Yes, I consider myself a "workaholic". Before you judge me, listen to my reasons… I love my job (and I mean I L♥♥♥VE it!!!). It's usually the first thing I think of when I wake up and the last thing I dream of before bed. I've even designed dresses in my sleep (but, who hasn't?). After several years of long hours and sacrifices I still can't get enough. The experience of working at my goals is more fulfilling than the end result. I don't imagine retiring when I'm older, I imagine having more time to work, paint, sew and create. Design is what I love.
That said, one of the questions I hear often is, "How do you balance work and personal life?" or "How do you stay so productive?". The answer is a balanced lifestyle. Over the years I've learned (sometimes the hard way) what my personal boundaries are. Every person is different and needs a special sense of balance.
I've learned that I can work long hours without breaking down if I have things to look forward to. I schedule date nights, weekend trips and shopping dates with my sister after harsh deadlines. This give and take method works really well for me. For example, right now I am working long hours everyday on some e-courses that will launch soon. I'm planning to take a day or two off next week to play around with wedding DIY projects as a reward! Don't be afraid to give yourself incentives for a job well done.
The second important lesson I've learned to keep myself cheerful (and sane) when working a LOT is steady sleep. I used to be really proud of my all night work sessions, but I was drained. These days I sleep eight hours every night and I've never been happier. I get more done when I'm awake and, most importantly, I feel human! If you're a young entrepreneur, give yourself some sanity and go to sleep. Just trust me….♥
The last piece of advice I have to offer is all about attitude. It's easy to get overwhelmed and feel victimized by a crazy schedule. I have to choose to remind myself daily that I chose this career (and all that it entails!) and that I have to be thankful that we are really really busy. Complaining and getting discouraged is easy. The challenge is keeping a positive perspective about what needs to be done. Maintaining an optimistic and enthusiastic energy for my business is one of the most important contributors to our continual growth. I think of my heroes in design and I imagine them being full of fresh energy and inspiration daily. This kind of attitude propels us forward, and the absence of it can be pretty devastating. We're all human and we all have difficult times, but I feel very strongly that staying inspired and positive about my work is my responsibility. No one else can do it for me.
So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that while my lifestyle may never be "normal" it's working really well because I've found a way to work a ton while still enjoying life to the fullest! I feel like my career adds so much to my life and it's something I will never regret making sacrifices for, even if I am labeled a "workaholic".
Have a wonderful Wednesday… elsie
126 Comments
Beautifully written… thank you :]
Elsie, just the post I needed to read right now! Thanks!
I whole-heartedly agree and work the same way. I too get comments from people about what they perceive my work-a-holic lifestyle to be. It’s hard to explain that I want it that way and I feel so blessed to have so many opportunities. Plus, I sleep 8-9 hours a night.
Thanks so much for this post – you have no idea how much I needed to hear it today! My husband was just telling me last night that I need to get more sleep, and I slept almost 10 hours last night:) Yay:)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/fibbie
Having parents that run their own business, I’ve seen first hand that, despite tax returns, grumpy customers and so.much.work, it’s worth it all because every day you’re doing what you love. When, like with Red Velvet, you see real people every day, that can also be a sanity preserver.
Thanks for writing this. It is often encouraging to read about how successful people stay balanced! I too am a workaholic, but in a different way (day job, kiddo, my own handmade business on the side) and I am going to try this whole rewards system as a way to stay energized!
The give and take method is how I get by too, all I need is some special time with the people I love to look forward to and I can get through anything!
Thanks for sharing this, it was truly inspiring and well articulated. I get it! 🙂
great post and so so helpful and honest! i totally am a workaholic and i am okay with it because the extra things i do that define me as a workaholic make me happy! without them then i wouldn’t be who i am. i love goals and setting them and find that i love the process of getting to that goal rather then actually achieving it…to me it is all about the journey!
xo,
cb
thank you so much for this! my passions are very similar to yours and it is so refreshing to have someone to look up to. i’m about graduate college and (i hate to say it) but i am starting to get nervous on how i am going to balance everything i want to do. this definitely helped me learn a little bit more about what i want.
peace. love. create.
Well said! Lovely words, Elsie!
The timing couldn’t be better!
