I've said over and over here that often times we will actually tell ourselves a lot more about what we need to know than we realize once we just start to talk about things, and doing so in writing is more helpful than anything....
Here is what I mean.
burns60 said:
I don't really know where to turn. I have over booked myself, and realize it now. My committments have me stretched and stressed out. I now realize that I have too many yards.
Right there in a nutshell is the problem as you see it identified.
So you have to ask yourself:
How did I get here?
Why am I only realizing this now?
How am I streched?
Why am I stressed?
Is too many yards really the problem?
burns60 said:
My Grandsons have visited me the past few weeks and I have not had very much time with them. I have a nagging health issue that I don't have time to have checked out. (sinus problem from all of the grass and leaves and dust I think) A death in my family that would require about 3 days off to visit and go to see the kin.
Right there in a nutshell is how you see your obligations affecting your personal life too much. When I read that, I pick up a hint of resentment or a feeling of being trapped in the business. I also pick up on a feeling of loss of personal pleasure and some guilt.
So this is where you ask yourself:
What is the order of priority in my life?
What is the order of necessity in my life?
How can I balance priority, necessity, personal health and personal happiness?
What would be required of me in my situation in order to do so?
burns60 said:
I took several more jobs this year because I had several accounts that are for sale and have not sold.
That sounds like another problem that needs to be solved, which might help a great deal. I assume you took the new jobs with the anticipation of covering for the jobs you intended to sell.
So you have to ask yourself:
Why are those jobs for sale in the first place?
Why haven't they sold already?
What can I do to help them sell?
Do I really NEED to be PAID for them?
Should I just GIVE them to someone who is deserving, but less fortunate than me?
burns60 said:
I am not complaining, because I have been blessed with good business and weather thus far. What I am trying to say to some of you that may just be starting out is, go slow with the growth of your business, and don't get ahead of yourself. The money is good, but not worth giving up so many things that are dear to you.
Sounds like you realize your blessings and you are thankful for them. But it also sounds like you feel as if you have sold a piece of your personal happiness. Your good fortune is beginning to invade your personal life.
So you have to ask yourself:
What have I done to give thanks for my blessings?
What am I willing to sacrafice for good fortune and sucess?
What extra sacrafices am I making that I do not want to due to my situation?
How can I maintain the level of sucess I need without giving up what is dear to me?
burns60 said:
I guess I know the answer, but am afraid to take that next step with this business, which started as a retirement supplement and something to do to keep me occupied.
That's a strong statement there... sounds like too much of a good thing that just somehow got out of hand.
So you have to ask yourself:
What is the next step?
Why am I afraid to take it?
How much of a supplement do I need?
When do I really retire?
burns60 said:
What I am leaning toward is downsizing for sure for next year. Then I see the potential and I think about going ahead and growing. Anyone been at this crossroad, and what made your decision as to which way to go?
So where you really are with this is trying to decide rather to buckle down and bring this runaway under control so it can be whittled down into something you can personally handle and still have a personal life. Or if you want to just let it keep building steam and bring in some hired help.
So you have to ask yourself:
Why exactly am I leaning towards downsizing?
What is it that is tempting me to trying to grow?
Does that reason have anything at all to do with how I got stuck here in overload?
Once you answer those questions for yourself you'll have more of a handle on things. Then you can start working towards molding an action plan that works for you personally.