Highs & Lows Archives - Page 4 of 5

Success Isn’t a Given – You Gotta Go To Work, Work, Work, Work, Work, Work, Work

April 14, 2017 By Lindsay Gee

I was recently chatting with someone who had a business close and the hurt, frustration and general feeling of being jaded by business emanated from her. I felt every ounce of grief, sadness, frustration and anger and my heart broke for her. I don’t like to see people fail. Even when my “competition” fails, my heart goes out to the business owner, because I know what goes into running a business. I know how much of yourself you commit to your business and watching it close must be devastating.

After I finished talking with the woman who closed her business, I took a few moments to reflect on myself, my brand, my company, my Hot Mamas. And, here’s what I came up with…

HOLY S**T…this year we celebrate 5 years in business…and I’m still here. I’m. Still. Here. And, I’m thriving.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’ve gone through some extremely low points over the years. I’ve doubted myself, my vision, my ability to execute. I’ve quit. I’ve been hurt. I’ve been scared, mad, frustrated, angry and I’ve never doubted myself so much in my life. Welcome to entrepreneurship. It’s quite a ride.

The best part? You can handle all of those emotions if you learn to ride the wave. If you can buckle down, forge ahead and believe in yourself, you can achieve. You will achieve. Now, it might not be in the business you initially intended because well, maybe that just wasn’t the right business for you, but once you find your place in the business world, you can succeed.

There are 1000’s of pieces to the puzzle that is entrepreneurship, but you need to build your business from the four corner pieces and work from there.

My corner pieces? It took me awhile to realize how essential these pieces are, but I now know that these are the pieces that have brought me to where I am today:

1) Passion. Now, this is a given and you probably know this one. But, I’m talking true passion. I’m talking “wake you up in the middle of the night with your heart racing and ideas slamming around your brain” type of passion. Whatever you decide to do you need to be LIT UP by it. Because, on the days when you want to quit (and there are a lot of those days), it’s this passion that will help you forge ahead. If it’s your true passion and you don’t work on it, you’ll feel like you are missing a big part of your life. If the thought of not working on your business breaks your heart and deflates you, you’ve got it right. When you think about your passion, you should be filled with drive, determination, and energy.

2) Belief. You need to fully believe in the success of your company. Your belief has to be unwavering. How you get there and the journey you have to take will make you question everything about yourself and others, but your belief in your company? Un-wav-er-ing.

If you go into business with the mindset of “I think this could be good”, you’re going to fail. You need the mindset of “This will succeed, there’s no other option”. Why? Because if you believe in what you’re working on, you can’t quit. You seriously, absolutely, 100% can’t quit.

I believe in what I do with Hot Mama and I know I make a difference. I also know that we will be successful. We may have rocky times, but in the end, we do a lot of good work and we help a lot of people. I believe in the goodness of my company and of all the women working with me…I can’t fail. There’s no way. I have never doubted the importance of Hot Mama or how much it is needed. So, I believe in my company. I believe in its success. Always.

3) Grit and perseverance. Like I said, business is hard and will make you question everything about yourself and about others. It’ll pick you up, throw you down, stomp on you, then pick you up again only to throw you down and stomp on you twice as hard. You don’t have to like it, but you do have to get through it.

You’re going to get knocked down. People are going to let you down. You’re going to let yourself down. You’re going to make mistakes. And, as your company grows, you’ll need more grit and more perseverance than ever before. People will question you more. People will doubt you more. People will plant more seeds of doubt in your mind than ever before.

Grind it out. Get through it. Stand your ground. Push, dig and drive your business. If you’re passionate about your business and you believe in your business…you constantly pick yourself up, adjust your ponytail, straighten your clothing and you get back to work. To do that…you need grit. You need that something inside you that says “No, you’re wrong…this is worth it. Let me show you just how far I can go”. That’s grit. That’s perseverance.

4) Solid support. Now, the above three points are incredibly important but most important is support. You need a cheering squad. You need a strong team forging the path with you. And, you need a soft place to land on the hard and brutal days.

Support comes in various ways and you need them all.

Support within your company. You need support IN your company and you need to work with people who are passionate about what you are doing. You need the support of the people you get to work with every day. In your company you need people working with you who believe in what you are doing and in what you’re trying to do (because yes, they’re two different things). You need people who will walk through the fire with you because they believe in you and your business as much as you do, if not more so. That’s your team…and if you don’t have a supportive team, you’re hooped. Every now and then you need your team to say to you “I believe in you. You can do this”. Because let me tell you…if you don’t hear those words or you don’t have that support, your journey just got a whole lot harder.

