Starting a business is exciting and ambiguous – and that’s the fun. It’s a time of possibility, experimentation, imagination, and showing the world what you can do. But, it can also feel slow, frustrating, and full of traps and distractions, leaving potential entrepreneurs to question their self-worth and to wonder why they started in the first place. As a small business coach, I’ll help you cultivate an entrepreneur’s mindset, so you can start and grow your businesses with confidence and step boldly into the role of business owner. Subscribe to get access to weekly tips, small business interviews, and more.
🌺 What Do You Notice?
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I was walking home after dropping off my kids at school. I was moving quickly to try and get a few extra things done before my meetings started for the day. Mentally, I was already in work mode, stepping with authority in a kind of march toward my home office. Suddenly, I woke up from my trance. A little green hummingbird flew right in my path, just a few feet from my face. I could see it's tiny pink and purple feathers around it's neck It hovered there for what felt like a long time, just checking me out as if I were a flower to inspect. Then, it flitted away. My eyes followed it up, and suddenly I realized it was an absolutely gorgeous day. The sky was perfectly blue. The morning light was shining through the leaves on the trees, creating multiple shades of green. I could see the mountains in the distance. Not a cloud in the sky. It really dawned on me in that moment, that I had been moving so fast, I forgot to “stop and smell the roses,” as it were. I failed to notice the world around me. On one level, I was missing out on something beautiful. But, there’s more to it. You’re rushing with a client or customer. You hurried through a meeting with a peer. You’re busy. You have a lot of responsibilities. You’re moving from this to that at lightning speed. There’s so much to do and never enough time. You make progress only to uncover more things that need your attention. It’s endless. At this pace, what are you able to pause and notice? What are your clients or customers talking about lately? Whats that look on your spouse’s face? What concerns keep coming up in conversation? What are competitors doing? When was the last time you checked in with that one employee? Do you have a pulse on things? Are you staying connected to reality as it changes around you? It's simple, but not always easy. At least check-in and see that you're paying attention to what matters. 📫 If this sparked an idea, or if you’re feeling stuck, I’d love to hear from you. You can reply directly to this email to share what you’re working on, ask a question, or suggest topics you’d like me to cover in future newsletters. I read every response. Until next time, Michael
Michael Schefman | 321 Liftoff Copyright © 2026 by 321 Liftoff LLC |
Michel Schefman, 321 Liftoff
Starting a business is exciting and ambiguous – and that’s the fun. It’s a time of possibility, experimentation, imagination, and showing the world what you can do. But, it can also feel slow, frustrating, and full of traps and distractions, leaving potential entrepreneurs to question their self-worth and to wonder why they started in the first place. As a small business coach, I’ll help you cultivate an entrepreneur’s mindset, so you can start and grow your businesses with confidence and step boldly into the role of business owner. Subscribe to get access to weekly tips, small business interviews, and more.
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