Letting Go

He said think positive, look to things you are passionate about to overcome writers block. That is easier to say than do. I have to lay off two employees today because business is slow.  How can I even think about business blogging today?  Wait….that is the self-talk Ed was talking about.  He said it would prevent me from doing the right things to grow my business.  I am trying to talk myself out of working on the business.  I am not going to let this business slow-down be the end of me.  I’ll write an article as soon as I get to the office and before I tell Paul and Jose that I have to let them go.

8:20 am – Arrival at the office.

Look at my desk.  My goodness, that receptionist has been busy.  I only took one day off.  Why didn’t anyone call me about Mr Rhodes?

8:45 am

I need to write the business blog article, but I wanted to talk to Paul and Jose before 9am.

9:15 am

“Everyone, gather around for a minute.  We all know times are tough, but I had to let Paul and Jose go.”

I hate losing good people.  Paul and Jose were both good workers, but someone had to go otherwise I would not have made payroll next week.  All I need to do is get three or four more new accounts and I can hire them back.  I am going to write that article and new customers are going to find me.

10:25 am

“What do you mean the copy machine broke down?  I am trying to write a business…never mind, I’m coming.”

11:15 am

Darn, the article.  A little after eleven.  I’ll never finish before lunch.  I’ll wait and get a fresh start immediately after lunch.

12:42 pm

Ring, ring.  “Hello?  Yes Michael.  No I’m eating.  What?  Where are you?  I’ll be right there.”

2:55 pm

Ring, ring.  It’s the office.  “Hello?”

“Hi Bill.  Mr Rhodes called for you again.  He said nobody came by to fix the sprinkler system again today.”
“Call him back for me please and tell him I am on my way.  Thanks.”

4:30 pm

I am exhausted.  I would have sent Paul and Jose to fix the sprinklers, but tough economy means I’ve got to pick up the slack.  Oh, darn…  the article.  4:30… I’ve got the kids’ soccer game this afternoon.  I’ll outline my article at the game and slam it out tomorrow.

9:45 pm – conversation with Bill’s wife

“Ed said I would have very good reasons why I didn’t write an article.  All I did today was lay two people off and put out fires.”

“Well Bill,”  said Bill’s wife Mary, “How long did Ed say it would take to write an article?”

“He said at first it would take upwards of an hour, but over time I will get faster.  I’m just worried that if today is an example of how motivated I am, I may never get this business blogging thing off the ground.”

“Honey, you can only do what you can do.  Eventually marketing your business will be the most important thing on your plate and then you’ll take the necessary time.”

“You’re right!  The problem is me.  I’m not prioritizing writing high enough.  I’m letting all the distractions of work creep into my life because I don’t really want to write in the first place.  I would rather dig up a broken sprinkler pipe than market and build my business.  Maybe that is why I had to let Paul and Jose go.”

Ed Bejarana
BusinessBlogging.net
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