I know all about work-life balance stuff. It’s why I started my own business. It’s why I left the corporate world. I had this idea I’d be cooking from-scratch dinners every night and starting each morning with a yoga class. This winter – my business’ third – though, felt especially long. When I checked in with myself, I realized I was working just as many hours as before. I was eating poorly. I was tired. And I was – I hate to even put it into keystrokes – but I was in danger of falling out of love with my writing and design business. It crept up on me so slowly that I didn’t even realize the precariousness of it all. Like a relationship that feels perfect until you get dumped.
Something about my eagerness for spring made me realize I was also hungry for change. Me and my business, we sat down for a heart-to-heart. I took inventory of what I loved, and what I didn’t love. I made a list of the activities that I could do all day long, and the ones that I put off, or that pull me away from the stuff I’m really crazy about. For me, I come to life sitting in my yellow office, writing. I enjoy meeting new clients too. Where I was getting buried was in the e-mail department. Through my website, I receive e-mails every day. I want every person who connects with Pink Elephant Communications to feel loved and cared for. After all, it’s hard to go out on a limb and ask a stranger for help. But all that e-mail and all of those new client meetings meant if I were to do any writing, it’d be in the evenings. Fourteen hours (and more) is a long work day.
So here’s the plan I made to rekindle the Carrie-Pink Elephant Communications love affair.
1. Get help.
The very first step was getting cool with the idea of needing help. It was an adjustment after wearing so many hats for so long. I sent a message out to my Twitter followers, asking for virtual assistant recommendations. Within minutes I had the name of The Perfect Candidate. After our first e-mail exchange, I knew she’d fit right in. Then I kicked myself for not seeking her out sooner. She’s now handling the initial e-mails with clients as well as some invoicing. (Insert big, fat PHEW!)
2. Batch and schedule.
What was interrupting the long swaths of writing time I’d fantasized about? Meetings and e-mail. So I set up a new Google calendar and I blocked one day a week for meetings and then implemented a new policy: E-mail-free Fridays. By batching my meetings all together, other weekdays were left intact. With Fridays now dedicated to projects, free from e-mail, I can work consistently and at a deeper level of concentration and care. My clients get better work and I pour even more joy into it.
While I had the calendar open, I decided to put the rest of my life on par with my work. I scheduled in that yoga class and time for – gasp! – three meals each day. There’s something psychologically charming about having those items marked in. I’m actually doing them.
3. Say no.
This one is almost cliché, right? I mean, I certainly wasn’t saying ‘yes’ to everything… but when I really paid attention, I realized there were lots more ‘no’s to be had. Now I say ‘no’ to projects that don’t excite me. I say ‘no’ to clients who just don’t feel like a fit (they’re lovely but for whatever reason my gut says “not this one” and now I respect that). I say ‘no’ to work on the weekend, except in special cases. I say ‘no’ to work in the evenings. It’s difficult for me to not return a call or an e-mail message right away when I know a client is eager but I cherish the client who respects the work enough to wait.
When I shared these policies with my clients, I was nervous. Would they think I’m too good for hard work? That I was a failure for not being able to stay on top of it all? Would they be annoyed that I wasn’t willing to do whatever it took to service them? But, no, that wasn’t what happened. The world didn’t come to an end. I didn’t lose business. In fact, my clients – because they’re awesome (I love them so much!) – cheered me on. There was enough “Yay, you!” to make me wonder what I’d ever worried about.
As time goes on, I’m sure it will cost me some work that not everything is instant, but I’m happier running a business that’s more like a sumptuously-paced four-course dinner in Paris than a fast food burger to go.
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Carrie Klassen is a green tea enthusiast, amateur poet, fine point pen aficionado, INFJ Scorpio, and president of Pink Elephant Communications, a writing and design boutique for inspired entrepreneurs. She also teaches workshops at the brand new Pink Elephant Academy for Entrepreneurs (with self-study e-workbooks coming this spring!). Visit www.pinkelephantcommunications.com to download a free copy of 6 Ways to Attract Clients with Kindness.