Support at home. It will be impossible to build your business if you don’t have support at home. Your partner, your family…they all need to be onboard. You’re going to take out a lot of frustration and anxiety on them and it’s often your family that will have the guts to tell you to knock it off and get back to work. If you don’t have that, you’ll fail. You need someone so fully in your corner that no amount of bitchiness and self-doubt causes them to waver. You need someone who pushes you to believe in yourself and who will knock some sense into you when you start to be ridiculous. You need unwavering support from your family because trust me, you’re going to doubt yourself enough for the entire world, you don’t need their doubt riding on your shoulders too. You have enough of that all on your own.

Support from your friends. Now, support from your family is essential but equally important is support from your friends. They’re your soft place to land. They’re the ones who will pick you up off the floor (literally), give you a glass of wine and listen to your doubts and fears on repeat for years and years. You will sound like a broken record because your fears and doubts will always be your fears and doubts. Good friends, they listen, they hug, they let you cry, they let you doubt…then they also give you a kick in the ass and tell you to knock it off. Friends who support you allow you to be you, allow you to grow and change and become what you’re meant to be. Find the people who accept you as you are today and as you are as you grow and hang on tight to them. You’re going to need them, not only for support but for celebration…because nobody celebrates your success like your friends do…nobody.

There are so many more puzzle pieces you need to be a successful entrepreneur, but I feel like these are the four pillars that have helped me build a business and keep it running for five years. It’s not easy, being an entrepreneur, it’s not at all easy. If you think working for yourself will be fun and amazing, that you can make your own hours and work on your own time, you’re wrong. You’re going to be your worst boss ever because you’re going to be more demanding of yourself than anyone else. But, if you have passion, belief in your business, grit and perseverance and a support team in all aspects of your life…you can do this.

Make sure your business is right for you and get to work. It’s not easy, it takes patience. It takes determination. And, honestly…it takes a really bombass idea and an ability to work harder than you’ve ever worked to execute your dream. But I’ll tell you one thing: it’s worth it. It’s all worth it.

Good luck to any and all of you entrepreneurs out there. I’ll be here…grinding it out, doubting myself, and loving every single moment.

You Laughed in 2016 – Remember That

December 29, 2016 By Lindsay Gee

It’s the end of another year and as with every year, I see post after post of people wishing away the year. Ranting about how awful the past 365 days were. Giving the past year the big eff you. And yes, while this year has been a tough one for many people, it’s time for us all to reflect on the goodness that has come out of all your hard work. It’s time to reflect and show gratitude for a life you still get to lead. You’re alive, people. You’re here.

Bad things happen. They happen all the time. Jobs are lost. Relationships break down. People die. In no way am I saying we shouldn’t grieve, because change is hard and honestly, we have lost some stellar celebrity and musical icons this year, so yes you should grieve.

But…You. Are. Here.

In a day and age where social media rules all hours, news travels fast. And unfortunately, bad/sad news travels even faster. We are constantly inundated with the badness of the world and only every now and then do we get to celebrate the goodness. So, our job, as regular ‘ol shmos is to find the goodness and celebrate it. People are going to die in 2017. It’s a given. Remember the Lion King and the Circle of Life? There’s simply no way of getting around death. People also died last year and the year before and wait for it…the year before that. We’ve lost some amazing people in 2016 and it saddens me to think of who we might lose in 2017…but we’re going to lose some. So, how are we going to get through all the deaths, the sadness, the grief and the turmoil?

I get concerned when I continuously read people bashing the year they’ve had. Okay, sure, you’ve had a doozy. But did you learn? Did you grow? Did you morph into a newer version of yourself because you needed to adapt to your life? Did you laugh? Did you love? Were there births in your life? Anniversaries? Did you celebrate and laugh? Why is it that when people reflect on the year past, anger and bitterness always wins? There were times of accomplishment and joy. Times of silliness and sun. Life was yours all year.

You. Are. Here.

Life is hard. I, myself, have had a difficult year of growth, loss and change, but boy did I laugh this year. I found new friends, new support and a lot of new love. I took comfort in old love and I got to watch my children grow and learn and experience new things every day. When I look back on 2016 I think about how much my son’s confidence has grown. I think about how my daughter is the strongest woman I’ve ever met and she’s only six years old. I reflect on the fact that I had to watch my husband go through a really difficult year and yet we were and are able to look to one another for strength and laughter. I celebrate all of this.

I encourage you to not buy into the negativity that goes around at this time of year. Don’t bash the year you just survived.

