Colleen ODea

Colleen ODea Coaching/Mentoring, Done For You Sales & Marketing For Dog Trainers & Dog Industry Professionals
(6)

Rediscovering Passion: Navigating Life's Changing Seasons as a Small Business OwnerLife is a series of chapters, and for...
27/11/2024

Rediscovering Passion: Navigating Life's Changing Seasons as a Small Business Owner

Life is a series of chapters, and for women in small business, each phase brings unique rewards and challenges. For those who’ve successfully built their businesses, there comes a time when the rhythm shifts—whether due to personal growth, family responsibilities, or simply the passing of time. It’s not uncommon for successful businesswomen to find themselves in a different life stage, grappling with an unexpected foe and a severe lack of motivation or as I like to describe it, a loss of JOY!

This article explores the experience of navigating this life stage and offers practical ways to reignite passion and purpose.

A Changing Season

For years, women in small business may thrive on ambition, creativity, and the sheer drive to make their dreams a reality. But as life evolves, so do priorities. Perhaps children have grown up, relationships have changed, or the business itself has reached a level of success that no longer feels as challenging or fulfilling as it once did. These shifts can leave women feeling unmoored, disconnected from their former fire.

Motivation wanes, and with it, the energy to keep pushing forward. This isn’t a sign of failure—it’s a natural response to entering a new chapter of life. The key is recognizing the need for change and taking steps to adapt.

Why Motivation Fades

Burnout: Years of constant effort can take their toll, even on the most passionate entrepreneurs.

Loss of Vision: Goals that once drove you may no longer feel relevant or meaningful.

Life Transitions: Personal changes, such as becoming an empty nester or experiencing health challenges, can shift focus away from the business.

Routine Fatigue: The day-to-day operations of a long-established business can feel monotonous without new challenges.

Here are some strategies that might help Rekindle the Spark.

1. Revisit Your 'Why'

Take time to reflect on why you started your business in the first place. What did you hope to achieve? How has that vision evolved? Reconnecting with your purpose can provide a sense of direction and inspire fresh motivation.

2. Set New Goals

If your original goals feel outdated, create new ones that align with your current life stage. These might be less about growing revenue and more about giving back, mentoring others, or diversifying your business offerings.

3. Redefine Success

Success isn’t static. What once meant hitting financial milestones might now mean achieving work-life balance, spending time with family, or exploring new passions. Define what success looks like for you now.

4. Seek Inspiration Outside Your Business

Stepping away from your usual environment can provide clarity. Attend workshops, join groups of like-minded women, or explore hobbies unrelated to your business. Sometimes, inspiration comes from unexpected places.

5. Delegate and Simplify

A lack of motivation often stems from feeling overwhelmed. Consider outsourcing tasks that drain your energy. Freeing up time can help you focus on the aspects of your business that bring you joy.

6. Build a Support Network

Connect with other women in business who might be experiencing similar challenges. Sharing stories and solutions can be empowering and reassuring.

7. Embrace Self-Care - find the joy!

Prioritize your physical and mental well-being. Regular exercise, mindfulness practices, and adequate rest can improve your energy levels and outlook. For me, this was the second biggest step, rediscover and insert more JOY.

8. Hire a Mentor or Coach

A fresh perspective can be transformative. A mentor or business coach can help you identify roadblocks, brainstorm new ideas, and develop actionable plans to move forward.

9. Take a Break

If possible, step away from the business for a short time. A vacation, sabbatical, or even a long weekend can offer the mental reset you need to come back recharged.

The Bigger Picture

Feeling unmotivated doesn’t mean you’ve lost your passion for your business—it’s often a signal that you’re ready for growth and transformation. Embrace this phase as an opportunity to redefine what you want from your life and business.

By being kind to yourself, seeking support, and making intentional changes, you can navigate this season with grace and come out stronger, more inspired, and ready for the next chapter.

Closing Thoughts

As life changes, so do we—and that’s a good thing. The most successful women in business are those who adapt, innovate, and redefine themselves time and again. If you’re facing a lack of motivation, take heart. This isn’t the end of your journey; it’s the start of something new.

