I lost $399 today. I cancelled all of my jobs.
That’s one way of looking at it….
My Old Self woulda jammed through the nine jobs, teeth clenched, knuckles ground away the steering wheel leather, guzzled coffee (spilled a lot on the new cheerful Hawaiian seat covers) and swore like a truck driver. I'd have gotten in my head, that creeping feeling of loathing for my sad and terrible self-employed life.
Why don't I have a REAL J.O.B.? I'd be in an office somewhere, or working remote in my jammies from bed. Why the fuck don't I have benefits, and sick days, and healthcare, and co-workers to complain to (and perhaps about?) Why am I not able to call in and tell them my car won't start, the street is blocked by a downed tree, the schools are closed and no one is coming in anyway?
I’da raced through the streets, clammered each slight incline by the inch (my car is rated one of the worst in the snow, according to comments on the Volvo site - which I didn't check prior to purchasing) ran each dog through the deep snow until their tongue hung out, clutched the sideways blizzard conditions with hatred, all-the-while dreaded getting behind the wheel again.
Would’ve skipped lunch, which made me even more stressed, and eventually noticed the once full water bottle had leaked onto the floor mat, causing everything stored there for "safekeeping," to be saturated and mossy-smelling. It’ll most likely have frozen solid by the time I removed the mass from the car at the end of the day.
Here’s how I manage my business today…
The days before the storm, I keep on top of the weather report. I text all of my clients, asking "What if"…there’s a ton of snow, let’s create the plan-of-action.
I don’t offer what I do NOT feel comfortable doing. I don’t drive around swearing, not eating and drinking, and definitely don’t risk my life/sanity for a dog walk. I do not apologize for taking care of my Self.
This way, I’m open, honest, trustworthy, and dependable. I feel good about being organized and strategic. I offer ideas for alternative possibilities.
I am clear and very happy.
Now I can relax, enjoy my day. Stay away from the thought that I’m giving up income. I know I can “make it up” or just value the time I have to write, breathe, munch on whatever I find in my grab bags, and read.
How great is that?