Eleanor Mills’ Post

As the end of the week is upon us, I have been reflecting on my first 6 weeks as a small business owner and have has some key learnings and 'ah ha' moments. 💡 I have been overwhelmed by how strong and supportive my network is. I am truly thankful for everyone that has shown support through checking in, sharing their knowledge, recommending my business and engaging with our socials. 💡 'Rome wasn't built in a day' has been an overused phrase when trying to put in perspective the pressure I have been putting onto myself to get everything updated. 💡 The mum/wife guilt is real! I knew taking on a business with a young family was going to pose many challenges, but wow.... the guilt is bad! Which leads me to my next reflection. 💡 Thank you never seems enough to my amazing partner in crime Corey D.. The support has been unwavering and he is my number 1 cheerleader. 💡 I have zero regrets about leaving a 17 year career in government to take on this challenge. It is both exciting and liberating to take a calculated risk, be my own boss and build a legacy for my family. 💡 I am enjoying thriving and learning new skills, especially being out in the field and on the tools. There are still ingrained perceptions of woman being 'on the tools' in the industry/community, however I have been enjoying the conversations with breaking down the barriers and building confidence in my abilities. 💡 There have been some funny moments of things I can no longer wear or things I now have to consider which include, not being able to wear rings or clips in my hair (can scratch walls) and also having to check my own pockets for screws now when I do the washing. Overall, the last 6 weeks has been an emotional an empowering experience and I am excited to see what the next 6 months has in store. For those wanting to follow along, please like the Lawton's Interiors Facebook page https://lnkd.in/gbDkeuAT #smallbusiness #reflections #lawtonsinteriors #interiorsbusiness #ladytradie #workingmum #familylegacy

This is my, "I told you so look." See, what had happened was.... 1. One of my clients was laid off and got a severance. I told her to take 2 months off instead of worrying about getting another job immediately. Hellloooooo... 👉🏾👉🏾Severance package. She engaged in my self-care recipe and after two months, she was rehired by the SAME company at a higher level and a raise. 2. I told another client to quit her job because she couldn't disengage from her habit of overworking (this is rare for me, but she has the resources to do so). She took 2 months FMLA instead of quitting. She engaged in my self-care recipe and was promoted while on leave. 🥳🥳 I CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP! What's the common denominator? Both of them were stressed out and unavailable for their husbands and children. When they got their houses in order, God released the next level. 🤔 Lesson... God will release the next level to you if you take care of YOURSELF - FIRST!! Get my self-care recipe in my Forbes featured article using the Visit My Website link above 👆🏾 😀 Love, Christy 💙 #careers #management #future #professionalwomen #entrepreneurship #thevisionfinder

✌𝓘𝓯 𝓝𝓸𝓽 𝓤𝓼, 𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓦𝓱𝓸? 𝓘𝓯 𝓝𝓸𝓽 𝓝𝓸𝔀, 𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓦𝓱𝓮𝓷?✌ The motivation for this post came after I responded to an encouraging comment from a friend on LinkedIn about one of my previous posts. I first came across the expression, "If Not Us, Then Who? If Not Now, Then When?", from one of the Senior Directors at MUIS when I joined FITRAH. Since then, it has quietly become a guiding motto for our team. The phrase reminds us that creating positive change starts with each of us taking action. No matter the social cause we believe in, progress comes from ordinary people who decide to do something. If we want a more just, compassionate, and sustainable world, we can be the ones to make it happen through our choices each day. I'm sharing this message because I believe we all have a responsibility to make a difference on the issues that matter most. Real change requires people willing to take the first step and create the paths. We can be the ones to advocate for what we believe in. Inspire others through example. The future is created by those who show up. 𝑰𝒇 𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝑼𝒔, 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑾𝒉𝒐? 𝑰𝒇 𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝑵𝒐𝒘, 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏? The power lies with each of us. Create the change you wish to see. Our voices and actions matter. #advocating #changeagent #communityimpact PS. The photo here depicts the two books that could be the origins of the phrase which seems to have become popularised in recent decades as a call to action for social change and justice.

