Firstly, this is a long post and, just in case you were wondering, this post is sponsored by caffeine and my undying appreciation for writing.

Being in the service business, we can sometimes get the balance out of whack.

Running a service-oriented business often requires a delicate balance between doing what you love and delegating responsibilities to others.

It is especially tricky when you are a new business owner and trying to strike the balance between saving money (and you doing the work) and investing in others to grow the business.

Striking this balance is essential for growth and success, as it allows business owners to focus on their strengths while leveraging the skills of others to expand their reach.

For me in 2022, the balance was waaaaaaay off. I was working 12 hours a day, plus being a mum to Bonnie, which meant working until past midnight most nights, very little time for much else.

My head was so full of a million things that needed to be done and I was stretched beyond my limits. It would have been OK for a month, but rolling into the fourth month in a row was starting to take a toll.

I dropped the ball, I made mistakes, I sent emails to the incorrect list, the timing was off in calendars. It was a hot ball of mess. (thank you for your patience too)

On one hand, I love what I do and that I sincerely care about my clients and that is the driving force behind business.

But the day that I realized that I was ‘burnt out’ and I couldn’t take another client session was the day something had to change.

I took four weeks off work (only a week extra than originally planned) and I got to work. The focus: How to strike a balance between doing what I love, building a business – oh and getting my life back again. 

As the universe provided, I had an all-expense trip for five days to Salt Lake City, so I took the opportunity to deeply reflect on my life.

If I solely relied on personal inspiration for growth and sustainability, I’m limiting myself.

My struggle was with areas of business that I didn’t love. I wasn’t paying attention either. I couldn’t keep up with the demands of running a business alone.

Delegation is critical for growth and sustainability. By empowering others to handle routine tasks and responsibilities, you  free up time and resources to focus on more strategic initiatives.

Additionally, delegations can bring new perspectives and ideas to business, helping to drive innovation and growth.

I wanted to delegate more, but I wanted to delegate in a way that meant the people who worked with me were equally invested in growing Maximum Growth as I was.

 

That is when an idea popped into my head. Justin Wiseman, a dedicated student at Maximum Growth, a business owner, a coach, would be a perfect fit in business. We have complimentary skills inside of business while sharing a love of coaching, universal principles and self-development. It’s the perfect business partnership.

We started a conversation and you know when you know that you just know.

It was like that. Roll on seven weeks later and Justin is now an equal partner of Maximum Growth. (check out the Facebook post if you missed it).

We are now able to leverage the strengths of each other, plus our automation queen Clavel who joined MG at the beginning of the year, so that we are able to grow Maximum Growth and lead the community in an inspiring way.

I am not recommending nor saying everyone has to get a business partner to grow. I know for my private coaching business, I don’t need someone to partner with, I can do that with the help of my executive assistant and some great processes in place.

But as Maximum Growth is a business, we have to adapt and evolve as the business grows.

This year is about doing more of what I love, filling all my buckets up, not just with work, but family, friends, fitness and striking the perfect balance between all my values being fulfilled.

How about you?

How’s the balance in your life going? Is there too much of one thing? And not enough of something else?

Curious to know, hit reply and let’s see how we can help you strike the perfect balance so you live up to the light that is within you.

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator
BAppSoSc (Counselling)
Maximum Growth
One on one & group coaching available

P.S.
Justin and I are doing The Conversation together. The topic is “How To Overcome The Fear Of Failure”. It’s going to be inspiring. Make sure you join us for the two jam-packed sessions by registering here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depression is a mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Even those who know universal principles and coach people, find themselves sliding down a slippery slope of depression and can’t seem to stop the fall. 

 

There is clinical depression, which is intense and persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness that interfere with daily functioning.

 

But what about mild depression? It is lingering but not enough to make you stay in bed all day, but just enough to be like a black cloud hanging over you that you can’t seem to shake.

 

Many individuals are often unaware of the signs and symptoms of mild depression, and may even ignore them altogether. 

 

When we ignore it, bottle it up, and not deal with it, it can lead to a delay in seeking the help that is needed to overcome this mindset. 

