Do you ever take a moment to stop, look back and see how far you’ve come in your pet business?
We can be so busy trying to figure out the many things we need to do as business owners, and spinning so many plates, we forget to acknowledge our successes.
In this week’s episode, I’m sharing experiences from my time as a journalist – where success was quickly forgotten – to now, where I’ve learned the importance of pausing to reflect on achievements through my coaching and mentoring.
You’ll also hear from Niki French, who had a lightbulb moment during a recent retreat, along with insights from the book The Gap and the Gain, which helps shift our focus from what’s missing to what we’ve already accomplished.
I’ll be sharing practical tips and exercises to help you take a step back and recognise your wins – no matter how small. Plus, if you’re looking for more support in this area, how my Pets Get Visible membership is here to help you.
Whether you’re just starting out or have been running your pet business for years, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you build a positive mindset.
Listen in on the player link below and you can read the key points covered as a blog post.
Why celebrating your wins is essential for your pet business success
In the hustle of running a pet business, it’s easy to keep looking ahead at the next goal without taking a moment to celebrate how far you’ve come.
But today, I want to talk about why reflecting on your progress and celebrating your gains is crucial for both your personal well-being and your professional success.
How my own perspective changed
When I worked as a journalist, there was never any time to stop and celebrate. The focus was always on the next story, the next deadline.
I thought reflection was pointless – there was always more work to do. But after I transitioned into coaching and completed my ILM Level 5 coaching accreditation, I started to see the real value in looking back.
In coaching, helping others build resilience made me realise how important it is to pause, reflect, and appreciate what you’ve achieved.
This shift in mindset isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’ – it’s essential for staying motivated and maintaining your mental and emotional welbeing.
A lightbulb moment at my retreat
In this episode, Niki French from Pup Talk shares her experience from a recent retreat I ran, where one of the exercises was to pick a card to represent how you felt.
The cards were created by Claire Bradshaw coaching and you can learn more about them here: https://www.clairembradshaw.co.uk/product/coachingcards/
Niki explains: “The card wasn’t about what it showed, but everything that it didn’t. Let me describe what the card actually looked like.
“It was a rocky cliff face, the kind you’d need climbing equipment to scale. But above it were incredible blue skies, with beautiful, white fluffy clouds.
“The view at the top looked amazing, but there was this steep, rocky climb ahead.
“At first, it seemed like an obvious work analogy about how tough the climb ahead would be. But then I realised it wasn’t about what the card was showing me – it was about everything it didn’t show.
“It was about the beautiful view if I turned around and looked behind me. It was about how far I’ve come, how much I’ve achieved, and how amazing the journey has already been.”
What would your 2014 self think of where you are now?
Another thing to consider in recognising what you’ve achieved is to think about yourself 10 years ago and how the old ‘you’ would fit into your life now.
I recently read What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty.
The story is about a woman who wakes up thinking it’s 1998 after hitting her head – only it’s actually 2008, and her life has changed completely.
It made me wonder: What if 2014 me were suddenly plonked into my current life?
If I rewind to 2014:
- I had just met Tommy, and our relationship was great, I never could have imagined us breaking up.
- I was a full-time freelance journalist with no clue about blogging or podcasting.
- Instagram wasn’t even on my radar, and I couldn’t imagine running an online business, let alone training as a coach.
If 2014 me was suddenly thrown into my life now, I’d be completely clueless. But this exercise really highlights how much we evolve, often without realising it.
So, take a moment to think: What would your 2014 self make of where you are now? You might just be surprised at how far you’ve come.
The Gap and the Gain concept
This ties into an idea from the book The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. (Head here to buy on Amazon)
The book explains how we tend to focus on ‘The Gap’ – the distance between where we are and where we want to be – instead of ‘The Gain,’ which is the progress we’ve made.
This mindset can leave us feeling unfulfilled, but by focusing on our gains, we build resilience and increase motivation.
Helen King, a member of my coaching group, recently shared something similar. She said: “When I achieve something, I just tick it off in my head and move on. I recently had my first publication in Edition Dog Professionals but haven’t even mentioned it on social media!”
Joe Nutkins, another group member, added: “I’m the same – I achieve something and immediately move on without taking a moment to celebrate.”
It’s a common issue, and one I struggled with in journalism. But through coaching, I’ve learned how vital it is to stop and reflect on our wins.
How you can start celebrating your wins
If you want to start building this practice into your daily routine, here are a few simple tips:
- Set aside time each week to reflect on your achievements, big or small.
- Write down your wins – the act of noting them helps solidify your progress.
- Share your successes with someone else, whether it’s a friend, family member, or online community.
- Create a visual tracker for your gains so you can see your progress over time.
Want more support? Join my Pets Get Visible community!
This podcast is sponsored by my Pets Get Visible membership where you can get all the support you need with feeling comfortable and confident promoting your work.
You have access to live classes and coaching calls covering topics like PR, blogging, applying for awards, photography, email newsletters, creating case studies, plus forward planning guides every month to stay ahead with your content and ensure you remain visible.
Every session is recorded, so you can catch up on anything you’ve missed. There’s also a Facebook community where you can meet fellow petpreneurs, feel supported, and get inspired.
If you’d like to find out more about joining Pets Get Visible, send me a message at rachel@rachelspencer.co.uk, or head to this post.
Is my Pets Get Visible membership right for you?
Or you can join for just £15 for your first month here: https://publicityforpetbusinesses.mykajabi.com/offers/7Hvpvxzr?coupon_code=PGV50
Further reading on this topic
Creating meaningful content with Aileen Stevenson
Navigating the rollercoaster of running a small business
Putting you first in your pet business with Jane Ardern
How to choose the right pet business coach
Harnessing your strengths to grow your pet business with Sasha Louise Smith
How to cope with stop start times in your pet business
Could imposter syndrome be your friend with Nicola Kinnard-Comedie
