Self-Evaluation. Week One.

Here’s what I learned after a week working for myself.

Here’s what I learned after a week working for myself.

1. You get me! You really get me! I put myself out there in a way that feels right — that is, I’m about authenticity, and I made that part of my brand. And I’ve had prospects reach out to me and say “I like what you stand for.” So it worked! Chances are, I like you, too!

2. A standstill can be a good thing. Last week I had the idea that I should have appointments every day to help create some structure, get out of the house, and since I’m being honest, have someplace to wear a cute outfit. But I realized I long for at least one solid, uninterrupted day of work time. So, poof, look at that, I’ve decided I shall have one. #noredtape

3. No structure, no problem? (No, not really). I am still plagued, at 46, by the same resistence to “being bad” that made me the easiest daughter ever. Monday is the best day to get a hair appointment. I can now do that. But I feel like a rebel! Like everything’s going to unravel when I’m in the wrong place on a school day. (I’d go to therapy about this but I quit therapy because my problems were too boring.)

4. Walk this way. I’m building a walk into every day as a workout so I don’t have to think about fitting in the gym. During these walks, I use my phone like ye olde dictaphone of my litigation days: I dictate proposals, draft testimonials for peers, etc. Only one mishap so far — I wanted “warm, white stock” for a printed card but mistakenly asked for “warm, white d*ck.” And sent it. But hey, in the Trump era we can all use a few extra laughs, no?

5. Getting clients is easy, because I believe in what I do. I want to help people, I know that I can, and I don’t offer anything I can’t do and haven’t done successfully. So I don’t have to sell, I can just say what I genuinely want for them and for their brand. I dread invoicing, though. Anyone know a good pay-by-the-hour accountant?

6. Self-employment requires a uniform. I’ve spent much of my days meeting up with people in settings from a coffee shop to an office conference room to Morton’s Steak House (sometimes all the same day!). I have to put on something in the morning that works or all these situations, that I can walk in, that includes a bag big enough for my laptop, that I can spend 8 hours in, and that also includes an umbrella, since apparently it’s monsoon season (what global warming?). So some of the heels and dresses that constituted my old work uniform will go to Linda’s Stuff.

7. My satellite office is a work in progress. I’ve decided to work at my Back Bay office on Tuesdays. Yes, this is a co-work space. Yes, the co-workers are my parents. And yes, it’s possible that week one in this space started with my dad asking me to come run an errand with him and ended four hours later in Armani.

Why is this man smiling? Because he’s my dad, and he knows he’s derailed an entire business with his “errand.”

Hey, I never claimed week 1 was perfect. But I’m excited by the possibilities.