Originally, I told myself I would only use this blog as “strictly business”, but I’ve been thinking lately, perhaps it should be about more than that. After all, my work is about more than that.
On Thursday morning, I read this article, where the quote up there is from. I highly recommend reading this little gem. It’s an inspiring break from the news of the day. Personally, I enjoyed the image it painted. In a way, it answered many of the questions I’ve been asking myself lately.
I’ve been reading a book called “How Successful People Think” (thanks, Mom!) and one chapter is devoted to “The Bottom Line”. To my surprise, the author is clear that a bottom line might not be financial – and maybe should not be. That was a surprise to me. I put down the book and thought “What’s my bottom line?” I’m still thinking about that question.
As a business owner, and especially as an “army of one”, it’s easy to let financials, costs, and production realities overwhelm the true nature of the work. Coming across the pesto article and the “bottom line” idea just days apart were really serendipitous for me.
“I want to walk to work,” she said. “Barefoot.”
That seemed to be a great bottom-line statement, and for me, an inspiring one, worth keeping in mind, as I explore and reacquaint myself with my own values. Anyway, feel free to share any thoughts of interest to you on the topic, below…I’d love to hear them. Thanks for reading – have a great weekend. x S
| Design © SusyJack*, 2013
While I think everyone needs to figure this out for themselves (because sacrifices will be made, no matter which way we look at life/business), here are my two cents – and we all know that two cents isn’t much currency!
I am really big on following one’s heart for the most part, which means going barefoot, if that’s what feels will bring happiness. That said, there’s a reason the ancient Greek charioteer represents reason reigning in the emotions. There will be times of compromise.
But the story I remember being told in childhood, that I carry with me as “navigation” for my own life was told to me by a famous Asia photographer, who was also a mountaineer. He said about his life, which was all about finding creativity, finding a bottom line of Inspiration, that when he did that, he often found people stole his ideas, sometimes before he’d even had the time to fully form them. But, he said, that was always impetus for him to go on to find the new creativity – which he was always able to do.
The thing about true creativity is that it takes hard work and sacrifice, and there is no resting on one’s laurels at any time. Part of creation is exposure – even to difficulties no one would voluntarily expose themselves to.
Switching to a currency of ideas, or of the heart, will “cost” a lot – but what do we want more of in life? Money, or more ideas, more creativity? Again, everyone must answer for themselves. And no matter what the answer, it will be hard. But rewarding – if one has chosen the path that leads to rewards that one really loves.
Thanks for sharing what you are reading. I like those ideas too and appreciate a mind shift in people who realize that happiness is driven by more than money. As a small business owner, I realize that the trade-off that I made to run my business, rather than continue to work in a corporate job is that I am gaining so much freedom and creativity that I didn’t have before.
There is an inner compass that pushes me to work harder in ways unique from when I had to meet company goals and was managed by a CEO. My own ingenuity to make the most of energy boosts, creative juices and moments of brilliance also allow me to lollygag in my garden when I feel like it or take a really long walk with my dog on a pretty day. This freedom of my time is my idea of a rewarding successful life.