Most People Aren't Willing To Do This, Are You?

Welcome to another edition of my Weekly Journal! If you're new to grace + hudson, I use this space to share about my journey from lawyer to jewelry business owner. In this week's journal entry, I am writing about what it really takes to make your dream a reality. Whether your dream is to start your own business or completely change careers, making it come true isn't so easy. It often boils down to this: what are you willing to do to make it happen? It can be scary, uncertain, and risky to take real steps towards your dream. It also can require a lot of work, a lot of discipline, and a lot of sacrifice. Few are willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work, and many want it handed to them on a silver platter. But nothing worth having comes easy. And the bigger your dream, the more it's going to take. 

First and foremost, if you want to see your dream come to life, you have to make friends with the fact that some sort of sacrifice is going to be required. Most people aren't willing to sacrifice a thing so be honest with yourself - are you? Maybe you need to invest a lot of time into your dream. Or maybe it's money. Maybe you're going to need to get a little uncomfortable for a while. Maybe you're going to need to work really hard on your mindset to make your dream come true by changing the negative beliefs that are holding you back. Maybe you're going to need to spend less time with your spouse or partner or kids or best friends for a little while so you can work more. What is it going to be for you?

I think this is the main sticking point that most people can't get beyond. People want things to change and they want their dream to come to pass, but they aren't willing to change anything about their current situation to get there. Let me give you an example. I hear from a lot of lawyers who want to leave the practice of law and start their own business, but many of them say, "Well, I don't want to change my standard of living though." That's code for: I make a lot of money, I have gotten used to a luxurious lifestyle, and I'm not willing to give that up. Really? Not even for a little while? If it means seeing your dream come to life and being happier in the long term? If your business succeeds, you might make MORE than you currently make now. Here's the deal: making some sacrifices now could potentially add up to a lifetime of happiness and more money. Think of it like an investment. Isn't that worth the "pain" of giving up the lifestyle you're used to right now? Let me tell you from firsthand experience, it is!

When I left my lawyer job in 2017, I was at this crossroads in my life: buy a condo or quit my job and try to make my dream come true. I had saved enough money to put a decent down payment on a condo in downtown Chicago, but there was a nagging thought in the back of my head that I should use that money to quit my job and start my own business. I chose the latter, which means I still rent and I don't own a home. That's the main "sacrifice" I made to start grace + hudson (I use the term "sacrifice" loosely as I realize some people never even get the chance to buy their own home). I am so glad I made that decision for myself because it gave me financial flexibility - I am not handcuffed to a certain income level in order to pay a mortgage each month. And you know what else has come of it? The money I make now feels good. It makes me so proud to earn a living from something I love to do and I know it's going to feel so good to buy a home someday in the near future. The money I made when I was a lawyer didn't feel good, and I know the home I bought with that money wouldn't feel good in the long run either.

The point I'd like to leave you with is this: everything is a decision. Everything. When it comes to the dream of business ownership, what are you willing to prioritize? Is it more important to you to purchase your own home right now? Or to enjoy the small or big luxuries of life - anything from expensive coffee to beautiful trips? Or is it more important to you to prioritize saving money for your long-term dream? There is no right or wrong answer - it depends on YOU and what you want. But realize it's your choice and the power is in your hands. If you aren't willing to sacrifice anything, own that! Get clear on that. And then let your dream go because it's taking up space and energy that you don't ever intend to act on. Instead, fill that space with a new dream. For example, maybe you want to travel the world instead. In any case, decide and then fully own your decision. And stop wasting energy mulling over what you don't have. The grass is always greener...until you let yourself feel empowered by the choices you have made.

If you'd like my Weekly Journal sent straight to your inbox every week, click here to subscribe. I hope you're able to learn something valuable from my business journey and my experiences!

P.S. Are you on Pinterest? I created a Weekly Journal board so you can easily navigate all of my journal entries. You can view and follow the board by clicking here. I've written so much about quitting my lawyer job to start g+h and I want to make it easier for you to access and read the entries that resonate most!

xoxo,

Stacy