Never Give Up Day

On Never Give Up Day, we are reflecting on what it’s been like setting up a business in a difficult trading environment, keeping a small business profitable and growing. Interest rates rising, alcohol prices going up and a cost of living crisis. Well, we could hear all these things and say to ourselves, ‘is there any point in fighting against the economy?’ Or we can pull up our socks and say ‘let’s look at the positives, let’s embrace the challenge and let’s celebrate our small business and the lots of small improvements we are making every day to drive the business forward.’

Introduction:
So on never give up day we can explore the remarkable quality that resides within all of us - resilience. Life can throw curveballs our way, testing our limits and shaking our foundations. However, by harnessing the power of resilience, we can not only navigate through these challenges but also emerge stronger and wiser. We can all be guilty of wallowing when things haven’t quite gone our way. Resilience isn’t always easy to find. Funnily enough resilience usually come from failures rather than succeeding. If life has generally thrown you rainbows, you may well have less resilience than someone who has had more of a challenging childhood, health wise or career story. Let’s delve into the essence of resilience, uncover its benefits, and learn how to cultivate it in our lives and work. By crikey we need it here at SpiritSmith, so surely everyone else does too.

1. Defining Resilience:
Resilience is not a mere buzzword; it is a fundamental attribute that enables us to bounce back from adversity. It is the ability to adapt, persevere, and maintain a positive mindset when faced with life's hurdles. Resilience empowers us to face setbacks head-on, learn from them, and ultimately grow stronger. Every person needs it and in business you need it so much. Stress of cash flow, paying wages, unexpected expenditures, a recession looming could leave you crying into your pillow. Well that’s one way to go, but if you can harness the positives and be adaptable during the toughest times then you have proven yourself resilient. There’s nothing wrong with crying into a pillow, we’ve all been there but when the tears subside today we are embracing getting up brushing ourselves off and fighting another fight.

2. The Benefits of Resilience:
Resilience is not just a survival tool; it can transform our lives in numerous positive ways. When we embrace resilience, we open ourselves up to:

- Overcoming challenges: Resilience allows us to rise above difficulties, turning them into opportunities for growth and self-discovery.

- Emotional well-being: By developing resilience, we can effectively manage stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions, leading to improved mental health.

- Building stronger relationships: Resilient individuals are better equipped to handle conflicts, communicate effectively, and foster deeper connections with others.

- Achieving success: Resilience fuels determination, perseverance, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances, enabling us to achieve our goals and dreams.

These all sound smashing, but how do we get them and how do we keep our chipper up in the hard times?

3. Cultivating Resilience:
The good news is that resilience is not solely an innate trait; it can be nurtured and developed over time. Here are some strategies to help us all cultivate resilience in our lives:

- Cultivate a growth mindset: Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, rather than seeing them as insurmountable obstacles. ‘I’m not good at marketing’ a phrase I have uttered myself. Today I say ‘I’m not great at marketing yet, but I’m on a growth journey and I’m getting better and learning more everyday’.

- Foster a support network: Surround yourself with positive, supportive individuals who can provide encouragement and guidance during tough times. SpiritSmith has invested time, energy and money in growing a strong network of likeminded businesses. No woman is an island and no business is either. There’s nothing more surprising to me than how much other business owners want to help. It’s a win win, because where help is given, it will almost always be reciprocated by the person receiving it at some point in the near future. Good deeds are rarely forgotten.

- Practice self-care: Prioritise your well-being by engaging in activities that promote physical, emotional, and mental health, such as exercise, meditation, and pursuing hobbies. For us this is about time management. You will work more efficiently when your mind is straight. We’ve all had days where we’ve been sat at our desk for 8 hours but have actually achieved very little. What if we plan our workday, decide the most important task and do only those. That leaves you lots of time for exercise. And guess what, the exercise or meditation you’ve had time for makes you much more likely to perform those tasks well!

- Learn from setbacks: Instead of letting failures define you, view them as stepping stones towards success. Analyse what went wrong, adapt your approach, and move forward with renewed determination. Stop beating ourselves up about mistakes. Pivot on those mistakes and make them your best lessons.

- Seek professional help if needed: There is strength in seeking support from therapists or counsellors who can provide valuable guidance and tools for building resilience. We have and we wouldn’t be without it.

Conclusion:
Resilience is an incredible asset that dwells within each of us, waiting to be unleashed. By embracing resilience, we can navigate life's challenges with grace, courage, and strength. Remember, setbacks are not roadblocks; they are opportunities for growth. So, let's strive to cultivate resilience and embrace the journey of self-discovery and personal growth it brings. Together, we can conquer any obstacle that comes our way. Dig deep to that inner strength, and if there’s a day you feel it’s too deep to dig, give us a call, because we think you’re incredible!

But what if I fall? Oh but my darling, what if you fly?