When Plans Seem to Change

Life keeps us all busy. The past year was particularly busy, with the wedding, downsizing at my parents, and a heavy programming work load this fall/winter. While others are looking both back at the past year, and making goals for the next, I am reminded of where I was a year ago. . .particularly with my plans on starting an event planning business.

I did, in all legal terms, get the event planning business started. I got the necessary licenses, began to market myself. I ended up doing weekend of coordination for two weddings - without being paid. The downside to breaking into a new market - everyone wants a discount or free services when you are "new".

Other things seemed to delay the burgeoning company. I had limited funds to spend on marketing, limited time to spend on networking, and limited assistance in getting the website up. The website design isn't an issue at all. It was in some ways the follow through of others who said, "I will work with you!" and yet they never gave me any bio outlines or such for me to put up on the site. So in the end, the first year did not land a single paid job.

Luckily for me, the event planning is not my livelyhood. Perhaps it is best for it to stay a hobby, something that I pick up here and there as requested from friends and family, rather than actually attempting to be even a part time shop. Afterall, I seem to have very little time, and a growing passion for my other day job.

And I guess that is also noticable - what is different this year from last year. Well, I had just moved into the programming department. The idea to do event planning had begun in the middle of 2008, when I was becoming more disinterested in my consulting position. I was seeking a challenge, something to take me away from the day to day humdrum. Now, a year into programming, with an exciting vista of projects and more day to day interaction (online) with coworkers, I am feeling much more satisfied. I am also much more exhausted at the end of the day. I am looking to relax, clean, exercise. Next thing I know. . .the day is gone.

I was also smack dab in the middle of planning my own wedding. Thus, the whole event planning was fresh in my mind - with it's excitement and energy of the upcoming event. So of course, my mind went towards the business set - a way to capitalize on the amount of time spent obsessing over the little details. As if, somehow, considering the time as business preparation made it OK to be obsessive! Now with the wedding gone, I find myself more into dreaming about house renovations, or getting the house cleaned and organized. With my change in interest, Dave even suggested I expand and rename the business to be Luminescent Designs - so that it could incorporate more into my other design interests - graphics/interiors/events. Maybe...or maybe I leave it all as interests I enjoy as my time allows and my energy permits.

Life - life changes plans - and I am a rather adaptable creature. So for now, I am setting the event planning to the side. Focusing on myself, my family, my job. . .through the development and embracing of what IS right now. And life is good.