work life balance/Writing

Business Advice You Probably Shouldn’t Take

Posted on by aprilgarner1@gmail.com

115722623 - funny bored girl playing with pencil at business meeting
image credit: nicoletaionescu

When I first started a personal blog back in 2008, I was nervous about putting my most private thoughts and feelings out there on the internet for anyone to read. However, I quickly discovered that, guess what? NO ONE READ MY BLOG. I was equal parts dismayed and relieved.

Years and several blog iterations later, I was waiting on the corner for my kids to get out of school when another mom I barely knew said, “I read your blog. It was really great.” I froze. This random woman now new some really personal things about me, and I felt VERY uncomfortable.

Since that day, I’ve made peace with putting my life out there. My goal was to acknowledge the emotional struggles we all have — the ones we sweep under the rug so we can pretend everything’s hunky dory — and help people feel relief in the knowledge they’re not alone. Now, when people tell me they read my personal blog, Riding the Wave, and tell me it struck a chord in them, I’m pleased.

But how does THAT blog mesh with this business-related one? Both are under my name; I even have them linked together. Anyone I do business with can click on over there and peer into the chaotic chasm of my brain. “Uncomfortable” doesn’t do it justice.

I could discontinue my personal blog or write it under a pseudonym. I could at the very least un-link it from this one or quit splashing it all over social media. But in the name of authenticity, I just can’t do it, even if it’s a terrible business decision. Sure, there’s a place for business and a place for emotional messiness; that’s why I have two different blogs. But the emotional messiness is real, and I’m not going to force it to live in the closet. It’s exhausting trying to keep it in there; the closet’s just not big enough.

You don’t have to empty the contents of your brain onto the page the way I do in my personal blog, but maybe you can let your guard down concerning work a little. And maybe we can all strive to make it feel safer to do that than it does now — not make it the death of your respectability. We can be good at our jobs, we can be focused, efficient hard workers, AND we can have some mess in the background that roams around the house instead of keeping to the unseen storage spaces. It’s not weakness; it’s normal.

work life balance/working from home

The Pros and Cons of MLMs

Posted on by aprilgarner1@gmail.com

MLM
An MLM can be just the thing…or not.

A couple of years ago, I signed up for an MLM (multi-level marketing) program. If you don’t know what that is, let me give you some examples: Rodan & Fields, Lularoe, Juice Plus, Beachbody or (old school) Avon. Basically, it’s a business in which you sign up to be a representative, sell products for the company and receive a commission. You also recruit other people to sign up and receive some sort of bonus for that. MLM’s are sometimes called “network marketing” or “direct selling.” Some MLM’s are reputable, some are not.

I got involved in Beachbody, because I loved their workouts and products and I really liked my local team. I enjoyed the camaraderie, group exercise aspects and getting to know new people. That’s what kept me active as a coach for several years.

But then, I started to feel stressed. I felt pressured, mostly by the more centralized leadership, to sell more, recruit more people. Not only is the structure set up to encourage that with discounts and incentives, I felt the pressure on conference calls and company-wide videos. I have never been the sales type, but I stuck with it because I loved my local team so much, and I believed in the product.

It wasn’t rewarding anymore. I felt pressured to post on social media three times a day, call or message people every day; it made me crazy. I hated trying to recruit people. I know there are people out there who make it work for them, but it just wasn’t me.

I took a step back. I had gone out of my comfort zone and tried something new. I was glad I gave it a chance but had to admit it wasn’t for me. I then remembered something a friend told me once, when I approached her about becoming a Beachbody coach. She said, “I told myself I’d never do another MLM.”

It’s not that I think they’re terrible; they’re just not something I can be successful with, at least not without compromising my principles and making myself crazy. Having been approached about several others, I now can’t help but thinking it feels somewhat akin to “drinking the Kool-aid.”

I buy MLM products from several of my friends, because I want to support them and because the products are high-quality. But I can’t in good conscience get more involved, partially because I’m not really your “rah, rah, make it the best day EVER!” kind of person, and MLM leadership seems to be comprised of a lot of those people.

MLM’s can be great for some people. They allow people to be their own bosses to some extent, work out of the house, and sell quality product without high overhead.  If you do want to participate it one, be sure to do your research so you know the in’s and out’s of what you’re committing to beforehand.

For me, though, the tradeoff — having to adhere to the MLM structure in order to be successful — isn’t worth it. If you’re like me, maybe do your own thing. Take what you need, leave the rest.

