The first half of 2015 was really big for me. No, make that huge! And then the coldest winter in 26 years struck…
Under stress, and with this cold weather (anything under 25C is cold), I felt my health and well-being declining. At the same time, I’m watching a good friend (initially started as a client relationship) battle cancer and have tried to be there for her and her husband as much as possible. It’s tough to say the least.
With everything going on, I had to make what I thought was a difficult business decision. In reality, it came quite easily…
I need to scale back a little and let go of some things in my business life. Although I will continue to support my wonderful clients, I need some time for me, for my family, and for my friends. And after running my business for nearly 10 years, my body is warning me to ‘slow down’.
For the short term, I’m letting go of…
- Blog posts for the rest of the year. I’m not a natural writer and these consume a lot of time, even when I outsource to my copywriter to polish them… I still need to think what to write.
- Newsletters for the rest of the year. I decided this after sending my August newsletter which was really lame and honestly, embarrassing. I’ve been sending these since March 2010 and usually love putting these together. I struggled with the August newsletter – I’ve simply lost my mojo and feeling stale. I don’t want lame newsletters arriving in subscribers’ inboxes!
- Hosting the monthly #Tweastie coffee mornings.
And I’m letting go of the following permanently…
- The Social Media Guides. They have run their course and it’s too time consuming keeping them current with all of Facebook’s changes.
- I’ve unsubscribed from a number of newsletters and updates to free up my inbox.
- I’ve left numerous industry and business related LinkedIn/Facebook Groups where most of the time you see the same updates cross-posted.
The reasons for my business decisions…
- Sadly, I have unwell friends and family and need to be there for them.
- My parents are aging and I’d like to be able to do more for them too. Something you can’t outsource and time you’ll never get back!
- So many 21st and 50th birthdays between now and Christmas to plan and celebrate.
- An upcoming 2 week holiday which I really want to enjoy and be in the moment.
- I have serious RSI in my ‘mouse’ shoulder and need to rest it when possible and exercise it to make it stronger.
- Having a little more time to get back to some things that make my heart sing.
It’s time to really LIVE life again, stop staring at a computer screen, and in a nutshell, stop being a slave to content marketing.
I will get through the rest of the year, hopefully having the energy needed to enjoy the milestone events and care for those who need caring for. I will review the items on hold during January and decide if they are really that important to reboot for 2016.
Hard decision but a good decision. Take care of you and the rest will follow.
Hi Kirsty,
Firstly, thoughts are with your friend and family in this difficult time. I am sure you are being a fantastic friend to them.
Then I think you have touched a subject many of us (small) business owner know very well but are either afraid to tackle or only do so when it is almost too late.
Hats off to you for making these decisions and doing what is right for you and your family. You will come back healthier and stronger because of it.
And thank you for being so honest about it all, it has got me thinking about a few things in my life and business that I need to look at.
But most of all, look after yourself and the people around you. Life is short, so make the best out of every second you have, right?!
I hear you loud and clear. A brave and wise move. I sometimes say I gave my health away when I worked so hard and so long to run a successful business . Trying to claw that back now would not be so necessary if I had kept more balance.
Given the comments here and across social media, my little decision and blog post resonates with many!
Kirsty,
GREAT decision. It’s either that or decide to grow your business and work on it not in it. The latter also requires a different mindset, planning, structure and commitment. Time away from working in it may well be really beneficial in ‘what next’.
Thanks for being around to help take me from social media luddite to level flying speed. Still much to learn but I get it.
Jaqui
The business has had growth for the past 4-5 years as I have a team around me but all that does is change the ‘doing’ to ‘managing’. Recently it’s nothing to be managing work to up to 20 helpers. I have been considering putting on a project manager for the past couple of years but that changes the whole business and I think the winning formula has been that clients could deal directly with me and they know things would be done.
Saw this one coming my dear! Something I’ve been secretly manifesting for you as you are such a hard working and caring friend and you need to have time for yourself and your family.
Enjoy your holiday away and your break away from things. They will be there upon your return. We need to catch up soon too – when this weather gets better!!! LOL. xo
Kirsty, congratulations for making a hard decision but the best one for you. I would like to say a big thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with you this year and in my first year as a VA. You have been an amazing mentor and I feel a friendship evolved whereby we have had opportunities to rant, let of steam and giggle. I hope you have a lovely holiday, enjoy some well deserved down time and get to do those little things you cherish. I look forward to catching up for that coffee (or red) we often joke about. Take care xx
Feeling lighter already. Probably helps that it’s 5.00pm on a Friday! 🙂
Hi Kirsty, well done on your decisions!
One’s health and wellbeing, and that of those we love, needs to always be Priority#1. Glad you saw what you needed to do before your body let you know the hard way.
Enjoy your holiday with no guilt and total abandon! You surely deserve it xxxx
Bravo, Kirsty, for being so honest – and I am sure your words have resonated with many of us. I too have been ill in this cold winter, and that, combined with an overload of overseas travel, has really left me feeling underpowered. I will take several leaves out of your book and unsubscribe to a few things, and generally try to pace myself a bit better.
Lots of virtual hugs to you Kirsty!
Congrats on re-assessing what’s important to you, I promise you will have no regrets!
Thank-you for sharing your social media knowledge and expertise with me all those years ago! Have a super holiday, relax and enjoy xx
You are a brave and strong women Kirsty and I admire your honesty and integrity, as always. It’s like the analogy of putting your gas mask on first in the plane before attending to others. Take care and hope the rest of the year runs with more flow and ease!
It’s funny isn’t it, how what we think is going to be a huge decision is actually very easy to make. I think it shows that deep down we knew we had to give up those things and actually it’s a relief to admit it to ourselves and make it happen.
I gave up blogging last year and lots of people said I was mad (SEO etc. etc.) but actually it’s a big weight off my shoulders to only write when I have something to say, rather than churn out content for the sake of it.
So hat’s off for taking the step. Enjoy your holiday and I’m sending some hugs for you and your friend. x
A difficult decision at a very trying time. Please let me know if I can help in any way Kirsty!
All the best for the rest of 2015. Much love.
jenie.
Well done Kirsty, putting you first. Take care of yourself and enjoy your break x
Goodness! I’m totally blown away by all the attention this post has received here and on social media. Thanks so much to you all for your kind, supportive words. Do look after yourselves too. I know many of you are hard working, passionate business owners too. 🙂
Well done Kirsty! It’s hard to make a decision like this, I know as I’ve done the same over the past couple of months, for many reasons. Sometimes you just have to do what’s right for YOU…not your business. Enjoy your holiday and what lucky friends and family to have you on their side at such a difficult time…know all about that too xo
Wow. I agree with everyone’s comments here. Life is just too short to spend it NOT doing the things you LOVE! And that’s never more true when you start to feel your health and well-being start to falter. Take care Kirsty and enjoy the rest of your year. Be kind to yourself. xx