Learning To Be Still

This is the time of year that is traditionally pretty quiet. It has been for the past few years and while this year I have more sales going on, it's still pretty quiet especially when compared to third and fourth quarter. This is also the time of year I start to get antsy about how quiet it is and worry that THE END IS NEAR. And when I think the end is nearing I start spending money on marketing ideas - some of which do and some of which don't pan out - in an effort to keep the end at bay.

Since I'm committed to cutting costs another 27% this year (after most of the 'easy' stuff was cut last year) fretful spending to try and drum up business is just no longer an option. Instead I need to just enjoy the quiet time.

Trust me, it's far harder then it looks. When was the last time you faced an open week with few appointments? Don't get me wrong, there's still a lot of little stuff that needs to be done for the business - and even some bigger stuff - but there's now time in the day to sit and read a book for half an hour if I choose. Sounds heavenly, doesn't it? When you're used to being on the go 24x7 though it feels very wrong and very unnerving. I'm like a little hamster going through crack withdrawel (there's a visual for you!). I'm just so used to going at a manic pace that when I try to slow down I find myself twitching and itching to get back to work.

I'm trying to take this as a positive that this is an opportunity to relearn how to be still and be in the moment atleast 50% nonworking of the time by doing things like reading for that half an hour or knitting up yet another hat (keeps my hands busy but my mind quiet). The other 50% of the nonworking time I'm devoting to the giant list of home spring cleaning things that need to be done. Things like touch up paint throughout out the house, make our wills, plant and try not to kill strawberries. I figure the 50-50 breakdown of being still and getting things done might be the mix I need to keep me from going beserk that things are quiet with work.

In other news, I'm applying for a spot at one of the local farmers markets. I'll explain more later as it's a drastic switch from my business strategy up to this point but in the meantime keep your fingers crossed for me, will ya?