Last year, I was really busy. Tons of client work, wrote a book, etc. It got to where cutting the lawn was a pain in the @#$. So we hired a lawn guy. Local business, great guy, really professional, etc etc.
Let me tell you, this was bliss. For the first time in my life, I didn’t even think of the lawn – every Tuesday, as if by magic, the lawn was cut. Not only did it make me feel good personally (bending over a lawnmower is not great for my back), but also in a work sense – it’s hard not to feel like you’ve “arrived” when you can hire out to have the lawn done.
Anyway, cut to this year. Business is not as good. Scary economy. Etc etc. The lawn care proposal for this year comes. As a service to his customers, he’s not going to raise his prices, but I’m still somewhat considering dropping it. Bad economy and all.
Then my wife steps in. “Owl” she says (she calls me “Owl”) “you are NOT dumping the lawn guy. You still make enough, and we’re not going to be the people that cut someone. He needs his customers just like you need yours. And you LOVE having the lawn cut. I’m sending that proposal back with a “yes” right now.
God, I love my wife. She puts it in pretty good perspective. Business is down a little, but it’s not down enough that I’m gonna cut my lawn guy.
What a beautiful sentiment. I went through a similar process as I planned for an upscale bridal fair. I had my heart set on paying my designer to put my booth together as well as giving out gift bags. I wasn’t certain I could do both and as I debating which to do, I decided that the space design was more important because it gave business to another person. I know him personally and he has a family to support and it just felt more important than objects. I managed to do both but it was great to know my priorities.