Talk from the Trail - March 2025

Hey there!

Happy March! Here in the south, we are starting to enjoy some warmer weather and are taking advantage of the sunshine by getting outside (Vitamin D, yes please!).

As we are almost through Q1 (the first quarter of the year... where did the time go?!), it is a natural time to pause and reflect on how things are going so far in 2025. Review your goals for the year. Where are you on that journey? What has been working? What might you want to change? Looking ahead to Q2 (April-June), how might you prepare?

Pro tip: This reflection is not designed to generate shame or guilt if you're not where you want to be, yet. You are not "ahead" or "behind," you are simply on a journey - your journey. Consult your map, see where you are, and then move forward in a way that fits your goals and your definition of success.

Living the E Life

Let's continue unpacking the 10 E Mindsets. These help give us a framework to move through the inevitable challenges that come with being an entrepreneur. We've found each mindset to be incredibly helpful, though you might focus on different ones at different times to help you create a fulfilling entrepreneurial life.

Here's mindset #6:

Collaboration over competition.

In the world of sports, there is so much competition. There is a winner and a loser, a podium finish and everyone else. Those who come out on top and the rest who are left with the hope of "maybe next season."

You may have noticed, this competitive approach also exists in the arena of business and entrepreneurship. You've probably heard things like:

know your competition
dominate the market
outthink, outwork, and outlast
survival of the fittest

However, there is another way, a better way, to do business – and that is through collaboration. By adopting this mindset and making the choice to collaborate instead of compete with others, you can expand your reach, increase creativity and innovation, build your credibility, and create more opportunities - not to mention that connecting and collaborating can also help to reduce burnout!

Collaborating might look like:

Referring someone to another qualified professional when they are not a good fit for you; other professionals referring folks to you based on your expertise
Developing services, products, and other offerings together to benefit a shared ideal client (hey, that's like us with the Establish course!)
Creating a holistic support team of other professionals for your clients (check out Fast Bananas as an example)
Sharing marketing efforts, like collaborative social media posts, podcast episodes, or blog posts (check out Pete Kadushin and Kirsten Cooper as an example)

Working with others makes us stronger, and can be a value-add for our clients and consumers in general. And, collaboration doesn't just magically happen - it cannot exist without genuine connection with other people. At any stage of business, it's important that we build and maintain relationships - as collaboration is relational, not transactional.

Key Takeaway: When you win, it does not mean someone else loses (and vice versa). Collaboration, instead of competition, is more effective (not to mention more fun), leading to wins for everyone involved.

Psst: in the Establish course we help you explore this mindset further and guide you through exercises to determine your "tramily," build a referral network, and begin networking.

Want to keep this mindset in mind? Download your copy of the 10 E Mindsets!

the 10 E Mindsets

(13 MB)

Let's Keep Climbing

Abby attended the Southeast Regional AASP Conference at the beginning of the month. She so enjoyed connecting with grad students and professionals in the field from our region and sharing a few things she has learned from nearly 10 years in business within her keynote. The Georgia Southern students did a wonderful job preparing and hosting the event, and thoughtfully considered how to build in time for us all to connect with and learn from one another.

There were a few quotes from the two days that stood out as particularly impactful, that we'd love to share with you as food for thought in your work and in your business:

"Mattering, or feeling valued and important, matters."

Cora Dodson, talking about the concept of mattering and how we might consider it within the sport context

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."

Jonathan Haynes, talking about his work within the Resilient Educator Project

"What did you do today to earn your place here tomorrow?"

Dr. Jay Stewart, talking about a sign in his office that the team reflects on daily

"Sometimes the job you want doesn't even exist yet" and

"Nothing you do will happen outside of a relationship."

Dr. Kensa Gunter, in her closing keynote address sharing her experiences in the field

We are thrilled to have a few new folks from this conference join our Project E community. Welcome, and we're glad you're here!

In the Know

Tax Preparation

It's time to finalize those tax packets and mail them off to your CPA! While the deadline to file is April 15th, many accountants will want your document in hand by March 15th. Check with your tax professional if you haven't already to determine their deadline to submit your paperwork and what all you need to provide.

Annual Business Registration

If you have already registered your business as a formal entity (e.g., LLC) within your state, as a friendly reminder, it is time to file your 2025 annual registration. In Georgia, this is due by no later than April 1st to remain active and in compliance. Check your state's Secretary of State Office website for more information.

Happy trails.

Abby & Lindsey

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