Growing Your Business with Marketing, Week 21: Reasons this week worked

This is Week 21 of a 52-week project/experiment in DIY marketing. Armed with nothing but a copy of the 2009 Grow Your Business Marketing Plan + Calendar and my bare wits, I'm applying the skills you need to grow a business in real time, day by day, and reporting on them week by week. I do a topline analysis here, for people who like things short. See my companion blog, A Virgo's Guide to Marketing, for in-depth posts, additional links and other marketing-related goodness.

As I got back in the saddle, I had a great, productive, FUN week of work and marketing. Since I like to know the "why" behind it, I took some time to reflect on the reasons why. They are...

Reason #1: I felt good

Yes, I can work through pain or fatigue just like anyone else. But I am happier, more productive and more delightful to be around (hence, a better ad for me and my services) when I am healthy. Sleeping well, eating right and, yes, taking time off factor hugely in my attitude and my output.

Reason #2: I was doing stuff I loved, work-wise

The further I get away from design, the more certain I am I made the right move. And my current work continues to evolve as I discover what I'm best at and what people actually need and want to hire me for. Deidre talked about this last week, and I think it's truer than most of us want to think about most of the time.

Reason #3: I challenged myself a wee bit

I didn't make my cold calls, exactly, but I spent considerable time calling to put together consulting work for my July trip to Chicago, and making fundraising calls on behalf of PresentationCamp LA.

Those are the main takeaways; for the full story (plus a bonus piece on what I learned about newsletters), please do check out my companion blog, communicatrix | markets.