Put Yourself First This Summer
Don’t you just love this time of year? Here in Montana the cottonwood trees begin to release their seeds and sweeten the air. The mountains turn an emerald green. Everything seems to speak of summer.
School recently ended. Two young boys excitedly bicycled in the hot afternoon sun towards a mountain creek. Their joy was noticeable. I recalled my own childhood memories of being released from the pale confines of four walls, class bells and homework assignments.
The local paper printed a front page photo of a young girl with a jubilant, larger-than-life smile on her face. “Schools Out!” The caption read. Remember that feeling, like you had just been handed a brand new life filled with endless days of possibility?
A girlfriend of mine recently shared a story with me. Her friend was asking her what her life as a self-employed professional was like.
She replied to him, “Oh it’s great!”
“You can sleep in as long as you want.”
“You can work until noon in your pajamas.”
“I never have to ask for permission to take a vacation.”
“And I can quit work as early as I want and go for a hike with my dog.”
Later, my girlfriend added, “But you know what Leslie? I realized that my job would really be great if I actually DID do all those things. I CAN do them and I HAVE done them. But the truth is, I don’t take advantage of my freedom often enough. I work late in the evenings more often than not.”
Most of us entered the world of the self-employed out of passion for our chosen field AND for the lifestyle and freedom it offers. We desire to live our lives in a meaningful way. However, we end up working long hours and feel too tired to do what really matters to us.
Are You Living Your Ideal?
Take a moment to reflect on your current lifestyle. Ask yourself, “What is my ideal lifestyle?” Do you want more free time away from the office? More time for yourself or with your partner or family? Specify the hours you want to work and HOW you want to work. For example, do you push yourself too hard at work and feel exhausted by internal and external demands?
What’s Holding You Back?
Now, what is preventing you from living the lifestyle you desire? Identify your obstacles. Perhaps you’re not disciplined enough to start work on time, so you sleep in and work late into the night. Maybe you don’t set firm boundaries with your clients and customers, or worse, with yourself, resulting in longer work hours.
Whatever the reasons – you have the opportunity to change. You, too, can feel the renewed excitement you felt as a child waking up to the first day of summer and the feeling of endless possibility. Remember, summer isn’t only for kids!
About the Author
Leslie Cunningham is a Certified Professional Life Coach
with over 17 years of experience as a service professional.
She works with entrepreneurs who are ready
to turn their lifestyle and financial stress into inspired
action to create more time, money and ease. To learn more
about her coaching services and for more tips like these visit her site at www.springwindcoaching.com
© 2006 Leslie D. Cunningham
Spring Wind Coaching | 7781 Nez Perce Dr. | Bozeman, MT 59715 | Phone 406-586-5561
www.springwindcoaching.com
