For those of you who have known me the last two years, you’ll know that I’ve been working at my desk for about 12-16 hours a day, seven days a week. You know I’ve been working hard, and I’ve been developing a strong – and very successful – business. What you didn’t see is the toll that took on “me” personally. Yes, business is good. No doubt! Yes, I’m rewarded day after day with the success of it.
With that success came a lot of sacrifices though. My body took the hardest toll. With a few more than seven pounds of weight gain, (haha), and a general indifference towards life, mostly from the anxiety and stresses of running a big business, I finally hit the point of decision. This wasn’t so much a breaking point. I was far from that. However, I recognized I had reached that line. I didn’t want to cross it. I didn’t want to see what was on the other side. I knew the breaking point lurked in that horizon somewhere.
I had a goal. I stuck to it. The goal was to work really hard in the start, one or two years, and then slowly back out of the nitty gritty dirty details and start pacing myself on a normal schedule. I’m okay working 40 and 50 hour work weeks. It’s in my nature to work hard. But I was clearly pulling in more than 40 hours a week. I was missing my kids, and I was really missing the Jaimie I once recognized in the mirror. I was finding myself engaging less with family and friends, and when I would connect with them, I didn’t have much to say. I was clearly getting lost in work, and missing out on life. I don’t want to be that person in my 50′s who wishes to redo her years when her kids were babies…I don’t want to miss these precious days!
The good news is, I’ve reached that 2-year goal. And a big announcement will surface in about 10 more days that explains what that really means. (It’s so hard to keep it secret too — it’s GRRRREAT stuff! And yes, JaimieVanSickle.com is still here.) However in the mean time, there are new goals I’m pulling in. I never stop. It’s not in my nature. When I have my eye on something — I dive in with everything (no belly flops either), and work harder and faster than ever to succeed.
- The biggest new goal for me, however, is not working so many hours! (It’s liberating to say it aloud!)
- The second biggest goal is embracing the anxiety I faced with the stress of owning and operating my business; facing it head on, and capturing the raw energy and utilizing it to my desire. Why let that energy get the worst of me — when I can instead let it FACE the best of me!
- The third goal, is regaining my footing with my health and nutrition. If you knew me about 5-years ago, you knew the health nut and athletic Jaimie. Today, I still have the “heart” and “power” to do those physical marathons. Now it’s time to rebuild that momentum.
Of course – with all that comes a happier, healthier me. Which also opens up the best reward ever! Happier time with my family, friends, and loved ones. Especially my boys.
Out of all that hard work and success, I am stronger. Not just emotionally, but financially. I have a lot to show for it! We are closing on a house! Should be in it this weekend. Which means the sassy household spirit in me is back on the scene – I’m out of that office by 5:30 and chilling with my boys, cooking meals, working outside, going to the gym, and living life. I’m fumbling through catalogs and clippings, browsing furniture and stores…I don’t remember the last time I did fun stuff like that! It’s great to finally feel that ownership of life settling in. This also means we’re not moving again, anytime soon. Small town, no doubt. But it’s home. It’s a happy home.
I truly didn’t do this alone. My husband and children, friends and family clearly put up with some crap during these past two years. We all had our fair share of sacrifices. I love them all dearly, thank them with all my heart, and look forward to the next decade of celebration as we unravel the next big plot….the secret…the one that I have to hold deep down for just a few more days….oh — and I’ve been done with work by 5:00 every day this week so far!
….if you ask me, “Jaimie, would you do all that again?”
I would answer, without a flinch — “in a heartbeat!”
Rewards are abundant when you work hard as an entrepreneur…you have to work really hard at times — but in the end, it’s so worth it!
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