Guilt & relief

So this is the post I started on Friday, and then got busy and now here it is Monday.

A few weeks ago I received an email from someone needing CPR AED certification quickly. This happens a lot for me. Sometimes deadlines or card expiration dates creep up quickly and suddenly folks realize that their certification card has expired and they either can't work or turn in their re-licensing paperwork without a valid card.

The challenge was - all my upcoming classes before the date she needed it by were full.

I also don't have a lot of available time. sigh

My business is feast or famine, ... seriously. I'm either popular or I'm not. Since the courses lead to 2 year certification people only come looking for me once every 2 years. Right now I'm super popular. It's exciting and its overwhelming. Because not only do I run my small business; I have 4 children, a part-time job I love and a small content/writing business. Oh and I volunteer WAAAAYYYYYY too much. So suddenly I find I have no available time to fit in a class when I don't need to worry about childcare or how each child is getting to and from where they need to be.

I also have an unrealistic need, ummmm...no, a strong desire to want to help people out. This at times causes some stress I really don't need.

Since my oldest just made the softball team I waited a few days to get the softball schedule first so I didn't overbook myself again.

So by the time I did get back to her she had found another class somewhere else.

I was so relieved.

I should have felt sad that I lost her business. But I could only feel relief. I'm so glad she was able to find a class to renew her certification. The stress of trying to fit in another class into my schedule was overwhelming as I just couldn't figure out when we could match up our schedules.

But I'm slso realizing I need to set better limits on myself to keep caught up on all the paperwork, projects and the business of actually running a business. I love teaching, but sometimes I forget to plan for and schedule all the things that need to happen to make sure the classes are successful, including making sure I get time with my family. And that needs to be my priority.

Comments

  1. AnonymousApril 8, 2013 at 7:56 AM

    I sympathise. Between us my husband has a full time job (hospital consultant) we run a french to english medical translation business, I am a writer desperately trying to finish book two and I chair two charities and run the Sunday School. And STILL i find myself saying yes to people. I too have had that moment of relief when they have found an alternative. Sometimes you just have to stop. Hope the softball season goes well

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Summer work

Image
The past 3 years I've worked at summer camps.  I'd volunteered for 3-4 years before that at Cub Scout Day Camp for a week - it's only 1 week.  But the past 3 years I was paid staff at Camp Seawood. I enjoy working at camp.  I'm outside all day without a cell phone.  It's almost Nirvana - almost because I'm surrounded by kids.  But for the most part they're all awesome. This summer I decided to not work at camp.  I did end up volunteering at Cub Scout day camp the  last week in  June.  This is Micaela's last summer before going to NHIA.  I wanted to have time to do fun things with my kids. But I usually teach fewer classes in the summer because fewer people sign up.  It's hot, people are on vacation, it's normally a slower time of the year.  I still need bring in some income to pay for the summer adventures. I was fortunate to be able to book enough private on-site classes that covered the income I would have made at summer camp.  Hint:  s
Read more

Quotes

Every morning I post a quote on Facebook.  Occasionally I'll post a second, but usually just the one. A while back someone asked me why I do it.  That was all they would see from me for an entire day sometimes.  They told me they're on Facebook to see what we're all up to and the quote didn't tell them much about me. A few others have liked, loved, and/or commented on the quotes.  Apparently they enjoy them. I read a quote every morning and I share it.  They are random, not on any specific topic or theme.  As I read and post them I spend a few minutes thinking about them and how they impact me or what is going on with or around me.  It's like a thoughtful meditation that helps me to mentally set up the day ahead of me. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Read more

Climbing out of a well

Image
I was having an email conversation with a friend who was cautioning me not to be persuaded to do something for someone.  And suddenly all I could think of was that I was at the bottom of a well.   I wrote: I feel like I’m at the bottom of a well and trying to climb up wet sides.  I keep slipping backwards and am not making quick progress. And honestly, that's what I feel like.   I feel guilty saying I'm behind because my mom died.  And it's not completely that, it's almost 2 weeks of driving to a hospital out of state every other day.  It's 2 1/2 months of driving weekly 2 states away to visit.  It's the guilt I was feeling for not driving down more frequently.  It's the time spent in the car, 4-6 hours each trip, plus the time spent visiting.  During all that driving and all that visiting I wasn't getting any work done on my business or volunteer work.  I wasn't getting projects and housework done at home.  I wasn't doing fun summ
Read more