I need to figure out how to generate an invoice. Then I need to plan for taxes. And I should get a government-issued business number. And write a business plan. And think about applying for grants and otherwise take care of a lot of businessy paperworky stuff.

Ugh.

Sadly, having a business background actually makes it *harder* to get this stuff done for some reason. Resources, ideas, commiseration, anyone?

But despite all that, the new life is going well, evidenced by my more genial and less snappish mood at home. Example: I noticed that even though I thought a lot of horrible, testy thoughts about my husband's travelling and my son's sharp Lego underfoot, I didn't say them aloud. Meanwhile, I bike to the studio every day (note to self: bike means "soft-shelled" - do not drive like you are in a truck), I found the perfect, comfortable painting uniform, and I have enjoyed chatting with my studio-mates and neighbors. I sold a few pieces and am working on others. No sales are in the pipeline, though. Uh oh. That means I need to drum up business. Drumming up business means that I have to get out there and flirt: with potential buyers, galleries, and on paper via grant applications.

Double ugh.

Is there any other career out there that requires such simultaneous introversion and extroversion? (Programming, maybe?)