I am a translator/crafter living with my boyfriend. Sometimes it can be really hard to make all things work in a balanced way.
Thank you so much for sharing this. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I think I really needed to hear this today. My schedule is insane and no one else gets it–it’s nice to hear from someone who is going through it and also being super successful. it’s inspiring 🙂
Fantastic post, Els. Thank you for sharing. I love reading your advice and life experience, it’s really inspiring. I completely agree with keeping a positive attitude. It’s amazing how positivity can change a bad situation into a good one!
Thank you so much for keeping me inspired and motivated! XO.
Thanks for this post. These are great tips that everyone can benefit from.
Thank you, I needed these reminders today! I think you are right, its so important to stay positive and to take personal responsibility of that positivity!
Thanks so much for writing this! I remember back when you wrote about all your sleepless nights, and I was always wondering… “How in the world will I ever be able to do that? Not sleeping is such a huge sacrifice. I don’t think I can do this dream if those are the kinds of sacrifices I will have to make daily.” Thanks so much for easing my mind! : )
Great advice! Sleep is so important – I work late nights sometimes, but when I start creating crap I know it’s time to go to sleep. I use a reward system too – if I finish this design tonight I get tomorrow night off. Always good incentive 🙂
Thank you for your inspiring attitude. Your blog is such a refreshing visual & read and I think that your workaholic attitude has paid off for you and your business. I admire your work hard play hard ethic. It has to be a balance and it sounds like you’ve mastered them both. :)Love your blog!!!! xoxoxoxo
Thanks for weiting this, Elsie. I’m a teacher of teenagers and this work can be quite tiring sometimes. But despite that, your writing reminds me of why I chose this profession and compensation to teach something to someone. Thank for reminds me.
hugs
What a fantastic, inspiring share! Sounds like ‘workaholic’ works for you, that you have oodles of love for what you do, and that you really know yourself, what your needs are and limits too. Good for you! :>
Ah. Thanks for writing this. I’m coming off three years of working very hard on projects for someone else, at the same time we are planning new projects and my work landscape is shifting and changing. I’ve burned myself out a bit i the process and am trying to regroup. In the mean time, I’m fighting to strike the balance between work and play passions, by separating the two a little more and volunteering.
Its an exciting/scary/wonderful time to be a workaholic!
Love this!
Very good post! I am looking for that job that energizes and fulfills me daily. This gives me hope that I may find it.
this is so so good. and i totally agree on the sleep thing! man, the older i get, the more sleep i need. 8 solid hours a night and you’ll feel like superwoman the next day.
It’s wonderful that you have found what works for you and are living from your truth. I think a workaholic is someone who HAS to work all the time regardless of what they are doing – someone who cant enjoy down time because they dont feel they are producing enough or doing enough. I would call you a Passionate Entrepreneur and hard worker, but not necessarily a workaholic. It’s clear that you are extremely passionate, and LOVE what you do so you just want to do it all the time :), but you also make sure to schedule down time and make room for the loved ones and other fun things in your life which is something a workaholic would probably not do.
Keep up! Love your blog and your passion.
First thing…that photo is amazing! This is such a beautifully written post Elsie…you continue to inspire so many people! Thank you for sharing!
xoxo~meg
Love this, Elsie. 🙂 I’m definitely struggling to find the balance I need as a workaholic, myself – lol – and it’s tough! Sleep is a definite, though, even if I want to keep making! 🙂
I completely agree with you! I work long hours on my own new start up business, and I love every minute of it.It’s a night and day difference over the last five years spent in the DC rat race working like a crazy person and almost losing myself in the process. For anyone out there considering the leap, I highly recommend it! I also recommend that you have a strong personal support system in place. 🙂 I firmly believe that anyone, of any age, can live their dream. Thank you Elsie, for sharing your journey with us! xoxo, a.
Great insight, Elsie! Thanks for the advice; it’s obvious that it works!
I loved this!
Recently I feel like i’ve been in a creative rut..and reading this has just given me the inspiration to get me work ethic back. Thank you Elsie! 🙂
It’s refreshing to read your point of view. I’ve found the key to my stamina is similar to yours and most definitely includes steady sleep, eating healthy meals, exercise and personal time. Maybe life has other plans for me in the future but for the time being, my workload, my schedule and my desire to do so much is still a choice I make.
