I am celebrating today as I created my 500th job! 5 years into this journey of self-employment I have learned many life lessons, but one of the biggest is gratitude. And I am super grateful that 500 different times folks have trusted me to create something for them. There have been book covers, periodical design, logos, web graphics, custom woodworking jobs, and a host of other projects. A lot of them have been enjoyable and then there were a few that we just won’t talk about much! But each and every time I have worked hard to give my best effort. And each and every time someone paid me for my efforts I was grateful.
Being self-employed is sort of like farming. You have a heightened awareness of your reliance on the soil, the weather, other people, and God. When you run your own company you become keenly aware of your reliance on your health, other people, the opportunity to do work, and God. There is a causal relationship between the work of my hands and my livelihood, a fact that often seems to be overlooked by many who labor in cubicle farms. Every single time I open my mailbox and receive a check it is a blessing and I am profoundly grateful.
Another point of gratitude is the new friends I have made. I love when clients become friends. At some point, you cease to be just a supplier and become a friend.
So if you are one of the many fine folks who partnered with me in reaching this milestone, I say thanks. I am grateful for YOU!
