“Bloom where you’re planted.” That phrase has been going through my head a lot as I’ve reflected on the last year. My hometown was never where I wanted to live as an adult, but it’s where I’m called to be right now, doing exactly what I was called to do. I see a lot of potential in this little town, and I’m thankful God put me here.
If there’s one word I would use to describe my business and personal life this year, I would have to choose the word Growth.
There’s good reason why it’s been several months since my last blog post. It’s humbling, actually, to reread that last post and think back on what’s happened in my life between then and now. When I last wrote, I shared how overwhelmed I felt in my business and as a parent. Don’t get me wrong, I still feel pretty overwhelmed sometimes (okay, most of the time), but I feel more able to handle it now, than I did 10 months ago. I’ve gotten a little better about being more intentional with my time at home, instead of constantly working, and my son reminds me everyday how intentional I need to be.
There has been such a wonderful flow of opportunities that keep popping up right when I need them. Within a week or two of making the firm decision that I was ready to hire, I was contacted by a fellow SMWC alum moving back to the area after internship. I decided it was time to seriously consider diversifying my revenue stream, and I was contacted by not one, but two companies looking to contract music therapy services. I’m thrilled to be contracting with an adult mental health facility and a hospice company. Especially hospice. When I left my hospice position about a year and half ago to pursue full time private practice, it was a really hard move to make because I loved my hospice work so much. Being able to provide hospice music therapy services again feels like coming home.
Hiring an employee has helped alleviate some of the stress I was feeling in my work life, but it also added a completely new set of stressors. Cost. Added paperwork. Relinquishing some control over service delivery (I fully admit that’s the toughest part for me). It’s been a big adjustment for someone who’s been a solo-preneur for over 10 years. I certainly don’t regret the decision though, and I look forward to continuing to add to my team in the next year.
In the last year I’ve learned to not stress about every aspect of my business and to not take things so personally. I know I can’t do everything, and when there’s a lot of growth in one or two areas, it’s okay to focus less energy on other parts. This year, the therapy side got most of my energy, and the early childhood classes and private lessons were put on auto-pilot. I’m okay with that because I know I’ll be able to refocus my time on those again soon.
It has been quite a ride- sometimes scary and not without it’s bumps, but an exciting ride nonetheless. I’m looking forward to seeing where this ride takes me in 2017.
Be sure to check out my next post, where I’ll share my personal 2017 goals as well as my goals for Rhythm Garden Music.