Today, I want to ask a really important question, girlfriend to girlfriend, REAL talk time:

Yeah, but are you happy?

Yowch, Mary! Going in the for the gut, eh?

I know, I know…this one is not an easy question to answer, especially when you’re trying so hard to build a business that is thriving….and well, pay the bills.

And especially in light of the heartbreaking news about Kate Spade.

Desperate. Sad. Heartbreaking.

Bottomline is this…As an entrepreneur, the buck stops with you. You set goals and milestones, hire a team to support you and then go after it all.

Some days, it feels like a MOUNTAIN of to-do’s, a never-ending supply of curveballs and things that go wrong and a whole lotta of UGH.

Let me be clear, I still feel that too, every now and again…and I’ve been at it for over 15 years now.

Those days come and go and yes, this too shall pass, as well.

But, what are the checkpoints to keep in mind along the way?

Here’s what works for me.

I take inventory of things by checking in on 3 key areas: • Financial Targets - are we hitting our revenue numbers every month, every quarter? • my Freedom Barometer - did you say goodbye to the 9to5 to say hello to the 7to11, instead? (And no, I’m not talking about the one with Slurpees!) • Core Desired Feelings - as my mentor Danielle Laporte who wrote The Desire Map puts it…is the work I’m doing in the world helping me achieve how I want to FEEL in life?

For me, happiness comes when these 3 checkpoints are in the positive and not the other way around. When one is out of whack, I try to pay attention and see what shifts I can make either in: • my day-to-day work or • the projects we put out in the world or • even just checking in with my internal feelings and thoughts.

That “stinkin’ thinkin’” creeps in and can do some SERIOUS damage to your mind, your motivation and your mental health. Girl, I know.

So, you might have an incredible business on paper, totally rolling in the dough, an incredible Instagram feed of pretty pictures but if you’re drowning in to-do’s or coming home mentally drained with nothing left for your family and friends and on the verge of an absolute mental breakdown, the question bares answering…WHY?

Why continue that pace? Why do this if it isn’t your best life?

Instead, what is one tiny, simple change can you make TODAY to shift things? That’s the very next step.

Pray, meditate or journal it out by setting a 7-minute timer. See what God or your intuition is trying to tell you here.

You might be surprised at what you hear.

And just one final whisper, just from me to you, dear friend…come in closer:

If your life sucks right now, you have the power to change it. Yes, even this. Even you. Even if it seems insurmountable, dark, scary or sad. You always have a choice. And you too can break free.

You can do this, I believe in you. It’s time to SIMPLIFY.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/bonus-013-are-you-happy/