You. Are. Here. You made it.

If you want to make 2017 better for yourself, start with some positive reflection on how you made it through 2016. Celebrate yourself. Celebrate others. Grieve death but celebrate the life that was; there is nothing we can do about it, so respect it, grieve it and then choose to celebrate it.

I don’t like being the bearer of bad news, but there are going to be difficult moments in 2017. And you know what? You’re going to handle those too. You’re going to cry and rage and feel like you’ve been run over at times in this coming year. But you’re also going to laugh until you pee your pants, you’re going to dance with your lover and you’re going to be silly with your friends. You’re going to celebrate the birth of new babies and you’re going to welcome new friends into your life.

You are here and you can handle all of it. You just handled 2016. Take a few moments and remember the good of 2016, really think about it. Think only of the good. And smile. Let that positivity guide you into your new year.

Me, I’m going to spin some records from the artists we lost this year and I’m going to dance and smile because ultimately, that’s what I want my life to be about. Dancing and smiling.

I choose to celebrate 2016 for its good, its bad and its ugly. I choose to start 2017 filled with gratitude and light instead of anger and dismay. I hope you stand tall and bright with me.

I wish you all the best in this coming year.

4 Strategies to Help You Cope When Everything Goes Wrong

December 14, 2016 By Lindsay Gee

It’s going to happen. Like it or not things are going to go wrong in your life. It could be a minor thing like spilling coffee on your pants. It could be a major thing like illness or an accident. Or it could be a bunch of minor things that create a major thing. And some days, some months, some years it seems like absolutely everything is going wrong in your life and nothing is going right.

We all have moments when we look to the sky and quietly whisper “Seriously? This too?”. Moments when you think you can’t handle one more thing and you’ll actually question your ability to withstand the pressure of one more weight added your shoulders. Moments when you think “if one more thing goes wrong, I’m pretty sure, no I’m certain, my head will explode”.

I’m happy to report that no, in fact, your head won’t explode and there are numerous strategies you can use to help you slow down, reflect and get through times when you feel like everything is going wrong.

Prioritize your tasks.
Usually, when you feel like everything is going wrong it’s a very busy time in your life. You’ll find yourself with a task list of a bajillion (it’s a word) things to do and when we have so much to do, we move quickly. Unfortunately, it’s usually when we’re moving too quickly that more mistakes happen and more things go wrong. So first, slow down and breathe. Take time to reflect on all the things/tasks/demands you need to get done and prioritize that list.If it’s a bad day, prioritize your day. A bad month? Look at what needs to get done over the next month and set goals you want to achieve within the next 30 days. Bad year? Same deal. List everything that’s gone wrong and figure out how to help yourself make them go right. Prioritize that list and focus on the top three tasks. Really, really be aware of what’s most important to you to “fix” and solve the major issues going on in your life.
Reach out. We’re all so connected now through social media, the internet and all of our devices. But, when’s the last time you’ve actually connected with your friends and family members? When’s the last time you connected with that long-time friend you never have 5 minutes to chat with? When things go wrong, it’s time to get off your devices and reach out for human contact. We live in a busy, busy world but don’t forget that there is still a lot of love out there. I bet there is someone in your life who would love to help you get back on your feet.Don’t be shy about asking for help. It could be a simple request for an afternoon playdate so you can get some errands done in peace. Or, it could be a larger favor like a weekend alone to reflect, prioritize and figure some things out on your own.Whatever you need, reach out and ask for it. Your friends and family want you to feel good. They want you to feel loved, cherished and taken care of. But, if you’re constantly putting on a brave face and saying “it’s okay, I’m okay, I’m good”, they’re going to believe you (until things really go wrong and they need to come pick you up off the floor…trust me on this one). So, reach out. And hey…there’s really nothing as therapeutic as a really great Girls’ Night surrounded by the incredible women in your life. Laughter truly is the best medicine.
Practice gratitude. When things are going sideways on you, the last thing you’re going to want to do is be grateful. However, this is probably the best time for you to stop, reflect on your life and remember what you have to be grateful for. You can start with the “little” things like hot coffee, a beating heart, food in the fridge, your children. As your start listing off the “little” things they’ll become less little.Sure, your kid was a nutjob and made you late. But, you have a child who loves you like crazy. Be grateful for that. Your job is demanding and your boss is a tyrant? You have a paycheck coming in and a way to help support your family. Everyone is sick in your household…for the third time in a week? Be thankful for medicine and your strong arms to hold the ones you love as they get well. Roof is leaking, food’s gone bad, car broke down and your dog ran away (insert Blake Shelton song)? You have a home, a car and your loyal dog will come back because he loves you and you have his favorite bed and stuffie.
Gratitude. It’s a powerful, powerful tool. Trust me. I challenge you to write down three things that you’re grateful for every morning and every night before you go to bed. And just watch. Watch the power of gratitude affect your life and welcome the positivity back into your heart.
Workout. Well, if you know me at all, you knew this would be on the list. The power of moving your body, of exercise, is incredible. So when things go wrong, go workout. Practice yoga, find a group fitness class you love, go throw some weights around, sweat yourself silly on your treadmill. Whatever you love to do to get active, go do it.During those moments of “Really universe, really?!” it’s time to get your sweat on.
Let your body take care of you. Go. Sweat. The endorphins and other hormones released, the mental focus and the overall well-being that exercise can bring into your life will help you reframe your thoughts and come up with a plan to tackle what needs to be tackled. The power of moving your body is incredible. Let your body help fuel and inspire your mind. There is nothing more therapeutic than a really good sweat sesh. So go lace up your sneakers, tie your hair up in that crazy pineapple you’ve been sporting and get moving. Your body, your mind and your spirit will thank you.

