Today I'm sharing an adventure with Starship Captain Vanessa Laven. Vanessa writes at Mixed Martial Arts and Craft about kicking cancer's butt with grace and flair + makes plushie body parts over at Survival Organs.
People have this fantasy of what it's like to be a full-time entrepreneur. But what's a normal day for you really like?
A normal day starts on my house chores as I figure out what needs to be blogged about and what items need to be made for my shop. This is assuming I'm also not working through a headache or migraine. I get them so frequently that I only let myself sleep them off if they're at a pain level of 8 or 9 out of 10. Anything less than that and I have to suck it up and push through. If I wasn't that hard on myself, nothing would get done – either biz wise or in my personal life. Oh and as a cancer survivor, I also have doctor's appointments and support group meetings to juggle and I have to see if I'm physically feeling up for a martial arts class. While my doctor's appointments aren't every week any more, they do take up most of my day so I need to account for that. Often I end up working after dinner or on the weekends.
There are so many ways to make a living as a biz owner – how are you doing it? What have you combined and how has that changed?
What new thing are you exploring now?
I'm currently exploring new organs for my shop, new expressions for their faces and writing more about how to take life one stitch at a time! I'm also exploring how to teach people that they are their own guru.
What's your definition of success in your business?
What's the next destination you're working towards?
Thanks so much for sharing your workday and adventure with us, Vanessa!
Vanessa's a Captain in the Starship. You can meet more Captains + learn if it’s right for your adventure when you sign up for the free mini-course here.
Elizabeth L
April 29, 2014 at 7:22 pm (10 years ago)Thank you so much, Vanessa, for sharing your experience and how you work through the day-to-day. This post actually made me cry (in a good way). I’m a survivor of a different kind from early childhood into young adulthood trauma(s), and while I always did well in school and work, ignoring the effects it had on me finally took its toll.
I’ve spent the last few years in nearly full-time healing, and am finally feeling authentic, true to myself, and strong. I’m starting on my entrepreneurial journey, and you truly inspire me. These words: “I get really scared and I want to avoid it but then I remember how lost I felt when I was sick. I’ve held on to that feeling as a reason to conquer my fear and give birth to this book.”
Yes. I will still spend lots of time in doctor appointments and groups, as well, and certainly have days of overwhelm, but it does me so much good to see a giving, successful person, manage and even thrive through that, too. Thank you.
Tara Swiger
April 30, 2014 at 9:28 am (10 years ago)I’m so happy this spoke to you, Elizabeth!
Thank you so much for sharing a bit of your story with us!