Issue 015: Proactive, Not Reactive: My Health vs. My Business
I’m learning that I can’t let my health or my anxiety write the narrative of my business. But I also can’t pretend they don’t exist.
Happy New Year, Insiders! Welcome or Welcome back.
We have a mixture of business insight and a WORD today.
Should I even say this out loud? *deep sigh*
This week, I found out that missed out on an opportunity—one I know I could’ve handled, one I wanted. But I dropped the ball. Not because I didn't care, but because anxiety, conflict avoidance, and my chronic illness formed the perfect storm. I was overwhelmed, and my communication slipped. As a business owner, I know I'm still held to a standard of professionalism. Excuses don’t change expectations. But now, I’m realizing that I need to stop managing this on my own and start partnering with God to create systems that help me stay proactive, not reactive.
Acknowledging the Problem (Owning My Role)
It’s easy to justify dropping the ball when things like anxiety, avoidance, and chronic illnesses are involved. These struggles are real and valid, but they don't absolve me of the responsibility I have as a business owner. The hard truth is that I missed out on an opportunity because I didn’t respond to an email in time (and sadly, this isn’t the first time). I could list the reasons why—the anxiety that made me overthink my response, the avoidance that had me procrastinating, or the overwhelming fatigue from flair ups + the holiday season—but the result is the same: the opportunity is gone. This isn’t about blaming myself but about recognizing that these patterns can’t be ignored. If I don’t acknowledge how these factors impact my communication, I can’t take steps to improve it. I owe it to myself and my business to face this head-on.
The Desire for Harmony, Not Balance
For a long time, I thought I needed to "balance" my health challenges with running a business. But balance implies equal weight, and that’s not realistic for me. Some days my health demands more attention; other days, my business takes priority. Harmony, on the other hand, allows for flexibility. It’s about creating a rhythm where both can coexist without one completely overshadowing the other. I want to find that harmony where I can honor my health while still showing up professionally. That might mean having proactive communication systems in place for the days when I can’t rely on my energy or mental clarity *screams* BUT WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?!. Harmony recognizes that both my health and my business matter—just not always in equal measure.
Partnering with God for Proactive Communication
I can’t do this on my own. I need to invite God into this area of my life and business. Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." That means surrendering my need to control every outcome and asking God for guidance in building habits and systems that support proactive communication. It’s easy to pray for success, but how often do I pray for discipline? For the wisdom to communicate clearly and timely? For the courage to address conflict instead of avoiding it? Partnering with God means trusting that He can help me manage my responsibilities while caring for my health. It’s about listening for His guidance on when to rest and when to act and trusting that He will give me the strength to follow through.
Creating Systems and Processes
Recognizing the problem is one thing, but solving it requires action. I need systems in place that support me on hard days—not just when I feel good. This could possibly look like:
Scheduled Communication Check-Ins: Setting aside specific times each day to review and respond to emails so nothing slips through the cracks.
Templates and Drafts: Preparing draft responses for common inquiries to ease the pressure of crafting perfect replies when I'm not at my best.
Reminders and Tools: Using task management tools with reminders to follow up on messages.
Delegation: If possible, outsourcing certain communication tasks when my workload becomes too heavy. (wishful thinking for my current budget)
Boundaries: Setting realistic response time expectations in my business communications to manage client expectations without compromising professionalism. (I thought I did this but I need to clarify and update, clearly)
These systems aren’t about lowering my standards but about creating support structures so I can consistently meet them.
Redefining Professionalism Through Grace and Accountability
Professionalism doesn’t mean perfection. It means responsibility, consistency, and respect—both for clients and for myself. I want to communicate in a way that reflects accountability without sounding like I'm asking for pity. That might mean being transparent about my timelines without over-explaining. It might mean setting clear boundaries with clients while still providing excellent service. Grace allows me to acknowledge my limits, but accountability pushes me to find solutions. I don’t want to be known as a business owner who struggles to communicate—I want to be known as someone who shows up with intention and responsibility, even when things are hard. This harmony between grace and accountability is what I’m working toward: leading with transparency and professionalism, supported by systems and strengthened by my faith.
I’m learning that I can’t let my health or my anxiety write the narrative of my business. But I also can’t pretend they don’t exist. Harmony doesn’t mean perfection—it means making space for both realities. And the only way I can do that is by partnering with God and being intentional about building systems that allow me to lead and communicate proactively. Things will come up because life is unpredictable, but I want to be ready for when they do.
With all that being said, let me get real real for a sec…intellectually, I know all of this but this isn’t my innate area of expertise. I have no idea what these systems look like yet or even where to start. This is where I’ll have to ask for help––from God and my village. Aaaannnnddd I’ll need that discipline to kick in…quickly!
Have you ever struggled with staying proactive in your communication because of personal challenges? How have you created space for both grace and accountability in your work? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Stay blessed, stay creative, and stay aligned!
All is well,
Ashlee
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