Last week was one of my toughest weeks in business. Folks that I had trusted for so long and built friendships with, people who I cared for, let me down.

Have you ever been in that situation where you trust people, believe that they are looking out for you and have your best interest at heart, only to find out that wasn’t really the case?

It is gut wrenching, disheartening and can become really stressful.

Well I have, but never like this. The whole situation unraveled really quickly after a couple of alarming discoveries about my business.

It just seemed more and more “stuff” was being discovered, and it felt like I was being kicked in the gut over and over. I had been taken for a fool. I had been used. I felt hurt, sadness, anger, anxiety, doubt and literally every other negative emotion.

What’s more, was that I was about to leave my daughter behind for the first time, while my husband and I went on a business trip to Europe. Little Madeline is my traveling buddy normally, and I love her being part of my MOM-trepreneur lifestyle. But this time she was going to have to stay with Grandma and Grandpa.

I was hoping to spend two days off with her and fly her to Florida where my folks live, because this was a big deal for us all. But instead I was preoccupied with endless phone calls and making emergency plans for my business. I was so stressed I felt sick.

I was on the phone with one of my team members and I was telling him how I feel, and trying to make alternate plans. He said to me “Hayley, don’t worry we cannot change anything from the past. It will all get fixed you just enjoy your time with Madeline right now!”

Boom! That was exactly what I needed.

Just a reminder that I should be enjoying this moment right now and stop trying to control these life situations that had been thrust upon me.

Not only was I quickly snapped out of my negative spiral, but it reminded me to be mindful in these stressful situations and use this as a lesson. I also realized that it is so important to have good support structures in ALL areas of your life.

So even though my previous support structures had failed at work, I had other support structures both at work and away from it that I could lean on for support. So not only do I count some of my business partners and husband as a support structure, but I can also rely on my greater family, my business coach, my friends, my team, my spinning buddies and even my Yoga peeps.

That is what is cool and important about developing relationships with people in ALL areas.

We cannot do this life thing alone. @hayleyhobson (Click to Tweet!)

However, with these support structures we create, it is essential that we are also there for them too! It is not all about taking.

So I encourage you to not only be mindful when things get out of control and don’t go according to plan, but also to look at these challenges as opportunities to grow and make change in your life.

Finally develop support structures in as many areas of your life as possible. Be active in those groups and give your support as you never know when you will need them to help you.

XO

Hayley

Hayley Hobson is an author, speaker, business coach, yogi, Pilates instructor, and holistic nutritional expert based in Boulder, CO. Her unique and intelligent style promotes strengthening while softening—empowering her clients to heal not only their physical bodies but their hearts and minds as well. To learn more about her nutritional courses, events, and custom programs, visit hayleyhobson.com or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

Image courtesy of Harry Coopman.