Knowing When To Slow Down

When’s the last time you took a moment just to look up at the sky? Or paused for a second to enjoy the sun warming your face?

When’s the last time you actually sat and enjoyed watching your kids play?

I’m busy, and like you I work hard. My business is booming. And what’s on the horizon is bigger than I can see right now. Which is fine. I’m patient. I’ve been through the pressures of working from behind – both financially and with my deadlines. And I thank God daily that we’re on the other side of that.

Yet even when things were difficult, I often thought about why I wanted to be a business owner. What was the big draw for me. I don’t mind working in teams and I’ve never really had any issues with bosses at any of my jobs in the past.

I wanted to work for myself really for one reason – freedom.

I want to be able to come and go as I like – within reason, of course. I wanted the freedom to take a day off when the weather is nice, or leave on a Thursday morning to go camping. Or even work a weekend while I took Tuesday and Wednesday off to spend with wife and kids.

Freedom, which I mostly define as a flexible schedule, is my main reason for being self-employed.

So when I up before dawn for a phone call with a client in Europe, I try to watch the sun rise. And when I step outside for a breath of fresh air, I immediate look up to the sky and bask in the warm sun. My favorite is the kiss of a cool autumn breeze while the sun warms my face. What a treat. Almost as good as ice cream.

What I’ve come to realize over the years is that being self-employed has given far more little opportunities for freedom then it does large ones. Sure, I can take that long weekend camping or work from the hotel in Montana a couple of a few hours a week during a family vacation. That’s great and I wouldn’t change it.

But it’s the sweetness of slowing down during the work day. Letting all the concerns float away while I spend 10 minutes watching my daughter learn to jump rope by her self. Or when my son decided he wanted to walk – which truly happened in his own time.

And while sometimes their timing is bad, I love that my kids knock on the door at 9am asking me when I’ll be done with work. Or that my daughter brings me lunch that she and mom prepared for me. The look on her face is priceless when I open the door and she’s carrying a plate of food that she’s so careful with no to drop.

All these little moments are why I’m self-employed. It just took me a while before I realized it. And it probably took me longer to remember that those moments are not interruptions, but opportunities. They’re opportunities to slow down for moment, catch my breath, be present, and remember why I’m doing all this in the first place.

So take a moment to slow down. Listen to your breath. Let the sun warm your face. Feel the cool fall breeze. Get down on the floor and play with your kids. Hug your spouse a few moments longer. Watch the clouds float by. Live…present…in the moment.

Isn’t that why you’re working from home?

Hi, I’m Dawud Miracle. Professionally, I’m a blog and marketing consultant, business coach, educator and web developer who helps people use their websites to grow their business. I’m also a devoted husband and father to two, soon to be three, children. Please let me know if I can help you in any way.