That’s good enough
Saturday my friend Ana and I were running up Mount Helix in La Mesa, CA, during an 8-mile run. We passed some workers on the road, and the guys started calling out to me. “Catch her! Get up there! Beat her!” they urged. I snapped out of my little running zone to see Ana about 30 feet ahead of me.
I was second, which was last place. And I wasn’t even worried about it. I was completely content not being the first in the pack.
I sprinted to catch up, laughing, but I soon lagged behind again. I didn’t find the strength to push to stay even or to push harder to pull in front.
That happened during the marathon as well. I convinced myself that I was doing well enough, and I didn’t find the mental strength to do better and make my goal. And I fear that’s what I accept in my business life as well. I finish my tasks. I make my living. I please my clients. But I don’t spend the extra energy to bring my career to another level.
Example… Yesterday I was feeling poorly, so I took a nap at 4 p.m., promising myself I’d get up and take care of more work in the evening. When I arose, I fixed some dinner, and I decided I could watch a Grey’s Anatomy DVD while working on a website I am designing. Then I invited friend Erin (and her additional Grey’s DVDs) over for dinner, and I spent the evening chatting, watching Grey’s and working on the website.
Although I finished the website work, I bet it took me three times as long because I was socializing and multitasking. What I really should have done was to knock out the website and start into another project.
I’m not saying it is wrong of me to socialize. I’m just admitting that I don’t push myself hard enough to really make a difference. I do what needs to be done, and then I sit back. And that’s not going to take me where I want to go. It’s like I wrote when I talked about Mile 22 in a marathon. You either push or you don’t. And I haven’t been pushing.
My fellow freelancers, business owners and readers — do you have ambitions you can’t seem to achieve because they take the extra effort you can’t find time to give? What can we do to get there?
Sarah on 18 Jun 2008 at 3:26 am #
Papa and I have had this conversation before – to be the best, it is all you do. If I were to strive to be an amazing teacher, I would have to work 14 hour days (as opposed to the 10 hour days most of us work), fill my summer with teaching and learning opportunities, and give up my dreams of being a great (at least effective) mother.
I want a life.
I am a good teacher, but I probably will never win the Millikin ($25,000 for the teacher’s pocket). I chose a long time ago that I needed something besides teaching.
I feel this is a decision you have to make, so did Papa.
Love you
steph on 18 Jun 2008 at 4:35 am #
Oh, this is a good one! You know what’s happening to me? I’m finally getting very sick of my own complaints and stuff, of always being in the same place with the same clients, problems, etc. I’m sick of struggling and waiting for late paychecks. What’s helping me tremendously is reading blogs like yours and those that are specifically self-help for freelancers. I’m “determined” (in quotes because if I truly was things would be changing already and I wouldn’t be putting so much off) to take my business to the next level but I’m always so daunted by how hard it seems. I’ve been comfy and yet totally not.
I’ve started getting up at 6:30 to create more time. I’m going to get a new website and professional blog. I take a walk break every afternoon. I’m going to get my business cards redone (I actually threw out all my old ones because I had a very serious moment of doubt about all this after nothing changed for five years). I’ve got to SOMEHOW find it in me to be disciplined. I can’t resist this computer, or more specifically, the Internet. My goal is to focus on the task at hand and get more than 2 hours of work done in an entire day of trying to do it! I want more clients, better clients, more work, and better work – that is, work I really enjoy and therefore am able to stick to doing.
The only thing that’s going to get me there is a true desire to change and the *belief* I can. Of course, as I said, blogs like yours help.
So thanks!
Hmmm, I don’t think I answered your question at all. Maybe the last para? Believe you can change? Find a good and inspiring reason WHY? Read motivating freelancer blogs?
steph on 18 Jun 2008 at 4:37 am #
“But you try to remember why you’re here, why you worked so hard. You reach into your stubborn core and remember what the goal was: to come in under 5 hours, to take a full 1.5 hours off the previous year’s time, to DO it.”
You answered your own question.
steph on 18 Jun 2008 at 4:42 am #
Sorry to comment so much, but you’ve got me thinking. You might like this: http://www.rockyourday.com/shut-up-the-two-most-important-words-for-success/ or Dave’s blog in general. I find it helpful. I look past the motivational tone and find very helpful tips. It’s rockyourday.com. See the categories he has, such as work smarter, etc.
Beth on 18 Jun 2008 at 12:45 pm #
Steph, oh yeah… I did write that, didn’t I? Yeah well. I write a lot of things.
Please don’t apologize for commenting so much. Comments make my toes tingle with joy. Remember that I don’t get out much and am no longer dating. I’ll take any tingling toes I can get.
steph on 18 Jun 2008 at 3:05 pm #
Hahaha! All right then. Here’s a comment just for the tingle factor.