We all start the year with big plans, clear goals, and high energy. Then life happens — client work piles up, team needs shift, and suddenly it’s mid-year, with a shedload of bank holidays(!) and everything feels a bit… muddled. Sound familiar?
Actually, scrap that.
Let’s try something different today — no lists, no business buzzwords. Just a story. Because if there’s one thing I love (besides structure and smart processes), it’s a good analogy.
So, let me tell you about getting a kitten.
I’d found him online, passed the home check, and I was genuinely excited to meet him. But I’ll be honest — the first time we met, I felt a bit… flat. There wasn’t an instant connection. And that surprised me. I’d had Flash the Cat for over a decade, and losing him left a big gap — that bond was solid, comforting, familiar. I guess part of me was hoping for that all over again, straight out the gate.
So I had a bit of a word with myself. Reset the expectations. It’s normal to feel cautious. And it’s definitely normal for a kitten to be nervous in a new home. He’d probably hide in his carrier. There’d be no instant bond. It’d be a slow process — he’d need to learn the house, meet the family, and most crucially… make some sort of peace with the dog.
Then came home day.
He arrived in this little rucksack carrier with a clear bubble window (yes, I fully intend to take him out in it — judge away 😄). I unzipped it, assuming he’d stay curled up inside for hours.
Wrong.
Out he popped. Straight into the house, tail up, purring within five minutes. Bold, brave, and nosey. Within a couple of hours, he was curled up on my shoulder snoozing while I attempted to work — though “attempt” is doing a lot of heavy lifting there. It was love. 💚
Dexter, the dog? Slightly different story.
He and Rocco met a bit earlier than planned — and let me tell you, I didn’t know kittens could do the full cartoon reaction: back arched, tail fluffed like a pipe cleaner, spitting, hissing, the works 😳. Dexter was largely unimpressed and wandered off. But we’ve worked on it. And as I write this, we’re nine days in and both Rocco and Dexter are in my office. One’s playing with the window blind toggle. One’s snoozing under my desk. No drama. No panic. Just peace (for now) 🐾
It’s not perfect — we’re not at Disney-level friendship — but we’re getting there. Slowly, surely, and with patience.
So why am I telling you this?
Because this is how business change works too.
Let go of the myth of instant results
We’re often sold the idea that new = better, fast, and frictionless. Whether it’s a new hire, a new tool, or a new direction — we expect to feel amazing immediately. But like with Rocco, that instant spark isn’t guaranteed. Sometimes the bond comes later. You’ve got to give things (and people) time to settle in, find their place, and show you who they really are.
Reset your expectations to reduce disappointment
Disappointment often comes not from what’s happening — but from what we expected to happen. I adjusted my mindset before bringing Rocco home, and it changed everything. It’s the same in business: if you assume a new system will solve all your problems on day one, you’re setting yourself up to feel let down. But if you give it space to work — the rewards come.
Be open to surprise
I thought I’d have a timid kitten hiding under the bed for days. What I got was a confident, curious little lad with a surprisingly loud purr. When you give things room to breathe, your business — and your team — can surprise you too. Trust, initiative, and progress often show up where you least expect them ✨
Accept that some relationships take work
Rocco and Dexter aren’t exactly best friends yet — but they coexist. We’ve made progress through tiny, consistent steps. Same goes for team dynamics, client partnerships, and even your relationship with your business. Not everything needs to click instantly. But with time, clear boundaries, and mutual respect, something new can take shape.
Small steps, often
That’s it. That’s the secret. Big change doesn’t usually arrive in one magical moment. It comes in a hundred tiny nudges — a bit more trust here, a clearer process there, a delegation that sticks. Day by day, it starts to look and feel different. Better. More balanced. 🧩
What This Means For You (and Your Business)
Whether you’re bringing on a new team member, rolling out new tools, or finally investing in some outside support (hi 👋), don’t expect fireworks on day one. Expect learning. Adjustment. The occasional hiss. Give it time. Give it support. Give it intention.
You might be surprised how quickly things begin to settle and shift when you create the right conditions.
TL;DR
New things take time. Bonds build slowly. Big change comes from small, intentional steps. Whether you’re introducing a new kitten or refining your business operations, patience and clarity go a long way. Don’t rush the process — nurture it. The result might just curl up on your shoulder sooner than you think.