I am nothing without my health, physical, emotional and psychological. Thank you for being such an inpiration!
🙂 f
The House in the Clouds
very interesting!! Thank you so much to take the time to partage your experience!! You’re a sweety! 🙂
Elsie, thank you so much for sharing this post. Right now I’m stuck behind a desk, but I have dreams of making a living doing the one thing I love (making things). I haven’t started yet, and one reason is because I’m worried about the balance in my life with pursuing a side job that I hope turns into a full-time thing.
I think with your tips, I can figure out a great way to balance things for now…and then re-balance once my dreams come true.
This is a great post! I enjoyed reading it, especially the staying positive part! I occassionally struggle with a sensible life balance and I agree that getting enough sleep is very important (to me, obviously everyone is different) Thanks for such an inspiring and positive post! Hope you are having a lovely day! 🙂
xBeth
Wonderful post. I have wondered this about you, too. 😀 You do amazing work & I love following along with you on your career adventure!
This is wonderful thank you for your advice 🙂 <3
Sarah Jazzmine
withalittlejazz.blogpsot.com
Thanks so much for sharing your great advice, Elsie! Have fun with your wedding DIY projects. A couple years ago my sister got married and we DIYd her entire wedding. It was so personalized and beautiful!
Very inspiring, I’m so glad you wrote this!
http://2anchor.blogspot.com
great post!! i’m glad that you’ve found something you absolutely love to do!!
http://www.petiteandhungry.blogspot.com
Elsie,
Looooooooong time reader here. Like 2Peas long! 🙂
Very interested in your post today. I’ve always admired how hard you go for your goals. But I have a question. Please don’t be offended… How does Jeremy handle your work and dedication? Do you make special arrangements for certain times that are dedicated to just him? Do you do your own thing during the week and meet back for the weekend? How do you make sure that his need for your time is getting fullfilled? Do you talk about it?
I am asking because my ex-husband was a workaholic and that is 99% of the reason we are divorced. He was never home, never available. I was very, very lonely. I never felt like took the time to know me and sadly, I felt he was very, very selfish. He never put me first. Always, work.
Now I am remarried and I am suuuuuper sensitive to how much my new husband works. But it’s different than last time. First and most importantly, I tell him when I need him. I don’t hide that. I’m right out there with it. I’m considerate of what he’s doing, but he is considerate of my need for him, too. We jealously guard our time together – a little every day just us (we have 4 kids between us) – and we make sure that is always FIRST. Even then, it’s a struggle to make sure that we are making time for one another and satisfying those needs. But it’s my highest priority, for him to know he is loved and adored and needed. It’s through him that I get the strength I need to be myself.
Just curious and trying to learn new tricks!
Good luck to you; the new line is amazing. You always inspire me.
Rachel
i love this post…thank you so much!
Fabulous post, I am a total workaholic too, and it’s fine because my work is also my hobby and I have sooo much fun doing it!
Gorgeous photo btw, love your hair!
Great post. Well said.
This is such great information! I really really appreciate you sharing your wisdom!
Thanks for sharing your life with everyone! It´s so inspiring! I feel very happy reading your posts every day! ♥
I would prefer not to call you a “workaholic”, this word sounds like an obssesive and a bad thing. I think you just enjoy your work with happiness and enthusiasm! And that´s a good thing!!! You borned to do this!!! Your life is your work! But having an enjoyable work is the best thing that you can have!
Good bless people like youuuu!!! 🙂
I love youuuu elsieeee!!! ♥
http://pinterest.com/pin/11972490/
it is so amazing to hear how much you love your job! that is how i feel about blogging, i love working on my etsy and my blog and i look forward to it every day. hopefully after i finish fashion school next year i can be working a lot and as excited to work as you are! you are inspiring!
Steffys Pros and Cons
I really, really appreciate reading this. Art is just a side thing I do and really enjoy, but I have a deadline for a project due tomorrow and I’m not even halfway through with it. Crazy stressful, but this is so encouraging. I’ll have to remember these wise words as my “hobby” continues to bloom.
Wow! I love your last piece of advice. I feel as if I take on too much sometimes with trying to finish school, making things for my etsy shop and have time for family and friends (plus 2 part-time jobs in there)! I feel overwhelmed and overworked most of the time and end up getting close to a break down!
