Finding Balance: Why Notaries Need Passions Beyond Business
As notaries, we often find ourselves caught in the whirlwind of appointments, paperwork, and client relationships. Our businesses demand attention, focus, and dedication. But recently, I've been reminded of something essential I want to share with you all.
I rediscovered my love for homemaking. When my long-coveted blue midcentury modern vintage sofa finally arrived, I felt a spark of joy that had nothing to do with notary work. Similarly, the hours spent preparing Easter lunch for my parents and in-laws awakened something in me – a desire to create beautiful, welcoming spaces and experiences.
This revelation made me realize how vital it is for us, as business owners, to nurture interests outside our professional lives. Here's why:
Why Passions Matter for Entrepreneurs
Preventing Burnout: Running a notary business requires constant attention to detail. Without creative outlets, burnout becomes inevitable. When I spend an afternoon arranging flowers or hiking a local trail, I find my mind clearing. The next day, I approach my work with renewed focus.
Fueling Creativity: The creative thinking you develop while pursuing personal passions translates into innovative approaches to your business. New perspectives emerge when we step away from our primary focus.
Maintaining Identity: Before you were a notary, you were a person with unique interests. I've known colleagues who became so immersed in their businesses that they gradually abandoned hobbies and friendships. Years later, they found themselves successful but strangely empty.
Creating Connection: Personal passions create opportunities for meaningful connection with family and friends. When I hosted that Easter lunch, watching my family enjoy a meal I had prepared reminded me of the power of breaking bread together – something professional relationships alone can't provide.
Diverse Passions to Explore
The beauty of personal interests is their variety. Here are just a few directions you might explore:
Creative Pursuits: From cooking to painting, pottery to photography – creative hobbies engage different parts of our brains than analytical notary work. A fellow notary discovered ceramics in her fifties and now creates beautiful pieces she occasionally gives as client gifts.
Active Endeavors: Movement is essential for both physical and mental health. A mobile notary I know incorporated morning yoga into her routine, finding that it counteracted the physical strain of carrying her notary bag and sitting in traffic.
Learning Adventures: Perhaps your passion is learning new languages, studying history, or discussing literature. Intellectual curiosity keeps our minds flexible and engaged.
Home & Garden: Creating beautiful, functional living spaces through decorating or gardening provides both creative outlet and practical benefits. The satisfaction of transforming a room or watching plants grow offers immediate gratification that contrasts with the longer-term rewards of business building.
Making Time for What Matters
The biggest challenge is carving out time for passions amid busy schedules. Here's what works:
Schedule It: Treat personal interests with the same respect as client appointments by blocking out dedicated time in your calendar. Whether it's "Garden Tuesdays" or "Hiking Friday," having set times helps ensure these activities don't get pushed aside.
Start Small: Begin with modest commitments – perhaps 30 minutes three times a week. Small, consistent periods often prove more sustainable than occasional marathon sessions.
Set Boundaries: Learn to say no to business opportunities that would encroach on your dedicated personal time. Remember that maintaining this balance ultimately makes you a better notary by preventing burnout.
Find Accountability: Share your passion projects with friends or on social media. When others express interest in your photography or ask about your latest adventure, you're motivated to continue making time for these pursuits.
How Passions Improve Your Business
Perhaps counterintuitively, making time for personal interests often improves your notary business:
Renewed Energy: Time away from business concerns allows your mental batteries to recharge. I've found my most creative business solutions often come while I'm engaged in completely unrelated activities.
Authentic Marketing: Your passions can become part of your brand story, helping you connect with clients on a human level. My interest in vintage design has become a conversation starter with clients who notice my office décor.
Expanded Network: Pursuing interests outside your business introduces you to new circles of people who may become clients or referral sources. The community gardening group I joined last year has already resulted in three new regular clients.
My Personal Commitment
I'm making a commitment to carve out time for my passions alongside my notary work. For me, this means dedicated Wednesday afternoons for home projects and Sunday mornings for cooking. I've also joined a weekend hiking group that gets me outdoors and moving at least twice a month.
Most importantly, I'm working on releasing the guilt that often accompanies taking time away from my business. I remind myself that this balance isn't a luxury – it's essential for my wellbeing and, ultimately, for the health of my business.
What about you? What passions have you been neglecting while building your notary business? How might you begin reclaiming time for these interests? I'd love to hear about your journey toward balance in the comments below.
