I don’t normally write about personal things through Art of Organics. But one of my goals for 2016 is to be more present and part of that includes sharing more of who I am with you and my journey in the creation of this company.
I spent this past weekend in Joshua Tree with a few female entrepreneur friends. We hiked, perused vintage shops and ate nourishing food (mostly). We discussed the high highs and low lows of entrepreneurship. Spoiler: We all want to quit sometimes.
One of the girls, Kristin, and I had lived as roommates in our early twenties in Australia. Since that time we’ve both ventured into entrepreneurship, started our own companies – aspiring to change the the world of retail as we know it. Kristin’s been doing it a good 4 years longer than I have (check out her awesome sustainable clothing company, Seamly Co.)
One conversation that has stuck with me was about “enjoying the journey”. Not solely applicable to entrepreneurship (though that’s what sparked the convo), it applies to all aspects of our lives.
It’s so easy to become wrapped up in the race with our eyes on the end goal that we hardly notice the moments that get us there.
Here’s the thing I’ve realized, it’s not about the end result. Not exactly breakthrough stuff I know, but it was a transformative thought for me in terms of my relationship with work.
Goals evolve and even when you do reach an impressive milestone the feeling of satisfaction and completion is fleeting. There will always be something next, something greater to aspire to.
If we continuously focus on the prize we’ll always be looking ahead to the next moment. The tears, the self doubt, the aha moments, the breakdowns and breakthroughs are the one-by-one steps that grant us access to our successes. We’ll spend a lot more time in the former than the latter.
As it turns out, the moment we’re living in is actually pretty great. Stress-induced tears included. Even when the universe is playing practical jokes and I’m ready to throw in the towel it’s possible to stand back and realize I’m exactly where I want to be. At the end of the day I still get to work on a brand that I created and truly believe in. I get to connect beautiful souls with incredible clean beauty brands.
I’m not suggesting we give up our aspirations and wander aimlessly through life, but perhaps it’s possible to put more focus on the moments that get us there and be more present in our day to day.
Love & Good Vibes,
Claire Molyneaux
Founder
“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”
Ernest Hemingway
