It Is Okay to Step Away Without Losing Trust

Sometimes We Need to Step Away

A lot can happen in two months.

A milestone birthday. A new home and every box that goes with it. A graduation in London. And, if you are lucky, a side trip to Ireland while you are there.

Sometimes, in the middle of all that, you say no to good things.

Not because the opportunity is wrong. Not because you do not care about the work. But because your family, your life, and the season you are in need your full attention.

That is what the last two months looked like for me and my family.

My daughter turned 30, so I went to Chicago to see her. I bought a home. My son graduated in London, on the day I arrived, and while I was there, we took a side trip to Ireland because, well, when do you get that chance again?

Somewhere between those trips, I realized I was not there to play tourist. I was there to spend time with my children, who just happen to live in two really cool cities. So that is what I did. I played Mom, and we had the best visits.

There were also some genuinely wonderful opportunities I chose not to take. A complimentary podcast event. A special invitation to be a special guest at a Maxwell event as a past DNA Award recipient.

Normally, I would have looked at the calendar and tried to make everything fit.

This time, I knew those moments with my family were not things I wanted to squeeze in around everything else. I wanted to be fully there for them.

And I am glad I was.

Showing Up Does Not Mean Being Visible Every Second

We hear all the time that we have to keep posting, keep showing up, and keep saying yes or we will miss something.

Showing up matters. Consistency matters. Building trust matters.

But none of that requires us to be visible every second.

Sometimes stepping away is part of making the right decision for your family, your life, and your business.

The Important Part Is That You Come Back

The important part is not that you never pause.

The important part is that you come back.

You come back to the work. You get life sorted. You reconnect with the people and projects that matter. You keep the promises that are still yours to keep.

That is what I am doing now.

And I am excited to be back.

There is a lot waiting for me, and a lot I am ready to get moving again. One of the things James and I are working on is a new chapter for The Influence Lab. We are rebuilding it thoughtfully around what people need to understand, decide, and do next. I will share more when it is ready.

Before I go, I want to leave you with this: You are allowed to make the decision that fits your life, your family, and your business.

It may not look like what everyone else says you should do. That is okay.

Your work matters. Keep making an impact 💛

Your Friend on the Journey,

Donna

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Donna Kunde

Donna Kunde is a podcast host, radio personality (in 184 countries), and founder of 365 Business Maker™ Network. She's the co-author of THE INFLUENCERS FORMULA and has produced over 15,000 podcasts (with 1.6M+ downloads), several in the top 100. Donna is also a public speaker, one of Virginia's top 50 Women Leaders, and received the Lead and Lift Others Culture award from John Maxwell. From stages around the world, Donna has reached the ears of millions.

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