I wish I could pull off saying, “ya’ll” because….. ya’ll, I’m so sorry! I haven’t kept up with my summer series, and the relaunch is now a week away! While I feel awful for not executing the adage of “under promise and over deliver,” there are a couple of silver linings that I’m dubbing Light Bulb Moments.

If you’ve been following along for behind-the-scenes information and insight into life as a small business, it’s about to get real!

First Light Bulb Moment

All the talk about having a purpose behind your business, and a purpose behind everything you do, has finally hit home. No, it’s not a new idea. Yes, I’ve heard it a thousand times. Someway, somehow, the concept just clicked in my mind over the last couple of weeks. I learn a lot from the beautiful souls behind With Grace and Gold, and have been working on their latest project Signature School. Thoroughly recommend it if you’re looking to define who and what you are as a business! (Early stages or late!) I’ve also been reading The ONE Thing by Gary Keller. Among others, these two sources have got my wheels turning.

Second Light Bulb Moment

Less truly is more. Again, I know you’re shocked by this original revelation! All my life I have been a “yes man.” Disappointing people and failing are two of my deepest fears. Haven’t gotten over that completely by any stretch of the imagination, but I’m coming around the idea that saying “no” is ok. In fact, it’s a good thing! Not only are you taking care of your sanity by saying no, but you’re actually able to do more with the things you say yes to. And those things you say yes to…..are the things that mean more and align with your purpose!

Alright, alright. These might not be earth shattering concepts, but they are rocking my world on a personal and professional level. I would challenge you to look at what you’re doing and how you’re feeling and ask the simple question, “Why?” As I’ve started to do that, I find myself learning a lot about myself and what I want out of this special life I’ve been given.

So enough of the sappy stuff. What does all this mean? Most notably, I’ve abandoned my original plan of finishing the three summer series on this blog, and the site will be temporarily offline for updates leading to the relaunch. How/when posts will be added is also going to change. In general, you’ll probably sense a scaling back that is wholly intentional. I did not set out to create Nothing Past Nine in order to blog or create a website. I founded the business to create. These additions will help grow the business and I enjoy doing them, but the pressures can become too great very quickly. I am excited about this relaunch and re-energized to give more to less!