Throughout this blog I talk a good bit about purpose, passion and personal missions, of which, can lead us to “the good life.” However, in recent weeks, I have come to reassess my own personal mission statement and priorities.
Taking a side path
While reading some of my mentors blogs–whether they know they are or not–I became acutely aware that what had been good was going sour; I was not living the good life any longer.
Recognizing this was not a phase, but a pattern that was developing causing me a great deal of stress, I knew it was time to assess and address.
Lately, it seems I am working from dawn to dark, most certainly NOT what I planned on for extended periods of time. As a result, my passion is becoming my chore.
The big bad wolf
That said, I cannot lay blame on the “project(s)” I chose, or the client, because, in the beginning of it all, terms and peramiters were set. At first, the honeymoon was on–I was loving it and so were they! So much so, we decided together to incorporate a second project designed to dovetail with the original. Woo hoo! Hitting it out of the park, or was it just a foul ball.
The work began to increase in small increments at first, a few more articles per day needed to complete a deadline than was originally agreed on, making late nights necessary. I have other clients who need my attention as well, during the same hours. Multi-tasking is not a problem, so long as delinated boundaries are set and things flow smoothly, but I found I was quickly beginning to sink.
Instead of saying something to the client regarding the extra work load–even though I was getting paid for the extra work–I just stepped it up a notch. Until finally, ready to collapse and facing the possibility of losing other valuable clients as a result of my INACTION, I had enough.
It’s not always about the money, it’s about quality, name, reputation and ethics. Your personal time is worth more than an extra buck or two.
What to do now
It is time for a friendly chat with the client to remind them of our original agreement. If they decide the original plan does not meet their needs, well, weigh the odds. Is your happiness and peace worth the extra push, and if so for what. Is the price of being away from your family on your computer banging away, snapping at others and generally exhausted worth impressing the client? Or, is it time to move on.
For me, if the original is not good enough, it will be time to move on.
Let’s talk. Tell me about some of your experiences with clients or other matters that have made your passion your chore.
~see you ’round the path
Posted by: admin / Category:
Freelance Writing,
Motivation,
Passion,
Purpose
