9 Ways Starting A Business Has Transformed Me

1.) I get up earlier

Back when I was punching the clock for the man, I had a serious case of insomnia. I would roll around for hours worrying about work and the snooze button constantly betrayed me. It hurt to leave the peace of a warm slumber and face the day. Now, I get up about 3 hours earlier than I used to. (Occasionally, if my schedule permits, I may squeeze in a lunch nap.)

2.) I drink more coffee

I went from free office coffee at zu to paying $10/month for coffee at the university. And the coffee room was on the other side of the building. Paying bothered me and I felt there wasn’t enough time in the day to get my work done, never mind “wasting” the 15 minutes it would take to walk there and back (plus stopping to say “hello” to co-workers). Now I’m steps away from the coffee pot, and since I can’t stand to see wasted coffee, I average a pot a day.

3.) I dress more comfortably

Where I used to wear dresses and skirts with heels, I now wear sweats, sports bras and bunnyhugs (hoodies, for those of you not in Sask.). The only drawback to this, as far as I can tell, is that you’re less likely to notice that your clothes are getting tighter until one day you have to put on a pair of jeans and can’t get them up past your butt.

4.) I think

I very much wanted to be proactive, but I found that the pace kept me in the cycle of reacting to urgency. ALL THE TIME. Now I have room to make conscious decisions, to read and research, listen and be attentive and careful in the work that I do.

5.) I breathe

Holding your breath under stress is common. I practiced breathing, yoga and meditation, but I would always find myself holding my breath. Even when I recognized I was doing it, I would find myself repeatedly in the same pattern of inhaling and holding. I would hunch and peer so close to my monitor (probably trying to will solutions to problems) that people made fun of me. Now, even when I’m busy working with a deadline I sit up straight and haven’t noticed any lack of oxygen to my brain.

6.) I see daylight

Working in a cinder block basement with no windows is dim, especially in winter. Unless you take a lunch break somewhere outside the building, you don’t see the sun at all. Most days I ate my lunch at my desk while working. I’m not going to say that I’m blameless in that. When I commit I’m in; my needs go to the bottom of the list. I’m working on becoming more balanced and I think it helps that in my new office, I get light all day long.

7.) I’m good at what I do

I knew, for a few years, that I wasn’t serving my reports, clients, bosses, work, family or myself as best as any of us deserved. It took me a long time to get over the guilt, but I know that a person can only stretch so thin (my body still managed to expand). Instead of diluting my attention with hundreds of projects, tasks, people and responsibilities, I’m able to focus all of my attention and time on true priorities. I’m sure I’m better at my job now than I ever was. There’s no doubt in my mind that just having the opportunity to think and breathe is directly related.

8.) I get by with less

For most of my adult life I’ve done my best to prove my worth in the workplace. I wanted to be liked, to do the right thing and struggled for what I thought was respect. I love the field I chose, but I felt I should be paid more. And when I asked I received. By the time I quit to start my own business, we were finally getting somewhere. Saving money and planning for such luxuries as a vacation, laser eye surgery, and maybe even a deck. Things are different now, but not yet dire. The financial sacrifice is a bit scary, but it’s made us more creative. It’s also not remotely problematic enough to make me consider going back to the way things were.

9.) I’m a better wife and mom.

My old “job” no longer consumes my life, so I can put energy into being the mom I’ve always wanted to be. I have a place for hugs and kisses. I have more patience, and I am less selfish. I removed the self-imposed burden of bringing home most of the bacon, because trying to do that wasn’t working. I always suspected that going out on my own would be the best thing for me, but I never had the guts. I still don’t know how things are going to work out (but, who does), and looking back I can’t imagine switching places now with the me that used to be.

If you are looking for a recently enlightened and experienced pro, who can fully commit to your project, contact me.