If you’re an entrepreneur, hospitality operator, chef or small business owner, this past month has put you through your paces. You’ve faced unfathomable challenges: stabilizing your business, applying for loans and assistance, laying off members of your team or your entire team, and agonizing over whether to stay open or close your doors for the safety and well being of your fellow man.

A month ago, chances are, you had not faced any of these challenges before except in limited instances; or if you had, you had faced them separately. So to confront them all in one brief moment is something worth acknowledging.

A month ago our industry was so different than it is now. I’ve spoken to people whose entire world has blown up. Who have had employees call and ask for money for food. Who have had to share the terrible news that a colleague had died. Who have had to, for the first time ever, ask for assistance and try to wrangle a loan or grant. Who have had to rethink their entire business model and have difficult conversations with vendors, landlords and partners. Who have done everything within their power and who are still left wondering: was it enough?

These unimaginable decisions, these punishing circumstances, these heartbreaking conversations: this is the core of leadership. And while I'm sure you’ve had some intense moments, both positive and some that didn’t go as well, you did it. You faced it. You stood up and took a stand.

You’ve approached each of these business hurdles at breakneck speed and have had to rely on your intelligence, gut, moral compass and mental agility in order to respond and react quickly to protect what you have built, and shield those you employ and serve from harm. This is leadership. This is grit. This is tenacity. And while it feels unbearable in the end you did it. You made decisions. You crossed the hurdle.

Under normal circumstances you would have had the benefit of time. I have spoken to clients and small business operators who are exhausted from their efforts, kept up at night questioning their choices and pondering next steps. This is natural, it’s the fallout from making big decisions in a compressed time period. This is why it is important to take a moment to acknowledge that you’ve done the best you could. You’ve considered outrageous factors and you have weighed the benefit and downside of each difficult choice. All while running at breakneck speed. All while keeping your head up. All while keeping your emotions at bay.

So, now’s the time. Acknowledge the pain, the struggle, the hurt. And acknowledge the valiant efforts you have made. Get some rest and be good to yourself. Find some time to breathe or meditate. You will be creative again. You will continue to build your future. You will rise up again, some way, some how; I promise. But first, acknowledge that you have been through a lot and have built muscles in leadership tenacity, business fluidity and human consideration. All within a few short weeks. And not because you wanted to, but because you had too. You accepted the challenge and you did what was necessary.

You’re a leader and that’s what leaders do. They cross hurdles. They do what needs to be done.