Running Your Own Business

I’m feeling a lot better now – thanks to those of you who sent supportive emails & comments.

Following on from doing just what I want for a day, we then had a lovely Friday afternoon ‘off’ yesterday and went to see an area called the beaches here in Toronto. It was gorgeous and was just what I needed…to lie on a bench by the beach soaking up the sun with a gorgeous view of Lake Ontario and a relaxing, very ‘beachified’ vibe in the air with friendly Torontonians rollerblading, jogging (or huffing & puffing rather a lot in some cases) and strolling along the boardwalk.

Running your own business & being self-employed can really take its toll sometimes. It can become an all-consuming affair from which it’s difficult to switch off & take a step back to view dispassionately.

It’s bitter-sweet – all your victories are completely your own. You are making money, people are paying you for doing what you enjoy and every single penny you earn is down to you. It’s great & there’s nothing like knowing that what you earn, you really do earn & deserve.

But on the flip side, your losses are also your own.

Every complaint, every problem is also down to you alone to solve. Your revenue & income can be unstable – and things can change so quickly. The momentum to keep going has to come from you – not your boss cracking the whip – and sometimes if you want to just relax, take it easy and just earn a guaranteed income, it’s not possible…if you’re not working, then you’re not earning. If you’re not careful and don’t set things up in the right way, what you once enjoyed can become just as much a grind as a ‘normal’ job. The buck stops with you.

Having said all that, I wouldn’t have it any other way. The only thing you have to remember to do is to take time away from the business, take some time off and stick to that resolve.

It’s so easy to switch on the laptop, be doing something for the business constantly and never actually switch off from it. Especially when you’re passionate about what you do, enjoy it and sometimes ‘live’ it. That’s a lesson I forgot recently and one of the reasons I ran myself down (that plus the fact we’re trying to do all this whilst travelling round the world!!).

So this month is all about flow.

I’ve done a lot of hard work, laid the foundations, set up the processes & systems. I’m not going to stress about getting new business, new clients or more income. That will all come when the timing is right. I’m going to stop pushing so hard, let things happen as they’re meant to and focus on relaxing, having more fun and enjoying what we’re doing.