Let’s be honest, with a business name like “Quitting The Quick Fix”, I get asked to explain myself a lot. There are also a lot of assumptions made.
And to be honest, I’ve wrestled with this phrase, A LOT. In fact, it was over 10 years ago that I hit publish for the first time on my blog by this name. You can’t even find that old content anymore, I completely lost it 🥺.
Then and Now
In fact, Quitting The Quick Fix has gone through A LOT of iterations since then. Blogging to freelance writing to social media to essential oils to web designing and social media management to marketing director to marketing consultant to hovering most often in the coaching and consulting space these days.
Interestingly enough, I just recently stumbled upon some drafts for blog posts I wrote way back then and it was comforting to know that, despite all the life changes and analysis paralysis, my convictions really haven’t changed that much in the past 10 years.
- Ten years ago, I’d just had my second baby boy in less than 16 months…after 6 years of struggling to get pregnant. Now, we are well through the baby years with 3 boys, aged 12, 11 and 8.
- Ten years ago, we were living in our first home on the Gold Coast of Australia. Five years ago we moved to Philadelphia, USA and just a few months ago we moved again to Wilmington, NC.
- Ten years ago, I was on maternity leave from my teaching career, starting my work-from-home blogging journey. Now, I’ve added writer, web designer, marketing director, coach, consultant and mentor to my resume. Crazy.
- Ten years ago, I was frustrated with quick fixes that us new mums were falling for because I was in the trenches of that season. Now, I’ve seen how prevalent quick fixes are in all areas and seasons of life, including corporate life, small businesses, marriage, church, and change.
Home Life Quick Fixes
Here’s a snippet of what I dug up from a post from back then that sums it up pretty well:
I started this blog because I was convicted about the prevalence and effect of quick fixes in our society. With a toddler and newborn less than sixteen months apart I was falling for them left, right and centre (hello chocolate, Kindle escapism, piles of unopened paperwork and a non-existent cleaning schedule). I know I’m not alone and I know how quickly these quick fixes can spiral out of control.
I’m not talking about the fun tips and tricks that fill my Pinterest feed though, I’m talking about those coping strategies that lead to problems.
I worry about the foods we fill our bodies with when our appetite is fueled by our emotions.
I’m concerned about the extent we go to in order to meet an unrealistic standard set by the media or our culture.
I stress about the state of our marriages and relationships because we don’t take time to communicate.
I’m embarrassed about the lazy parenting techniques we turn to when there is nothing left in the tank to be a role model,
and I’m tired of fearing finances because they are so far out of control.
Mostly, I’m sad about the quick fixes we turn to because of our misdirected hope.
I have this vision for mums in particular to herald a time of change for our families. Not for us to go back to the dark ages and hand wash all of our clothes (now that’s just crazy talk!) but to a time where we renew our commitment to value the important and lasting things in life. Can you imagine the ripple effect of mamas quitting the quick fixes? Imagine the impact on our husbands, children, eating habits, priorities…The possibilities are endless and truly world changing.
Preach, 31 year old Kate!
(Lol. Side note, do you ever go back and read your old journals and get goosebumps at the wisdom you had back then that speaks to you NOW. Thanks, Holy Spirit.)
Business Quick Fixes
Today, I would add to those home-life coping strategies these ones I’ve experienced in business life:
- the spinning wheels of non-income producing activities in your business that result in failure to launch or progress;
- the anxiety-inducing procrastination around sales and advocating for yourself;
- working yourself to the bone because you don’t dare (or know how) to delegate;
- buying endless courses (or watching all the free ones) hoping to find that golden bullet to take your business into the stratosphere. Question: how many have you actually finished, let alone implemented?
- the imposter syndrome that lurks on your left shoulder just waiting for opportunities to point out all the ways you fail the comparison game.
- the determination to bootleg it because you can’t afford a guru but still being in the same place a year later.
Do you have some you could add to this list?
What is a Quick Fix?
So. Quitting the Quick Fix. I’ve been learning and researching and practicing and developing language around this topic ever since then. Here’s my current working definition:
A quick fix is a band aid solution that feels good today but keeps you from living out your values and purpose.
There is actually a really important part of my key phrase – and business name – that isn’t addressed here. QUITTING. It’s all in the ‘ing’. It’s active. It’s living. It’s present tense. It’s filled with grace and speaks of hope.
Next Steps
Can you identify any quick fixes in your life or business? More importantly, are there any that you are ready to face and start working on?
If so, I recommend starting here with my free Values workbook. It is the perfect reset button to work out your priorities for this season of life (and an awesome launching point to dive into coaching with me).