 

Having worked with clients this week who were experiencing between mild to severe depression, I wanted to share with you the three signs that you may be experiencing depression and ignoring it.

 

1. 1. You’re experiencing physical symptoms.
      
      Depression can manifest itself in physical symptoms, such as fatigue, lack of energy, and changes in appetite and sleep patterns. If you’re feeling run down and exhausted, even when you’ve gotten enough rest, it could be a sign that you’re struggling with depression.
      
      Crying about small things, hiding from the world, not wanting to go out, not wanting to share your personal life. Depression can manifest itself in many different ways, and these behaviors are often seen as symptoms of the condition.
      
      Similarly, changes in appetite and sleep patterns can also be indicators of depression.
       
   2. You’re struggling with negative thoughts and emotions.
      
      Depression often comes hand in hand with negative thoughts and feelings, such as hopelessness, helplessness, and low self-esteem.
      
      If you find that you’re battling negative thoughts and emotions and can’t seem to shake them from your thinking, it could be a sign that you’re dealing with depression.
      
      It’s important to acknowledge these feelings, understand the thinking that is creating them and seek support to help transform depression into living life again.
       
   3. You’re losing interest in things that once brought you inspiration and enthusiasm.
      
      One of the hallmark signs of depression is the loss of interest in activities that once brought you inspiration. You might have been in a relationship, and it is high value, and you are no longer in the relationship.
      
      You started building a coaching practice and then, after a short period of time, you lost your drive to build it.
      
      If you find that you’re no longer interested in things that you once loved, it could be a sign that you’re struggling with depression.

 

Depression is a complex condition that can impact many aspects of our lives. 

 

I know for me personally, last year, I invested a lot of time working through my low levels of depression. It felt like being in a dark tunnel and wondering when the darkness would lift. 

There were so many changes in my life, I found myself in a place in business I didn’t want to be in anymore. I was doing too much and not delegating enough- at my expense.

 

It felt like never-ending changes and having to adapt and pivot, continuing to apply mindset questions even when sometimes I wanted to curl up in bed and sleep all day. 

2023 has definitely turned a corner as a result of lots of hours of working on myself, my fears and fantasies. I can’t wait to share them with you this coming week.

 

In the meantime, if you’re experiencing any of the signs discussed above, we have a community who sincerely cares about you, and classes that help you to overcome depression and regain your sense of spark in your life again. 

 

Classes are back for 2023. 

So please come and join us, or share with a friend who could benefit from this email. 

 

Looking forward to seeing you on the inside, 

 

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator
BAppSoSc (Counselling)
Maximum Growth
One on one & group coaching available

 

P.S. Need mindset support?

Here are 3 ways to get our expert advice:

 

1. 1. Read the blog.
      You’ll find tips and advice on everything from how to make decisions, discovering your purpose, mastering your mindset and much more.
       
   2. Ask a question.
      Our free Students Of Wisdom Facebook group is a great place to meet other personal development lovers and get any burning questions answered or ask a question in the Ask Me Anything class here.
       
   3. Join Maximum Growth Academy.
      This is the place to be if you want to master your mindset, grow your leadership and elevate your business success. From training to support, you’ll find all you need in one place, no matter what stage of leadership and business you’re at. Learn more here.

 

 

 

 

 

Relationships are some of the most fulfilling and meaningful aspects of life. They offer a shared life experience, a companion, and a sense of belonging. But despite the perceived positive benefits, relationships are not without their challenges. 

 

The struggles people face in their relationships can impact our ability to work, focus, and make effective decisions. Knowing how to navigate these challenges can help you stay on track and on purpose in life and in business.

 

All relationships are unique. There is no one right or wrong way to be in a relationship, and what works for one couple might not work for another. It’s about what works for each other and the relationship.

 

Having coached business owners in their personal and professional lives for 13 years, what I have noticed is that there are certain universal struggles that people face in their relationships, and it can be helpful to understand why they occur and how to address them.

 

In relationships, some people feel trapped or stuck. This can happen when one or both partners feel that they are not able to be themselves, grow, or express themselves fully in the relationship. 

