Lately I’ve been so busy working on my business (revising the website, preparing for a client project, learning about social networks, blogging, etc.) that, at times I’ve lost sight of what’s most important - the people around me. The cost of doing business had skyrocketed higher than the price of gasoline and I was completely taken by surprise.
Last night after I said prayers with Sweet Pea and made my way into the hallway just outside her bedroom door, she called me back into her room. My 12-year old daughter wasn’t finished talking. I hadn’t given her enough time. So I went back into her room to hear what she had to say. WHAT she said was not really all that important. The fact that she WANTED to talk was, and I needed to listen.
This morning as Schmitty and I were starting off our day, he pointed out that in the last few weeks we’ve not been very intentional about taking care of our relationship. To be fair, we’ve had a lot going on. Work - his and mine, two trips to Canada related to his father’s hospitalization and passing. We’ve run from soccer field to softball field, to violin lessons, and appointments out the wazoo.
But he was right. We have a great relationship, so it’s fairly easy to notice when something is even slightly off kilter.
Today when my lunch appointment had to reschedule, I saved the block of time so Schmitty and I could have lunch together. We reconnected, though briefly. He had leftover chicken wings and I ate a peanut butter and banana sandwich. And it was good.
The personal cost of starting/running your own business can be great. Today I needed to remember that I don’t want to pay that cost by sacrificing the people around me. My marriage and our family are simply too important.
What about you? How do you keep track of the personal cost of doing business? What do you do when you get off track?