Things are going to wrong in your life. All the time. But, how you cope and react to those events is completely up to you. You get to decide what you want to put your energy into (for the most part). So, take control and try the above 4 strategies when you get overwhelmed with it all. Sometimes it’ll work like a hot damn and other times you’ll comment below about how ridiculous these strategies are. And, that’s okay! Some day it’ll work. Some days it won’t. But…don’t you dare give up. Don’t you dare lessen who you are and what you’re doing because you’re feeling beat up.

Remember, you’re amazing and you have amazing things to do in this world. Trust yourself, be grateful for all you have and get to work! You have an incredible life to lead. So go live it! Not every day is going to be a bad day. In fact, you’re going to have some pretty amazing days ahead of you. So focus there. Focus on the good.

Remembering the Good in Yourself

December 7, 2016 By Lindsay Gee

Have you ever had those times in your life when you question your worth? When you start looking at the person you are, the person you’ve become and you start thinking “jeez, I could do better, be better, be more”? I’ve recently just come through that experience and the secret to coming out of that nonsense?

People.

It’s that simple. Now, don’t get me wrong…people are most often the cause of you having to dive into the abyss of yourself and search for your goodness and worth. But, please know, it’s also people that pull you right back out and into the bright, warm, strong arms of love and acceptance.

To say I’ve had a rough few months would be an understatement. My health has been poor and I wasn’t sleeping. I was also at a crossroads with my business and there was a lot of change happening…something I struggle with. So, I started to doubt myself. I started to wonder if I could actually pull off this mega-dream of world domination.

Then…I traveled to see the people who I am working so hard for. As the Founder of Hot Mama I often get pulled into the business side of things and I forget who I am doing all of this for. It’s for you, Mamas. And my family, of course. But, it’s for the benefit of families, of Mamas and of their children that I work so hard. And I have the Alberta Hot Mamas to thank for grounding me and pulling me out of my cave of doubt and worry.

I recently traveled to Alberta to visit some of our Franchise Owners. Often times I don’t look forward to traveling, but this time was different. I NEEDED the Hot Mamas. I needed to remember my why. And what better way than by surrounding myself with the very people I am working so hard for (and with!).

There wasn’t a moment during my trip when I doubted myself. Mamas were excited to meet me. Nervous to meet me. And so open and warm and friendly. There was NO WAY I could possibly doubt myself.

I haven’t laughed, loved and felt more honoured in quite a long time.

I know why I’m here and I know why I work so hard. But sometimes, you need people to remind you. Sometimes you need to let the energy you’re helping to create surround and ooze back into your soul. Sometimes you just need to let all the bad go and accept the good.

I cannot thank the Alberta Hot Mamas enough for my last visit. I enjoyed every single aspect of it. From cooking with our Calgary West Sarcee Mamas for Made by Momma, to participating in classes with Edmonton SE and Edmonton SW, to kicking some serious Spruce Grove Hot Mama ass, to hanging out with some of the coolest St. Alberta Hot Mamas in town! Aaaaand, how can I forget the wine, the Caesars and OH!…the Santa Shuffle 5k.

See? It was busy, busy, busy.

The best thing? Our Sherwood Park Franchise Owner texted me at the end of the trip and said “You all looked so happy!”…and Mamas…I don’t think “happy” has been an adjective to describe me in a very long time. And what a wonder it was to hear that!