 

Photo credit: Copyright: <a href=’https://www.123rf.com/profile_tashatuvango’>tashatuvango / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

work life balance

The Devil’s in the Details

Posted on by aprilgarner1@gmail.com

49601215 - busy mother coping with stressful day at homeI am a detail-oriented person. I put everything on my calendar, rarely forget an appointment and follow up on what I say I’ll do; it’s important to me.

I am organized. I have labeled folders nested in labeled folders on my computer, and more often than not, I can put my hands on exactly what I need in a matter of seconds. I keep detailed records of business contacts, because I want to remember what we talked about on the phone, even if I don’t hear from you again for six months.

I get a lot of praise for these qualities, and they have served me well throughout my adult life, both in business and personally — certainly with my kids. BUT (there’s always a but) there’s a downside to being a detail-oriented person. Sometimes I get bogged down in those details, let them stress me out and forget the bigger picture. And in business and in life, you need both perspectives.

If you’re stressing over all the things you “have” to get done today — appointments, phone calls, social events, the kids’ soccer snacks or what you going to eat for dinner since you didn’t get to the grocery store — stop, breathe, take a step back and remember the bigger picture.

Even though you didn’t get to every task you intended to today, what good came out of it? Did you enjoy talking to people, have some quality time with your family, take some time for self care? Isn’t it a beautiful spring day? The world is still turning, the sun is still shining and the universe is still in balance, right? Breathe. It’s okay. We are all better workers, friends, parents and community members when we don’t get too submersed in the minutia of our daily lives.

Yesterday, I was hell-bent on getting some addresses mapped out for the most efficient delivery of magazines to our clients. It was late in the day. Then, my youngest called to me in the kitchen, and I saw that his volcano experiment had gone really, REALLY awry. There was dark red liquid ev-ry-where. After we cleaned up, I was exhausted. I sat back down at my computer with bleary eyes and tried to make sense of addresses and maps….

Then, I sighed, shut my laptop and ended up napping on the couch with my oldest kiddo tucked under my arm. There would be time enough tomorrow to obsess over maps. This is the big picture that can’t be ignored if happiness and contentment is your goal: family, friends, community. I invite you to try it.

 

Photo credit: Copyright: <a href=’https://www.123rf.com/profile_highwaystarz’>highwaystarz / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

work life balance

Don’t Feed the Stress

Posted on by aprilgarner1@gmail.com

stress feedingStress. We talk about it a lot, usually as a negative thing. This business meeting or that family gathering was stressful. I have so much going on, I’m stressed, and I can’t sleep. Too much stress, or the wrong kind, definitely has a negative impact on our health and happiness, but it’s also an important part of who we are as humans.

The phrase, That which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, is actually based on scientific evidence. According to one study at UCLA, “People with a history of some lifetime adversity reported better mental health and well-being outcomes than not only people with a high history of adversity but also than people with no history of adversity.”  (Seery et al., 2010, p. 1025)

The key there, of course, is “some.” In the same study, researchers found that people with  the highest amount of lifetime stress had the poorest mental and physical heath. Everything in moderation, also has its foundations in fact. What does this mean for our everyday lives? We don’t necessarily have to view a brief period of moderate stress as a negative.

This morning, I woke up not having slept well. This is my deadline week (which might have you wondering why I’m spending time writing a blog post), I have birthday parties to plan and just a LOT of things to get done in the next several days. As I helped the kids get ready for school, I could literally feel my shoulders tensing up into my ears.

I know how this goes; I’ve been here before. I get anxious that I won’t get everything done, that I’ll forget something. Then I get annoyed at just about everyone who talks to me. I don’t like myself like that. So, I sat down to write in my journal. What I worked out, after rambling on for several pages is this: I was feeding the stress.

I was feeling the pressure of all the things I needed to do, and I was egging it on with self-doubt and self-judgment for bad behavior towards my family that hadn’t even occurred (yet.) This is what made me feel awful, not the stress itself.

As soon as I realized what I was doing and removed all that other stuff, I found the stress actually fed me! That feeling of having a lot to do got me motivated, energized. So much so, I decided I to post here before getting down to the nitty gritty. And, reminding myself that magazine deadlines are not life-or-death helped me get to a more calm and focused place as well. This must be what people who say they thrive on stress are talking about.

If you don’t feed the stress with all of your other baggage, stress can actually fuel you. Caveat: we’re not talking about chronic stress; you can’t operate this way all the time without negative repercussions. (This is where the whole “learn to say ‘no'” thing enters in.) But periodically, a stressful week can give you a sense of purpose and at the end, a feeling of accomplishment.

