Fixing a Hole or Two

A project I’d been counting on for this fall fell apart.

Ok, this is part of construction. This happens.

Then another one got pushed into next year with permitting issues.

That happens, too.

Then the clients for the project that would have taken me through the winter went quiet.

This is all part of the rollercoaster of working for yourself. And though I’ve always believed things will work out, it’s hard to keep a little doubt from creeping in. The holes in your schedule become holes in your confidence.

One way to avoid spiraling into the sea of fears that come with being self-employed is to say yes to any job that comes along. That’s almost always a mistake. I almost did it anyway. The 3Ps, my filter for deciding which projects to take on, help me avoid saying yes to rebound work.

Another way to hide those feelings? A pint or two of ice cream. Or booze. Or both.

Instead, I updated my website.

Not quite as fun as drowning discomfort with a king-size pack of peanut butter cups. But more productive.

I know updating my site had nothing to do with it, but while I was working on it, I heard from my winter-work clients. Everything’s back on track.

Probably just a coincidence, right?