A short, broken steel beam stands approximately 1.5 feet tall in wet beach sand against a stormy grey sky. Waves crash around its base, spraying sea foam against the weathered metal. The industrial beam, cut off abruptly at the top, stands as a stark symbol of resilience despite being broken and battered by the elements. Its solitary presence against the turbulent seascape creates a powerful metaphor for perseverance through challenges

Washed Ashore but Not Washed Up: The Power of Entrepreneurial Gratitude

March 24, 2025•4 min read

When You’re Washed Ashore, Gratitude Pulls You Back

Entrepreneurship is a wild ride isn’t it? One minute you’re sailing smoothly, the next you’re caught in a storm. Running a business online, I’ve felt that shift too many times. You set out with a future vision, passion blazing, eyes on the horizon where the sun’s just peeking up. Everything’s about to change, you can feel it. But then, life happens. You veer off course, the sky turns grey, and the sea gets choppy. Somewhere along the way, you realize you forgot your compass, no map in sight, no crew to steady the ship.

And just like that, you’re washed ashore. Stuck.

The Moment You Hit the Sand

Picture it: a steel beam jammed into the beach, waves crashing against it, relentless. That’s what it feels like when the plan falls apart. I’ve been there, staring at the wreckage of what was supposed to be, wondering how it all went sideways. It’s exhausting. Tempting, too, to just sit there, defeated, letting the tide bury you deeper. Maybe you’ve been there too, when the business hits a wall, or the dream you chased ends up tangled in the sand.

It’s not the start that breaks you, it’s the drift. You didn’t see the storm coming, didn’t plan for the chaos. One day you’re excited, plotting the future, the next you’re lost, no clue which way is up. That’s the moment it hits: you’re not moving forward anymore. You’re just… stuck.

Why Gratitude When Everything’s Grey?

But the thing I’ve learned is it’s never too late. Even when you’re grounded, you can rise again. The first step? Gratitude. Yeah, I know, it sounds soft when you’re knee-deep in frustration. But stick with me. Gratitude isn’t about pretending it’s all fine, it’s about seeing what the mess gave you.

That wild journey, the one that left you stranded? It taught you something. Those obstacles you clawed through, they built a toughness you didn’t have before. I think about last year, when I got knocked down hard. Everything spun out, and I couldn’t find my footing. A friend showed up, no fanfare, just there. She listened, let me vent, reminded me I wasn’t alone. I’m grateful for that, for her. For the late nights and quiet wins nobody saw, they shaped me too.

That steel beam on the shore, weathered the storm. It’s still standing. So are you. Gratitude lets you say thank you to the struggle, not because it was fun, but because it carved you into something stronger.

Image of Sara Noel, founder of Rise Up With Sara, sat on the beach with her back against the sea, staring into the distance

Getting Ready to Rise

Here’s where it shifts. Gratitude doesn’t erase the grey sky or calm the waves overnight. What it does is fuel you. It’s the spark that says, “You’ve made it this far, you’ve got more in you.” You’re not just a shipwreck, you’re a survivor. And survivors don’t stay stuck.

I got a message from that same friend the other day, a little sign I’d come through the other side. Stronger, wiser, a version of me I wouldn’t have found without the crash. It’s proof, the storm doesn’t get the last word. You do.

So, start here. Look at the sand around you, the waves still lapping. What are you grateful for in this mess? Maybe it’s the fight you didn’t know you had, or the people who stayed close. Say it out loud, feel it. Then get ready. Your next wave’s coming, and this time, you’ll ride it. Not because the sea’s kinder, but because you are tougher. You’ve been through the storm, and you’re still you. But this time, you are…

Stronger.

Wiser.

A greater version,

born from the ashes of who you were, before your ship stopped sailing and you didn’t think you would make it through.

Image of Sara Noel, founder of Rise Up With Sara holding a golden compass in her hands with her arms stretched out. She is wearing a black roll neck jumper and gold earrings

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From my soul to yours with love,

Sara x

Sara Noel

As a heart-centered entrepreneur, your vision extends far beyond the bottom line. You're here to make a real impact - to overcome obstacles, refine your execution, and amplify your influence in a way that aligns with your deepest values. That's where I come in. As your personal guide and mentor, I'll help you unlock your full potential through our intimate 1-on-1 and/or group sessions. Together, we'll strategize solutions, break through limiting beliefs, and develop a clear action plan to turn your dreams into reality.

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