Catching up after the holidays

[Stacey R. Davis]

The last two to three weeks of the year are always great for me. I have a huge family that pretty much all live in Indiana. Holidays are mostly about them and I really enjoy it.

2008 was a good growing year for Davis Designs. Sometimes I was so busy with deadlines overlapping I got very little sleep and no personal time. So when December came around and everyone kind of slowed down I had some personal time again. At first I was afraid. If I'm not working hard in December will I get any checks in January? Then I started to feel guilty. I'm sure my clients will need something at the beginning of the year and I'm not prepared! Have I forgotten about anyone?

Then I stopped. I let go of everything and just ... relaxed. I took time for me, not my client's business, not my business. Me.

Unintentionally I gained such clarity. For months and months I was running around for others - giving suggestions that weren't taken, offering connections that weren't followed through, working hard to meet other's extreme deadlines when I tried planning ahead for them - I had no idea how to slow down.

How was Davis Designs going to grow in '09 unless we somehow learned to add a couple hours to each day? How can I control my schedule and continue to do the things I love?

I let go of the rush and guilt and worry for others. I just stopped and focused on pretty much nothing. I did things like nap, watch dumb movies, drink wine with friends, shop alone in crowds, organize my closet.

I'd like to remind everyone to do that every once in a while. Now I have a clear focus on where I'm going to take my company this year. I know how to combine all the things I've been trying to do into the perfect project that fits my career dreams.

Women especially try to please everyone and be super women. Take care of your clients, business and family, but don't forget to take care of you. None of the former will run smoothly for very long when the core (you) is a wreck.

Take care this year! I wish you all well.

[Allison Witmeier]

Excellent advice Stacey! I can't wait to see what you do in 2009!