Friday, November 23, 2007
Business Pace and Interruptions
As I write this, I look back on the past week and I see some great achievements and some ... (RING) Phone interruption....
Whoa! That was a call from the pre-press people. Apparently, there was a trouble with the file I uploaded yesterday and I had to drop everything a fix it NOW! Such is the life of a small businessman.
I am continually amazed at the number and frequency of drop everything interruptions. This morning's "fire" was easily addressed and only interrupted a peaceful morning. Frequently however, the fire alarms come in pairs, dozens or more. They come by e-mail, telephone, postal service, knocks on the door or shouts from the other office. No matter the method, they come and they keep on coming.
Is there ever any real peace in a micro-business? I suppose there can be moments of peace, or a perceived peace, but it's been my experience that when one or two people are trying to fill all of the roles in a business, peace comes in moments and those moments are frequently interrupted.
The reason I feel that peace is a perception is because there is always something to do! I have a long list of things "I want to do;" this list has a partner; it's called the "need to do" list. Then there is another list called "do it now." Is there ever a time when all of the lists are complete? Perhaps, but at least for me, if the lists were ever to be completed, I would likely add more to the lists. It's just the kind of person I am.
I remember a post I started writing last month at this time. This is the time right after we go to press when I should have peace in my mind. A time I should be resting and gaining my strength. Sure, I went home yesterday after uploading the file. Heck, I better, it was Thanksgiving. I deep fried a turkey and enjoyed a nice quiet night with my wonderful wife. That was interrupted slightly when my son arrived from kayaking and needed to get cleaned up to attend Thanksgiving dinner at his girlfriends' house.
We rested and watched TV; I even slept for 12 hours straight. As soon as I woke however, (actually before I woke) my mind was already building a list of things I want/need/have to do in the next few days. The millions of things I put off while we were building the magazine as well as the things I want to do differently or add to the magazine next month with flowing in my mind like Niagara Falls.
The blog that I wrote and never posted last month at this time was one considering the minds pace and what happens (at least to me), when you spend three days concentrating on a million details with little if any rest. The mind becomes accustomed to the pace and when the time comes to rest, my mind continues at break neck speeds processing, considering and dreaming. I don't mind it really because the pace brings with it many new and exciting ideas. I've learned to write them down so when my mind slows, I can remember all of the cool ideas I had.
(Break to archive the master file for December 2007 SOKY Happenings InDesign files. Don't know how to burn a CD on the MAC, moving the folder to the PC to backup the December files.)
When I started this post, I was at ease and going to relate the many achievements, some mistakes and the feelings I have in my heart on the day after Thanksgiving 2007. Instead, I wrote about how my "little magazine" business intrudes, invades and overwhelms my mind. I am happy that it does! I have created a company that I am passionate about and care for deeply. A company that is accomplishing something and makes a difference in the community I live in. I've heard it said, work is no longer work when you enjoy what you're doing. Sure, there are many aspects of this business that are difficult; other aspects that I intend to delegate to staff once I am able. Overall I have to say, it's not work because I love what we are doing. Interesting that I write those words just a day after I worked 3 days straight, the last two with only 2 hours of sleep. I guess the saying is true; I don't mind overworking because I love what I am doing. I am thankful for that.
Thankfulness: Wow, I have a lot to be thankful for this year. My Sons are doing fine, my new company is doing fine and I am doing fine. I've learned a lot this year and am thankful for my ability to grasp new concepts and take chances. I've had many disappointments this year as well, but as a result, I've found my passion, learn who I can and can't trust, and more or less changed my life. This will be a year that is remembered for the rest of my life. 2007, the year that will live for a lifetime; there's no doubt about it.
On a personal note: Carrie and I have talked several times this year about the many and diverse skills I possess personally. I am convinced that the experiences and challenges of the past 42 years have helped me learn the many skills I have. I am also convinced that those skills, talents and experiences are the keys to opening this new door known as SOKY Happenings. I am fortunate to know what I know and be able to do the things I do. I guess I am most grateful for my own knowledge, skills and ability overall. I'm not sure why I have been able to learn and retain so well, but from fixing and flying jet aircraft to creating new and exciting publications, to being able to market and sell my ideas, I have a diverse skill-set that I am thankful for. This may sound conceited and all, but if I can't be thankful for my own abilities, who else will? Yeah, that's my point.
Resolve! I have a few more businesses I want to create as well as to expand the current, especially the publishing business. I will have to remain open minded and flexible to learn the new skills necessary to bring them to pass. That said however; I am also determined to bring to pass my own primary aim. My primary aim is for freedom and flexibility. The only way I will reach this objective is to learn to have confidence in others; to learn to delegate responsibility and to build the resources necessary to create, train and maintain that inner circle of trustees. After some of the disappointments in people this year and the 7 years that preceded it, I will have to "re-learn how to trust" people. It's a sad situation but my confidence in others has been shaken to the core and I must find ways to trust others once again. It's really the only way I can reach my primary aim and to have the freedom to learn new skills, take care of myself and have new experiences. I know that there are many good and loyal people out there, unfortunately however, life has brought me many who are not. I must remember the former and forget the latter.
Main category: Personal
Sub Categories: SOKY Happenings, Small business, Life Challenges, Trust, Loyalty, Ability, Macintosh, Publishing, and Primary Aim.
About 1243 words: not copy edited.
Labels: planning, print publishing, small business, Soky Happenings