After my post of last week … … about me quitting my business … … and the kind comments I received … … I have been thinking about the days leading up to my resignation (a lot), and reflecting on the biggest change in me since. It is no surprise to me that I evolved … … became an upgraded version of my previous self. However, it did come as (bit of) a surprise … … to realise the most-meaningful change in me. Over a period of 9 years, between me quitting my business & today, the biggest change in me has been … … I no longer lock myself in a cage made up of all the expectations of others from me. It feels GREAT to feel FREE … … free from the burden of expectations … … free to work towards my interests … … free to experiment, fail, grow … and, … free to just be! This freedom does not make me the most selfish person … … it doesn’t mean I have stopped caring for others. This freedom only means that I now have boundaries, and I no longer compromise on these boundaries. It’s quite simple really: Self-interest ≠ Selfish Self-love leads to self-respect, which in turn leads to taking care of self-interest. What forms the cage that you have built around you, and what do you think you need to break-free? (I simply love the attached illustration, which almost shows me behind those bars. Illustration credit: nakedpastor dot com) #SayNo #Boundaries #SelfInterest #FreeYourself #ExpectationsOfOthers

🙋🤷♂️ In his latest blog DJ Cronin ❤☮🙏 explores a day in the life of two fictional #VolunteerManagers 💬 This #ThoughtfulThursday we want to know what your day looks like. Tell us below 👇 #LoVols #Volunteerism #VolMngmnt

So many great takeaways from this post, but one of my favorites is the reminder that our lives are solely our responsibility. No one is coming to save us from our problems. This statement is a powerful reminder of the importance of taking ownership of our lives and the decisions we make. #BurnTheBoats

This week, my daughter embarked on a new journey alongside her friend; they pedaled towards school with the morning sun casting a golden glow on their path. It was their ride unaccompanied by an adult, a significant milestone marking their growing independence and our trust in their abilities. This moment resonates deeply with a core value we cherish in the communities we build: celebrating transitions as progressions, not endings. In our communities, we honor those who venture out to explore new opportunities, recognizing that each departure enriches our collective experience. We applaud their courage to embrace change, much like a child's first ride without an adult. Their leaving is not a loss but a testament to the growth and development we foster within our ranks. Just as my daughter will circle back home, our departing colleagues often return, bringing with them fresh perspectives and experiences that invigorate our community. They venture out, learn, and come back to us, much like the alumni of a great institution whose ongoing contributions fuel continuous innovation and success. The cycle of leaving and returning is a powerful narrative that mirrors life's ebb and flow. It reminds us that each farewell can set the stage for a future reunion enriched by new wisdom and insights. As we bid farewell to a valued community member today, we do so with the anticipation of welcoming them back in the future, arms open, ready to integrate their newfound knowledge and experiences into our ever-evolving tapestry. This philosophy transforms our communities into a launchpad for personal and professional growth, where every individual's journey contributes to our shared story. It's a narrative that celebrates movement, embraces change, and acknowledges that every end is simply the beginning of another adventure. Just as my daughter's ride to school signifies her first steps towards autonomy, our approach to farewells signifies not only our commitment to nurturing a dynamic and forward-thinking community but also our deep appreciation for each member's unique journey. In what ways do you celebrate the departure of your community members? #communityengagement #alumnirelations #personalgrowth

See some fact....

Team Bro’Sis: Working alongside my sisters 👩👩👧 If you had asked me about a year ago, I would probably never guessed that today I would be working alongside my sisters. But life is sometimes unpredictable and opportunities open up when you never thought they would. Let me tell you how great the first two months have been 🙌 💼 Working alongside my sisters has been an enriching experience. There's a unique bond and understanding that comes from growing up together and now collaborating in a professional setting. It's not just about shared DNA; it's about shared values, vision, and a commitment to a common goal. 🌟 What strikes me most is how our diverse career paths have converged, leading us back to our family business roots - Commercial Printing. Lisa started her first job in HR at an insurance company, Nina studied commercial law and I used to work for your typical Berlin Start-up. Despite pursuing different passions and ventures, we've found ourselves drawn back to the very foundation that raised us. 🤝 The level of mutual respect and trust among us is truly unique. Decision-making is not only efficient but also of the highest quality. We challenge each other, push boundaries, and ultimately, elevate our family business to new heights. 🎤 Funny enough we call our group chats Bro’Sis, inspired by the former German TV pop band. Members were musicians like Ross Anthony and Giovanni Zarella. Who still remembers their song “I Believe”? Millennials memory unlocked in 1, 2, and 3… #FamilyBusiness #SistersInBusiness #Teamwork

How are you celebrating your family? Did you know there are multiple types of families that we have in our lifetime? Check out our newest blog on "Celebrating your Family" at the LEADing Blog! #family #leadershipdevelopment https://lnkd.in/d5ngewHF