 

The more’ stuck’ or ‘trapped’ one feels, the more they believe leaving will ‘free’ them. But if we live by universal laws, you can never have one without the other. You’re free inside a relationship but trapped outside.

 

For example, a client I worked with who desperately wanted out of a relationship was free to do what they wanted, when they wanted, and became trapped financially as they only had one income to support their three children.

 

Every relationship has to manage conflicts and disagreements. When two people come together, they bring with them their own set of values, beliefs, and habits, and it is inevitable that they will clash from time to time. 

 

We live in a culture where arguing is seen as negative and agreeing is seen as positive. Arguing is neither right nor wrong; it is a clash in communication and an opportunity to seek common ground and work together to find a solution that works for both of you.

 

Fear is another common struggle in relationships. Whether it’s fear of losing your partner, fear of being vulnerable, or fear of being rejected, fear can have a major impact on your relationship. 

 

Make fear your friend, and face it head-on. Talk to your partner about your fears and work together to find ways to address them. In our Maximum Growth Business Class, we apply a series of questions to clear the fear each quarter, so there is less in the way of having the life you love.

 

So, it’s the month of love, and regardless of your relationship status, I wish you oodles of love flying your way.

 

Tanya “with bundles of love” Cross

Leadership Coach & Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator
BAppSoSc (Counselling)
Maximum Growth
One on one & group coaching available

 

P.S. Our doors open soon to join Maximum Growth. Know someone who’d like to join? We’d love an introduction to see how we can help them. 

 

 

 

 

This week in Australia, a new airline, Bonza, launched. 

 

It offers low-cost flights to some hidden regional and major capital cities. 

 

As part of Bonza’s phased rollout of flight releases, you’re able to book flights to 12 destinations on 15 routes.

 

Shouldn’t we all jump up and down with excitement?

 

Ah… Sit back down.

 

No. The flights go to random places like Coffs Harbour on the Sunshine Coast or Newcastle on the Whitsundays.

 

It is like saying you want to fly from Brighton to Oxford in the UK or Bloemfontein to Polokwane in South Africa. 

 

Every new business requires a business plan and then takes action to execute it. 

 

You can’t jump into your business if you have a vague idea of what you want, how you will market, get bums on seats or clients in sessions. 

 

I’m going to make a big assumption that Bonza has a plan in place. Especially since in 2020 the travel industry came to a screaming halt. The launch of a new business like Bonza could mean a sign of recovery. It costs a bomb to start a new airline, you don’t want it to come crashing down (oh God! Not the plane or the business!). 

 

The upside is, they are a company, and share the responsibilities around them. 

 

Being a solopreneur, you have to be the decision maker, the executioner, the CEO, CFO, CMO, COO, everything within the business. Maybe at some point in your business, you move from doing everything on your own to having help.

 

In the meantime, it can be challenging for several reasons:

 

• Financial instability: You’re responsible for all expenses and income. This means they have to bear the financial burden of running the business without the safety net of a larger organization.
• Lack of resources: You often have limited resources, such as time, money, and personnel. This can make it challenging to handle all aspects of the business and can lead to burnout.
• Isolation: Without a team or co-workers, you can experience feelings of isolation and loneliness. This can also impact their ability to bounce ideas off others and receive support.
• Responsibility: There is no one else to rely on. Everything from sales and marketing to finances and operations falls on the solopreneur’s shoulders.
• Difficulty in scaling: You may struggle with growing their business, as they often lack the resources and manpower needed to expand.

 

Starting, growing or thriving in business in any industry is no small feat. It takes courage, determination, and a clear understanding of yourself, your business and the market.  

 

Not everyone aspires to have a big business like Bonza, but you might have an unknown and unexplored destination in business you’d like to travel to and unsure how to get there. 

 

At Maximum Growth, in our Business Classes, we work every week of the year on your mindset around business. It takes what you imagine, and shifts your internal world to match your vision and goals. 

 

It’s a very inspiring 1 hour class, every week.

 

Come join us and make 2023 when all your business goals come to reality, see you in class. 

 

Let’s reach for the stars together,

 

Leadership Coach & Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator
BAppSoSc (Counselling)
Maximum Growth
One on one & group coaching available

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