NOBODY TOLD ME
there’d be days like this
where I’d wake up in the morning
feeling like it’s just another day
But then the email piles up
The phone’s ringing
A pile of papers crashes to the floor
I’ve got to schedule 6 appointments
File those darn taxes
Buy more printer toner
Fix that stupid fax machine
Chase down those unpaid invoices
Nobody told me
THERE’D BE DAYS LIKE THIS
when I started my business. Or maybe they did but I sure as heck wasn’t going to listen to them. No way, buddy. I’m an entrepreneur. Let’s get this party started. Or at least that’s how I felt at the time.
Nobody told me there’d be days like this, where I feel like I’m losing my mind and I can’t believe I’m in charge and there’s no one else to ask. Nobody told me there’d be days like this.
But then a client emails and tells me
What an amazing job I did
And a friend asks if I want to go for a long lunch Thursday
AND I CAN
And my kid’s sick but I don’t have to worry about childcare
Because I don’t have to ask anyone but me if I can work from home
And I’ve got dinner cooking on the stove
I just accepted a delivery
Tomorrow’s meeting is over cocktails with a long time friend turned business partner
A dash to the printer’s to pick up business cards means meeting old friends
My best friend and I never know whether to write off dinner
because it’s always business and it’s always pleasure
and we wouldn’t change a thing
And I can’t decide if my friends are
ENTREPRENEURS
because they’re my friends or
if they’re my friends because they’re entrepreneurs
but it doesn’t matter because my entire business world
is made up of my friends
Now the mail is here and
I just picked up a cheque
And it has my name on it
And a note from the client that has such heartfelt thanks that I tear up a bit.
Nobody told me there’d be days like this.
And I wish they had
Because days like this are what makes
being an entrepreneur
So rewarding. So real. So me.
This couldn’t have hit my feed reader on a more appropriate day. Thanks!
Aw, shucks. Thanks, Chip. 🙂
Andrea
Thanks for the great poem and thanks to Chip for the link from his editorial on Tech Republic! Says it all!
Kinda hits it on the nail doesn’t it?? Worth it to be your own boss!!!
These days come and go! Trust me I tend to have these types of days as well, when it comes down to it. I recommend taking a break for a little while when you are tired of working on your business, don`t take a vacation but take enough time to get your head together!
Thanks.
@Tony, yes breaks are valuable. I’m trying to build more of those in.
@Earle, thanks for your kind words.
@Nancy, yup, you bet it’s worth it – for me and for many of us.
Lol, I have days like this too sometimes and that’s exactly how I feel. It’s definitely nice to take a vacation and destress for a while! I totally agree with Tony.