Instead of automatically assuming stress is bad, realize it’s more how we manage it. You can let it take over and freak you out, or you can harness it and allow it to fuel you to excel without letting it take over your life.

 

Photo credit: Copyright: <a href=’https://www.123rf.com/profile_antonioguillem’>antonioguillem / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Product Review

What’s Cryotherapy & Why Do I Like It?

Posted on by aprilgarner1@gmail.com

Whole+Body+Cryotherapy+at+Champion+Cryotherapy+-+Austin's+Leading+Cryotherapy+Spa
The cryosauna

When I discovered Champion Cryotherapy in the Trails at 620, I was curious. I knew cryotherapy had something to do with extreme cold, but I live in Central Texas precisely to avoid such arctic blasts. Why would I want to try it? Because I am both pathologically skeptical and open-minded; I couldn’t resist the intrigue, and I’m always up for new ways to feel better.

When I walked in for my appointment, I was greeted by owner Todd Pendleton. Todd has a friendly and genuine demeanor. He and his office staff make you feel welcome in that casual, Hill Country way — like you’re old friends already. They know you have no idea what cryotherapy is, and they’re happy to let you in on the details.

Whole-body cryotherapy is a research-proven cold therapy that activates the body’s natural pain and inflammation fighters. While chilling in a cold-air sauna for three minutes, the body’s restorative processes are activated to provide…

  • relief from pain and inflammation, 
  • accelerated muscle recovery, 
  • boosted energy levels, 
  • increased metabolic rate,
  • enhanced complexion.

Todd led me into the cryotherapy room. In privacy, I disrobed and donned Champion Cryotherapy’s toasty warm socks, boots and gloves. I looked down at myself: underwear, boots and gloves — not a look I usually sport, but comfy nonetheless.

I stepped into the cryosauna, which Todd had adjusted for my height so my head would stick out the top. Then, he cranked the temperature down to negative 185 degrees and began talking, prompting me to turn every so often. What does that level of cold feel like in little else but a birthday suit? Surprisingly, not bad since it’s devoid of moisture.

While I literally chilled, Todd explained what was happening to my body. The low temperature was prompting it to protect my vital organs. Blood left my extremities and cycled through my heart, becoming re-oxygenated. That blood would return to my extremities refreshed when I warmed up. He continued speaking for the duration, as much to distract me from the cold as to provide education.

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NormaTec compression massage

Feeling invigorated after the intense cold, it was then time to experience NormaTec compression massage. After re-dressing, I reclined in a comfortable chair as Todd helped me put on thigh-high boots made of durable black cloth. He hooked them up to a machine, and the chambers within the boots began filling with air. They periodically inflated and deflated, moving from my feet up my legs. It was like a massage. The lighting was low, and I was offered a cup of water or tea — instant relaxation. The NormaTec system was developed to speed muscle recovery and mobilize fluid, which is why it can also help with varicose veins.

20 minutes later, my time was up. I was sad to take the boots off, but my legs felt good. When I got home, I noticed when I bent to touch my toes, my hamstrings were relaxed — not tight like they normally are. I also noted my fingers were no longer swollen and I could get my rings off (which I haven’t been able to do in a while.)

I’d chatted with another client, Michael, while I was there. He reported sleeping better after his previous session — the biggest benefit, as far as he was concerned. After two nights of sleep, post “squeeze and freeze” (which is what they call the cryotherapy/NormaTec combo session) I agree; I fell asleep faster than normal and didn’t wake up as often.

Most notable to me, however is this: days after my treatment, I still feel unusually upbeat — centered, focused, productive, emotionally satisfied. I live with PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), and one of the key symptoms is cyclical depression. Cryotherapy has been shown to produce endorphins (feel-good hormones) as well as reduce cortisol, the stress hormone. 

Cryotherapy is excellent for muscle recovery, but you don’t have to be an athlete or injured to enjoy it; it had the feel of a short but highly effective spa treatment. For me, it was better (and faster) than a massage. And with the positive effect it had on my mood and ability to focus in the days following, well, that seals it. I’m a fan.

Champion Cryotherapy is located in the Trails at 620 Shopping Center Wilson Parke Rd., right next to ARC. For more information, visit ChampionCryotherapy.net.

