If you’ve been around the AWAI copywriting world any time in the last five or so years, you’ve seen me there — a lot. I know many of my readers here at Breakthrough Marketing Secrets first discovered my work through AWAI.
Heck, over breakfast one year, Joshua Boswell once called me an “AWAI poster child.”
And I’ve been a vocal advocate of AWAI’s Bootcamp — hopping on promotional/preparation calls as recently as a few weeks ago.
Many folks have written me to tell me that they’re looking forward to seeing me at this year’s Bootcamp.
I would love to write back and say I’ll see you there, too — but I simply can’t…
Here’s a little behind-the-curtains view into my life right now…
In March, when our daughter was born, we took our two sons out of daycare. The oldest was on his way to kindergarten this fall. We thought we’d have them all home together through the summer. And when fall came, we’d get the younger two back into daycare as the oldest started kindergarten.
We even put ourselves on wait lists for a couple different daycares at the time — seven months ago. We’re picky — so we have specific places in town we’re comfortable sending them. We got on all those wait lists.
Well, bad news…
No spots opened up at any of the daycares.
Thankfully due to the benefits of being self-employed, my wife and I have been able to handle it. She works about half-time in her biz, and I work about half-time in mine. We juggle the responsibilities of getting the 5-year-old to and from school, and taking care of the younger two through the day. (There are also some late nights and early mornings when things need to get done!)
But this also makes taking time off for things like Bootcamp quite difficult.
Yes, I made it to The Titans of Direct Response. I was the copywriter for the project. And it was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime event. I made it work in my schedule.
And yes, we’ve figured out scheduling to make my workshop in November happen smoothly — so I can be completely present and focused throughout the three days.
After those two commitments though — which both eat into a regularly-scheduled commitment my wife has for her business — I had to make a hard decision.
I had to cancel my trip to this year’s AWAI Bootcamp.
I hate to do it. Every year I’ve gone (and I’ve only missed one other one since 2009), it’s been incredibly valuable to me. For the friendships. For the networking. For the boost of energy I carry with me throughout the year. And for the real, measurable business I get out of being there.
And yet, this year it just doesn’t work.
If you’re going to be there and if you were hoping to connect with me there, I’m sorry. I’ll miss you!
However, my kids and my family are definitely my #1 commitment. Usually that doesn’t preclude my also coming to Bootcamp. But this year, it does.
For those of you who will be there, I hope you enjoy what I’m sure the whole team at AWAI will make “The Best Bootcamp Ever.”
And I hope to catch up with you next year. (Or at my workshop in November.)
While this isn’t an overt business lesson, I think there’s a deeper life lesson in it — and it’s worthy of a Grab Bag Friday issue.
While I believe building your business and creating financial success for yourself is a high virtue and has many benefits, it’s not the only thing.
If you want to live a happy life, you need to be a whole, rounded person. Part of that is spending time with family and those who you love.
When commitments to your loved ones prevent you from doing something for work or business, you have to weigh the trade-off.
And it’s okay to regret not being able to pursue the business interests.
Do what you need to do. And take care of the ones you love.
They’ll be around and contributing to your happiness long after you’re done with your business and career pursuits — or at least as long. But only if you make them as much of a priority as you make your business and your career.
That’s it for today. Have a great weekend. And say “I love you” to those who matter to you.
Yours for bigger breakthroughs,
Roy Furr
Editor, Breakthrough Marketing Secrets
