This month marks the first official month that my business is active. While that sounds exciting, the reality has been more challenging than I expected. The setup phase has taken noticeably longer than the last business I launched in 2023, and it feels like I have been running into setbacks at every step along the way.
One of the biggest delays right now is financial logistics. My business credit card application is still being held up, which has put a pause on making necessary purchases. Until that is resolved, I have been waiting on my debit card to arrive so I can begin signing up for essential subscriptions and purchasing more inventory. It is frustrating to be ready to move forward mentally while waiting for systems to catch up.
Because of these delays, I have been carrying a persistent feeling that I am falling behind. My to do list seems to grow faster than it shrinks, and that has been weighing on me more than I would like to admit. Even when I am working consistently, it can feel like progress is invisible, which is a tough place to sit when motivation is high.
To combat that feeling, I have started focusing on structure. I created a timesheet so I can clock in and clock out of my business each day and log my hours. Seeing the time written down helps remind me that work is being done, even when results are not immediate. Along with that, I built a daily task template that categorizes each day by specific types of work. This is my first attempt at creating a system that reflects how I operate instead of forcing myself into one that does not fit.
Over the next few weeks, I plan to create additional tracking templates and monitor my schedule more closely. The goal is not perfection. It is awareness. I want to see what works, what does not, and where my energy is really going so I can adjust as needed.
Right now, the priority is simple. Create a plan, execute it, then alter it as I learn more. This month is not about mastering anything. It is about building the tools I will need to operate efficiently in the future. In the months ahead, I will be sharpening and refining those tools. More than anything, I am learning that I need to fall in love with the process, not just the outcomes.
Outside of the business, I still have a few real estate responsibilities to manage, but far fewer than before. The condo has officially been rented out, which is a huge relief. A service call for a dryer issue at one of the rentals has already been taken care of. There is still a washer issue at the condo that needs attention, and the only remaining major task is completing some maintenance work on my rental property in Apopka, Florida.
When I step back and look at the bigger picture, I can see progress, even if it does not always feel that way day to day. Things are moving. Systems are being built. Loose ends are being tied up. This month may feel slow and messy, but it is laying the foundation for everything that comes next.
And for now, that is enough.