the most, the first ones to be there when the sh*t hits the fan, the ones that are always just there.
So much love for all those cheerleaders out there!
Here’s a lovely wish for the week ahead based on that kind of friendship;
Here’s to the friends that are always there,
They do the little things to show they care.
They offer advice, support and encouragement,
All of this delivered with zero judgement.
Hold on to these friendships, they should be treasured,
The value of having a cheerleader in your life is unmeasured.
Happy Monday guys!