How Much Is Too Much?

Ok, so my good friend asked me "How many businesses do you think you can handle?" today.  What can I say... I guess some of us handle as much as humanly possible.  The part that is tricky is where balance and stability come in.  How much of our health and sanity are we willing to sacrifice for the profit of human success?  Im positive that the answer is different for all of us.  For me, I have received many a compliment on how much I can undertake and achieve at any given time of the year.  However, these people have no idea of the extent of which my boundaries are pushed.  People either see me on the personal side, or the business side... very rarely both.

Yes I have my share of business obligations, goals, daily sacrifices of any sense of "normal life"... as if I could just be content being "associate publisher" for an outstanding and successful tourism magazine... as if that wasn't enough... I insist on running my own Marketing company... which is my biggest dream.  Overwhelmed by the constant learning curve that is the internet, web browsers, niche marketing, websites (not to mention my sarcastic love of html coding - I'd rather stick to the "design" side of things)... not to mention the constant headaches from staring at a high resolution computer screen for most of the day.  Don't get me wrong... this is not from a negative standpoint at all... it is actually a realization that I am truly living my dream - graphic design, internet marketing....GREAT STUFF...!!  The part that is hard to control sometimes is all the extra devoted volunteer time that consumes me.

Yes, it is necessary when starting a new business to "give" a lot of your time and yourself to show people that you are passionate at what you do and give them a chance to see how talented you really are about it.  This is where I started speaking my mind at meetings, giving my ideas away, doing anything possible to have people notice my talents and committing to every chair and committee brought to my fingertips.  Leading to community involvement, politics, and executive board positions.

Where are the limits?

Then there is the most important thing in my life... My family.  Yes family.  Three Kids.  Husband.  Household.  Responsibilities.  These are the true things.  The reason for life is love.  Yes we can bring something true and just to community, civilization, the world by what we do.. but our legacy lives within our flesh and blood.  These are the opinions that matter.  What do my kids think of me?  Do they look up to me?  Does my husband appreciate, love, and support everything I do.  YES, YES, YES!!  This is what holds me afloat.  Without the ability to put work down and shut it off for four hours in the evening, and all weekend...I COULD NOT DO IT.  Balance.  Limits.  Boundaries.  Focus.  Concentrating on what is most important and being absolutely DILIGENT about it is the only way it is possible.

Thank you.  To everyone who inspires me daily, supports me by the minute, and to those of you that appreciate and bring it to my attention that you notice me.   You are my sunshine.