jenniferblaufrau.com

I have never been so swamped with work in my life. I will definitely not be taking it easy this weekend! However, I’m loving it. The work is challenging and fun, and I am earning more than I ever have. Exactly what I thought would happen with my business is happening, and it’s crazy to watch it all unfold similar to how I imagined it could.

I have been interviewing presidents of multi-million-dollar companies, doctors on the edge of new technologies, and artists and entertainers, and what has been confirmed for me in all these conversations is that the only thing that separates very successful people from anyone else is that they simply do not give up. These people, by and large, aren’t necessarily any smarter, more articulate, more efficient, more prepared, or more gifted than anyone else. Of course, some of them come from backgrounds of privilege, but as many of them do not.

The most important quality they share is basic persistence.

Another quality many of them possess is willingness to take risks, try new things, and challenge the norm. They do not hesitate to depart from the life path that is common to their peers, and they learn to find side doors that allow them entry to the places they want to be.

Basically, it comes down to attitude. They know what they want and they just don’t stop working to get it. It’s really as simple as that.

I carefully planned out my work week and found myself with a bit of wiggle room today. Though I’ve had numerous deadlines this week, the only place I had to be was at my piano and guitar lesson this afternoon. Love the freedom. I was motivated to get as much as possible done before tomorrow, when Paul gets into town for a long weekend. So far, my income for May is about 30% higher than my highest-income freelancing month ever before this, which was March. If I can earn this much every month, I’ll be set. I’m fully aware that I could experience a downturn at any time — I know the work has a natural ebb and flow — but I’m sure happy to be doing so well right now!

Since I knew I only had a couple more hours of work to do this evening, this afternoon I headed down to Gethsemane Garden Center, which I’ve been planning to visit now that it’s warm. I got a window box for my kitchen, with basil, oregano, thyme, and chives, along with a pretty pink-and-green-leafed houseplant for the studio. I got caught in a tempestuous downpour on the way home, soaked to the skin, but it was kind of fun, since I knew I’d be coming home to a hot shower and some homemade chai. Mmmm.

A mini herb garden is something I’ve always wanted in my kitchen, but never felt settled enough to put together. I’m happy to have gotten it started today.

Today I went down to Waveland tennis courts at the northern end of Lincoln Park for my third tennis league match. My opponent called and cancelled, due to illness, but I still had a good time. I was half an hour early, so I walked over to the lakefront and sat right at the edge. The waves were rolling in and exploding against the concrete bank, putting on quite a show, sparkling in the sun and misting my face. I did my stretches there and took some deep breaths. It was just so pretty and nice.