The Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship: From Excitement to Exhaustion

As a mom entrepreneur, have you ever felt like you’re on top of the world one moment, brimming with ideas and enthusiasm, only to find yourself ready to throw in the towel the next? This rollercoaster of emotions is a common experience in the world of business ownership, especially for those balancing family responsibilities with entrepreneurial ambitions.

Understanding the All-In or Burn-It-Down Mentality

This mentality is characterized by two extreme states:

1. All-In: You’re excited, motivated, and ready to conquer the world.
2. Burn-It-Down: You feel overwhelmed, discouraged, and ready to quit.

Recognizing this pattern is the first step towards managing it effectively.

The Root Causes of the Burn-It-Down Mentality

1. The Menstrual Cycle Connection

Our hormonal fluctuations can significantly impact our mood and motivation. Understanding your cycle and how it affects your mindset can help you plan and manage your energy more effectively.

2. The Internal Struggle: Safe Self vs. Expansive Self

We all have two sides to our personality:

• The Safe Self: This is our inner child, seeking comfort and security.
• The Expansive Self: This is our growth-oriented adult self, pushing for progress and change.

Recognizing when your safe self is trying to protect you from potential risks can help you make more balanced decisions.

3. The Crucial Role of Self-Care

Neglecting self-care is a fast track to burnout. As moms and business owners, it’s easy to put ourselves last, but this approach is unsustainable and often leads to the desire to “burn it all down.”

Strategies to Navigate the All-In or Burn-It-Down Mentality

1. Embrace Progress Over Perfection

Instead of aiming for overnight success, focus on consistent, small improvements. This approach helps maintain motivation without the overwhelming pressure of perfection.

Action Step: Set small, achievable daily goals that contribute to your larger objectives.

2. Cultivate a Gratitude Practice

Regularly acknowledging the positives in your life can shift your perspective and create more positivity, even during challenging times.

Action Step: Spend 5 minutes each day writing down three things you’re grateful for in your business and personal life.

3. Become Your Own Biggest Cheerleader

Self-encouragement is a powerful tool. Mel Robbins’ “High Five Habit” is an excellent example of how a simple act of self-recognition can boost confidence and resilience.

Action Step: Start each day by giving yourself a high five in the mirror and saying a positive affirmation.

4. Reframe Failure as a Learning Opportunity

Every setback is a chance to grow and improve. By viewing challenges as learning experiences, you can maintain a growth mindset and stay motivated.

Action Step: After each perceived “failure,” write down three lessons you learned from the experience.

The Power of Perspective: Winning or Learning

Adopt the mindset that you’re either winning or learning – there’s no failure unless you give up entirely. This perspective can help you stay resilient in the face of challenges.

Practical Tips for Maintaining Balance

1. Time Blocking: Allocate specific times for business tasks, family time, and self-care.
2. Regular Check-ins: Schedule weekly reviews to assess your progress and adjust your goals.
3. Build a Support Network: Connect with other mom entrepreneurs who understand your challenges.
4. Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small.

Embracing the Entrepreneurial Journey

Remember, every step you take in your business is contributing to your growth and future success. The path of entrepreneurship is rarely linear, and it’s okay to have ups and downs.

Staying the Course

By understanding the all-in or burn-it-down mentality and implementing strategies to navigate it, you can create more stability and satisfaction in your entrepreneurial journey. Remember, you’re not alone in this experience, and with the right mindset and tools, you can overcome any challenge that comes your way.

As you continue on your path as a mom entrepreneur, keep these strategies in mind. Embrace the journey, learn from every experience, and remember that you have the strength and resilience to succeed, even on the toughest days.

Thank you for spending part of your day with me.

And as always, mama, I am here rooting for you and you are not alone on this journey.

Complimentary Episodes:

1. Ep 147. ​​Making Self-Care a Reality in Your Life
2. Ep 95. Avoiding Overwhelm in the Midst of a Busy Season
3. Ep 77. The Key to Preventing Burnout
4. Browse All Self-Care Related Episodes

Resources:

1. Join the Profit Shift Challenge – 14 Day challenge to to Optimize Your Limited Time & Maximize your Revenue as a Mompreneur 
2. Need support managing your time well and creating systems to streamline your Photography Business? Join the Efficient Mompreneur (12 Month Group Coaching Program)
3. Message me on Voxer (My username is afreehan)
4. Have a question for me? Or a specific struggle you’re dealing with? I’ll address your question on the podcast. Submit your ‘Ask Ashley’ question here
5. Local to Gilbert/Mesa Arizona (For Mom Business Owners) Join our in person membership community