April 17, 2020 — Greetings from my quarantine to yours! Not that I can conceive of this as a “week” but over the last few days that some would traditionally call a “week,” I have ridden the roller coaster, and I must say, NO ME GUSTA.
No, I don’t like it because I have expended entirely too much energy. My energy is a PRECIOUS commodity right now. My time is, too, of course, but it seems like I have more of that than usual. And THAT, I like! ME GUSTA MUCHO:)
The problem I’m encountering is that I need to have enough energy: for myself, my loved ones, my casa, my biz buddies, my community, the world, and finally, importantly, my VISION for my business. Plus, I’m an Intuitive Feeler so my energy pours out of me freely and rapidly. Speaking of my intuition…
I figured out something critical this week that I had not put words to yet, but I had a big ol’ hissy fit yesterday that cracked me wide open. Do you ever get that way?
I proclaimed to the world a few days ago that I am a writer and I will be writing a book, at least one, thank you very much. Then I proceeded to have laptop issues, which continue, because, who can POSSIBLY get through to Microsoft right now? I’m limping along with second-choice technology options, and truly am grateful to have any options at all.
But I forgot that for a moment yesterday: a big, fiery “let’s throw a few things” moment. I’m not proud. Rest assured no thing nor person was injured nor broken, except maybe that unsuspecting, innocent bag of cereal. Wow, that made a mess! If we had dogs…oh, well. But here’s what I notice when I reflect back on that…ahem, outburst.
I absolutely HATE things or situations that make me feel these different flavors of STRESS in any of the following ways:
- STUPID, like technology has that special knack for sucking the life out of you
- HELPLESS, like you’ve been stuck in a line that is never moving, your car broke down, or you can’t find something (ugh!)
- *** (this is a big one) ANGRY at myself, for knowing there are seemingly simple measures I could have taken PRIOR to the technology or other mechanical breakdown that would have paved the way for a less stressful, quicker, more efficient resolution to the problem. (logins, passwords, warranty information, code words, security questions, I think you get what I mean)
For example, you lose your ATM or credit card and need to call an cancel it. Do you:even know what number to call?
Back to my revelation from “post-quarantine-tantrum Ryan” that helped me put a peg in place as for my current relationship with my VISION for my business. I’ve been operating my in-home professional organizing solo-preneurship for 3 years, and wow, I have learned SO MUCH and every day I want to learn much and more. I am one of the lucky ones who has truly found the thing that they love so much that it never feels like work and can get paid for it too. Just pinch me!!
The start of 2020, my 4th year in business, saw me DOING THE THING! Working with clients, getting i’s dotted and t’s crossed, etc. January-March (Q1) was a STRONG start for me and I was loving it! Buoyed with confidence, I contracted with a rebranding website designer to get the visibility I wanted on my website. (FYI, when you hire out stuff you stuck at, you are so much happier!) Chugging along, growing, stretching.
The bread-and-butter portion of my biz is the magic that happens when I go to one of my amazing client’s homes, we have a plan, and we GET TO IT. We assess and discuss, set a timer, and go to town. At the end of the session, their spaces and hearts are lighter and clearer, we are both exhausted and elated, and the magic carries forward as they live in that newly organized space. I drive away in my van with their cast-ff items ready to donate and support community non-profits. Golden.
I MISS THAT SO MUCH. But there’s no crying in baseball, y’all, so we PIVOT.
Luckily, like my yoga classes, family visits, girlfriend happy hours. and reading to my nephew, virtual ORGANIZING is a thing! It entails so many of the same elements, except that I am not getting my hands literally in there alongside my client. It is taking some getting used to, I admit. But I am back DOING THE THING I love, just in a different way. And I’m LEARNING. Still golden.
I hope it doesn’t take you having a huge trantrum to connect the dots, but if it does, that’s okay. You sheepishly apologize to your housemates and sweep up the cereal.
Cheers! –ryan:)
PS Thanks for reading, it means the world to me!
