Going into my third year of business, I recognized that I was chasing the dollars but not the purpose. This left me worn and ping-ponging from one project to the next. I needed to make a change, improve my work habits and get focused. That is why I chose pinpoint for my word for this year (https://rivetservice.com/post/what-is-your-word-for-2023/).
I started narrowing down my work projects in May so that I could go into summer with only a few rewarding clients. But this didn’t work. I couldn’t let the offers and paid work go. It was like I was pulling the slot machine lever: taking a job, getting paid quickly, putting in the work and pulling the lever again, all while getting minimal return monetarily and psychologically. I had to make a change.
Finally, by Christmas, the best clients picked me, and I picked the best clients, and I was ready to pinpoint my skills, build lasting relationships and find fulfillment. But then the dreaded laundry machine kept calling my name. I needed to create a separate space to escape the madness. I needed to improve my work habits and stay focused by creating a dedicated workspace.
Struggling to stay focused
See, I was a stay-at-home mom for several years before returning to work. But like any super mom, I couldn’t just start a job and forget the rest of my duties. So once I started my new business, I had two full-time jobs. I just couldn’t let the cleaning, booking doctor’s appointments and showing up for drop-off and pick-up go. In fact, I didn’t let anything go!
As a writer and editor, many ideas constantly loop through my mind, and finding time to calm them can be challenging. But quiet time is a must so I can do my best creative work, and setting my laptop on the kitchen table and expecting my other obligations to go away was impossible. I needed a quiet workspace, away from any distractions calling my name.
Asking for help
I also recognized that I’m “seasoned.” Yes, I have years of work experience, but that also means I don’t have the youthful eye for an inspiring space that someone much younger than me would have. So, I called on Morgan and McKenzie at Mozie. These two dynamos are passionate about creating homestyle, meaning a lifestyle curated at home. They love to create inviting spaces and use their creativity to help others feel a sense of warmth.
The Mozie website and blog have helped me try new recipes, get inspiration to redecorate my home and most essentially, they helped me shop for everyone on my Christmas list with their well-curated shopping lists that nail it every time.
Morgan and McKenzie also offer virtual design packages, so I called them up to redo my empty loft space that sat for a year without a purpose. Instead of making it a yoga room (I don’t do yoga), I finally realized it would be the perfect office spot. It’s away from the house, has a great view and is quiet.
I called and signed them up on the spot to do an in-house design package. After understanding that I needed to create a distraction-free space and a youthful, modern vibe, they went to work.
Morgan and McKenzie kept me updated throughout the process, even providing a 3-D rendering of the space to review. They made ordering furniture and decor quick and easy and were patient with my slow responses.
Finally, the reveal day arrived, and I couldn’t have been more excited to get to work the next day. The first week in my new space was the most productive in three years. I especially liked using my wall-mounted whiteboard because if I wrote any of my priorities on an electronic device, app or notebook, I would simply ignore them or try to remember them in my head. The clarity I gained in my new workspace even gave me time to breathe and brainstorm new ideas.
Using an outside perspective to move the needle
Asking for help is hard to do, but it’s worth it. Most people believe they can do it themselves, but sometimes you just need to get by with a little help from friends. Putting the things we know we should do off is also a way of avoiding what you know you should do. With the help of a business coach, this small piece of advice was transformational for me and put me over the hump to finally give up some of my responsibilities to be more productive on a few.
The first step was recognizing that I needed to improve my work habits and stay focused by creating a dedicated workspace. With the transformation of my loft space, the Mozie women helped me find the fastest and most effective way to pinpoint my editing and copywriting services in 2023.
How I can help
I still offer the same great freelance editing, proofreading and copywriting services, but now in a great new office space. Please contact me if you’re looking for a freelance editor, copywriter or proofeader. I help people who are:
- Struggling to start their book
- Have ideas in mind but can’t get them on paper (or email, presentation, proposal, book, etc.)
- Nervous about publishing their book
- Need an outsider’s perspective on their work or manuscript
- Overwhelmed with keeping up with marketing content and creating sales materials
- Unsure if what their writing is worth someone reading
- Used to making a lot of mistakes because they’re running a mile a minute
Setting up a time to have a meaningful conversation about what you need and where you’re stuck may just be what you need to move the needle in a positive direction.
To learn more about Morgan and McKenzie and Mozie, please visit their website at: http://www.mozielife.com.
Interesting things I’ve learned from working in office spaces
- I need daylight. I quit my first job out of college in just two months because my office didn’t have a window.
- Bringing a seafood-based Lean Cuisine to the office is a no-no when you have a pregnant coworker. Otherwise, be prepared to do a massive cleanup.
- If you’re a woman, prepare to wear a sweater. Most studies on work productivity and inside temperature levels were conducted on men, who typically wear more clothing and have elevated body temperatures. Hopefully, this study by Cornell University will gain more traction: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2004/10/warm-offices-linked-fewer-typing-errors-higher-productivity.
- If you travel for work, pack with the lights on. I once brought one left-foot brown shoe and a matching right-foot black shoe for a work trip and had to act like mismatched shoes was a fashion statement for a week.
