Coffee Talk #190: On a break

It’s Tuesday! Grab your cup and let’s start chattin’.

If we were chatting today, I’d tell you that my AppleWatch informed me that I’ve hit my goals for the past 108 days and that I’ve had ’16 perfect weeks.’ From a pure data perspective, yep, it sure looks like a series of perfect weeks. But reality?

These last few months have been a HUSTLE for me. I’ve been busier than ever, truly. Between pivoting my business to be completely virtual – then partially virtual and outdoor – then mostly outdoor – then partially virtual for private groups and one or two classes, hella outdoor (like 6 days a week), and private small groups that require travel – then private small virtual groups plus ALL OF THE ABOVE. I don’t have two days that look alike and I hit the pillow ready for sleep each night. It’s been a crazy whirlwind.

I think about how much longer I can do this. Summer is here. People are starting to venture out, going on vacations, returning to gyms. The reality is that my heavy pivoting that yielded amazing results the past few months will change again. I might have to suck it up and teach indoors. I don’t know if I really want to do this, but winter will come and outdoor classes won’t be a thing. Virtual classes in private groups are currently thriving, but will that stop? Then what? Do I want to return to any of the gyms I taught at previously? Do I really want to work for someone else again? (In case you want to know what I think about at night before I go to sleep…)

If we were chatting today, I’d ask you a question – when’s the last time you took a break? Like, turned off the phone, didn’t respond to stupid work emails (they’re not important if you think about it really hard), didn’t get stressed about a project that no one else cares about, etc. I haven’t had one in 112 days. Not even a weekend. I don’t turn off my phone, I check messages all the time (especially for fitness – y’all keep me BUSY). I think I might panic a little if I really truly turned it off.

Why? Fear of missing something. Fear of being forgotten in a sea of other choices. Fear of missing a good opportunity. I’ve had to reinvent and pivot my business SO much that I’m afraid to put it on hold for even a second.

The reality is that WE ALL NEED AND DESERVE A BREAK. Even us entrepreneurs. Even us creatives. I know that I do my BEST creative work when I can step away from the situation for a moment. But it’s really hard to leave my creative work.

I’m delighted and FREAKIN’ SCARED OUT OF MY MIND to share that I’m NOT teaching a live, virtual, or other class for the first time in 112 days this weekend. I’m literally sweating in anticipation writing this. I teach 3-5 classes a day. I plan and craft workouts every single day. I don’t get vacation days. I can take them, but at a risk of not clocking hours for that day.

I’m doing a lot better crafting evergreen content – so I could take a break and still be earning. It takes a lot of prep and planning to get to this stage. I have two private groups running, that will still be running, while I take a break. I’m REALLY proud of my private virtual groups. I’ve done so much work to get to the level I’m at today, and I feel like super legit, being a one-woman show and developing actual programs that people can follow. I’ve built so much in 11 years, and there’s been some incredible, rapid development this year.

If you’ve joined me for a virtual group, a virtual class, an outdoor class, anything – thank you. I’m so honored to be your fitness instructor and completely in awe of this amazing reality I get to call my job.

Before my break, I have 10 videos to film, 8 more live classes to teach, 2 more private lessons, and schedules to create. It’s a lot of work and I’m definitely grinding it this week, but I’m excited to explore a new-to-me place and spend blissful adventuring time with husband!

Your thought for the week: is it time for you to take a break?