Small Business Marketing

Bang for Your Buck: Where to Put Your Marketing Dollars

Posted on by aprilgarner1@gmail.com

adsI can’t believe I’m writing a post about advertising. Historically, this is not my area of expertise. But I’ve learned a lot helping the local businesses I work with find the best way to use their advertising budgets, no matter how modest. Working with over 100 different companies, many of them small, family-owned businesses, I’ve had the opportunity to see what works and what doesn’t:

Just Because You Build it, Doesn’t Mean They’ll Come.

It may have worked for Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams, but in the real world, just because you set up a storefront and a website doesn’t mean you’ll get customers, even if you have a much-needed, quality product.  You’ve got to put your name, logo, face in front of people multiple times, so when they do need your service, you are the one at the top of their minds.

Keep it Local.

One of the prime questions people often fail to ask when considering advertising is, “Who’s my audience?” If your target market is the Hill Country, because of your location or the type of service you offer, do you really want to pay to advertise all over Austin? Why not concentrate your efforts in your specific area and get ads in two or three publications for the price of one, instead spread over the entire city, when most of the readership is never going to make the trip to your store.

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

You may have heard “content is king.” It’s common marketing adage, meaning you have to offer something besides advertising to win your audience’s trust. This is why so many people write professional blogs; it builds credibility. And your brand is more likely to stick around on someone’s coffee table, where multiple people will see it repeatedly, if there are educational articles to keep it there. This can be a much more effective marketing tool than those expensive, glossy postcards that often go straight to the recycle bin. Example: I picked up an issue of Austin magazine at the grocery checkout the other day, just because my doctor’s photo was on the front cover. That magazine is still sitting on the table next to my couch, where I pick it up and leaf through it occasionally.

Be Patient.

So you run an ad in a couple issues of a community publication. Nothing’s happening. You don’t feel like you’re getting any business from it, and you want to pull out. Two things:

  1. This is a long-game process. Your return will come a year or so after you begin your campaign, as people have seen your presence repeatedly and you build your credibility in your community, ideally through multiple channels. Volunteer work and sponsoring school or charity events can pair well with your print advertising efforts.
  2. People’s minds are funny. You can ask clientele where they heard about your business, and most of the time they won’t know. The name of your company worked its way into their brains slowly, as they saw your ad in a magazine, then an article you wrote, then your name on the banner of the elementary school book fair. Case in point: In one experiment, an outdoor furniture company found many of their shoppers said they’d heard about their sale on television, when the company hadn’t even run a TV ad.

So, do choose multiple venues for your advertising dollars, but choose them mindfully. Ideally, most of the people who see your ads and contributions to the community will be your target market, and they will see them repeatedly.  And once you’ve built that positive reputation in your community, that’s when good things start to happen.

 

Photo credit: Copyright: <a href=’https://www.123rf.com/profile_thingass’>thingass / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Product Review

Health & Relaxation: A Visit to Austin Salt Cave

Posted on by aprilgarner1@gmail.com

Salt 2
The Himalayan salt therapy room at Austin Salt Cave

When I walked into Austin Salt Cave to try halotherapy (salt therapy) for the first time, I was greeted with the warm smile and calm demeanor of Jack Cramer, the owner. I’d never tried halotherapy before,so I was unsure of the procedure, but Jack directed me toward a secure locker for my belongings and shoes. He said I could leave my socks on, but I’m a barefoot girl at heart, so I stowed them with the rest of my stuff. (Jack provides disposable booties for those who prefer not to remove shoes.)

I entered the salt therapy room. It was dimly lit with a soft glow coming from the pink Himalayan salt lamps lining the walls. There were also blocks of Himalayan salt around the room and granulated salt crystals covering the floor, like sparkling gravel, under the chairs. The chairs look pretty basic, but sit down, lean back and…wow; they’re perfect. Add a soft fleece blanket if you’re chilly, and that, coupled with the soothing music, equals instant relaxation.

Jack took a few moments to explain the room and the history of halotherapy. Back in the 1840’s, people noticed that salt miners seemed a good deal healthier than other miners. Dr. Feliks Boczkowski found their lungs were in superior condition, so he opened a spa inside one of the salt mines. People spending time in the salt mines (which were at one point used as bomb shelters) noticed significant improvements in their respiratory issues.

Salt 1
Jack Cramer (owner) & his brother, Colton

To simulate the salt mine environment, Jack pipes salt into the air of the therapy room, while patrons relax in comfort. While I couldn’t detect the salt in the air, it did feel delightfully clean and crisp. On his way out of the room, before our 45-minute session, Jack even provided a book light to a regular attendee who liked to read during her therapy.