24/11/2024

Ask yourself this!
Are you maximising income from your business?
Yes/No?
If not why not?

"Stop Scrolling: The Secret to Turning Simple Posts into Scroll-Stopping Stories"Do you struggle to make your content so...
22/11/2024

"Stop Scrolling: The Secret to Turning Simple Posts into Scroll-Stopping Stories"

Do you struggle to make your content sound compelling? Perhaps it turns out to be a 'simple' story that lacks for emotion?

Over the past couple of weeks I've challenged my coaching clients to produce an Origin Story for their socials and whilst great it also produced a lot of head scratching, I'm sure they aren't alone.

So I'm putting these example up for everyone 'simple vs compelling'.

Simple Version

"My Story As a Dog Trainer - How It All Began"

I became a dog trainer after struggling with my own unruly dog, Max. He was a rescue with a difficult past, and I realized how much help dogs and their owners need to live harmoniously. I took courses, worked with professionals, and eventually turned my passion for dogs into a career. Now, I help others build that same bond I found with Max.

VS

Compelling

"From Chaos to Calm: How One Dog Changed My Life—and Could Change Yours Too"

Max came into my life when I needed him most, but he wasn’t the dog I imagined. He was terrified of the world, lunging at strangers, and tearing up my home, full of anxiety. I felt helpless and overwhelmed, but I refused to give up on him.

One night, as Max cowered in the corner during a thunderstorm, I realized he wasn’t broken—he just needed someone to understand him. That moment changed everything. I dove into learning everything I could about dog behavior, seeking out experts and training relentlessly, not just for Max but for myself.

The day Max confidently walked through the park for the first time—head high, tail wagging—I knew we’d found something magical. That bond, that trust, is what drives me to help other dog owners. I’ve been where you are, and I know how powerful it feels to go from frustration to pure joy. Now, I make it my mission to guide others toward that transformation, one wagging tail at a time.

*now, granted, you'd change some terminology - it's just an example, so don't have a go!, instead decide what can you learn from the examples. What in your mind makes this compelling vs the simple example.

Hope this helps someone today!

Secret Sauce to Business Success: What’s Your One Thing?💭 If there’s one thing I’ve learned from 18+ years in the dog tr...
18/11/2024

Secret Sauce to Business Success: What’s Your One Thing?

💭 If there’s one thing I’ve learned from 18+ years in the dog training business (and even longer in the world of small business), it’s this: You must know your "one thing."

What do I mean by "one thing?" It’s the unique value or flagship offering that makes you stand out from every other dog pro out there. It’s what gets tongues wagging and word of mouth working in your favor, generating prospects that turn into loyal clients.

🌊 Right now, the market is saturated. There’s a sea of professionals all offering the same services, making the same promises. And frankly, I feel for the consumer who’s left trying to figure out who to choose from a line-up of look-alikes.

🔍 That’s why it’s more crucial than ever to identify and own what makes you unique. What’s the one service, product, or approach that you want to be known for? What’s the value only you can deliver? When you figure this out and make it your flagship offering, everything else you build around it will align.

🛑 Without this clarity, you’re going to struggle. Clients are looking for someone who stands out, who offers something different. So, take the time today to ask yourself:

1️⃣ What’s my unique value?
2️⃣ What’s the one thing I want to be known for?
3️⃣ How can I make this my flagship offering?

Your "one thing" is your beacon in a crowded industry. Once you’ve got it figured out, everything becomes easier.

🌟 Make today the day you decide. What’s your unique value in a sea of professionals? 🐾










04/11/2024

The most important thing to do if your starting up a business - IMO

The Dangers of Operating a Small Business Without Knowing Your True Purpose."Running a small business without knowing yo...
06/10/2024

The Dangers of Operating a Small Business Without Knowing Your True Purpose.

"Running a small business without knowing your true purpose is like sailing a ship without a compass."