Thank you, Hot Mamas. Thank you for bringing the happy back into my life. You have reminded me of my goodness and my worth. I am forever grateful.

One last thank you…I GOT A SELFIE STICK FINALLY! YAY!

With much love and mad respect,
Your OHM

Why I Refuse to Apologize for High Expectations

November 4, 2016 By Lindsay Gee

There are moments in your life when you need to step back and reflect. You need to reflect hard. I mean turn into yourself and evaluate who you are, what you’re doing, the person you are and the person you want to be. These times and evaluations will be a product of another moment that will make you question everything. These are tough times. But, I’m recognizing that these moments are critical to growth. I’m embracing the reflection and loving my conclusion.

I’ve previously written about what it’s like to be an entrepreneur. What it’s like to be the Founder of a company like Hot Mama. It’s all-consuming, empowering, inspiring…it’s all I am. I can say that because my family is heavily involved in what I do. But, I need to be honest here, it’s also incredibly lonely.

Building an empire of women, amazing women, strong women, smart women, driven women…well, it’s an honour and one I don’t take for granted ever. But, it’s still my baby. If something goes wrong, I’m blamed. If they fail. I fail. If a promotion fails, it’s my fault. If a program flops, that’s on my shoulders. It’s a lot of weight and a lot of pressure, but I accept it and I carry the burden. Some days the burden takes over, it knocks me flat and presses me down hard into the earth. Some days I lift it over my head and sprint. That’s what being the founder of a company is like.

Recently I’ve had to reflect on the person I am becoming. Am I good person? Am I kind? Am I thoughtful? And, the truthful answer is…most times. Not always. And, that’s the growth and reflection I’ve had to make these past few weeks.

Am I the same person I was 4.5 years ago when I started Hot Mama? No. Absolutely not. And, do I want to go back to being that person? No. 100% absolutely not. Why? Because, that person didn’t have the dreams I have today. She didn’t see the possibilities and the opportunties. She didn’t believe in herself. She didn’t have a mission. That person had no idea how her little bootcamp classes could change the world. Because I have started to do that. And so help me, we will change this world. One Mama, one Mini, one family at a time.

And I’ll do it because I now have a strong squad of women behind me.

But, here’s the problem: Has the core person, the person who I truly am, changed so much that I don’t recognize myself any longer?

The answer: no. I know me. I recognize me. You may not, but I do. I’m here.

I’m me. I’m goofy and silly and quirky and I love to laugh. But, when it comes to my business, my expectations are high. My expectations are obscenely high. And, I’ve finally realized that I have every right to have them there. If I want to create a movement of family fitness, if I want to change 1000’s, no…millions of women’s lives…my expectations NEED to be high. I’m demanding in my business. I work tirelessly. I dig and drive and push. And you know what? I’m finally okay with being the founder of a company who’s a bit of a hardass.

Why? Because…it’s who I am. And not accepting this part of me would hold me back. I don’t want to be the person I was 4.5 years ago…I want to be me. Here. Now. As I am. In all my demands. In all my expectations. In all my gratitude. Because although I’m demanding and my expectations are high as the founder of a rapidly growing company, I’m also so freakin’ grateful. I’m grateful for the growth of my company. I’m thankful for the women who’ve joined me. I’m grateful for the Hot Mama themselves who commit to health and active living. I’m grateful that I get to be nerdy and silly and that I get to laugh at myself.

I’m 100% grateful for the person I am today. I refuse to question that any longer. There’s business Lindsay and there’s personal Lindsay. One may not recognize the other, but they’re both still who I am. They both have dreams and goals. They both work hard and strive for greatness. The change now is that I accept both parts of me. I fought the business side for so long, but acceptance means growth. And, I accept who I am. I love who I am. I’m proud of who I am.

When you dig into yourself and evaluate all aspects of who you are, greatness can happen. I am greatness. I am greatness because of the women standing with me. I am greatness because I believe in what I am doing. I am greatness because I have evolved and learned and grown into a person with exceptionally high standards. I am greatness because I finally refuse to apologize for dreaming big and making it happen. I encourage you to accept your greatness. It’s incredibly freeing.

I am so grateful for these past few weeks. For the hard questions I had to ask myself. I’m grateful that I had the courage and strength to actually look into myself. I’m mostly grateful that that courage came from the community I’ve helped build. It is because of you, my Hot Mamas, that I continue to grow and push myself. You may not recognize me in business mode, but you’ll always recognize me over a glass of wine and some peanut butter cups.

With mad respect and gratitude,
Lindsay (Your OHM)