In 2012, after six years of bouncing around in the health and wellness industry, I ventured off on my own to become Living with Ashley. Becoming an entrepreneur was important to me because I wanted to have the freedom to approach clients the way I wanted to; without restrictions. I needed the freedom to evolve within my practice for myself and my clients; something that is crucial to staying relevant and successful. As I have changed personally and as the consumer has changed, so has my approach to living healthy.
As a Mentor, the Two Basic Concepts I Recommend Starting with Include:
1. Earn your chops!
One of the first things I tell people who ask me about how and why I started my own business is that: “I did my time.” It is crucial to have not only experience, but a foundation as a business owner by learning about all of the roles you will play as an entrepreneur. I held jobs in various capacities within my field that enabled me to truly learn not only how to hone my particular expertise, but also how-to manage employees, instill proper customer service, as well as practice in marketing; sales; operations; and more. The key, for me, to have the confidence in becoming an entrepreneur was knowing I had the experience and know-how beyond nutrition.
2. Seek support.
The follow-up advice is that you need to ensure you have support. Support from former clients or prospective businesses who believe in you enough to follow you, from friends and family, from mentors or colleagues, but also from within yourself. You have to have the confidence and the real drive to keep going through the good, the bad, the uncertain, the inevitable failures, the long hours, and the days without a paycheck. You have to be doing something that is worth the struggle while knowing that you have the support you need, and that you aren’t alone.
Work-Life Balance for Me:
After three years of work, work, work and then having a baby, I definitely shifted my views on my approach to healthy living. For me it isn’t work-life, it’s life-work. It’s about balance after you take care of yourself and your family. Why do I say this? Four years ago, shortly after becoming a mom, I was in an incredibly traumatic accident where I suffered a triple brain hemorrhage that put me into a coma. I woke up, and nothing to me was more important than my daughter and my health — work was the last thing I worried about in order to heal so I could simply be me again.
I started saying: ‘business in the back.’ Where’s the back? After a brain injury, these analogies come naturally, but this stemmed from my cognitive therapy, which taught me about prioritizing my thoughts. Living with Ashley, still of enormous importance to me, resides in the back of my brain. My work isn’t the sum of my life. It’s best to treat it that way before you succumb to the imbalance that making it your everything will undoubtedly do.
With planning and prep, self-care, and manageable expectations, you can create the business and life of your dreams. .
To do this, I employ these tactics:
1. Learn to love lists and writing things down.
- I recommend having it all in one place, with a personal sense of organization, noting deadlines and priority level. I even keep a notepad by my bed just in case and rip the top sheet off in the morning to take down to my computer.
- Make realistic daily goals for what you need to accomplish. There’s a reason I prioritize my work. Put things in order for the day and the items at the bottom should be the ones you look at and say, “I can get to those tomorrow too.”
2. Schedule your own personal time with NO EXCUSES!
- I have my mom time, workouts, meal prep, and downtime for reading or a hobby. Be proactive and schedule all of the things you need for personal balance with alerts for accountability. Without balance, your mind will be a fog, and lack of mental acuity will not help your business.
- Within my schedule, I make sure that I stick to a consistent bedtime where phones are off limits, so I can commit, every night to be rested and recharged for the next day to come.
3. Treat yourself well.
- A poor diet and lack of movement will cause lethargy, lack of productivity, poor sleep, and so much more! Get your health in check to be your best self – in both business and in life. I recently launched the Living with Ashley app, a modern lifestyle program and health/fitness membership to help support you in this endeavor. Join me, and start your free trial today to push past your limits, and reach the health and fitness goals you’ve been chasing to unlock your own personal best!
