Changing Gears and Managing Time

Blessed and stressed all at once I’m starting to write the last two chapters of my pending book. This project consumes my life, and I don’t like it, but I’m closer to the finish line than I was yesterday.

How has this project temporarily changed me?

1. No time to blog regularly or update Web sites.
2. No time to work on projects for 2007.
3. Difficulty monitoring bills, barely paying them on time (thank goodness for online payments).

Everything that doesn’t need tending is on hold for the next six weeks. After that I will have no excuse for working on personal and business tasks, even if a job isn’t on my favorites’ list.

Small and solo business owners find themselves in this same position when working with clients that use a disproportionate amount of their time. When this happens, the bottom line question is, “Does the compensation match the work?” Hopefully, the answer will be “yes.” If not, consider the project as a learning experience, and don’t let it happen again.

That’s how I feel about becoming an author for the third time. I finally realize that the time doesn’t match the compensation, especially because I’m not an author with a deep-pocketed publicity machine in my corner.

But that’s when marketing may work in my favor. I have the means to position myself in whatever way I see fit. In addition, I can hire a machine on a temporary basis.

Writing this post has reminded me that being solo puts you in a very powerful position. I might be going through changes, but the outcome will be worth the effort.

Thanks to all of you who visit this blog and accompanying Web site. I’m very honored by your opinions and can’t wait to return to blogging more often. My hope is to post a minimum of twice weekly during this difficult time.

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