If you've read the posts from our fabulous roster of mom-owned business bloggers over the past few months, you'll notice a theme: mom business owners right now are burned out, overwhelmed, and overworked more than ever. At this time of year, it comes as no shock, and I am no different. I hit a wall in the past month. I hit it
hard, and it hit back. After some soul searching I realized I need to make some changes, and one of the changes I keep coming back to is this: I need to spend more time giving my time.
Each year, I try to do at least two pro-bono
Urban Bliss projects for
organizations I believe in and want to see flourish. I volunteer for
early reading programs, hold events in which proceeds benefit local
organizations, participate in walks and runs for good causes. But this year, I've
been more apt to sign checks than to spend an hour giving time. While I
know the organizations & individuals appreciate the money, I have taken away the joy of
volunteering that once was so prevalent in my life, and I've taken away the opportunity for others to see how much I really, truly care about them in person.
In the hectic life of a mom business owner where time is in such short supply but high demand, volunteering may seem impossible. In the past year I've let the business of life consume me into thinking "I would give back more, if only I had more time." I'm quick to give money to causes near & dear to me, because there are so many wonderful organizations to which I want to contribute, but the thought of volunteering for each one is daunting when my calendar is already a sea of blocked out dates and times. Yet let's be honest: just like in business,
time is more important than money. It's the human connections that are made with no strings, no agendas, no business ties whatsoever, that keep this world turning...and I am sad to say I lost some of that this year.
In order to make others happy, you need to be happy. What makes me happy? Making other people happy. It's an odd little cycle, but one I vow to address more in my life as the new year rolls around. As I contact old & new organizations to check out, I can already feel a difference in my days. The work is still insane, the family life just as crazy, but somehow, I feel more at ease tackling the load. I can do my jobs with a smile on my face knowing I am and will continue to be connecting with people who have nothing to do with my work, but rather are just good people I get to meet, to connect with, and to hopefully, help smile a little more in their days, as I know for certain they will help me smile in mine.