Not having time is a reflection of priorities

Career

Not having time is a reflection of priorities
by Shana Spooner



Susie enjoys being in business for herself. She just wants to change her business focus. "I'm a computer graphic designer. I enjoy using a computer to create things. I design brochures and business cards for various clients. My favorite part is after finding out what the client needs. I go home, shut the door, turn on the computer and use the creative process to create something really neat. However, working with clients is very frustrating. They describe what they want. I do it. Then they say, no, that's not it." Then, Susie puts her creative hat aside and becomes a technician. She creates draft after draft for the client until they are happy. "I just want to be the one in control of the creative process. I need a different type of business."

As with all creative people, Susie has lots of ideas. As we discussed her business possibilities, she mentioned creating a special picture for her daughter's baby dedication. "It turned out beautiful. That is really what I enjoy doing." As Susie talked about her photo designs, her voice became higher. She talked faster. Her voice was more animated. Susie was excited. That's the voice I want to hear. Then I know we hit on something great. She loves using her computer design expertise and her innate creativity to manipulate photographs and create photo designs. "I do pictures like Anne Geddes." (Anne Geddes is famous for her baby pictures where she places the baby inside a pumpkin or as the center of a flower for instance). This business sounds perfect for Susie. She agreed. "I'd love to do that."

I asked Susie what would stop her from starting and building that business. She answered, "My time is very limited. I have a 10- month old daughter. She's my priority. I really don't want a babysitter caring for her. Maybe because she's my first. So, I have time when she sleeps. Of course, when she sleeps, I also clean, cook, take care of my husband, do aerobics. Then there's my business and clients that I already have. I'm so busy with all my other clients that there's no time to even spend brainstorming and thinking about how I want to start my new business."

Yes, Susie's time is limited. However saying she has no time is more a reflection of her priorities rather than her time commitments.

At the same time, if I told Susie she had to get a full time babysitter and work eight (8) hours a day on her new business, she would never attempt trying it. After all, her priority is her daughter. Working full-time at this point in time would be a conflict of interest. Does that mean Susie should wait to start her dream business? Absolutely not. The trick is for Susie to commit to working on her new business and make it doable at the same time.

I asked Susie if she wanted the business enough to commit to working on it for some period of time each day. I told her it was best if she committed to a specific time each day. If she creates a schedule for herself, she is more likely to follow through. Susie does want to make this photo design business happen. She decided that she would dedicate the baby's first naptime to her new business. That will give her 1 - 3 hours each day.

Committing to a specific period of time each day also allows for the momentum to build. It brings focus to her new business. It puts her photo design business on the front burner instead of the back burner. It's a mindset more than anything else. If Susie is in the right business, she will gain momentum and work on it more than during the baby's first naptime.

Susie is concerned that things will happen and she won't always be able to spend the baby's first naptime working on her new business. What then? Susie must remember that having a plan is important to success. She should try to stick to the schedule. However, she must also remember that stuff happens. In the end, Susie needs to be in charge of the plan, not let the plan be in charge of her. Making schedule adjustments are part of life.

At the end of Susie's career makeover, she said, "I really have clarity now. You helped me narrow it down from a big giant idea to practical steps - the nuts and bolts. I'm excited. It's something I love doing."


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Shana Spooner has been called "a career makeover guru." She provides her clients with clarity on the career direction they would be happiest pursuing and then gives specific actions to get there. Spooner’s makeovers are conducted by telephone so that she