I love it that you touched on having a positive attitude. I will start working on that today! Thank you so much!
Nicole
Elsie, this is a beautiful post. You just helped me with these words. I am a 45 hour/week media-designer and at night I try to raise my own shop. I´m tired and often I loose my goal because of my daily work.
Thank you so much! This post inspires me to go on and on 🙂
greetings from germany, xoxo, Nora.
Like you, I guess you could call me a “workaholic” because I am “working” from 8:30 am to 11:00 pm every single day. I even eat in the same place, so the only time I’m not “working” is if I’m sleeping (I take a full 8 hours!) or we go to the movies (about once a week.) As a graphic artist/crafter/maker/photographer I love what I do and can’t call it “work” though. From 8:30-5:00 I “work for the man” as a graphic artist at my day job, and it takes about 15 minutes to drive home, change clothes and be sitting at MY desk, doing the exact same thing till bed. If anyone called me a workaholic I would laugh because I feel like I don’t even work at all. That’s the secret to enjoying life. We all have to “work” so the less it feels like work, the better!
What an inspiring, and refreshing post. Every time I feel my motivation or creativity drifting, I read your blog to get back on track. You have no idea how much your blog has helped me out 🙂
beautiful post, inspiring and so true. you’ve got it down 🙂
thanks for the awesome tips 🙂
Thank you for a refreshing post. I find it hard to balance life, mommyhood, and my creative business but I’m getting a feel for it. I need to make more things to look forward to, but I definitely agree with you on sleep. If I don’t get enough – it’s over! 🙂
I couldn’t agree with all of your points and tips more! Well written.
I think this is excellent advice. I go to school full time and work 30-40 hours per week, and although I was getting by on 5-6 hours of sleep per night, I started sleeping 8-9 hours per night, and it seriously changed my life. I have a much better attitude, I’m more productive, and I just feel better.
fabulous post about the “process” !!! Thank you lovely Elsie!
I like this! I think it’s the loving what you do that makes it work. I think I’ve finally found that ‘thing’ that makes we want to work work work. This post is a great reminder to balance working at what you love and loving life. Thanks so much.
what a wonderful post! I love your attitude and your lust for life. What an inspiration and what great advice. When I get overwhelmed I will re-read this for sure!!!!
awesome post, as usual. and one of these times, i’m going to be the first to buy one of your dresses instead of being too late and everything being gone. even if i have to stay up all night, or get up at 3 a.m. whatever it takes. THAT is a testament to what an amazing creative force you are, and that you really do have it figured out. love the blog, the new line, and YOU.
I completely feel you on this. I work 20 hours a week and take 18 credit hours in school, which may not seem like a lot; but trust me, it is when everything adds up. On top of that, I’m very active in my sorority which can take up to 10 hours a week sometimes. Everything is on how you balance it. I love my work place and I adore what I’m studying in college right now!
This is such a great post. I found, too, that changing my attitude about school and reminding myself that going to grad school was a privilege and a choice has really helped me this year. It’s amazing what a positive attitude can do for the way you feel! (And, trust me, I’m not one of those “positive thinking can change the world” people, but I do think it can help on a day-to-day level.)
So true about having to balance your time and leave yourself fun things to look forward to, like vacations! i feel so bad thinking about it when I’m busy because it feels unproductive, but now i know i need to plan a vacation… and then maybe someday i can have as awesome of a job as you do!!! 🙂
sleepydarlings.blogspot.com
What a beautiful post. It makes me so happy to see people do what they love. It’s so inspiring. 🙂
Really lovely post Elsie. I am a self-proclaimed workaholic as well, and have also found how important sleep and giving yourself things to look forward to can be to finding the balance. I find that when I work through projects (whether it means all-nighters or simply giving myself nothing to do outside of working), I tend to be much less productive than when I create some sort of balance. It takes a lot of practice for a workaholic, but it absolutely vital to keeping stress under control. Thanks for sharing this with your readers.
xo,
melissa
I definitely agree! This post is inspiring me…I’m currently in a bluesy sorta mood this week with school.
