Category Archives: Business

How To Do It All (Really!!)

Being a Digital Nomad, Being a Spoonie, Business, ,

You can do it all.

I know that sounds a little unrealistic: You have a business, a job, a social life, a family, some hobbies. Lots of responsibility. So little time. And, if you’re a regular at The Spoon In the Road, you probably have a disability. How are you supposed to juggle all this stuff? (I know my cane means literal juggling is out of the question for me!).

As a sufferer of ME (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), I have very few ‘good’ hours each day, before I have to rest. With so many things on my plate, how can I possibly get things done, and still have time for fun?

Enter How To Do It All: The Revolutionary Plan to Create a Full, Meaningful Life, by Linda Formichelli. Linda introduces the radical idea that a little stress is actually good for you. You have two choices: go through life as stress-free as possible, but have little in the way of memorable moments and funny stories to share. Or, set out to achieve something special, go on wild adventures, and just accept that stress is part of a life well-lived.

As spoonies, we’re already pretty well-acquainted with stress: We have to count our spoons, measure what little energy we have and make educated guesses about how tired and sore we’ll be tomorrow versus how happy and accomplished we’ll feel today.

In a way, we’re already living the “D.I.A.” lifestyle, without even knowing it.

How To Do It All offers concrete plans for making time and finding energy to do what’s important to you, explains how stress is actually your friend, and inspires you to go out and make your desires reality.

My only complaint about this book is that it doesn’t take into account that some of us don’t have 24 hours in a day (so to speak). While the average person can sleep 8 hours, work 8 hours, and spend the rest of their time on their goals, a spoonie needs to take things slower. We might not get through the entire book’s 12 desires within 12 months (as suggested in the book’s introduction). We simply can’t go at the same speed as our able-bodied counterparts, and that’s okay.

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No matter your ability, you can do it all. Just go at your own pace, and enjoy the outcomes as well as the ride.

How to Do It All: The Revolutionary Plan to Create a Full, Meaningful Life — While Only Occasionally Wanting to Poke Your Eyes out with a Sharpie by Linda Formichelli is out now. Buy it in print or kindle here.

Full disclosure: I was a beta reader for this book and received a complimentary copy. However, this has not impacted my opinion.

 

On Being an Expert

Being a Spoonie, Business
I just read a post from Braid Creative that really resonated with me. It said,
“Experts don’t have to prove their worth by telling you how hard they
worked on your project or how long they’ve been in the game. Experts
never displace blame or require validation. Experts just do what they do
what they do best – whether that’s snapping a photo, writing a book,
developing an ECourse, designing your logo, or consulting you through
next steps – with grace. Experts make you feel safe and reassured
through the process. And they make it look so easy that you almost
consider that you could do it yourself. And that’s how they know they’ve
done a good job”.
As a solopreneur/ entrepreneur, you have to have some kind of expertise in your niche. A claim to fame, if you will. So what’s yours?
As spoonies, being an expert might not be effortless, per se. After all, measuring our energy levels and acting accordingly takes dedication and commitment. Focusing on a task, sitting at your computer or behind your camera or on a Skype call with clients can be physically painful. Existing is difficult, so of course work can be, too.
But being an expert should be effortless. You won’t know all there is to know, especially right away. Gigs won’t fall into your lap. You won’t snap your fingers and fill a wall with awards. But the expertise itself; learning your craft, eating, breathing, sleeping it? That will be painless. Because you love it and you are good at it.