It’s interesting working from the road. I’ve always been hyper-dedicated to my clients. I can’t, unfortunately, say that means I’ve never missed a deadline. I wish I was made that way, but I’m not. I have too many things rolling around in my head and on my plate. Someday, I’ll have an administrative assistant who can keep me on track. But until then I’m on my own, hyper-dedicated and willing to do some pretty crazy things to get important jobs done for my clients. Today I worked until nearly 3:00 p.m. at the Waffle House outside of Nashville, even though I really wanted to be on the road.
In a way, it was easy. I just weighed the alternatives in my mind. Did I want to be on the road and make my clients question my abilities? Or did I want to get to Florida a little late and feel proud of having met deadlines and provided what my clients need? The answer was obvious. I HATE it when I let my clients down. I believe making those value judgments about work will be critical as I live from the road. If I couldn’t do that, I couldn’t do this.
The truth is, you can do the same things from your stationary desk wherever you are, too. Weigh the pros and cons of the little decisions you are presented with every day. Then make your choice and refuse to let anything get in your way–including the fact that you might not hit a deadline. It’s easy to use that as an excuse for not doing something constructive in the first place.
Here are some of the other unusual things I’ve done to get work out the door to help my clients:
* Worked almost 48 hours straight. (Okay, I took one nap about two hours long–can’t do this much anymore. Swhew.)
* Drove 100 miles to deliver a computer disk needed for a project on site
* Worked on vacation after the kids went to bed
* Provided free proofing to make sure a project came out perfect
* Consulted via chat to help a client who had challenges managing language
* Took a three-ring notebook on a hike, so I’d have it if my client called about a project while I was gone
You get the idea. I have to draw the line at some things, such as doing work for free when there is no payoff for the business, or providing inappropriate perks, if you know what I mean. I’ve been asked for them, as most women in business have (men, too, I suppose), and it was easy to politely (or not so politely) say no. Doing whatever it takes does not mean disrespecting your business or yourself.
So, what does this all mean for my trip and my current goals? It means I’ve recognized that the rigors of the road, including making hard choices about the use of my time, are a good exercise in working my dedication muscles. Not that it’s hard to do. It’s simply an opportunity to show I’m willing to do it. Not only that, the fact that I’m out here challenging myself to do things in a new way is helping me really feel just how dedicated I am. That is something I’ve needed to be able to get to the next level of business ownership.
P.S. Have you noticed I don’t have much to say about other business people yet in this trip blog? That’s because when they’re out and about, I’m mostly sleeping. And when I’m out and about, they’re mostly sleeping. Stand by for interesting profiles of businesses and people I am scheduled to meet in the next week–and the next few months.
Oh, wait, I met a waitress at the Waffle House who used to have a business selling books. Sandra was interested when she found out I’m a writer. One of her favorite books is The Power of Positive Thinking, a good old standard I haven’t read in years. One of the things she likes about the book is that it incorporates a belief in God as a positive power. Can’t argue with that, and I’ll admit I draw on that particular strength regularly to get through tough spots, such as road detours, snow delays, and trying to find an inconspicuous place to change my socks and underwear when I’m boondocking. :) (Come to think of it, I have a project that needs to get done NOW, or I’ll make a liar of myself.)
I noticed, even though Sandra’s not selling books now, she was still very proud of the fact that she had done it, and I think she should feel proud. It’s not an easy thing to do, and I respect her for having done it. I also respect her for the work she’s doing at the Waffle House. She made a new pot of decaf, just so I could have my one or two cups in the middle of the night. We all have clients and customers who give us good reasons to do what it takes to help them.
