Written by Karen D. Swim
Last week I hinted about my “affair” and it’s time to come clean. I would never advocate the human variety of cheating but cheating on your business can be a great thing! For more than five years my primary business has been writing and marketing. Within those broad parameters, I have performed a wide range of functions for clients.
My affair began with a casual conversation with Trish Lambert about clients new to the web led us to co-create a brand new shared venture. Our shared passion for helping people, and collective experiences of frustrations experienced by our clients led to “what if” discussions. What if we helped ease the way for brand new people to have a web presence? What if people on a do-it-yourself budget but lacking a do-it-yourself bandwidth had someone like us who would do it for them? What if we not only wrote their content but took them from zero to launch?
The conversations grew from excited snippets to a real plan. I soon found myself no longer talking but installing new WordPress sites, and spending hours coding and customizing. It was a flirtation, a chance to let my secret inner geek flag fly. I visited forums and learned new javascript code. I installed Firebug and began to explore the codes of sites I loved. I listened; I learned and fell in love.
I was cheating on my business, spending time on something that was not my natural area of expertise and loving it!
My flirtation will not become a full time job but it has allowed me a new perspective. Coding is precise and requires an attention to detail. Challenging my brain in this new way was not only keeping my brain healthy and young but refreshed my writing.
Stepping out on my business filled me with an excitement that had been missing in recent months. Cheating gave me the space to clearly see what I loved doing in my “real”job and what was draining me of energy and passion.
In recent weeks, I have talked with many others who are feeling a bit of wanderlust. Their stories led me to share my own journey in hopes that it would help others in need of a change without completely ditching their business. If you still love what you do but something seems off or missing, cheating can help you rediscover your passion.
Allowing yourself to flirt renews a sense of play in your work. I celebrated when I learned something new and took risks uncommon in my regular job. I was not an expert at coding and that freed me to have fun with it. Cheating on your business also exposes you to a different perspective from people that are outside of your primary industry.
Whether you have your own business or work for a company, allowing yourself a side flirtation can add value to your professional life. A flirtation can give you the space needed to assess your primary role without making major changes. You may find that you don’t have to ditch your business or job but simply spice it up with a little variety.
Have you ever strayed from your primary business role? What impact did it have on your professional and/or personal life? If you have never cheated, how do you keep yourself engaged and excited about what you do?
Karen, I agree with you fully. And, coding is one of my favorites. I’m actually learning Joomla and more about WordPress too. Even coding from scratch is enjoyable.
Returning to work is a pleasure after I’ve taken time to play. It’s always good to see I’m in such good company.
Shari
Shari Smothers´s last blog post..how to have a great work experience
@Karen, I wish we lived closer! We just seem like two peas in a pod! I get bored easily and that’s why I won’t pick a niche. Having a niche DOES make a difference, but I’m OK with not being a known expert in one thing. As long as I stay busy and keep clients happy, that’s all that matters. I won’t be the go to gal for any specific writing (case studies, white papers, etc.), but somehow I lucked out in making a living off a diversity of writing-related gigs.
I do have some family in Michigan — my maternal grandfather’s side. But haven’t been up there myself… yet.
Here’s a twist — I originally wanted to be a web designer. But after trying my hand at it, I found I had no eye for design. Although, I’m good at installing blog apps and such and enjoy it sometimes as long as I don’t have to create a design (just tweak a free template to fit the organization). I started three different PTA web sites using a blog app (to make it easier to hand off when my two years as webmaster were up). That was fun.
I just love volunteering at my kids’ schools. I still have a clear memory of mother working in my school library when I was in Kindergarten. I was so eager to see her that I lined up first and started heading out a little too soon. I try to make sure my kids see me when I am working there.
Here I am going on and on in your home. Back over to you and your lovely guests.
