Have you ever wondered how some folks manage to work on their creative business day after day, year after year? Owning a creative business can be tough. There are rarely vacations, little to no staff to help with the daily operations, and endless lists of things to do and accomplish each day. That’s all before the kids come home from school! How does a creative business owner stay in the game? Here are some “rules” (more like guidelines, really) that might help you find joy in your creative business and in your life.
Photo from Flickr.com
1. Love What You Do
Loving what you do has to be at the top of the list, don’t you think? If you aren’t absolutely in love with what you do, then doing it every day, non-stop will eventually become a drag. When it does become a drag, quality will suffer, customer service will suffer, and eventually both you and your business will suffer.
It’s important to love what you make, the materials you use, and your finished products in order to keep up enthusiasm and see your creative business through any slumps it might have. Love doesn’t have to stop at your work though. Having loving relationships with family and friends will give you the emotional boost you need on days when you might not feel like working. Don’t forget to also do things that feed your spirit, reduce stress and make you feel pampered. Take care of yourself so that you have the energy and stamina to take care of all of the other things.
2. Be Grateful
Even when things aren’t going so well with your life or business, be sure to take some time each day to be grateful. Grateful people tend to be more optimistic, more satisfied with life, and better able to handle the bumps in the road. Is there a better way to fight a blue mood than to sit down and make a list of the things you are grateful for?
Many people believe that having an attitude of gratitude leaves us open for even more good things.
3. Get Up and Move
Take time to move a little each day. Even if you are walking the kids to school and decide to take a couple of extra blocks for yourself you will benefit from the walk. Walk with friends, buy a secondhand treadmill, or join a gym. Exercise will help chase away negative moods, reduce stress, and help you maintain the energy you need.
Don’t underestimate the boost a middle of the day dance break can give you. If you’ve been sitting in one place for awhile, crank up the music and dance a bit. You are sure to improve your mood and get the blood pumping to your brain again.
4. Don’t Make it About the Money.
Yes, bills must be paid, but don’t assume that when you reach the next financial goal that all of your worries will disappear. Instead, spend less and enjoy what you already have. Going into debt to have nice things is rarely ever worth the extra work, stress, and worry it causes.
5. Give to others
Whether it’s a random act of kindness (RAOK) where you pay for the coffee of the person behind you or a donation to a charitable cause, giving to improve the lives of others will make you feel good long after the giving is done. Owning a creative business can be stressful, disappointing and down right exhausting some days. But look at the larger picture, change your attitude, do a kind deed or bust a move in the middle of the living room.
You may not be madly in love with your life or your business every second of every day, but there always seems to be a reason to celebrate!
What rules do you have for life and business?
By: Vicki O’Dell, The Creative Goddess
You can find more of Vicki’s articles right here on her profile page!
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