Remember that moment I shared in my last post? The one where a consultant, with the best of intentions, suggested I lead more with my head and less with my heart? It was the biggest turning point of my career, pushing me to redefine what entrepreneurial success really means – for me. And trust me, it wasn’t about silencing my heart.
If you’re anything like the “old me,” you might be thinking, “But how did you actually do it, Susan? How did you go from burnout to building a purpose-driven impact that feels completely authentic and aligned with your personal values and desires?”
That’s the question I want to answer today. Because while the first step was recognizing the need for change, the biggest shifts occurred once I began the inner work of reflection and growth.
It Was a Personal Revolution
When I decided to ditch the “blood, sweat, and tears” mentality, it meant so much more than simply tweaking my business model. It was about a complete overhaul of how I showed up in the world, both personally and professionally. I realized that my burnout wasn’t just a symptom of overwork; the misalignment I was experiencing, was a result of a root cause.
For years, I’d bought into the idea that being an entrepreneur meant pushing harder, sacrificing more, and constantly striving for external validation. But my heart knew better. It knew that real impact and true sustainable success came from a place of authenticity and inner strength.
So, I rolled up my sleeves and instead of jumping straight into business strategies, I started with me.
From Self-Doubt to Unshakeable Self-Belief
This inner work wasn’t always easy. It meant confronting old beliefs that no longer served me, challenging my own self-doubt, and learning to sincerely appreciate my unique gifts and strengths.
Here’s a glimpse into what that “inner work” looked like for me:
- I spent time clarifying what genuinely mattered to me, beyond societal expectations. It was more than what I wanted to achieve, it was about who I wanted to be and how I wanted to feel while doing it. This clarity became my compass.
- Remember how I instinctively knew why I became an entrepreneur – to create, inspire, and lead with my heart? I learned to trust that inner voice more and more, even when it go against the status quo, this continues to drive my motivation to go all in with heart-centered leadership.
- I focused on developing strategies to deal with specific emotions when they came up. I learned how to bounce back from setbacks, and maintain a positive outlook, even when things got tough.
- I began noticing some important changes happening. The biggest of all was acknowledging my unique gifts, talents, and abilities. For too long, I focused on what I thought I lacked. The inner work helped me celebrate me, as an individual, and to honour the journey that lead me to becoming a Social Entrepreneur and Impact Activator.
This journey of personal growth was the foundation for everything else. It’s what gave me the confidence to completely revamp my entrepreneurial journey and begin living life on my terms.
Your Inner Work is How Your Purpose-Driven Impact Journey Begins.
This isn’t just about feeling or doing good; it’s about building a sustainable, purpose-driven impact that lights you up from the inside out every single day. It’s about proving to yourself, and to anyone who might doubt it, that leading with your heart is not just good business – it’s the best business.
If my story resonates with you, and you’re curious about how doing your own inner work can revamp your entrepreneurial journey, reach out to me personally. I’d be happy to share some ideas that have helped me as well as the individuals who helped me achieve the level of confidence I need to make the shift from business to purpose-driven impact.
