Giving Yourself Grace

Photo Credit: Emily Wilson

We’ve been seeing preparations for and recovery from major storms and fires. Many are facing the unknown as to whether your child will attend school virtually or in person. For some families both parents and children are working from home in spaces not often set up for that arrangement – even in the homes of interior designers! On top of that, your firm may be dealing with demanding clients, adjusting to a new “normal”, as well as the challenges brought by the effects of the coronavirus on production and availability from vendors. With these various challenges coming on top of each other, many business owners are feeling the stress of facing and juggling with so many issues at once.

So take a minute to step back and give yourself some grace. Remind yourself that you don’t have to be “supermom”, “superdad” or “superboss”. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Be realistic as to what you can get done and what you might release to others to help you. And don’t compare yourself to others. Give yourself some grace and set realistic goals for you and your firm. Thinking that others are more effectively handling the challenges of this past year is most likely not accurate. We often don’t know what others are really going through and we are all different in how we handle stress and other challenges. You need to give yourself grace in challenging times.

Also take time to embrace boredom and encourage your family and design team to do the same. Boredom often forces you to use your imagination – something at which designers excel but for which they often don’t make time. Boredom can also sharpen your sensibilities – you become more aware of your surroundings and that also can lead to more creativity. Incorporate “creative” time into your weekly calendar. Spend time in nature – even if it’s just a short walk during the day. Use that “creative time” to shut yourself off from the phone, computer, and even your team members and/or family. It doesn’t have to be a long period but allow yourself to do what you love and gives you inspiration. You will return to your tasks at hand refreshed and more relaxed.

Giving yourself some grace may involve releasing a bit of your wish for perfection. Juggling an entire family working from home, while running a business virtually will call for flexibility and adjustments. Don’t punish yourself if things are not perfect. Instead focus on all that you, your family and your design team has accomplished in abnormal times and celebrate those accomplishments.

As always, do set and review goals – both long term and short term, but while it’s good to stretch and challenge yourself and your team (both at home and at work!), be realistic and forgiving if you fall a bit short. But when you reach a goal, take time to celebrate – something we often do not do enough of.

And finally, recognize and celebrate the successful new processes and procedures that have been created and initiated as you moved into uncharted territory. You are to be congratulated!

Check out the Creative Genius Podcast hosted by Gail Doby and Erin Weir of Gail Doby Coaching & Consulting. This week Gail & Erin are talking with author and program creator, Dr. Benjamin Hardy.