From the desk of Kelsey,
“You ladies are too positive….why are you focusing on something so negative?”
This question resonated throughout our conversations in 2021.
The Burnout Prevention Project has been our company name since February of 2021, and has served a great purpose for creating context and conversation.
We thought, “We just really want to make a positive impact and help those who are struggling with stress and burnout.”
But something has felt off.
It sent us into a spiral of reflection and contemplation around…
- Who are we and what do we do?
- Are we overthinking this?
- Should we really change our name when we have such great traction and people now know who we are?
The thought of changing our name made our stomachs turn.
Not only did it seem like a lot of work, but were we sure that making a change would really serve a positive purpose in our business journey?
Maybe we were just going crazy!
So we started to put pen to paper around why this might be in our best interest, and tried to find the logic in making the switch…
This was followed by acknowledging that a lot of what we do is around goal setting, vision exercises, and leadership development.
What do we do then?
Ugh….
So as Grace and I agonized over these questions and contemplations into 2022, we felt a gentle nudge on our heart that we needed to do SOMETHING.
And that some sort of change was in order, but we didn’t know what that looked like.
So what did we decide to do?
Following conversation after conversation with clients we have decided to take a leap of faith and re- name our company You Flourish Company.
Oxford definition of flourish: To grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly favorable environment.
Wow! This really describes what we do, in a very positive, uplifting way..
What we focus on expands, and so instead of focusing on burnout and stress as the main focus, we want to help leaders focus on the positive. We have outgrown – because we do more than just workshops on preventing burnout.
So….Why is it so hard to pivot?
There are many reasons why changing course is difficult.
First….We are so worried about what others will think. There will always be people who disagree with your decision to change course, but will you let those nay- sayers hold you back?
Second…Complexities typically follow change. Whether it’s a personal change or a professional change, there are often unintended challenges that result from making that change.
Third…Change almost always comes with self-doubt. Making the change isn’t always the hardest part. Oftentimes, the most difficult part is after you’ve made the change, we tend to question if we made the right change.
How can we combat these difficulties?
First…Trust yourself.
I love the quote “make a decision and make the decision you make the right decision.”
The truth of the matter is, you will often never know if your decision to change is going to be the right decision, but there is something to be said about committing to whatever change it is you’re making. That is the only way to find out!
Second…Start small.
When it comes to change, it’s so easy to want to “go big or go home.” That is not always helpful and doesn’t always end well.
Consider dieting…How many times have you said, “I’m going to stop eating all dessert, drink more water, eat more vegetables, and so forth…” Adding one too many changes into your plan is just setting yourself up for failure.
If you’re pivoting, do one pivot at a time. Over time, you’ll be amazed by the results.
Third…Focus on the logic.
Have a written list of why this change is going to be beneficial. Oftentimes when we start to doubt making a change, it’s because there’s a crazy voice inside our head telling us lies that aren’t even true.
If you have a logical checklist on why you are pivoting, it will help keep you grounded when self doubt creeps in.
What does God say about change?
Surprisingly, God is the one thing in life that will not change. He is everlasting and will continue to be there for you, no matter what happens.
We need to learn to trust and allow change to be part of our growth process of children of God.
Here’s a wonderful verse to hold onto, when change feels tough:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Tune into our newest podcast to hear more of our story on making this change!