The glass is half full
It’s the last day of the year and I’ve been taking the opportunity to reflect on 2008. On the surface, it wasn’t necessarily a great year for my business. As the economy tanked, so did my billable hours. After a terrific first two quarters, the last two quarters were…let’s just say less good.
But that’s just the surface. This morning I sat down with a blank pad to brainstorm about high points and low points of the year. I easily filled the highlights page. And I just had two items for the lowlights page.
Highlights included a trip to Hawaii to work with a really fun client, leading teams of great organizers on three different occasions (which was so much fun and so helpful to the clients), attending four conferences for organizers, giving a speech at a national conference for writers, and leading a really great NAPO chapter.
Top of the list of low points was a significant drop in my income in the second half of the year. This is where the glass-half-full part comes in. That economic downturn? It had a big up side for me. Here are eight ways the tanking economy was actually good for my business.
- It prompted me to think about alternative business models (more on that in the next few weeks).
- It gave me the breathing space to really explore this stuff and learn from some smart people online.
- It gave me time at my desk to get my act together and create some very helpful habits.
- It helped me understand that I need to develop sources of revenue that aren’t tied to my time.
- It allowed (and prompted) me to explore social networking, especially Twitter.
- It gave me some peace of mind, because I’m surviving this!
- It made me realize that I can get by with less.
- It demonstrated how incredibly supportive and understanding my husband is, in bad economic times as well as good.
That said, I am so ready for the economy to improve. I’m hoping that the new president will effect some change that will get our economy back in motion. And thanks to the downturn and all the planning it has allowed me, I’m ready for it.
Tagged with: business, economy, napo st. louis, optimism, peace of mind
Comments
Wendy, thanks so much for your note. There is some comfort in knowing that other POs are facing some challenges, isn’t there?
Janine Adams January 2, 2009 04:16 PM
Janine, you inspired me to post my own resolutions. And I’ll second your hope for a swift recovery! It’s definitely impacting my boyfriend’s job search.
Nora Brown January 4, 2009 08:45 PM
Nora, I love inspiring people. And I loved your blog post. Thanks for commenting!
Janine Adams January 5, 2009 10:04 AM
Janine, we are all facing a decrease in business. The most comfort I find is that we are not alone.
Carla Saavedra January 10, 2009 08:06 AM
About Janine
Hello! I’m Janine Adams — a certified professional organizer based in St. Louis, and the creator of Peace of Mind Organizing®.
I love order, harmony + beauty, but I believe that the way that you feel about yourself and your home is what truly matters.
If you’re ready to declutter with a purpose and add more ease to your life, you’ve found the right blog — and you’ve found the right company.
read more »Links
- Are you interested in becoming a professional organizer?
- NAPO St. Louis
- Institute for Challenging Disorganization
- Getting to Good Enough podcast
- Shannon Wilkinson, life coach
- National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals
- Peace of Mind Budgeting
- Ravelry
- Organize Your Family History
Great blog Janine. So much of what you said really hit home with me as the same things are happening with PO’s here in California. Thank you for addressing this issue and for your ideas to take your business to a new and different level.
Wendy Cross January 1, 2009 04:11 PM