The wrong way to approach work

I woke up this morning got myself a gun (dangit, now I have Alabama 3 playing in my head) and went to my desk.

I checked my email first: no new sales (pout), comments to reply to. The weekly Google Analytics spreadsheet… my visitor numbers have been flatlined for the last month. A small dip, even. Dammit, what do I need to do to get those numbers up? Will I be able to pay the bills next month if I don’t get the numbers up?

Then I dipped into the calendar: one interview, then lots of work. I still haven’t done the worksheet for the module that’s due about… now. Fuck. I need to shoot 2 weeks of video for AWE so I can start getting ahead and give the wonderful Chris a chance to edit it. Crap crap crappity crap. I have to work on restructuring my consulting services, too. Not to mention the bazillion tiny tasks to complete.

Goddammit I really don’t want to to this all today. Video is hard work. Why did I sign myself up to do so much of it? And the stupid camera keeps delivering so-so sound quality, and I’m tempted to go and buy another video camera with a mic jack. Will I regret it if I do? Will the product suck if I don’t?

*heartfelt sigh*

And so I start on today’s post before the interview. Words aren’t coming. Why did I never give myself a Day Off clause? Why don’t I have a post pre-written up my sleeve for days like this? I…

I…

I need to stop thinking about myself for a minute.

So I think about how many people AWE will help, given time. Think about the joy of speaking to people and improving their websites (and lives!). Think about doing my level best to jump through that slightly-crappy-sound video camera to grab my people and give them what they need. I think about their needs and frustrations and bugbears until mine get jealous and go away.

That’s better!

Into the interview, full of energy and insight. Write this post. And then? Make a killer worksheet. Shoot some inspirational and magnificent video. Maybe catch up with Natalie. Enjoy the inexpressible privilege of doing the work I do. Wow!

Same task list. Same Catherine. Different focus.

Are you focusing on the right things? Tell me in the comments!

http://twitter.com/kpdurand Kyle Durand

Thanks for this timely post, Catherine!
http://twitter.com/abbykerr Abby Kerr

Catherine –

I’ve been wondering that myself lately: am I focusing on the right things?

I’m participating in the #customerlove challenge — inspired by @NaomiDunford and officialized by @LaVonneEllis & @DavidCrandall — and it’s giving me a shape for my energies over the next month. I understand where you’re at today, because I’ve been there a lot recently!

But — that said — know that you MUST schedule days off for yourself. Especially *you* and people like you, who are wildly and passionately focused on connecting with people online, via Skype & phone, etc.

I read somewhere recently that your inner resources are like the tea in a teacup — you need most of it for yourself and you can only give away what splashes over the edge into the coaster. I know coaster isn’t the right word, but that’s all I can think of at the moment. The original sayer said it way more eloquently and poetically.

So make yourself a big pot of tea {figuratively speaking} and fill that cup back up!

– Abby
http://talkingshrimp.com/blog LBelgray

Saucer. Though it’s probably come to you by now. I hate it when words like that escape me. Feels so old-person-y.
http://twitter.com/iaintgray Iain Gray

Damn, I love the Sopranos.

This is a great attitude to have. We all have the ‘poor me’ voice that complains at us from time to time, and you’re right, it is a very selfish thing. I tend to listen patiently and calmly to it, then take it outside and shoot it in the back of the head.

(It’s ok – it’ll recover and be back again some other time)
http://www.cottagecopy.com Laura R Espinosa

We must be on the same wavelength today because I totally hear ya.

Woke up this morning and got struck with that very nasty introverted bug of “you’ve hit your limit for socializing, better turn into a hermit for a few days. NOW.”

So thank you for this post, because I just spent my morning doing things that needed to be done but things that totally did not energize me. So I am taking in some good energy from you. And hopefully I’ll be back in the game later!
http://talkingshrimp.com/blog LBelgray

Totally killer post. I love reading how you get back on track when you’re in the middle of a self-bashing freakout session. I need to remember that. Not about me not about me not about me.
http://andydolph.com Andy Dolph

YES! this is a hard one for me – I’ve tended to give until empty rather then doing what I need to keep myself full, but it’s something I’m paying attention to because I think it’s a big key….
http://www.BeAwesomeOnline.com Catherine Caine

Because we are smart people so we chose goals that ROCK!
http://www.BeAwesomeOnline.com Catherine Caine

It’s huge. I hate to say no, but I gotta.
http://www.BeAwesomeOnline.com Catherine Caine

I have to admit that I always do an hour of work even on Monday, which is my Official Day Off. I’ll stop, I promise!
http://www.BeAwesomeOnline.com Catherine Caine

Good rhythm! Take a wee break then come at it swinging!
http://www.BeAwesomeOnline.com Catherine Caine

I knew someone would get the reference.

Patience, calm, gangland-style execution. Great process!
http://www.BeAwesomeOnline.com Catherine Caine

Who IS it about, jellybean? How clearly do you know?
http://andydolph.com Andy Dolph

It’s amazing to me how much a change in the meaning we give things can change everything, in a heartbeat.
http://andydolph.com Andy Dolph

The things that are the hardest for me right now is figuring out how much work/energy something is going to take, and then if I’m massively wrong, having the courage to ask to postpone things. If I have the courage to ask, people are usually very understanding, but I don’t want to go back on what I said I would do.
http://www.YourBusinessYourSelf.com Sue Mitchell

Your great attitude will get you through it, but I’m with the others who say to take some time off. Sometimes not working is part of the work. Take time to think about what’s really important and what can be set aside for a while or done in a less-than-perfect way.

In a business like yours, YOU and your energy are the most important assets your business has.

My usual soapbox, but people need lots of reminders, I’ve noticed! And when I say this stuff to others, I’m also reminding myself!
http://www.BeAwesomeOnline.com Catherine Caine

Isn’t it wonderful? And miraculous, in your usage of the word.
http://www.BeAwesomeOnline.com Catherine Caine

Do you break down each sub-task in a request? That helps me get much more accurate ideas of how long something is going to take, especially if it’s the first time. (I also add a third, because that’s how much I tend to underestimate by.)
http://www.BeAwesomeOnline.com Catherine Caine

You are 1000% right and I will remind myself AGAIN about this. Thanks for looking after me.