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March 16th, 2011 at 9:35 am
As a new business owner, I loved your blog post! Like you, I respond immediately to my clients no matter the time (thank you technology for keeping me connected 24/7) but it can be easy to lose the goal (my passion of photography) in a few e-mails and phone calls.
Love your “no e-mail Friday” idea too!
What’s the fun of having our own business when you lose your passion? Thank you!
March 16th, 2011 at 9:39 am
I love this post! I’m just in the beginning stages of my business (Just opened) but as I prepare for growth I really want to keep these things in mind. Your passion shouldn’t become a chore and as a small business owner, you (usually) will always have the luxury to design your work environment if you choose to do so! Thanks for a great post!
March 16th, 2011 at 9:39 am
Thank you for sharing your experience and being open and honest about it. I think many of us can relate! It’s very hard to admit sometimes that we are not “in love” with our businesses at the moment, but as you shared, making some small but important changes can fix that.
Thanks again,
Jenn
March 16th, 2011 at 9:59 am
Such thoughtful information, this is such a busy time and reading this made me stop and think….wait am I on the verge of a breakup with my business? No, but I need to go with my gut about saying “No” more often. Thanks again Carrie, keep rockin’!
March 16th, 2011 at 9:38 pm
Wow, thanks for the responses, everyone! This is what I love about women entrepreneurs. We’re so good to each other.
March 17th, 2011 at 12:12 am
Amen sister … all I can say, oh and Good for YOU!
March 17th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
This is exactly what I needed to hear today. Especially the part about scheduling time for everything. That will help me to stay focused! Thank you so much!
March 20th, 2011 at 6:16 am
WOW! Did I need to read this! I’ve been in business for 18 years (thru the stay-at-home Mom phase to the work 24/7 phase!) and you illustrated it perfectly . Thanks for the steps you processed. I’ll give it a try! Thank you! Great post.
March 22nd, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Dear Carrie,
I SO know what you’ve been going through. I’m glad you found new energy and wrote this blog post. I shall bookmark you and I hope I can also inspire you one day!
Kira
http://www.cosmo-polite.com – business helping internationals to enjoy life in Amsterdam.
March 22nd, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Yes, yes, and YES! Thanks for this Carrie, a totally refreshing post. Also love the idea of E-mail-Free Fridays; going to implement this one for sure. Thank you again!
March 22nd, 2011 at 2:16 pm
Thanks, everybody! And Kira – Amsterdam has long been on my list of must-visit cities. I would love for you to inspire me!
March 22nd, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Quite the timely article for me! I very much enjoyed the read, and love the email-free friday idea! Thank you!
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Thank you for reminding me to take a step back and re-assess how I’m doing things! It’s something that needs to be done periodically.
March 23rd, 2011 at 6:12 pm
Carrie,
Your blog inspired me in so many ways. This past week has been challenging for me, mentally and emotionally. For no other reason than I have over-worked myself and had fantasies about running away from it all. Your no work weekends and evenings philosophy is simple but the best advice for any entrepreneur. In life when we play is when we grow and prosper and I don’t know while the old habits of “work hard if you want big results” always creep back in and take over when we know inspiration and great ideas come when we play and dream. Your decision to only work with customers you feel good with and saying no to those that are not the right fit is also a fantastic way to be. You are proof that you really can be the creator of your life and we should never have to compromise our dreams. You are living with an attitude of abundance, it really shines through. You are a true inspiration, thank you for making it okay to be honest!
April 5th, 2011 at 9:11 am
I’ve been feeling down about my design business, it’s hard work and I didn’t have the words to explain what I was feeling. “Falling out of love” would be the best way to put it, it was really nice to read this and realize I’m not the only one not in love with my business at all times. I already have many of your advice points in place and they have really improved my work-life balance, and my life is really happier than it’s been in years. Thanks for your post, it really was the right day and time for me to hear this message. Knowing I feel like I’ve fallen out of love makes me realize I most likely can fall back into it
April 26th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
Oh, everyone, thank you so much for the lovely comments and for receiving me so warmly.
August 14th, 2011 at 7:11 pm
I’ve had much more success with my own sites, and I am convinced this is a better approach in the long run.