What I Learned On My Summer Vacation

This summer was a doozy.  Okay, all of 2014 has been a doozy for us.  Without getting into the unbelievable, eye roll worth details, I’ll just tell you that we have traveled a LOT, dealt with some family emergencies and a crazy amount of clients and new business projects.  So why am I sharing all of this with you?

Well, I learned some valuable lessons through all of this and I wanted to pass them along.

1.  You Can’t Do It All.  Trust me, as an organizer, I try.  I’m Type A and I can’t let myself go to bed while things go undone.  I sometimes push myself too far and then everything seems to unravel.  The key is to realize that the work, chores or errands will always be there.  Taking the time you need to workout, sleep and eat well makes everything easier and of course, you are less likely to make mistakes.

2.  It will be there tomorrow.  Have fun today.  I’ve spent a lot of time racing around working and instead of enjoying my surroundings, looking at my computer screen.  While this is sometimes necessary for the self employed, it’s about finding a balance that works for you.  If you’re missing every fun event or not participating at family gatherings, stop and think about the importance of those around you compared to what you’re doing on your phone or computer.  Yes, I thought you’d want to put it down too 🙂

3.  Give and you will receive.  Giving to others takes time, money and effort.  You’ll feel drained and tired and sometimes just plain teary.  However, what you will get back will pay in dividends.  Take the time to be nice to someone, help someone out with something they have been struggling with or simply take the time to make sure a relationship is well cared for.  In the end, you’ll be glad you did.  These relationships are what carry us through the dark times.  It’s important to care for them when you can.

4.  Hard work pays off.  Sometimes being self employed, a stay at home mom, a volunteer, etc just feel like thankless jobs.  But just when you least expect it, something medical happens and you’re rewarded with love, kindness or something even more special.  It’s all about perseverance, faith and a combination of blood, sweat and tears?