February Stirs and March Serves!

Whether you are running a business, building your career, or managing the responsibilities of daily life, the patterns you build determine what you sustain.

For February, if you recall, we asked you to look at your “later” list. To consider those things you postponed for whatever reason and to think honestly about what those delays may be costing you both personally and professionally.

Women’s History Month reminds us that professional careers and business owner-ship are not just a personal endeavor. Women who came before us carved room at tables that didn’t even exist. They built companies in climates that weren’t wel-coming and they didn’t just survive – they thrived!!!

They didn’t wait for the perfect conditions. And as we know, they did it while carrying the loads of households, caregiving, ex-pectations, and community leadership all at the same time. We are not meant to operate in constant overdrive, which is why the ESB programming for February and March is so important.

Entrepreneurship has a way of nor-malizing intensity. Exhaustion is too often seen as a badge of honor or a requirement for success. We put off considerations about health, or re-flecting or adjustments as temporary. Who hasn’t said to themselves “once I get through THIS… then I will recalibrate” ? How often is does that happen – that we get to the recalibration? Our February pro-gram picked up where January left off.

“Tending the Pot – What’s Simmering, What’s Burning, and What Needs Stir-ring” was our February program, rescheduled from our normal day and time to Feb-ruary 25th. It was not a presentation but rather a working discussion – a pause to take inventory and answer the questions “What is sustaining your business right now? What is draining your energy? What feels neglected but necessary?”

Our March program – also rescheduled due to CSW commitments, will pick up the next phase: “From Stirring to Serving – Executing One Clear Action.” The new date is March 25th.

March Call to Action: Stirring

• Identify one area that needs stirring (not overhaul, just some attention)
• Be able to articulate why this area and what the best outcome would be (why stir this particular pot?)
• Attend the ESB meeting in March
• Celebrate Women’s History Month!!!!

Stay connected with the ESB Committee as we continue supporting women at every stage of their business and professional journeys.

Our February and March programming was moved to the 25th of the month. We will return to our regular schedule of the 3rd Wednesday of each month in April.

Barbara J. Bozeman
Chair Entrepreneur & Small Business
smallbusiness@nfbpwc.org