Monday, June 3, 2013

4 Lessons Facing my 50s and Insomnia Have Taught Me About Business & Life!











“I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity.”              Gilda Radner


When I started my business, I thought it was important to work “regular business hours”.  I believed since I worked from home that putting in the traditional “9 to 5” was essential to promoting a professional image for my business.  There was right time for things and schedules were necessary. 


Now I have come to rethink this.


Since turning 50, I have been plagued by the cliche “hot flashes” and insomnia.  I find myself waking regularly in the middle of the night and alternately kicking off or wrapping myself in my covers.


I lie awake, unable to get comfortable or once again find my sleep pattern.


For awhile, this bothered me.  I was determined to try and force myself back to sleep and keep to my set schedule.




Then I had a break through.  I started asking myself “why”?


Why was I so insistent on the notion that I sleep for at least 6 hours and I needed to wake by 7 to start my work day?   


Instead, I learned to let it go.


Once I surrendered to what was, instead of holding on to what I thought should be, I was free - free to find my own way and free to do what was right for me.  



I began keeping a notebook on my nightstand for any “late night inspirations”.  I also kept my kindle handy.  This way I was able to make great use of the times when I couldn’t sleep.  I was amazed by what I was able to accomplish!



During those “middle of the night” hours, I have found subjects for future blog posts and formulated new “plans of action” for my business.  On the personal front, I have been able to enjoy purely recreational reading and have even planned a redesign of my kitchen and bedroom!



So, in the end, having insomnia and hot flashes has taught me something.  It has taught me some important lessons that have changed the way I approach my business, and my life!


This is what I learned:


  • Don’t fight what you can’t change.  You can’t try and force something to be the way you think it should be.  Sometimes you have to go with the flow.

  • You determine your own schedule.   You need to find what works for you and roll with it.  It may not be the norm, but why should that matter?  You are definitely more productive when following your own path.

  • You need to be flexible.  Believing things will go according to plan usually leads to disappointment.  Being able to embrace uncertainty and not fear it will free you.

  • You need a sense of humor.  I have found this to be my most important lesson.  If you can’t laugh at what business and life throws at you, you are doomed.

All these “lessons” have allowed me to approach my business and my life on my own terms.  I am more productive and relaxed than ever before.


So, although I would love to get a full night’s sleep again, I don’t sweat it.  I have actually embraced my erratic lifestyle, read some awesome new books, and am more at peace with myself than ever before.


And I don’t think I would ask for anything different!




If you would like to read more of my views on Small Business, please visit my blog.  I also invite you to check out my website for more information on my company, Access Profiles, Inc. - a Background Check and Due Diligence investigation service.  Thanks!



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