I notice the same thing about sleep with me (and food!). Regular meals save me. 🙂
Fantastic! This is just what I needed right now…I’ve been working on a huge commission project for some time now, and it’s really down to the wire. I need to stay positive about it, because I am SO thankful that I even have this opportunity!
Elsie, you are such a lovely person and I am so thrilled to have come across your blog. I am a big fan and what a wonderful gift to be inspired by someone (you) who is 10 years younger than myself! I have owned a store (at one time) and have had my own jewelry collection for almost 15 years. I relate to you on so many levels! I think your sleep advice is the best! After surviving on 5 or 6 hours for the past 2 years since the birth of my son, I now hired a babysitter so I can work during the day and get sleep at night! Everyone benefits!
Thank you for sharing your advice and motivation!
Cheers!
Chrissy
Love this! And such perfect timing for me to hear…thank you for this inspiring reminder of why I started doing what I do in the first place.
Such great advice! I’m just trying to kick off my own little entrepreneur endeavor…and this is really hitting home.
Thank you so much! You’re such an inspiration!
Hi Elsie, your post really inspires me, especially during this difficult time for me in setting up our new online boutique for female handbags and accessories! let’s keep up with the hard work together 😀
Come and visit our site if you get a chance http://www.thesignaturebag.com
xxx
Sarah
i hope to find a steady balance between my work and personal life someday (hopefully soon!). you never cease to amaze me.
I have my own store and I completely understand what you mean! I am sooooo fortunate to have loyal customers and have been successful & in biz 8 years but at the same time I get frustrated when I am so busy & have so much to do! Its easy to lose sight of how you (I) got this far. Thank you!
You could not be more true when it comes to work and sleep! I was so proud of being able to “function” on as little as 4 hours a day. Little did I know, I was not really “functioning”, merely going through the motions. Now I try to get 7-8+ hours of sleep a day & I feel *so* much better for it. (Also last year when I was a senior in HS my grades were *so* much better than the previous year when I barely slept!)
Thank you so much for sharing this, Elsie. Working a full time job while pursuing personal dreams is something I’m dealing with now so knowing/learning advice is most helpful. I have always loved your “reward” method of motivation. And as a Blog Love student, can not wait to learn of your upcoming e-courses 🙂
xx
Shelley
Elsie- What a fantastic post. I too loooooove what I do and think about it in my sleep.
It took me a long time and many soul sucking jobs to get to this point and I am so happy.
I agree that you have to make time for those you love and life outside of work – even if you love your job!
p.s. I saw you and your sis in ReadyMade mag – adorbs! If I am ever in Missousri – I am defo stopping by your store/sweet shop. love, love, love!
great post. i really admire your work ethic and positive attitude. I am really good at getting great ideas, getting super excited about them and then talking myself out of them because they will “never work” or “not be worth it”. I am scared to put a lot of effort into something and then have it fail. Seeing people like you who are really going for it and achieving their dreams is very inspiring.
way to live Elsie! it’s such a special thing when you discover your passion and can live your life virtually on the verge or tears because it makes you so happy. wonderful post to commemorate those feelings. i loved reading every word, you are some word-smith as well as artist/designer.
awesome balancing act tips too, especially giving ourselves a “treat” for a job well done. you got my vote! cheers and high fives.
Awesome post…thankyou so much for sharing this! Tatum xx
Such great advice! Pretty sure I wouldn’t be considered ‘human’ anymore if I didn’t get enough sleep! But how tempting it is to pull an all-nighter on that really exciting project!
I really needed this post at the moment. I’ve started on the path to a more creative life, whilst going to university as a mature student to follow another dream. But I have been struggling and losing motivation.
Thanks for sharing your experiences, I will take a lot of this advice on board and move forwards.
Onwards and upwards x
“Attitude”. Yes! Great post and that penultimate paragraph absolutely says it all. Do it because you love it. x
This is a wonderful post. So inspirational too.
You should be very proud of the life you have made for yourself, your friends and your family.
This post has really inspired me to go forward with my shop opening.
Have a wonderful day x
Thanks for those wise words Elsie, I’m an aspiring creative & a stay-at-home Mum & I sometimes find it overwhelming knowing where to start & how to balance life, this has given me allot to think about.
