An awkward conversation with my 15-year-old
I was driving my daughter to ballet one afternoon and took a different route than usual. We drove by a plain, beige building with a single black awning over the front door with block letters that read The Kat. The lack of descriptors on the building piqued my teenage daughter’s interest.
She asked innocently, “What’s The Kat?” I cringed because I knew exactly what it was.
It was 5:50am. I listened to the yoga instructor’s soft voice coming through my iPhone as I laid my forehead onto the sweaty mat. I’m not a great yogi, but I enjoy a nice morning routine in solitude with my yoga app. I had done this routine dozens of times in my bedroom before the kids woke up. With my forehead on the mat, I looked to my right towards my bed. Then I saw it. There was a shadow that looked like a large spider under my bed. I continued to follow the instruction and rose up into the next pose. But on the flow back down to my forehead, I saw it again. This time I stopped listening to the yoga instructor. I jumped up! I hate spiders. Especially free-roaming giant spiders in my house and under my bed.
We all have creepy crawly shadows of spiders under our beds. In reality, these menacing creatures are old beliefs collecting dust…
It had been less than one month since I’d started a new position with a new company. It didn’t take long for me to realize it was a poor fit. My expectations of the position did not align with the expectations of the owner. Our leadership styles clashed. Big time. So, after less than 3 weeks, I requested a meeting with Darrell. I sat across from him at his desk both nervous and excited for a change.
Even though I was angry with Darrell and the way he’d interacted with me, I had to take ownership of my decisions.
Our Ford F-150 had been sitting in the driveway for 3 weeks, untouched. It worked just fine, we simply didn’t have a need to drive it. And so, for 3 weeks, I didn’t pay it any mind.
A friend came to visit one day. As he walked up the driveway, he commented on the truck.
Did you know your truck has a flat tire? he inquired.
My mind spiraled within milliseconds.
One Sunday afternoon we said goodbye to my husband and father to our 3 kids. We hugged and kissed and said many I’ll miss you’s.
And once his truck left the driveway, I took a deep breath. He would be gone for several weeks, and I was left to hold down the fort, and the lawn, and the kids, and my job, and the laundry, and…
It was time to get to work. I looked around the garage and mentally noted every tool, table, and block of wood that was out of place and covered in a layer of sawdust. I heaved the worktable from the middle of the garage floor to the back wall and started organizing and sweeping. Then I threw a load of laundry into the washer, started scrubbing the shower walls that had been neglected for too long, and I ordered the gardening tools I’d saved in my Amazon favorites last year, determined to start that garden before Spring. Time to meal-prep! But look at those browning bananas. I might as well mix up some banana muffins while I’m in the kitchen…
Have you ever felt Manic Panic?
I quit my teacher job to find my passion. I found great mentors. I asked a lot of questions. I found a great company. I took courses and obtained credentials in my field. I absorbed the experiences like a sponge.
But it’s deeper than that.
These tactics aren’t anything new. This advice is all over the web, in communities and passed on from our hard-working ancestors. I’ve given this feedback to those who are interested in pursuing the same path.
They get frustrated when it doesn’t work for them the way it worked for me. I had to dig deeper.
A bike wheel on a stool. A urinal. Splatter on a canvas.
How many times have you seen these works of art and thought, What’s the big deal? I could do that.
Back in Art School we studied abstract and readymade art, and gained the kind of appreciation only an art student could understand. I passionately defended these works of art to my family and friends who didn’t get it. I explained how these artists were pioneers, rebels, and revolutionaries. I explained that the appreciation goes deeper than the aesthetic value of their craft, or lack there-of.
Yes, you could splatter paint on a canvas like Jackson Pollock, or display a urinal like Marchel Duchamp. But they did it first, and they changed the meaning of art. And that’s why it matters.
Solopreneurs are a special breed! You’ve built a business on your passion. You get to do what you love AND get paid for it. It’s the dream!
If you’ve started your solopreneur journey and realized you’re a bit disorganized…or you’re just starting out, you’ve come to the right place, my friend. I’ve put together these 3 steps to bare-bones-basics in organization for the solopreneur. Because, well, you’re busy! And you may not be ready to hire support staff. That’s ok. I’m here for you.
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You’ll get:
Quick survey about your company & needs (complete below)
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