As a digital entrepreneur my work is never done. With the Internet being “up and awake” 24 hours a day, 7 days a week… there’s never an off switch. I became immersed in this digital world back in 2004 when I was on forums and chat boards with moms talking about pregnancy, babies and being a 1st time mom. I fell in love with the world and knew that this is where I wanted to be, I just needed to make money at it.
Fast forward lots of blood, sweat and tears and 10 years later, here I am – running my own digital properties and the co-owner of (2) digital businesses. I love what I do. I have worked so hard throughout the years and it’s all been because of this true passion I have for connecting and sharing information with other moms and women online. I also have a passion for social media, so for me – it’s been a true win-win across the board for me.
My biggest challenge with working is tuning it out regularly. I’m the bread winner in my family, so it’s not always easy for me to tune it way down. Last night while at SheKnows Media and Oxygen’s Quit Your Day Job Event and Panel, Ido Leffler gave a piece of advice that truly made me tear up.
He shared a story about when we was starting out, he was working like crazy – always on, always accessible.
That’s me. He had said he came home one night to find his (then) girlfriend’s bags packed and ready to go. For him, this was his love and didn’t want her to leave. She told him that in order for their relationship to work and for her to stay, he needed to be completely tuned into their life, with work away from 7-9PM every single night.
He said he’d do it.
He said it was the best decision he’s ever made (they’re now married with children).
It was an ah-ha moment for me to hear this from him. This ultra-successful entrepreneur tuning it all out from 7-9PM to be fully present. If he can do it, I can do it. I do my best to have work down with boys are home from school, but there are still times I will send this email or create a post or upload photos. I don’t ever just completely shut it down.
I’m taking his advice.
7-9PM every single night. Phones and technology away.
Ido, thank you for sharing this with us.