Shifting Gears

I am now officially going through the very first "down period" since I set up shop. It has the potential to unnerve me and distract me from focusing on what is truly important but I will not let it.

The project I had earmarked to work on now has been postponed so I hve found myself with a lot of time and no project pressing me right up to it. So what do I do?

I have to learn how to work smart. I have to discipline myself to get into the habit of creating work not wait around to execute other people's ideas. Otherwise, all I am is a conduit, merely executing stuff on behalf of others who are brave enough to create.

Creation is where the money is. There is a lovely piece of land in the Blue Mountains waiting for me to come up with an idea good enough so that my name can be written on the land title. There are millions of dollars waiting to be directed to my bank account if only I come up with an idea worth it's worth in cash.

God gave us talents for us to invest and earn from. I need to be planting good stuff instead of sitting and looking on my lot and waiting for it to get bigger all on its own. It's the proverbial story of the talents.

So I am going into 1st gear... I am shifting down to increase compression to build the foundation to get off speedily. I am working with my brain and tapping the networks I have.

Who said business is not for creatives? To survive, one has to be nothing but creative (well balanced with some sound business sense).

A Ten Minute Reprieve

I am sitting on a huge verandah on a lovely beachfront vacation home in Discovery Bay (one of my favourite cool out towns in Jamaica) and taking a few minutes just to breathe in the middle of the most hectic period since I have opened shop.

My biggest event to date is on this weekend (tomorrow in fact) and I am just sitting and watching the rain as it challenges my calm. It is in fact an outdoor event and several millions are invested in this project.

I have to check the way that I work. I need staff on a regular basis, not just intermittently. I dont want to get used to working alone and doing all the work by myself. There is nothing to be gained from sole proprietorship but heart attacks and vacationless existence. I want to build an enterprise that can stand up on its own without me. The way I see it, I have a few years to hire and train some people and getting a sustainable system in place.

I have three temp team members with me here. One is my brother who begins university in the fall and the other two are assistants from a previous job. It is my hope that I will be able to hire them one day.

I just turned 27. My birthday came and went as I worked my ass off as a business owner. I drove in pissing rain for 5 hours and almost went over a precipice with my brother and two assistants in the car. Not exactly a happy birthday. But I am one year closer to achieving dreams I have had for a very long time. Give thanks.

So, with a sense of peace, I sign out, in the midst of a lot of chaos around me. God is good. All the time.

All's Well that Ends Well

I have never been busier, but in the same breath, I will add that I have never been happier professionally.

It just seems as though all things have worked together for good. I have made some INCREDIBLY friends in my life and as the Jamaican saying goes, "Good friend better than pocket money." I am now believing that when you are a good person, and are good to people an do your work well, blessings follow.

I have a LOT to give thanks for this year. Starting a company aint easy. Especially when the start up capital is every dollar you have to your name... and with a penniless, plebeian surname like mine, that aint much. However, I have to say that I have truly seen God work through other people to make way for me.

I really love my work. Maybe it because for the very first time, I define that word for myself. You know what? It feels damn good!

Selah.

Day number how much?

OK... I have discovered that entrepreneurs work harder that farmers' horses.

I haven't even found time to sit and breathe.

I am currently pitching for two additional projects, one of which coincides badly with a current deadline. I must be suicidal huh? Well, I figure it may be famine any of these days so I better take the work if I can get it. Plus, its a GREAT job to have in my portfolio. Have to build substance for the company website to attract other great projects.

So... needless to say, I am bowing out tonight in utter exhaustion.

Selah.

Day 4

I have been having a flutter belly since yesterday evening. It seems the reality of what I have done is finally settling and somehow my fear of failure seems to be fighting my determination to succeed.

I know that I am right about what I have done deep down. There was no other way. Entrepreneurship is the only way for self-actualisation. I make the rules. But whoa... I feel like there are so many things to do and not enough time to do them.

Things are not working out with someone I contracted to work on the project and I just cannot find the time to send her a letter. I wrote it but I cant really send that out in an email. It just doesnt make sense to continue an arrangement that is simply not working out.

My car is in the garage (finally) so now I am stuck at home too. This is not so bad because I need to tie up some loose ends.

In the midst of all this, I also have to move sometime soon.

What is life without constant change?

Starting out...on day 3

So why start a blog on day 3 and not day 1?

Well... I never woke up scared shitless from a nap on day 1 with such anxiety that my stomach hurt and had an overwhelming need for expression.


So why entrepreneurship?

Read my profile, that's where I am coming from. It was either this or hours upon hours of psychotherapy and even more drastic treatments.

Why now?

What else do we have but right now? If you know the secret for guaranteeing tomorrow, please ask God permission to pass it on to me.

Why "Girl On Top?"

Is there any other way really? The pun is clearly intended.