Meryl K. Evans´s last blog post..9 Ways to Brand YOU
Alex, I am falling over laughing! “job slut” sent me into hysterics! You just have an enormous amount of energy and creativity, which can’t possibly be contained to one thing! 😉 I love that about you and I wish we could bottle it and sell it. Now that’s a product I would stand in line to get, overnight even!
Hi Deb, I so totally heart you! Thank you so much for those wonderful words of encouragement. You know this week I was questioning – you know the questions – am I good enough, does it matter, should I give up. Ick! You will never know how much your comment means right now. {{HUG}} You are so good at your affair, do you think in part it’s because it’s not your full time love? hmmm….
I am definitely going to keep writing, and am searching for ways to do more of it. 🙂
Meryl, we should so hang out! I love sports too, anything and everything. I love that you mentioned volunteer work too. Volunteering is such a phenomenal way to nurture the mind and soul and do good for others. It is also a great way to add variety as you can do things in volunteering that are not part of the normal work day. What a great point Meryl!
Jamie, lol! When I started this venture, I realized how easy it would be to become a complete night owl. I’m all over the Rock and Roll but feared the sugar so I upped my workouts. It’s so easy to get lost in the process, I didn’t want to start taking up more of my chair! 😉
You are so right though. I have such a high degree of respect for coders. I am certain that it will make me a better client.
Hi Lillie! I am hugging you right now as I truly needed that bit of encouragement. I had been feeling rather flat this week and your comment helps alot!
I love that you have such a well rounded business. I wonder if writers in particular need to mix it up to keep us interested? Even as a child I got bored easily if I was not challenged. Some days though I’d love it if I could switch it off and just sit still and knit. 😉
Hi Joanna, lol! I was tickled pink by the answers! The suggestions also have me noodling other ways to spark some fun and adventure in my life. 😉 I suspect that many of us have inner geeks, it is quite fun isn’t it. 😉
Hi Ellen, I would love for us all to focus on fun and renewal! You and Robyn help us all to stay in a good, healthy state of mind. The insight you provide is truly invaluable and uplifting!
Hi Conor, thanks so much for the kind words. Music is such a wonderful passion. It energizes the brain in such a unique way. I can just imagine how soothing it is to pick up a guitar and get lost in music. I’d love to hear you play (hint, hint). 😉
Hi Brad, I completely agree! My business model has taken many twists and turns, none of which I could have predicted. I am learning though that I have a desire to narrow my focus and more specifically the type of client I work with. Growing picky in my old age. 😉
Hi Andrew, indulging in another interest has value on so many levels. However, the same effect can be achieved with hobbies. Running is another passion of mine but I was at a point where I needed something that diversified my work day.
Hi Jean! I have not doubt that Maya’s Garden will not only be hugely satisfying but an enormous success. There is something so rich and nourishing about gardening. I look forward to photos and stories. 😉
I must be a job slut then because I currently have nine different sources of income… each one gives me something the others don’t quite offer, not just in terms of money, but in terms of client interaction, creativity, control and independence.
At times I get a little scattered feeling, but then one of the sources gives me a little something-something and I’m back in the game! 😉
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog post..7 Little Somedays You Didn’t Know About Me
Karen,
I love your writing style!
Please don’t ever give this up for coding. Yes it’s ok to flirt on occasion, takes the everyday norm out of life. I am guilty of doing the same. I stray from bookkeeping to playing with my website and blog all the time. But I’ve never let it grow into a full blown affair 🙂
I’ve always played a sport of some sort since I was five through college. Then, as an adult — all I could do were exercise machines, exercise video tapes, strength training and so on. Before kids came along, hubby and I played racquetball. Last racquetball match I ever had — must’ve been 16 years ago.
Three years ago, I found tennis. I ached to play a sport and this was the most convenient. It only takes two, a cheap ball and a racquet. Courts are easy, too. Unlike volleyball and softball — need a gym with a net installed or a field with at least six people.
Still playing tennis and love it. But I felt like my body needed something new. I had done a lot — what else is there without breaking the bank?
