I’ve been living this week with a rock in my throat and a ball of anxiety in my belly. I don’t mean to scream, but here’s my inner voice:

OH MY GOD. NO ONE IS CALLING. I HAVE NO WORK. I DON’T HAVE TIME TO LOOK FOR WORK THIS WEEK. I’M IN SO MUCH TROUBLE!

Yesterday I realized that I’m being completely ridiculous. Completely. My business has not gone under.. it’s the week before Labor Day. People are out of the office. On Tuesday, they will step forward with new projects. And next week I will follow up with the three inquiries about my services that I got this week. Yep — THREE.

I think what I’m feeling is pretty common for small business owners. We live in fear that NOTHING WILL EVER HAPPEN AGAIN. Even if things are going well, we’re sure that if we don’t work 24/7, we will fall behind. The trick to small business success is to build something that rides out the ups and downs of the economy, the seasons, the holidays and the necessary days off.

And here I am with my family, and today we’re going to a thrift store to goof around. And I am grateful that we’re able to have so much fun. And I’m so very glad that I could take a few days off to visit.

So, shut up, Ziesenis, and go get your shoes on. You’ve got plenty to do today.