Without a clear purpose, it’s easy to get lost. The day-to-day challenges of running a business are overwhelming, and without a guiding reason behind why you're doing it, burnout is inevitable.

Your purpose is what grounds you when the workload gets heavy and what motivates you when you’re ready to quit. It’s the deeper ‘why’ that makes every challenge worth facing. But when that ‘why’ isn’t clear, you’re more likely to:

Feel unmotivated during tough times.

Struggle with decision-making and long-term planning.

Become disconnected from what matters most to you, leading to burnout.
Create offers or services that don’t align with your true values, leading to unsatisfying work.

The truth is, without purpose, it’s just too easy for your business to drift. You work endless hours, you lose track of why you started, and you end up feeling stuck. But when your purpose is front and center, you have a light that keeps guiding you forward—even through the darkest storms.

Ask yourself: Why are you really doing this? What lights a fire in you? That’s where your purpose lies, and that’s what will help you succeed not only in business but in life.

As a business do you love or hate Facebook ?Comment below.
26/09/2024

As a business do you love or hate Facebook ?

Comment below.

One thing I’ve always aimed to do in business is the opposite of what everyone else is doing. When you see people talkin...
24/09/2024

One thing I’ve always aimed to do in business is the opposite of what everyone else is doing. When you see people talking about the latest trends, running a program that everyone assumes is the next big thing—because it looks good and seems to work—try doing the opposite. You might be surprised by the results.

24/09/2024

What’s the one thing you wish you where more consistent about in business?

Is Your Pace Sustainable for the Next 10 Years?I've been reflecting deeply on the pace at which we choose to work. And I...
03/09/2024

Is Your Pace Sustainable for the Next 10 Years?

I've been reflecting deeply on the pace at which we choose to work. And I use the word 'choose' intentionally. Yes, it often feels like we're forced to maintain a certain speed to earn a living, but to what end?

If we consider where we've come from, where we are now, and where we might be in another decade—what will that pace look like? Is what we're doing today truly sustainable for the long haul?

It's time to ask ourselves: How do we maintain a sustainable lifestyle and business into the next 10 years? Let's start the conversation. 🌱

Have your tried using AI to create your own social media backgrounds yet?  With a few simple directives you can add some...
13/08/2024

Have your tried using AI to create your own social media backgrounds yet?

With a few simple directives you can add something quiet unique to your socials, emails, text blasts, whatever.

Check these out!

07/08/2024

What foot print will you leave on this earth with the work you do?

06/08/2024

Wednesday is Wellness Day!

Taking time for ourselves can be challenging when running your own business.

It can start simply by consistently taking 5 mins to do something that is solely for you.

Meditation, music, herbal tea, reflection, writing in your journal.

Be consistently consistent - take 5 on Wednesday Wellness Day.

Tacticle Tuesday!What is meant by 'tactical or tactics'?Tactics focus on the 'how' where as Strategy focuses on the 'why...
05/08/2024

Tacticle Tuesday!

What is meant by 'tactical or tactics'?

Tactics focus on the 'how' where as Strategy focuses on the 'why', but which comes first? Strategy!

So what's your why? A clear definition will allow you to plan the tractical or incremental steps to reach your why.

Consider taking 5 mins on a Tuesday (Tactical Tuesday or any day really) but ask yourself what are you going to do this week in the name of 'tactic'.

One small step every week will get you to your why quicker.

Start the week by creating something that inspires you!Set a goalPlay a desirable tempo of musicMediate with a ‘creative...
04/08/2024

Start the week by creating something that inspires you!

Set a goal
Play a desirable tempo of music
Mediate with a ‘creative theme’
Buy your favourite flowers
Diffuse your favourite blend of essential oil

There are many things that you can do and you can also choose how your week begins!

I choose motivation through music in particular 'stuck' by Thirty Seconds to Mars.

What's your go to?

30/07/2024

It’s almost August where has the year gone???

19/07/2024

Dog trainer first
or Business owner ?

Address

Kooden View
Perth, WA
6170

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Colleen ODea posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Colleen ODea:

Videos

Share

Category