Then I found my new affair and even hubby knows about it. Pilates. I go to someone’s house and play with this machine doing all kinds of neat and weird movements. But I feel like every part of me gets something out of it.
Business affairs — I’m blessed to do a variety of things in my business and volunteer work. So I can’t imagine finding something else to pull me away.
Enjoy your new affair, Karen.
Meryl K. Evans´s last blog post..8 Ways to Kiss up to the Media
Oh, many, many times have I strayed from the path… I’m surprised some wolf hasn’t come and gobbled me up!
That said, I think it’s good to stray. It expands your understanding of others and the struggles they face daily. You don’t have to understand the different between an int and an Int (and there is a rather huge difference) to understand coders, but a short walk in their shoes doesn’t hurt.
N.B. Considering my professional standing in the world of coding-types, I should clarify one point in your post: while the output of fine coding is assuredly a work of precision, the act of coding itself requires enormous quantities of rock and roll and sugar. 🙂
Jamie Grove´s last blog post..Best Mornings…
Karen,
I’m glad you’re enjoying your new flirtation, but I wish you were working on your novel! Hope you add that to the mix as well.
I don’t have to flirt because I do a little bit of everything in my business. I write, edit (both for business and for authors), create and maintain Web sites and blogs, consult and help authors self-publish, help them promote their books … a little of this and a little of that. So I never get bored!
Lillie Ammann´s last blog post..Review: Top Self-Publishing Firms
Hi Karen, I hope we didn’t shock you too much with our own suggestions!
I’m glad you’ve been finding ways to add variety and playfulness to your work. And there is something enormously satisfying about doing coding work… I love it when I get the chance to indulge my inner geek too 🙂
Joanna Young´s last blog post..Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre: Changing Pace on Your Blog
Karen, you bring our the adventure, wonder, and curiosity in all of us! Thanks for this post that revs another new week in the area of risk for a winning result! Much more of this kind of flirtatious fun with renewal and we’ll have skipped the whole economic downturn problems! Hey, I too am in, Karen. Thanks for the inspiration:-)
Ellen Weber´s last blog post..Call for Simplicity that Adds Intelligence
Hi Karen,
Great post, and one I can full relate to.
My “day job” is in online marketing, running campaigns for clients of the company I work with and also running a website venture with my mother.
However, my true passion and inspiration is music. While the day job keeps me afloat financially, I write and record my music to keep my soul thriving. I find that keeping both sides of my brain active and refreshed gives me a lot of balance.
When the day job is getting to me, I turn everything off and pick up the guitar. The first strike of the strings is like a spray of cold water on a hot day. Cheating in this sense is a necessary and inspired move 🙂
Conor
Hi Karen, I tend to see any business model as a work in process rather than something set in stone. There are very successful firms out there that have a seemingly unrelated basket of products and services, yet it all somehow works. Maybe you have that type of business.
Brad Shorr´s last blog post..Book Review – World Wide Rave, by David Meerman Scott
Karen,
I am very glad to hear about your level of excitement with regard to your new ‘love affair,’ and it sounds like a wonderful opportunity for you.
To tell you the truth, I haven’t ‘flirted,’ much personally. That said, I think that you are right, and the process of the development of passions outside our regular profession certainly helps to expose us to new perspectives.
Andrew´s last blog post..How 35 workplace deaths were exposed in an internet chat room
Hi Karen – My regular gig is my freelance business writing gig, but this summer I’m planning a huge vegetable, herb and flower garden (no small undertaking in rocky, critter-full New Hampshire) along with a stand to sell whatever flourishes called “Maya’s Garden.” (Maya is our chocolate Lab.)
The stand will also feature gourmet breads and vanilla, soaps, and whatever else I come up with to add to the mix. In other words, a total change from sitting in front of my computer. I’ll keep that up too, but need something completely different. So while you code; I’ll be growing things! Wish me luck.
Jean Gogolin´s last blog post..10 Steps To Doing a Kick-Ass Interview