I’ve been exploring and visiting (virtually and in-person) a variety of business and networking groups off and on during the past year, and basically dithering and refusing to make a decision about which, if any, were a good fit for me, the business, and worth the investment of time and energy.
Why did it take so long for me to make a decision? Well, one, decision fatigue. As a solopreneur and solo mom, I make SO MANY little decisions in a day that sometimes you just can’t make any more. Two, I don’t feel all that comfortable or like I belong in groups like this traditionally, and I don’t like not doing anything well. Like many people, the more uncomfortable I feel, or the more I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing, the harder it is to make a decision. There’s so much angst for me around choosing incorrectly. Three, it has been a struggle to find a group that has events at times that work for my schedule. Those breakfast or 5PM events are not scheduled with people who are the primary caregivers of young children in mind.
Long story short, I attended a couple of virtual events that the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) held, and then I went to an in-person Neighborhood Coffee hosted by the local Greater DC chapter. I had a really good experience at that in-person event, where I felt like I could freely share not only what was going on with my business, but also offer my perspective in a safe and welcoming space. Also, I finally talked myself into just making a decision one way or the other.
Will it be everything I hoped? TBD. Will I join any other groups? TBD, but I’ve actively made the decision to pause my thought process about that for a few months, as I explore what NAWBO has to offer. Will it be ok even if my NAWBO experience isn’t everything I hope it might be? Definitely.
I watched a TEDTalk video once years ago where a woman discussed how any decision you make is the right decision. That the important thing to do is look at the information you have and MAKE the decision, rather than tormenting yourself by going over and over every possibility. I try to remind myself of that often. I wish I’d saved the link, and if you happen to know which TEDTalk I’m referring to from this subpar description, please let me know because I’d love to see it again.
I’m excited to be a new NAWBO member and look forward to exploring the opportunities that it opens to better connect with the women business owner community both locally and nationally.