Stretching the limits

Reflecting on the past 13 weeks of travel with my two year old – a journey that brought me face to face with the intensity of being a full-time mum and business owner - has handed me some pretty powerful lessons. For one thing, stepping back from the day-to-day operations of my businesses has been a game-changer for me and saved me from a breakdown, probably. 

It’s definitely changed my whole approach to working in the CEO space and made me realise that being so heavily ‘IN’ my businesses is pretty unsustainable. And though challenging at times, learning to let go and TRUST - my team, my processes and myself - has helped enormously. It’s the kind of energy I want to bring more of into 2024.

But with the highs come the lows and one of the biggest setbacks I’ve experienced during the last few months was the launch of the Okumé brand my sister and I co-founded.

We faced some problems, learned a metric shit-ton of valuable lessons, and now we’re back at the drawing board, refining our messaging and understanding our product and our market more intimately. 

Life and business are always a series of learning curves. 

It’s how we choose to deal with them that makes all the difference. Something not working? No problem, let’s figure it out. Blocks in our way? Let’s find a hammer and smash them. 

That’s not to say that we can make anything work. On the contrary, you can’t polish a turd, some things just aren’t meant to happen

But the TRICK is to know the difference when you’re barking up the wrong tree and when you’re on a winner - and then it’s just a matter of finding the solution. 

My sister and I absolutely know we’re on a winner with this one, we just have to figure some things out, tweak our messaging and position it correctly in the market. That’s just business and we’re here for it. So for now watch this space.  

The biggest shift for me has been in how I measure success. 

My nervous system has become my barometer of success. There’s no point chasing money if it leaves you feeling like a hot sweaty mess. As a Generator in Human Design, I'm evolving in the way I show up, prioritising well-being over my usual go go go, get shit done mode.

Now, as I venture into a new business acquisition in Mount Isa, Queensland, I feel both excited AF and shitting bricks. It’s stretching me in ways I’ve never been stretched before, making me want to run, hide and pretend it’s not even happening. 

I’m someone who always looks at best and worst case scenarios. And whilst I’m comfortable with the worst case, I also don’t want to go back into that energy of damage control…you know?!

Let’s just say it’s something I’m navigating with caution but I also know that 2024 is going to be a departure from playing it super safe since my losses in 2019.

It’s time to turn up the dial and lean into the discomfort that comes with growth.

I’m so glad you’re here for the ride!

Coco xo