🧠Weekly Mind Sweep #147 | Curator’s Perspective | Boundaries
October 2024
Week 143: Curated Conversation: Boundaries
Week 144: Mind Your Business: Boundaries
Week 145: Manage Your Mind: Boundaries
Week 146 What’s On My Mind: Boundaries
*Week 147: Curator’s Perspective: Boundaries
New to the Weekly MindSweep? Past issues live here.
Let’s sweep the brain…
🎬 Rather watch or listen instead of read? Now you can!
👉 Click here to Listen
In the MindSweep this week:
Curated Conversation with curated GIF’s & puns (for your entertainment).
Jamie’s Second Brain Corner: Need a map? I’ve got you!
What’s I’m Reading - Spotlight at LRob Inspires for Women-Owned Small Business Month!
Collaborations with Terri Hamilton (Thursday) & Shannon Giordano (THIS FRIDAY - November 1st!)
My face 💜 and a link to schedule your free consultation.
Imagine walking into a candy store with no limits. Exciting, right? But what happens when you leave with a stomachache?
That's the reality many entrepreneurs face without boundaries.
I'll admit, I used to think boundaries were just some buzzword from the self-help book section, more theory than practice. But I prefer to learn the hard way how real they are and how essential they have to be for any entrepreneur.
When I was 6, I walked into an old-time penny candy store, my hand wrapped around my grandfather's pinky. As the door swung shut behind us, and every bright-colored candy package with fun cartoons at my eye level stared back at me, my grandfather handed me a brown paper lunch bag and said,
"Get whatever you want!"
Boy, that bag felt bottomless.
I looked up at my grandfather with sparkles in my eyes and rockets on my feet.
Reflecting on that memory as an entrepreneur, I realize it felt like a room full of endless opportunities. In many ways, starting a business can feel just as exhilarating and limitless; every decision feels like a thrilling opportunity.
You get to choose it all! What you do, how and when you do that work, who you do it for, and what you charge.
No one is telling you where the bumpers on the runway are.
You think you can Do. It. All.
You can have:
A 3-page menu of products and/or services, work all hours of the day, and execute it the way you decide is best!
You stretch your zone of genius to work with "everyone," and you're not charging enough for the experience you bring to the table.
Business doesn't work that way.
Without boundaries, you wake up in a sugar-high hangover, wrappers at your feet, physically exhausted, and your wallet empty.
Boundaries are essential to personal and entrepreneurial success.
Setting boundaries can feel like navigating an endless candy store of options.
It's tempting to say yes to everything exciting that comes our way—but without boundaries, it doesn't take long to feel that sugar crash.
Recognizing our limits is important, even when everything feels urgent or exciting.
Setting boundaries doesn't have to feel like walking out of the candy store empty-handed.
Instead, it can feel like finding harmony—like picking just enough treats to savor without the sugar crash.
In the same way, finding harmony in work can look like:
Taking the time to find the strategic "yes" and "no" around the best use of your time, energy, and attention without leaving you feeling like you ate all of the FunDip 3 flavor dip pouches.
Saying no to people, events, and opportunities you intuitively know drain your energy.
Waking up in the morning feeling the joy and the challenge around your work with the wisdom to know when to push past the procrastination or undesirable task on your to-do list because you and your business will be better for it.
Knowing when to reach for support.
We've unpacked a lot around Boundaries this month.
As October's ride comes to a complete stop, here are a few reminders and practices to take with you as you exit safely.
We've learned to identify when soft and hard boundaries might need to be set, the benefit of the power of the pause specifically for the entrepreneurial brain, and the discomfort we may feel when someone sets a boundary with us.
We've been reminded that:
clear is kind,
no is a complete sentence, and
you can say no without explaining yourself. 🤯
Here are a few boundary practices to consider as an entrepreneur:
Try setting a timer when making decisions to practice the power of the pause. When asked to take on a new project or opportunity, take a deep breath, set a timer for 5 minutes, and ask yourself: Does this support my goals? Does it drain or energize me? This simple act of pausing can help you stay in control of your boundaries.
Remember, setting boundaries isn't an all-or-nothing task—it's about building a habit over time. Start small: maybe it's saying no to one new project a week or setting aside just an hour each day for focused work. Each boundary you set is a step toward building a sustainable, joyful business.
Choose one boundary to set this week and notice how it impacts your work and well-being.
Setting and protecting your boundaries is more than a skill; it's a practice of honoring what keeps you focused, energized, and aligned with your goals.
Establishing boundaries helps you find the sweet spot in work and life.
It allows you to choose how to spend your time, reserve your energy, and protect the quality of your work without spreading yourself too thin.
You're building a sustainable path forward with each "no" rooted in purpose.
By learning (and relearning) the art of saying no, you'll give yourself the freedom to say a resounding "yes" to what really matters.
My questions for you this week :
How might saying no more often enhance the quality of your work and client relationships?
What fears or beliefs come up for you when considering setting firmer boundaries to improve your business success?
Reply and share with me!
Let’s discuss ways I can support boundaries for you and your business.
Are you a like-hearted entrepreneur ready for support? Let's connect.
Was this blog forwarded to you? Sign up!
Jamie’s Second Brain Corner
[1] Did someone say MAP?! Learn more about my Personalized MindSweep Mapping Process!
MONDAY: 8 am - Curated Conversation - Zoom
Changing the world, one Monday Morning at a time. Learn more + Sign Up for a Monday morning reminder!
What I’m reading
What I’m reading:
How communities can (and should) support women-owned businesses
Written by Phyllis Smith of LRob Inspires
Join Liz as she sits down with Jamie Chapman, Chairwoman of the Board for Leadership MetroWest and owner of Chickbook Creative, to celebrate National Women-Owned Small Business Month this October! 🎉 In this insightful conversation, they dive into the importance of supporting women-owned businesses (WOSB), the role of Leadership MetroWest in fostering connections and growth, and how the Academy provides essential leadership training and resources. Whether you're a small business owner, aspiring leader, or just curious about how to uplift women in the business community, this video is packed with valuable insights and tips!
I was featured in the Massachusetts Business Network Blog! Take a look!
You Have The Best Brain To Be An Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs are some of the best brains for generating ideas. They have the heart and determination to bring their gifts into the world to serve the people they deeply care about. Nothing excites them more than building a business they are proud of around something they are passionate about.
These same kind-hearted humans often feel challenged to take their really BIG ideas and break them down into smaller, actionable tasks that will allow them to execute them.
(You are not alone!)
Read the two common challenges I see Entrepreneurs face and 5 Mindful Strategies for support!
Collaborations!
Join us THIS Friday, November 1st, at the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce for this two-hour interactive business community experience.
We'll discuss ways to cultivate business through Sales, Marketing, and Communication methods that support relationship building, showing up authentically, and connecting deeper with colleagues and the people you serve.
9-11 am - Open discussion, community support, brainstorming ideas
Join me in meeting business owners in our community. You'll leave with new tools to help you make connections and build your business!
Free; Registration is required: https://bit.ly/MWCoCNovember2024
Mindful Connections
Connecting like-hearted entrepreneurs to build relationships, offering support, understanding their passions, and sharing their names in rooms of opportunity.
Every Thursday, 12-1 pm EST.
12:00 - Take 5—a guided meditation with Terri Hamilton of Positively Terri to ground your week with peace and focus.
12:05-1 pm Round-table Share
Who you are
The gifts you bring to the world
Who you serve
The answer to a Curated question to spark conversation.
If you found this on the web, sign up to join us!
In other news…
Feeling #FOMO about Curated Conversations? Join us!
