What if...?

How often do you find yourself asking "what if...?" Do you love the job you have?  Would you go back to doing whatever it is you use to do? I love my job and can't imagine doing anything else, but I would be lieing if I said I don't ask myself, "What if..?". "What if I didn't have this business? What would fill my days and what would I be doing with all the time I spent working this business?" When I feel stretched to the max, or stressed to the max, I think about what it would be like to not have to worry about business finances and tackling that long list of "to-do's. Then I think about how blessed I am because of this business, I can run errands whenever I need/want to, I can meet the kids/family obligations that come up easier, I have met so many wonderful people who have become dear friends. I have learned so much about the haircare industry as well as just owning and running a business and planning for new records and growth and profitability; not to mention team building and staff development. The benefits definitely outweigh the downside. I just need to get better at the financial side of running the business. That's my goal for 2012.

So, what if we stopped saying "what if...". Woudn't it feel amazing to be happy about your current life and stop putting off living 100% in the day with a bright and positive outlook on life?"

Four years ago, I actually felt that contentment and a sense of total peace in my life. I can say that I don't recall feeling that same sense of absolute peace in my entire life! I somehow lost "that loving feeling" and now work to find that peaceful feeling/mindset. Ridding myself of things that stand in my way of content brings a sense of increased freedom and relief and also a bit of loneliness and loss. Weird, I agree,  but those are the feelings that have passed through these veins over the last 4 years.

My tired eyes/brain are now demanding me to end my day. I love the evenings, when the family is all in bed and I have my quiet, alone time. Unfortunately, this is the typical  process... I have my quiet time and then fatigue takes over and I doze off in the middle of everything.

Let me know your thoughts about regaining the peace of mind, contentment in your life. Sweet dreams!

Up and running and ......expensive!

Well, there is a hgue sense of relief finally getting my new salon up and running. The energy in the salon and the hope for what it will become is exciting and energizing. The flip side is the cost of a new salon during a deep discount Grand Opening and all the costs of getting it up and running. Whew! Stressful! I am truly tired of spending money. Now comes the time that I get overwhelmed with the daily finances - hoping income is more then the expenses while knowing how high expenses are during a Grand Opening timeframe. It's all part of the process, but I had hoped that by salon #3, this time wouldn't be as stressful and overwhelming. I know this salon will be successful though. I've felt it deep in my stomach from the moment I started the process for this location. My GM has felt the same way, so we know it will be profitable earlier than the first two salons. That is what gives me hope and confidence and gets me through each day...until I sit down and work with the finances. Haha

Well, as much as I want to continue this convo. I've been called away. Guess I'll have to do this late at night when I'm alone and distractions are all in bed. Until then... Remember to stretch!

Finding balance - stressful or stress reliever?

Tonight, I was home by 5:00 p.m. even though on the way home, I made a list of 12 loose ends that need to be resolved within 4 days (new business opens in 4 days). Seeing them in writing and seeing what that list of loose ends consisted of, made them less overwhelming. I've been able to handle a couple of minor items since being home, but the rest of this evening (well, okay.... at least until the kids go to bed, will be spent with them - 100% engaged.)

A late night last night has us all tired and irritable. The hubby and kids met me at the new salon to do some electrical work. The kids are use to being in bed at 8:00 and it was 11:00 p.m.!! Super late night and tonight, they are both so ready for bed - early! Unfortunately, he is provoking them and causing tears and unnecessary yelling, screaming and stress. Ugh!This is theh hard part.... trying to support the kids without alienating him.

It has felt good hanging out for the evening...putzing around getting everyone ready for the day tomorrow. A fire in the fireplace makes a cozy atmosphere on a cold wet evening. Personalities have finally simmered down as we near bedtime. Peace and rejuvenating rest only a few minutes away for the kids. I hope to be able to find work to do on the computer, while enjoying the fire and coziness of hanging out. That's where I find my peace in the day. It's cozy, quiet, and focused or chilling out.

Sorry my thoughts today are all over the place. That's where my mind is. Hopefully, soon my list of loose ends will be resolved and tied up, so my mind can be more focused and quiet.

It's Crunch Time!

It's been so long since I've had a moment to just sit and chat about life. Not that it's been bad, just at crunch time for new salon open. I'm at 6 days before opening. This upcoming week is definitely crunch time. Last minute tasks to get the salon inspection ready for the SBA, the Board of Cosmetology and my Corporate Office inspection. If I had 8 hours a day to spend doing all of this work related stuff, it would be no problem, However, trying to balance all of those tasks with kids' schedules and family life, that's where it gets tricky!

As I type this, one child wants me to play marbles and one is screaming at his father...just to voice his opposition to whatever. We are getting ready to go to some friends' house for the SuperBowl party, yet I have payroll that I need to finish today, business bills to pay, as well as assemble and install a new printer in my home office and try to clear a desk that is buried in weeks' worth of work. These are the times that I feel stretched to the max. It's the time to keep "Stretch or Snap" in mind.

Well, for now, it's time to run and try to keep myself "in the moment" of fellowship with family and friends. It will be a much needed good time. When I get home and put the kids to bed, then it'll be time for me to tackle those work tasks... Until next time, remember to stretch...........