work because I like to, not because I have to

I had a difficult day in my consulting practice – I didn’t feel polished, didn’t look my typically professional self, struggled with the people (not all my issue) at a lunch meeting, and was fatigued from the top of the morning. Working for yourself isn’t perfect, but you clearly see where you have made – or missed – the mark. To that end, I could have done more and should have done more to make the day successful. One issue was defining the day early on as a C minus day. I did write a draft letter that was used immediately in 99% original form. I did host a solid conversation about employee evaluations and elevating people to higher heights. I did show up and keep trying even though the writing was on the wall for not my best day. My lesson – not just in working for yourself, but you have to be more inclined to see that glass has half full. I owe myself more and I know that my business and my practice is worth it – even if some days are process and not perfection.

I was procrastinating. I mean really working hard to wait until the 9th hour to get my work down. Struggling, I was just a struggling….until I got off my duff and started doing the work. Once a friend told me that I waited because I hadn’t crashed hard enough to change my habits. I give advice to people on a regular basis – good advice – and now its time to take some of my own. When you are contractually obligated to someone to do work – do it. Do it well, do it on time and do it with the energy and zeal that got you the job in the first place. I did wait until the 9th hour, but I’m proud of the product. The issue now of course – do the work earlier, with more time to spare, with more time to edit and with the ability to do more than meet the mark – but to exceed it with grace. Today, my lesson – do your best, at all times.

I have decided to be more thankful to my clients. As a consultant, I really appreciate their business. I have decided to send each one a personal note to that affect, and I hope that they will know that I value them and their business. Some days I really like what I do, but right now the money is a major factor and component of why I must do what I do. Here’s to value of the journey.