I’m stopping by all my fav style blogs, hoping you could all help me out- I’m a very small scale blogger & my new regular contributor Belinda Luby, fashion designer of her own label will be answering reader questions on my blog next Wednesday (13th April)They can be about fashion, business, sewing whatever you like. So far I only have one question on there & I’m a bit worried that I’ll have to ask all the questions myself! Would be great if you or some of your readers submitted a question (by next Tues Australian time). .
Questions can be submitted :(dont need to be a follower can be anon)as a comment on the following post:
http://tinyurl.com/4cjtzjn
Thanks so much,
Katie of Sweet Rustic
http://sweetrustic.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/sweetrustic
Well said! I need to remind myself to stay optimistic. Complaining and getting discouraged is where my weakness is. I just need to suck it up and deal with it! Thanks SO MUCH, Elsie!! You’re such an inspiration. I wish I could just put you in my pocket when I need a little extra push in life. <3
i find that there is a fine line between work life and personal life when you’re self employed.
i’m a tattoo artist and it’s rare that i can have a conversation out there in my ‘real’ life away from ‘work’, without work coming up. which is fine! but i know how it is to be constantly thinking of ‘work’.
it’s not a bad thing… but you do have to be able to pull yourself away completely sometimes. other wise it becomes too much of a job and who likes those? 😉
i need to take off on a roadtrip sometimes to visit friends, or lock myself in my art room and paint to keep the balance.
been following your blog for a while.. and wanted to say congratulations to you and the rest of the crew for doing what you love 🙂
Oh Elsie, your posts always seem to be “just at the right time” in relation to my life!
I own a vintage clothes store (just like you!) and run it pretty much by myself, with a little help from a part timer who does 4 hours a week so I’m in there 6 days a week from 10-6 and sometimes stay longer to do a new window display, finish tidying, mercandising etc, and then I have a blog (not as a frequent poster as yourself!) and I’m always trying to come up with new ideas for extra little additions in the store, for example, I’m designed a tote bag with a flamingo on the front at the moment, as my shop is called Turquoise Flamingo.
But sometimes I get very tired and disheartened by it (especially at this very moment) and the one way I know how to get my motivation up again is to log onto A Beautiful Mess. So thank you Elsie, you’ve been my inspiration and my motivation 🙂
Cathy
Turquoise Flamingo xxx
lovely post elsie.. 🙂
lovely post, elsie. thank you for the amazing tips!
That is some really excellent advice! As a college student, I constantly feel like I’m being pulled in ever direction; school, work, meetings, family, sleep, fun time, relaxation time, creative time. It gets so hectic! I always forget that there’s a reward to every difficult task I have o go through. Thanks!
This is a very motivating post, thanks for that! 🙂 I often think uni and work are becoming too much for me but then again – as you say – I have to remind myself of that I chose this path and that I can be happy about uni and work and about being occupied because many many people would love to study or work but can’t for some reasons.
Btw I love the photo, it makes me wanna have bangs 🙂
You are the cutest! I love your advice–you are so real and down to earth.
You are a great role model for women to follow their dreams and be fearless!
xo
http://www.hourglass-fashion.blogspot.com
Awesome post and some really great advice. I’m working on starting my own online business (and one day my own shop) and it can difficult to stay motiviated, especially as I currently work a 9-5 office job so my dream has to (for the time being) work around that too!
Elsie this could not have come at a more perfect time. I just texted my boyfriend that I am so overwhelmed that I don’t even know what to do next. However, you made realize that I shouldn’t be over stressed at my work levels. I should grateful that I have enough work to keep me this busy. Three months ago, I was out of work and terribly depressed. Now I’m insanely busy, but I couldn’t be luckier to have found so much work in an area that I LOVE. Sometimes blessing come in disguise. Thank you for reminding me.
An excellent inspiring post. I consider myself a workaholic too – through choice – and do end up burning myself out from trying to reach goals (often self set) all the time while constantly trying to be creative. I never switch off. This is wonderful though and I look forward to reading more of your posts.
All this praise and all I can say is that your post is deserving of it. Modest honest, hardworking happiness – beautiful.
Love peace
Ita
Fabulous advice… always good to know where one’s personal boundaries are. What works for one person won’t necessarily work for another. 🙂
You’re inspiring, and a great role model for young women who wish to pursue creative endeavors and entrepreneurship! Love your enthusiasm and passion for what you do.
