There I was – sitting cross-legged, sipping organic fair-trade coffee complete with soy creamer, typing away on my MacBook Pro while the installers toiled away with our new flooring.

I was even in a hoodie!

It couldn’t have been more of an entrepreneurial stereotype if I tried. Well, maybe it could have if the setting were an Italianate row house in San Francisco instead of a mid-century ranch in the Chicago suburbs.

The installation was loud and long. It broke my concentration repeatedly throughout the days. And for those that know me very well, one of the things I hate most are interruptions.

Despite that, I was extremely grateful for my life in those moments.

And yes, I was thankful Big Dog and Little Dog went to work with my husband.

But here’s where I need to be super transparent – this did not happen overnight.

It happened through a lot of missteps and saying ‘yes’ when I really wanted to scream ‘no’.

I had to be patient that I’d have enough time to build my parachute on the way down.

Overnight success isn’t a thing. The business owners that you see making 6 figures on their first launch also put in years to get them to that point in their career, whether they were actively working towards that specific goal or merely following the breadcrumbs not knowing where they’d lead.

Without patience, I would have given up way too early, thinking my harebrained scheme to run my own business was just that – harebrained,  loony, crazy.

I don’t do it with Patience alone – I have my friend Boundaries along for the ride.

Yep, I got to where I am by having really strong boundaries for what I will and will not put up with. I embraced almost every opportunity that was put in front of me that felt like an out-and-out YES. And, more importantly, steered clear of those that felt like a drag.

It meant that I disappointed people who wanted to speak to me the same day about how we might be able to work together. But it also meant I knew I was putting myself first, followed very closely by my clients and their businesses.

I just had to be okay with the fact that I couldn’t please everyone.

I learned that “No.” is a full sentence.

Now, my home’s floors are new and beautiful and more importantly, fully installed!

I’m grateful we have the resources to improve our home when it needs it. But if I didn’t jump at the chance to be the Boss of my life, I don’t think I would have appreciated the entire process of it instead of just the result.

Where has your business taught you gratitude and appreciation in your everyday life?