Passion is a critical element of successful entrepreneurship…I talk about it everywhere I go. In speeches or in class, I tell my students that you must have passion for what you do. What happens when passion becomes a problem?
Over the past several weeks, I have been obsessed. I am having a problem putting work aside. I have so many ideas in my head that just have to complete, I can’t focus on anything else. I am not even sleeping well (when I do get to bed) and when I am home, I am not really home. The problem is I love what I am doing! I am so excited about it I have thrown myself way out of balance. The good thing is, I know it and can fix it.
I am taking the afternoon off to take my daughters shopping and – get this - I might even take the weekend off! I decided that tasks that feel so urgent now will just have to go undone. I’ve met my outside responsibilities and all that is left is my internal driver to contend with - I can shut her up! I’ll just keep my little notebook with me and write down ideas and to-dos when they hit me and move on. I am officially letting go…at least for a while.
What do you do to let go? Do you do it often enough?
April 29th, 2007 at 7:43 am
I could totally relate to what you’re saying, Julie! Perhaps our inner drivers are sisters! My passion for creating my business is so on overdrive right now that even noticing it gets me thinking this is a whole other workshop topic right here (which just adds yet another element to the overdrive). How I tackle this is to set aside at least a day (OK, maybe a half day) where I’m not allowed to turn the computer on or go into my home office. I make commitments with other people to get me out of the home office, like having dinner with a friend. I take regular rejuvenation time (walking the dog, hanging with the kids, getting a massage) and put it on the calendar. I remind myself that to be in integrity with being a divorce coach and supporting others in achieving balance, I have to walk my talk. I also use the mantra of less input more output” and “cross the finish line” to keep my focus. There’s endless opportunities as an entrepreneur to create something new but we need to keep our eye on the ball and finish projects before adding 5 new ones.