I was hesitant to begin a blog because I was afraid of not being able to post regularly. Well, here we are, 6 weeks or so since my last post, and it turns out I was right.
Over the past two months or so, my son turned one, simultaneously sprouted 6 teeth, contracted strep throat and two wicked rashes (don't ask) and my oldest started first grade and began truly noticing the world around him - and has started the path to growing up (you know, that one that shows you how different, how good and how bad other people can be and what to do with yourself when exposed to all of this). I was preparing, more mentally than anything else, to home school him for many reasons, but he's currently thriving in his class and I will keep him there as long as I see a smile on his face, his excited bouncy walk and hear his dizzying chatter about all things first grade:)
In this time I have also taken on an associate, who has already proven to be an answer to many prayers. She's a wiz at the things I am not and compliments the things I'm already good at. It took me a long time to get to a place in my head where I realized that I could do this - and exactly how to do this when I don't exactly make millions. Turns out all I needed was a little faith.
Having someone to bounce ideas around with, to validate feelings or actions has proven to be of immeasurable value to me. I was hung up for so long with my control freakishness and wasn't open to allowing my business name to be shared by anyone. Did I think I was perfect? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Did I think I could handle it all and then some - NO, YES, MAYBE. Was I willing to learn from someone else? ALWAYS. I can say with pride that one of my greatest strengths is being able to dig inside and rework...I just didn't exactly know how to do that on the outside.
Together I think we have the drive and the strength to make something pretty great out of the small business I began some three years ago. I'm stronger than ever, mentally and physically, and ready to take the next big bite.
Just today I was thinking back to all the opportunities and experiences that led me to Adagio Creative, on main one being a Business Woman of the Year event that took about 8 months of intense (read: tedious) planning. For months I would meet and read up on women who fought against "the system." I'd listen to round table discussions on business tips and concepts about women in business and feel very strange. The struggles I was listening to about unequal wages, treatment, expectations, etc., was so foreign to me. I guess the battle has been fought well, b/c I have never once in my entire life felt like there was something I couldn't or wasn't supposed to do because I am female. I'm not saying there aren't struggles headed my way, but currently, I don't fill ill prepared to face them. I also have to thank my mother for raising me with a thick skin and a can-do attitude. I can do what I do because I'm human and I work hard. Expect nothing until you give everything. Period.
Whatever the future may hold, I'm currently grateful for a career that allows me to mix, mingle and work with the best of the best as well as be a present mother, who on most days finds herself getting baby kisses and hugs and who can be there for the majority of the things that are most important to her oh-so-speedily growing six year old.
This is something I didn't always have - and so maybe that's where I'm wrong. Maybe I've forgotten a little bit about what it's like to have a very strict schedule that is dictated by someone other than myself. I should remember this struggle more and never take flexibility for granted, though I think everyone needs and deserves it. Flexibility only works, though, if you have an iron grip on reality, expectations, and the next project that will teach you about yourself and stretch you to be all you can be:)
Life is good.
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