Plugging away ....

Have done a total of three CAbi shows so far, all for my friends who have been so supportive!  Life without great friends (if you don't have much family) wouldn't be fulfilling at all, and I have some amazing friends.  People ask me all the time how things are going with my self-employment and if I'm having fun, enjoying myself, etc.  Let me just say ,,, I'M LOVING IT! It's not less stressful, less busy or less anything really ,,, it's just vastly different when your efforts, or lack thereof, directly impact you and your life.  When you work for someone else, your successes and failures may, or may not, have such a direct impact on you.  That can be very insulating, which has a positive and a negative side.  On the upside, if you don't finish your To Do list that day or don't feel energized, you still have a job and a paycheck.  On the downside, if you're putting out tons of energy and effort, the payoff for that belongs to someone else.  So, being self employed means the pressure is on, but the rewards are yours to claim and benefit from.  I'm learning a lot, hopefully becoming better at what I do so that I can become more successful.  I will add that, to me, success isn't just about making more money or having more things ,,, it's knowing people trust me, and feel truly "Serviced" after dealing with me.  I have been complaining about the level of customer service in this country for years, so part of my intention with having my own business is to demonstrate by my actions what it really means to be of "Service" to others.  That has real value to me, and gives more meaning to a life of self employment.  We can all "sell" something to others if we put a little effort into it, but I want to do more than that.  At my shows, no matter how small an item someone orders, I treat them as if they just gave me the largest order in history.  And if someone doesn't place an order, or won't book a show, I still treat them as if they did both, meaning I try not to be dismissive (hope that comes across).  You never know whose life you are touching by being kind, understanding or a good listener/friend.