Remember, Remember the 5th of November!
With Bonfire Night just around the corner, I think it’s important to reflect on the many “bonfires” in our lives. I recently realised that what I was doing was unsustainable; I had too many projects on the go: Overton radio presenter, mother, partner, business owner.
Dog training, dog grooming… it felt like every day, I had to put out a new fire. I felt panicked and out of control. If you’ve ever tried to grow a business or design a life while feeling frantic, you’ll know it simply doesn’t work.
When the “bonfires” of your passions are spread too thinly across eight different sectors, none of them can shine as brightly as they deserve to.
So, I created a mind map. It’s a very messy map, but it helped me break down what was happening across my world and create action points. I asked myself: Which activities should I let go of? Which ones are non-negotiable priorities? For me, family is a non-negotiable.
When we enter business, it’s not just to earn a living; we do it to design our lives. Too often, though, business starts to own us, robbing us of the joy, profit, or fulfilment we set out to achieve. So, where are the bonfires in your life right now? Do you need to put out some to let others grow?
For me, stopping Overton radio was a tough bonfire to extinguish. I enjoyed it, had loyal listeners, and received good recognition. But it was an unpaid role, and at this stage, a side hobby that doesn’t pay just isn’t feasible. I found myself rushing every Sunday to pre-record my show, taking time away from my son who deserved and wanted my full attention.
By putting out a few fires, I’ve allowed others to grow, thrive, and burn more brightly. The success and opportunities since my book Fetch More Clients became an Amazon bestseller in September have been incredible. I’m thrilled with the reviews, and I’m excited about supporting K9 professionals to grow their businesses.
So, where in your business do you have multiple “bonfires”? Where in your life are you spread too thin? If you were to map them all and could only keep three, which would you choose? Once you’ve allocated your three to five most important bonfires for a fulfilling life, we can set goals and time blocks to move the needle on these priorities.
For example, family is non-negotiable for me. I refuse to compromise my relationship with my fiancé or my role as a present mother to my toddler. So, I allocate dedicated family time where I am fully “Mummy” and not working. A virtual assistant is crucial in my business because, with a team, momentum can continue even when I’m not there.
On the flip side, when I am working, I set up my environment to prevent from being distracted. I turn off email notifications, toss my phone on the bed behind me to avoid “doom scrolling,” and focus solely on the three to five major goals we’ve committed to for the next 90 days.
There’s always more to do in life and business, but instead of doing more, where can you strip down, do less, and focus wholeheartedly?
If you can execute three to five actionable goals every quarter, while dedicating time to what brings you joy, this is the secret to a joyful, profitable, and fulfilling life and career.
Your personal fulfilment directly uplifts the quality of care you provide for dogs. This isn’t just about mental stability or happiness; it benefits canine care as a whole.
If you haven’t yet grabbed your copy of Fetch More Clients, click here to order.
If you want guidance on choosing your bonfires, learn more about the Canine Care Hub Club where we deliver monthly training to help you build the business you deserve.
Enjoy Bonfire Night this year, and take care of the bonfires that matter most in your life.
P.S. Every bonfire needs fuel to shine brightly—choose wisely which fires to feed and which to extinguish. Let your best priorities burn fiercely.
P.P.S. Ready to reclaim control over your time and passions? Take the first step by mapping out your bonfires and focus on what truly matters. The right choices lead to a more joyful, profitable life.
PP.P.S. Imagine the clarity, the calm, and the fulfilment of a life designed around your core values. Join us in the Canine Care Hub Club to learn how to focus your energy on only the most meaningful fires.