Stretching it...

Did you have one of those mothers who said, "You're taking too much upon yourself and should slow down," ? I didn't, but I knew mothers who did. My former pastor did warn me, "Be careful that you don't overextend yourself in service to the Lord," when I first met him. I had three jobs and a few outside projects. I was, and still am, a workaholic.

A complicated one, at that. I'm still extremely lazy and prone to procrastination. I take on more jobs than I should - most are ones that I self-appoint, for my own ventures. But I make my set deadlines. Usually earlier than I set them for.

The latest family upset showed me how I really was stretching myself too thin since I started freelancing full time a little over a year ago. I wanted to learn everything, do everything, and help others behind me with everything. Never say no, never pass up an opportunity to use my talent here and there.

I've done a lot. I've learned a lot. I love what I'm doing. But when I had to start saying no and pushing many of my ventures back during the family upset, I realized how much I am creating stress for myself and the ones around me by doing too much.

So, I'm slowing down on many things. This falls in line with what my last post said, and will help me reach the three main goals.

Magazine growth is stalled for awhile. Will approach that again over the summertime. Also, magazine work is pushed back until summer time. I rarely am even checking the emails for it. I've posted on the blog and Twitter and FaceBook about this, so people should know. I will get in there once a month for maintenance and updates. This month, I do need to post the guidelines for the summer contests and issue.

I'm doing my own copywriting, and just a few jobs via word of mouth. Unless I need to switch gears to get income in, I won't be marketing myself in that way now. (IF time allows, maybe some catalog writing, since I am quick with it.)

I am going to continue exchanging with the few copywriting buddies I've connected with.

In the copywriting and marketing field, I still have an urge to become a coach. I am exploring courses/mentors in this for later in the year.

My main focus for the next three months is the 12 week membership for digitalchurchsecretary.com. It's not active yet. I am setting up the program, url, member site, and converting the current site and blog over to reflect it.

This is a project that's close to my heart. It's important to me. And it's a strong experience for me. Perhaps a tough first experience. The church market is not used to buying this way yet, and I have to teach them.

I'm a member of Frank Kern's Infomillionaire site, I've taken numerous courses on how to put together these types of information products, and the guides for this site draw upon my own experiences of working for churches of different denominations. I can help others help their churches grow, and that's where my talent needs to be used right now. Too many churches are struggling and shutting their doors.

It's time I concentrated my efforts where God needs me, and where my family needs me.