Last 4 day week, and "Fun July"

Today begins the last of the four day weeks we've had since we first returned from the pandemic closing us down. We started at three days - well, about 2 1/2 days - and have slowly gained more days. Monday, July 12th we go to half day Mondays. Technically, it will be 4 1/2 days for awhile but a full five day work week is just around the corner. 

It hasn't been easy but its been cathartic, too. Three day weekends are awesome. You feel like you have time to do your weekly chores AND have down time/fun time. When your business suffers from something so freaky though, having to go to a three day weekend is not always good for business. It is however good for your mental health if you've been overly stressed, whether you know it/knew it or not. 

In the past year, this is what has happened in my neck of the woods (brutal honesty here, with vagueness to keep peoples privacy):

Both studios shut down for 2 1/2 months completely.

Learning that my job/business is considered non-essential, and really what that truly means.

Unemployment offered and received.

Unexpected financial blessings that kept me afloat; and by extension and my decision got me out of debt. 

Then I financed a new vehicle - that though I would have liked to pay 100%, found a deal I could live with, and I have wheels that are safe and dependable.

Renewed my faith in my career-path, but opened my eyes to other opportunities and dreams, and realized nothing is set in stone.

Take life one month, one week, one day, one hour, one second at a time.

Multi-tasking is not all it's cracked up to be for everyone. You sometimes just need to do one thing at a time to its completion.

Dave Ramsey has it right; though I've not learned all my lessons yet.

All of our staff left to pursue other opportunities and dreams; hiring new staff has changed in this day and age. Moving forward, I've learned to pay attention to what's important to you and your business, and that everyone is replaceable no matter who they are. 

Family relationships changed; some for the better, some for the worse.

Family moved away, but are much happier. I'm truly happy for them.

I've gained friendships; renewed friendships; some though have fallen away, either for my health or for theirs.

We played Jumanji in 2020; in 2021, its better but if you really look at it, we're still in Jumanji; it's just a nicer version.

I've lost weight; I've gained weight; I've walked more, breathed better, but the business of being a mid-40's woman is winning. 

Still averting a mid-life crisis. Staying strong. Grrr.

I spent a whole year on E-harmony. Met a few men. Not for a lifetime. Also not looking anymore. Not one appreciated me for me. I can grow and change in the ways I need to, but not to please another person. Sorry, God made me different. And there are men out there who will want to get to know me, enjoy my company, look forward to seeing me, and love me - at some point, I will meet one of them that is to be with me forever, and me him. It just wasn't last year on E-harmony.

Though I'm career-focused and I know I'm not the prototypical Arthur Murray All-Star instructor/counselor/supervisor/franchisee, I am an All-Star to everyone of my students. I will be an All-Star to my future staff. I'm mostly though an All-Star of the NEVER GIVING UP, the KEEP MOVING FORWARD, the ALWAYS WILLING TO LEARN AND GROW, and the PIVOTING awards. 

I also know clearly now that when a husband/family comes into my life that I can choose to have a career and a family, or I can choose only to be family-oriented, and either will be okay.

I spent more time with my grandma, Donna Souza. I spent more time with my family in general.

I learned that I need to let go of the guilt of failed relationships, failed leadership with previous staff, failed projects, and all failures in my life. It's still a daily struggle, but I learned I need to learn from them and then forgive myself and move on. Ask for forgiveness from those affected to and understand that I may not receive it.

So, today, I end this part of the blog going to work on my last Tuesday to start the week. Tuesdays will no longer be my Mondays. My Mondays will be back and I'll be ready for them. Maybe a little tired for awhile as I adjust but they'll be back and better than ever. And I know I've missed some things in this list, but it was a long year and I'm sure I'll add to it - or in another blog post - as I remember things.

FUN JULY

I will be working this next weekend a bit - a dance camp on Saturday from 12p.m.-5 p.m. for staff. Peter Hahn is leading us; also Richard Myers will be doing a few sessions as well.

July 17th I get my hair cut and professionally colored for the first time in about 2 years. Then I leave straight from the salon chair to go to Napa with a friend for the rest of the day.

July 24th starts my week long vacation for the year; I haven't planned everything yet but it will include a visit to Great America, a visit to the beach, a visit to wine country, and a visit with family in Oregon.

After July though, it's all about work except for a few weekends that my parents will be close by and a few friends, too. Other than that, I'm career-focused until the Holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years).

I hope and pray you all have a great July, and rest of the year! Take my advice and don't multi-task if you don't need to. A lot of times multi-tasking makes your tasks happen faster but with less quality. And enjoy life when you can as much as you can. 

Lots of love,

Tiffany 💋