Keyword of the day: Listen

I bet many a struggling entreprenuer out there can relate to this - advice & suggestions on how you should run your business from people who don't have a clue!!
I could write a book on the rubbish advice I have been given over the years from various sources who silently believe they can do the job better....but off course, have not the slightest intention of putting their money where their mouth is. Its one thing taking it from family and friends who genuinelly have your interests at heart but its very trying when individuals you hardly know volunteer their two cents worth...right? WRONG!

LISTEN..LISTEN..LISTEN..

I admit, it can be offending & aggrevating to sit there & take it but you never know when you might stumble upon that one bit of sound communiqué that instantly illuminates the old light bulb. Ironically it usually comes from the most unlikely of sources probably because the advice giver is not in the same line of work. They are thinking outside the box, looking at the picture from an entirely different angle, something we unteach ourselves how to do along the way!

A New Experience.

This weekend my husband & I were given the brass ring to experience something that most parents would gladly give their left limb & right eye for ;) - ie a weekend withouth the kids! I have to admit that when my good friend, Mojca, suggested taking my three children for a sleep over Saturday nite and returning them Sunday evening, I reacted with ungrateful trepidation coming up with the most ridiculous reasons to snuff her enthusiastic plans! 'Would she feed them right?', 'Would she be as careful as I am with them when crossing the road?', 'Would she..would she...would she..!'
Fianlly, ashamed at my own cowardice I agreed half heartedly to let the children go. Driving them to Mojca's apartment drenched in the knowledge that over the next couple of days I would be powerless to look after the welfare of my babies, was a bitter pill to swallow. Anyway, the story ends well...they all had a rolicking good time, never missed me once and can't wait to do it again. Not to mention, the husband and I (after getting over the initial shock of not having them around surprisingly quickly) got to spend a lovely two days together.
I wanted to make a note of this new experience becuase it made me realise two things:
1. Trust in your children and in those who love them. We're so caught up in the routine of doing things for our children that we don't realise how capable they are of doing much of the same for themselves. Also, friends & family may not always do the job as well as you but they will do it to the best of their abilities becasue they care.
And,
2. This weekend I was reminded once again of all the things that really matter in my life. Yes making a success of Orgapod matters immensely - I'd be lying if I made light of this - but nothing matters or should matter I believe more than making a success of raising good, kind, self-reliant future adults.