This month, I took a couple of days off and went dipnetting. For non-Alaskans, that is the easy way of filling the freezer with salmon by scooping fish with a net. Yes, it’s legal for Alaska residents, and it’s incredibly fun! We got 17 red salmon for a couple of hours work.
While out on the river, I caught myself feeling guilty about taking a couple of days off of work, and wondering if I’d regret the smaller paycheck that comes with fewer billable hours. Then I remembered, that’s why I went into business for myself. So, I’d have the flexibility to take off when I really want to, and to be there for my boys as they grow up. I had to remind myself to sit back and enjoy the ride on the roller coaster.
When you think about it, doing public relations consulting for a living is a lot like riding a roller coaster. At the top of the roller coaster hills –life is fast and furious. There’s never a second to spare and you have so much to do, you can’t see straight. Every client seems to need every project now. A good PR person juggles 20 or 30 balls a day, making each client believe they are the only one calling. They make all the deadlines and don’t let anyone see them sweat. I’ll even admit, I’m one of those who enjoys the pressure and thrives when the workload is heavy. Maybe it’s my substitute for the daily story deadline and the rush that came with covering breaking news at the TV station years ago.
You get through the crisis or deadline, and settle into a valley of quiet. You finally have a chance to catch your breath, clean off the desk enough to see the table top again and manage to get to those business management tasks that have been on the back burner – pro bono work, updating the company website, balancing the checkbook and updating the calendar.
Then, the worry starts to creep in. Why are things so quiet? Why don’t I have a full schedule next week? Do I need to go get another client? Who have I not heard from in awhile, and why haven’t they called me?
After being in business for more than 10 years, I still find myself letting the worry creep in from time-to-time. I remember someone telling me just after I started my business that you have to expect the peaks and valleys in the workload as a part of being an independent consultant. They promised I’d learn to enjoy the valleys and take advantage of free time when business is slower. But I still feel guilty when I sneak away for a swim midday or simply take an unplanned day off.
I now know that the lull will only be temporary. More work will come in a matter of days, and worrying is not going to make a bit of difference. In Alaska, the summers are short and July and August are the best times to take off of work, enjoy the outdoors. I’m pretty good at fishing. Maybe one of these years, I’ll become a pro at riding the roller coaster.
Image Credit: www.ace-clipart.com
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