Over the past few months, I've been immersed in the intense process of raising investment via our ‘Join the Adventure’ crowdfunding campaign. As any entrepreneur will tell you, the journey to securing funding can be a whirlwind of stress, anxiety, and excitement. It's a period marked by countless hours at the laptop, crafting pitches, communicating with potential investors, and managing the myriad details that go into a successful campaign. This is in addition to getting on with running the business and the day-to-day stuff that still needs to be done. Making time to get outdoors has been my sanctuary, offering a much-needed escape and a chance to recharge.
It's not always easy to pull yourself away from the “to-do” list and we often convince ourselves that to get through things we need to work around the clock. The fact of the matter is, if we don't take time to relax and unwind we end up being unproductive, working inefficiently, taking longer to complete tasks due to tiredness or being unable to make confident decisions because our minds are overloaded. Which leads to the feeling that we need to work more hours and have to work harder! It's a vicious cycle! And one which I have fallen into more times than I care to remember.
So how do we break the cycle and take time to look after our mental and physical health and wellbeing? Well, two things help me; Slowly over the years, I have learned to identify when I am in an “overworked and frazzled” state of mind. Through experience, I have come to realise that my decision-making is much poorer when I am exhausted and don't have the energy to think things through properly. Now, even when there is a pressing issue if I have feel overwhelmed I know it's time to put down my pen, walk away from my desk/laptop/phone and stop. This feeling” is my sign to “do nothing” to step back and take some time. The second and most important thing I do is to make sure I get outdoors and into nature. This is key for me and enables me to regain the balance in my life, allowing myself time to unwind decompress, and switch off is not just a luxury or indulgence its a necessity, and essential to my health and sanity.
Creating space for that “outdoor’ time over the last few months has been challenging. Our crowdfunding campaign kicked off on the 7th of May but I had been working hard for several months before this to prepare for the launch, and for almost 6 months before this, I worked on our 3-year business plan and overall business strategy. All whilst doing my day job of keeping the business going. Despite knowing the signs I was in danger of slipping into the overworked, over-tired situation where you put in extra hours and work way more than is good for you.
I knew the balance needed to shift and I had to reclaim my weekends, so a few weeks ago my partner Roddy and I decided to head to the Lake District to escape from the hustle and bustle of fundraising. We headed to the village of Braithwaite which is situated at the foot of the Whinlatter Pass and enjoys excellent views over Bassenthwaite Lake and the surrounding Lakeland fells. Renowned for its stunning natural beauty and exhilarating outdoor activities, Whinlatter Forest provided the perfect backdrop for some much-needed mountain biking and we also got the opportunity to visit the Keswick Mountain Festival.
I have been Mountain biking in Whinlatter several times, and always enjoy the experience. The trails, surrounded by dense forests and breath-taking views, offer a mix of challenging and exhilarating rides. As I rode the twists and turns of the trails, I felt such a sense of liberation. Breathing in the fresh air, immersed in nature, it was so much fun. Navigating the roots and rocks on the trails meant I had to be completely focused and immersed in the moment to ensure I didn't mess up and come a cropper! It was exactly what I needed, and such a great opportunity to switch off and tune out of work-related thoughts. Climbing up the side of the mountain it felt like every pedal stroke seemed to dissipate a bit of the stress that had accumulated over the past weeks and months.
Nature has always been a great teacher and healer for me. During these moments of outdoor escape, I find the space to think clearly and reflect on the journey so far. It’s in these moments of tranquillity that I can step back and see the bigger picture, away from the spreadsheets and emails. Nature has a way of helping me put things into perspective, reminding us of the broader context of our lives and work.
As entrepreneurs, we often get caught up in the relentless pursuit of our goals, sometimes at the expense of our well-being. Making time to step away from the laptop and immerse myself in nature not only helps me manage the stress and anxiety of the fundraising process but also reinforces the importance of self-care. Making time to find balance in our lives is crucial and should never be underestimated. And for me nature gives me that balance and nurtures my soul, it is fundamental to my being.
One of our FINDRA customers put it really well, we had been in communication about the crowdfunding campaign and were exchanging various messages back and forth. As we were finishing up our chat she said, I hope you are looking after yourself. I admitted to her I was overworking, and knew I was doing too much. Her sign of message said
‘Enjoy the sunshine and feel the breeze on your face and know you are plugged into a much bigger energy source”
Such a lovely message and so spot on!!
Looking back on these past few months, I’m incredibly grateful for the support of our community and the opportunity to connect with investors who believe in FINDRA's vision. The message I shared above is the perfect example of the community we are building and the importance of supporting and empowering each other.
The journey of raising investment is undoubtedly challenging, but it has also been incredibly rewarding. And while the process continues, I’ll be sure to keep finding those moments of escape in the great outdoors, drawing inspiration and strength from the natural world.
Thank you to everyone who has supported FINDRA and to those who continue to believe in our mission we are so grateful for you, you make this dream a reality!
So here’s to more adventures, both in business and in the outdoors!
Happy adventuring!
Alex x
Sunday Inspiration!
Favourite Recipe
Emma’s Banana Nut toast at Café No1, Innerleithen
I am a person who likes to eat regularly, if I don't I can get pretty “hangry” One of my favourite snacks is banana nut toast, it keeps my energy levels up and body fuelled and I have a sweet tooth so it satisfies that craving too!
Banana Nut Toast recipe
Wholemeal bread x 2
Peanut butter spread
Sliced banana x 1
Mixed seeds
Walnuts
Chopped pine nuts
Finish with runny honey.
Enjoy!
Quote
Podcast
I often enjoy listening to a podcast in the car on long drives or sometimes in the office if I need some good background noise,
Holly Tucker’s “Conversations of Inspiration” is a great listen - Holly interviews founders of some of the biggest brands in the UK and Internationally and talks about their passion for what they do. It's very insightful and a great listen
Find out more here - https://holly.co/podcast
Song of the Week
Something to get your hips swaying!
