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The Waiting Game... Putting Your Business on Hold for Personal Reasons

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Freelance Writer

We are due to have our fourth girl in just a few days. I should, based on the number and frequency of my contractions, be asleep. Instead I'm here with you folks contemplating time.

When we knew we were having this bundle, just after a recent miscarriage, I knew I needed to cut back. My husband and I were expanding our real estate horizons searching out new property prospects, I am homeschooling two pre-schoolers and cyber schooling a 3rd grader, I'm working on my first children's book, I had several business writing clients, and I volunteered for our church's Sunday school program.

I usually leave these things out of my business blog, but I am a Christian, and I know everything happens for a reason, and in it's season. I had to cut back and my writing seemed the best place to do so. But what about the missing income? Yep, that was a concern, but God provided, just in time. For how long, we don't really know, but for now the cash rolls in in just about the same amount as I was making.

Now, when is the right time to jump back in? When I do, do I woo my old clients or search for new ones? Will the break in the action severely affect my skills, my prospects?

I guess this matters little in the grand scheme of things. God is in control after all, and a baby, even the fourth one, changes everything. :)

Comments (8)

Guy Thomas
WR Starkey Mortgage - Colorado Springs, CO

Yes it does. Enjoy your time with the little one as this special bonding time happens only once with each child. You all take care and have a great Christmas.

 

Dec 07, 2009 03:34 PM
Jeremy De La Garza
Corpus Christi Realty Group - Corpus Christi, TX
Corpus Christi, TX

It opens doors for new areas of marketing, schools, PTA meeting, soccer, enjoying the blessings and all the rewards with them. Good luck

Dec 07, 2009 03:43 PM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

Wow-- I got tired just reading about all the things you are doing --- take care and be well.

Dec 07, 2009 07:28 PM
Bonnie Vaughan
Scranton, PA
CNE SFR - Buyers/Sellers - Lackawanna & Surroundin

Christine,  Good luck with your new little girl. Each child is a special blessing.  I too got tired thinking about all you accomplish.  Thank you for sharing with us.  God Bless.

Dec 08, 2009 11:25 AM
Broker Nick
South Florida Real Estate & Development, Inc. - Coconut Creek, FL
Broker Nick Relocation Broker Service

Christine - Merry Christmas and enjoy the present God has given you. He will provide for you because He is The Father and the Papa ALWAYS provides for His children.

Dec 08, 2009 01:29 PM
Colleen Fantini, Northeast Cincinnati Realtor
Comey & Shepherd Realtors - Landen, OH

Christine, I can totally relate in so many ways to your post.  God will provide.  I found myself jumping out of the real estate cycle a few years back when we had just had our 3rd child, and my husband decided at the same time to completely change his career - to becoming a police officer!  Not only did we go through a solid year of his full-time work plus every night at police academy, but then went straight into the world of really weird shift-work.  Throw unpredictable and demanding clients in there, two boys in middle school hitting their stride with afterschool activities, and a near-death parent for 18 of those months - a recipe for disaster for my real estate career.  And it showed in my work - not fair to the people I was supposed to be serving. 

After a few years off serving the Moms' group in my church and nursing an ill parent, my plate seemed to significantly clear this past summer, and I found myself itching to get back to my outside-the-home job.  Because I just let my license completely expire, I had to re-test and go back through training...many times where I questioned what I was doing!  But God provides and gives us encouragement just when we need it - I have my first pending sale today, and His hand has been clearly evident throughout!

Good luck with your many, many endeavours - primarily the labor you're in as we blog!  :)

Dec 08, 2009 01:48 PM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

Christine - you do all of the above and you blog every chance you get.  What a UNIQUE situation to share and your baby girl will look back on her really EARLY years....and post lots of pictures, pictures, pictures!!!!

Dec 08, 2009 10:56 PM
Christine Emmick
Freelance Writer - Wall, PA
Woman of many words

Thanks everyone for your warm responses. It brought me to tears, and I think it would have even if I was not (still!) pregnant.

Nicholas, I thank you especially for the reminder. :)

Merry Christmas everyone!

Dec 14, 2009 05:46 AM