Kel @ ser·en·dip·i·ty
I couldn’t agree more! As someone who is trying to start a business while maintaing a full-time job, I really find your words helpful and encouraging. Thank you!
love this post.
What an inspirational post! I just wanted to thank you for the upbeat message, I’ve been on the down-slide with my attitude and needed that little pick-me-up. Congratulations on finding your dream job! I’ll be following you from now on.
love this post elsie… I so look up to you.. I met you once years ago at a kansas city CKU… u were taking photos then… I loved u then, and even more love u now. xo u are oh so special xo bonitarose
You have no idea how much I needed this. Wow.
Thanks Elsie!
I envy you – I wish I enjoyed my job! Someday. 🙂
Btw, I really enjoy your blog, so I just nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award (see here: http://ohsaycanyousay.wordpress.com/2011/04/08/versatile-blogger-award/ ) . Thanks for the fun posts!
Thank you for the sound advice. Women need to support eachother in balancing work and life and I appreciate your words of wisdom!
x
Rachel
http://dressmeup-dressmedown.blogspot.com/
Had to tweet this post for everyone to see! Thank you for being so inspiring to us all. You are obviously a very hard worker but you know your boundaries and how to balance your life. You have helped us to believe that our dreams can truly become reality!
Elsie…. Gahh, can I be you??! In my high school, everyone is always asking me where I’m going to go to college, what I’m going to do with my life, where I’m going to live, how I’m going to make money, and all I can think of is how I want to do what YOU do.
You inspire me so much! And I want to thank you for that!! 🙂
xo
What a great post! Very inspiring words. Thanks for sharing.
Love the photo by the way 🙂
yep. you nailed it. this is what i want too. x
Fabulous post, I am a total workaholic too, and it’s fine because my work is also my hobby and I have sooo much fun doing it!
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Thanks for sharing. This is wonderful advise that I know I should take! 🙂
I too am a young entrepreneur. I’ve never called myself a workaholic before but I sure everyone else does. I find making room in my time for friends very stressful. The sad thing is I CAN balance them into my filled schedule but the always seem to be to busy to hang out with me. So, for the most part, I gave up. Still working on that sleep thing. I’m alot better then I use to be. That’s something right. 😉
I love this post!
I recently started a third job (yes, I’m a nut!) and I love it! I’m a case manager at a homeless shelter on weekends, house keeper at an old time-y inn, and I work at a daycare. I love it! But it has started hitting on my ‘me’ time. I would come home, sleep, and start my days all over again.
I now have gotten myself into a routine that every Friday (or Saturday mind you) night, I will go out with a friend (or friends) and watch a movie or eat dinner. It’s nice to treat yourself when you know you’ve worked hard to be able to enjoy it. Great post 🙂
I love this, especially the part about attitude! Am trying to live a more grateful life daily, and you just really neatly encapsulated everything that I’ve been thinking about lately.
This was lovely for me to read. It came at a perfect time too; I’m 17 and have just today opened my first shop 🙂 I love working hard and am a driven person, but I’m already learning just how important it is to zone out and have down-time! It’s easy to let your work take over your entire life when you have so much enthusiasm!
Anyway, thank you for this, I wish you all the best
Becky-May
x
I love this post, especially the part about keeping the right attitude. Thanks! 🙂
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This is so true. I love what you said here: “I don’t imagine retiring when I’m older, I imagine having more time to work, paint, sew and create. Design is what I love.” I often dream of “retiring” from my current job (receptionist) but mainly because I want to… paint, sew, and create. Etc… I love that you’ve found a “job” that lets you do just that! I am hoping to find the same.
Elsie, I am a new reader – just a few minutes here, and I am in love with your blog 🙂 Great post about finding a balance in life – I am a workaholic too, and sometimes I find it hard to take a break from my busy schedule, but I certainly am working on it! Thank you for writing this 🙂
Well said:) So true!
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Thank you for sharing this! I’ve been struggling balancing starting my own business while working full time and having a social life. It’s hard to be a good worker, friend, girlfriend but as you said attitude is SO important.its easy to feel victimized by all that needs to be done, but I love doing it all and that thought alone should keep me happy. Thanks for the perspective!!
Just what I needed. Thank you, Elsie.
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