Once the door was closed, I admit I felt a minor panic; how was I going to just lie here for a full 45-minutes?

It turns out, it wasn’t a problem. I fell into a supremely relaxed state — not quite asleep, yet not awake either. When Jack opened the door, I couldn’t believe time was already up. I felt calm, and my sinuses, often stuffy from seasonal allergies, were completely clear. In visiting with one of the regular clients, I found she attends salt therapy sessions at Austin Salt Cave up to five times per week and no longer experiences her normal allergy-induced sinus headaches.

I left Austin Salt Cave feeling clear-headed, relaxed, centered and refreshed. And as I drove home up Ranch Road 620, I realized that, in the moment, nothing could ruffle my feathers, not even traffic.

The Austin Salt Cave is your one stop shop for anything salt related, from salt therapy and salt lamps, to edibles salts and salt cooking tiles. Open 7 days/week and conveniently located in Lakeway right behind The Grove. AustinSaltCave.com, 512-838-6545.

Reprinted from Neighbors of Lakeway Magazine, February 2018, Best Version Media.

 

Freelancing/work life balance/working from home/Writing

Working for Yourself (Esteem)

Posted on by aprilgarner1@gmail.com

Rejected_Stamp_shutterstock_65298541_260Freelancing is hard. I got a rejection email yesterday, for a project I thought I was perfect for. I was surprised and disappointed. It caused me to question myself, my career choice, my direction, my abilities. A bit of imposter syndrome snuck in. I don’t have a degree in journalism; I don’t have an MFA; I didn’t write for the school newspaper. Maybe I’m just a hack.

It’s easy to become insecure when something you truly want and think you’re good at doesn’t work out for you, especially if you get no feedback as to why. It’s even more likely you’ll question your worth if you’re taking an unconventional path.  You read what other people in your field are doing, what official qualifications or experiences they have, and you contrast yourself against them. You don’t have what they have, and that breeds self doubt.

Of course you don’t have what they have, but if you are pursuing you passion, don’t let doubt creep into your brain. If it is your calling and you are committed, you DO have something to offer – likely something unique that springs from your own path to where you are now. There’s a reason you love this thing – photography, graphic design, real estate – and it’s probably not because you suck at it. And, if you love it, you breathe it. You read professional journals, talk to others in your field, go to seminars; you are constantly learning and growing. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a PhD in underwater basket weaving. Grab your snorkel and raffia and dive in! (unless you’re a surgeon, in which case, we all kind of want you to have gone to school)

In your quest for knowledge in your chosen field, you may…no, you will come across experts that give you six tips on how to be successful in the biz or the “one habit every successful person has.” That does not mean you have to do it that way. Read up, by all means, but not all advice applies to you. Take what you can use, leave the rest. Above all, be true to yourself. If going to every godamnned networking meeting within fifty miles of your house makes you want to vomit, don’t do it. Find another way that suits you. We all have to do things we’d rather not from time to time, in order to be successful, but we still need to be ourselves.

It takes bravery and a thick skin to freelance or run your own business. It takes the kind of person who can get knocked to the ground repeatedly and get back up and move forward again, even if it makes said person kind of feel like shit. You don’t have to have a positive attitude all the time. You don’t have to pretend that rejection doesn’t hurt or cause you to question your abilities. You just have to keep moving forward. Keep fighting the good fight and stay open to opportunity. Something good will happen, and it may or may not be what you expect.

If you’re an unconventional aspiring writer (or aspiring anything) check out Jeff Sommers blog, The Unconventional Writer.

work life balance/working from home

The Balancing Act: How to Stay Focused Working at Home

Posted on by aprilgarner1@gmail.com

IMG_1861
An inviting workspace can make all the difference.

I love working from home, and I wouldn’t have it any other way, but it comes with it’s own unique set of challenges. Officing out of the house, I don’t have to put up with morning rush hour or comply with workplace dress codes, like the silly prerequisite that one must wear pants. But, there are a lot of distractions at home, so I’ve developed a few techniques to keep me focused:

Set up a designated workspace.

We form associations with places. You want to associate your workspace with work, whether you have your own room for an office or a little nook off the kitchen. Take time to tidy and organize it; clutter is distracting. Decorate it with attractive objects — photos, artwork, plants — so it’s an inviting space. If you have a door to close when you need quiet, all the better. Similarly, it can be useful to avoid working in your bedroom, so you associate that space with sleep, not busy brain work.

Make a schedule.

