I want to tell you a story about how taking time out for myself during the past year has actually made me more productive. Even though I now have more work than ever, I’m finding that I have more time to spend enjoying my life.
It was about this time last year that David and I started creating our first digital product. In the middle of it all, I had a strong feeling that it was time to move. The place I was living in was too large for us and it was tearing me into too many directions. Why do I have all these rooms in the house that I never go into? I wanted more than anything to downsize a bit and move to an area that was less crowded.
Now, we have been vacationing in Kennebunkport, Maine for years since I’ve always loved to be by the ocean. So I asked my husband to pack it all in and move there.
Now, he thought I was nuts because we were just in the beginning phase of our production schedule. I didn’t care, though, I just kept feeling a pull that couldn’t be ignored. He gave in, and to make a long story short, it took us 4 months to complete the moving process.
I was elated to give away just about everything I’ve collected to a good cause. And believe me there was a lot of stuff! All the while, I was fulfilling my soul with time for my Self because it just felt so good.
I managed to keep my business afloat during my big move, which wasn’t so easy, but I got the hang of it. In hindsight, I realize that this was the beginning of a new lifestyle for me. And that, my friends, is the essence of why I started an online business in the first place. To create a lifestyle that would be more akin to my spirit and talents.
The house we purchased is perfectly situated on a quiet street, nestled in a forested area that is about a mile off the ocean front. It’s a newer home than I had been living in, with less upkeep and more importantly a huge fenced in yard for the dogs to play in. It was even big enough for me to start a veggie garden. All we had to do was move in, plug in and Voila… we were back in business and even had a nicer home office to top it all off.
We finished our first product during our first winter in Maine.
But our first product is not the end, just the beginning. We created a couple other products so to round out what’s been, so far, a very nice performing sales funnel. We’ve just begun a roll out of our members only “VIP Club” and that means we’ll be creating even more products on a regular basis. If you have never been involved in digital product creation, all I can tell you is that it takes a lot of planning, a good marketing strategy and most of all… a cache of time to spend with new folks coming into your business.
Since I’ve been dedicating so much time to new customers and clients, blogging and social media have taken a smaller block of time on my daily calendar.
So, you might think I’d be getting overwhelmed by it all.
But I have not.
Now, that there is more to do than ever, instead of pushing harder, I am actually taking more time for my self. I’ve developed a new sense of freedom and improved lifestyle. I’ve abandoned the good old white board to do seemingly trite things like:
- go to the gym 3 or 4 times a week
- enjoy a four day jaunt to attend my step-daughter’s wedding (see my article “How To Deal With Going Offline For A Week”)
- take time off for holidays (see my article “Entrepreneurs Have Holidays Too”)
Boy, I’ve really enjoyed getting away from my computer and going swimming a few times a week. I didn’t realize how much I needed the exercise!
The beach calls my name (it seems) every day. I can either walking on it, or just sit in prayer or meditation to the sound of the ocean and smell of the sea. I am even taking time to read more books (paper versions, and not business books lol) as I sit by the sea. Well you know what they say about reading…one needs to read every day to achieve success. Never applied that so well as I do now.
Having an online business you will always hear the buzz about creating freedom.
When you do it right, it’s true.
You will be free to spend time with your family, your friends, free to choose where you live and enjoy yourself. For a blogger, it’s all about writing, teaching and living your passion.
I’ll write about ways I’ve learned to manage my time better another time.
Suffice it to say for now, that taking time for my SELF has allowed me to focus more sharply, get big chunks of work done in small amounts of time, and run my business more effectively.
What about you? How is your lifestyle going? What things are you doing for your SELF?
I would really like to hear your story,
-Donna
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