The saying “smoke and mirrors” has been around since at least 1770.  It is the magical illusion that makes an entity appear to hover in empty space. The illusion that the entity sits above all else.

It is tough being a business owner and from the outside it may appear all “smoke and mirrors”.  Each week we practice what we preach, we work on our business.  We review our business plan, make our to do list, review and refine systems and walk away ready to take on the world.

Yesterday I felt like we were kicking goals and making progress towards our goals.  Today, I reflected and started lamenting how much is ahead of us.  Then I poured a glass of wine and started typing this post. It makes me realise that there is a role for all those posts about the power of positive thinking – see it, believe it, achieve it.  It becomes difficult to move forward if you are looking backwards.  As a senior accountant, my partner gave me the most valuable piece of advice “life is like a race, look sideways and you lose”. Looking sideways or backwards in a race slows you down and you can’t see the finish line. In business, it is beneficial to reflect on the past as long as it is used for the future.  Use this to identify the pain points in your business, rather than applying a bandaid, fix them.  Remain positive and keep moving forward to your goal.

I am grateful for my support group and my ability to juggle work so that I can be the wife and mother that I choose to be. I meet regularly with a small group of likeminded women that provide valuable insight and support for me to look forward. Who you surround yourself with, you become.