Well, it’s that time of year when we are rapidly approaching closing Balance doors for the summer holidays. It’s also that time of year when many people wonder why on earth do we do that? Why don’t we continue through the summer? I have many clients who express a desire to continue and also get many enquires from potential new clients wanting to start now and not wait until September………so surely it makes business sense to stay open?
…….for me absolutely not. As you are aware, I’m a firm believer in living a life you desire, a life less ordinary, a rich life. For me that means I have to get the right work/life balance for me, as well as for the other teachers and as well as for our clients. I made the decision many years ago when my children were small that I wanted to be around for them in the holidays. I wanted to spend that time with them. It wasn’t just about going on holiday but equally about doing the ‘normal’ things with them, mooching in the garden, going to the park, walking by the river, popping to the shops, going out for an ice cream, cycle rides, badminton, swimming. reading, talking, cooking together and generally just being with each other. That was a priority for me and that enriched my life.
So, my children are grown but I have never altered the ‘we follow the notts cc term timetable’, because it still stands true. I might not be spending all that time with my ‘adult children’ (but hopefully some), but grandchildren and step-children have come along, we have other family to see, friends to catch up with and time for me to do exactly what I want to do to recharge, re-energise and have a great work/life balance.
For me living a rich life is not all about money, it’s about a way of life that I want to live, a life that I choose and one that brings me happiness and that is different for each and everyone of us.
So, how do I live a Rich life?
Working for myself – my very first ‘job’ after school was setting up my own knitwear business called “knitwits”. I’ve always loved the freedom working for yourself gives. Yes, it can be scary not having any holiday pay, sick pay, having to rely solely on myself and having a family to provide for too. There have been so many times when I felt so far outside my comfort zone, but that has also been the gift, the feeling of empowerment, that feeling that I am in control of my own destiny. If I needed more money, then I had to do more. It was really up to me.
Working for myself has allowed me to follow my passions and share them with so many, whether that’s my passion for the Body, the Mind or the Soul – I get to do what I love! What an amazing gift!
Self-employment has allowed me to grow in so many ways and experience so many different things, meet such a variety of lovely, interesting people that I would not have come across if I didn’t do what I do.
I think you all know me well enough to know that I would answer “Are you living a Rich life?” with a great big “YES!”.
Now, you might expect me to say that living a rich life had nothing to do with money, but no I wouldn’t say that. It’s not the most important thing that is true – but money and having a certain amount is important to me (read The Compound Effect in my book and you’ll understand why and how I’ve had enough to do the things I want to do).
For me living a rich life has a lot to do with travel, exploring the world, experiencing different places and cultures, trying new things and for that you need a certain amount of money. It is never about having a flash car, the latest gadgets, designer clothes, expensive jewellery – they are just ‘stuff’ and although that might feel good for a short period of time, the happiness associated with shiny new stuff soon fades, whereas the feelings from experiences stays with me and changes me in ways that ‘stuff’ can never do.
This is of course what makes a rich life for me and will probably look totally different for you. The point is, your life should be organised in a way that allows you to live your rich life, not mine, not anyone else’s – just yours.
So to come full circle, we are closed over the summer so that we can all get out there and do the things that allow our lives to be RICH 🙂
Your time is NOW – live your RICH life.