Who’d have thought a minor surgery would have me reeling days later? Seriously, yesterday I had what I thought was a setback. I was absolutely drained of all energy. I was weak. I was aching in a way that you’d ache if you had a cold or flu. No fever (very slightly above normal). I had to lie down. I did. It didn’t help. Tylenol helped. I don’t think I’m infected anywhere (fever would be sky high), but I think I should get used to this state I’m in for a while. I see the doc tomorrow, so I’ll be asking lots of questions.
I’m back to work today, albeit on an abbreviated schedule. Just two small projects this morning, then rest this afternoon. I cannot imagine how I’d feel if I was a regular employee. First off, you get about a week of sick pay. Second, not too easy to ease back into your schedule slowly. Third, commutes. Fourth, office illnesses. Fifth…. I will say the only benefit there is you’re paid to convalesce, even if it’s only a week. But then again, just try taking time off. You get so far behind it takes three times the effort to catch up, which drains you further. Oh, and then there are the office politics. Why is it there are always those people who seem to shun you after you’ve taken needed time off? They seem eager to keep you outside the political circle? Punishment? Imaginary? I’m just glad it’s not my world any longer.
I did get some marketing done yesterday, albeit small amounts. I contacted two new potential clients, one a referral and one a, well, I can’t say publication, but a content provider. Before you worry that Lori’s taken too many pain killers and is headed for the mills, fear not. This is a European company that pays nearly a dollar a word for articles that it then sells to trade publications/websites. I don’t care what they do with it as long as my check clears.
I’m building back up slowly. This is my pace. I have to listen to the body and do what I’m told for a change. It could be a good thing. If I slow down, I may be able to spot a better client or a better deal that otherwise would have been overlooked. I have the time to browse the Internet, consider options, and generate new ideas. I don’t have to act on them all, but having that time is pretty sweet. Sometimes I get so locked in the faster pace that I don’t devote the detailed attention to marketing that I should. And I’ve already experienced the return of creativity every time I slow down.
Have you experienced that? What kind of attention do you give your marketing efforts when you’re busy? When you’re slow?
11 responses to “Slow Going”
I find that when I'm sick, I gear up for "speedy recovery" and push hard, then have to fall bak for awhile.
I am the poster child for what not to do, marketing-wise. I don't market enough when I'm busy. And then have to hurry to fill in the gaps.
Learn from my mistakes, people! 😉
Lori, just take it easy-any surgery is surgery (isn't that profound? Sounds like Yogi Berra)-my point is, it's not minor and will take time to feel like your ol' self again.
I, too, am bad about marketing when I'm busy. I keep up the "staying in touch" pretty well, but not hard-core marketing.
Lately, a lot of my work has come from my social media presence-saw me on LinkedIn, an article I did for an online magazine, etc.
I have to realize I can't rest on my laurels. I hope you rest on your, Lori. 🙂
Devon, I promise to learn from your mistakes – I want to learn ALL your mistakes because you're freakin' busy all the time! 🙂
Cathy, it's true. I have to accept that I'm just not supposed to be back to 100% yet. (love your Yogi Berra moment there!) I'll rest on something today, though I may not rest on laurels. They may have sharp edges. LOL
Slow and steady wins the race. In other words, don't overdo it. ;o)Take your time. You'll probably heal better if you do. I *try* to fit in at least small amounts of marketing when I'm busy, but I don't accomplish nearly as much as when business is slow. For a long time I panicked during slowdowns, but I'm slowly learning to accept them as godsends. As you mentioned, they often open the floodgate of creativity so I now embrace them as opportunities to work on personal projects.
If you feel good, it doesn't mean you can get up and do things–like baseball games mere days after surgery :). You need to force yourself to stay down so you can heal.
Kathy-
Love that "godsends" for slowdowns! 🙂
Lori: Try to remember than any surgery is a form of trauma to your body. Add in that the side effects of some drugs (especially sedatives) can take a week or more to completely leave your system; your normal sleep-wake patterns have been disturbed; and we're approaching the vernal equinox (shorter days along can upset sleep-wake cycles, and you'll understand why you're not quite back to full speed.
As for marketing, apparently I'm slower when busy. I ran across something that sounds like that European market you found, made a note to check it out, but haven't done so yet.
Lori, take care of yourself.
I'm with Yo on this one. Glad you went to the game and had fun–but don't something like that again!
Seriously, you need to give yourself time to heal. Nothing's more important than that. Wee-lax!
You guys are like mini moms here. LOL I'll behave. I promise. If not, come bop me in the head personally.
Lori! Not sure what you're doctor will say, but my hunch is that surgery is an assault on the body, no matter how minor… not surprised you've slumped. Honor it… you'll be fine
Another minimom
Thanks, Anne. 🙂