You Need to Know This One Thing… | For the Business Owner

I’m going to let you get a glimpse behind the scenes. Pull back the curtain of my early years of business owning. I’m not proud of what lay behind…but I show you that maybe, possibly, you don’t repeat my mistakes.

Michael was getting his Masters as I was working full-time at a Medical Supply company. We both would put in long hours, would come home and have dinner. Then (the very limited) time that we had just the two of us with no homework we would crash on the couch and “spend time together.” Time together meant sitting side by side….but there was something else in the room with us. My work. Deep into the night I’d edit away on my laptop, not giving Michael my full attention. “We’d” watch a movie–although half my brain was designing or responding to emails. There was always something more that needed done. (Surprise surprise).

But subconsciously my priorities had been set. When I wasn’t working full time at my 9-5, I was still working. The hustle was good–but the timing wasn’t. Michael was so sweet, encouraging, understanding. He told me he was proud of me. My photography “weekend” job was picking up and my client list was building. So I charged ahead at 100 mph.

Michael graduated with his Masters and accepted a position in Kansas City. With the move meant a change for Lacey Rene Studios. I joyfully entered the full-time business owning world! Unfortunately, my habits from part-time Lacey had stuck with me.

Michael would walk in from work and I would keep working for hours.

We’d watch a movie and I’d design a website.

We’d relax across the couch with pillow and InDesign open.

I’d edit late into the night and even sometimes early morning. My sleep schedule was inconsistent. I wouldn’t take days off. While Michael would sleep in, I’d wake up early to get a few more session completed.

I couldn’t stop. I just couldn’t.

I thought what I was doing was good. (And maybe the heart behind it was). But it was doing something far worse. I had created a cycle of nonstop. I wasn’t completely invested in my time with Michael. I was going. All. The. Time. My body was exhausted and so was my creativity. I’d often break down and cry.

Funny thing how God knows what we need. Rest. We need rest. (Did you catch it? We need it!) In many small ways God began working at my heart and my habits. He showed me what I was doing. He gently pulled by the blinders and showed me I needed to stop! And because I wasn’t quick enough to respond, then my laptop died. Quite possibly one of the best things that’s happened in my business! Photography was now limited to my desktop in my office. Work stayed in there and life outside those doors in our home was now truly a haven. I’m so very thankful that in the last year and a half of business things have changed! Changed because God knew I needed to live out a life of rest! (Even in the midst of so many to-dos, countless sessions and dreams that I want to tackle).

It might be ironic that I’m writing this during the busiest season of the year and feel no stress. Because well….rest. (Well, and a ton of answered prayers!) Practically it looks like always takeing Mondays off–the same day as Michael. Not one email gets responded to and blogs aren’t written. It’s just us. We sleep in. We go on dates. We watch tv. We play with Moose. But no photography! No sessions are scheduled. A whole 24 hours of no work! None. And you know what?? I enter Tuesday with energy! I tackle my to do list with vision and excitement! I rest fully knowing I’m going to work fully! I would even dare to say I’m more productive after my day off because my body is ready to go–not worn down and exhausted. Not anymore that is.

If you have your own business (or really anybody in general) this post is for you. It’s a challenge. It’s a gentle encouragement. It’s a quiet reminder that our bodies need time off. Stop. Rest. Remember what is most important. I promise you it’d 100% worth it.