This may be totally obvious, but one of things I love about running my own biz is that I can work when I want to.
This can, of course, translate into always working, but I find it doesn’t. If I work when I’m inspired, and it feels good, then I feel the permission to also NOT work when it doesn’t feel good.
It’s one of those no-duh kind of things that isn’t always no-duh.
I’m doing a little bit of work Saturday morning, organizing my office. And I quit work yesterday, Friday afternoon, at 2pm. And I often take off to do fun things during the week.
It’s a LOT more organic, and a lot more productive. And it took me several years of being independent of a job before it sunk in that this was more in-flow with how most of us humans operate than going to a job for a set period of time.
Before letting go into this kind of flow, I’ve heard clients worry out loud about how unproductive they would be- heck, I had that worry myself. But, if you need proof that even a billion dollar company could work well this way, then check out Ricardo Semler’s The Seven Day Weekend.
The flow just shut down.
Okay, with this blog post, I’m finding I’m done with work. Saturday rest and fun- I’m ready now. 
How about you: in working your own biz, do you find yourself unconsciously mimicking the ol’ 9-5 routine, or do you still get plenty done by letting yourself float where your inspiration takes you?
Hi Mark,
I personally feel one of the biggest benefits of being ‘self employed’ at Life On Purpose Institute is ‘flexibility’ both in when I work and to some degree what I work on. For example, I’m writing this from the back of my van as my daughter driving us to church. Now, this may be a bit out of the ordinary, but it’s a good example of having a flexible schedule. I’ve actually found some of my most fun and productive times working is when I’ve given myself permission not to work. Does that sound weird?
Like you, I often work on Saturday mornings, say from 8 – 10 or 11 but I give myself permission not to. After all, it’s the weekend. It’s a little tougher for me during the ‘regular work week,’ but I’m getting better at that too. For example, it’s a beautiful spring here in the NC mountains, and so I’ve been finishing up work earlier to go out and play in the yard. I admit, I hear a little voice admonishing to keep at my work along with a small twinge of guilt, but I’ve become adapt at recognizing that isn’t my inner wisdom speaking to me but instead my inner critic, so I thank it for sharing and go on and enjoy playing in my gardens. For me, that’s demonstrating what’s possible in living a life on purpose, so perhaps in a funny way, it is a form of work — ‘walking my talk.’ Thanks for the chance to explore this with you.
BRAD
Isn’t it great to have that flexibility? You live in a beautiful area, and I’m glad you get the flexibility to play and enjoy it.