Navigating Crossroads And Brick Walls
Written by: Karen Mc Dermott, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
There’s a time in everyone’s life and business when they come to a crossroad or face a huge brick wall challenge that feels impossible to overcome. I have faced many! However, I never have regrets about any of the decisions I have made at those times. I credit that to my forward-thinking approach to life but also because I set intentions aligned with my values so when a moment for pause comes along it is usually because growth needs to happen because let’s face it, every time we embark on the pursuit of a goal we commit to a journey and that comes with a self-development. All of my decisions are funnelled through a 3 step knowing process that I have absolute faith in navigating me towards the ambitious success I want to make happen.
The biggest thing that I see some people struggle with is whether to keep going or to walk away.
I have done both and although I love to embrace the teachings of many great philosophers, including that of The 5 stages of the Soul author H.R Moody that before any breakthrough there is a struggle, I often witness people push through when they should have walked away, so how in goodness name do you know what to do when faced with these conundrums?!
My top tips in this scenario are to ask yourself:
Am I clear on my goals aligned with my higher purpose?
Are they aligned with my values?
Am I facing a challenge that I will evolve through?
Can I handle a worst-case scenario if things don’t work out?
What is my gut telling me?
And the biggest one of all…is this bringing me joy?
Many people don’t prioritise joy enough. Did you know that joy is one of the most productive aspects of success, if you are enjoying something it will never feel like you are working, you will do more of it? There is nothing as powerful as someone on purpose and enjoying the journey!
Anyone who encounters me will often pick up on the fact that I LOVE what I am doing, whether that be writing or publishing books, being with my kids or on a coffee date with a girlfriend because if I am not enjoying it you won't find me doing it. The reason is if I say a yes to something my heart is saying a no to I am doing an injustice to the other person where someone else would be a heartfelt yes. This realisation freed me from being a yes person and it doesn’t have to be harsh, you can say no with love.
Crossroads and brick walls will always come in life and especially in business, it is how we navigate them that makes all the difference. When I became an author and then a business owner, I soon realised that not everyone shared my perspective that challenges are a positive aspect of any worthwhile journey because they mean that you are evolving and growing into the person you need to be so that achieving your goals is feels like the next natural step on your journey, the reality is, the bigger the goal, the bigger the challenges and so the only way to facilitate growth is to have a positive perspective on challenges and consistently upgrade your mindset to keep in par with the upgraded version of yourself. See yourself through the eyes of one of your champions.
There is nothing that will ever stop you from getting what you want out of life or business, only you so ensure that you set goals aligned with your higher purpose that are values aligned and you will enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
Karen Mc Dermott, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Karen Mc Dermott is an award-winning publisher, multi-genre author, and TEDx Speaker. Karen realized her passion for the story after an epiphany led her to write her first novel in only 30 days.
Karen has gone on to build a publishing empire and is the publisher for many well-known best-selling authors and also aspiring authors alike.
She is a regular Forbes writer and her signature book series is the Alchemy of Life Magic series.
Karen is a passionate teacher and runs her own publishing academy, Everything Publishing Academy, which recently won an award for innovation.
Her motto in life is 'When time and circumstance align, magic happens.'
