Support, It’s Not Just for Bras!
Photo by Pablo Heimplatz on Unsplash
If being a female entrepreneur came with an instruction manual, the first chapter would be titled “Support, It’s Not Just for Bras!” Let’s give our trusty bras some attention right now.
We use them every day, but often don’t think much about them. On most days, we have our standard Monday to Friday bra that goes with everything. It’s comfy, familiar, and easy. If you’re like me, you’ve got this bra in at least three colors. We’ve also got some version of a sports bra in the mix as well. They come in handy for walks, yoga, running, martial arts, and of course, housecleaning.
Then there’s special occasion and special outfit bras. Special occasions might call for something a bit fancier that gives you just the right feeling to go with the occasion. Special outfits will often require a particular bra that you just don’t have in your wardrobe right now. It could be something strapless with a little push-up to it or one of those criss-cross in the back type numbers. With these outfits, using your standard everyday bra just wouldn’t work, so you’ve got to find something that really meets your needs.
That’s how you need to think about support as an entrepreneur. You are going to have your everyday challenges to deal with and you’ll need a standard, consistent level of support in your life to meet those challenges. This is the baseline and will help keep your head above water. With this baseline, consider where your support can come from. Support can come from other people, but it’s also the technology, tools, and systems you use as well as the support you provide to yourself that can really make a big difference here. Investing in and nurturing this everyday level of support can help buffer you against the stress that comes from creating and running your own business.
But that baseline isn’t enough. You wouldn’t wear your nude colored everyday bra under the cute strapless turquoise dress you bought for that special date night, would you? And yet, that’s often what we do with support on our entrepreneurial journey. We’ll try tapping into our baseline support and find that it’s either not enough or that it just isn’t what we need at that moment. That’s where stress, anxiety and overwhelm can creep into your life.
You need more support than you think you do especially if you are doing something new, something challenging, or something complicated. Being a female entrepreneur on this entrepreneurial journey means you are ALWAYS doing something NEW, CHALLENGING, or COMPLICATED, and that means you need more support.
So let’s get to it! Let’s zero in on a few areas and ways you can start to make sure you are getting the support you need to be successful.
Think about where you are in your entrepreneurial journey. What’s the new, challenging, or complicated thing you are tackling in your business right now? Now ask yourself, “What support could make it easier?”
List out one idea for each support type below:
People Already In Your Life - These are your near and dear who are already there for you. Maybe there are new or better ways you could have them support you right now.
People You Bring Into Your Life Intentionally - These are specialists for special needs. This could be a coach you hire to help you with organizing your work systems, an accountant to take over your books, or joining the Oak+Pine Society to get access to a whole host of amazing women, ideas, and support systems like mastermind groups and accountability buddies.
Technology, Tools & Systems - Look at things like your smartphone and your personal systems and routines through the lens of support. What could you add or remove to meet your new support needs?
Self Support - Think about what you need to provide to yourself to feel supported for this journey. This can include things like enough sleep and downtime, solitude, creative outlets not tied to business outcomes, exercise, and dedicated time to plan and prepare. Take a moment to get quiet and check-in with yourself to see what would really feel like support here.
Take these ideas and pick one that you can take action on today and do it! Your future self will thank you for it.
Carol Surban is an active member and Oak + Pine Mentor. She’s a coach to new and emerging leaders as well as individuals charting their own course in life. Her identity-based approach to coaching has been shaped by her 11+ years of leading, coaching, and training experience and her growing capacity for handling major life transitions that include moving from a corporate career to building and running her own business, shedding 90+ pounds over the last five years and embracing a healthier and more balanced life in the process, and moving from Hawaii (her home of 25+ years) to living as an expat in Manila.
If you’re looking to surround yourself with like-minded women, like Carol, consider joining us as an Oak + Pine Member. Click here to see if doors are open. Already a member? Click here to watch Carol’s Your Life Support System workshop.
