Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“Then what are you so worried about?” she returns, matching my volume. Her tone, however, is much more sincere and playful than mine.
I realize I’m incredibly worked up, getting angry at her even though she was just trying to help me.
Nicole shakes her head. “You do realize you have these people in place to help your business, not hinder it, right? I mean, think about it. If they mess up, they’re not getting paid, either.”
I try to relax, dropping my shoulders and letting the tension roll off. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. But I just don’t know how to let any of it go. I can’t remember the last time I didn’t go through my financials line by line to match my own records.”
“My god, Julia. You need to trust your staff a little more to do their jobs. You can’t operate like that. They’ll just wonder why they even have a job if you’re doing it all.”
I absolutely realize that Nicole has good points here, but I still kind of hate her for it. She owns this spa, but she doesn’t need to even run it.
Yet...it’s doing beautifully. And she’s told me she comes here to relax—and only relax—and to make occasional executive decisions when it’s absolutely necessary.
I just can’t fathom not being involved in every facet of my business. Every review, every delayed flight, every missed hotel booking…I need to know what goes on every time.
I don’t know why, but it’s just the ‘me’ I’ve come to know in the business world. If I’m on top of everything, nothing will ever come as a surprise, right?
“I’m a little worried about you, Julia,” Nicole admits.
“Are you? Am I that bad off, really?” I ask, seeking some reassurance that I’m not some monster.
“Honestly, yeah. And a spa day isn’t going to solve it.”
If a place designed for relaxation can’t fix me, what can?
“What would you recommend, then?” I pry. “I want to be able to look back on my own experience when I’m planning a resort of my own one day.”
“Well, I know this awesome bunch of guys. We were on their yacht with Cameron, Adam, and Chase, my partners at our political firm. They each own resorts. Together, they also run a business similar to yours. Go to their office. See what you’re missing. And just fucking relax.”
“And why exactly would I go meet my competition?”
“You’ll get some insight on what they might be doing that you’re not. So, it’ll be like you’re doing work research.” She smiles at me. “Or at least that’s what you can tell yourself while you’re getting…to know them.”
“I guess so. Maybe getting some competitive insight will give me the edge I need,” I say aloud, trying to rationalize the entire idea.
“You’re so weird, Julia. There’s more to business than competing to be the best,” Nicole says with a light chuckle. “At the very least, you should check out the resorts you send your own clients to.”
“You just might be right, Nicole. Look at you. You come in here and sit in the sauna with me. I would never just be able to do that, even if I did see you in any of the resorts.”
“Exactly. I love this place. I can come in, decompress, and go on with my day. I want that for you, too. You need to improve your quality of life, chick.”
I take a moment to reflect on our conversation. Somewhere inside me, I know I want things to change. I’m sick of constantly having knots in my neck, my back, my shoulders, my feet, my hands…
Fuck, I’m a mess.
I don’t even know what I’m wearing today. I just get something appropriate out of my closet every morning—on autopilot.
Nicole, meanwhile, is so put-together. She obviously planned her outfit for the day. She recently just came from a hair appointment, too. And she probably spends an hour or so putting on makeup. She even got a manicure and pedicure before we hit the spa.
That level of self-care is important to her. She seems like a happier person for it. I don’t know if I could ever put so much preparation into myself, but I could at least stop shoving it aside to get X amount of work done first.
X is an ever-changing variable, and, if I keep it up, I’m really never going to have time for myself.
“Excuse me, Miss Julia,” the sauna attendant says as he walks in.
“Yes, uh…Brian?” I respond, reading his nametag.
“I do hope I’m not interrupting your conversation, but I wanted to make sure you get the best spa experience today.”
Brian has curly black hair, a cute smile, and adorable cheek dimples. Nicole did a good job staffing her spa with gorgeous people, and I internally applaud her for that.
“Okay, yeah. I’m having a good time,” I lie.