Working at home every day is a strange reality for me. I love it, and I am learning every day how to be better at it - how to focus on what I'm doing, give it my all, and then turn it off again when the day is done. Having my evenings to spend with others, my husband, or just doing nothing is a gift I still can't believe I have.
Being my own boss is a whole different story. Of course I have always made the decisions when it came to my photography business, but before the last month I haven't had the opportunity to make big daily choices about how to spend my time, what's worth my attention, and what things I need to leave behind.
I've come to realize that if I had a boss who was as hard on me as I am on myself, I probably would have quit my job a long time ago. I hate taking breaks - even if I know they're necessary - and have worked through lunch almost every single day. I put myself on a timer, so if I'm not working every second, a ticking clock reminds me that there is always.more.to.do. If I don't work the amount of hours I've set out to in my head, I'll quietly sit down in the evenings and clock in more time. And breaks? They just don't happen. I feel bad about every 3-minute phone call I make when I'm supposed to be working.
I suspected this would be the case, because I'm so used to the hustle of working in the early mornings and late evenings around a full time job. Now that I don't have to do this anymore, though, my goal is to be a better boss to myself. Taking a breather - or even a full lunch break - is not only ok, it's better for me in the long run. And I'll just keep telling myself that daily until I believe it enough to act on it :)
In reality, we are all our own bosses. Sure, there might be someone who can give you assignments at work, someone who has the ability to hire you or let you go, someone who can make each day great or terrible depending on your interactions with them. But ultimately, we decide the work we do. We choose in the in-between moments if we will hustle and get done what we need to or if we will take as long as we can to get our projects done. We choose whether or not we put our heart into our work. We decide daily to make the most of each opportunity, or to let it pass by.
No matter where you work, or who you work for, make sure you are giving your all so that if the day ever comes when you are truly your own boss, you'll know exactly what to do with it.
Happy Monday, friends!