Write it down, and stick to it, as if your boss were watching you. Working from home affords us greater flexibility, but allowing yourself to get distracted by washing dishes or going down the Facebook newsfeed rabbit hole isn’t conducive to getting things done. I put not just my work hours but individual tasks on my calendar, color-coded by task type (work, family, personal). That way, I can ensure I have a balance of each. Yes, it has to be flexible; unexpected things come up. But, then I can rearrange my predetermined tasks for another time, without worrying I’ll forget something. I actually print my calendar page each day, so I can take notes on it and have it visible to me at all times. Avoid wandering into your office after hours to do “just one thing.” Write yourself a note for the next day, if you’re afraid you’ll forget it. Not working during off hours is just as important as working when you’re supposed to.

Pick the right time.

I work most effectively while my children are at school (no surprise there). I delegate tasks that require the most focus to those hours. If I feel productive during the day, I can relax and enjoy my kiddos when they get home. On busier days, I save the tasks that require less focus for the time when the house is lively with the laughter and occasional fighting of children. Some people work best in the evening, when the rest of their family is in bed. There is no one right time; the key is to pay attention and find your own most-productive hours.

Turn off your phone.

Texts are a constant distraction. Ever end up on a group text with 26 other people? Turn off your ringer, or leave it in another room when you really need to focus. Even if you aren’t checking it, hearing the constant buzzing and beeping shakes your concentration. This extends to the TV and any other distracting noises.

Working from home can be wonderfully flexible. You can more often work how, when and where it suits you. But, because you aren’t living by someone else’s rules, you have to be intentional and make your own. And, when your rules cease to work for you, the beauty is you can change them or throw them out all together. Rules weren’t made to be broken, but they were made to bend and be reshaped from time to time.

 

work life balance

Building Your Business…or Not

Posted on by aprilgarner1@gmail.com

I originally posted this on my personal site, but it’s actually more of a business post on gaining a little perspective. This is not about working harder, but taking a step back.

IMG_2515When my children were babies and toddlers, people would often tell me, “Cherish these years. They go by too fast.” But, there were many times when I thought they couldn’t go by fast enough. From the day they were each born, I loved my kids unconditionally and with an intensity that overwhelmed me, as if my heart would explode with the hugeness of that love. But, I also struggled.

Not getting enough sleep was hard. Failing at breast feeding was devastating. Not having time to myself and being constantly “on” for my children, the first of whom never did nap regularly, was something I wrestled with constantly. I was, at times, bored with staring at an infant who’d yet to even make eye contact with me, bored with playing  trains for the eleventh hour, bored and defeated by the unimaginable loads of laundry small children produce. Ironically, in addition to needing more alone time, I also craved adult company, as evidenced by my constant chattering at Jason when he got home from work.

There were good times, though. There was the time I watched Jack run and laugh carefree through the wildflowers in the park and wished he’d stay that uninhibited forever. There was the first time he planted a big, wet, sloppy kiss on my cheek. There was toddler Gage, dressed in only a diaper, dancing to techno music in his bouncy way and the thrill of watching each of them take their first, unassisted steps. I’m smiling now, with the memory of these milestone events, but I am relieved children don’t stay toddlers forever.

Now Jack is nine and Gage is six. Time has started to speed up, as they both spend a good portion of their days away at school and then, afterwards, often at their friends’ houses. I promised myself when they were young, I would not tell people with babies to cherish the moment; enough people tell them that. My message to them is this: it is hard when they are little, but it gets easier.

As my kids have gotten more self-sufficient, and it’s no longer necessary for me to follow them around, making sure they don’t maim themselves on sharp corners or walk into traffic, it’s been easier to lose myself in my writing. They go off and play, and I have the time and energy to plot advances for my freelance business. This is good for me, but I have to be mindful not to swing too far the other way – get so caught up in work that I miss the kids’ ever-dwindling childhood. Jack only has two years left before we hit the dreaded middle school years, and I want to invest my time and energy into fostering a close relationship with both of them, so they’ll come to me when they need help. This is why, despite my overachieving, perfectionist brain, I have decided to be okay with taking freelance work as it comes, and not intentionally growing the business like I could. There will be time to grow business later, but I don’t get a second chance at being present for my kids in their formative years. If I got hit by a bus tomorrow, would I regret not building a business? Maybe a little, but knowing the tradeoff was being there for Jack and Gage, my first, foremost and most important responsibility, I have no doubts my priorities are in the right place. And that makes every decision, business or otherwise, so much simpler.