Learning To Let Go Of High Expectations

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Learning To Let Go Of High Expectations
By Alyice Edrich

Twice a month my children meet other kids and young adults to play Hero Clix. It’s an action figure game hosted by Wiz Kids and our local collector’s shop and it last five hours! I’m not comfortable leaving my 10-year-old daughter with a bunch of boys, so while they play, I spend the afternoon sitting in my car, catching up on work (with an occasional peek inside). Today, I read several short books which I had been putting off reviewing. And to my surprise, the time flew by. My husband even surprised me by showing up and taking me to lunch, next door.

But something strange happened when I returned home with the kids 2 ½ hours later. I walked into the house, sat down to check emails and went from relaxed, carefree mom to instant stressed-out mom. All of a sudden, the successful month I had last month didn’t matter. It wasn’t good enough.

I had to take a step back to see what triggered this reaction.

What in the emails I read sent me in a panic to find a way to earn more money? What made me feel as though I wasn’t a success? And why did I allow this to happen? Why am I not content with where my life is and where it’s headed?

And that’s when it hit me. I have really high expectations of myself.
•Instead of seeing the successful things I’ve accomplished, I see the things I didn’t accomplish.
•Instead of being proud of the fact that I brought in enough income to pay our bills and have a little spending money, I think it wasn’t good enough because I didn’t make enough to pay off a credit card bill in full.
•Instead of realizing I was able to take my kids to school, bring them forgotten assignments, meet them for lunch, and do countless other things with them—because I work from home—I think of what I am not doing with or for them.
•Instead of enjoying the free time I have, I feel guilty because the time isn’t being used to pull in more income.

And that’s when I realized I desperately need a change!

When did I get like this? When did this shell of a person become me? How can I have a successful, growing home business, and feel as though I am not meeting some standard? And whose standard am I trying to meet anyway?

Surely not the one I set for myself when I decided to raise a family and have kids. If I remember correctly, I didn’t want to be a millionaire. I just wanted to make enough money and work a business that allowed me flexibility in watching my kids grow up.

If you find yourself wound so tight you can't enjoy the simple pleasures of life, it's time to take a look at your own life and make some drastic changes. Remember, we only have one life to live--live it well!

About the Author

Alyice Edrich is the author of several work from home e-books, and the editor of a national publication for BUSY parents. Subscribe to her free e-newsletter to get a free e-book and updates on her blog, Finding Me.
http://thedabblingmum.com/joinezine.htm