Since I started my business almost 10 years ago, I’ve been juggling priorities. My youngest child was 5 months old when I met my first customer, and bras4mums has grown, developed, changed and supported thousands of pregnant and breastfeeding women since.
During those 10 years, some of you will know, my Mum’s ovarian cancer returned, and she died in 2009. Despite the credit crunch starting the month after I’d taken on business premises, my focus was on spending time with Mum, as her prognosis in that same month was expected to be 2 years. She died 9 months later. I’m not saying my own family weren’t important during this time, but we ensured we all spent as much time with my parents as we could. But, if there was a call from my parents, or a hospital appointment, I would often drop everything to be available to talk, advise, support, or visit Mum. The 250 mile journey wasn’t always easy, and took its toll on my business.
Over the last 5 years, I know I put my business first at some points, which was right for me at the time. I’ve talked about business issues that took all my focus previously. My children were young, and I could spend time sorting things out, but I did make sacrifices.
The last 18 months I’ve switched. My priorities have changed. My focus is now children first, husband second, family and friends next, then my business. You may think that to grow a business through the worst recession since world war 2 that my priority should be business, business, business. In my experience, being more relaxed and happy means that when I spend time in and on my business I’m more focused and achieve more.
My eldest started secondary school last September, and both boys are very active. Evenings are not my own any more. I used to do a couple of hours work in the evenings after the boys were in bed. That’s no longer possible. I also don’t want it! I enjoy supporting my boys in all their activities. I also volunteer for the boy’s athletic & triathlon club, which I feel is important. I enjoy it. Without volunteers children wouldn’t be able to take part in so many things.
I’ve also realised that, if I’m not happy, my family aren’t either! It doesn’t matter to them if my business does well. They want me to smile, to enjoy my own interests and stay healthy. Worry isn’t a health booster is it?
I’m enjoying my 44th year. We’re all relaxed yet working and playing hard. My change of priorities has given us all a new start.
Have you changed your focus recently?