Eyes on Your Own Paper

In this journey of life, I believe we are meant to overcome certain human tendencies that may be inherent in our nature, but detrimental to our growth. Each of us, in all probability, is our own worst enemy.

Since I have been a full-time self employed person, I have adapted to a new way of managing finances. And I depend on many things for my survival: nice weather on weekends, happy shoppers with money to spend and a desire to use handcrafted soap, certain technologies, etc. In my former life, I never thought about how my employer was able to pay me. Do you think about it? Do you ever consider all of the factors involved, how all the various components of your employer's business must come together in order to ensure that you receive your regular paycheck? Probably not. But, I am intimate with all of these things because all of my efforts are geared toward keeping my business alive and paying my bills.

This kind of necessary obsession can lead down some less-than-desirable ways of thinking. I don't care to know what my fellow self-employed crafty friends are raking in. Some of them are delighted to share this information. It's never done in an evil, "rub your face in it" sort of way, but it can certainly take the joy out of a day you thought was fabulous, sales-wise. The only person I should be comparing myself with is me. How I did at a particular venue one year vs. another, how my internet sales stack up against themselves from month to month. It can be hard to keep yourself from wondering how much your neighbor is making at a show, but I am determined to keep my head down and not let my mind wander in this direction. It's futile, anyway. Ones sales do not determine how rich or poor one may be. If your sales are huge, but your bills are bigger, well, that isn't success. And no amount of money can stand in for happiness and job satisfaction. Both of which I happen to have lots of.

Right now, I'm in my busy season and I'm doing well. And I'm keeping my eyes on my own paper.