Like every single adult with kids in their midst – whether they’re your own or your grandkids, or the ones in your daycare – the last couple of months have been all about Encanto. Am I right!? It’s EvErYwHeRe! There’s so many themes running through it that are hard resonating with grown-ups, not just kids.
So when I was talking to a friend about it, I was thinking about how there’s a few lessons in there to use when it comes to running our childcare businesses too.
Curious? Read on to discover the 6 things I’ve learned from Encanto.
1. You can’t carry the weight of everything yourself
This is a lesson that’ll help you build a sustainable childcare business. It’s very easy for us to forget that help is available. We get caught up in controlling everything and being independent. After all, it’s our business and the buck stops with us, right?
However, Luisa in the movie has a whole song about how much pressure she’s under. She’s trying her hardest to protect her family and feels like she’s worthless if she can’t be of service. It’s super important, however to remember that you don’t always have to be the problem solver, and you don’t have to be strong all the time.
Don’t forget that you’re not weak if you show vulnerability. It’s absolutely normal to admit you’re struggling. No one is let down by you sharing the burden of running a business and being honest about it. I know from my own experience that honesty and authenticity will bring your people closer.
So remember: when you’re finding things challenging, you’re allowed to ask for help. You don’t have to do it all alone.
2. Nothing’s ever going to be perfect
Urgh. Perfectionism, be gone! People pleasing, disappear! Something many of us struggle with – especially in the early days of growing our businesses.
In the movie, Isabela tries her hardest to make her family proud. To the point where she’s considering marrying someone she doesn’t love in order to please her grandmother. Yikes.
However, the take away here is learning that you’ll never be good enough for some people. No matter what you do or how perfect you are. Instead of letting that get you down, let it inspire you to do your own thing! In setting up your childcare business, you need to limit whose advice you seek and stop caring so much about people’s opinions. At the end of the day, they’re not the ones who you want shaping the direction of your business.
Lesson? Do your own thing, Ninja!
3. Don’t compare yourself
Oooof comparison is often lurking nearby isn’t it?! You open up your Instagram and there’s the business woman from down the road who’s “smashing it!” Or the entrepreneur you met at networking a while back who raves about their new car. What you’re not seeing is the other side of things. We only see a snapshot on there. That business woman? She’s on depression meds. That entrepreneur has just lost his kids in the divorce.
In Encanto, Mirabel sings about how she’s unable to heal what’s broken and how she can’t move mountains. She’s got a severe case of comparisonitis. She’s seeking some signs to show her which path to take for her life to have some sort of meaning, looking to others. But she can’t see her own magic. Mirabel constantly compares herself to others.
As the old adage goes, “the grass is always greener on the other side”. So the lesson here is stay in your lane! Mind your business and focus on you.
4. Try not to be defined by just one thing
Number 4 on my list of things I’ve learned from “Encanto” you can use in your childcare business is particularly relevant! It’s so hard in this day and age not to get tied down to just one thing. By all means be memorable, but give yourself the flexibility to pivot if you need to.
This movie is a reminder to us all that humans are complicated beings! We can’t be defined by simply one thing. Your previous career doesn’t define you. Or your family name. Neither do your talents define you. And it’s the same for your childcare business. There are so many brilliant things you could do!
Don’t be afraid to stand for more than one thing!
5. Listen to your heart
All the characters in Encanto are trying far too hard to please Alma – the matriarch of the story. However this behavior makes them feel utterly miserable. It was only when they started listening to their own hearts not all the “shoulds” that they found happiness.
In our businesses it is easy to get caught up in the expectations of other people. Whether it’s investors or pressure from the community, or even your family members, it’s important that you try to focus on w
My takeaway? You shouldn’t feel pressured to do what is expected of you and instead do what feels right to you.
6. You can always bounce back
Right towards the close of the movie the family home falls apart. But it’s not the end of the world because the characters are able to rebuild. I believe it’s a reminder that you’ll be able to bounce back, no matter what you’ve been through.
And this is so relevant to us as biz owners! Running a business can be outright hard. There’s no getting away from that. Sometimes we face real challenges that knock us right down. But you are strong, Ninja. You are resilient. You will persevere. If something doesn’t work, it might just be the wrong time. Don’t give up, try again.
Final lesson – Don’t always assume that one setback means it’s not meant to be.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this blog! Never thought I’d be writing about 6 things I’ve learned from “Encanto” or any Disney movie, actually!
Ninja, while you’re here, I wanted to make sure you know all about the free resources I’ve created especially for you!
I’ve been creating these to help both start up owners and those further down the road. You can sign-up for them here.
We’re an army of childcare professionals who are sharing ninja-sharp skills to transform our businesses into childcare empires! This is Childcare Ownership all Grownup! Interested in becoming more involved in the community and to grow your business? Join us for more tips on how to make your childcare business the success it deserves to be! Or if you prefer Instagram, we share ideas and tips there too!
