Tidbits: Time

It is hard to own a business. It really is.

Especially at the beginning.

My business is not even four years old yet. So, I still find myself trying to grow and expand it. But, I am realizing I have to set boundaries on how much time I put in to it.

My business has been a huge blessing. And while I think God can use it make an impact and bless others… in the end it is still my job. It is NOT my life. I love what I do, but I don’t want to look back and realize I have missed some other things because I was letting my business consume me.

So this year, I am going to try and cut back even more.  I am reorganizing.  I am charging a little more.  I am going to spend less.  I want to be focused when I am working. And be able to enjoy the time I am not at work.

In an industry like photography things change every second.  A new camera, a new look, a new this, a new that…it’s easy to be swept up in the current and be carried away on it (and honestly spend a ton of money and then feel you have to book more to make up for the expense).

Some of you may have seen that I am not taking any more weddings for 2012. We chose to stop at 26. Could I probably handle a few more? Sure. But do I want to? Not really. Do I need to? No. I can budget off of those weddings. Stick to that budget. At least that is my goal!

Not only does it give me more time for my family and friends. It also provides a better service for my 26 brides.

Listen, finding balance as a business owner, mommy, wife, friend, sister, and volunteer is HARD (and I still struggle in this area.. hence this post). I want to have more time for the people in my life! I want to be able to stop and just ask someone how they are doing and have the time to listen. Right now, I can’t always do that. It needs to change. I look at my little girls and it totally freaks me out that Ellie will be in Kindergarten soon. She has one more year of preschool/staying home with me a few days a week. Then she will be gone EVERYDAY! It went too fast! I want to savor this time.

I know that not everyone out there is reading is a photographer or a business owner. You may work a 9-5. But, there are still ways all of us can make more TIME for God, the people in our lives, and ourselves.

I thought of some dorky ideas for me… maybe they will help you have more space in your life too!

Ways you can add meaning and fun into your super busy life:

*Stop watching TV. (Unless I am snuggle with my hubby watching a movie or something… it really isn’t worth it)

*Journal at least once a week. Maybe start an idea book like in this post!

*Take one day a week and spend at least an hour doing something you love. Reading, gardening, going for a walk, whatever!

*Go on a date with your spouse consistently. (Some of my friends do this once a week, which I am kind of jealous of. I also saw this link for great ideas for cheap dates)

*Have a weekly family night. (My parents did this with us growing up. I kind of got annoyed as a teenager… but now looking back I so appreciate it)

*Bring your neighbors some cookies or a special treat. Get to know them!

*Pray as a family together.

*Take each of your kids on a special date once a month.

*Volunteer somewhere. Maybe at a nursing home, hospital, with inner city kids (my fav)

*If your spouse or kids come home after you, stop what you are doing and greet them with a smile and a hug.  (I am actually really trying to work on this one.. I am so “in the zone” sometimes.. I don’t greet my hubby like I should)

*Eat dinner as a family (or with close friends) a few nights a week.

*Play outside with your kids/dogs. (Especially you Floridians like me. We live in a beautiful place)

*Do something nice for a stranger. (The other night my husband paid for the person behind us in the drive-thru. Now I want to try to think of other random things we can do. It is so fun!)

*Write a letter or email (or FB message) to someone once a week to encourage them. Tell them how much you appreciate them and pray for them that week.

*Look at old photos/videos as a family. Reminisce. This also helps you appreciate the time you have now… because you realize how fast it goes by.

*Make time for the people in your life.  Stop networking and start thinking about having meaningful relationships.

What do you think? Do you have any ideas we should add to the list?

Here are some shots from Tuesday afternoon. We took the girls Strawberry picking. It was such a great time as a family, TOGETHER.