Two secrets and a truth.

Burn your goals!

Goals weren’t serving me, so here’s what I did instead.

I’ve been sharing my vision for the nature play program of my dreams with you for the last few weeks. Many of you have reached out to personally congratulate me. (Thank you, sweet friend.) Some have said how good it must feel to achieve this goal, and how they too, have a goal to to one day start their own program.

Goals are for soccer and hockey, and frankly - you and I don’t need ‘em.

You see, I used to be a self-proclaimed goal-setter and getter. Folks I worked with would remark on how I always just DID the things I said I was going to do.

But- here is my first secret… I didn’t get here, there, or anywhere by setting a lofty goal and reaching for the stars, hoping, wishing, and praying that my dreams come true. Instead, I seek out achievement in the day-to-day… the GRIND, grit, dark, disappointment, frustration, and the WILL to never ever give up. In short, I have learned to fall in love with the process.

Setting a goal and getting there is great, but then what? What happens next? Personally, I do not enjoy the silence and deep lull that comes after that moment of “getting there”. So I burned that old thinking pattern and built anew on fertile soil.

I burned my goals and began to LIVE my vision out loud.

I used every opportunity and challenge (remember, they are synonymous because every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow) to hone my craft and build my skillset. This ultimately lead me to be equipped and prepared to actively live out the FEELING of being a program director and business owner. I collected the reps. I did the bookkeeping, ran payroll, filed taxes, tracked spending, and set boundaries when they were needed and before you know it - I was doing THE THING.

Was it fun? No, not all the time (but some days I felt like a super boss lady who was unstoppable). Was it necessary? 100%.

Here’s my other secret….

I didn’t do it alone - even tho sometimes it felt super lonely. If you are on the brink like I am and was a few years ago, of uncharted waters into a new profession or realm of work, be sure you do these 3 things.

1. Ask Questions. Ask a million. Then, ask ten more. Clarify the information being given, and ask for follow-up emails so that you have documentation. Be the squeaky wheel… that smiles and says please and thank you. It really is that simple.

2. Ask for help. Entrepreneurship can be lonesome. No one on the planet has ALL the answers, so release that expectation of yourself right now. No one in their right mind expects you to know how to do it all right out of the gate. That shit is bananas.

3. Tell the world about what you are doing. Talk about, sing about it, write about it, post about it, host events to show folks what you are DOING, where you are DOING it, and what it LOOKS LIKE. Use present, active tense. There is no one standing in your way, no dollar amount, no qualification, certificate, or permit that will stand in your way when you ask for help from the get-go. People respect and value transparency - let that wash over you!

Doing these three things will help you build authentic relationships with town council members, officials, licensing agents, local families, and fellow business owners who will all WANT to help you with your mission.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… Stay the course friends, and be true to yourself. Everything else will fall into alignment when you trust your voice, vision, and principles.

Hugs to you,

Ade

Join the Nature and Play-Based Consortium A FREE Community for change makers!

NPBC is a free community for nature and play-based educators, caregivers, facilitators, and advocates. We meet monthly via Zoom and our main mission is to provide a soft place to land when the work of a renegade feels lonesome and challenging. You are not alone, we are all in this together. Laura and Ade created NPBC to provide a true community that uplifts, supports, encourages, and inspires. Join us today by clicking the button below.

Join us Tuesday, August 21 at 7 pm EST via Zoom. Group members will receive the link to view the replay if they cannot make the live call.